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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-29 Info Packet of 8/17 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET August 17, 2000 ~ MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS IP1 Meeting Schedule and Tentative Work Session Agendas IP2 Letter from Mayor to Johnson County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections: First Avenue Extension Ballot Language IP3 Memorandum from City Clerk: Special Agenda and Packet Pick-Up IP4 Memorandum from City Clerk: July 31 Work Session IP5 Letter from Acting Traffic Engineering Planner to Capitol House Apartment Residents: Pedestrian Crossing of Burlington Street and Dubuque Street IP6 Memorandum from First Assistant City Attorney: Clarification of Votes Necessary to "Call the Question" IP7 Memorandum from Recreation Superintendent to City Manager: Popcorn Wagon Status IP8 Memorandum from Recreation Superintendent to City Manager: Dog Park Status IP9 Editorial (IC Gazette): Project Green Tackles a Worthy City Project | -~ i l 08-17-00 ~~.~i_ IP1 -- City Council Meeting Schedule and Augus~ ~7, 2000 ,~ Cltlt ot ~'~! c%<~ Tentative Work Session Agendas August 29 Tuesday 8:00a SPECIAL FORMAL COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers J September 4 Monday LABOR DAY HOLIDAY - CITY OFFICES CLOSED September 11 Monday 6:30p SPECIAL COUNCIL WORK SESSION Council Chambers September 12 Tuesday 7:00p SPECIAL FORMAL COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers September 18 Monday 6:30p COUNCIL WORK SESSION Council Chambers September 19 Tuesday 7:00p FORMAL COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers l September 20 Wednesday 7:00p SPECIAL COUNCIL WORK SESSION North Liberty Community Center Joint with Coralville, North Liberty, School Board, JC Supervisors l October 2 Monday 6:30p COUNCIL WORK SESSION Council Chambers Meeting dates/times subject to change FUTURE WORK SESSION ITEMS Kirkwood Avenue Signalization Sidewalk Cafes Campaign Contributions Deer Management Plan Tom Slockett Johnson County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections 913 S. Dubuque Street, Suite Iowa City, IA 52240-420 Dear Mr. Slockett: The Council is in receipt of your August 9 letter regarding the public measure to be placed on the November 7 General Election ballot regarding the First Avenue extension project, and wishes to thank you for sharing your concems. At our work session and formal meetings of August 14 and 15 we discussed the matter and concur with our City Attorney that we are unable to change the ballot language. As previously stated by City Atty. Eleanor Dilkes, our City Charter provides that Council may either adopt or put on the ballot the petitioner's proposed legislation as certified and presented. Additionally we have concerns considering any language changes this close to the election. Although there is nothing the City can do to clarify the language further we see an opportunity for you to use the summary language to address some of the concerns noted. Your decision to summarize the other questions presented to the voters and not summarize the First Avenue question only adds to further confusion. Again thank you for your letter and the Council will place this in their file for Charter review at a later time. Sincerely, Emest W. Lehman Mayor Cc: City Council, Iowa City / J. Patrick White, Johnson County Attorney Bob Elliott, Chair, Citizens for the Future of Iowa City Derek Maurer, Treasurer, Citizens for Commonsense Growth Stephen Atkins, City Manager, Iowa City Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney, Iowa City Marian Karr, City Clerk, Iowa City 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM DATE: Augustl 7, 2000 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk RE: Special Agenda and Packet Pick-up Due to scheduling conflicts in the City Clerk's office the agenda packet for the special meeting of August 29th will be available early. The packet of Thursday, August 24th will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, August 22nd . Packets will be available in the Police Department after the close of business on Tuesday. Julie and I will be out of the office on Wednesday and Thursday. I will return on Friday, August 25. The office will be open and Kellie and Sondrae will be available. Cc: Department Heads Information Desk City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM ' Date: August 15, 2000 To: Mayor and City Council From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, July 31, 2000, 6:30 PM in Council Chambers Council: Lehman, Champion, O'Donnell, Vanderhoef, Wilburn, Pfab (arrived 6:32 PM), Kanner (arrived 6:40 PM) Staff: Helling, Karr, Dilkes, Franklin, Nasby, Grosvenor, Matthews, O'Malley, Davidson, Long Tapes: 00-79, Both Sides; 00-80, Both Sides (A complete transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office) PLANNING & ZONING ITEMS PCD Director Franklin presented the following items: A. Public hearing on an ordinance rezoning 20.78 acres from Interim Development Multi- Family (ID-RM) to Public (P) for property located west of Gilbert Street south of Napoleon Lane (REZ00-0017/PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY) B. Public hearing on an ordinance rezoning 35.15 acres from Planned Development Housing Overlay (OPDH-1) to Sensitive Areas Overlay (OSA-1) and approving the Preliminary Sensitive Areas Development Plan for Walnut Ridge, Part 8-10, a 23-1ot residential subdivision located on Kennedy Parkway (REZ00-0013/SUB00-0010) C. Resolution approving the annexation of 69.37 acres of property located at the southwest corner of Lower West Branch Road and Taft Avenue (ANN00-0001NVINDSOR RIDGE) D. Ordinance to conditionally rezone 30.32 acres from County Suburban Residential (RS) to Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) and 39.05 acres from County Suburban Residential (RS) to Interim Development Residential (ID-RS) for property located at the southwest corner of Lower West Branch Road and Taft Avenue (REZ00-0012) E. 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. (REZ99-0001NVINDSOR RIDGE) (pass and adopt) F. Letter to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors recommending denial of a rezoning of 125.43 acres located within Fringe Area C east of Dane Road and west and south of the Lakeridge Mobile Home Park from County A1 Rural and RS Suburban Residential to County RMH Manufactured Housing Residential (CZ0027) Franklin noted a request from the developer to defer two weeks. Council Work Session July 31, 2000 Page 2 DISPERSION OF SUBSIDIZED HOUSING PCD Director Franklin, Community Development Coordinator Nasby, and City Atty. Dilkes present for discussion. The Council expressed concerns about concentration of affordable housing in areas and wanted input on the issue from HCDC. STAFF ACTION: Schedule for October HCDC meeting (along with discussion of the clarification of guidelines) and report back to Council. (Nasby) AGENDA ITEMS 1. (Consent Calendar Item 3g(15) - INSTALLATION OF THREE-LANE CROSS SECTION ON ROCHESTER AVENUE). Acting JCCOG Traffic Engr. Planner Davidson present for discussion. Council directed staff to proceed. APPOINTMENTS Civil Service - no applicants, readvertise Historic Preservation - no applicants, readvertise Public Art Advisory Committee - Karin Michaeli COLLEGE/WASHINGTON STREETS TRAFFIC CALMING (IP7 of 7/27 packet) Acting Traffic Engr. Planner Davidson present for discussion. Majority of Council agreed to retain the traffic circles at the three locations. A majority of Council directed staff to increase the required neighborhood interest in favor of pursuing traffic calming in the future to 60%. STAFF ACTION: Changed materials to reflect 60% endorsement requirement. (Davidson) RECOGNITION OF EMMA HARVAT Majority of Council were not interested in naming the Civic Center after Emma Harvat, but were in agreement that some recognition be determined. Council requested that the Committee be consulted on other possible options. ALCOHOL ISSUES City Arty. Dilkes and Asst. City Arty. Matthews present for discussion of July 20 memo regarding the probability of implementing suggestions proposed at the July 11 forum on alcohol issues. After discussion a majority of Council directed staff to do further research on options #2 (limitations on drink specials); #3 (imposition of administrative penalties for sales to under-age persons); #7 (minimum price formula for alcohol sales); and #11 (limit out of sight sales). STAFF ACTION: Looking at other municipalities ordinances, comparing to State law, and researching legality with respect to Iowa law. Information to be provided to Council prior to any public hearing. (Matthews) Council Work Session July 31, 2000 Page 3 TOBACCO ISSUES City Arty. Dilkes and Asst. City Arty. Matthews outlined the issue with respect to enforcement and options being discussed with County Arty. Pat White. (Response letter to Council Member Kanner from County Atty. White distributed) Council expressed support for the procedure outlined and directed staff to contact the County Arty. and schedule a presentation at the next joint meeting with county and school officials (September 20). STAFF ACTION: Letter written to County Atty. extending invitation for September 20 presentation and item added to joint meeting agenda. (Matthews, Karr) COUNCIL TRAVEL ISSUES The Mayor reviewed policies concerning travel (reimbursement to be provided to Members attending an event that the City had been invited; no reimbursement for individual non-city events as stated in June 15 memo); and in town use of city vehicles (three days minimum notice; arrangements made with City Clerk as stated in March 29 memo). After discussion the majority of Council were not interested in establishing an individual expense allocation per Council Member, or reducing the three days notice for use of city vehicles. A majority of Council did request a change in the in town city vehicle policy to reflect that arrangements be made with the Housing and Inspection Services Department rather than the City Clerk. STAFF ACTION: Policy revised (August 2) to reflect arrangements for in town city vehicles with HIS. (Karr) COUNCIL TIME 1). Council Member Vanderhoef noted an e-mail she had received from Terry Wahls about flooding in his back yard (1215 Santa Fe Drive; Southwest Estates). Council will provide copies of the letter to staff for acceptance on the Consent Calendar and follow up. 2). Council Member O'Donnell reported on a meeting with the neighbors of Lexington Avenue regarding traffic calming. Meeting adjourned 9:50 PM clerk/rnin/07-31-00ws.doc August 9, 2000 ,~,lll~,t~~ll~ Capitol House Apartments Residents - c/o Jay Oehler Capitol House Apa~ments P.O. Box 288 Iowa Ci~, IA 52244 Re: Pedestrian Crossing of Burlington Street at Dubuque Street Dear Capitol House Residents: In the last couple of months, several of you have contacted me over the difficulty in crossing Burlington Street at Dubuque Street. The complaints have generally centered around two things: that there is not enough time given for a pedestrian to cross Burlington Street, and that aggressive motorists intimidate pedestrians who attempt to cross Burlington Street. I would like to address both of these, and hopefully shed some light so that the crossing of Burlington Street can be made easier for you. The amount of time given for a pedestrian to cross Burlington Street Many of you have stated that there is only 6 to 10 seconds of green time to cross Burlington Street. This is clearly not enough time for a safe crossing. However, when I have checked the operation of the traffic signal there has been 21 seconds given to cross Burlington on the walk signal. I asked all of you if you pushed the "Walk" button before making your crossing. Some of you were not aware that you needed to press the "Walk" button, and you were attempting to cross Burlington Street when a vehicle on Dubuque Street triggered the signal to get a green light. The way the Burlington Street/Dubuque Street traffic signal works is that a green light for Dubuque Street will come on under two circumstances: if a vehicle on Dubuque Street triggem the signal or if a pedestrian pushes the "Walk" button. If a vehicle on Dubuque Street triggers the signal, the green light will come on and give 6 to 9 seconds of green time. The "Don't Walk" sign stays on since the 6 to 9 seconds is not enough time for a pedestrian to cross Burlington Street. The Dubuque Street traffic signal will also turn to green if a pedestrian pushes the "Walk" button. When the traffic signal is triggered by the "Walk" button, there are 21 seconds of green time allotted for a pedestrian to cross Burlington Street. Although this may not sound like a lot of time, the City has in fact lengthened this signal beyond the normal crossing time to give those of you who need a little extra time enough time to cross. The 21 seconds includes both the "Walk" and the flashing "Don't Walk"; in fact, most of the time for you to cross is during the flashing "Don't Walk". Both the "Walk" and flashing "Don't Walk" are when it is safe for pedestrians to cross Burlington Street. There is some confusion about the flashing "Don't Walk." You should not begin crossing the street during the flashing "Don't Walk," but if you have already started across during the "Walk" light you will have enough time to get clear across the street by the time the flashing "Don't Walk" changes to the solid "Don't Walk". Some of you have claimed to have pushed the "Walk" signal and only gotten 6 to 10 seconds of green time to cross Burlington Street. As stated previously, following these complaints I have checked the traffic signal and found it to be working as it is supposed to, with 21 seconds of green time given to cross Burlington Street if called up by the pedestrian push-button. What I believe is happening for some of you is that you are pushing the button after the traffic signal has already been triggered by a vehicle on Dubuque Street. In this instance, since the vehicle was there first, the signal will only give 6 - 9 seconds of green time, and the "Walk" light will not come on. This is what you must carefully watch for: whether or not the "Walk" light comes on. If you press the push-button and the "Walk'" light does not come on when the green light for Dubuque Street comes on, you need to wait a fu~ cycle of the signal (approximately a minute and a half) and then you will get the "Walk"' light with the 21 seconds of green time. Unfortunately, our traffic signal is not smart enough to know that you are waiting to cross after a car on Dubuque Street has already triggered it. 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356*5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 Aggressive Motorists The issue of aggressive motorists is a much more difficult one because the City cannot control the behavior of individual motorists. It is an unfortunate part of our society that everyone is always in a hurry and that this causes motorists to behave aggressively when they are behind the wheel. Anybody who holds a driveKs license is supposed to know that when a pedestrian is within a marked crosswalk, the pedestrian always has the right-of-way and a vehicle must yield. Our police attempt to do what they can to curb aggressive driving, but they can only be so many places at one time. In spite of the fact that as a pedestrian you have the right-of-way when crossing Burlington Street within a marked crosswalk, I must advise you to always be extremely cautious. If a pedestrian and a motor vehicle get into an altercation, the pedestrian is always going to lose. For this reason, you need to always watch out for those drivers who are driving inappropriately. Hopefully, this information will clear up some of the confusion and make it easier for you to cross Burlington Street. Unfortunately, with Burlington Street being so busy (approximately 30,000 vehicles a day) this will never be an easy street to cross. The City Council may consider an overhead crossing in the future. In the meantime, we have provided a slightly longer amount of time for you to get across Burlington Street, and I think if you understand the operation of the traffic signal you should be able to cross safely. Thank you. Sincerely, Jeff Davidson Acting Traffic Engineering Planner cc: City Council City Manager jccogtp/Itr/pedcrossing.doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM ' Date: August 16, 2000 To: City Council From: Sarah E. Holecek, First Assistant City AttorneyS{/-~ Re: Clarification of votes necessary to "call the question" During the formal City Council meeting of August 15, 2000, a motion was made and seconded to "call the question" (i.e. put the issue to a vote without further discussion). The vote on this motion was 5-2 in favor, and the question was asked whether a super majority of six votes was required to pass the motion and call the vote. Roberts' Rules of Order indicates that a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote is required to pass a motion calling the question. However, I miscalculated and erroneously answered that a majority of six votes was required. Unfortunately, a two-thirds (2/3) majority on a seven member panel requires only five votes, as contrasted with a "super majority" of three-fourths (3/4), or six of seven votes, as is required to pass a zoning ordinance under protest. I apologize for the error and hope this will outline the correct procedure for future meetings. cc: Marian Karr, City Clerk Steve Arkins, City Manager Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager sarah\council\callquestion.mmo city of iowa city PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT 220 S. Gilbert Street TO: Steve Arkins, City Manager FROM: Michael Moran, Superintendent of Recreation DATE: August 16, 2000 RE: Popcorn Wagon Status The popcorn wagon is currently being stored in the pole building at the old park shop in lower City Park. Due to Health Code regulations, we have been unable to use the wagon for public use. As it currently stands, we are told the popcom wagon is required to have hot and cold running water. If this remains the case, we may not be able to operate it in the future. We will be working with the Health Department to try and resolve this issue. If you would like additional information, please feel free to cornact us. cc: Terry Treeblood, Director of Parks & Recreation I 08-17-00 IP8 city of iowa city PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT 220 S. Gilbert Street TO: Steve Arkins, City Manager FROM: Michael Moran, Superintendent of Recreation~ DATE: August 16, 2000 RE: Dog Park Status The Parks and Recreation Commission has discussed a proposed dog park on two separate occasions. The general public and Misha Goodman-Herbst, Animal Control Supervisor, gave input. At their May 10 meeting the Parks and Recreation Commission moved to support conceptually the idea of exploration of a dog park and directed staff to research the issue including costs. The current status is that Terry Trueblood, Director of Parks & Recreation and Misha Goodman-Herbst, Animal Control Supervisor will get together to discuss further action and possible recommendations for the commission to consider at either their September or October commission meeting. If you would like further information, please feel free to contact us. cc: Terry Trueblood GAZETTE EDITORIALS Project Green tackles a worthy city project PROPOSAL TO SPRUCE UP the North Du- buque Street entryway into Iowa City deserves A a green thumbs up. In fact, the project is overdue. On Monday, the City Council discussed a joint proposal between the city and Project Green to beautify Dubuque Street from Foster Road to the Interstate 80 interchange. That's the main gateway into Iowa City from the interstate, and it looks pretty shabby. It's not at all in keeping with what visitors and residents find once they come into town. Council members were impressed with the plans, and they will discuss the city's part in the renovation over the next several months. In a nutshell, the proposal calls for the city to work on the median and Project Green to tend to the roadsides. The city's work, estimated to cost $366,000, will include f~ling the sunken median area; adding curbs, storm drains and lights; planting trees and shrubs; and replacing old asphalt on the road's shoulders. It's not clear that curbs or additional lighting are really necessary. Perhaps the roadway there will someday turn into a more urban landscape. If that happens, those needs would then be validated. For now, costs would be reduced tremendously if curbs and lights were dropped. The council still has time to look at these and other elements of the plan and do some fine tuning. The project is not included in the current capital improvements program, and the council will set next year's program sometime this fall. Project Green's magic touch should be much anticipated. In every season of the year, Iowa City reaps the botanical benefits of this organization's devotion to beauti~cation. A.K. Traw, co-chair of the organization, said its members have had their eyes on this stretch of North Dubuque Street ever since Project Green began more than 20 years ago and Gretchen Harshbarger drew up a landscaping plan for the city. Project Green, with the blessing of the council, will go ahead with its plans to plant more than 100 trees and large shrubs. With their usual attention to detail, Project Green members have selected different species to provide year-round inter- est and have already made plans to protect the young trees from deer. As usual, the organization will take care of maintenance for the planrings. And as usual, Project Green will cover the costs of its part of the beautffication effort. This is another great gift to the. city.