HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-15 Transcription#2 Page 1
ITEM NO. 2. MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
b. Emma J. Harvat Day- August 26.
Lehman: (Reads proclamation).
Karr: Here to accept is Margaret Whiting from the Johnson County Historical
Society and Mary Bennett from the State Historical Society.
Bennett: We would just like to say a few words thanking the council and the Mayor
for honoring Emma Harvat in this way. We represent members of the
committee that is working to honor Emma in part to celebrate the g0th
anniversary of women' s right to vote. We would like to invite the
community to come celebrate on Saturday August 26 here in front of the
Civic Center at 11:00 to honor women who have done much to liven the
political life of our community and our state. We hope we can continue to
explore other ways to honor Emma Harvat. She was certainly one of the
most significant women in Iowa City history. Thank you.
Lehman: I fully expect the council will be amenable to doing something to honor-
this gal was something else! I read in the Iowa History Magazine an
article about her and if folks have not read about this first woman mayor
of Iowa City you should take an opportunity to find out because she was a
brilliant and incredible person.
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ITEM NO. 2.5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONNIE
Lehman: On the 17th this month, we are going to celebrate the birth of Connie
Champion.
O'Donnell: I would like to be the first to ask how old are you?
Champion: 96.
Vanderhoef: There you go.
Lehman: Happy Birthday Connie.
Champion: Thank you.
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ITEM NO. 3. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
Lehman: That amendment does include an addition which is a special meeting
which will be held on Tuesday August 29, at 8:00 in the morning. It is a
special council meeting and that is part of the consent calendar as
amended.
O'Donnell: Move adoption.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Wilburn: Ernie, I just wanted to acknowledge a letter from Kari Althoft from the
MTV/AT&T Choose or Lose voter registration campaign. They
apparently registered 201 new voters in 2 months time. So, good work
and keep up the good work.
Lehman: That is great.
Champion: We just hope they vote now.
Wilburn: Yeah.
Kanner: Two things Ernie.
Lehman: Yes?
Kanner: I was wondering first if you could announce the public hearings that are
coming- some on August 29?
Lehman: Yeah, and I think some of these may be- when is our special meeting?
Vanderhoef: 29th.
Kanner: The 29th.
Lehman: Yeah, the 29th.
Kanner: Number 'e' on page 5.
Lehman: That is a public hearing on plans, specifications and form of contract for
the Washington Street Transit interchange project. This is a project we
have been working on for a long, long time with the mall downtown. One
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is setting a public hearing for plans, specifications and form of contract for
the construction of First Avenue water main project. That is- excuse me-
along that portion of First Avenue that is already paved. Another is setting
a public heating for August 29 on plans, specifications and form of
contract for the construction of the North Airport Development Project. I
think those are the three. Actually there is another one. Setting a public
hearing for September 12- that won't be at the special meeting, that is on
the deer management plan. The other is a public hearing for CDBG
monies. Other discussion?
Kanner: One other thing I would like to make note of- I had said that I would try to
make note of in the consent calendar we are approving renewals for liquor
licenses and also new licenses. We also get a monthly report from the
police department about monthly bar checks. It notes how many visits the
police make to a bar and how many charges are made for people in
possession under the legal age. And the people that are up for renewal, the
bars- George's had for year to date had one visit by the police and had 0
arrests. They are up for a renewal. And Plamor had 3 visits and 2 arrests,
so that is a .67 arrests per visit. Our average is .9 arrests per visit. And as
most people know, we are reviewing the laws regarding underage drinking
and binge drinking. And one of the things we are going to be looking at is
how we could hold the bars and the underage drinkers more accountable
perhaps. Thank you.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries.
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ITEM NO. 4. PUBLIC DISCUSSION. (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA).
[UNTIL S PM].
Lehman: If you wish to address the council, please state your name, address, and
restrict your comments to five minutes or less.
Honohan: I will try tonight Mr. Mayor to restrict my comments to five minutes but I
have a couple-
Lehman: I will help you.
Honohan: -special items. My name is Jay Honohan. I am here for the Senior Center
Commission. I have got a handout that I would like to give you which is
part of what we will be talking about here in a minute. Why don't you just
pass them down? (can't hear) I won't start with the skywalk but I will
start with the fact that I have got notes for the first time because the boss
was afraid I might say something that I shouldn't say. So I have got to
follow my notes. The accreditation committee has been continuing. We
have approximately 36 people working at this time. We previously had
another 36 working on the first segment. We have done a new mission
statement, goals and objectives for the Senior Center, which was approved
by the commission this afternoon. And in the near future those goals or
the mission statement goals and objectives will be presented to the city
council. We have also approved the annual report that will be part of the
annual report of the city and you will be getting a copy of that in the near
future. And now my news about the skywalk. The Press Citizen editorial
staff never figures that we keep working on this. We would like to point
out to them that we have and we have come up with an idea that is very
preliminary and very tentative at the present time but it looks like it may
be a go. And that is moving the skywalk to the east so that the entrance
into the parking facility is where parking spaces are located. By doing
that- and this is kind of a preliminary sketch that I showed you folks- by
doing that we can extend the grade of the skywalk into the ramp itself and
meet the ADA requirements. We also have checked with the building
department and they seem to feel that we can do what is being proposed
here. Again, on a very tentative basis. And we also have checked with the
Historical Preservation group and they have also given us tentative
approval because by moving it to the east we can enter through a window
in the Senior Center and we don't have to have structural alterations like
earlier we were afraid we would have to have. If you notice in the artist' s
presentation there that I gave you, there is pillar and the reason for the
pillar is so that we don't have to put a weight bearing feature on the post
office- the Senior Center. And by doing that we may be able to have the
ramp or the skywalk without the elevator.
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Champion: Wow.
Honohan: Now, I can't tell you any costs. All of these things are very preliminary at
this time. Even what we have drawn here is very preliminary. But it
looks like a great possibility and a substantial reduction in cost for the
construction of the skywalk.
Champion: Jay, what about- what does that do to the alley? Is that going to leave
room for cars and-?
Honohan: That will not hurt the alley at all because this support that you see in there
will be right next to the existing ramp that goes in on the north side of the
center. I can also report that we are now over 60% in our goal of
$120,000. We have got about $72,000. We have been a little bit in the
doldrums this summer because of vacations and people gone that we want
to visit. We have been trying to hit all of the financial institutions and we
did get a contribution confirmation pledge from the Hawkeye bank
yesterday of $ 1 ,000. I am going to be gone for a couple of weeks so we
probably won't be doing too much until September but we are going to put
our best efforts in September and we are hoping to reach that $120,000
goal before the end of the year. And if you have any questions and if I
haven't run out of my five minutes, I will be happy to take a shot at them.
Lehman: That is pretty good news as far as I am concemed.
Champion: It is. It shows real diligence on the Senior Center.
Honohan: We are very happy with it and we are pleased and I think it is- I am not
entirely sure, but I think it kind of started with Joe Fowler.
Champion: That is great.
Honohan: Thank you.
Lehman: Thank you Jay.
Walters: I am Jim Walters, I live at 1033 E. Washington. I was pleased to be at the
informal council meeting last night when your consultants- landscape
consultants- unveiled the plans for the improvements to the noah entrance
on Dubuque Street. I thought it was an exciting plan and I am real pleased
to see that this is moving forward and I am very supportive of it. I was
concerned to learn that a project in excess of $400,000 which is both the
city' s share and some shares that will come from outside contributions that
you spent what I consider to be a small amount of time talking about the
long-term maintenance of this area. As someone who works in grounds
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keeping and landscape maintenance, I am very concerned when I hear the
term "low maintenance". For me, in that profession it is somewhat akin to
the idea of quality time as it pertains to child rearing. It sounds good from
a sales angle but when you look and see the results you can sometimes be
disappointed. So I went out today and I took some photos of some of the
other gateway areas and entrances to the city that I want to share with you.
And I put these in some little packets that you can pass around.
Kanner: Are these all the same?
Champion:No, they are different.
Walters: You can see right away that I am not a very good photographer. But what,
to me, these- and these are all city properties in various parts of the city.
What they do show, to me, are some of the immediate perils of what we
call "low maintenance". And you will notice- perhaps not too well in
some of the photos- that you can see the presence of annual and perennial
weeds in some of the beds. You can certainly in some of the plantings of
juniper see the presence of woody vegetation that has grown up over the
years. And you can see in some of the photos the necessity of doing a
little bit better work in terms of pruning the trees. So, what I am saying to
you is that there really is nothing that is "low maintenance". When you
create these situations you have to figure the maintenance factor in to
taking care of them over the long haul. You can do that in a number of
ways. In some cases you can ask the businesses who are adjacent or part
of the property to do the maintenance and many of them are happy to do
this and do this in Iowa City. Or you can incorporate volunteer groups
with varying success in that process. That can be problematic as well. Or
you can have professional staff do and hire professional staff to do it. I
didn't want to point the finger at any particular people by bringing these
photos in because I could have gone to areas that I am responsible as a
grounds keeper and taken photos that showed probably the same amounts
of neglect or worse. So, my intent here is just to give you some of the
ideals of the pitfalls of putting hundreds- putting a lot of money into the
front end of a project without budgeting adequate maintenance. And I
would be more than happy- as I am sure many people who do the kind of
work I do- would be happy to talk to you about ideas about how to
accomplish this at a reasonable cost. Thank you.
Lehman: Thank you Jim. Other public discussion?
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ITEM NO. 5c. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE REZONING 20.78 ACRES FROM
INTERIM DEVELOPMENT MULTI-FAMILY (IS-RM) TO
PUBLIC (P) FOR PROPERTY LOCATED WEST OF GILBERT
STREET SOUTH OF NAPOLEAN LANE. (REZ00-0017) (FIRST
CONSIDERATION).
Wilbum: Move first consideration.
O'Donnell: Move first consideration.
Lehman: Moved by Wilbum, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? This is the
property we are building a new Public Works facility on, I believe.
Discussion? Roll call. Motion carries.
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ITEM NO. 5d. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE lIEZONING 35.15 FROM
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT HOUSING OVERLAY (ODPH-1) TO
SENSITIVE AREAS OVERLAY (OSA-1) AND APPROVING THE
PRELIMINARY SENSITIVE AREAS DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR
WALNUT RIDGE, PART 8-10, A 23-LOT RESIDENTIAL
SUBDIVISION LOCATED ON KENNEDY PARKWAY. (REZ00-
0013/SUB00-0010). (FIRST CONSIDERATION).
Vanderhoef.' Move first consideration.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef.
Champion: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by Champion. Discussion?
Wilbum: I couldn't see in the- I don't remember if this was in the packet but it is
subject to the conservation easement and how are we on that? Is that
coming through and the tree plan?
Franklin: This is with the- what you are working on right now is the ordinance to
zone the property. The conservation easement and the tree plan will come
with the final plat.
Wilbum: Okay. That is all I needed to know.
Lehman: Further discussion? Roll call. Motion carries.
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ITEM NO. 5f. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE 54 ACRES FROM
PUBLIC/INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL (P/CI) TO SENSITIVE
AREAS OVERLAY- PUBLIC (OSA-P) AND FOR APPROVAL OF
A PRELIMINARY SENSITIVE AREAS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE NORTH PART OF THE
AIRPORT PROPERTY, WEST OF RIVERSIDE DRIVE. (REZ99-
0001) (PASS AND ADOPT).
Vanderhoef: Move to adopt.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef.
Champion: Second.
Lehman: Second by Champion. Discussion? Roll call. I hope we didn't slip over
that too quickly but this is the area of the airport that under the new master
plan when it is completed, this property will be available for commercial
development. It represents a very significant potential for that part of the
community.
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ITEM NO. 5i. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT
OF GALWAY HILLS SUBDIVISION, PART SIX, A 4.82 ACRE, 13-
LOT RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION LOCATED SOUTH OF
MELROSE AVENUE AT THE END OF KEARNEY LANE. (SUB-
99-0020).
Vanderhoef: Move adoption of the resolution.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef.
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by O'Donnell.
Pfab: Are all the papers and everything that needs to be done- are they taken
care of?.
Holecek: Yes.
Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries.
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ITEM NO. 6. PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND
ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2000
PAVEMENT MARKING PROJECT, ESTABLISHING AMOUNT
OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY EACH BID, AND FIXING
TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS.
a. PUBIC HEARING
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING
Lehman: Do we have a motion?
Vanderhoef: So moved.
O'Donnell: So moved.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion?
Kanner: Steve, will you tell us how the new paint that we are using is doing from
last year?
Atkins: We have really, in town, two types of paint we are using. One is a latex
and one is an epoxy. The latex paint generally will last us about 6 months.
For example, we painted up by Regina with a latex paint, quite frankly
because we are doing some experimenting to see how that traffic
delineation will work. The epoxy paint that we used last year and the year
before is about a 2-3 year life, we figure. We are allowing our bidders to
bid either the epoxy paint which is a 2-3 year life or another product- a
new product on the market, which has a three to five year life. So if all
goes- but again, please keep in mind we discussed this a couple of years
ago and the cost of this process is about 4 times what we would normally
spend on latex paint. But it is one of those circumstances and we chuckled
about going across the Burlington Street bridge in the middle of winter
trying to find where your lane is. Hopefully with this new product we will
be able to resolve that once we make a complete pass through the city with
this new product.
Champion: I think it is well worth the money in certain areas. I don't think it is
necessary on every road. But I think especially on busy streets at
pedestrian intersections it is really important to have those marked off for
cars and lane markings.
Atkins: This time what we would hope to do also in the bidding process is paint a
number of cross walks and stop bars. We have not done that in the past
and see how it works with them also.
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Lehman: This is on arterial and collector streets?
Atkins: I had Chuck jot a list down. Assuming all goes well, we would do
Muscatine, Sycamore, Capitol, Rocky Shore and Burlington with this
project.
Lehman: And this is funding by road use taxes?
Atkins: Road use taxes, yes.
Lehman: Further discussion?
Champion: Well, if there is just any paint left over could they please do the
Dubuque/Washington Streets? Intersection?
Atkins: Dubuque/Washington Street intersection.
Lehman: Downtown?
Champion: Because a pedestrian walk is way before the stoplight and cars tend to go
up to stop lights to stop.
Lehman: Sometimes and sometimes they don't stop.
Champion: And sometimes they don't stop. But I think that is a particularly
pedestrian peril.
Atkins: I can't promise it with this one- we are painting now as we speak
throughout town. You said the Dubuque/Washington intersection has not
been painted yet?
Champion: I didn't notice it today.
Atkins: I haven't either for a few days. I will certainly check for you.
Lehman: Roll call. I am sorry, Irvin?
Pfab: The intersection right outside here at Van Buren and Washington- that is
very difficult to negotiate to try to figure out where to stop. I am
wondering, is it possible to move the stop sign farther to the south and
suspend it some way? I don't know. But, when you try to find the- what
is the term you use for the white bar where you stop?
Atkins: Stop bar.
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Pfab: Stop bar. It just- I can't figure out how to make it work. If you stop way
back there, you know, you are in the next county. But then it looks like
where it is supposed to be.
Atkins: So it is on Van Buren, between the New Pi and Civic Center?
Pfab: Yeah, the stop sign on this side.
Atkins: Okay.
Lehman: The problem with that, and I know exactly what you are talking about- I
think if you put the stop sign where you would expect it to be closer to the
street, you have gone through the crosswalk where people-. The stop sign
is placed before you get to the sidewalk but you cannot see from that stop
position well enough to make the turn, so you have to move out farther. I
don't know how you can change that.
Atkins: I will look at it (can't hear).
Lehman: It is frustrating.
Pfab: Would it be possible to take the sidewalk and put a jog in for a walkway?
Atkins: I don't know.
Lehman: You can look at it and see. Further discussion? Roll call. Motion carries.
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ITEM NO. 7. AREA OF THE CITY TO BE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AREA, AND THAT THE REHABILITATION, CONSERVATION,
REDEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT OR A COMBINATION
THEREOF, OF SUCH AREA IS NECESSARY IN THE INTEREST
OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE OF THE
RESIDENTS OF THE CITY; DESIGNATING SUCH AREA AS
APPROPRIATE FOR AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT; AND
ADOPTING THE SYCAMORE AND FIRST AVENUE URBAN
RENEWAL PLAN THEREFOR.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Lehman: This is for private site improvement and financial incentives to qualifying
businesses. Given the uncertainty of the needs of future business
development projects within the urban renewal area, the proposed amount
of indebtedness is difficult to determine at this time. The proposed
amount of indebtedness is to be incurred under this Urban Renewal Plan
including loans, advances, indebtedness or bonds which qualify, could
equal approximately 3 ½ million dollars over the 20 year period of the
urban renewal plan. This is a public hearing. The hearing is open.
Frey: Good evening. My name is Kirsten Frey and I represent MGD L.C..
MGD L.C. is the entity that recently purchased Sycamore Mall. With me
tonight are several participants in MGDLC and we are here to support this
issue before the council tonight. We purchased the mall in the spring of
2000 and since that time we have spent a great deal of time thinking about
our plans for improvement in the area. I have some preliminary things
that I would like to show you tonight. These are by no means final. But it
is an attempt to show you a little bit about what it is that we are thinking.
The first document I have for you shows a little bit of the exterior front
elevation of this new Sycamore mall.
Karr: Kirsten, we will have to turn the mike. There you go.
Frey: Sorry, excuse me. Sorry about that. It shows the front elevation of the
Sycamore mall. I think that you can see by this drawing that what we are
anticipating is making significant exterior improvements to the look of the
mall. A lot of the retail spaces will have direct outside access instead of
only through the center quarter of the mall. There will be significant
improvements to the roof area as well. And we think that this is a much
more updated look for the mall. I think that this will be very much
complimented by our intended improvements of the building which we
refer to as the 'old Randall's building'. If you know where I mean which
is also part of the Sycamore Mall parcel. This is the intended
improvements that we are looking at of the mall parcel which I think
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clearly is an updated look. Once again, it improves the facade of the
building. And it installs the roof and provides some external access. And
really provides a more updated look for the parcel. Last but not least, I am
showing you a little bit of what we envision as some of landscape
improvements to the property. We think that these landscape
improvements, once again, will really improve the look of the property
and make it a much more inviting location for retail and commercial
establishments. You can see we are adding a lot of greenery, several trees.
We think that will really help the area. Why do we think these
improvements are necessary? Because this area is really suffering. Right
now, the Sycamore mall has an occupancy rate of 33.7 percent. What that
means is that the vast majority of the space in the Sycamore Mall property
is unoccupied. How does that affect the city? The assessed value on this
property in 1998 was $9.9 million. In 1999 it dropped to $7.5 million.
And in 2000 it is recently dropped to $4.6 million. What that means to the
city is that this property has devalued by half within the last couple of
years. And I think that the city should be concerned about that. I think
that the area has a lot of vacancies. The Wal-Green space has been
available for over a year. The Sears space has been empty for two years.
The Randall's space has been empty for four years. And I think that those
are some issues that we really need to address. The city has recognized
the needs of the area and I think that this plan is consistent with the
comprehensive plan for the City of Iowa City. The city has encouraged
the redevelopment of areas as opposed to the proliferation of additional
commercial development. And we feel that this satisfies this goal. The
comprehensive plan also calls for the improvement of the economic health
of the city and the encouragement of business within the city. And we
believe this will satisfy that goal as well. Perhaps most importantly, the
city has recognized that the problems that the southeast side has been
suffering and has really encouraged businesses and developers to explore
the possibility of development and commercial growth on the southeast
side. And this presents an opportunity for the city to reach toward that
goal. I think that this is particularly true with the plan that we are talking
about here. This plan allows both private investment and the city to work
toward a common goal. And that is a thriving retail area for the city of
Iowa City. It does that with minimal risk to the city. The city isn't out
anything if we aren't successful. It requires the developers to put up the
money first- you know, to make the improvements before the city provides
any incentives. It requires the property and the project to meet certain
identifiable mandated qualifications or standards before they are eligible
for any rebate. And so I think that it provides the type of encouragement
that the city has been looking for with minimal risk to the city. One of the
questions that has been asked of me is whether the developers would do
these improvements if this isn't a tax urban revitalization area. And
maybe- I mean, I can't tell you that for sure that we would not. I think the
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more important point is that if this area is not designated as an urban
revitalization area, the project will not thrive as well. The improvements
on the property will not be as great and I think it is important to remember
that this area constitutes more than Sycamore Mall. So, that opportunity
will not be out there for other businesses in the southeast area. In the long
run, we believe this plan will benefit the city. It will help them meet the
goals of their comprehensive plan. It will increase their tax base and will
provide the city with a thriving retail area, which we believe is in the
city' s best interest. And I am ready to answer any questions if you have
any.
Champion: I don't have any, I am just really thrilled. I think it is a great partnership
with the citizens of Iowa City.
O'Donnell: Absolutely. And a great looking project.
Kanner: Ms. Frey?
Frey: Yeah?
Kanner: It does look pretty exciting. Your clients, is it correct, they developed the
area down by Highway 1 and Highway 6 intersection?
Frey: My client which is MGDLC did not. Certain participants in MGDLC
were also participants in the group that developed that project. So there is
some common overlay but it is not exactly the same entity.
Kanner: How many common participants out of how many?
Frey: 2 out of 5.
Kanner: Did that project receive any public funds in the formative?
Frey: I don't believe that it did. But I did not represent them in connection with
that project. I don't believe that it did.
Vanderhoef: That is TIF district.
Kanner: Thank you.
Vanderhoef: Well, I am excited about having new development in this area and to build
our tax base and the services that we need for our citizens. We talk about
urban sprawl lots of times and this is a revitalization of an old area within
our infrastructure which makes it enormously profitable for us as a city not
to be expending more dollars out there to expand our infrastructure. So, it
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is important for us to look at all the places in town. I am happy that this
was purchased and that there is interest redevelopment for retail.
Lehman: Is there anyone else from the public who would like to speak at the
hearing?
Frey: Thank you.
Lehman: The public hearing is closed.
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DETERMINING.
Lehman: Do we have a motion?
Vanderhoef: So moved.
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion?
Wilburn: I think it is important to point out that by establishing the TIF district, an
important thing to remember is no improvements no tax rebates. They
will still pay taxes on the existing value, is that correct?
Atkins: That is correct.
Wilburn: So I think that is a benefit for the city when councilors are saying there is
no risk. Another thing I am thinking about is when we first started talking
about this there were a couple of comments about- and even tonight at the
public hearing- you raised the question about whether or not this would
happen or not. I think you very appropriately pointed out that it has been
several years since some activity has not been happening down there. I
bike around quite a bit and on my way back in I stop at Baskin Robbins
out there to get some ice cream and it is vacant- at least the portion of the-
the Sycamore mall portion of this has been sitting vacant for some time.
They have been very good about having some community events out
there. Any time I go to one of these- the different shows they have during
the weekend- you hear people commenting about how come the city
doesn't do something about this. This place is empty. You hear of people
going to other retail areas. I also heard comments from some neighbors
wanting some type of family restaurant- that type of thing down there. In
fact, I have even heard past councils say when asked about this area, it
always came up this is private land- there is no public domain as there was
with the pedestrian mall. So establishing this gives an opportunity for the
city to do this. Questions about whether or not the tip rebate is an
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appropriate tool to do this I would remind council that when we passed- I
don't remember the vote- but when we passed the economic development
package this was- the tip wasn't necessarily the rebate portion of this but it
was a portion of that package. And we knew then that this was a tool that
could be used to spur some kind of economic development. So I am
supportive of this project- of establishing this TIF district. Hopefully it
can spur some activity in the area. If I am not correct, I think that they
have to- anyone in this area of Sycamore and First Avenue has to have at
least a 15% improvement.
Atkins: That is the proposed policy.
Wilburn: I think that is a good starting point to have with that. Let's go with it.
Lehman: I would second your comments. I am very enthused about this. There is
no question in my mind that folks who purchase this property would not
follow through with some sort of development whether or not we
designate this urban renewal. Just as the owner of the Whiteway building
would have built another building had we not entered into a tax abatement
program downtown. But instead of a million dollar building downtown,
there sits a 3 million dollar building. The school district, the City of Iowa
City [and] the county will all share in the increased tax base because of
our agreement to go along with tax abatement on that downtown property.
I believe the same to be true of the Sycamore mall. There is no question
that these folks will develop that mall. But I believe that an incentive such
as we are making available will result in a much better project, a more
affordable project, one that we can be more excited about. And I think
there are two distinct benefits to this. One to the neighborhoods around
the Sycamore Mall and that area in the way of shopping, in the way of
jobs. In a revitalized economic area. And secondly to the entire
community just as the Whiteway building will generate more taxes for our
schools and our children and for the community and the county so will this
property generate more. And of course the bottom line is there is little- I
can't use the word "no" but there is a very, very, very small risk to the
city. The cost to the taxpayers literally is nothing. The benefits are [or]
can be substantial. And none of it accrues if activity doesn't take place.
So I very enthusiastically support this. And as you said Ross, we have
had- I have had in the 6 ½ years I have been on the council many, many
folks from the east side of town have asked time and time again when are
you going to do something with the east side of town. And our answer
was always and correctly so- "we can't take public money and invest in
private projects". This is an opportunity through the urban renewal
process that we can return some of the increased value of the taxes to that
property without costing the people of this community anything and
certainly benefit the district. So I wholeheartedly support it.
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Pfab: I am probably going to be the skunk at the church party.
Champion: It wouldn't be the first time.
Pfab: I have great difficulty with this idea here. We are sitting in an economy
that is probably one of the best the country has ever seen. The city and
statewide is good. The city is improving. I see that a lot of investment has
been done in that area and my guess is- and I am only guessing- Kirkwood
spent somewhere close to $10 million in that area the last couple of years.
The factories keep adding and improving. Eastdale Mall is full. The
Dentist across the street is building a nice building right across the street
from the mall in that area. The county bought eight lots there with the
idea of using them or for resale, one of the two. There is a lot of new
construction up along the railroad tracks up in that area coming down Wall
Drive. And we as a city and as citizens in this area, we always like to
think of ourselves as entrepreneurs. In fact, we are so enamoured with
that idea that we are telling welfare people to get out and do your thing.
Now, this causes me great difficulty because people with almost no means
to get out and get a life and we will help them a little. Now, I have
difficulty not looking at this as corporate welfare. I may be wrong. But I
can't see it. This property was controlled by the previous owner who I
don't know if I have enough bad words to say about them- the people that
owned it. Obviously they ran it into the ground. They did not try to adjust
to the economic changes that took place. And I believe a lot of the tenants
voted with their feet and left. And some of them probably paid rent on
vacant space because the previous manager or owner just would not work
with them. I see that the people here that bought this are some of the best
in the community. I think it is almost- I am reluctant to see the city get
involved in your business, which I know you know very well how to do.
You are damn good at what you do. And I commend you for that. Will
you build this or not- you know the answers, we don't. but to not- to give
back the taxes that the city should earn because the city did a good job of
building great infrastructure- the services that you will need from the
public from the city are in place and will work great. The area is a nice
looking area. I see across the street the Earl May people- they had a
nursery there and it was okay. But it wasn't big enough so they went out
and bought another lot adjoining it- maybe another half lot I am not sure.
In fact, they wanted to expand so much they took the little house that was
there and took it out into the country for somebody else because they want
to use that. And the Eastdale Mall is finding itself a lot of its problems- a
lot of money spent there by Proctor and Gamble. So it looks to me like- I
can't figure out if the city provides this kind of a climate- you've got a
great base of wonderful clients in that area. All the infrastructure is in
place, why do you not as corporate citizens feel that you should pay your
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share of taxes rather than somebody else have to pay them? That is all I
have to say.
Champion: Well Irvin, I think that is a very unfair statement. They are not asking not
to pay their share of taxes. They are still going to be paying taxes. A
rebate of their taxes is going to be based on real improvements. I think
that is very narrow minded. I think you make it sound like we are giving
to rich and taking from the poor. That is not what we are doing at all. We
are allowing some people who have the means to develop property that is
deteriorated into an economic asset to this city and to the citizens around
here. I am sorry, I just think you are belittling this whole process and I am
very bothered by that.
Pfab: Okay, let me ask you this. Suppose you and your husband decided to do a
big improvement on your house. Should you get a rebate on that for 7
years?
Champion: I would like it but-
Lehman: That is not relevant.
Pfab: What I mean is- (changed tapes) something which I don't think is true.
O'Donnell: Don't be-
Kanner: It is very relevant because the idea of giving a tax abatement and saying
there is no risk I think is belittling the idea of hard working people in the
City of Iowa City because as Irvin said when people that have property
add to that property they expect that they are going to pay a portion of
those improvements to the city for taxes. It makes a better city for
everyone. So I think what Irvin is saying is right on the mark. And I
applaud Irvin. Your remarks and I second that very much. I would like to
add that one of the memos that we got from our economic development
person, David Schoon, along with our City Manager said that we should
look at the financial guidelines that were passed by this city council a few
years ago. And it said that whenever we gave out any type of assistance in
this form that we should look at the quality of jobs to be created among
other things. And it talks about how the jobs that are created with
assistance of city money should be higher wage rates, full time, long term,
non seasonal positions, contribution to health insurance, benefits,
provisions of fringe benefits. Among other things. And we were told
yesterday by David that it is not likely that this will happen from this
project. That those types of jobs will be created. And he was also asked
by myself if we could use TIF money in different ways- perhaps to
provide rebates to the mall for providing childcare for workers. Or for
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providing something like healthcare benefits. There is a lot of creative
ways that TIFs- tax increment financing- can be used. And I think this is
the least creative way. There are studies out there that show that these
type of tax abatements are not the major reason that people do
development. We heard from the developer' s representative that at the
least, maybe they would develop. I have a feeling that they will go gung
ho development. Some of these developers were part of the development
at Highway 6 and Highway 1, and they did a very good job down there
and I commend you for that. And I think they will do a good job here. I
think we need to direct our money to people who really need it. and I
don't think that in this case that this development needs that money to spur
it on. And I will be also voting against the creation of this zone.
O'Donnell: I will be supporting this. We don't like to hear it but this is an
economically depressed area.
Kanner: By what definition Mike?
Lehman: Go out and look at it.
O'Donnell: Let me finish. Economically depressed, vacancies, businesses that create
jobs and benefits for people. That is my definition. The vacancy rate
down there is way out of line. This money is set aside, these developers
have a proven track record. This will increase the tax base. This is
precisely what this money is set aside for. And I will be supporting it.
Vanderhoef: One thing that I think we have lost sight of in this whole conversation is
that this is a district. We keep talking in terms of Sycamore Mall. It is
only one piece of this district. We have many small property owners in
that area also who may apply for TIF rebates just as the Sycamore Mall
can. And yes, it does create something for our citizens in that area. And it
is a plus for them to be able to shop in their neighborhood and not have to
use their cars to go to another area to shop. They can get their things
locally. They can walk if they want to. They can use the bus. But
walking is really quite handy for a lot of them and I think it is a very
positive thing to get more shopping available in that comer of the city.
Lehman: The term was- I just one more comment- the term was "city money" and I
think it is important to point out that the money that will be involved here
is only the increased tax revenue from that property because of investment
made by the folks who purchased it. We are not talking about any money
flowing from the City of Iowa City. We are talking about income earned
by the investment of the folks who bought that. So we are not talking
about giving city money to anybody. We are talking about letting the
money earned- increased tax revenue earned by that investment- go to
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help pay the cost of the investment. So we are not talking about spending
city money. Irvin?
Pfab: I have a question. Is it possible- there was only one person who came to
this public hearing. Is it possible to continue this public hearing?
Lehman: Why would we do that? Obviously we don't have a great deal of interest.
Everybody knows about it.
Pfab: Yeah, this is a vacation time. There is a lot- why aren't there any citizens
here?
Lehman: I suspect because they read the paper and they probably don't feel it is too
controversial and that is why they are not here.
O'Donnell: I think most people are excited about the project and the idea of making
that end of town more viable.
Champion: Mr. Mayor, we have all had our say on this, I would like to move the
question.
O'Donnell: I would second that.
Lehman: We have a motion by Champion, second by O'Donnell to move the
question. Roll call. Motion carries.
Kanner: No.
Lehman: Pardon?
Kanner: Don't you need a 6 out of 7 majority for moving the question?
Lehman: No.
Holeck: This is urban renewal. It is not a-
Kanner: This is moving the question. Don't you need a 6 out of 7 majority?
Holeck: Yes, you do.
Lehman: We had a 5 to 2 vote. The motion fails. Further discussion?
Kanner: I like the idea that Irvin was talking about of continuing the hearing. I
think this is an issue that got some play. But for instance, in the
newspaper today I didn't hear- there was in the Press Citizen there was an
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article about the discussion we had on this yesterday. And I didn't hear
any of the opposing viewpoints that were presented. So, Mr. Mayor, I
would say that not everyone has heard the full story of opposing
viewpoints and I think more discussion would be merited. I think they
will see this broadcast today and I think there will be more people that will
be out here at the next meeting to talk about it because I do believe there
are a number of Iowa Citians when they become more fully aware of how
they're paying their full share and we are proposing that others don't pay
their full share, they will be out here. And I would like to make a motion
to continue the public hearing.
Lehman: To the next meeting? The September 127
Kanner: Yes.
Lehman: We have a motion to continue the public hearing to September 12. Do we
have a second?
Pfab: Yes.
Lehman: We have a motion and a second. Discussion on continuing the hearing?
All in favor?
Kanner and Pfab: Aye.
Lehman: Opposed?
All except Kanner and Pfab: Aye.
Lehman: Motion is defeated.
Kanner: I would like a division of the vote please.
Lehman: Those in favor of delaying this another two weeks please raise your hands.
This is a "yes" vote.
Kanner: This is a continuance of the public hearing.
Lehman: Yes. I see two. Those who are not in favor raise their hands. Five. The
same way it came out last time, defeated. Further discussion?
O'Donnell: I would like to vote on this.
Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries, 5 to 2, Kanner and Pfab voting "no".
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ITEM NO. 9. CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR
SEPTEMBER 12 ON AN AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE
REDEVELOPMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA
CITY AND MGD L.C.
O'Donnell: Move to set the public hearing.
Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? By the way, this isn't over tonight
after these votes. This still has to have a contract with the developer. It
has to have three readings. I mean, we talk about delaying and that is all
we are talking about delaying tonight for two more weeks. This project is
going to take another five or six weeks or more. The public is going to
have ample time to comment on this without us delaying it ourselves. All
in favor?
All except Kanner and Pfab: Aye.
Lehman: Opposed?
Karmer and Pfab: Aye.
Lehman: Motion carries. You don't want to set a public hearing Steven and Irvin?
Pfab: I am trying to figure out what is going on here.
Lehman: It is item number nine, we are setting a public hearing. And you voted-
the vote was five in favor and two opposed to setting the public hearing.
Pfab and Kanner voting "no".
Pfab: Well you just voted that we couldn't continue it so what is the difference
here?
O'Donnell: This is to set the public hearing.
Holecek: This is to set the public hearing on the agreement. That was the public
hearing on Urban Renewal Plan that you had made the motion to continue.
Pfab: Okay.
Holecek: Now that that plan has passed, the Urban Renewal Plan and the TIF
ordinance has passed, what is now before you is whether or not to set a
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public hearing for September 12 on the agreement with MGD, the
property owners of Sycamore Mall.
Pfab: The problem that I have with the public hearing [is that] the public hearing
normally is- there is a time delay between the public hearing and voting on
a motion. That is the thing that causes me the most difficulty with this. If
we would have had the public hearing and voted on it later that would
have been fine. The public could have had some input. Now, just
slamming the- and I guess, I don't know, maybe that is a strong word-
slamming the vote on it right after closing the public hearing- so basically
it almost appears that it is a foregone conclusion.
Lehman: Irvin, they come up with a plan that has to have a public hearing and three
more votes. How many votes do you need on something before you have
enough time to understand it?
Pfab: No, no- it goes back to the same problem that I had here. Is there any
reason why the vote on this had to come up the same time as the public
hearing?
Lehman: Probably not but there at least three more opportunities for the public to
comment on what we voted on.
Pfab: Okay.
Lehman: If we do not approve of the agreement that comes up at the next public
hearing the whole thing is over anyway.
Kanner: Mr. Mayor?
Lehman: Yes?
Kanner: I will answer your question of why I voted against it. contrary to a
comment by Council member Vanderhoef, I think that the economic
development area and the agreement with MGD are linked together and
that one was presented because the other was presented. And that is the
main reason we are having both of these motions- economic development
area and the agreement with MGD. So I am opposed to this specific TIF
and that is why I am opposed to the public hearing.
Lehman: So you are opposed to talking about it?
Kanner: What?
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Lehman: You are opposed to talking about an agreement because you are basically
opposed to the concept?
Kanner: No, I am open to talking about the idea of a TIF in the area that would
benefit different people. And if you want to propose a motion or accept a
motion that I would propose to talk about it in a different way besides
specifically with MGD and the way that it has proposed for the abatement
of $180,000 for new property improvements, I would be willing to discuss
it and have all the public hearings you want.
Lehman: There may be some of what you are talking about in the agreement that we
will have in the public hearing on the 12th.
Kanner: Basically my understanding is the agreement is a done deal and I don't see
it changing especially with the majority on this council. And that is why I
am voting against the hearing.
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ITEM NO. 10. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING, AUTHORIZING
AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND THE CITY
CLERK TO ATTEST AN AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE
CITY OF IOWA CITY AND SHOEMAKER & HAALAND
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS OF CORALVILLE, IOWA TO
PROVIDE ENGINEERING CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE
DESIGN OF CAPTAIN IRISH PARKWAY IMPROVEMENTS.
O'Donnell: So moved.
Vanderhoef: Move adoption.
Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Vanderhoef: Yes. This particular arterial that is being planned right now has a
connection also to something that has been talked about in this community
for probably 15 years or so and may not happen for another 10 or 12 years
or more. But that is to have an extension that includes a bridge that goes
over Interstate 80 to the commercial area to the noah of the interstate.
While we are looking at this engineering of this roadway I would like to
look at how that road that would be in the future used to go across the
interstate so that we have something on paper that says these two things
will interface properly in the future and won't have to have a whole lot of
redesign.
Lehman: Karin Franklin or Chuck-
Kanner: Are you talking about the Dodge Street area Dee?
Lehman: No.
Vanderhoef: No, we are talking about Captain Irish. Item number ten.
Kanner: What commercial area7
Vanderhoef: The north commercial area across on the noah side of Interstate 80.
Kanner: Right on Highway 1 ?
Lehman: Right.
Vanderhoef: To the east of the motel.
Kanner: That you currently get to off of Dodge Street.
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Schmadeke: I think within this contract we can define a corridor, not a specific
alignment, but a corridor that we could identify which would provide a
route noah across the interstate.
Lehman: That will be part of the design?
Schmadeke: Part of the design, yeah.
Lehman: Keeping that possibility in mind.
Schmadeke: Right.
Vanderhoef: I would really like that if there are other councilors that agree with that.
Champion: It seems reasonable to me.
O'Donnell: I think it is very reasonable.
Lehman: Didn't you just say that is the way you are going to design it?
Schmadeke: We can do that. It is not in the agreement now but I think we can add it to
that without any problem.
Pfab: A point of information- you are talking about extending First Avenue
straight across the interstate?
Vanderhoef: No, no.
Lehman: We are talking about Captain Irish or Scott Boulevard- whichever you
choose to call it- from Rochester Avenue to the end of Captain Irish.
Pfab: Okay, that is all we are talking about?
Lehman: That is all we are talking about.
Pfab: But you brought up something you wanted it to coordinate with what?
Lehman: There is in the plans we have talked about over the years the possibility of
a bridge going over Interstate 80 east of what used to be the Highlander
and connecting that area with the area that we are talking about now.
Dee's concern and her question to Chuck is will the alignment of Scott
Boulevard or Captain Irish- we will have to get that straightened out
someday- will this alignment enable us at some point in the future if the
city ever does it to put that bridge over Interstate 80? In other words, we
don't want to build flaws into the system.
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Pfab: I think that is a great idea. I think that at some point there will be a bridge
over there.
Kanner: What is the cost of a bridge approximately? $5 million?
Lehman: I don't know, but that could be 50 years away.
Champion: It won't be in our lifetime.
Lehman: No. It may never happen.
Wilburn: Speak for yourself.
Lehman: Yeah, you've got a birthday coming.
Champion: And I am 96.
Kanner: So that gives people instead of driving on the new Captain Irish Parkway
from Rochester over to Dodge and then coming back in a little bit that we
want to bridge in the possible future?
Vanderhoef: There is a whole area out there that is sewerable to develop. And so who
knows in 20 years what that will look like out there. To be less than
visionary on how these roads would interface with each other, we certainly
can look at where that can go on at this point in time and that also alerts
any development that happens after Captain Irish is built to know that this
is where the collector/arterial will go whenever that bridge is built.
Kanner: I thought our growth limit was set at about I807
Vanderhoef: There is some over there.
Atkins: Just beyond it.
Kanner: I had a question for you Chuck. In the design of this I imagine we could
put in some sort of features that make it not deer friendly in some sense.
Is there anything out there that could be looked into when designing this in
that kind of concern7
Schmadeke: To make it deer friendly?
Kanner: Un-deer friendly.
Schmadeke: Un-deer friendly. Well, I don't know.
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Kanner: As far as grade and banks and so forth. There is also- there is new devices
that people are talking about in deer management [like] reflectors. I
imagine that could be helped by the grade of the road. So I would just like
engineers to look into how you can make it safer from the aspect of not
having deer on the road. And I know there are certain techniques that
might be out there.
Schmadeke: We can take a look at that.
Lehman: Irvin?
Pfab: I have a question. When you have engineers draw these plans, and
obviously there is options of using different materials. Some have to be
designed different and the cost can change- different piping, road surface
and what not. I think that if these people and the city engineers will see
that these have alternate bids I believe is the term that you can use
different materials and allow more competition in the construction of these
highways as long as the results are the same or very comparable. Then I
am in favor of it, otherwise I would vote against it.
Schmadeke: We are looking at both asphalt and concrete for different road surfaces.
Pfab: And there is different piping and stuff like that.
Schmadeke: Whether or not that will be recommended as the final design I can't say at
this point.
Pfab: But is there any reason why they can't be shown as alternates?
Schmadeke: At this point I wouldn't want to say one way or another until we actually
get into the design.
Kanner: For instance, a new technique being used to use up glass is glass asphalt.
It is being used at a few places around the country. Things like that maybe
we can be innovative in looking at and get bids and see if it is worth our
while.
Champion: This is just the drawing of the road isn't it? This doesn't have anything to
do with bidding the materials.
Pfab: Some materials you have to design slightly different though right? Slight
differences?
Schmadeke: That is right.
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Lehman: My guess is that right now the biggest thing is locating and fixing the
alignment so we know where it is going to be.
Schmadeke: That is right.
Lehman: Is- I don't know how to state this- obviously, you know, whether or not
that bridge ever goes over the interstate I think is a big question. I think
the chances of it being built are probably not very good. On the other
hand, if we build a road that precludes it we obviously will prohibit it from
occurring. I would hate to see us spend an inordinate amount of money
keeping a possibility open but at this point in time it would seem that we
would have the opportunity of kind of building that in without any- if that
runs into an extraordinary situation I would hope that you would come
back to us. And I think the point is well taken that even though the
chances of it are very remote, if we build the road in such a fashion that it
can't occur we would be eliminating some options.
Pfab: I think that is an excellent idea. I certainly would support it.
Lehman: Other discussion?
Vanderhoef: I was just going to ask- are we designing this with the utilities
underground?
Schmadeke: No we are not. Electric utility? No we are not.
Vanderhoe~ And phone?
Schmadeke: Phone will probably be underground but not the electric. The intent of
MidAmerican is to go overhead with the electric along (can't hear).
Lehman: Those are major transmission lines along the arterial aren't they?
Schmadeke: Right. But the cost, at least with MidAmerican, the cost of burying
transmission lines is not near as expensive as it was with (can't hear).
Vanderhoef: Could we take a look at that?
Schmadeke: We can consider it, yes.
Vanderhoef: I would like to at least have something to compare to.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries, 7-0.
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#12 Page 33
ITEM NO. 12. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DESIGN OF
EXTERIOR SIGNAGE AT 13 SOUTH LINN STREET.
O'Donnell: So moved.
Champion: Second.
Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Champion. Discussion? Last night at
our meeting we did question the height of the sign as far as it was from the
street level and my understanding is it meets all of our sign requirements
and whatever.
Atkins: Yes.
Lehman: So height is not a consideration.
Vanderhoef: I also questioned last night whether there was any review done as to this
building which the Historic Preservation is going to apply for national
registry designation for this building. For people who don't know which
building it is, it is the old mortuary building on Linn Street. Karin, if you
want to explain the whole thing, do for the rest of the council.
Franklin: Okay, first of all, obviously approval of this sign can go ahead of the
historic landmark designation. But I don't think that is the issue that Dee
was addressing last night. It was, I believe, whether by approving this
sign it would create an incompatibility with the landmark designation.
When the staff Design Review Committee reviewed this particular project
they were aware also that the landmark designation was coming forward
and evaluated it in the context of the Secretary of Interior' s guidelines.
Which basically- that is what the guidelines that are used by the Historic
Preservation Commission to evaluate projects. And basically those
guidelines indicate that if signage does not constitute a permanent and
significant change in the facade of a building, then it is not incompatible
or is not a problem as far as the historic designation is concerned. Now,
this has not been reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission, but
those are the guidelines that they would use in making their evaluation.
So, I don't know if that helps but.
Vanderhoef: That is the technical part of it. for me, personally, when I look at this
particular sign without looking at a building it is okay. When I see a red
white and blue banner, sign, hanging outside of a pillared brick historic
building my personal opinion is that it is inappropriate. I would like to ask
the owners of the business if they would consider taking a second look at
it and designing something that might be more compatible with the
historic building.
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O'Donnell: I don't have any problem with the sign. I think a lot of thought has put
into it. I am not going to let personal opinion of the sign enter into my
decision here. I believe they have met the requirements and I think it
looks nice.
Lehman: You were concurring with the Design Review Committee?
O'Donnell: Absolutely.
Lehman: Karin, and you can just nod your head if you want, if the color of the sign
were changed and whatever would that require it to go through design
review again?
Franklin: The color?
Lel~nan: The color. Dee doesn't like red, white and blue. We are going to change
the flag too, by the way. It would have to go back through?
O'Donnell: That takes four to change the color of the flag.
Champion: The way I look at it is I really very pro-Historic Preservation. And I don't
mind the sign because it doesn't really affect the historic part of the
building.
Lehman: It is not part of the building.
Champion: And just because, you know, I support it for that reason. If it was actually
going to affect the future of the building being preserved, then I probably
wouldn't like it. But, I am going to support it.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. That is a 6-1 reluctant.
Holecek: I think it is peer pressure.
Lehman: 6 ¼ motion passes. (Record 7/0)
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ITEM NO. 15. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION
Lehman: Who would like to be first? Irvin?
Pfab: I will be first. I would like to take this opportunity to ask the public to
respond pro and con for the Urban Renewal idea that I just voted against.
That doesn't mean that because I voted that it is wrong. I think that it is
time that the public speak up what their thoughts are on it. Also, I would
also like to be sure to remind all the citizens that Iowa City has a
absolutely marvelous web page. I don't know if the camera can catch it
over there or not. I will read it- it is www. iowaocity.org. The reason that
it going to be much more important is there is a lot more activity going to
be there and it is going to be a place to send comments, make and report
different things, and it is a wonderful way for the city and the staff to
communicate with the citizens. And now, the web page is being changed
and updated so the citizens can respond to the staff also by way of email.
Lehman: Connie?
Champion: I had a couple of things. I keep reading articles in the paper about the 21
years and older and the binge drinking and the alcohol problems that we
obviously have downtown or in Iowa City. I think it is important that
people remember that keeping people under 21 out of the bars might not
solve the binge drinking problem and that binge drinking can occur after
age 21. So my concern is with the drunkenness downtown, whether you
are over 21 or under 21. It seems to keep being overlooked. When I was
at John's today I was asked to look at their alley situation so I just wanted
to ask if the city council is interested in some information about alley
maintenance and what happens if an alley has deteriorated to the point
where it is a public nuisance. What control does the city have to get that
corrected? It is a question of interest I am asking.
Lehman: I think we can get that information.
Atkins: Oh, sure.
Lehman: I think we have a policy on that.
Atkins: We have a longstanding policy on maintenance of alleys.
Champion: I guess I don't know that.
Atkins: We can prepare that and get it out to you.
Kanner: It is complaint driven I would assume?
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Atkins: Substantially complaint driven but we do not maintain alleys.
Champion: I know we don't. But we do force people to maintain their sidewalks.
Atkins: Yes we do.
Champion: I have a daughter visiting from New York and I don't know what is going
on with our dog park issue. We haven't heard about that for a while.
Atkins: I was checking on that the other day. Terry is gone for the week but he
had mentioned to me that it had gone to the commission, the commission
had asked for some additional information, and I think they are waiting for
a formal recommendation too. I can check and I will get you an answer.
Champion: The only reason I am asking is because she said they have designated
parks- she actually lives in Brooklyn- they have designated parks and they
have specific times each day when you can run your dog. And it seems
that might be something a commission might want to look at. It certainly
would be cheaper than a dog park and a lot easier to maintain.
Atkins: I will get you an answer on that.
Lehman: Mike?
O'Donnell: Just a couple questions. Steve, I was mentioning this popcorn wagon for
the City Park- I have not been to the park in several weeks, how are we
coming on that?
Lehman: The wagon is not there but there is a concession stand and they are doing a
good job.
Atkins: I know we have a concession, I know we secured the popcorn wagon.
Whether it is being used at the park or not- I haven't been out there in a
while.
Lehman: I was there- I had a reason to be there last Thursday with my
grandchildren.
Vanderhoef: Your grandchildren were in town.
Lehman: Twice.
Atkins: I will get you an answer.
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O'Donnell: And I also wanted to wish Adam Lowenstein, our Cedar Rapids Gazette
reporter, well in his new endeavor. He has been very, very good to work
with and very accurate and I appreciate that. And I want to wish him well.
Lehman: I would second that but he left. He left quicker than we thought.
O'Donnell: He didn't want to say goodbye, he was too close. And I did, once again,
want to wish Connie Champion Happy Birthday.
Champion: Thank you so much.
O'Donnell: That is it.
Lehman: Dee?
Vanderhoef: Just one new date that will come out in a memo also. City Hall day has
been set for October 12 here in council chambers. And that has been
confirmed with Coralville. That is one day later than most of the people
are going to do it in the state. However, we discovered that October 11
will probably be the chamber banquet which would take in-
Lehman: That is also bowling so-.
Vanderhoef: Okay, that is all I have.
Lehman: Ross?
Wilbum: I was asked to make a couple of announcements. (can't hear) league of
Iowa City and similar groups around the world are recognizing the world
breast feeding week by holding the 2000 World Walk for Breast Feeding.
At 10:00 this Saturday, August 19 1 will be walking with them at the
Willow Creek Park shelter. We will walk one symbolic mile and them
gather at the shelter for different activities and snacks. They are trying to
promote their mission of mother to mother support, information, education
about the benefits of breast feeding. Sunday, the Kiwannis Park
dedication at Kiwannis Park to celebrate completion of the work. Mike, I
am surprised you didn't mention this one, The Sertoma Club breakfast at
the airport this Sunday at 7:00.
Atkins: 7:00 to 1:00.
Wilburn: It starts at 7:00, yeah. And the Wetherby Park celebration of the park
renovation is from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at Wetherby Park offof Taylor Drive.
Encourage people to come on down and have a good time.
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Kanner: That is this Sunday?
Lehman: That is the 26th.
Wilbum: The 26th. That is a Saturday. That is all.
Vanderhoef: We don't have another meeting before that.
Kanner: I have a few things. We got notice in our council packets about a penalty
that was being assessed to the City of Iowa City for violation of effluent
limits from our waste water treatment plant. The penalty was for $9594.
And we had signed a consent agreement with the department of Natural
Resources of Iowa back on December 16, 1999 and we agreed to certain
penalties if we went over that. There is agreement on all sides that we did
go over the limits and the City of Iowa City is contesting the penalties
saying that there were extenuating circumstances and that there was an act
of vandalism that caused a certain flow to the south plant which could not
handle the waste treatment. And, what I would like to have is a report- a
timely report- from the City Manager when these occurrences happen.
This happened in November and December of 1999 and this is the first
that I have heard of it. I would also like to know why were there no
violations- there were violations in November and December and then in
March and April of 2000. I would like to know why there were no
violations in January and February. And I also would like to know why-
how other cities that were cited along with Iowa City, there were about 10
or 12 cities that were cited, any complaint brought by the local
environmental advocates. I would like to know how we are doing in
comparison with those cities. I did hear that environmental advocates in
the city are communicating, which I think is good. I think they are a good
group and I would like to commend them for keeping an eye out on our
water situation. This is a serious subject and I know that our staff is taking
it seriously and I commend them for that. I would just like to get some
more timely updates on this information when these kinds of events
happen, especially with this consent decree.
Atkins: For the rest of the council, we would certainly have to prepare that
information anyway.
Lehman: I was going to say, that's got be part of our answer to-
Atkins: We will prepare it reasonably quickly. We will get that to you.
Kanner: Thank you. And we did discuss yesterday at the work session the North
Dubuque entranceway. A couple of things on that- I would like to find out
what the maintenance costs are. I know Ernie you said that we will get a
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final proposal but in a sense we gave it a go yesterday and we did that
without a pretty good estimate of what maintenance costs would be. And
again, I think that when we decide those kind of things it needs to be done
at a formal meeting. I would urge council to put that on the Tuesday
docket where we could have public input and make formal decisions.
Because that was something that although it was one of our goals that we
had set up, the council majority had approved that as a goal, we didn't
have very much information on that before the night of the presentation
yesterday.
Lehman: We didn't have any information on it.
Kanner: Right, and I think we need to have more warning on that kind of thing and
done in a more formal sense. Because essentially we said yes- the
majority said yes to a $400,000 project.
Lehman: I think we said yes to a concept. It has got to come back to us in all kinds
of detail and that is the time I think that we have to address the
maintenance costs and whatever. If we are not interested in the project,
then we cut it off right now and we don't spend anymore money. If we do
think the project is worthwhile- we haven't authorized that project by any
stretch of the imagination. We have told them we feel the concept is
worthwhile. We still have to approve the contract and if we do get into,
for example the type of plantings and maintenance- all of that sort of thing
will have to be approved by us before we can do anything further.
Atkins: Ernie, may I add to that please?
Lehman: Yes.
Atkins: I want to make sure we understand each other. That project was brought
to you as a concept and concept only. Project Green plans to proceed with
a good bit of their work. We had been working on this and it seemed to
make sense to me to bring it to you as a package so you could view it. and
above all, it must compete with all other capital projects when you go
through the capital projects- I want you to understand because I wanted to
make sure you understood Steven- this is not an independent free standing
project. I don't want to spend any more money working on it, designing it
and putting it together unless there is at least some notion that you think it
is a good idea. But it will have to stand the scrutiny of going against all
other capital projects. Jim's comment and Steven's are correct also.
These types of projects are very high maintenance and we had not put pen
to paper yet to work out those numbers for you, which we will do.
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Kanner: There is especially a concern in my mind because we are talking about not
having enough general fund money to maintain our Parks and Rec and this
is essentially another Parks and Rec project. We need those kinds of
figures. Is this going to be $20,000 per year?
Champion: It will come to us.
Kanner: What?
Champion: It will come to us. It was part of the package wasn't it-
Lehman: It has to come back to us because-
Vanderhoef: At capital time.
Atkins: Yes, at capital project priorities do you want me to add this to the list?
You had it as a goal, we had project- there were so many factors. It was
my decision to bring it to you to get an early nod of the head that yeah,
let' s try to put something together on this.
Lehman: I think Steven's point is- and I certainly share the same concem- if it
comes to us as a capital project before we approve it in our CIP, we do
need to know what it will do to our general fund from a maintenance
standpoint.
Atkins: Absolutely. I agree with you.
Kanner: I couple of other things. Also, we got a letter from the County Auditor
Tom Slockett in our packet and he recommended that we change the
language on the First Avenue extension ballot initiative. I summarized, I
hope correctly, "because of advise from our City Attorney that stated that
it is probably not legal to change the wording and because of the lateness
in the campaign, both the pro and con positions on this, the groups that are
working on this, want the wording to stay the same. The majority of city
council yesterday decided to leave the original ballot wording as it is now.
So a "yes" vote will stop the extension and a "no" vote will allow the
extension to go through." I think I summarized that pretty well.
Lehman: Right.
Kanner: And, I was waiting for Jeff Davidson as acting traffic engineer to let me
know when the traffic counts were done on the College/Washington area
for traffic calming. He wasn't sure if the two annual surveys of the traffic
were done at the same time, which could be significant. One could have
been done early in May and one could have been done late in May when
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there was no University school in session, which could have a significant
impact on the count. And so I think that it is important that we get that
information and then we will be able to determine in a better fashion if the
traffic calming devices are doing to job they are supposed to be doing.
And then one final thing, I heard that there were some complaints about
some growth from the waterfront of Ralston Creek coming into private
land. And that generated city staff going out and spraying pesticides on
that. And I would like to know-
Atkins: Pesticides?
Kanner: Some sort of Roundup pesticide.
Atkins: We do use Roundup for poison ivy and things such as that. We still use
that.
Ka~mer: I would like to know what is the policy that we use when someone has a
complaint like that about waterway growth. It is possible to not use
Roundup if we determine that we have to cut it back. Can we just cut it? I
would like to use as little pesticides as possible.
Atkins: I think Terry is pretty good- our superintendent is really quite good about
that but there are times when- I know in particular because we do receive
neighborhood complaints of poison ivy in and around parks and we will
use Roundup on poison ivy. I am almost sure he does that. I will find out
for you.
Kanner: This is specifically coming from the waterway into private land.
Atkins: Okay, we will get that for you. Sure.
Kanner: Thank you.
Lehman: A couple of things. I don't know- Ross, you were downtown Saturday.
The Irving Weber celebration, I think it gets bigger each year. This was
the third year and certainly Larry Eckholt and Barb Coffey deserve a
tremendous amount of thanks for their work as co-chairs. As is many
times the case in things that occur in this community, we have a young
man named David Schoon on the city staff who was basically the
coordinator for the city who did his usual outstanding job. So Steve, if
you could relay that to him it was a lot of fun, well attended. [It is] one of
those events that appeals to the seniors, the very young folks and just
about everybody in between. A very nice event.
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Atkins: You know Ernie, we were talking about it, College Green park was
packed. I did the quiz and I represented you badly.
Lehman: It was a lot of fun.
Kanner: How much ice cream did you eat?
Atkins: I did not eat any ice cream. Anyway, one of the things that I found
interesting is that this summer I cannot think of a downtown event that
wasn't a success considering the number- I mean, the Friday night and
Saturday nights, the Arts Fest, the Jazz Fest, Irving. And I have
encouraged staff and I would ask for your interest and support- let's make
up reasons to have things downtown on the weekends. (changed tapes)
Lehman: - University students and also with the townsfolk. It should be, I think, a
really big event a week from this weekend.
Vanderhoef: We still need our street dance.
Lehman: We are going to have that, I think Weeks of WOW.
Atkins: That is part of that.
Vanderhoef: When?
Lehman: I think a week from this Saturday.
Atkins: Did you go to Jazz Fest?
Vanderhoef: I did.
Atkins: There certainly were people dancing in the streets at that.
Lehman: I received today a letter from Sally Stutsman, chair of the Board of
Supervisors, relative to a meeting which will be held on August 30 at 1:00
at the Johnson County Jail. It is going to be covering some of the
difficulties they have with the jail, a proposed location, design, financial
impact. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome to attend. There
will be a tour of the jail for all of those who are in favor of a new one.
The rest of them will be locked up. No, anyone who wants to go, we have
an invitation to go.
Kanner: What is the date on that again?
Lehman: That is August 30, 1:00 at the jail.
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Pfab: If you are in favor of it you get to go through it and if you not, you don't
get out through that back door?
Lehman: I was just kidding Irvin.
Kanner: Are there four of us who want to go?
Vanderhoef: This is just a tour?
Lehman: Yeah, actually, anytime if the Council finds themselves in a situation
where four of you are present, none of you can speak. You can all be
there.
Champion: What a blessing.
O'Donnell: That is a very good thing.
Lehman: I think that is basically the rule. If you are all present and you cannot
discuss anything because it becomes a formal meeting.
Holecek: You cannot discuss any business, that is correct.
O'Donnell: We should have that include the Mayor also.
Lehman: Yeah, I won't be there. There was- July 15 and 16 the Iowa City Animal
Control Division had their annual adopt-a-thon. Third annual event- local
veterinarians and whatever were involved in this. And they provided
information and products at a reduced cost. The shelter was successful in
adopting out 30 cats, kittens, puppies and dogs over the 2 day period.
They had 400 visitors come through the facility and they took in $800 in
donations to support the animals at the facility. Boy, I will tell you what,
if you need a pup- great place to go. I got Peaches and she is a peach.
Okay, city manager?
Atkins: Nothing sir.
Karr: Nothing.
Lehman: I am sorry, Irvin?
Pfab: I have just a question. There is going to be a meeting of the Economic
Development Committee, is that right?
Atkins: Yes, 3:30, Thursday the 17th.
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Pfab: What would happen if I decided to attend this as an observer? There
would be four.
Lehman: It is a public meeting. There is no problem.
Atkins: And I would assume you would be audience.
Lehman: You would be audience.
Pfab: Right. But I mean, I just wasn't sure so I thought well you brought it up
and reminded me so I thought (can't hear).
Lehman: In fact, the Economic Development committee, because it has three
members, it is inappropriate to even two of us to discuss it because that
constitutes a majority. That meeting will be Thursday at 3:30. Do we
have a motion to adjoum?
O'Donnell: So moved.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Lebanan: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoef. All in favor?
All: Aye.
Lehman: Opposed? Meeting is adjourned. Thank you.
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