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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-08 TranscriptionFebruary 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 1 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session 6:30 PM Council: Lehman, Champion, O'Donnell, Pfab, Kanner, Wilburn, Vanderhoef. Staff: Atkins, O'Malley, Herting, Fosse, Trueblood, Schmadeke, Mansfield, Davidson, Karr, Franklin, Helling. Tapes: 00-21 side 2, 00-22 and, 00-23, Both Sides. Atkins: The first one is you asked about airport debt. And, the way to read that- I tried to make it in a simplified form. I am making the assumption you didn't want to see that. Lehman: You are right. Atkins: Thank you. But that is available to you in more detail. We have current airport debt of $747,000. The Fiscal year '02 payment is eighty-one nine. That means we tax for eighty-one nine. We have pending debt of $2.245 million. We expect that debt to be sold, assuming you approve the capital projects. And that would require an annual payment of $232,655- or in Fiscal year '02 an annual payment of $314,000 on debt for the airport. Now, that number declines making the assumption that you don't sell any more new debt to the airport, which is an assumption you are probably- we really can't do. Lehman: No. Atkins: If everything was perfect the land acquisition master plan would sort of be cash in, cash out. But the FAA as slow they are and other obligations we have- so that is how to read that. So it does go up significantly in the next year. The second item is our new newsletter. It is going to go out in our Community News. I hope you like that. A lot of staff time went into preparation of that. We had an extra run of 5000 so if you are at a meeting any of you, you want to go talk to the school kids or the service clubs or whatever, if you want a fist full of them give us a call and we will get those to you. Pfab: I think a round of applause should go to the people who did it. Atkins: Lisa is not here. They will be put out in the Community News I think within a week or so. And the third item I did not have a handout for you but I will do my best to explain it to you. Last night there was some questions about housing numbers and I think we've got most of what you need to know. We now have 1100 certificates and vouchers that are made This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 2 available to our citizens. We currently have pending 150. That means 150 families have applied for certificates or vouchers. That does not mean they are eligible, but we are processing 150 additional applicants. We currently have approximately 100 families that have not used their certificate or voucher yet. That means that- and each of those families, all of our families are assigned to a housing assistant to help them out. But for any number of reasons- the apartments that might be available aren't on a busline or it is on the east side and I want to live on the west side or a 2 bedroom comes available but I need a 3 bedroom. Those folks have 120 days to use their certificate or voucher. If they can't find satisfactory housing they can come back and it can be renewed. I did find out something I was a little surprised at and I will share with you. Our housing inspection program for apartments is, given some other circumstances, is basically every 2 years. Those landlords that participate in our housing assistance program are inspected every year. And some of the landlords aren't happy with that because that is a level of scrutiny that they would not have to experience if they were basically on their own. So that is generally the numbers of where we are as of this afternoon. Vanderhoef: What is the cost for an inspection? Atkins: Couldn't tell you. I don't know Dee. I would have to look that- Kevin will make note of that and find out for you. Okay? Now, with that I thought tonight- who are we missing? Karin. Okay. Terry is here- I thought you were going to be late. You're not? Trueblood: I am not here yet. Atkins: Oh, well. Check in pal. Hang on a second, I've got to find my notes. You indicated an interest to talk about CIP tonight. And I have this in a handout if you would like it. But I just wanted to put this chart up for you. What this represents is the Capital Plan that is in the budget in front of you. We have- and this is of financial implications- we have a four year $40 million dollar proposal of general obligation debt to finance the Capital Plan. The budget also represents water rates increased, sewer rates increased, as we pointed out to you yesterday. No changes in the refuse fees or landfill fees. And we estimate a stormwater fee of $1.80 a month per utility customer. Please keep in mind we have not applied the stormwater fee to capital projects. Remember we talked about whether you'd want to do that or not, believing that first year of the fee will be taken up by the application process? The Fiscal years show the tax rate for debt retirement. Most of the documents I think I provided you to date. Our operating budget is basically fixed. There is not a whole lot of margin in that with tax rate and thereby taxes go up in our community. It is This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 3 substantially due to capital projects. I wrote in green- I don't know if you can read that that well. Those are the tax rates, the total city tax rates, that we are dealing with. Champion: Steve, does that include everything like (can't hear) levy? Atkins: That is everything. Champion: Okay. Atkins: Right. I just- I was just showing that the, um, the capital improvement component because that is what we were going to talk about- but that, as you can see again, the total tax rate increases. Now, from the 13.8 to the 15.9, while it may seem dramatic over the five years, that annualizes out at a little over 3% a year in your tax rate increase. I mean, it is not a huge number, but as you stack it on top of each other and continue to do more projects. And when you do make a commitment to a capital project that sells debt, at the very least, you commit to ten years worth of payments on that debt. Again, depending upon the financing that we use. I think the critical issues for you- and I just listed questions that you can think about as you take yourself through your discussion and debate. The CIP is as presented right here a financial issue. But also keep in mind it fulfills the capital component of many of our comprehensive neighborhood plans. It is also an investment in the community. New stuff. The City Park amusement rides, new trails- those are all things that are investments in our community. You have some flexibility. You could take a project and postpone it. The staff is here to give you the consequences. Most of them, in fact all of them, collectively have knowledge of each of the projects and you should feel free when you- if you raise a question I'll ask a staff person to be able to answer those for you. Many of the projects are maintenance related. That is, the fulfillment of our routine obligations for capital- for maintaining our capital assets. A number of them, and we have a chart we can show you if you get into that, have economic development consequences. And also a number of them are intended to take full advantage of available state and federal monies. For example, the Mormon Trek project. I did make a list, and again Ernie as you see fit, of projects that have been moved up in the list- either taken from unfunded or moved up from later years because of- and I can show you that. Lehman: Steve? Atkins: Yes? Lehman: Before you- just a point. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Atkins: Sure. Lehman: We went through- we go through this every year- basically this is the same CIP that we had a year ago? Atkins: Well, it is basically the same financially Emie. Lehman: Yeah? Atkins: But projects were either added or bumped up. I mean, to four of you it is the plan that you had experience with within the four year. To three of you, obviously, it is new and you will have to make your own policy decisions. But let me go to this list. If you look at this list these are projects that during the course of the preparation of the budget for you were added or moved up in some fashion into the plan. You remember Mormon Trek used to have four or five pieces spread throughout the plan, those of you who remember that from last year. Now it is one big project. Scott Park Sewer, that is an economic development issue in the sense that it opens lands, but also meets the needs of the Iowa City Care Center. Amusement tides- we bought the tides [and] we'd like to fix up a spot for it. City Park trail- those are the trails throughout City Park that need some renovation. Miller Orchard, we finally secured the property. We have been after it for some time. The Airport Commerce Park- that is the noah commercial area [and] that is the road and all of the construction. That was moved up and was in an out year, again as a component of the economic development policy. Cemetery- this is the deeded body area that we spoke about. The Economic Development is a new project that is a creation of cash. Capital outlay- use of debt to finance capital outlay. And the Near South Side Transportation Center. Now, those were all either not around or, in the unfunded years or the out years, and got moved up. You've seen the project generally in one way or another. Okay with that? And then in the Capital Plan- Kanner: (can't hear) Atkins: Yeah, we will. That is what I am going to do. Rick? Do you still have your tape? I'll hang that up for you Steve. And then there were projects that were postponed. Iowa River Power dam was deliberately postponed. If you remember, the bids came in way high and you sent Chuck back to the drawing boards and that work hasn't been finished yet. The Benton Street project was going to be a major renovation, widening and the Council said "no". We pushed that off and we did a resurfacing. The This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 5 Leisure Pool, the more we investigate it the more expensive it got so it got pushed off to, um- Lehman: That is the swimming pool? Atkins: That is the swimming pool. Lehman: We never had that in the (can't hear). Atkins: Yes, we did. We had a small amount of money in to do some- Lehman: A small amount, but no 4,600,000. Atkins: Oh no. No, that is when it- when Terry went out to have a formal plan drawn and the number kept getting bigger and bigger it got pushed further and further. Willow Creek Trail and Iowa River Trail, again, I think priorities two and three for Parks and Recreation Commission- this is in keeping with the discussion we had about the master plan as well as the fact that they represent almost $3 million in investments which would go right on top of- because that is all our money on top of this. Okay? Rick, you got the tape handy? I had to buy packing tape, that is all I have. Lehman: Well, it won't fall down. O'Donnell: Aren't we supposed to get a reduction in residential refuse? Lehman: We did that. O'Donnell: 55 cents? Lehman: Yeah. We did that last year I think. Atkins: And, for your information, so. That's okay, (can't hear), this will only take a second. That tax rate of $2.30, $2.90, $3.34. Each $700,000 worth of debt is 5 cents. That was the question I thought you asked me last night. So if you were to take out a $700,000 program in '01, $2.98 would become $2.93. Champion: It's five cents? Atkins: Five cents. Lehman: Per $700,000. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 6 Atkins: For each $700,000. And so you can factor it, generally speaking. Pfab: Go back over where the five cents was at- I just, I wasn't able to follow you. Atkins: Okay. Under 001 you have a debt service levy of $2.98. If you took $700,000 worth of debt out of this budget, that debt levy would become $2.93. And it would also translate further in as those other numbers would be reduced. But we would have to calculate those for you. Pfab: Right. Atkins: Here- I am sorry, I didn't hand this out to you. Make your notes on this thing if you'd like. I am sorry- I forgot I had those handy. Turn the lights on. Thank you very much. Pfab: Now that 5 cents is relatively a round number because of the cost (can't hear)? Atkins: Yes, I think it is 4.9- something like that. Pfab: But if interest rates- Atkins: Sure, that is right Irvin. If something would change- the interest rate could drop [and] that could go a little lower. I don't think they are going to drop. We did a reasonably conservative budgeting. I think we made an estimate of 5 ¼ % interest on (can't hear) debt. And that's pretty good. Champion: So 5 cents per $1000 of evaluation is how much? I can't add this up- is it $5.50? Atkins: It is 50 cents. Champion: It is 50 cents? Lehman: (can't hear) Atkins: On $1000. Now, on a $100,000 house- Champion: Right. Atkins: Okay. Lehman: It is $50. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 7 Champion: So it would be $50 on a $100,000 house. So it does add up quickly. Lehman: Well, it would be except a $100,000 house is assessed at $56,000 and so your- it would actually be $250. Atkins: Go. Lehman: Okay. We are going to start with capital improvements. I think it is important to remember that we are starting out with a document that is balanced. You know, this- if we like what we saw we could say okay and run with it because it is a balanced budget. Pfab: Are you working on a certain page number there? Lehman: We are going to work on capital improvements projects starting in the year 2000. Pfab: And that is on page...? Atkins: Page 22. 122 Irvin. That is where they start. Lehman: It becomes our job to decide if we have priorities that we think are more important than those that are expressed in the plan as proposed to us. If there are projects we would like to include that are not included, projects we would like to eliminate or projects we would like to move into the out year. Atkins: And also Ernie if I could ask if there are projects that you would discuss we could just make a discussion list. Wilburn: For 2000 or 20017 Lehman: Well, there are some in 2000 that are not necessarily slam dunks and I guess Steve I will start the 2000 one. Atkins: Yeah. Lehman: We have- a year ago we put out a bid on the Civic Center second floor and the second floor of the police department. The bid came in too high and we re-bid it, did the second floor of the Civic Center- Atkins: Third floor. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Lehman: -and I- third floor, I'm sorry- and in the FY2000 budget which is the current years budget there is a $613,000 item for the second floor of the police department which I don't- that is not something we started working on. I mean, and I guess- Atkins: Well, it has been designed. It just hasn't been built. Lehman: Yeah, I mean I guess- Vanderhoef: That is on the sheIK Lehman: Yeah, I guess you need to tell me at least, I don't know about the rest of us, how high a priority that is now and how important it is that that be done in this Fiscal year. Atkins: Is that a question for me or do you want to make a list of projects? Vanderhoef: That was one I had. Lehman: A question for somebody. Vanderhoef: I wondered how it got put into this- Atkins: In that case I will answer that one for you. Excuse me Dee, I interrupted you. Vanderhoe~ I just was curious how it immediately got put in the 2000. Atkins: What we did was simply picked a year. And, you know, you postponed it, you had seriously considered it before, the bid is what rejected it, we go back into doing the budget balancing, I put it back on the list. It is something that we have been wanting to do for some time. We've got the space available. You know, this is a renovation cost not a new construction cost. And the police department is full. [Should] we jot it down? Vanderhoef: Yes, please. Atkins: IfI recall it is $600,000? Lehman: $614,000o $613,800 or something like that. And I don't think- O'Donnell: Did we shelf that or were we going to re-bid that this year? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 9 Lehman: Well, I don't think we ever eliminated it. We just took it off the bid because it was too high and I think it is something we intend to do. When we intend to do it I think is the question. Atkins: That is correct. That is what I understood. Lehman: Yeah. There is another item in FY2000 that I think based on the crunch that we have in Parks and Recreation that we ought to maybe rethink and that is the $100,000 for the Peninsula Park. Champion: Oh, yeah. I had that on my list too. Vanderhoef: How much of that-? Lehman: We can't even take care of what we have. Champion: No. Vanderho ef: How much of that Peninsula Park, the $100,000, is for the design? Atkins: Terry? Champion: I don't think we need to do that now. Vanderhoef: Well, I wasn't sure whether the design was completed or not or whether some of that was already spent. Trueblood: We have a conceptual plan that is already completed. Atkins: Does it help if we turn that on? Trueblood: We have a conceptual design that is already completed. What this $100,000 was for, you may recall last year, was seed money- no pun intended. But that is literally what it is for is to get prairie grasses, wild flowers, and some trees and so forth just planted on there to get things growing because they take so long to mature. And it would be done along the lines of the conceptual design. But there is no final design done yet. And that wasn't intended to be done for awhile. The other thing I might just mention and Karin and Rick know more about this than I do is (can't hear) pending with the Corps of Engineers looking for possible grant money. Lehman: Right. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 10 Atkins: We just learned, in fact Karin the other day- would you like to give them a thumbnail sketch of this potential Corps of Engineers grant? This is new. I mean, it has been kicking around but it is beginning to come together. Franklin: Yeah, we just got the preliminary plan from the Corps this week and had a discussion with Coralville and the University about it. Basically what it entails in terms of the Peninsula Park is the forested wetland that is fight across from Crandic Park [and] getting that cleared out in terms of the woods there so that the light can come down through and doing some prairie plantings, vegetation plantings, in the Peninsula Park and in the Water Works Park. Now, what Steve has got up there is an illustration of the Water Works Park and in that area- fight- we are looking at again clearing out the wooded area so that the under story or the under growth can grow and also reconstructing a wetland in the southwest comer of this site. What- this is a 65/35 sharing between what the Corps will pay and what the cities and the University would pay. In the preliminary work that we have, aside from land acquisition which of course we would have to- we would not have to do any of in the Peninsula or Water Works Park, there was approximately $126,000 which was the local match and that is the amount of cash that would be necessary. I guess the important thing for this- Atkins: Are you going to mention the Peninsula (can't hear). Franklin: Oh, okay. Right, in that lower part. Oh- you derailed me. For the 2000 Fiscal year the important part I think is that that $100,000 that Terry was just talking about- the seed money- that some of those seeds will be coming from this Corps project. It would not be happening in 2000- in the year 2000. We will be looking at that, I think it was 2003 is about the year that we would be actually being so called under construction for this project that we are working on with the Corps. I guess I don't know what that tells you in terms of the year 2000 except that if we wait on some of this until we are doing this Corps project some of that cost will be covered. Atkins: We have $100,000 GO commitment to that project. Now, if you chose- excuse me Connie. Champion: Also (can't hear) the Water Plant don't we? Atkins: Yes, we have a Water Works project also. That is about $250,000 ifI recall that number. Kanner: That is correct. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Atkins: Is that fight? Lehman: It sounds like this $100,000 commitment if we wait until we do it with the Corps of Engineers may save us some money. Atkins: Well, it could save you some money and I think also you can do it more comprehensively. I mean, there is a fisk we take- we don't know if we are going to get the grant. Fosse: One thing to keep in mind is the Corps participation will be limited to the lowlands. Lehman: Right. Fosse: Primarily wetlands. And if we want to make an investment in the uplands that would be- Lehman: That's our job. Fosse: That would be our cost, yes. Vanderhoef: But this could be moved out until 2003 then? Lehman: Or whenever that happens. Atkins: Really tmtil the- if you are asking can it be moved out, I would assume- Terry will speak to that. Trueblood: There is just one thing that I don't want you to misunderstand. And that is if we don't do this this Fiscal year or next that it will eliminate the maintenance because that is not true. It won't eliminate the maintenance. We will still have to go out there probably 3 or 4 times a year and mow that area just because of the noxious weeds and so forth. So once all of the prairie grasses etc are planted, that is the intensive area for which we would contract out. But after that then the maintenance would actually probably be less than what it currently is. Champion: (can't hear) Trueblood: Ernie brought up the point that we can't maintain effectively what we have now so why expand that. We wouldn't be expanding it, we would be changing it and we wouldn't be increasing our maintenance by going ahead and seeding it this year or next. We might actually be reducing it. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 12 We do have obligation to maintain it even though it is just all weeds fight now. Lehman: How many acres is that Terry? Trueblood: About a hundred- plus or minus. Lehman: I can't remember, it has been awhile since I've been a kid on a farm but with a six-foot sickle you could probably mow that pretty easy in a couple three days. A lot less than a hundred thousand bucks. Trueblood: Oh, yeah. Atkins: Oh, yeah. Ernie that was not the question- the question was do we want to begin investing in the property. That is new money to be put into the property. Terry will maintain it with a six foot sickle. Lehman: What he is saying is it will require more maintenance will what it is now than it would be if we seeded it. Trueblood: At least as much if not more. Lehman: Yeah. Champion: I still think we can put that money off until (can't hear) Pfab: What was your motivation? Why do you think it should not be put off?. I mean, just- Trueblood: No, I wasn't arguing the point whether or not this hundred thousand dollars should be put off. You know, I mean that is your decision. That is a capital projects decision. I just don't want you to think that if we don't do it now that there won't be maintenance there because there already is maintenance there and has been for the last couple of years. And it will continue to be. Pfab: Okay- do you- okay let's look out 2 or 3 years. How do you see that changing the maintenance in a percentage? Say you have 100% maintenance now because you have to mow everything if you go out 2 or 3 years how much difference would that be in maintenance? Trueblood: Irvin, I am not sure that I can tell you right now. But I- Pfab: Plus or minus? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 13 Trueblood: I can confidently tell you that the maintenance would not be increased and would probably be decreased. Put a percentage on it? I don't know. Vanderhoef: Okay, with the Corps of Engineer project are we adding additional cost to the total project above and beyond this $100,0007 Do you suspect that? Champion: We didn't mean that to be the total end. Vanderhoef: Well, I am trying to (can't hear) Atkins: Karin I think- Dee and- I think they need to have an understanding of the numbers we are talking about for this whole project and in fact the (can't hear) Franklin: For the whole Peninsula project? Atkins: Yeah. Well, the Peninsula Park project, as I understand it, it will not be just $100,000. Lehman: Right. Vanderhoef: No. Franklin: It would be more than as the whole plan- a million? Atkins: Yeah. Franklin: Okay. The Corps project does not add to the cost. What it is doing is we've given them our plans for the Peninsula Park and for the Water Works Park. And it is those portions of those plans which are considered to be aquatic ecosystem restoration that the Corps will become involved in and will contribute Corps money toward those efforts. So that basically what it will do in effect for us is out of our total subtract some amount of money. But as Rick says, it is only for the lowlands. It is only for those things that can arguably be considered aquatic ecosystem restorations. So it is wetlands and stuff very close to the river. Pfab: How many acres compared to the hundred acres is- would you guestimate? Franklin: Okay, in- I think in the Peninsula it was about 10 acres out of the hundred. Pfab: So it is minor. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Franklin: And it is minor yeah. And in the Water Works Park it is about 21 out of 200+. Pfab: So about 10%? Round numbers- 10%. Kanner: I have a question for Terry and/or Karin perhaps. One of the things that the Peninsula Park states that it will do is help protect the wellheads for the city' s water supply with the new water plant. If we put off developing these wetland areas does that impinge on protection for the wellheads? If we wait until 2003? Schmadeke: No, I don't think so. Erosion would be the only problem that we would have to consider and that is fairly flat property down there. I don't think it would be a problem. Pfab: And it has no effect one way or the other on storm water? It is out of the storm water area? Schmadeke: Pretty much. Champion: I would like to see us work with the Corps of Engineers and I don't have any problem spending that money as that becomes- as their project money comes available but I'd like to put off the rest of the expenditures since that is not going to be developed for quite a while (can't hear) is it? Lehman: Well I also- Champion: It is minor money but it is something. Lehman: Well, but also that the Coralville dam that we were wanting to rebuild and in association with that either a trail across the top of the dam or a separate bridge to connect the trail system as- Atkins: You mean- that is the Iowa River Power dam that you are talking about. Lehman: What did I say? Atkins: Coralville dam. Lehman: I am sorry. Atkins: I didn't know where- I thought "that is a really big dam". This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 15 Lehman: That project has moved out too. If there were trails here and access to this area I think that we would be- I would be far more interested in seeing it move forward more quickly. But there is no access to this area. Pfab: When is the estimated time that the trails will be in the area as of right now? Lehman: Well, probably 2003 or 2004 would be my guess. So, I mean, it is probably four years away. Pfab: Do you need- is there an advantage to prepare for the trails? In other words, is it- is there more to be exposed to the public or- I see Connie shaking her head. She is the expert. Champion: I just want you to agree with me. Trueblood: I just wanted to quickly follow up on Irvin's question earlier about helping protect the wellheads. And, it is things with the long root structure, the prairie grasses and so forth- it is supposed to do some of that thing, some of those things, with regard to erosion and also filtration. That is really all I can tell you except that if I had a natural areas manager he could answer that question. (several talking) Atkins: (can't hear) Kanner: And is there any estimate on how this would affect deer population? Lehman: We'll go out and buy some. Kanner: We can go to the Salvation Army. Would this have an affect? I mean, if we have more wetland development maybe there is less deer? It is something that they don't like perhaps? This is a way to deal in part with the deer population. Atkins: I would suspect it would just be the opposite. Lehman: I think the opposite. I think they'll love it. Atkins: I think that- yeah. O'Donnell: They'll love it. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 16 Atkins: Yeah, that would be [what] my instincts will tell me. I mean, I am no scientist- Kanner: Actually I think they like freshly mowed grassy areas as opposed to wet marshy areas. I would think it would be the- Atkins: Well, if you look at the two sites- Lehman: They are going to have both. And they have both. Atkins: And they can get to- I mean, the deer have been seen swimming the river. Lehman: That is another subject I want to bring up some other time, but. Atkins: Alright. Okay. So what is your pleasure on this one? Do you want to think about it? Do we want to do another one? We can always come back and summarize. Kanner: You make a good point Ernie. You make a good point here and maybe we can come back and (can't hear). Atkins: What we can do is we can list these and then come back and then kind of have a wrap-up session. Lehman: And I am certainly not suggesting the elimination of any of this. I am saying I think that because of the fact that the trail system and the connecting bridges and whatever won't be in place for 3 or 4 years that this is something, in view of the fact that we're pretty tight on capital projects, could be postponed without causing any real harm. Okay. Anything else in 2000? Atkins: Or just anything. Lehman: Pardon? Atkins: I said any project you want. Lehman: Well, but I think it is going to be easier for us ifwe- Atkins: It is a four-year plan. Lehman: I know that. Atkins: Okay. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 17 Vanderhoef: We may start moving things. O'Donnell: On the skateboard park were we talking $100,000 for the longest period of time7 Atkins: Yeah. O'Donnell: And now we are- I am going to support this because I think we should have the skateboard park but we have doubled-. Trueblood: Actually I just came from a meeting about that. Lehman: We are on that now. Trueblood: Yes, what we have- what we had I should say- this Fiscal year FY2000, $100,000 budgeted for skate park development. As we got more and more of the skateboarding community involved and finding out that they didn't want what I thought they wanted the price kept going up. And that is why you see $200,000 projected for FY2001, I believe it was. Lehman: Right. Trueblood: $100,000 for FY2000 is out. Atkins: Out. And also I think Terry, Terry had a budget of $250,000 originally proposed. And remember I told you I was nickel diming and he got nickel dimed. Trueblood: That is a big nickel. Atkins: Yes it was. Vanderhoef: And he said in the previous one that it still may come in higher than the $200,000. Atkins: Oh yeah. Vanderhoef: So that- Atkins: In many respects these numbers- you know you can say to Terry you have to design a project within that budget. And it may not be everything everybody wants. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Trueblood: We are looking at grant possibilities as well for that project. Atkins: You don't want that on the list? Trueblood: No thanks. Atkins: You don't get a choice. O'Donnell: It is a good project. I just wasn't sure how we arrived at that. Lehman: Steve, when you do the Peninsula park would you also put Water Works Park in the same category? Because I think that the Peninsula and the Water Plant probably- those park areas, I would assume we will probably treat them fairly similarly. Atkins: That is $250,000 if I recall. Lehman: I think it is $250,000 for 2 different years. So it is a half million dollars total. Atkins: Oh it is? Lehman: Yeah. Atkins: Just a second, let me find it. Lehman: It is in FY- Vanderhoef: '01. Lehman: And '03. Kanner: In that $250,000 are we including artwork? I remember that some was taken out of our art fund and put into the Water Works Plant. Franklin: The understanding of the Public Art Committee, or I should say my understanding, is that the sculpture garden that is envisioned in the Water Works Park would come out of the Public Art Budget. However, the fountains or whatever around the Water Plant would not. Atkins: Right. Now how you use this $500,000 is yet to be determined. And I would caution you that- a piece of art can buy you a lot of prairie grass and other improvements to the park. Just so you know that. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 19 Kanner: So that includes the fountains in the $500,0007 Atkins: It includes $500,000- it is more of a general budget, Steven that you all have got to decide you know? If you approve this we would bring it back to you and say "here is the park, here are its 25 pieces and the cost for each one of those". And then you'll have to decide on how we implement them. We have a master plan that you can see already available for that. But how we are going to spend it- my personal opinion was that I'd intended to put in as many improvements of a park nature- trails, grass areas and trees- doing those sorts of things and not art. Lehman: Interactive things for the people. Atkins: Yeah. Lehman: Yeah. Atkins: And that is not saying that the art isn't an important component of it. It is just that I thought that was a bigger bang for our buck. This is going to cost you a whole lot more than the $500,000 before it is all finished. I mean, we have an interpretive center and we have docks and lots of really fun things to build on this project. Franklin: In relationship to the Water Works Park and the Corps project- right now the timing that is in the budget even though I understand that the whole thing may be more- at this point with the Corps project the lower lands would be under construction in 2003 which coincides with the second year for this. And the earlier year, the 2001 I think it is for Water Works, would enable us to do the constructive wetland on the upland portion of this, which is closer to Dubuque Road. And there is utility in doing that part first in terms of erosion and runoff that may go down into the lowlands. Okay- so just in terms of sequencing of time and having something in before the Corps project would get under way is something to think about. Is that clear? Pfab: Would that be where the prairie grass would go? O'Donnell: Could be. Franklin: Some wet prairie plantings would be in that part of the Corps project. But then the constructed wetlands on the upper portion, I am assuming, would have some plantings also. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Pfab: The precise question I was asking- does planting, what we had talked about the prairie grass which was kind of a tug of war, foster benefits on a yearly basis- is any of that have any effect or have any effect on erosion control? Franklin: The planting of prairie grasses always has an effect on erosion control. Yes. Pfab: But are those hazardous or- areas where there is a lot of slope or were they flat lands where we were thinking of putting it? Schmadeke: The Water Works Park site has some steep slopes especially around the sludge (can't hear) that we built. (can't hear) So it is fairly steep slopes on that side. I think we need to move ahead with at least part of that project to protect those slopes. Pfab: If that was the case I would certainly move that up- at least that part of it. If it was a case of preventing erosion. Atkins: That is important for me to understand. If the slopes on the lagoon- they were created- I believe that should be financed by water revenues and not by GO. In keeping with your policy of the- I mean, if that is something important to maintain those lagoons, they should be financed by water revenues. Lehman: Well that should be done right now shouldn't it? Those lagoons are built aren't they? Schmadeke: Well, yes. Lehman: I mean, that has to be done this spring. Schmadeke: Well it is scheduled for the following year which is fine. We have to move some dirt from the building site up to the noah of the lagoons. So I think the schedule that we have in the budget is appropriate. Pfab: But going back to the original point we were talking about the prairie grass, that is a collective need. How much of that 100 acres has- is a way to prevent more erosion? Schmadeke: Well if I can show you on the map here. Lehman: Yeah. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 21 Pfab: Okay. If you would I would appreciate it. Schrnadeke: This area that is through here, east of this road that runs through (can't hear). Pfab: And that is relatively rolling. Schrnadeke: Yeah it is steep slopes through here and down. Pfab: Okay, then at that point I would certainly give that a lot harder emphasis than if it were just fiat like a road. Vanderho ef: Okay, the constructive- the upper constructive wetland that you are talking about Karin. Lehman: It is right there. Vanderhoef: Is there any of that that is being required because we are removing wetlands? Arkins: You mean for mitigation? Vanderhoef: Uh-huh. Franklin: The upper constructive wetland because we are removing wetlands (can't hear, not at microphone). Schmadeke: No, that was because the sludge (can't hear). We actually constructed a wetland in the lower area because of the ones that we were removing. Vanderhoef: So you have removed- so this is mitigation to replace? Schmadeke: ..go to the map again. Vanderhoef: Well, I am wondering if we don't- if it is not mitigated wetlands why are we building another wetland when we already have a lot of wetlands in this park? Schmadeke: This is our constructed wetland area here. Lehman: What is this one down here? Schmadeke: This is a pond that we are constructing to protect the runoff from the pond here. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 22 Vanderhoef: But the upper wetland that you are constructing- is that a requirement because of mitigation of others? Schmadeke: Right. Vanderhoef: Okay. And that was caused by something in the area where the Water Plant was? Schmadeke: We removed a wetland. I believe it was fight in this area and we were disturbing some wetlands on the Peninsula site with construction of the well. Vanderhoef: So this is required so it actually is part of the Water Plant project? Schmadeke: Right. This has been constructed except for some of the plantings. Lehman: Well this one down here then that really is a detention facility? Schmadeke: This one is, yes. Lehman: Right, which is also part of the Water Plant. Schmadeke: Right. Lehman: Not part of the parkland. Vanderhoef: Does this one also then, the upland one, does it mitigate for the Peninsula site? Schmadeke: Yes. Vanderhoef: So it is all in one spot? And it is being paid for by water monies? Lehman: I would suggest that the plantings associated with erosion control- the wetlands that are required, both the upper and lower ones- are really part of the Water Plant project and not part of Parks and Recreation and probably should be handled as part of the construction project. Vanderhoef: Yes. Lehman: And they have to be done. There is no question about that. Vanderho ef: That is what I was getting to in the end result. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 23 Atkins: I hear you. Lehman: I mean, isn't that fight? Atkins: I have strong opinions about that project. I told you that I thought that the (can't hear) Lehman: I know. Atkins: But your policy was it was Parks and Recreation [and] it will not be paid by water. Vanderhoef: Well, mitigation is something else. Atkins: Okay, as long as we all understand each other I think that we can legitimately proceed with the construction of those wetlands which is a component of maintaining the viability of the water site. And it happens to be a benefit to be enjoyed by those folks in Parks and Recreation also. I am okay with that. Champion: Okay. Atkins: As long as we understand. Pfab: One other question. Are there any of these that are showcase projects for a visitor or somebody moving to Iowa City? And do they have showcase value? Atkins: I personally believe that when this park is done, it in itself will be of showcase value. I mean, it is such- it has so many unique characteristics, so many things that you can be doing, we eventually will have it tied into the Peninsula. I mean, we are talking about almost 300 acres of public property that could be available. Pfab: And that would be at a time when- when would it be, as it is projected now, be finished? Atkins: I would hope everything could be finished by the end of the decade. Pfab: When? Atkins: Decade. I mean, we are talking 10 years before we'd get everything finished. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 24 Pfab: The reason I was going to say- the reason I brought that up [is] is there any of this, as we try to make the City more attractive- we looked at economic development- is some of that, could some of that, be used in some of those ways? Atkins: Well I think it is, once this thing is finished Irvin, you are going to find it is going to be such a- it is going to be such an attractive feature that it will have regional draw. I don't think there is any question about that. Pfab: Make it more desirable for- Atkins: I mean, if you walk the Water Works Park in Des Moines- and they don't plan anything close to what we have here. And it is a very, very attractive environment fight in the middle of an urban setting. Not unlike Hickory Hill. Just a different type-. Okay. Kanner: Ernie and Dee, just to make clear for myself, what you are getting at is that if we are going to put some of this money in for the Water Works and bill it to people as part of their bills, I guess in the end result, we are taking some out of that $500,000- that we are designating a small amount perhaps- Lehman: Well maybe. I don't know how they broke this down but if it is necessary as part of the construction and, to me, you have to mitigate erosion control. You have to do something so it doesn't wash. That is not Parks and Recreation. That is construction. And if we have to put in a storm water retention basin to protect the water supply down below that is not a park- they function as a park but it is part of the water plant itself. I don't have a problem with that. If we embellish it- if we really want to embellish it, now that becomes Parks and shouldn't go on the water bill. But the basic construction I think is part of the plan. Kanner: But are you talking about maybe cutting back that $250,000 for this year for Water Works? Lehman: Well that is for next year and the year after, but I think Steve alluded to it and I think he is probably fight, by the time that project is done maybe by the end of the decade you are probably talking a million dollars for that park. Kanner: Well we have $250,000 (can't hear) $250,000 of that $500,000 in Fiscal year '01. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 25 Lehman: Which I thought we (changed tapes) Atkins: .... that project can use water revenues. Champion: Yes. Atkins: Then the GO of $500,000 is automatically reduced just simply by that statement. Lehman: Some portion of it. Atkins: The extent to which I think we need to list them all, go back and re- I will recalculate that for you and I will make some assumptions and obviously inform you of what those assumptions are. I think (can't hear) half. I think Steven was at least alluding to half or something such as that. Kanner: Well I am saying half this year- well, I mean $250,000 as what we are planning. Atkins: That is my point. That is what I meant by half of the $500,000. Pfab: I am going to throw some sand in the gears here. And which has nothing to do with this per se but does it get close to same up at the Senior Center that overhead walkway is caused by the- is part of the ramp? Champion: No. Lehman: No, no, no, no. (several talking) Pfab: Because if the ramp wasn't there you didn't need the other. Lehman: No. Champion: Well that is true, you wouldn't need the other but- Pfab: It is not a long stretch. Lehman: It would be a long stretch on that one because if make a steep hill and you've got dirt there it is going wash away. You've got to do something to keep- to prevent the erosion. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 26 Pfab: But when you make it real high for the people to get over to the Senior Center that was- it wasn't there before. I mean, like I said, it really doesn't have anything to do with anything but do these- once we start stretching where does it stop? Lehman: You really stretched that one Irvin? Champion: If we weren't building the ramp there would be no reason to think about a skywalk because there wouldn't be senior citizens parking in the ramp. Lehman: Use a diving board. Arkins: Anyway. Lehman: Moving along. Atkins: Moving along. Champion: Okay. Arkins: Any other ideas? GIS Vanderhoef: On the GIS computer package I guess I- Atkins: Do you have a page Dee? Dee: Well, it is GIS- is going (can't hear) Atkins: Page 1407 Champion: What page? I couldn't find that either. Atkins: Is that agreed we'd like to put that up for discussion? Vanderhoef: Uh, 145. Atkins: GIS? Vanderhoef: Well, I have a question about it for Rick. Lehman: Don't put it up yet. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 27 Atkins: Okay. Vanderho ef: Here again, its one of the things about our stormwater and how much of this GIS is necessary to get us into place to do what we need to do for the permitting and so forth for stormwater. Fosse: They are closely tied. The GIS (can't hear) One of the first applications of the GIS will be the storm water thing because we currently don't have a good map of our storm sewer system so as we build that we build it on the GIS system and use that to analyze what the impacts are. Vanderhoef: To me this is part of that start up cost for stormwater and that a certain percent of the GIS computer systeming should be charged to stormwater. Kanner: Page 140. Champion: Thanks. Fosse: At the present time if look at the allocations for the GIS it is over 3 years and the total is $1 million (can't hear). And that is kind of a stab in the dark (can't hear) thing falls short. And we will be interviewing firms a little later this month that will work on implementation plans for us. And part of that implementation plan will include estimates of each step of the way so that we'll- at this time next year we are going to have a lot better figures to work with than we do now. Champion: You know, I know that I think- you know, when I look at all of this money we spend on computers- a million, $2 million, $700,000, $600,000- I mean, I begin to wonder if technology is using us. The people who are making computers are making a fortune. And I can't see that we are getting $2 million out of it. I really would- that GIS we have been talking about, I know the City has and accounting, for fifteen years. And I don't know how much we've spent on it already but- quite a bit. Atkins: But (can't hear), that is coming through the assessor's office. Remember that? Champion: Right. Atkins: Yeah, that is where that is mostly budgeted. I mean, we don't- we have not budgeted that much. Rick has been head of an internal committee trying to put together a project. And we have been kicking a million dollars around for the last several years that it would ultimately cost us to do this. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 28 Fosse: We have been hanging back deliberately (can't hear) communities are moving forward with this technology because the cost is coming down, the success rate is going up- we think now is a good time to proceed into it. 5 years ago we weren't as confident about it. Pfab: Is there regional benefits for all the entities around to go in and build a good one and then divide up the cost or the benefits? Fosse: We are currently working with Coralville, the University of Iowa and Johnson County so that we can build on a platform on which we can all interchange information. If we try and build one big system, the experience that other communities have had is that it becomes unmanageable and it breaks down and it doesn't move forward. So we are better off building independent systems, maintaining our flexibility, but doing so on a similar platform and doing it in a manner that we can swap information. And some of the components on this like GPS, Global Positioning System, for surveying which will help us get into that. We are looking going into the University on buying one base station for that and using it for both of us rather than two. That saves $35,000 fight there. And so we are looking at those types of opportunities. Pfab: It looks to me like it- while it is a valuable system it is probably not something that is going to be running 24 and 7. In other words, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week [its] probably not going to be running. Fosse: Well, eventually I think it will because eventually much of the information that is on GIS will be out on our website. And if you want to get at it at two in the rooming from your bedroom you can do that. O'Donnell: Probably not. Champion: How thrilling. Lehman: Now, why would Irvin want to find that at 2:00 in the morning from his bedroom? Pfab: I think he was referring to you. Lehman: I know I wouldn't. Vanderhoef: I guess what I would like to say about GIS- I think we have to move forward with GIS. And for this year I would like to leave it in. What I This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 29 would like to see is put this on the list of things to build into our storm water utility. And put some of the cost into that whole utility process. Fosse: Another way to think about the GIS is as a City we have about $90 million worth of capital assets and GIS is the tool that is going to help us manage those assets and take the best care of them that we can because (can't hear) we keep our assets for the long haul. We don't depreciate them and we don't sell in ten years and move on. Champion: My whole point is I just don't know how much help we can afford. Pfab: I wouldn't want anything I said here to say that I don't think it is an extremely valuable system. I mean, I really- my point was as you are saying, it is gradually- well it is not gradually- it has been improved by multiples. I mean, it gets better every year so the longer we don't need it- once we need it I think we should move at it with full speed. That would be my way of saying it. Open Space Land Acquisition O'Donnell: Page 132. Open Space Land Acquisition. And as Terry pointed out we don't have a natural areas manager and I really don't know why we need to keep doing this if we can't manage what we have. Pfab: Which line- where are you at? O'Donnell: Open Space Land Acquisition. Atkins: The thinking behind that occurred, oh I don't know, five or six years ago- Terry? Longer? That we would put in a lump sum each year, make it available to the Parks and Recreation Department that if land became available that was determined to be beneficial, and if I recall Dee and Ross as members of the commission about that time, that that was just sort of a lump sum. I think Wetherby Park is how we secured that 10 acres. And I think we have some other acquisitions out there. Vanderhoef: The original acquisition money though was the hotel/motel. Atkins: The original acquisition money was hotel/motel and the sale of Central Junior High. That seeded the thing to begin with. Lehman: But I think- we are borrowing that. That comes out of GO money. We are borrowing $50,000. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 3o Atkins: No it is not. Lehman: Well it says it is under- by funding source it says transfer in from GO. Atkins: Now wait a minute. Lehman: On page 145, every one of your project years show that that fund comes out of General Obligation bonds. O'Donnell: (can't hear) General Fund Parkland Acquisition on 132. Arkins: Ernie, I am looking on page 132. Open Space Land Acquisition is funded by the Parkland Acquisition. Yeah. Lehman: Yeah, but where you show Capital Improvement Projects by funding source you have it listed under General Obligation. Arkins: Where again? Lehman: On page 144, 145, 146, and 147 it is all under GO money. That is in your total of General Obligation debt for each one of those years. Vanderhoef: About halfway down. Atkins: Go ahead Deb. Mansfield: I think maybe we are talking about two different programs Atkins: I think we are too. Mansfield: What is the name of the project that you are looking at? Atkins: Oh, here it is Ernie. Ernie- Open Space Land Acquisition 132. Parkland Development 133. They are different programs. You are correct, and so am I. Lehman: Well good. O'Donnell: We can go home now. Lehman: We can go home now right? Atkins: Yeah. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the lowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 31 Lehman: No, but I think Mike's point, and I don't disagree with him, I don't understand why we would be borrowing GO money to put in a fund for Parkland Acquisition if we don't have a project in mind for that- those funds. I mean, I see- Atkins: That Parkland Acquisition reserve is strictly at your (can't hear). Lehman: But we are borrowing the money to put in the reserve. Why would we do that? Atkins: No, no we are not. This Parkland Development is that neighborhood assoc.- okay- when Parkland, as is acquired, we set aside appropriation to develop. This is Parkland Development. This makes it a park- on 33.32 buys the land. O'Donnell: But my whole point was- how many acres do we have now Terry? And we all realize the value ofparkland. Trueblood: Counting everything we've got Water Works park area, Peninsula, etc- we have got in the neighborhood of 1200 acres ofparkland. O'Donnell: And we can't take care of it? Trueblood: Well we feel we can take care of it. When we came to you before we were saying that we don't feel that we can continue to grow parkland and trails without growth in personnel to maintain it. We think we can maintain what we've got now and are making our best effort. O'Donnell: I understood we couldn't take care of the 1200 acres we've got now. Trueblood: No. O'Donnell: (can't hear) Trueblood: A lot of this 1200 acres is not developed okay? As it is developed it becomes higher maintenance and as we continue to grow we won't be able to continue to maintain it at the current level if we don't show growth in staff and equipment (can't hear). Atkins: Mike, this is part of the 1200. When this is finished he doesn't have the people to maintain that. Trueblood: That is right. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 32 Pfab: Okay, let me ask you this. How many years has the $50,000 been a constant? Atkins: We set aside $50,000 a year in the budget. We have been doing it for years. It does not accumulate. Pfab: No, no. But for how long? Atkins: Five or six years. Pfab: Okay. Lehman: As long as I have been around I think. Atkins: Yeah. Pfab: Okay, so then I would ask you what has- I am in favor- but what has it done- what have we been able to do in those years because we were doing it? It looks to me like it has been very successful. Atkins: It has been. Pfab: And also, it is a diminishing amount with inflation and whatnot. Atkins: Eats away at it, fight. Pfab: Right. So it is not an increasing amount. Atkins: Well then the other side though- Pfab: And you buy less. Atkins: Is you buy- thank you. Trueblood: You can't buy as much. Just a brief little history- 30 maybe 35 seconds. Years ago there was a Parkland Acquisition fund that year it was supplemented by the hotel/motel tax. It grew up to the neighborhood of half a million dollars. Three or four years ago the determination was made that that hotel/motel tax was no longer going to go into that fund but the Parkland Acquisition fund was going to stay there. And our Parks and Recreation commission had concerns about that but basically said "okay the Parkland Acquisition fund will stay there and when that is gone then we request funding through GO bonds or whatever else just like for anything else". This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 33 Pfab: It looks- Trueblood: But the Parkland Acquisition fund has been around for 20 to 25 years probably. O'Donnell: It appears to me though like that is our- we could maybe move this. This could fund your natural areas manager and then we could go over here on 132, Parkland Development. Pfab: In one sense it is kind of a reserve sinking fund. At the end we hopefully will have a great park system. We have had the land to make a great park system. And I would have- I would be very reluctant to change it. I mean, that is just my own personal feeling at this point from what I know. Champion: Is this money used for land acquisition for trails? Trueblood: It can be. Atkins: Can be. Champion: But it has not been. Trueblood: I don't recall any recent instances. Atkins: I recall any either Connie. Lehman: That would be an appropriate use though? Atkins: Yeah, yeah. The commission usually makes that determination (can't hear). Champion: And where does this money come from? Atkins: The Parkland Acquisition fund was originally seeded by the sale of the Central Junior High. Champion: Right. Atkins: Then it was supplemented with hotel/motel tax. The fund grew to close to half a million. It is now down, I'd have to look it up I don't know what the number is- it is in here, they'll look it up for you, because we have taken money out of it to do projects. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 34 Lehman: So how is it funded now, is Connie's question. Atkins: It is not. Lehman: It's not. Atkins: It sits there. There is no new money. Right? Because we redistributed that. There is no new money coming in. And this proposes to spend it down. Now, folks, ira $50,000 Open Space Land Acquisition project doesn't come along, the commission is not going to proceed with recommending to buy to you. So that reserve position just sits there. Trueblood: (can't hear) Kanner: So you are saying it hasn't gone down in recent years? Trueblood: Oh yeah it has. Vanderhoef: Oh yeah. Atkins: Oh yeah, because we have made purchases. Vanderhoef: Wetherby Park (can't hear). Trueblood: The most recent one was Miller Orchard. Arkins: Yeah. Lehman: Right. Trueblood: You got- funded about half of it through Parkland Acquisition and the other half through (can't hear). Prior to that- Atkins: I think we spent $60,000 out of that for that. Trueblood: About $60,000. Prior to that, a few years ago, we expanded Wetherby park by 10 acres to the tune of somewhere around $90,000 1 believe it was. And we have borrowed from it occasionally. In-house borrowing. Kanner: Mike, one of the things that I have heard is that we are open space challenged in this community according to federal figures and guidelines- that we are way below that. And I consider this a good investment in our community and something that- it is a small amount I think that we ought to keep up. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 35 O'Donnell: It is a small amount to some. I mean, if we have ground now that we can't properly manage and maintain why add to it? We do need a natural areas manager. And this might be a good trade off. It is- you just- if you can't take care of it and maintain it why in the world would you add to it? I mean, it can always be resurrected down the road but it just seems like we could move this- this particular amount- into the out years. Or transfer- I would like to see- we've got $20,000 put in to make parks accessible. You know, I would like to see some of this shifted and make what we do have accessible to the disabled. Vanderhoef: Well, the development money would do that Mike. O'Donnell: What is that now? Champion: Parkland Development. Vanderhoef: The Parkland Development money, which is what I think we are talking about that is put in every year, will do those projects but the acquisition we are not putting- we don't have to put money into acquisition because we've already got money in acquisition funds. O'Donnell: Exactly, and my question was should we continue to keep doing that? If the majority thinks we should then-. Lehman: Well it says here that there is an annual appropriation of $50,000 per year for the purpose of acquiring property for recreational and park purposes. Funding source is the Parkland Acquisition Fund though. It doesn't come out of- it comes from their own fund. Trueblood: The one thing to remember is with that Parkland Acquisition fund is that if there is a neighborhood that is a high (can't hear) area for example, and some property should become available, the fund is there and is readily available for us to use. Atkins: It is a $200,000 balance. Lehman: Right. Champion: Which is not very much money. Vanderho ef: No, but that is how we got the Miller Orchard. Champion: Right. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 36 Vanderhoef: Because the money was there. Lehman: Well, but it doesn't come out of the general fund, nor does it come out of (can't hear). Atkins: When you do spend this money you usually spend it in a big hunk. $50,000, $60,000, $70,000 goes away real quick. Mercer Park Bali Field Champion: I think we should keep that. Well since we are talking about park things we talked about Mercer Park Ball Field lighting. We were told they could get by with one diamond. Would that reduce that $200,000 at all? Atkins: Is that the project we changed? O'Donnell: What page is that? Champion: 132. Atkins: Remember, to the concession stand and the restrooms? Trueblood: That was the project that was changed since your last meeting and the project that is proposed for 2001 right now is to work in cooperation with the Babe Ruth Association in building a new concession restroom storage building and lighting one- re-lighting- one ball diamond. Then the re- lighting of the other three ball diamonds was pushed into the unfunded years. Champion: Okay, okay good. That answers my question about that. Tennis Court Lighting Champion: And then we are lighting tennis courts? Atkins: Uh-huh. Champion: Maybe we will have some lights. Atkins: We do real well at that don't we? Champion: Maybe we will have some lights. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 37 Lehman: I know where there are some lights. Vanderhoef: We split that project though, didn't we? Trueblood: These are not on the school property, by the way. Vanderhoef: Thank you. The split- Atkins: Yes? We do surfacing and lighting. Vanderhoef: The surfacing and the lighting. $120,000 for one of them and $80,000 for the other one as I recall? Champion: Yes. Vanderhoef: Okay, if you had a choice between, what is most critical right now? Trueblood: Well, that is the same question that came up last year. Were you checking your notes? Vanderhoef: Nope. Trueblood: The resurfacing is already under way. Atkins: We are under contract to that. Trueblood: The City Park courts are not nearly as bad as Mercer Park and at City Park they were resurfaced this last year. The contract was let to resurface and re-fence the Mercer Park Courts but they can't get to it until spring. So. Obviously in answer to your question, the surfacing was the more important project. That was why we went ahead and did it now. The lighting is 23-24 years old. Vanderho ef: And not up to the standards most people are used to? Lehman: Not bright enough. Vanderhoef: Not when you can't see at all. Get your glasses fixed Dee. Trueblood: I haven't had real good luck with lighting projects so if don't want to do it that is okay. Arkins: No, you did very well at the University Softball Complex lighting project. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 3s Lehman: Yes. Atkins: You did very well there. Trueblood: Area of complaint. Atkins: Area of complaint. Lehman: Well, we are going to build a school next- Vanderhoef: And they are well used. Atkins: A little dim in the outfield but we get over it. Sturgis Ferry Park Champion: And what are we going to do with Sturgis Ferry Park? Atkins: Directly behind you is my two person committee on Sturgis Ferry Park. And they are both looking around. Terry is now the current chair. Trueblood: I was ready to go on that and Steve cut the money out of the budget. Atkins: We would- go ahead, explain. Trueblood: We moved a bunch of dirt into there this last year from the Scanlon Gym site. This next spring we are going to be moving a lot of that around and doing some landscaping at the noah end of the park to kind of hide the recycling areas. And that one trail plan calls for a trail to go down the west bank through Sturgis Ferry Park eventually to a pedestrian bridge to cross over to Napoleon. Now, right now that is in the unfunded years and there are some airport rtmway concerns along there as well. Champion: So you are not going to do anything with the trail in there? Trueblood: We are not doing anything with the trail in the next couple of years anyway but we just want to dress up the north end of the park and maybe get one of those signs to put there. Atkins: We want to make it look better. Lehman: Yeah. Vanderhoef: Is the recycling going to go out of there though? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 39 O'Donnell: It should be very easy. Atkins: Well, it is still a reasonably popular drop spot. We opened our recycling center bids this afternoon. Lehman: Oh yeah? Atkins: Yeah, not good. We will work on that tomorrow. Lehman: No, but I think Steve you have a good point. It doesn't do you any good- you can have the best recycling center in the whole world and if people don't go to it, it doesn't do you a bit of good. And if they are using that and using it well we almost have to keep it. Atkins: Well, in the City we do- you know, we pick up at the curb. And I think you will find a lot of what gets dropped off there is County residents. And we will close that when we move out to the recycling center, which we thought we were going to do until we got the bids this afternoon which we have to go to work on. Vanderhoef: Again? Atkins: Yeah, not even close. I know. It is really a bummer ~ such a neat project. Pfab: I would just make a comment about the people that come to recycle the paper down on the other side of Benton Street- Atkins: City Carton. Pfab: City Carton? It is absolutely amazing the number of people who are from outside the City. I mean, it is just- on a regular basis they just keep coming. Tipton, Washington, almost that far. I mean, they just keep coming and coming. They come to town, they drop their stuff off on a regular basis. Lehman: Other budget items? Champion: I wanted to talk about one more. Lehman: All fight. Champion: Go ahead. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 40 Wilburn: Do you want to go first? Hunter's Run Champion: Well, I wanted to ask about the park- I can't remember the name of it, out by the west side of town. Atkins: Park by the west side of town? Lehman: Hunter' s Run? Champion: Right. Atkins: Hunter's Run. Yeah, it is in there. It is about $300,000 ifI recall. Pfab: What page are you on? Atkins: Find it for you sir, just a moment. Pfab: Pardon? Atkins: We are looking. Pfab: Oh. Atkins: Page 132. Hunter's Run $300,000. Champion: Tell me what that money includes. Trueblood: Right now we don't have a specific plan. What we would do if that money stays in is we would embark upon a series of planning sessions with that neighborhood to get their input. But, we have about 26 acres of parkland out there, most of which is farmed fight now. And it has been one of those projects that, Dee and Ross can tell you, that has been looked at for several years and kept getting placed on the back burner year after year. I have been approached by a group, from I guess part of the PTA group from Irving Weber School, to see if- that they would like to be a plan, or a part of the planning process, and actually see if maybe there isn't- are some things that could be done on school property as well as public property to help develop neighborhood park out in that area. So I- in answer to your question- we don't have a specific plan but I envision it as kind of a large neighborhood park, if you will. Champion: And there is not a park at all over there is there? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 41 Trueblood: There is greenspace, not really a park. Wilbum: What is the deficit over there? Trueblood: Pardon me? Wilbum: What is the open space deficit over there? Trueblood: Ross, I don't know just offhand. But I know there is a deficit. Well no, there is not a deficit because we have the parkland there but we don't have- but it is not developed. Vanderhoef: Developed. That is the development money. Trueblood: Well, development money could assist with that. (Can't hear) Vanderhoef: The thing that interested me when I looked at that [is] I know how it has been there and I spoke about it last year and said we just can't put these people off any longer on that particular project. And then I looked at the Parks and Recreation- Atkins: Priorities? Vanderhoef: -guidelines. Their priorities, and it was like they don't have it nearly so high. It fell into the top of the second 10, for that matter, and the Court Hill trail system moved up considerably. And they were about of equal value in dollars. And it was like, okay, do I go with my Parks and Recreation commission recommendation or do I go with my gut feeling that this-? Atkins: My thinking had been that it was beginning to approach Miller Orchard proportions. We had this land- I mean, that subdivision has really begun to fill out. Our conscience is beginning to bother us that it's time to put a park there. If we knew that there was the land- I wasn't sure of deficits or things such as that, but we had certainly made a commitment to the developer. I mean, that land was acquired early in that development. Correct? Yeah, I mean, we have had that- Trueblood: Before we were in Iowa City. Atkins: Yeah. Vanderhoef: And it is growing out there. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Atkins: It precedes Terry and I, so. Lehman: Boy, that is old. Wilburn: Dee, just a couple of background things about the- Vanderhoef: Tell me about the park. Wilburn: Not about that park particularly but the top ten priorities. There were a couple of items, and maybe Terry can correct me if I am wrong, that I felt perhaps our ranking of them was influenced by whether or not you on Council had already funded or committed funds to something- I am thinking of this year like the Water Works Park development. There was a lot of stuff in the paper, we had heard- and so I think a couple items there like that may have made it- moved up. You know, so we don't have the next five items- I am not quit sure where some of those things that you were looking at- where they fall within the next five priority items. But that is just background. Vanderhoef: Okay. Kanner: So you were saying perhaps this Hunters Run was in here and it didn't get the high ranking? Wilburn: I don't know where it fell but I know there was a couple other projects that Dee had wondered why there weren't on the top ten priorities. Vanderhoef: Hunters Run was number eleven. Wilburn: It was eleven? So that is- go ahead. Kanner: Are you suggesting that perhaps we put this ahead of the Court Hill? Vanderhoef: I was asking for information or feedback because I had felt all along that Hunters Run should happen. However, when I looked at their priorities they had put the Melrose, or not Melrose, the Court Hill project much higher ranking than Hunters Run. So I was just getting feedback on whether that really was a strong feeling from the commission that they wanted the Court Hill project. Trueblood: I think Dee-. First of all, when the commission prioritized these it was before some of the other developments came about. I mean, developments with regard to the budget. If I were to go back and talk to the commission This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 43 again about priofitizing now, with some of the information that we know now that we didn't know then, you know, you will see some of their high priorities moved into the funded years for a variety of reasons. That they would in a hurry say that they would like to see this Hunters Run parkland development bumped up considerably and be done as soon as possible. Vanderhoef: That is what I wanted to hear. The general gist of what of is coming out of the commission. Pfab: How old is- or how long ago had the work been done that came up to put the top ten projects together? Trueblood: 2- 2 or 3 months ago. Pfab: Okay- so it is quite current. Vanderhoef: Yes. (several talking) Pfab: I thought is was- that is what kind of surpfised me. Vanderhoef: Okay. First Avenue, Captain Irish Parkway Wilburn: First Avenue? Since we are not sticking to 2000. Lehman: All fight. Wilburn: I noticed that- Kanner: 123. Wilburn: Yeah, page 123. I noticed that both the First Avenue on 123 and Captain Irish Parkway Scott are both 2002? I have a suggestion that we move First Avenue a year or two after. My concern is related First Avenue, have always been related to, the street capacity. I am not an engineer but just kind of visualizing the area on First Avenue south of Rochester. Some other things that kind of go into my thinking about doing Scott Boulevard may relate to some of the economic development considerations. I am assuming that some of those projects on Scott Boulevard were on your list of highlights related to new economic development. Is that correct Steve? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 44 Atkins: Yeah. Wilbum: If we are looking at Scott Boulevard as an economic development area then maybe doing that as opposed to First Avenue might be- Atkins: Ross, can I interrupt just one second? Wilbum: Sure. Atkins: I would look at Scott Boulevard as a development issue. That is, if you build that Rochester Scott Boulevard Captain Irish connection that is going to open the whole northeast comer. That is probably going to be substantially residential. And I am not so sure it would meet that economic development definition which, I think- I hope I have explained. That is a tax policy as much as anything. But clearly if you build that road that area will open for development. And I think it will be overwhelmingly residential. Is that okay Karin? Wilbum: What about its- would it possibly support just the many existing commercial areas that are there noaheast but also southeast? In terms of the industrial park? Or am I stretching? Franklin: Well, I- I think I see where you are going with this. In terms of access and accessibility, maybe of some of the commercial industrial in southeast Iowa City to the interstate system. I am not sure that it is going to enhance it significantly because I think that a lot of that truck traffic is going to go Scott Boulevard, Herbert Hoover Highway out to Interstate 80 as opposed to what is a meandering route of Scott looping back up to Dodge Street and then going to Interstate 80. And so for the short term I would say that I don't see that happening. Now, when Coll Drive is put in, which is from Scott north over the Interstate to Highway 1, then that opens up some access to Northgate Corporate Park and (can't hear) stuff up there. Wilbum: Okay. Davidson: Uh, Ross, I just wanted to add [that] we periodically discussed with some of the folks that have a lot of the trucks down in the BDI area what routes they do use. They really avoid residential areas as much as they can. They don't want to be in them. What we are primarily told is that for traffic going east they use Scott Boulevard/Herbert Highway and go out that way. But for traffic going west, they take Highway 6, Highway 1 to 218 and then go out that way to go west. And that keeps them out of the residential areas which I think is a big consideration. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 45 Wilburn: So if the- if the primary- what is the primary rationale for First Avenue and Scott Boulevard? Is it to decrease traffic congestion in that area7 And I am thinking back, I remember at a Parks and Rec. commission a few years back where it was presented that, by staff [and] I can't remember [but] it might have been Bob Miklo [but] I'm not sure which staff person, it was presented that First Avenue was the preferred-to address whatever the focus and purpose was. And at the time I had suggested maybe doing both at the same time and it was said that First Avenue is the preferred. We don't recommend that, we don't think that that would- I won't go into the rest of the rationale. But then a few years, maybe within that year [or] a couple years later, a recommendation came forth that both will proceed at the same time and I am curious as to what changed that7 In terms of addressing the purpose. Davidson: The north district planning process, which was largely centered around the First Avenue issue, came up as a- that process developed the recommendation of not constructing First Avenue first. Either constructing them both simultaneously or the Captain Irish first and First Avenue second to try and set some motorist patterns for the traffic circulation function of those roads that would get people using Captain Irish. I mean, if you look at desire lines travel in the community and we have a computer model that does this, it confirmed our perceptions that, you know, First Avenue is the more convenient route. When you look at origins and destinations more traffic would use First Avenue than Scott Boulevard/Captain Irish which is further out, further away from a lot of those origins and destinations. At least for now, once that part of town builds up then that would give more traffic. The thought was that if we could establish motorist patterns with Scott Boulevard and Captain Irish first and maybe get some people used to using it, that was the thought that came out of the north district planning process. It was a specific recommendation in the adopted plan that Council (can't hear). Franklin: It was simultaneously. Davidson: Simultaneously, yes. There was discussion of doing the (can't hear) first because- Wilburn: I remember that because that was something that I was gunning for. Davidson: And to answer your original question about what the function of both of those roads are, I mean, similar to any arterial street extension it serves two functions. Traffic circulation is an important one and we feel that there are some tradeoffs with respect to some problems. I would characterize them not as terribly critical problems but none the less This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 46 problems for persons in the Goosetown neighborhood, the north side neighborhood and even some of the- I mean, the (can't hear) off a little bit but I think even for the Coralville neighborhood and the Longfellow neighborhood, some of those. The traffic patterns of having to come in on Governor Dodge and then swing east in order to access east Iowa City would be alleviated by those First Avenue- by the First Avenue connection and to a secondary degree the Captain Irish connection. Clearly, the other thing- and you have heard Karin talk about this certainly in the north district plan and Steve just a second ago- it opens the northeast area up for development. Those three infrastructure components- the others being sewer and water- that without those three infrastructure components you will not have development and urban densities in that area. That is why if you look at a map of Iowa City that northeast area has not developed, because the infrastructure has not been there. Champion: Steve, since we are doing Mormon Trek now which was moved way up- Atkins: Right. Champion: And that is a lot of money- Atkins: Uh-huh. Champion: And we used most of that federal money at JCCOG to build that, does that kind of force us to put off Captain Irish because we have to use that money? I mean, that is another- that is a four or five million dollar project. Atkins: Mormon Trek/Melrose Clear Creek project is substantially federal and state funding Connie. There is very little GO debt in there. Champion: Right. Atkins: I mean, the project itself is of a magnitude that will be difficult to manage in just doing it but as far as the City's debt position it has minimal effect on it. If this funding all comes together. And that is not a big if but an if. Jeff can address that, but we don't have a whole lot of money in this. Davidson: It is- I mean, the remaining part that we weren't sure about was what you all approved last week. So I mean that funding of which about 11.4 million there is about a million and a half of GO I guess in that from City of Iowa City. That is pretty well certain, the whole 11.4 now, with the JCCOG decision having been made. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 47 Champion: Yeah that is a lot of federal money in there. Lehman: Oh yeah, we couldn't have done it without them. Davidson: Federal and state both. Champion: Is there any state money available for just regular roads like Captain Irish? No. Atkins: Jeff can tell you- he will explain to you why. Davidson: There are programs if you have a safety issue we get safety money for state routes. If you have a job creation project we use can't hear funds, certain routes. But there is not the kind of just regular road use tax- highway trust fund type money that comes like the JCCOG money. Champion: So then we would- all this money would come under GO money basically? Atkins: First Avenue and Captain Irish is overwhelmingly if not 100%- it is 100%. No, I take that back- it is all local money. Champion: If we decide to finance Captain Irish and that area develops is there a fallback fee on developers to help pay for that road because they (can't hear). Atkins: Not that I know of. I don't think the law permits that. I mean, you could do a special assessment I guess or something like that. Franklin: As a matter of policy the arterial streets have been streets which the community as a whole, tax money, has paid for. The developers are responsible for the local streets and for the collector streets up to a local dimension. And we pay the oversize of the collector. The rationale being those things that are of a general community wide benefit the community pays for. Pfab: I am not as familiar as I'd like to be on this Scott, what is it, Scott/Captain Irish. Is that a limited- basically, a somewhat limited access? Davidson: Yeah, it would be very similar in design Irvin to what you see on Scott Boulevard south of Rochester. Very similar to that design. Pfab: I would imagine that would be difficult to tie developers into that. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 48 Davidson: Well, we feel like we have a better way now to provide access rather than individual driveways like you said down First Avenue which really cuts down the capacity of the road. We do it with controlled access like you see on Scott Boulevard. Lehman: If- I am sorry, go ahead. Wilburn: I was going to just ask Jeff two questions. Would you- if you did Scott Boulevard and waited on First Avenue, would you have an impact, perhaps not the impact- the total impact that you could with First? Schmadeke: Yes. Wilburn: Okay, and I guess the other question- that you had mentioned that without it development is not encouraged on that part of town? Davidson: Yeah and I think Ross, with respect to the development angle of it, Captain Irish is more important than First Avenue is. First Avenue opens up some new ground but certainly not to the extent that the Captain Irish Scott Boulevard extension does. Wilburn: Okay. Vanderhoef: It would develop in a different direction. It would all have to develop primarily from the west going east, rather than coming at it from both sides. Davidson: Yeah, the First Avenue portion is largely the western half of Mr. Hamdorf's property which it not a very large property and then a portion of ACT's property which they keep telling us repeatedly [that] they have no immediate plans for. I think the Smith Brothers property and the (can't hear) farm has probably a lot greater speculative value with respect to if the street extension was to occur. O'Donnell: But part of our reasoning for that was the fire station in combination with emergency service out there. You know, we've got a large section in town that really doesn't have the same protection. And I believe to do Captain Irish without First Avenue is a big mistake. Lehman: Well, you know, when we first talked about this five or six years ago- and I really at that point favored doing First Avenue from the relieving a very serious traffic problem, I felt that it needed to be done and it needed to be done in a timely fashion. And had we done it when we originally intended to do it the cost at that point was estimated at $700,000. It is in the budget This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 49 now for a million and a half. Something like that. Then the northeast plans- they were discussed- came back to Council and we had a pretty good discussion about this. There was a tremendous amount of concern for folks along First Avenue as to what is going to happen with that traffic, with truck traffic and whatever. And after a long discussion a year ago, we felt that the two, a couple reasons why, we felt they should happen together. One obviously is traffic. If you build First Avenue you really want to be able to keep the trucks off. And First Avenue certainly will help part of the traffic situation. But it would- I would imagine that, Chuck you correct me if I am wrong, that building First Avenue and Captain Irish at the same time could result in some significant construction cost savings. If you've got the- if the same contractor does both of those jobs the equipment is there, he moves the dirt, he does the paving. You don't have two contractors moving in and out. and I would think that there could be a significant difference. First Avenue is what, 1600 feet? I mean, that is a really little dinky piece of road and a lot of contractors might not even interested in doing that. So, putting them together I think makes it a far more attractive contract and certainly should cost the City less money. But they were tied together and I think that the reasoning was pretty valid. Wilburn: What does that- in terms of cost or cost savings value I clearly understand that. What does that do or how does that address the concerns about traffic south of- south of Rochester? Lehman: Well, First Avenue if it goes through there are going- I don't think there is any question there are going to be some problems experienced on Rochester. Or on First Avenue, I don't think there is any question about that. Wilburn: I mean, the reason I am thinking- you know Conhie you mentioned the Mormon Trek thing. And again this is more of just like an intuitive type of thing rather than, I don't know, traffic engineering. Doing Mormon Trek and widening that to me will have a greater impact, a greater benefit, than doing First Avenue. Lehman: Well, I think that is if you don't look at the benefit that will accrue to the people on Dodge and Governor Street, the people in Goosetown, the people on Kirkwood, the people on South Gilbert Street- all those areas of the City that are experiencing some rather significant difficulties because people cannot go down First Avenue or Scott Boulevard. You can't do that so you have to drive through town. Vanderho ef: Jeff did some (can't hear) This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 50 Lehman: We are used to that so we accept that and I don't accept that. Vanderho ef: Ross, Jeff did some models on how traffic would change in the Longfellow area and all the way up in here and he can speak to them better than I can but they made a lot of sense to me in that the traffic, the heavy traffic that we've got on 4th Street, on Muscatine, on Kirkwood, some of that gets diverted way out on the east side rather than coming through there to get to the Dodge Street. And I think what he showed was that from the First Avenue corner noah there was less traffic on Rochester going west. There was less traffic on the Street going west and less traffic on Muscatine going west from First Avenue. So it was circulating on the east side instead of traveling all the way through. And for air quality on the Dodge Governor area with the cars packed up there waiting to get through the intersection. Wilburn: But I guess, and just in the interest of moving on to some other items, I would- I guess I am requesting that maybe just a show of hands later on that this be put on that list so that we can discuss it. Lehman: One other factor I think too that we need to consider is that that waterline is going to have to go through where First Avenue is even if we don't build the street at the same time. That is another- pardon? Wilburn: Related to the water? Lehman: Right. And the cost of going through there- I don't know how much dirt has to be moved out there but digging the ditch for a 24 inch water main I would- grating that street at the same time is going to be a lot less expensive then putting the water main in and coming back and grating it later. There are just so many factors. Wilbum: If you make the decision to go back and do it later? Lehman: Yeah. Vanderhoef: (can't hear) Lehman: Well I guess- no- and you said "if'. I mean, is there a question as to whether or not First Avenue should be put through period? Wilburn: In my mind. Lehman: Well, are there four people who think First Avenue- This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 51 Wilbum: I guess that is what I am getting at. (changed tapes) I didn't know if we were making a list to do that. Yes or no. Lehman: The bottom line is whether or not we think First Avenue is a good idea. If it is a good idea we will probably do it the most efficient way we can. If it is a bad idea we just forget it. Are there four people who aren't interested in seeing First Avenue go through? Pfab: I have some questions. At this point I am not ready to say never but I certainly am not in a hurry. Kanner: I would like to postpone it at the very least. Wilburn: Can we get a show of hands and- Lehman: Well, how many are in favor of postponing it? How many aren't? Champion: Well, I am only in favor of doing First Avenue if we do- Lehman: Scott at the same time? And that is the way it is set on the- in the- O'Donnell: That is the way it is set up to do. Champion: I honestly do not- I think we need to do both of them at once. Lehman: I do too. Champion: I find it hard to believe that it is going to be really detrimental to Hickory Hill Park since we have traffic already around Hickory Hill Park as it is. But, I think it is a smart idea to do both of them together and I see it as opening up that part of town. I think it is going to be valuable to us and we need money in our General Fund. Also, it drives me crazy to come from ACT to try to get to the east side of town. Lehman: Well, it does everybody. Champion: It is really kind of ridiculous. Pfab: But if you have Scott Boulevard then its- and it is an arterial street. This is like Scott Boulevard this is if you get- (can't hear) Champion: That is why I am saying (can't hear) This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 52 Lehman: All right. You want to do them both at the same time? Mike? O'Donnell: So do I. Vanderhoef: I will go with that. Lehman: I think we leave them the way they are. I mean, that is coming up in 2001 so there is another shot at it. Atkins: Well, you can expect the water component to come yet this summer. Lehman: But that- I think these things are all tied together so much because of the water component and the cost of a 24 inch line going through there. Because of the cost of the grating and paving and the proximity of the two projects, if you are going to do First Avenue you are foolish not to do it at the same time. There is just so much- I mean, we are already paying twice what it would have cost us to do it if we had done it with Captain Irish. Twice what we could have done it 2 years ago for. I don't see us- Vanderhoef: The other safety issue that- Wilburn: You've got the votes, (can't hear). O'Donnell: Well, if we don't do First Avenue why in the world would we do the fire station on the Captain Irish Parkway? Champion: We wouldn't. Lehman: We wouldn't because you couldn't get to it. O'Donnell: No, it would be (can't hear) and we need that fire station out there. Kanner: I don't know if that necessarily is the ti-uth there Mike. If we cut back on some of the streets and some of the plans developed there. O'Donnell: Let's see- we already have houses built out there and if you have a heart attack in that area 2 minutes response time makes a tremendous difference. And if we have emergency service and a fire station right there, why in the world would you not, would you not use them on First Avenue rather than going around? I mean, that is something that has been- to not support it means that you don't support the same fire protection and emergency protection for that quadrant of town that we do all of the other areas. And I just don't think that is right. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 53 Vanderhoef: I just have one other comment to make on this whole thing and it has to do with the timing of this. We have been working towards doing Dodge Street and that is going to be under construction and without any relief any other way for traffic that is going to slow that project down and create even more problems and probably increase the expense of doing the Dodge Street because we have to keep it open some how or another. So anything that we can do in getting the First Avenue and Captain Irish done upfront so that that, those are open to help alleviate the problems when we are starting to do Dodge Street out there I think would be very beneficial to us. Wilburn: We make political decisions all the time here and you have got the votes so you can keep- I hear where you are coming from. You can keep trying to make your point but I am still- Lehman: Well you know- and this will be, as- if you look at- you are looking at a three year capital improvements project or plan. It will be here again next year. Wilburn: You don't have to make me feel good about it. Lehman: All I am saying is that if things change it can be reconsidered. Champion: None of us really want to deal with this First Avenue but-. Lehman: We are going to take time out guys for about 3 or 4 minutes. Park Road Bridge Approach Lehman: Capital Improvements projects that you want to talk about. Atkins: No, never mind. I just wanted to see ifErnie has it? Lehman: Yeah, I got the (can't hear) Atkins: It will be okay? Lehman: Yeah. Oh, I have a question for Rick and it is probably redundant but that Park Road Bridge Approach. I mean, that is something that we've got to do. Champion: Yeah, we have to do it. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 54 Fosse: Yeah, it just keeps getting worse every year. We have been putting it off some and- Lehman: Don't put it offanymore? Fosse: You can put it off another year or two but, yeah, we've got to do it eventually. I would just as soon get it done. Lehman: Okay. All right. Champion: Well I'd rather- okay let's see what else. Lehman: Well, but see the difference between 2000 and well (can't hear) 2 and 3 is a tremendous difference in the amount of money from GO bonds. And if we moved it one year there- but that is something we can talk about. Atkins: Remember the budget is balanced. $40 million, 4 years. If you are just moving around within that 4 years you don't gain a whole heck of a lot. Lehman: No, no, no- I am well aware of that. Atkins: Okay. Lehman: Any other Capital Improvements Projects? Conhie is desperately looking. Frantically looking. Kanner: Well, I will throw one out there, which I think I am in a minority position. I will put it out there for the record that the Southside Parking Ramp, page 140, Fiscal year 2003, I would propose that we have plenty of parking ramps and we, I, have a different vision of development than one that envisions more and more car usage and encourages more and more car usage. And we would save a heck of a lot- $2.4 million. Pfab: Are you saying more and more car usage? Wilburn: You want less. Lehman: Less and less usage. O'Donnell: You are talking more transit. Kanner: Well, this is what it encourages when you keep it in there. It encourages more and more car usage and it is just going to keep happening and we are going to lose more and more of the character of what makes Iowa City This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 55 really special. And I think we need to change that. So I would propose that we take that out of the budget. Champion: Where would that parking ramp go? Arkins: That is the comer property, Burlington, Dubuque, Court, Electronics Cave, Mod Pod, Union Plaza. Lehman: The transit facility. Champion: Oh I thought- that is the transit facility? Arkins: That's the transportation center. Champion: That is the same one? Lehman: Right. Atkins: That is the same thing. Champion: Oh I didn't know. No, I thought it was another one. Lehman: No. Arkins: That project, also as you know, there are projects pending on the other comer that have- they maintain that they need the parking in order for their projects to proceed. Lehman: Irvin? Pfab: I have a question. Of the money that is going to go in, that 85% that the reds are proposing to put in, how much of that, of that same money, could be put into public transportation directly? Atkins: The way the project will work ~is] it's a $12 million dollar project. The feds will pay the $9.6 the City has a match of $2.4. Built into the project are a variety of, and Jeff inter-, multi-modal transportation center which- thank you- which means buses, which means parking, which means all of the really the type of features associated with the transportation center- cabs. As well as, go ahead. Davidson: Irvin, to answer specifically the question that you asked- zero. There is not a dime of that federal money that could be used for anything except This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the lowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page this project. It is a special (can't hear)-marked project from Washington. If we don't do this we would have to send all of it back to Washington. Atkins: Now, if the project is successful, then the income generated can be applied to transit. That is a requirement. Davidson: Yeah and in fact we project there will be income generated and it will be used to defray a portion of the transit-operating budget every year. Pfab: Okay, how much can you put into condominiumizing that and not such an emphasis on parking? Davidson: That is up to us. I mean, that is up to us. We have been- you know, we are in very, very preliminary stages [and] we have been thinking about something along the lines of what we are doing up here at Tower Place with basically the street level facades would be part of the commercial area as well. Pfab: On a square foot basis, say a parking revenue versus a business or retail office whatever, what is the square foot rate of retums either way? Atkins: I don't think there is anyway we can answer that for you now Irvin. That is just so far out. Pfab: Well, it is- but I, okay but in past if you look around, what did you use over here? I don't know, I am asking questions. Atkins: Well, what we did on the Tower Place and Parking was that we calculated the cost of the construction of the space and then simply we took a short- term note to finance it and that we will turn around and sell it with the intent of getting our money back. This is going to be a lease arrangement so it is going to be a far more sophisticated kind of relationship we are going to have to set up. Davidson: And both are clearly (can't hear). Pfab: All fight, all fight. Let's try it another way. Let's say you take and sell it, what is the rate of return you can get off the money that you sell it for? In other words- Atkins: I don't know that, we wouldn't sell it for 3 or 4 years. I have no idea what the rate of return would be. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 57 Pfab: So in other words, is commercial development not- I am kind of working towards the way Steve is on this- it is going to be a parking space at least part of it and as much businesses as you can generate so it tends to encourage public transportation. It would be- I am not against any parking but I would certainly like to see a greater emphasis on other things such as parking. Lehman: I believe that this discussion probably is going to come up when we get the feasibility study done and we look at the- some sort of concept plans for it. Davidson: Actually Ernie, I guess we are under the impression that much of that discussion occurred when Joe Fowler and I made the presentation to you a few weeks ago. The component parts of the feasibility study are finished it is just a matter of packaging it the way the feds want to see it. I mean, we've done the feasibility study to know that it can be a successful project that benefits the transit system. Lehman: okay. Pfab: So I guess my point of speaking is before it gets passed in concrete to have input. That was my reason for speaking. Davidson: Yeah, you will have that opportunity Irvin. Pfab: But by that time it is already (can't hear). Davidson: No, on March 7th we will have the public heating on the property acquisition and then later on in the agenda if you approve that we will have the consultant contract. That is the evening when you will once and for all give us the final go ahead for that project or not. And you will receive public comments at that meeting. Pfab: Okay, also if- my point is let's, we have to look at a lot of different ideas. Basically look outside of the box. Davidson: You bet, and we will be doing that. We are going to have all kinds of public input sessions and anybody who perceives that they are a stakeholder in that project will have the opportunity to give us input before we start designing this. O'Donnell: I think when you are looking at this thing it is a $12 million dollar project. $9,600,000 is funded. I think we should take that and run with it and then decide the multi-purpose uses of this building. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Pfab: Some things that look like they are free aren't free. O'Donnell: Well this is written down. $9,600,000 is grant money. Champion: Well I think the other thing is we do have a lot of multi family housing in that part of town and we have allowed that to go up without the proper parking because we've insisted we were going to provide the parking. Atkins: That was a deliberate decision Connie to do that. Champion: And they have paid us money to provide this parking. Lehman: That is right. Champion: And I know it is really- I think it is naive to think that people who live in those multi family dwellings aren't going to have cars. Kanner: Connie, we are putting in more parking spots than just for people there. The goal of this as we were told before is to have other people come in and use it also outside of the area. And so one thing that I would ask is that we talk about reducing the numbers and still be able to take some federal money from the 600. I just want to read from the application that our City made for this livable community funding and I think a 600 space parking ramp does not adhere to that application vision that we had. We say- this is to the Livable Communities Initiative Program Federal Transit Administration. And we, I believe these are the City's words- "A livable community is one designed with a mix of employment, housing, and commercial establishments in a single area integrated with public transit and emphasizing pedestrian and bicycle travel. These strategies can decrease the number of trips made by single occupant automobiles resulting in decreased congestion, reduced noise and air pollution, and an improvement in the general mobility of the population". I would say that going to 600 parking spaces is which is what came out that the goal of this is close to 600. It is close to the same size as the Iowa Avenue one. It is one that does not fulfill these goals and I would ask that we budget a smaller amount. That we go for parking spaces that are for the people in the community in addition to the shops and the businesses that we are planning for that parking space. And in addition I would ask that we negotiate harder with Greyhound or whoever we anticipate having the interstate bus business there to put in- what? Champion: It is going to be there. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 59 Kanner: Well, it is not a given. I mean I suppose it will be open for bids. Champion: Yeah it is. It is going to be there. Kanner: But we should negotiate. We gave them a sweetheart deal last time at the City property that we owned last time and we should make sure- we should be asking, they should be kicking in some of the money. Some of our planned 2- what is it? Lehman: Four. Kanner: $2.4 million. I think they should be- we should be asking for a definite amount. I am sure they are going to do very well at that spot like they are probably doing very well here and I think we should ask for more. Champion: But then- you know, I guess I- the thing I have to question about that is you are all for public transportation but you want to charge them more, so then maybe they'll put their bus station out by the interstate. Kanner: Oh, this is private transportation. Champion: It is public transportation though. In the sense that sure it is not publicly funded, but- Lehman: Mass transit. Champion: It is mass transportation. And you know, I guess I would argue that I think having a parking ramp there will reduce the number of people driving their cars out of that area because if they have to- if they park their car in the ramp and have to walk three blocks to get it they will probably walk the next three blocks without driving their car. Where if it is parked right in front of their apartment they are likely to get right into it and park- and drive. And I- I think it is an automobile driven society. I have had as many as 8 in my family at one time I think and I really don't think it is all so terrible. I mean, I think it is nice if you don't drive everywhere but I think it is naive of you to think if you don't have the parking that people are going to come on public transit. I think they will go to Coralville. Lehman: Are there- is there any interest other than Steve in the-? Kanner: I think they are going to Coralville right now. Lehman: But they are driving to get there. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 60 O'Donnell: I certainly don't want to reduce the number of parking spots and build another parking ramp in 10 years. Champion: I don't either. O'Donnell: I mean it is just- that's- Lehman: Any other Capital Improvements projects that we'd like to bring up? Champion: No. Entrance Beautification Vanderhoef: Did you take out of the budget the entrance to the City enhancements? Lehman: No. Vanderhoef: Where- I have been scanning- (several talking) Champion: ...$20,000 a year for signs. O'Donnell: Where are you? Wilburn: It said other projects or something. Vanderhoef: I can't find it at the moment. Arkins: Uh, 139. Entrance to the City Beautification. $20,000 a year. Vanderhoef: $20,000 a year. Arkins: Yeah. Vanderhoef: I would suggest that Sturgis Park is an entrance issue and it is listed here as a $50,000 project in the year 2002. And that perhaps we could bundle our entrance beauti~cation into doing Sturgis Park. Atkins: We can certainly- Sturgis Ferry is obviously an entrance into the City. Vanderhoef: That is why I am thinking maybe- This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 61 Atkins: I think our next City entrance sign is planned for Dodge Street on that hillside out by- I can't think of the name of- the Noah Dodge Athletic Club. O'Donnell: Those are really great signs. I really like those. Atkins: We have plans for one there. Vanderhoef: That will come probably after Dodge Street gets-? Atkins: No, that is planned now. It is far enough off the right of way. We've talked to the state and the owners of North Dodge and have got a- I think we've even got a pad, a site set up. We simply have to put the project together. Vanderhoef: Is that in the 2000 budget? Atkins: Yes. Vanderhoef: Okay. So, beyond the 2000 budget- Atkins: You are okay. To do the Sturgis Ferry could be an entrance also. We also built a sign remember with the airport too and are intending to let that substitute for an entrance sign because we've got the words "Iowa City" put in there in very bold. That was the intent of that one. But that is fine. I have no trouble with that idea at all. Because the general intent is that Sturgis Ferry looks a little ratty and we've got to fix it up and make it look nicer because of all of the traffic we have coming in there. I suspect it is in keeping with the South Central Plan too. Lehman: Other capital projects? Vanderho ef: Is anybody else interested in putting that up on the list? Lehman: Well, it would seem to me that there is $50,000 for Sturgis Ferry and probably may take the other $20,000 to go with the $50,000 to do anything with it. Atkins: Oh, yeah. And that gives you a good healthy budget for Sturgis Ferry. Lehman: I am not sure that $70,000 is (can't hear). Vanderhoef: Then let 's put it together somehow or another. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 62 Atkins: I think I can do that administratively unless I hear anything different from you that you would like to see Sturgis Ferry become an entrance way to the City. How can we spiff it up as well as make it an entrance? Lehman: And I think we have provided for it here. Other capital projects? Atkins: I want to make sure my committee understands that. They got it. Champion: (can't hear) Vanderhoef: Can you two work together? Lehman: Do you have any other capital projects Mike? O'Donnell: No I don't. Lehman: Ross? Champion: Oh, I have one more. Lehman: Oh Connie you did have one more. Brick Streets Champion: The brick streets. That is a lot of money. How many miles of brick streets do we have? Atkins: We have a lot of brick streets and it is very, very expensive to do. Champion: It is really expensive. Atkins: It is virtually hand work. And, I would tell you of all of the things that we have done as far as popularity- Lehman: Don't take them away! Atkins: Yeah, they really are popular. I mean, they are noisy and they are tough to maintain and everything about them the engineers would like to lay asphalt on them. Maybe this guy. Thanks for sharing that. Atkins: But bottom line is it is a very, very popular project. It is just so expensive to do the work. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 63 Vanderhoef: How long can we keep that up? Atkins: You- I am pretty sure it is road use tax we financed it with. Lehman: Look how old they are. Atkins: And we just simply peck away at it. Fosse: I think it was about ten years ago, we had been overlaying the brick streets over time, and about ten years ago we kind of drew the line and said we are not going to ove~ay anymore brick streets and we are going to maintain those. And our streets department was spending about $25,000 a year going out and taking out the concrete patches that were in the streets and replacing the really bad dips. But some of them like Bowery and (can't hear), you've been on them and they are difficult to plow and they are though to drive and those need a rebuild. And it will be interesting to see what it costs to do that. It could be surprising. Downtown when we redid brick areas in there it worked out $5 a brick to take it out, fix the base [and] put it back. We are hoping that we will have better economy on the street that is a little more wide open like that. Atkins: We are also putting bricks in some of our construction projects- at Burlington and Gilbert to do the brick walkways there. I mean, so we are actually putting some in too. But this is strictly repair. I think that Summit Hill is a good example. It is like a roller coaster and that is all going to have to be taken out and put back. Fosse: The brick industry tells us it is a very economical product but I have not seen it yet. Champion: But it lasts a long time. Atkins: Well, you know we had some other thought and Rick had fooled with some ideas about actually taking that street, take all of the brick out, pave the thoroughfare portion of it and brick the parking area just to give it some different kind of character. So the driving surface- they are noisy, the brick streets can be. And those ideas are still out there also. In fact, we had thought about it on Summit Street at one time when we were putting the other project and (can't hear) along the edge. So there is some ideas there. This is intended to be a maintenance project. That's it. Traffic Calming This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 64 Wilburn: The traffic calming, is that such that there's demand- do you anticipate demand every year or might this at some point become a every other- biannual thing? Davidson: I think when we first began it Ross there was a big push and that it's tapered off since then. But I do see in our work with the neighborhood council that there is continuing interest from neighborhoods on having projects evaluated. And I think it will be one that, you know, annually Council will see 2, 3, 4 projects coming to you. Some which we may recommend doing and others which we may say this isn't a good idea. Wilbum: But then the neighborhood council themselves, they continue that? Davidson: Yeah, the neighborhood- after the Highland Avenue issue there was a real concern on the neighborhood council' s part that that kind of gutted the program. And I have tried to reassure them that you know we have the guidelines which you all have given us to work with and we will continue to work with those and you know I think quite frankly 6 months later the Washington College Streets ones have worked pretty well. We haven't really had complaints about them. We haven't had accidents. The neighborhood seems very satisfied with it. Wilbum: Yeah, I think it works well in those streets. I was just kind of curious as to if the demand is still there. Davidson: Yeah, it is and I think the amount that is budgeted is appropriate. Lehman: Irvin? Fiber Optics Pfab: I have a question. This is on the fiber optics project here (can't hear) 203. If- the question that I would like an answer to [is] if that fiber optic system was in place today, I mean I presume it is pretty well- the concept is pretty well developed- what would we be able to save in utility costs leasing lines and whatnot? O'Malley: We don't have that answer. I would have to go through the books and check our phone bills. Pfab: But would you make- O'Malley: I think we have 12 T1 lines and I think we pay $275 a month for those 12. So I would have to go back and search that. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session PaRe 65 Atkins: Is that a difficult report to prepare? O'Malley: No. Atkins: Okay- (can't hear) Pfab: No, I mean, what I am saying is, is there a savings to being owner rather than a lessor? O 'Malley: Oh of course. Pfab: And is that something that is foolish to keep pushing out if we pretty much have decided what we want to do? O'Malley: The reason it is pushed out Irvin is because we don't have the applications- the GIS applications and the financial applications- it is an essential area to push out. Pfab: In other words we have outrun the new technology? O'Malley: Right. Pfab: Okay. Brick Streets Kanner: A couple of things, first getting back to the brick streets. I would like to see if Council would like to put it onto a historic commission and maybe housing community development to take a look at this and see how the community is feeling about this. Because I can see both sides. Atkins: We did do the historic commission once a number years ago and they were very supportive of it. I don't think we have ever done housing community development commission. But they had supported it at the time. We had proposed in fact that some of the streets to actually take the inner sections for the (can't hear) and pave that with asphalt. And that was unacceptable to them. They wanted brick where brick was and so that- we will- we can certainly do that again for you but that had been their position a number of years ago. Kanner: It might be healthy to put it with the- maybe housing and community development too might have a different perspective to mesh it with the This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 66 historical commission who you would think would be in favor of that kind o f thing. Atkins: We can certainly that to their agenda. That sounds fine. Kevin, would you make a note of that please? Economic Development Strategy Kanner: Well, first I wanted to ask are we going to talk about the Economic Development Capital Project Expenditure? Lehman: That is part of the Capital Improvements Project. That is right. Kanner: Personally, I don't like to see us spend $700,000. We had some proposals, some sort of general proposals that were given in the economic strategy proposal by Steve for what some of that money could be used for. But I'd like to do it the other way around that we don't start off with $700,000 not knowing what we are going to be giving it for. And I would like to reduce that amount to somewhere in the $200,000-$300,000 range for the capital expenditures. Lehman: Steve, I guess you- my first opinion is that is a range within which we would have to work. That would be a target, if you will. But we may or may not spend any or all of it. But how did we come up with the $700,000? Atkins: I sort of backed into the number Ernie. Lehman: Okay. Atkins: We felt that a $2 million budget given the cost of land or a spec building or something, these are pretty big ticket items. We tried to find a way to distribute it over the capital plan. Anything over $700,000 would require a referendum. If for example you were going to build a speculative building the law says that you can borrow up to $700,000 for these projects without that requirement. As far as whether we would spend $200,000 or $300,000 as opposed to $700,000- that certainly could occur. But if you do not have the taxing authority set aside now in your debt service levy, you simply would have to go somewhere else and remove it if- to cut another project. So we sort of backed into it. O'Donnell: (can't hear). This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 67 Atkins: Well, it is a $2 million- I think you know we have to be, and I understand Steve's concerns and interests, but I think we have to be very upfront about it. You know, we are telling the public that we wish to proceed with a more aggressive economic development strategy and that we are going to do some things we haven't done before, the extent to which is yet to be decided. But a 10,000 or 12,000 square foot industrial building, which is not a big industrial building, can run $50 a square foot- a halfa million dollars. That is just a shell of a building. I mean, if that was one of your interests in doing the thing. If you wish to buy some land, agricultural land on the periphery of the city $4000 to $8000 an acre. And I am- again, those are just guesses but I am saying you can gobble that up pretty quickly. But without the taxing authority if you did hit upon a $700,000 project it would have to come from somewhere else. That means you'd just have to go back into your capital plan. Lehman: Well, I think the amount of money that we are willing to- willing to commit, and I don't think this is a commitment, I think it expresses a willingness-. Atkins: And we may not spend a dime. Lehman: I know, but I do think that going into- I guess I don't have a problem with having the ability to do something of a significant nature. And I think we need to- I think we need a plan for the possibility of that. So I don't have a problem with that. I mean, Steve is right, we may not spend any of it. But I think if we hamstring ourselves with a sum that is so small that we can't do anything that you've pretty much taken the air out of the balloon. Vanderhoef: And the way I understand the way this is going to work is that certainly the committee is going to have some ideas but it is still going to come back for the approval of the entire Council. So it isn't a group making up their mind on what they want to do. You still have your opportunity to put your input into it. I have my opportunity [and] Ernie does, and we will decide then whether it is a good or a bad project and whether we are willing to spend the money at that point in time. But if it isn't in the budget then we don't have the flexibility that we had if we put it into the budget upfront and then may not chose to spend it or spend only part of it. Lehman: Any other comments? O'Donnell: I am comfortable where it is. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Pfab: I guess I would ask Steve- okay, so you don't go to $700,000. What areas do you think you would rather see it put? Where would you rather see that money, say a half a million dollars? Kanner: Well what I see is that our debt has doubled in the last ten years and continues to rise and property taxes are going up. And my goal is to see where we can cut back and save the property owner and the citizens and the renters increased costs. And this seems a reasonable way to do it. I think there- if we can go forward with some ideas we could explore the idea. I think what we need to think about in this city is how we can reduce the debt. And it gets also, Mike, to what you were talking about $9 million dollars let's take it- to me, that $9 million dollars is sort of like a drug. What is the most readily available money? It is usually road money. And, I think we sometimes have to just say no, as one of our presidential (can't hear) said. O'Donnell: You can say no Steven but if you ever get an opportunity to get something and only pay 75% you are going to jump at it. You know, the public transit which you are always pushing is wonderful, but economic development is going to give you something to fide those buses to. You know, it is just a- it is a simple matter. I think this is an important project for the city and is something we have been lacking for a number of years. So I am perfectly willing to leave this $700,000 in here. Lehman: Well I also think that you know, the best defense is a good offense. And the only prayer that we have of funding things like our Parks master plan or whatever is if we can increase our tax base. And the only place that we are going to increase that tax base significantly is going to be with commercial development. And I think this indicates some sort of commitment on that part of the city to really go after economic development. And I have no problem with- and Dee is exactly fight, we may authorize in the budget up to $700,000 but we won't spend a nickel of that unless the Council agrees to it. So, I mean, each project and as far as that goes every single item on this capital improvements program has a contract come up- each one of them requires the approval of the Council before it happens. But I think it tells the public what our intentions are. Kanner: Right. Lehman: And I think the intention of this Council and this community to actively pursue economic development to try and increase our tax base is a goal that is very worthy of the community. Pfab: I- it may not be the goal though. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 69 Lehman: Well its obviously not the only goal. Pfab: No, no- but in the sense that maybe we can get a little too far in that direction. Lehman: Well we haven't even started. Pfab: And we have to figure out how to keep our costs down as we go along. Lehman: But we haven't started in that direction. Pfab: Right, but I am saying that makes me just a touch nervous. Lehman: But we still have control over it. We don't have to spend it. Pfab: Right, but I know- I'm not- but it the same point- we are telling people that we are going to be- it is development, industrial development no matter what. Lehman: No, no, no. Pfab: No, no- I am not saying that. I am saying that that is kind of what we are saying. We are making a political statement here. Lehman: I hope so. Pfab: Yeah. And I mean that's- and you are saying well that- and I am using your own words- you said "that is telling the people what we are, which way we are going" and maybe we are telling that a little too strong. That is my only thought. I am not saying it is wrong and maybe it is a little- Lehman: Then say it softer. Pfab: Yeah, and don't use capital letters. Lehman: There you go. Vanderhoef: (can't hear) certainly is one of the things when you look at this handout that Steve did on the taxes for a $100,000 home and with the rollback factor, we aren't gaining ground on dollars in (can't hear). So- Pfab: Development- housing development don't pay its (can't hear) This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 70 Vanderhoef: Well and when the rollbacks do this to us- Pfab: It is worse. Vanderhoef: It is worse. So we've got to spread this out and the way to spread it out is to get the commercial industrial. Pfab: But the commercial industrial brings the other development too. The more commercial you develop the more housing projects there are going to be a year or two down the road. Because you are going to have people working. Vanderhoef: So you have double growth. Lehman: All right. Other capital projects? Mormon Trek Kanner: As long as I am on a hot streak here I am going to throw out another thing that I- I voted against the JCCOG's budget, again, because of the large expenditures for enlarging roads which I think is not the answer for our development or transportation needs in the long run and that it doesn't help us. And so I would ask that we remove the Mormon Trek expansion in Fiscal Year 2001 and 2002. And that would be about $1,750,000- 1.750 million. Lehman: I think you are still batting 1000 on this one? Anyone else interested in not improving Mormon Trek? Kanner: (can't hear) O'Donnell: Did you know that there is between 17,000 and 20,000 cars a day that use that? Lehman: There is also buses. O'Donnell: And there is also buses. Kanner: Let's increase the buses out there Mike. Let's instead of what- O'Donnell: Let's do but how are they going to travel on the roads which are so packed now Steven you can't get a bus on there? Kanner: There is two- This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 71 O'Donnell: We are building- let me finish this. Kanner: Okay. O'Donnell: We are building the University facilities, but we aren't, but there is going to be a huge building built out on the comer of Melrose and Mormon Trek which is going to add to the 17,000 to 20,000 cars a day. We will be lucky to be able to get a bus on there after that. This is absolutely essential. Kanner: Mike, there is too models and obviously this Council has one model and I have another. There is a model of- O'Donnell: (can't here) Kanner: -expanding to- so you can initially have more people make use of the road from 2 lanes to 4 lanes for Mormon Trek. The other way to look at it is to try to slow the amount- before I go onto that studies show that you widen something and then more and more people take that road and then you are left with having to build another road or widen that road. And pretty soon you have, you know, super highways going through. The other way to look at is how can we reduce that? How can we get less people on that road? One way is public transportation and the other altemative transportation means. That is the route that I think is better for our community in the long ran. It is going to help us to have a better community, a more healthy community. And it is going to enable us to say no to this drag of funds for more- for something that is unhealthy in many ways. That costs us billions in hidden costs. It costs us in health care and it costs us in global warming. O'Donnell: Well traffic accidents aren't inexpensive. And you know that the old philosophy of if you build the road they will come Steven is outdated in this case. We are building a road to handle existing traffic. The traffic overwhelms this road fight now. And you are not going to eliminate that. You can build a road to accommodate the existing traffic and make the road safer. Vanderhoef: What I would like to do is to get the traffic off of the Deer Creek Road because that is where the alternative traffic is going and that is a whole other problem in and of itself. And we've got to get those folks off of that road and mixed in on the gravel with the tracks and so forth that go back and forth there. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 72 Lehman: And that is another project. This one is not going to help Deer Creek Road. But we are not going to win this one. Kanner: No. Lehman: All fight. Other ones? You are still batting 1000. Iowa Ave Streetscape Kanner: I will just throw one out. I am not so wedded to this putting off the Iowa Avenue Streetscape for a year or so. I know you said that it's maybe we are shifting things around but then it forces us the next year to cut something else out. Lehman: It also I think- Kanner: I think we are again in a tight- let me just finish. We are in a tight budget and again I would say that might be the reason that we might want to hold off. We held off, the Council held off, from some of the downtown streetscape plans in the past and I think this might be another time to consider that. It is $800,00 this year, Fiscal year 2001 page 124. And I like some of the ideas there but it is something that maybe we could off on for another year. Lehman: I don't know how that meshes with- you know, this is a joint project with the University. They are contributing a million and a half dollars. And it also is a project that meshes with the completion of Clock Tower Place or whatever we- what do we call that? Atkins: Tower Place. Lehman: Tower Place. Kanner: I call it the parking ramp. Lehman: All fight, whatever it is and also with some businesses moving back- I don't know how this would inten'upt the schedule with the other projects that are involved with it. Atkins: Emie, I think Iowa Avenue is pretty much our schedule. I mean, I think we can call the shots on the thing. Vanderhoef: Mr. Mayor, I need to leave if we are going to continue this discussion. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 73 Lehman: Bye. Kanner: Where are you..? Atkins: Conflict. Kanner: Oh okay. Atkins: I think the- I mean you can postpone it if you would like. The University's commitment is three years at approximately $400,000 and some odd thousand a year. They will be paying us as you remember the letter I wrote to those folks committing to that. We do need to (can't hear) Creek. That is down at the Gilbert, the 300 block just outside of the Tower Place Parking. Lehman: What does that do to our- we are doing the parking ramp and we have removed all- we have moved a substantial amount of parking off of Iowa Avenue. Atkins: We removed, yes. Lehman: To complete that structure we then, if we postpone this, we leave the street empty? I mean, I don't know what this does (can't hear). Atkins: Ernie, I don't know the implications. Lehman: Who does? Champion: Well are we interested in postponing it? Kanner: Let's see if we are. Lehman: I don't.. Fosse: One of the important things at least for the 300 block is that we have that reconstructed prior to the completion of the parking facility otherwise we will open our new facility and then take away its access. Lehman: Oh. So you are saying that that- I think that once the- I think this thing is started in motion maybe there would be, if the Council wanted to, we could maybe postpone the other 2 blocks. That one block is kind of tied into the ramp which is the first phase of this. Is that correct? Fosse: That is correct. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 74 Champion: Well I think- I hate jobs half done. Pfab: I am sorry, what did you say Connie? Champion: I don't like jobs half done. Pfab: I just didn't hear what you said. Champion: And it is a- yeah, it is a lot of money. I agree with you, it is a lot of money. But- Wilbum: It is part of an entire concept. Champion: It is part of an entire concept and I hate to delay it. If we don't do it now- we either pay now or pay later. And I probably only have about another year and half on this Council so I would rather pay now. Pfab: I myself wouldn't have voted for it back when it was but that doesn't- as far as we are now I think not to complete it is not good business. I just don't think it makes any sense. You know, if it wasn't I wouldn't have voted for it but that doesn't- as far as it I, it is like Connie [said] it is half done. Lehman: All fight. Kanner: Connie, what- Lehman: Are we done with Iowa Avenue? Kanner: It looks like it. Lehman: Well, no. I just wanted to tell Dee to come back in. All fight. Englert Kanner: Connie, you had mentioned that you would be willing to trade something or take something off when you approve the Englert? Champion: Uh-huh? Kanner: And, are you using one of these or do you have something else in mind? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 75 Champion: Well, I had- I had thought about like- the things that I thought about were already off but I think if we take off the Police and $600,000 in a Peninsula Park and the Water Works I think that covers a lot of the Englert Theater. In fact, they could use all of that. Lehman: No they can't. No they can't. O'Donnell: Nice try. Lehman: Now, I don't think we put that up there. We haven't made any decisions on it yet. We just put them up there. Kanner: And for this year Water Works is just $250,000. Atkins: That is correct. That is what I understood. Kanner: But speaking of the Englert, I think we need to add the Englert in here and I would also- Atkins: Steve is right. Champion: I think you are right. Kanner: And I would propose, although I know again people aren't too much in favor of this, that we add the Library also. Library Champion: We don't even have a cost estimate on it. Kanner: Well, we had an initial cost estimate but I think we need to make a commitment to that with a positive view in saying that we can take that off and figure out how that would fit in the budget. Champion: That is a good idea. That is a good idea. Lehman: Well I don't think there is any question that prior to the- and we are going to meet with the Library Board next week- when they approach us and ask us to place this on the ballot it is going to be very obvious very quickly what the bond issue of the Library will do as far as bonding capacity, taxes, what it takes to repay it. I mean, that is all going to happen. It is the public that is going to put that on our capital improvements program. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 76 Kanner: Well the specific reason I mentioned that is that puts us over our self- imposed 25% limit on how much debt we could have compared to our total property taxes. Lehman: Yeah, in the year 2003 or 2004? Kanner: And I think we need- Atkins: No matter what. Steve is correct. Wilbum: Immediately. Lehman: Immediately? Wilbum: If it passes then- Lehman: We don't borrow the money until we need it do we? Atkins: Yeah but you- in the year 2002 1 am assuming you would borrow the money and that would put you at 27%. Kanner: I think it is a good limit that previous Councils have had. At one time we were at half that amount. Lehman: I know. Kanner: Ten years ago? Atkins: At one time we were at about 10%. Not even close. Lehman: That is when they should have been building the water plant. Vanderhoef: And Scott Boulevard. Champion: That is right. Vanderhoef: I am sorry. Lehman: Well, how do you folks feel about putting- as far as I am concerned if the Library gets put on there we are going to have to deal with that. But I'd just as soon wait until it gets put on. Go ahead Irvin. Pfab: I am just curious- what has the budget changed from the time we were at 10% to (can't hear)? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 77 Atkins: Oh, gee. Using the 25% levy? (Changed tapes) And it has gone steadily 13, 14, 17, 20, 22, 23. And that- the current plan takes us to 23% in the year '03. Lehman: These are basically capital projects. Atkins: (can't hear) Pfab: Are they starting- are they starting to effect our bottom-line? What they are bringing in? Vanderhoef: We some of it I think Irvin- Atkins: Many of them don't bring in anything. Lehman: They don't bring in- Vanderhoef: - the things that you see here that we' have ongoing annual plans. And when I first came on the Council we didn't have those necessarily annually put in there for maintenance and repair and so forth. And some of those things had been paid for in the regular budget not in GO. Atkins: That is correct Dee. Vanderho ef: And we had done a lot of stuff and our General Fund has been limited for so long that we continually have to keep adding stuff to the GO because we can't afford it out of our General Fund. Atkins: The rollback- Vanderho ef: And I don't like that policy of moving some of the stuff in GO, but we don't have a choice. Atkins: The rollback about 10 years ago, 11 years ago, was 80%. Champion: And what is it now? Atkins: 54%. I mean, the bottom is falling out of it, yeah. Champion: I fought the same questions the first year about why we in GO put computers. I mean, it seems to me that- Lehman: Too short a life. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 78 Champion: It is a short life. Or why do we put maintenance? Atkins: It is practical decisions Connie. Champion: Right, and I understand that now. Lehman: We just didn't have the money. Champion: But because it seems that those would come out of your General Fund that you wouldn't be borrowing money to pay for that kind of stuff. The General Fund is really strapped which I have learned. Pfab: At what point are we as political people willing to put a lot of effort into changing the way the City has to raise taxes either by a local option income tax or an across the board sales tax which is not so skewed against the lower income people? Atkins: Neither one of those are permitted by constitution. O'Donnell: It seems to me like the local option income tax goes directly against our° Lehman: Our economic development. O'Donnell: Our economic development plan. Atkins: I don't mean to interrupt you but it's not constitutional anyway. Pfab: No, no, but I mean- no, no- I mean, are we willing to expend the capital, the political capital, to really lean on the people that are making the laws here in Iowa? Lehman: Well I think, you know, I wouldn't mind discussing that. In fact I would love to get into that but let's not get into it tonight. Pfab: No, but I mean- that is the end of the discussion as far as I- I just-. Lehman: That is a topic that would be fun to talk about. I agree. Pfab: And it's not- this isn't the time and place. Kanner: Can we note that for a future time sometime? O'Donnell: I don't think we can really do anything about it. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 79 Lehman: No, no- but we will talk about it sometime. It will be a short discussion. O'Donnell: Let's talk about something we can't do anything about! Kanner: No, we can- Lehman: That is why I saved this for a discussion. O'Donnell: Okay, well that is what we do most of the time anyway. Kanner: We can't lobby- Champion: We can lobby. Kanner: Mike, we do direct our City Manager and we can pass resolutions that could have an affect and it is something that we should discuss I feel. I think that- O'Donnell: We could write (can't hear) to our local Legislature. (Kanner and O'Donnell talking- can't hear). Lehman: Steve, at some work session let's put a blurb on there for local option income tax. I don't think that will take very long. All right. Anything else? Pfab: I think that is a wonderful idea Mr. Chairman. Lehman: I have a feeling that most of the major employers in the community would probably have a cat- but in any event, is there anything else on the capital improvement projects? All right, what is next Steve? Atkins: What are you going to do? Lehman: Oh, well I don't- sell us on the idea of why we have to do the second floor of the police. I mean, how critical is that? Or how critical isn't it? If we don't do it this year are we going to (can't hear). Atkins: Emie, personally, I mean- in your- in the capital plan critical is a really tough definition. Lehman: Oh, I don't mean that. Is it a really good idea? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 80 Atkins: I happen to think that if you created- the better work environment you create for your employees the more productive the employees are. We deliberately designed the police department with a second floor. We left it an empty shell. We have added a number of police officers- Lehman: A half done job Connie. Champion: Right. O'Donnell: That is a good point. Vanderhoef: There you go. Arkins: Now, not that I said that but- no. Lehman: No. All right, what do we want to do? It is not a huge item. It is just an item that I happened to pick up because I know we talked about it. O'Donnell: I would like to leave it in there. Lehman: You'd like to leave it in there? Who else would like to leave it in there? Pfab: The political- now, the Peninsula Park? Lehman: No, the police- finishing off the second floor. Pfab: I am not sure what the- how much the needs are. I don't know. So I am not going to say. Atkins: I am simply telling you~ Pfab: I am sure if somebody was putting it in there was a reason why it was in. Atkins: I would believe the Police Chief proposed it because he believes it is necessary to run his operation. Vanderho ef: This is the project that I thought should have gone first rather than the Civic Center addition. Atkins: First, that is correct. Vanderhoef: And I think- This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 81 Pfab: I just don't have an opinion on (can't hear) I am not opposed to keeping it in there. Vanderhoef: I think it is important. Lehman: I think we just left it in. Arkins: Thank you. Lehman: The Peninsula Park? Kanner: Wait, wait, wait- what's-? Lehman: He is not opposed to keeping it in, she's not opposed to keeping it in- I think it probably is going to boil down to at least five or six (can't hear). Pfab: I vote to keep it in. That is what my vote would be. Kanner: You folks want to keep it in? Lehman: Yeah. Peninsula Park? Kanner: No, I think it would be okay to take it out. Lehman: Okay. How about the Peninsula Park? Champion: Well, we have to take something out. Pfab: Is the Peninsula Park the idea of the seeding? Is that the seeding part? Lehman: No, the seeding part on the water plant that we need for erosion control is not part of Peninsula Park. That is a different project. Pfab: But is the other rest of Peninsula Park the seeding on erodable land? On land that is in danger? Okay, then I wouldn't be opposed to it. Lehman: I would like to see us take those two projects and kind of put them in limbo because until we figure out what we are going to be sharing with the Army Corps of Engineers making the seeding of whatever that is necessary in relation to the construction of the water plant. I mean, that has to be done. I don't think there is any question about that. O'Donnell: I agree. Let' s do that. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 82 Champion: Yes. Lehman: But as far as plain park improvements, until we have access to that park and we have people have an opportunity to use it I hate to see us spend the money. Pfab: Except if there is a need to protect the land from erosion. O'Donnell: This doesn't deal with that. Pfab: Okay. O'Donnell: Emie, we've got four of us who want to take them off. Atkins: You took 300- you just took $350,000 approximately of GO debt out with that. Lehman: Right. But at the same time Irvin and I, and I think the rest of us, are all concerned that we don't allow erosion to take place in that new water plant site. O'Donnell: Right, absolutely. It is not going to happen. Atkins: I am sorry. I am sorry Marian. Lehman: All right, someplace you are going to add the Englert Theater on this? Is that correct? Do we have-7 Vanderhoef: Until the 200 goes in. Lehman: I think we have to do that. Vanderhoef: Yeah. So that is down to 150. Lehman: Is there interest in adding the Library? Vanderhoef: Not until we have figures I am not interested in it. We know it is out there in '03 if it passes. O'Donnell: (can't hear) Atkins: It is a referendum requirement. It is as much a political statement on the part of the Council as anything. We can only appropriate, remember, one year at a time. So the year 2001 is really your only authorization to spend. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 83 The Library debt would not be sold, I can imagine with approval of a referendum, any sooner than the year 2002. So if you chose to put it in, it is a statement of political support as much as anything. Kanner: I think it is an important one. I think we have to- Council previously had voted to go forward with this and I would urge us to put it in for 2002 and say that we look forward to its passage. Atkins: In adding to what Steve just said please remember that in the year '03 I added to our projections $100,000 for operations. Champion: Right. Lehman: Right. Atkins: So it is not dramatically different. I mean, it is a much larger number that we are proposing but- that was one of the criticisms that we were having is that we were not accommodating the possibility of the passage. When we levied the emergency- Champion: Well, when we get the figure next year we can put it in 2002. Atkins: Well, you can probably put it in- I mean after Monday night- you are going to have some indication. Champion: Right. Atkins: If you are going to grant the blessing to go. I mean- I really believe it is a political statement because if it didn't pass then the Library budget in the year '03 is overstated by $100,000. So we've got- there is an operational issue and a capital issue. It depends on which ones you want to address. Champion: So I don't have any objections to putting it in, in the year that we might be borrowing the money which would not be next year. Atkins: No. Lehman: All right, how many want to show it? In the capital improvements project? Show it- there is four. All right. Vanderhoef: Something that I wondered about and I am sorry that I am taking us backwards a little bit but- since we have the Captain Irish and the First Avenue still in the plan, the purchase of land for our fire station- the fire station got moved out a year from what we originally had planned- This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Atkins: Correct. Vanderhoef: And going ahead with hiring new fire fighters- Atkins: Not this year. '02 is the soonest you'd have new fire fighters. Vanderhoef: That got pushed out? Atkins: I did that also. Yes, Dee. With the understanding that we are trying to tie those together because if you chose not to do First Avenue, then we will have to rethink the 4th fire station. I mean, substantially its location. And we had intended that that location- we have already looked at property. We just haven't brought anything to you yet because we are still fiddling around with it. Lehman: But that is in the CIP? Atkins: It is in the CIP for a future year. Lehman: (can't hear) Atkins: And in the operating budget in the year '02 you would begin the staffing so by '03 we would be ready to go. O'Donnell: In a- that is right and - this has nothing to do with the budget, we are going to have to address this- Lehman: What? O'Donnell: Getting people across Highway 6 down there. Lehman: Yeah, you are right. O'Donnell: But we need to address that sooner than later. And is an additional (can't hear). Pfab: I agree with him. Lehman: All right, are we through with capital improvement projects? All right, what do we- Atkins: The decisions you need to make are recreation fees, which I put on for the 14th' This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 85 Lehman: Right. Atkins: I am assuming you will be prepared to discuss that. And then the non- operational budget was the handout I gave you last night on what you want to do with those. Most of them were decided- I think the 4 biggest items was Arts Iowa City wants another $30,000. You did give them $15,000. They submitted a business plan to you on the 25th. They have requested their additional $15,000 which I would intend to release to them. But I did not budget anything beyond that. There is no second payment of $30,000. The next one is the Downtown Association Holiday Lights. They requested $1000. I did not put anything in the budget. And h the Jaycees 4t of July was $9000. I did not put anything in the budget. And then the new one that just came in was the crime prevention. And I don't have any more details on that but that was $21,000. These are all general fund expenditures. Lehman: All right Steve, the top portion of that sheet were recommendations from- Champion: Mike and- O'Donnell: Connie and I. Lehman: Mike and Connie. It covers Big Brothers, Crisis Center, whatever- that is a recommendation of $465,500 total which is the same as FY2000 budget was. Do we have- is there discussion about any of those individual items that we chose to disagree with? These are the top half of the sheet. Vanderhoef: I looked at this and knowing that we used a 3% down below and then I started figuring out what these were and there were two of those groups up there that even requested less than a 3% increase. One requested fight at a 3% increase. And if you look at what was budgeted it was $360,500. O'Donnell: Connie can explain that very quickly. Atkins: Dee, can I interrupt you for just one second? Vanderhoef: Yeah. Atkins: Staff folks, I think we are done with capital. You can bolt if you would like. I thought I would stay. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 36 Atkins: No, you may stay certainly if you- Lehman: Please feel free. Atkins: Excuse me Dee, I am sorry. Vanderhoef: That is okay. Anyway, I went through the numbers and looked at putting a straight 3% on what is budgeted for the year 2000 and then added a $10,000 contingency fee or fund and that comes right out to what was proposed. Basically at the $360,500 and I guess I would like to that- we don't have a lot of additional dollars and if we are going to do 3% I guess I would like to see the 3% continued across the board. Champion: We were- we had kind of special circumstances in the sense that we had built up a large contingency fund. So it is kind of a big bonus for these agencies. And believe me, the run on a shoestring anyway. And so their baseline for next year would be what they got last year plus 3%. And we try- and we told- what's her name? Vanderhoef: What they got last year? O'Donnell: Linda. Champion: Linda that she had to make that clear to them that we were using $27,000 out of the contingency fund because the contingency fund had grown. And they felt that $10,000 left in the contingency fund would be adequate. I think that is correct, so- Vanderhoef: So you are saying next year it will be 3% on top of what was actual in '997 Champion: No, it would be- Vanderhoef: Or what was budgeted in 2000? Champion: It would be- next year there will be a base and that will be whatever we gave them this fiscal year plus 3%. It won't be what they are actually getting next year because they are getting a lot more- everybody got what they wanted. Everybody- whatever they asked for they got that. All- everybody got their requested amount of money. And then- Kanner: Well, that is not true- Vanderhoef: They didn't. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 87 Kanner: They got the 3% or whatever rate but- Lehman: 3% or more. Kanner: But there's some that requested more in some sort of- Atkins: In (can't hear) Connie, because (can't hear) O'Donnell: We didn't- Champion: There was a reason for that. O'Donnell: We didn't fund Pathways. Champion: We didn't fund Pathways which is a new organization because they have plenty of resources. They really don't need our help. Lehman: And they work (can't hear) O'Donnell: And they are paid for service. Champion: They are paid for service. And we didn't see any reason to fund somebody who has a way to fund themselves. O'Donnell: Basically we had extra money, we kept the contingency fund at $10,000 and like Connie said, these folks are operating on a shoestring and this is a nice boost. But it will be explained that it is a one time. Champion: If somebody else didn't get what they asked for it's because they were interested in a project that we decided was a little impractical and Linda also agreed with us. O'Donnell: The (can't hear) Champion: That that was a project that was simply not manageable. Kanner: What was the project? Champion: Is was they wanted to start a Sign Language for Rent. Pfab: A consulting sign language. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Champion: Yeah. You know, and that that was just impractical and probably would never work. Kanner: Like for events or something like our Arts Festival they would have someone for rent? Champion: No, I think more for like interpreting but evidently their- O'Donnell: Interpreting foreign. Foreign language is was what it was. Sign language interpreter for foreign languages is what is was. Champion: Right, and that the University has the program and there aren't enough people in the state to even fill the needs that are there and to start another program- anyway, we didn't fund that program. So that is basically where we are at, I mean, you guys can do anything you want to with it but we thought it could be a real boom for them this year to get extra money. And then the 2 organizations that we thought were seen in doing a lot of different things were actually- one of them didn't even ask we gave them more money than they asked for. And one was I Care who is doing a lot of education since AIDS is on the fise again. And of course, people with AIDS are living longer now. The treatments are better. And their caseload is getting quite high. And who else did we give extra money to? Oh, neighborhood centers which is one of my favorites because I think they are very- they do a tremendous amount of- Pfab: IfI am not mistaken and I am not opposed to helping I Care, but I Care I believe is in reasonably good financial shape right now. I believe they've got a building that has been donated to them and I mean, I think that they are getting along quite well. O'Donnell: We gave them $250 more than they asked for. Pfab: Okay that is fine. But the- my concern would be that as much as we could possibly put out to neighborhood centers I would certainly encourage that. Champion: They do- they just do wonderful work. Lehman: And we gave them $5000 more. Pfab: And it is not that there is one organization (can't hear) Champion: (can't hear) Pfab: But I mean, that is where I would definitely put my emphasis fight now. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Champion: They all deserve it. Some of them have more problems getting money and the problem- O'Donnell: Connie and I worked about 3 nights on this. Lehman: Are we willing to accept the recommendation of Connie and Mike? O'Donnell: So moved. Lehman: Wait a minute. Atkins: No votes, you can't vote. Crime Prevention Kanner: The Johnson County Crime Prevention I know a little bit about. Lehman: We are just doing the top portion now. Kanner: Oh, just the top portion. Lehman: Those are the recommendations. Kanner: Don't you think those are intermingled and that we should talk about it as a whole? Atkins: Ernie, Steve may be correct. I just needed to find a spot to put this on the list. Lehman: Oh, I see what you mean. Like this one Mike's? Vanderhoef: (can't hear) Lehman: All right, okay. Pfab: I don't know anything about that one so I can't- Lehman: Well, we got a letter on it. Karmer: Ross, are you familiar a little bit with what they are asking for what they've done? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 90 Pfab: I would sure like to know- I mean, I just don't know. I mean, not that is bad or good I just don't know. Wilburn: Well, here is a brochure that tells who they are. I don't know ifthat'll help you or not. Pfab: Okay. What do- in your own mind, what do you see as why should we be putting money in? What have they done or what will they do? Wilbum: They have served somewhere between 1200 to 1500 youth and families in Johnson County. The bulk of I believe which are in Iowa City. I can't remember how long the- it is essentially a coalition between agencies, the school district, the (can't hear) Pfab: Judicial system? Wilburn: Yeah, the judicial system- directed at crime prevention activities. Pfab: Such as? Wilburn: Well, here I am only guessing because I haven't worked for one of the (can't hear) for quite some time. I believe they have done some mentor- ship type activities with young people. I believe they have done some family skill building type- Pfab: Exercises. Wilburn: Yeah, yeah. I believe they have- they may have also funded some of the family resource centers that exist in some of the elementary schools. It is kind of a community center type concept with some of the schools, some of the elementary and junior high schools. Pfab: Do you yourself have any personal experience or do you know someone that has personal experience in what is being done? Wilbum: Oh yeah. Pfab: And your experiences? Wilburn: Well, I think one of the- they may have quoted it in their letter I am not sure- one of the things that they talk about is the, oh golly, I think in their letter they may have referred to the number of juvenile court referrals that at a younger age had been reduced to prior years. But other than that you This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 91 get in some statistics that I, like I said, I am 4 years removed for working with (can't hear). Pfab: No I am- anything that we can- I would certainly like to see us support something if it means helping people while they are young get (can't hear) Wilburn: Some of it is helping with- I mean, some of it is helping younger kids, some of it is some more family-based type stuff and again it is targeted at crime prevention. And low to moderate income levels. Pfab: Is there a possibility that we will get more information before we have to make this decision? Vanderhoef: (can't hear) Champion: They also have another funding source. Lehman: They've got several funding sources. Vanderhoef: Well, this is the one (can't hear) Wilbum: They had been receiving, I believe it was, state funding for multiple years and the- I think that the state had, they initially had to come up with some local match for the dollars and the state has reduced the amount that they have been getting. And I know they are also approaching Solon City Council- O'Donnell: (can't hear) Wilbum: Uh, who knows. Some appropriation- I don't know (can't hear) Pfab: Is there anyway that we can get a presentation from these people somehow? Wilburn: Sure. Pfab: I mean, I think there is none of us here that have- collectively we don't have much information. Wilburn: I am sure they would be glad to come here. Lehman: I agree with that but on the other hand none of the rest of these people had an opportunity to make presentations to us and I don't think it is fair to This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 92 take a presentation from one group without giving the other folks the same opportunity. Pfab: Well then just- then don't fund them. Lehman: Well, that is my tendencies because of the lack of information and the timeliness of the request. Atkins: Marlene (can't hear) serves as a staff person to them and I have a phone message, she called me this afternoon, and I know- I asked RJ to try and track it down. RJ spoke with here and said "why don't you just call Steve directly?" I have not returned her call. And I intend to do that tomorrow. Lehman: We don't have to make a final decision on this tonight but I mean, if we get some more information- yeah. Pfab: Right, I mean, my thing is let's see once why we should fund them. Champion: Well, the only problem I had with it is that we have traditionally funded agencies that are all United Way agencies. And so we do get a presentation- Lehman: You guys, yes. Champion: And so it kind of bothers me to start stepping out of that line. And one reason I chose not to fund- O'Donnell: Pathways. Champion: Pathways is because they have other sources of revenue and once you get them on our ticket do you ever get them off?. Atkins: Well what I could do to help satisfy some oflrvin's concerns and the rest of you is when I talk to Marlene tomorrow I say "send me a detailed letter describing your program". Lehman: Where they get their funding. Atkins: Where they get it, what they do, number of referrals. I mean, at least then Irvin, you get some of your questions answered. Pfab: Okay, one of the things in the letter was probably the most condemning in my point of view- why did the state cut this much funding out? I mean, I believe the state is somewhat progressively working on these issues. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 93 Atkins: Well they set you up and- you have to have a fallback position on the grants and they just simply didn't have one. They are local. Pfab: But was it strictly grants (can't hear). Atkins: As far as I know, the juvenile crime prevention grant was something we- we as the City had provided a small amount of money- I never even brought it to you, I think it was $1400- Kanner: That is what they mentioned. Atkins: Yeah, a small amount of money through our police department figuring that is not that big a deal. Then of course when it jumps to $20,000- Lehman: Well, the letter also says they will likely face a reduction in state funding and they will also likely face a reduction from DCAT funds. It doesn't say that they are- it doesn't say that they have gotten either one of them. Atkins: Jim Swaim happens to be out of town this week so I didn't get a chance to talk to him about it. O'Donnell: We just need more detail before we can (can't hear). Lehman: I don't think we've got enough information. Pfab: Yeah, I mean- Vanderhoef: They did that presentation at the joint meeting and I came in late to that meeting so I didn't hear it all. O'Donnell: That was so brief though Dee. Vanderhoef: Okay, I didn't miss that much then? O'Donnell: No, no figures (can't hear) Atkins: That was the one out at Scanlon? When you all got together? Lehman: Do we- Pfab: I mean, I am not saying that they are not- that it is not a worthy project but I just can't say by what is here that I can say that it is a worthy project. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 94 Vanderhoef: Well, my concern is with any of these agencies that there are a lot more out there that are funded by the state and by the county that are not specifically local and have those outside funding streams. And the people that we are funding here on the list are not open to those other funding streams. Champion: Dee, the good thing I will say about this organization is that they are very collaborative and involve a lot of other agencies in what they do. They are not- they are not self-sustained in the sense they don't provide all their own services. Pfab: That is all well and good if we can find that out. (several talking) Vanderhoef: ...that is one way that we are supporting them in their efforts. Arts Festival Lehman: All right, we are going to wait on this one until we find a little more out. Do we want to discuss any of the other ones that are here? We are going to have to tackle it sometime. Arts Fest, we gave them $6500 last year, they requested $10,000, the recommendation the proposal is for $6695. How do we feel about that? Vanderhoef: I just have one comment to make that was pointed out to me that I had sort of lost track of. When we originally started with our community events fund we did $5000 for the Jazz Fest and we did $5000 for Arts Fest. And then all at once Jazz Fest lost their major donor and came and really requested some additional help one year. And so they went up considerably more than Arts Fest did at that time and now it's been going on more on a percentage basis. And I see Arts Fest growing and expanding in their offerings and the number of days that they are doing full days and so forth and somehow or another I feel they are as equally important as the Jazz Fest. So, to have a difference in funding- Pfab: Well, then I would ask did Arts Fest lose their major contributor also? Kanner: One thing we might look at- this I think ties in very directly with economic development- with possible advertising support outside of Iowa City. That is something that they sometimes are able to get support for, but this is something maybe that the economic development committee could look at and say: is it worthwhile to put some ads about this in some other areas around the region? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 95 Vanderhoef: Uh, both of these 2 organizations also specifically put in requests and have been funded from the Convention and Visitors Bureau strictly for advertising which is the component of the economic development that Convention and Visitor's Bureau does. So I see that they are getting that kind of funding in addition and those are, a lot of them, Iowa City dollars off of the hotel/motel tax, as it should be. But there are 2 streams of funding that directly and indirectly we are providing into those and I just- I'd like to see them equaled out- I guess is what I am trying to say. Lehman: Well, the recommendation this year gets them closer. Because Arts Fest- Jazz Fest asked for $7500 and were recommended $7500 and Arts Fest asked for $6500 and got raised by $200. So it getting closer. What do we want to do with Arts Fest? Do you want to accept the recommendation? Not? Kanner: Dee, would you want to keep the total of the two the same and just split it down the middle? Vanderhoef: That would work. Kanner: I could accept that if you want to just do that. Atkins: As you make these additions I would suggest they come from the contingency. I mean, if you are not going to spend a lot money I don't think you need to go rooting through the budget to come up with a few dollars- but if you are going to add some of these things it has to come from somewhere. And I would encourage you to take from the contingency account. Lehman: I would not at all favor splitting them down the middle. That would reduce Jazz Fest by a few dollars. But I think that they have been outstandingly successful. They have done events- Vanderhoef: They both have. Lehman: Yeah, but I think the Jazz Fest has brought people from incredible distances and I wouldn't have a problem with keeping them the same but- Atkins: If you are going to raise the Arts Festival to $7500 it is only $900 so I wouldn't spend a load of time debating $900. Lehman: What is your pleasure guys? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 96 Vanderhoef: I would say move them up to $7500. Champion: I wouldn't do that. Lehman: You wouldn't? Okay. How many would? We've got 2 $7500. How many want $6695? It stays the same. How about Arts Iowa City? Arts Iowa City Lehman: They requested $30,000. They have never been funded in the past except for the emergency allocation of $15,000 that we gave them in- Atkins: No, $30,000 Ernie. We gave them $15,000 upfront. We agreed to provide them another $15,000 if they put together a business plan. They sent you that plan on the 25tn. I've looked over it. It seems okay. And that I would intend to release the other $15,000. Now they want another $30,000 for the next Fiscal year. I did not recommend that. Champion: No. and I think that they've got to get their- I am glad to help them through this period of trying to get over this hump. And they are also going to get some money from the Art- Arkins: Public Art Advisory? Champion: Yeah. Arkins: No, that is where the $15,000- oh, yeah. Champion: That is fine. Lehman: The recommendation is not to fund them. Is there agreement with that recommendation? One? Okay that one is done. Friday Night Concert Series Lehman: Friday Night Concert series. Champion: (can't hear) Lehman: I think that personally is one of the most- O'Donnell: I like that. Vanderhoef: That is a fun one. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 97 Lehman: Used by- enjoyed by probably more people than any event that we have down here. They requested $6250. The recommendation- the request is $7500, the recommendation is for $6438. O'Donnell: Let's go with it. Wilburn: Go with it. Lehman: All fight. Vanderhoef: 3%. Downtown Association Lehman: Downtown Association Holiday Lights. There is going to be a significant number of new places to put lights. O'Donnell: I am in favor of this. I thought that the downtown looked tremendous last year. It is really a festive time of the year and I like the looks of the downtown. Champion: What did we give them the last time? Do you remember anybody? Lehman: Last year? Champion: They came to us for- Atkins: They came to us to buy the lights. And I think we gave them some money to help them purchase the lights. Lehman: 2 years ago. (several talking) Champion: Does anybody remember how much that was? Atkins: Yeah, I think it was 2 years ago Ernie. That is correct. Lehman: 2 or 3. Atkins: Yeah, because we had to buy some new lights. Lehman: Well now they have a lot more trees. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 98 O'Donnell: And there is more trees. And I think it does make downtown look great and this isn't a lot of money. Lehman: All right, we have one for the lights. Champion: Well I would give them some money but I am not sure I- so sure I would give them $1000. Pfab: I would split it. Lehman: Split it. $500? Champion: $500. Lehman: Is that-? Vanderhoef: See if the University will give us $500 for- Kanner: I am opposed for those reasons I stated before because of the prison labor. I don't think that is appropriate. Lehman: You don't have anybody that agrees with that. And I, you know- aside from, you don't want to support it, but does everybody else support it for $500? O'Donnell: I would definitely support whatever we can give them. Lehman: All right. Steve you got that? Atkins: $500? Lehman: Yes. Disability Awareness Days Lehman: Disability Awareness Days. Pfab: I think that- Lehman: They didn't request any money? Is that correct Steve? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 99 Atkins: We did not get an official letter from them. Is that correct Deb? We didn't get a letter from them. I know they show up every year and the last two years I granted it with my own authority. Lehman: Well I have no problem with funding that. Vanderhoef: Is this the parade? Atkins: No, this was a Disabilities Awareness Day. It was down on the Plaza. They had a whole variety of events with folks that are wheelchair bound,- Champion: (can't hear) Lehman: That was a different day but- Atkins: That was a different program. This is a very- much smaller little low key. And with $250 1 signed off on it. Lehman: Does anybody have a problem with that? Champion: No. Lehman: That is good. Kanner: This is Bob Finch who's been on the Ped mall and actually is a great asset to our city. He is there- and this is his program that he does. Atkins: Thank you Steve, that is who it was. I couldn't remember his name. Heritage Trees Lehman: Heritage Trees. No recommendation [and] apparently no request. Atkins: No request. Lehman: All right. Atkins: So I am assuming we didn't- Lehman: Johnson County Historical Society- Kanner: Ernie, I am sorry, could you just explain what it was though? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 100 Atkins: Heritage Trees came to the Council about three years ago and asked for a 3 year commitment of about $3000 to $4000 a year. They were doing a survey Steven of all trees throughout- Lehman: Different neighborhoods. Atkins: Through different neighborhoods. They were compiling information on that and to my knowledge that is still ongoing. Project Green was involved. Lehman: Manville Heights was also. Atkins: And they just didn't come back this year for a request. Vanderhoef: The historic tree (can't hear)- Lehman: Map trees in the neighborhoods. Significant trees, less significant trees. Pfab: Are we under the impression they are finished with the project? Lehman: We are not under any impression because they didn't approach us. Pfab: Okay, I just- no impression at all. Kanner: They did the cemetery (can't hear) Atkins: That is right. Kanner: (can't hear) Atkins: Yep. They had a lot of do with it. O'Donnell: They do a great job. Johnson County Historical Society Lehman: The Johnson County Historical Society requested $5000 we gave them $4500 last year. It is recommended we give them $4635. O'Donnell: That is good. Pfab: That is fine. Vanderhoef: Go. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 101 Lehman: All fight. Jazz Fest Lehman: Jazz Fest. We leave the same, is that all fight? Vanderhoef: Uh-huh. O'Donnell: Uh-huh. Javcees Lehman: Jaycees. Champion: That is a tough one. Was this only a one-year contribution they wanted? Lehman: I think it would be a one time thing until they see how they do. Atkins: Yeah, I think the $9000 would be one-time. I would suspect- they come every year and the Councils have turned them down virtually every year. I suspect they would be back the following year Connie but not at $9000. Wilburn: What have previous requests been? Atkins: What's that? Wilburn: What level have they requested in the past? You said they- Atkins: $2500 to $4000. Lehman: And I think that there is a significant chance that they are going to do something with Jazz Fest. They are going to work a little bit together this year. I look for that to be a big event in the future by kind of joining forces. O'Donnell: This is gonna be a weekend celebration. There's going to be performances out on the stage in City Park, they are working in collaboration with Coralville- Coralville is going to be one day, Iowa City is going to be the next. There is going to be music in the park. They want to tie this into swimming and kind of retum to you know spending the whole day at City Park. Lehman: With the family. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 102 O'Donnell: And they have worked with the Jazz Fest. This is a great project (can't hear) Pfab: I'd give them $9000. O'Donnell: Do ya? Pfab: Yeah. O'Donnell: I would love to see it happen. Lehman: I hear you. O'Donnell: I think it is a wonderful celebration. Kanner: I would put out there perhaps that we can give (can't hear) contributions. They asked for free swimming and that is one of our biggest revenue days and maybe we can consider having free swimming as our contribution. Do we have an idea of how much? O'Donnell: That really won't affect (can't hear) Kanner: Well that was part- that was one of the things they asked for. O'Donnell: That was part of what they asked for. Champion: I would rather give them money than free swimming because I don't think our Park department can lose that money. Lehman: That is fight, no. Champion: People will pay to go swimming if they are there. Lehman: Bring them out and get their money. Champion: Bring them out and get their money. O'Donnell: That is a huge day for our Parks and Rec. Champion: It is, they need it. I would not (can't hear) This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 103 Pfab: It looks to me like there is an awful lot of volunteer work going into this- I mean, a community effort. I think it is our way of saying we encourage things like this. O'Donnell: Well, there is a lot more communities- Lehman: I've got 1 nines. I've got 2 nines. O'Donnell: I want this. Champion: Do we want- where are we going to get this money? Lehman: Contingency. Atkins: Contingency. Champion: So, we are not giving- wow, I mean, I don't think they expect us to give them what they asked for do they? Lehman: I don't know. Pfab: I think they were expecting more but- Champion: Really? Atkins: I think Irvin is right. I think there was- yeah, this is a big deal this time around Connie. O'Donnell: This is going to be huge. Champion: Okay, it is a one time thing? Atkins: Yeah. Champion: We should do it. Absolutely. Kanner: Well, just as you said before- it is not a one time thing. They'd come back every year. Atkins: They'll be back. O'Donnell: But we don't have to give $9000. I mean, that is- Champion: This is the bicentennial- no, what is this called? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 104 Lehman: Millennium year. O'Donnell: The millennium centennial. Lehman: All right. Where are you? Vanderhoef: Where am I? About half that. Lehman: Do you have a opinion Ross? Wilburn: Um- Pfab: You don't have to keep very many people into Iowa City over the 4th Of July weekend to make it worthwhile. O'Donnell: You just have to remember the experience of being in that park when it is absolutely packed. It is really unique. It is incredible, and we are going to have- Pfab: A safety issue. O'Donnell: We are going to have our rides down there. We are going to have this stage. It is going to be a great time. Wilburn: I agree it will be a good day. I am curious as to- I don't remember- I know they do some fund raising around it. Where does the $9000 fit in there in the entire budget view? Atkins: I thought- Lehman: They are hiring some- Atkins: The letter seemed to be a $30,000 budget. Pfab: (can't hear) Lehman: They are hiring some acts to come in to perform on our new stage. They are doing the fireworks, and of course part of that is under-written by contributions from the business community. I don't think they- Wilburn: Since we are talking- I think I've got some thoughts here. If we are looking at it as a weekend festival with the collaboration and stuff I guess This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 105 I would be- I am looking at the Arts Fest and the Jazz Fest level and maybe that might be a level to base it upon. Lehman: Ross, I think that is a good idea. (several talking) Champion: That is a really good point. O'Donnell: That is a good idea. $7500? Atkins: To run the expanded project we need a total of $30,000, which leaves us a $9000 short fall. We are asking the City to make up the $9000 as long as the free swimming. That is their letter. Wilburn: I am looking at a basis just as a comparison thing. I guess like this $7500- Pfab: How many Arts people and Jazz people pay for fireworks? You don't get any money back on them. Kanner: I am sorry, what? Pfab: That is where the fireworks have to get paid for. Lehman: But I think it is a fair approach to it Ross. I think it is a good approach. Wilburn: That is looking for some- I mean, millennium is one way to look at it but I was looking at (can't hear) Pfab: Only one time I would not be opposed to it because of the millennium, what they are trying to do. But at the same time I know potentially where you are coming from. Lehman: Do we have agreement at $7500? Champion: Yes. Pfab: I go with that. Vanderhoef: Okay. Lehman: All right, we got it. Atkins: $7500? This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 106 Champion: That was really a good- Pfab: (can't hear) couldn't get the $9000. Lehman: I think that was a good compromise. Pfab: That is fine. O'Donnell: (can't hear) Pfab: I am not going to go away whining. Lehman: No, I don't think anybody is. All fight, what else do we have to get through? Atkins: I don't know. O'Donnell: That is it. Pfab: You mean we get to go home (can't hear). Champion: Will we discuss general budget issues? Lehman: Yeah? Kanner: Yeah. Atkins: You need to do that. I mean if you planned (can't hear) taking a lot of time. Lehman: What would you like to discuss? Champion: Well I don't know yet. We are going to do it tonight? Kanner: I think we ought to do it another time. I had some (can't hear). O'Donnell: (Can't hear) Lehman: Well that is okay but if we are going to do general budget issues- well no we have a public hearing scheduled for the 29th. Atkins: Okay, let me explain to you- This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 107 Lehman: Please do. Atkins: Explain to the new Council members how this works. On Tuesday night you will set a public hearing for the 29th. And that is the only item on that night. We will prepare the paperwork in accordance with the requirements for the state. You may not increase the budget beyond what- Lehman: (can't hear) Atkins: -what you have already decided. You may do less. You may trade around. But you cannot increase it. Lehman: That is increased total. You can change departments but not totals. Atkins: There are four categories that we have to identify. Personally it is not a problem but I just wanted you to know that there is that state requirement that when we go to hearing then we have to publish a number that you are having a hearing on. (several talking) Pfab: So you publish a number before the hearing? Vanderhoef: Yes. Pfab: So when does that number have to be decided? Atkins: You have decided it tonight. Now, you still have the ability to move things around in your budget but this is a report that we have to do for the state under their format. Lehman: Are we comfortable- Atkins: It doesn't even resemble this so-. Lehman: Are we comfortable with having the public hearing and discussing general budget issues at the public heating? Atkins: Well, I think you should have your public hearing Ernie, and that is where you hear public input. You need to close that hearing- if you wish to go to discussion of what you heard that is fine. Lehman: Oh no- that is what I mean. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 108 Arkins: Okay, because X don't think you want to vote on the budget or confirm it until the meeting of the 7tn. Lehman: Yeah. Atkins: That would be the confirming vote. Champion: The question- you might be able to answer my question because I can probably find it out but I don't think it is in here. Did you make any allowances for some extra help for Parks and Rec? Atkins: No. Pfab: What did you say Connie? Vanderhoef: Another employee. Arkins: (can't hear) Lehman: No, there isn't any. Vanderhoef: And we ruled out the fire fighters? Atkins: Yeah. Vanderhoe9f: And they haven't had a new one since 1972. Lehman: And we gave them- we gave them one more person last year if you remember Parks and Rec. Atkins: What we did- the only person was a part time person for maintenance in this building and one position in public works where I traded temporary wages for full time wages. And just washed it. That is all we did. Vanderho ef: So there isn't much to trade even. Arkins: No. Lehman: All right, we will have the public hearing. We will then discuss budget issues. Time permitting, we will then go into a work session that night. Champion: That was my question anyway. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the lowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 109 Lehman: Yeah, so I mean- there are several items on the work session we have postponed that we will- Atkins: If we- you know, if the hearing is as has been our history we are not going to get much of a crowd. You will have it wrapped up in a half hour to an hour. You might as well take advantage of the evening. Lehman: As long as we are here. Atkins: Okay Connie. Vanderhoef: Yes! She is leading (can't hear) Lehman: What's this mean? Senior Center Walkway Champion: What about the Senior Center Walkway? Atkins: Well that capital project is unfunded. Now remember, the way it stands is that it's a $360,000 project. They are operating under the assumption if they come up with $120,000 in private- if they raise $120,000 from some other source and they have applied for CDBG, we will come up with $120,000. Lehman: But we've never really talked to them about it. Atkins: Yeah, that is kind of [that] we are there going with their fund raising. They have a little over $50,000 raised. Lehman: We'll have to deal with that one when it gets to us. Champion: Okay. O'Donnell: That's an important project. Kanner: So how do we add that into the budget if that is what the Council approves? Atkins: Which one are we talking about Steve, the Senior Center? Lehman: The walkway. Kanner: Yes, the walkway. This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page 110 Atkins: What you would have to do is that if you are adding $100,000, approximately $100,000 worth of debt, I think given a $40 million 4 year- at the very least we could do it on a short term basis. We could borrow from ourselves. We can repay it. I think what you might want to do is have us borrow from like our landfill reserve so I can put the payments into the Senior Center budget so the county pays 20% on it. Champion: Right. Kanner: But how does that fit in with having to say there is a limit on the budget? Atkins: It doesn't in this case. (Changed tapes) The way we have to take this budget is- and we have to aggregate it into four categories: public safety, home and community, environment- this is a state form. Kanner: Right. Atkins: Okay. And that we set the certain limit in there. Now remember, all of these budgets are estimates. And that you have a- let's go back to economic development. You have authorized $700,000 worth of debt. You may not use that. And for $100,000 1 would either go to our own reserves which is not reportable because it is our own buying or we would go, when we go to sell debt we will just have to manage that within the $40 million dollar appropriations. Lehman: We also have contingency account. Atkins: And you have a contingency account of $300,000 which I prefer we don't use. I try to avoid using the contingency early in the Fiscal year. Lehman: Right, but we also maintain a reserve account of what $6 million bucks? 20%? Which we don't intend to use but it is there. Atkins: You have a cash position- no, no. that is one where we throw ourselves in front o f you. Lehman: Yeah, but I mean we do have ways that we could do it. Atkins: Yes. And it is a small enough amount of money that I- if this works out can we fund our share? And the answer is yes Steve. Pfab: One question on the Library. What- did we pencil a number in for the capital- This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800 February 8, 2000 Council Work Session Page Vanderhoef: We will. Lehman: Well, whatever they come up with. Atkins I am expectin it Irvin, to be like a $15 million project. You will know that on the 14t~. Pfab: Okay, but is that something that is going to be open until after the hearing? Atkins: Remember, that is in '02. We only appropriate one year at a time. Pfab: Okay. Vanderhoef: The hearing is for '01. Atkins: The hearing is '01 only, yeah. Lehman: All tight guys. Atkins: Goodnight all. Thank you for your time. Vanderhoef: Thank you! This represents a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council Work Session of February 8, 2000. WS 020800