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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-19 Transcription#2 Page 1 ITEM NO. 2. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. Champion: Move adoption. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Kanner: Yes. I wanted to comment on the liquor licenses. And once again, note that when we issue liquor licenses or renew those we show concern for the health, welfare and safety of our city. In this spirit, I list the year to date bar check report of people charged with underage drinking for bars that are up for renewal at this council session. And there are four that are listed. Givanni's had 0 visits and therefore 0 arrests. Mickey's Irish Pub had 13 visits and 1 arrest for a .08 arrest per visit record. Diamond Dave' s had 7 visits and 1 arrest for a. 14 arrest per visit. And the total for the city year to date is 1.06 arrests per visit. I did have a question for the council and the city manager. I was wondering why some restaurants aren't listed in our bar report from our police chief. Such as, Diamond Dave's, excuse me, not Diamond Dave's- some are listed like Diamond Dave's but Brown Bottle and Motley Crew which are up for liquor license renewals are not listed. And I was wondering if they could be listed in future reports? Atkins: Sure. Lehman: I have no idea if- Atkins: I think you meant Motley Cow not Motley Crew. Kanner: They had Motley Crew in there. Champion: This is a motley crew. Atkins: The answer is "yes", we can list those for you. Kanner: Thank you. And then, Ernie, I just wanted to list an important event that is taking place September 22 related to liquor and alcohol consumption. So I thought this was an appropriate time to briefly mention it. it is an event that is attempting to point out the connection between excessive alcohol consumption and violence. And I will be attending what is called the "Sit Out Against Rape" or SOAR, taking place on Friday September 22. SOAR' s statement of purpose is that we will gather at the Pedestrian Mall in front of the bar strip near the intersection of College Street and Clinton from 10 PM to 12 AM to peacefully raise awareness about rape among the This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #2 Page 2 people who consume alcohol since statistics strongly link alcohol with rape. And they go on to say that you are invited to join us in this sit out and show your support for a movement that will no longer tolerate excuses for rape nor let rape be ignored. I think it is a good event and urge others in Iowa City to join SOAR on Friday September 22 at 10 PM in speaking out against rape. Thank you. Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #1a Page 3 ITEM NO. l(a). MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS. Undoing Racism Day Lehman: We actually have one proclamation, which I will read at this time. (Reads proclamation). Karr: Here to accept is Heather Shank, Human Rights Coordinator. Shank: Thank you very much. I wanted to let you know how pleased I am that you are joining many mayors across the nation to reaffirm our commitment to eliminating discrimination. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you Heather. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #3 Page 4 ITEM NO. 3. PUBLIC DISCUSSION. Lehman: Item number three is public discussion. This is a time on the agenda reserved for public comment on items that do not otherwise appear on the agenda. If you wish to address the council please sign in, give your name and address, and limit your comments to 5 minutes or less. Walters: Hi, my name is Jim Walters. I live at 1033 E. Washington and I am a co- chair of Citizens for Common Sense Growth. You all know I was at the council meeting last Tuesday night and I was, as it is quite the case, the last civilian left standing. By which I mean in that I am the last person left in the room that is not paid for being here. It was near the end of the council meeting at Council Time that Mayor Lehman during his council time read or noted an email that he had received from my counterpart at Citizens for the Future of Iowa City, which is the opposition on the matter of the First Avenue Extension. In that email Mr. Elliott had requested that the city clarify some figures and possible hold a press conference to make some clarifications around figures regarding traffic on First Avenue. Hearing this out, the City Attorney immediately raised some concerns and suggested that the city holding a press conference would probably not be a very good idea and she suggested that something in writing would certainly be better and cautioned against holding a press conference for a number of reasons. And she was seconded at that time by the City Manager. This was at about 11:20 at night. Subsequently, the City Manager issued a memorandum to the City Council, which of course becomes a public document, and this was a memorandum that included an additional memorandum from the Assistant Director of Planning. So the effect of this was essentially to hold a de facto press conference. To hold a press conference- to issue a memorandum saying that we were not going to hold a press conference but to put the information that would have been presented in a press conference out to the press. And that did result in press coverage that took place yesterday in Iowa City' s Press Citizen. And it is an interesting story because it leads off by suggesting that the officials of Iowa City are conjoined in expressing concerns with Citizens for the Future of Iowa City. And that is not the case. And it further states that the City Manager has suggested that much of the anti-extension argument is based on passion and posturing. Well, that was a misreading of the City Manager' s press release because he said that in fact it was the discussion around the issue that had resulted in passion and posturing. And he didn't single out sides. So that- I look for my press correction today in the Press Citizen but I didn't see it. All this concerns a figure and that figure is a figure of projections of traffic south of Rochester on the current two lane stretch of First Avenue. I was very pleased to note in both the City Manager' s press release and in Jeff Davidson's press release that the city has finally acknowledged that this figure- and the figure is This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #3 Page 5 20,897- is in fact the City's figure. A few months ago, it was being bandied around this town that somehow I had created that figure, or someone on my committee had created that figure. And it is very pleasing to see the City acknowledge that this is in fact their figure that came from this document called the QRS Model Analysis for First Avenue Extended from Rochester to North Dodge. Now, I have looked in vain on that document to see any notation that these are in fact anything other than figures that the city was using or operating on. I don't see any notation saying beware of that 20,897 figure, that this is in fact what Mr. Davidson characterized it as raw data. Raw data which did not represent accurate traffic projections. Well, be that as it may, it is a figure that appeared in the city's document. It is the city's figure. It is not my figure. I merely quote from this document. Now, Mr. Elliott went on to state in this press statement yesterday that he was upset. He thought that the number was inflated. But he didn't think we were intentionally trying to mislead anyone. We can only say that we try very hard to double check our information before releasing it to the public. I assume the other side has done the same. Yes, that assumption is correct. We have a very active research committee made up of 5 people who have been working and meeting weekly over the past summer to come up with the information and facts that we intend to present to the voters in this fall' s election. In fact, our entire campaign is based around the idea of getting the facts. Getting the facts, weighing the facts, putting the facts together and understanding what all the facts mean in this election. If I were to characterize the opposition- and by the opposition I mean the people who want to see this essentially new road- Lehman: You will have to wind it up. Walters: -this new road completed. These are people who are a little bit afraid of the facts. They are a little bit afraid of putting all the facts together around what the increases in traffic will mean on that road, what effect they will have on their schools, what effect this planning has. If we put all the things on the table- the narrowness of the streets, the degree of incline, the proximity to the schools- if we put all these things on the table and then weigh them, we come to dramatically different conclusions than we do by isolating each particular advantage that the extension has. And I do not dispute that creating this new road in north Iowa City hat some attractive advantages. But what we are saying is that if you get the facts, if you weigh the facts, if you put the facts together, then you will see quite clearly that there is a better alternative. Thank you for your time. Lehman: Thank you Jim. For the public's information, the press release that Jim referred to- if we are interested in looking at- facts from the city staff indicated that the 20,000 vehicle figure was not a figure that the staff This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #3 Page 6 believed to be accurate and the accurate figure was is the neighborhood of 12,000 cars. And that is the facts. Go ahead. Schoenfelder: Good evening. My name is Deborah Schoenfelder. I am a member of the Senior Center Commission and I am here to report on behalf of the commission. We had our meeting just this afternoon. Just a few things to report. First of all, we are continuing in our efforts to raise money for the skywalk. And that is going fairly well. Accreditation is going quite well. We are about two thirds of the way through the self study portion of that process. So that early next year in the first quarter or so, we will be having visitors come to the senior center. As far as programs, something I wanted share with you is there is an annual picnic coming up on Thursday and I just thought you might be interested. There are about 325 older adults that will be attending that at City Park. That is kind of an incredible program that goes on every year. Along with that, from the volunteer specialist, she reported that last month 50 new participants registered. So it continues to be a very vital center. And finally, last month the commission approved the Senior Center mission statement and goals. And that is going to be forwarded quite soon to the City Council for your approval as well. Thank you. Vanderhoef: What day and time for the seniors' picnic? Schoenfelder: I believe it is 4:30 and it is in City Park and it is this Thursday. Vanderhoef: This Thursday? Schoenfelder: Yes. 4:30 1 believe is correct. Yes, it is 4:30 to 6:00 in City Park. Kanner: That is a hot ticket. Schoenfelder: Pardon? Kanner: That is a hot ticket, I know. Schoenfelder: It is a very hot ticket item. Tickets went very quickly. Thank you. Kanner: Deborah, one question for you. We had a report from Jay last time or a month ago about possible realignment of the skywalk. Do you have anything further on that? Schoenfelder: No. the architect has not put together a report on that yet. But they are going to move forward with a plan and a contract for that. I don't believe I have a time on that but hopefully in the next few weeks. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #3 Page 7 Kanner: A plan for the proposed realignment? Schoenfelder: Yes. Kanner: At a substantial savings? Schoenfelder: Yes. Champion: Good. Kanner: Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Ballinger: Hi, good evening City Council. I am Beth Ballinger and I live here in Iowa City. And I am a member of an organization called CAFI~, Clean Air For Everyone. And I am here along tonight with some of the other members of my organization. And first of all, to introduce you to CAFI~, we are a subgroup, a smaller group of Johnson County Tobacco Free Coalition. This is a group of people from Iowa City and Coralville which was formed about 4 years ago and it has broad sponsorship that is composed of Mercy Hospital, some of the members of the local PTAs, Johnson County Board of Public Health, MECCA, Mercy Hospital. Quite a few people who are concemed with the welfare and the health of the young people in Johnson County. And their primary goal was to work on tobacco issues with children and teenagers. About a year ago a smaller group or a subgroup called CAFI~ (Clean Air For Everyone) was formed. And what we do- our reason for being is to educate the public about the harms of second hand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke. Second hand cigarette smoke or ETS is a known class A carcinogen. That means that there is no safe level of exposure. It contains 43 toxins and known carcinogens. And because of that as concerned citizens, we want to inform the people of Iowa City and Coralville and surrounding communities about the dangers to our health and exposed people' s health to cigarette smoke. About a month ago we commissioned a survey that was done here in Iowa City and Coralville. And that survey told us some interesting things about what our citizens are thinking. First of all, nearly 70% of the people were concerned that second hand cigarette smoke is a danger to their health. Nearly 90% of the respondents said that they would prefer to conduct their business in a place that did not have second hand smoke. With this information in hand it became clear to us that the people in our community are already interested in this issue. And as I am sure you are aware and I don't need to remind you, many places in Iowa City and Coralville already are smoke free. All government and federal buildings, this building, most businesses, many restaurants, and many This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #3 Page 8 other public places are already smoke free. With this information in hand what we would like to do is ask the City Council of Iowa City to consider a smoke free ordinance. We will be bringing this to you in the next few days for your consideration. What would an ordinance for second hand or excuse me, to eliminate smoking in restaurants do? First of all, it is a matter of public health. What we want this for is so that restaurant patrons- especially young people, people who have no protection or no say in their exposure to these chemicals and toxins in cigarette smoke- can be protected from them. It is also an issue of work place health. The people who work in the restaurants and business places in downtown Iowa City don't have a choice about where they work. They don't have a choice about the quality of the air that they get to breathe. What this would do is protect their health. It protects people with allergies and other illnesses also. And finally, it doesn't hurt business. In fact, in many places where this has already been pursued, it has been shown to be revenue neutral or business neutral. And in fact, in some instances it has actually improved business. So with this information in hand, we urge the members of the City Council to consider our ordinance when we present it to you in the next few days. And we would appreciate your support for this. Lehman: Thank you Beth. I think probably- are there four council people who would like to see this become a work session item? I think Steve, when we get it, let' s go ahead and schedule it as time permits. Shaw: Hello, my name is Michael Shaw. I am the Youth Services Director at RVAP, the Rape Victim Advocacy Program. I can this evening to make a couple of announcements for the agency. Tonight- we are sponsoring a Sexual Assault Awareness Week this week and tonight at the Phillips Hall at the University, there will be a lecture by a gentleman, Tom Santoro. And it is the Dating Violence Prevention Program. In 1994 Lisa Marie Santoro was to begin her freshman year at the University of Iowa. She never made it. On July 29, 1994 an ex-boyfriend stalked and murdered her. Her father is now speaking out about the tragedy and how we can all help in dating violence. So he will be speaking tonight at the Phillips Hall, on September 19 at 8 PM. We are also, on Thursday September 21, sponsoring the 24 Truce. RVAP is asking for a 24-hour truce during which there is no rapes. We are sponsoring several activities during the day where we are envisioning a world without rape and a world full of peace. At 12:30 at the Pentacrest we will be having a rally where Minetie Doderer and Janet Linus, an attomey in the Iowa City area, will be speaking. And throughout the day we will be having community action booths were the public can pick up information and join in our efforts to end sexual violence and violence in our community. At 7:30 we will be sponsoring an activity called Singing Out Loud on the Pentacrest where the entire community is invited. Kids are invited and their parents- it is a This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #3 Page 9 wonderful activity that we have sponsored for a couple of years where we are having performers sing and present their information and their messages about envisioning a world with peace without rape. So anyone can attend. We would like to invite the councilors to attend as well. We think there also is someone from the council that is going to be speaking there? Lehman: Ross Wilbum will be there to read a proclamation which I would be more than pleased to read tonight and present to you tonight. Shaw: That would be great. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #1b Page 10 ITEM NO. lb. MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS- Sexual Assault Awareness Week Lehman: We didn't realize you were here when we started the meeting and so we didn't. And I just got word that you were here. So if you just stay where you are, we will read the proclamation and I would be very pleased to present it to you. (Reads proclamation) Shaw: And actually I have one more announcement. Lehman: Please do. Shaw: I wanted to honor Christie Munson who has been a long time agency director at the Rape Victim Advocacy Program. She just left our agency to move on with her life and explore other opportunities. And welcome to our agency our new agency director, Theresa Clingenberg who started just last week. So I wanted to annotmce that to the council as well and offer you the opportunity to come to our agency. We will probably have an open house sometime in the near future where we can meet and greet you and introduce you to Theresa Clingenberg as well. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #4b Page 11 ITEM NO. 4. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS b. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 13 S. LINN STREET AS AN IOWA CITY HISTORIC LANDMARK. (REZ00-0019) (FIRST CONSIDERATION). O'Donnell: Move first consideration. Champion: Second. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Champion. Discussion? Is there a question you had last night Dee about this? Vanderhoef: I just wanted that definition. Lehman: Oh, it wasn't something we needed for tonight? Vanderhoef: No. Lehman: Okay. Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #8 Page 12 ITEM NO. 8. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2000-2001 DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN. Vanderhoef: Move to adopt. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? As most of the council- all of the council I am sure is aware and probably most of the public- we discussed this last meeting for approximately 2 hours. If there is something new to report from the public, we are certainly more than willing to accept new input from the public. But we have no intention of spending 2 hours tonight discussing this. Hall: I will be brief. Lehman: Yeah, please be brief because I think we have covered it rather thoroughly a week ago. Hall: My name is Leslie Hall and I live at 1813 Lower Muscatine in Iowa City. I am here to read a statement by a colleague that I support in full about the decision about sharp shooting in Iowa City. And it is this: "Dear Members of the City Council. As you all consider the fate of the deer, please also consider the future implications of your decision. Many wildlife biologists have shown that when a large number of deer in a herd are suddenly killed, other deer quickly move into the ecological space thereby often increasing the number of deer in that given area. By agreeing to shooting the deer you are agreeing to escalated shooting of more and more deer each year. Several children live in the areas in which deer will be shot under the current plan. Regardless of how professional the shooters are, mistakes can and eventually will be made. By agreeing to shooting the deer, you are agreeing that our children' s safety should be and can be compromised. Several citizens have publicly expressed their concern, outrage, and disagreement with the current deer management plan. Despite the significant opinion, the recommendation is to kill even more deer than the year before. By agreeing to shooting deer you are agreeing that the democratic process is unimportant to Iowa City government. Before you make your final decision today I hope you take a moment and remember a time long ago when you were all younger. Remember the first time you saw a deer? Maybe it was in a field, at a cabin on a lake, in a petting zoo, or perhaps in a picture book. How did you feel? What did you think? By agreeing to shooting the deer you are agreeing that violence is our strongest human tendency." This is written by a colleague This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #8 Page 13 Brigittine French and I am here as a spokesperson for her tonight. Thank you. Boos: I will be brief and speak to a factual matter. My name is Florence Boos and I want to address the issue of contraception. Contraception projects are underway in 7 states. The obstacles are political and not financial or biological. These projects are conducted in several suburban areas including one in Indiana. I talked today with Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick of the Zoo Montana Science and Conservation Biology program, who has written extensively on this topic. He explained that FDA has approved this drug permanently under the category "experimental". In order to maintain lower costs, he and his people thus produce it on a non-profit basis permanently. In addition, all current projects are grant funded. No who contracepts pays for it. He seemed to think future (can't hear) projects would be able to obtain grant money also. The Humane Society has a list of such funding sources that I can give you. He suggested three stages of the application project and it takes about a year to begin this project. The first one brings in a speaker to discuss or explain methods. That speaker could be himself. Second, one must obtain state approval. This would be the DNR. Third, (can't hear) write the grant proposal but help can be given by the Humane Society. Then the FDA approves. The FDA has approved and the projects have been funded in every case thus far. This would take about a year. We need to begin now. We shouldn't listen solely to naysayers who may have their own financial or other reasons for opposing contraception. In conclusion, I would like to read a brief statement from a pamphlet from the Zoo Montana Science and Conservation project. "Wildlife contraception must be viewed as a long term commitment. Humans should consider that most wildlife overpopulation issues were created over many years and that quick solutions are not the result of rational thought or fair to the wildlife. The use of human imposed fertility control is still viewed as bizarre or unnatural and the reasons are not understood. But we are rapidly facing a point in time when a safe, humane and publicly acceptable wildlife management paradigm should begin to replace lethal methods. The public demands it and the animals we have displaced deserve it." Thank you. Lehman: Florence, would you see to it that the information that you referred to that it would take a year gets to our Deer Committee? Because if this- definitely I am sure it is something we would be interested in at this point. Champion: And also, do you know what town in Indiana that was? Boos: Yes I do. I will write this to you all. Lehman: Thank you Florence. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #8 Page 14 Hayes: Hello. My name is Mary Hayes and I live here in Iowa City. I am reading a letter by a colleague who couldn't be here tonight on a matter that we both feel very strongly about. "Dear members of the City Council. You have the unenviable task of reaching a decision today over an issue that has divided the city, whose welfare you have so generously offered to guard. The majority opinion has urged you to eliminate the overpopulation problem of the deer and put a decisive end to it by shooting the deer. The minority opinion has urged you to see the deer not as a problem and has implored you to spare the lives of the animals. Either way you vote today, a portion of your constituency will be unhappy. Either stand you take your decision is bound to keep the city divided. Yours is a truly tough dilemma. More than a difficult issue, the situation you face today also challenges your position as representatives of the will of the citizens. The easy thing to do will be to decide with the majority and to make a decision that endorses the most popular opinion. By siding with the majority of your citizens however, you relinquish your own self-understanding as true representatives of the will of your people. For how could you claim that the will of some of the city's citizens does not deserve representation and still consider yourselves to be representatives of the people? In times of crisis and division, leaders find ways to represent all the people. Unlike politicians who vote by siding with the greatest numbers, leaders are able to look for the common ground underneath surface arguments to hear the "we" of the people beneath the "us" and "them" reasoning and to act in ways that restore the unity of the community. I urge you today to act as leaders. To vote in a way that leads the city in unison through this divisive issue. Vote with the majority to eliminate the overpopulation problem of the deer. Vote with the minority to spare the lives of the animals. Represent the will of the people as one. Eliminate the problem through contraception. None of us are in position to know whether the next generation will endorse today' s majority or minority opinion. I don't need to remind you of the endless times in our history when one generation' s alternative views became the following generation's mainstream attitudes. We cannot know today whether your grandchildren will be proud of you for having enforced this majority position or for having the foresight to side with the minority views. What we do know is you are able today to leave behind you the legacy of having governed your city in the true spirit of democratic representation." This is a letter by a colleague of mine Takis Poulakos, chair of the Rhetoric Department. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Council discussion? Vanderhoef: I did get a report back from the city today on the fencing and it is legal to have an 8-foot fence but you must come down to the city and get a permit. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #8 Page 15 Lehman: A building permit, yeah. Vanderhoef: For an 8-foot fence. Additionally, I was told by Lisa Mullenhower that the staff is working on a design for a fence that they think may deter deer more than some other fences and when they get this all worked out later this fall they will be putting out a brochure that will be available for the citizens if they are interested in building a fence. Champion: Thank you Dee. Lehman: Other council discussion? Kanner: Ernie? Lehman: Yes. Kanner: I would like to just say a statement about the problem. I feel that there are a problem with the deer in Iowa City. Close to 100 car/deer accidents that happen each year are not acceptable. Conditions that council member O'Donnell described of deer overrunning some Iowa City resident's yards are to be taken seriously. There are questions about how many deer will inhabit the Iowa City area if some are not killed. There are also questions whether this estimated growth will overwhelm our city and its safety concerns and the deer herd's overall health. Our deer management plan calls for the killing of up to 500 deer at the expected cost of $123,000. I find both of these figures- killing of 500 and the $123,000- unacceptable. I will be voting against the proposed deer management plan. I believe there are viable altematives. I appreciate and respect the job that the deer management committee did. My job as a city council member is to evaluate the proposed deer problem from perhaps a larger perspective than from what I feel is a too narrow mandate given to the committee. There are issues of development that the city council must deal with. We must find other solutions if we are going to continue to expand our developed land, making it attractive to deer. And then saying the only solution is to shoot the deer. In addition, we must put the problem of the deer- an inconvenience to many of our citizens- in perspective. A point was brought up by William Boos and it is well taken, "while we cannot ignore the above deer related problems, we need to put them in the context of the greater harm that is often done by continual development problems such as (can't hear) lawn pesticides and fertilizers that are polluting our waters." That is a serious problem that ultimately harms more people than the problems that are brought about by the deer. We have not had a study on the effectiveness of reflectors and other deterrents to deer crossing the roads. We have only had antidotal stories about the detrimental effects of the deer, but no hard scientific studies and estimates on their possible long This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #8 Page 16 term ecological effects. We have not explored the options of killing a much lower number of deer and using other techniques such as police enforcement of speed limits during high deer road crossing times such as October and November. Nor have we looked at the city awarding grants to its citizens for anti-deer fences such as the type that Dee mentioned before- an anti-deer flower vegetable plantings. We have not taken into account the fact that it is only a matter of years until a truly humane form of deer reduction, which is birth control and/or sterilization, will be commonly available. In total, we have not looked at less expensive and more humane ways of dealing with the deer in Iowa City. I wanted to note, as an Iowa City resident, my heart does soar when I encounter the gentle creatures, the deer. I love to see them when I am jogging our cemetery at dusk or see them hanging out in my backyard as I rush off to catch the bus early in the moming. And I am sure many of us do. I am opposed to the killing of 500 deer. I am against the use of the silencers on our guns to kill them. I feel that is a safety issue that we should not allow silencers to be used. I am against the city allowing the contractors who will be doing the killing to be within 50 yards of a residence without their permission. I think we should keep the distance at the previous lawful 200 yards. I propose that we ask the Deer Management Commission to bring back the new plan no later than October 26 of this year. Thank you. O'Donnell: Since I was mentioned there I will comment. I did attend one of these forums. And when you listen to peoples' concerns it really affects you. I listened to a grandmother with 15 grandchildren, the oldest one being 10, that cannot let her grandchildren out into her yard because of deer droppings. I listened to an organic farmer who is slowly but surely being put out of business. I listened to a wonderful lady that lives on Foster Road that did not hire somebody to do her yard, she did it herself with her husband over 50 years ago with a shovel and their hearts. This is a very difficult decision, but these docile animals- and they are beautiful animals, and I am not a hunter- I have not ever killed an animal- but when they step out in front of a car and cause a serious tragedy, then we will be responsible. So I will support this program. Lehman: Other discussion? I just want to say I disagree with you Steven. I do believe that we have looked- I believe the Deer Committee is a very responsible group of people. I think they have received input from probably as good of experts as there are at this particular time in this field. I think they have explained that rather carefully. I probably am as reluctant as anybody on this council to vote for this plan. I am encouraged by what Florence said tonight. If there is a method- but birth control, and I think it was very clearly pointed out a week ago tonight- that birth control and contraception is if deer will live 12 to 15 years. And we are able to stop the reproduction of every single one we are still going to have This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #8 Page 17 600 or 800 more than we can take care of. And I think we had one of the members of the Deer Committee hit it very, very carefully. This isn't a development issue. These deer are creating problems in parts of the city that have been developed for 30, 40, 50 years. Champion: 100. Lehman: All right, 100 years. They weren't there before. And I think the one member Doug Jones, who said we have through our thoughtless actions if you will, created an environment where deer absolutely flourish. And because of our thoughtlessness in creating that environment it probably is incumbent on us to do what is necessary both for the health of the deer and the health of the community. I look forward to what Florence' s comment is tonight. If we are able to reduce the herd to a manageable size and then can use contraception to keep the herd that size, obviously that is the best solution. I don't think there is anything that deer committee would rather have done than come back and tell us "folks, we don't need to harvest anymore deer, we can use contraception." So I am going to reluctantly support it because I don't see any alternatives. O'Donnell: Well said. Champion: Well said. Pfab: I will be voting against this. It is obviously going to pass anyway, but my point is that kind of money spent to eliminate that many animals- I believe that if the deer should be harvested we could take a look at what Coralville did and start issuing more hunting or bow hunting licenses and have local people, if they are sportsmen-. I don't like to shoot animals but there are really truly people who love to hunt. That could take care of some of them. The point that I mentioned (can't hear) or grants for people who are definitely having difficulty with the deer. I think the number of people who are having great difficulty with deer is relatively small. Now, whether- if you start helping those people out they will go some place else- I don't know. So, anyway, I will be- I think we need to look at other more creative ways of how to handle this. There is no question, it is a problem. I have hit probably in my lifetime 4-6 deer with a car. Now, I wasn't going 25 mph, I can guarantee you that. So I don't think that I would have hit the deer if I was following a local speed limit like we have here in Iowa City. I think the deer are very capable of getting out of the way. So, that is just my statement. O'Dounell: But you would support the program if we used a bow? This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #8 Page 18 Pfab: I hate to see a hundred and so many thousand dollars go just to something for basically a shooting contest. I think that is not quite the way to go at this. O'Donnell: I think our Deer Committee and Ernie said it right- they (can't hear) and it is difficult decision. But I think they determined the sharp shooting is a much more humane way to do this than bows. Pfab: I believe that the mandate to the Deer Committee was somewhat limited and possibly time compressed where they didn't have a chance to do some other things. I attended one of the public hearings. I do not envy the people on the Deer Committee and I am not saying I don't support what they did. I am just voting my position and I think a fair number of other people's position. But, that is fine. You vote your conscious and I will vote mine. O'Dormell: I always do. Thank you. Lehman: Okay, let's vote our conscious. Roll call. (Changed tapes). Motion carries 5-2, Karmer and Pfab voting "no". Karr: Could I have a motion to accept correspondence? O' Donnell: So moved. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoef to accept correspondence. All in favor? All: Aye. Lehman: Opposed? Motion carries. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #9 Page 19 ITEM NO. 9. CONSIDER AN ORDINACE PROVIDING THAT GENERAL PROPERTY TAXES LEVIED AND COLLECTED EACH YEAR ON ALL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE SYCAMORE AND FIRST AVENUE URBAN RENEWALL PROJECT AREA, IN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, COUNTY OF JOHNSON, STATE OF IOWA, BY AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE OF lOWAs CITY OF IOWA CITY, COUNTY OF JOHNSON, IOWA CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OTHER TAXING DISTRICTS, BE PAID TO A SPECIAL FUND FOR PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON LOANS, MONIES ADVANCED TO AND INDEBTEDNESS, INCLUDING BONDS ISSUED OR TO BE ISSUED, INCURRED BY SAID CITY IN CONNECTION WITH SAID URBAN RENEWAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. (PASS AND ADOPT). O'Donnell: Move adoption. Champion: Second. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Champion. Discussion? Pfab: I will be voting against this and I think my positions are quite well known. And I think I will leave it at that. Lehman: Okay. Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 5-2, Kanner and Pfab voting "no". Karr: Motion to accept correspondence? O'Donnell: So moved. Pfab: So moved. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Pfab to accept correspondence. All in favor? All: Aye. Lehman: Opposed? Motion carries. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #10 Page 20 ITEM NO. 10. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE REDEVELOPMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND MGD L.C. Lehman: This is relative to the Sycamore mall project. Champion: Move the resolution. Vanderhoef: Move adoption. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Champion. Discussion? Kanner: Emie? Lehman: Yes? Kanner: I would just like to read a statement that I have on this item. I feel that a healthy southeast Iowa City south and north of Highway 6 is a concern for all of our city council and that is not the question. The question is should we the City of Iowa City allow the new owners of Sycamore mall- known as MGD L.C., a limited corporation- off the hook for potential $2 million in future taxes. And this agreement before us tonight could have had other conditions written into it. Our financial assistance guideline passed by previous city councils state that we should consider and look at a number of factors in determining what type of assistance we will give to a business in the name of economic development and the common public good. Our economic development planner informs us that this development will not meet the guidelines of producing well paying, long term full time jobs. In fact, it will most likely produce the opposite. That is not in question. I would like to see an occupied, thriving Sycamore mall. I would also like to see a grocery store for the people in the Broadway and Wetherby area. A potential $2 million over 7 years, revenue this agreement forsakes, could do a lot for the city. It could be used to help meet the food needs and concerns of people in the southeast area. It could be used for increased firefighters at our southeast station. It could be used for increased bus routes and finding safer means of crossing Highway 6 to get people from south of Highway 6 over to Sycamore mall. It could go a long way in helping with public safety concerns for residents and visitors to this area. The agreement between the city and the developers that we have before us tonight could have stipulated that something like subsidized childcare would have to be offered to employees at Sycamore mall. That is something that could written into the agreement. We could have said that we could have low cost health insurance that would be made available to businesses located in the mall. We could have been This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #10 Page 21 much more creative and had a beneficial agreement that worked for the residents that work and live in the Sycamore mall area. The state code that sets up these agreements allows for this type of agreement. $2 million would go a long way in helping the people who need it the most- the residents on the south side of Iowa City. I don't blame the developers who recently bought Sycamore mall for angling to eam themselves an extra $2 million. That is an extra $400,000 apiece that each of the five owners of MGD L.C. will pocket because of this deal. Any homeowners who add value to his or her house, which they should be able to recoup if they ever sell the house, would gladly take this abatement deal. They would be dummies not to. In fact, I would wonder about the economic acumen of these investors of MGD if they didn't take what the city is essentially throwing at them. But they are no dummies. In fact, they are very successful investors who would not have invested in over $4 million in this project if they didn't have the confidence that they could turn Sycamore mall around-just like some of their members did with the successful Wardway project south of town. At full confidence that they will soon have Sycamore mall filled with businesses and stores with or without the city's financial assistance, therefore I will be voting "no" on the agreement between MGD L.C. and the City of Iowa City that will be rebating up to $2 million on property tax that they would pay on improvements to Sycamore mall over the next 7 years. Champion: Steven, I think that is really nice you have a lot of time to write that stuff but I guess I really resent the fact that you are insinuating that because we are granting this tax rebate to the developers of Sycamore mall that we are neglecting the needs of the people who live around the Sycamore mall. You make it sound like we are making a choice- good for the Sycamore mall, bad for the people who live around it. I really just want you to know that I just don't appreciate that. That is all. Kanner: Connie, I think that we often make choices. We have limited resources and there is a matter of degrees. We do make choice and that is our job as city council members. And I think that is how we vote and why we vote. And it will be up to the public to determine if we make the right choices. Champion: But I am not going to vote for this because I am not going to vote for those other things that you mentioned. I mean, that is very unrealistic. O'Donnell: I am voting for this as a method to pay for those other things that we want. We have an option here that is a very important one. We can watch Sycamore mall, which was at one time approximately $10 million, reduce to- and it is reduced now to $4.6- we can watch it continue to decline or we can watch it go up to $10 or $15 million and triple our tax base on this. And I agree with Connie, this is something that our east side needs. We This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. # 10 Page 22 have all been contacted many times about shopping on the east side. This is an outstanding group of developers with a proven track record and I think, you know Steven, I have listened to your case now for several weeks and you have not convinced me and I am ready to vote on this. Kanner: Okay. Vanderhoef: I am going to support this for opposite, perhaps of some of the negative things that have been said here today. But I find this real positive in that it does create jobs. Not all jobs are going to be living wage. And we all know who work in cities that retail jobs are the lowest paying jobs around. However, we also know that we have a workforce in Iowa City that needs part time jobs- fill in jobs. It may be stay at home moms, it may be students, it may be first time jobs for people. These are good learning experiences. I don't think there is any of us that could afford to shop in a retail establishments that pay much larger wages because it will price the goods out of the reach of you and I on middle incomes. There is also a sense of neighborhood that comes about when you have jobs in your neighborhood and when you go and shop there with your families. When you can walk over there. When you can only drive say a half a mile or so. These are things that are important that draw neighborhoods together. And I think this is important. We look at our infrastructure. When we have a neighborhood shopping area we have an area where we don't have to travel clear across town to get the goods and services. So we save travel time, we keep the congestion off of our streets, and we keep our people in their neighborhoods. I find this as a very positive way to build our tax base. Through no fault of our own, sitting here on this council, our state sets the laws on how we get dollars to come into our coffers. They come into the general fund- they are the ones that we have available to us as councilors to spend for specifically programs like the child care, like for salaries and benefits for our city employees- whether they be police or fire or who they might be. It is real important that we keep these in our city and that we can go forward with them. Our tax dollars are not growing. They are declining on this particular property. I do not choose to have that retail business go to an outlying property that we have to create more infrastructure to get out. That is what we are calling urban sprawl. It doesn't work. It is important to keep our neighborhoods from becoming blighted. And this one it on its way, as are some of the other areas. We have to keep the tax base for the homes in that area. If these homes lose their value, our tax base goes down again. Those are all the dollars that are coming into our general fund. And as long as the state legislature continues to put a rollback on the property tax, we have no say on how much will come in. so the only way we can increase dollars for us to spend on childcare and human services and safety and fire protection and police protection and all those kinds of things is to grow our tax base. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. # 10 Page 23 And this is definitely one way to grow our tax base. So I will be supporting this. Champion: Very well said Dee. Pfab: I would want to make one comment to Dee and very respectfully disagree with her. I have great difficulty understanding what good it is to increase our tax base and then give away the revenue that we get from it. That is all I have to say at this point. Lehman: Some time ago the council had a goal setting session. At that session we identified economic development as one of the highest priorities that we had certainly along with a few others. We also identified certain areas of the community that we felt we appropriate for activities on the part of the city to benefit development. This was one of those areas. This area was- obviously been recently purchased and discussed by the council. I think it is very important that the public understand a couple of things. I think it needs to be very, very clear. There is no benefit to the developer of this property unless the increase in taxes are the result of that individual' s investment. If that mall were to be totally leased tomorrow morning and the value go to $15 million it wouldn't get a nickel tax abatement. It has to be as a result of the investment of the developer. The development must increase the value of property by a minimum of 15%. If it doesn't, it still doesn't qualify. Now, we talk about giving $2 million. That is the maximum. This could very well amount to $50,000. It could be $500,000. It could be anything. But the maximum is $2 million. And the other thing that I think is extremely significant is that the tax rebate is the revenue generated by the investment of the developer. In other words, it is the developers dollars invested in that property that increases the value that generates the taxes that go to help pay for the investment. This is not a matter of the city putting general fund money into a project that doesn't pay its own way. So I have- I enthusiastically support it. I look at the money that we have spent downtown in Iowa City and I realize it may not be in individual buildings but we have a tax abatement program for the downtown to encourage development there. We have done this and we have identified I think four other areas within the community and I can't find it within myself to not vote for something as important as this is for the east side of Iowa City. So I will not only support it but I will enthusiastically support it. Wilburn: And that is the demand on my time- is people looking forward to some type of investment from the city on the southeast side of town. So, I am looking forward to the increased economic activity and again, we made a commitment to grow the tax base. That is where money is going to come from. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. # 10 Page 24 Pfab: I believe history will be the judge. Lehman: You are right, it always is. Roll call. Motion passes 5-2, Kanner and Pfab voting "no". This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #11 Page 25 ITEM NO. 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST AVENUE WATER MAIN PROJECT. Lehman: The engineer's estimate was $477,500. We received multiple bids ranging from $329,099 to $536,410.00. The low bid was Bockenstedt Excavating of Iowa City and the recommendation from Public Works is that the contract be awarded to Bockenstedt Excavating. Do we have a motion to that affect? O'Donnell: So moved. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell. Pfab: Second. Lehman: Seconded by Pfab. Discussion? Vanderhoef: I am delighted. Lehman: I love those lower bids. Vanderhoef: So do I. Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries. Champion: Can I ask a question? Lehman: Sure. Champion: This bid is quite a bit lower than the engineer's estimate. We have had several really good bids come in on these projects in the past six months. Lehman: And this one has- let's see- Vanderhoef: Nine of them. Lehman: Nine bids. So I mean- Vanderhoef: Nine below. Champion: My question is, since our bids are coming in- actually I would call substantial under our estimates- how does that relate to the increase that This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #11 Page 26 we are going to put on the water and sewer? Is it possible we wouldn't have to increase it as much? Atkins: This bid is really only a small component of the overall project. Champion: I know. Atkins: But we do base our rates on our actual costs Connie. Champion: Okay. Atkins: So we calculate that in. Champion: Okay, thanks. Lehman: So the water- I am sorry, go ahead. Kanner: How often is that recalculated? Is that yearly? Atkins: Yeah, we go through those rates yearly. Lehman: But we had a $5 million (can't hear) on the water plant and almost $6 million on the sewer plant. All of those_ those two will be and are reflected in lower rate increases. So, yeah, we do. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. # 13 Page 27 ITEM NO. 13. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE WASHINGTON STREET TRANSIT INTERCHANGE PROJECT. Lehman: This one we have also been asked to defer to October 3. Do we have a motion to that affect? Pfab: So moved. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Pfab. All in favor? All: Aye. Kanner: Wait. Emie, Emie. Lehman: Yes? Kanner: I had discussion on this. How come it is being deferred? We got a bid here that appeared to be pretty good. Atkins: The bids are fine Steven. It was the lease agreement with Madison that was not finished. We cannot recommend you awarding a contract on the property if we don't have a formal lease with them. Documents came in I think just this afternoon. Kanner: Is it anticipated there won't be any problems signing this? Atkins: Everything points to- and I have told you this 14 other times- points to the fact that we should have this thing wrapped up because we have the documents. So we are buying two weeks. Kanner: And it is anticipated that we would go with the low bid when we vote on this? Atkins: Yes. Kanner: We won't rebid or anything? Atkins: No, we will not rebid. We have enough time in the bid documents to allow us two weeks to correct this problem. Lehman: Okay. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #14 Page 28 ITEM NO. 14. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION REPEALING THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE IOWA CITY RIVERFRONT AND NATURAL AREAS COMMISSION. Champion: Move the resolution. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Wilbum: I can just share that when I was on the Parks and Recreation Commission, I remember that commission recommended that this commission be dissolved. And I know the Parks and Recreation Commission made a commitment to try and address some of the concerns that were related between the two commissions. And I think a couple other letters- items that came up in correspondence, the letter that we got may be addressed by- they were some areas and part of the Solid Waste Management Commission- so hopefully through some of these other commissions we won't lost that flavor. But it will still be open to us to look at some of the other options that we may need to look at. First we've got to fill up the commissions we have. There are a lot of openings. Kanner: I don't know- I just don't have a sense- I know that people have resigned and there is perhaps a sense that there is no purpose, but recently I heard someone talk about an idea- this is a citizen- about let's look at some sort of path along Ralston Creek and develop in that sense. And not that we would necessarily follow through with that but it seems there is a need for this kind of commission to deal with those kind of issues. And so I am not totally convinced that we need to dissolve that. I have a feeling that because we have let it go inactive in a sense- it was inactive- and (can't hear) resigned and didn't put effort into it. But I think there is still a need for it. And I would just like to hear something from council perhaps more that there isn't a need for this kind of thing. Pfab: I have a question. Can someone give us a little bit of the past history over the last year or six months or something like this of what has been going on with this commission? I heard some discussion last night but I didn't- Lehman: I don't think it has met for some time. Atkins: The last six months, Irvin, virtually nothing. Lehman: There hasn't been enough members to meet. Atkins: They have not had a quorum. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #14 Page 29 Kanner: Maybe it needs to go back two years and when the initial time came that the city or the commission said we have really no purpose. When did that happen and what lead up to that? Atkins: That was about a year ago, if I recall, when they wrote the original letter saying they were questioning their charge and their direction. And Ross, I am just trying to go back to the Parks and Recreation because one of the charges to Riverfront Natural Areas was their involvement with trails. A lot of that work shifted to the Parks and Recreation commission. The Natural Resources Area of the Parks also picked up on some of those issues. Solid Waste was intended to take on a few. And I just think that quite frankly their agenda of issues began spinning off to other boards and commissions. Is that sort of how you remember it? Wilbum: Yeah, that is my understanding. Champion: And it is an old commission, isn't it? Vanderhoef: And one of the big jobs that they did that we can be very grateful for is the sensitive areas ordinance. Kanner: I am sorry- what was that? Vanderhoef: The sensitive areas ordinance. Atkins: The ordinance was adopted after their (can't hear). Vanderhoef: Those folks got on top of that and worked very, very hard. They worked themselves out of the commission is what they did. Lehman: I think that is exactly right. And I think the sensitive area ordinance is probably one of the real key things that probably doesn't require their existence anymore. But we are- it seems to me that our staff, our building department- we are so sensitive to environmental issues. They are a very real part of every review that we do on every subdivision. I mean, you can't do anything without a permit. You can't even get a permit without a permit to get a permit. But it seems to me that we are so thorough in what we do now that this is almost redundant. I believe that we do- and obviously Parks and Recreation commission does address many of the issues that they originally had so I tend to concur there is probably not a need for that commission. Obviously it certainly could be resurrected if that need surfaces in the future. But I think they are right. Vanderhoef: There could be that or there could be a single issue that will come up that we could do an ad hoc committee and ask a group of folks to go in and This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #14 Page 30 work on a project, do the project, and then have them go away again. And you get good participation from citizens sometimes when they know there is a project and then they aren't committed to 4-year term or something like that. Pfab: I have a question. Is there a cost in leaving this- a financial cost or some other cost that I might not be thinking of- to leaving this sit as a shell for another year? Is there any cost to it? Atkins: If it is Irvin, it would be very, very minimal. If it exists in name alone- is that what you are saying? Pfab: Yes, I mean- I presume there are some kind of records that will not be added to, but there are records that in other words could be resurrected. Is it easier to resurrect this or to start from scratch, I guess is really the question that I am asking. Wilburn: I would rather- maybe anyone else could answer this- I would rather have- rather than have a body and come up with tasks for them to do, have- I suppose some people might call it more grass roots- an identified need, to be brought together in a tangible way to say okay, we need a commission for this. The level of commission-. Pfab: Maybe I am not making myself clear Ross. Vanderhoef: They don't have a mission fight now and I new group would come in with their own mission of what they intended to do, which way they were going. And this commission, their mission has disappeared. Wilbum: They have in some ways been institutionalized. Pfab: There is no part of that mission that is still- while it is in the lone sense of need, it does not- it still exists? Is there nothing left to it? Kanner: I think there is the health of the waterways and how our waste water- we are going to have concerns about wastewater and how we deal with that and how we charge people for that. And that is connected to the waterways. And I think that is very apropos for this commission. We make- I think it would be apropos to talk about other environment concerns like pesticide and nitrate leeching that goes into the waterways. That is a big concern now nationwide. And I think this would be the commission to look at it and to deal with these kinds of problems. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #14 Page 31 Pfab: I don't have any particular attachment to it one way or another. But I am just saying, if this is already in place, even if it is 100% inactive for another year, does it do any harm just being there? Champion: The mission would be different of the next group. They would just have a new one. Vanderhoef: The mission that I hear Steven talking about is our runoff and our storm sewer kind of thing, which could well be an ad hoc committee if we came up with a mission and asked them to study certain kinds of things about storm water runoff and how we can manage it in the city above and beyond what our staff has been working on this now for what- two years Steve? At least? Atkins: Oh, easy. Vanderhoef: Putting together this because the EPA guidelines were coming down and we are already in the process of starting to implement a lot of things. And we have done a lot of the things and a lot of those things that we have done may well have come from suggestions from the Riverfront and Natural Areas group. Atkins: I would like to remind you- and again, I have been here a reasonably long time- the city council has a very strong tradition of forming ad hoc committees. I mean, the Deer Management Committee is an example. When you have a specific issue- Lehman: Waste Management Commission. Atkins: -that is very broad and very complex you will appoint a commission committee. Wilbum: Or like the downtown? Atkins: Yeah, the downtown strategy was (can't hear) people. Again, you have a strong tradition of doing that. Nothing prohibits you from doing that basically on just about any issue that you can have a meeting of the minds Oll. Lehman: Other discussion? Pfab: I would like to ask for a comment both from Steve- pro or con? I get the feeling you are saying forget it? Leave it go by the wayside? This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #14 Page 32 Atkins: My impression is the Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission has- this sounds harsh- outlived its usefulness. They did put together a very significant ordinance that affects this community and that is the sensitive areas ordinance. So they really have their legacy and it is very well established in that particular ordinance. Trails have substantially gone to Parks and Recreation. But also again remember your history. Some of it preceding a number of you here. Trails has also become a regional issue and you frequently deal with that issue at JCCOG as well as here. The council about 6 or 7 years ago I recall, I think precedes all of you- made a very deliberate decision we were going to expand our involvement in the trails issue and clearly through the capital projects which you all approve, you have done that. And our trail mileage, as you know, has grown rather extensive. The natural areas issue- I will admit a little discomfort with thinking solid waste and natural areas, but there is some. And I understand Steven's point about the river. It is just difficult to form and staff a commission around a fairly narrow agenda like that. I honestly think you have to come up with some other issues. Pfab: Okay, then I would like to ask Eleanor- are there any legal implications one way or another? Any considerations to letting this thing just ride off into the sunset or trying to keep it as an inactive commission? Dilkes: Not particularly. Pfab: I presume- does the clerk have any comments? Okay. I am ready to vote. Lehman: Okay, we have all talked on this. How about a roll call? The vote is 6-1, Kanner voting "no", it passes. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #18 Page 33 ITEM NO. 18. ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES. Lehman: Previously announced Animal Advisory Control Board one vacancy to fill an unexpired term ending April 5, 2004. That appointment will be made on October 3. Solid Waste Advisory Commission, two vacancies to fill three-year terms, one vacancy for a two year term, and three vacancies for one year terms. Housing and Community Development commission, two vacancies to fill three year terms ending September 1, 2003. Civil Service Commission, one vacancy to fill an unexpired term ending April 2, 2001. Historic Preservation Commission, one vacancy to fill an unexpired term representing the College Green Historic District ending March 29. Those appointments will be made on October 17. So if anyone from the public has interest in serving on any of those commissions please contact the City Clerk's office. Kanner: Emie? Lehman: Yes? Kanner: We were going to look into the possibility of combining perhaps some historic districts. I know it is not going to come up tonight, but is that moving forward or are we looking at that in any serious way? Lehman: I think the commission should be looking at that, isn't that correct? Karr: The staff is researching that. Lehman: Okay, we are looking at that. Kanner: Should we defer perhaps the appointment to College Green? Lehman: I don't think that we should probably defer until we get some definite thing. This has been something that we have been looking for for quite a while, has it not? Dilkes: I don't know how long it has been. Lehman: Do you know? Karr: Yes, this is the second 30 days. But you have already announced it and we have already published for this date. What you might to do- staff is aware of the October 17 date and you might want to keep that in mind on the 17 if you wish to defer. But staff will have a report by that time. Lehman: Okay. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #19 Page 34 ITEM NO. 19. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION. Lehman: I need to say something before any of us start. City council information is a time reserved on the agenda for things such as meetings that we are going to, events that we think we might each be interested in. I have been advised by the City Attorney that this is not a time on the agenda where we bring up new business. And if we wish to visit about something that does not appear on the agenda and it is new business, the best we can do is ask our colleagues if there are four of us who would wish to have it placed on an agenda item some time. So, if you would leave- confine your comments to- I don't want to say busy comments because obviously they are important- but if there are things that we should know about but if they are going to be substantive and they are not on the agenda we can't take them under Council Information. Kanner: That is (can't hear) comments or questions? Lehman: Yeah, things that have happened tonight- but if there are new things I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from bringing up a new topic that we could ask that it be placed on a work session. Btu we can't discuss the substance of it. Okay, who would like to be first? O'Donnell: I am not sure what we can say. Lehman; Don't worry Mike, I will let you know. Pfab: First of all I would like to read an announcement from the media at Iowa- City.org. And this is just an example. It says subject "Vito's Fire Update". It is very short. Contact Roger Jensen, Fire Marshall, phone number etc, date, today's date, time 11:45 AM, authority of Roger Jensen Fire Marshall. The investigation into the cause of the fire at Vito's 118 E. College Street that occurred on Monday 9/18 continues. On Monday fire investigators completed their scene analysis and damage assessment. The loss is estimated at $85,000. The four-alarm fire took fire fighters 45 minutes to control and two hours and 30 minutes to extinguish. No one was injured in the fire. The cause of the fire is currently listed as undetermined. Fire investigators from Iowa City Fire Department are conducting the investigation." The reason I read that is to bring your attention to this media release information that is available to anybody in the world about Iowa City activities. Our goal here is- I guess I can't read it and hold it at the same time- at the present time there are 186 subscribers and growing. The goal is 2001 subscribers by 2001. And there is the web page to sign up for it, or just go to the city web page and go to media releases. I think it is a marvelous way to keep the community informed of what is going on. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #19 Page 35 Lehman: Okay, Connie? Champion: Well I don't really have anything but I do want- when Mike and I were outside earlier we were thinking about the parking ramp across the street which is- we think is really kind of neat. And the new parking ramp is certainly beautiful. I am wondering if there is any way- what we can do with those other two parking ramps which we think are really ugly. O'Donnell: Different facade. Kanner: A mural. Lehman: Too bad Joe Fowler left. We could have (can't hear). O'Donnell: He knew this was coming. Lehman: I didn't. Pfab: I have a comment. How much better the one over by the Old Capitol Mall is when you come across Clinton Street- that end of it since they opened it up and took the trees out. I think it is either brighter lighting or possibly some lighter colored paint in it. Atkins: Both. Champion: Yeah, it is brighter. Pfab: I mean, I think it just made all the difference in the world for that one. So I think there is hope Connie. Champion: I am talking about the outside. The outside. The external fagade. That is all. Pfab: Excuse me. Lehman: All right, Mike. Dee? Vanderhoef: Just- who is going to go to the meeting on Friday combating underage drinking broadcast and so forth? I just was curious whether we have four people. Kanner: I won't be able to go. Lehman: I would really, really like to go to this. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #19 Page 36 Vanderhoef: I can go for part of it but I can't go for the whole thing. Lehman: I can't go to a Friday meeting, I have to work all day. O'Donnell: What time is that? It is 12:30 to 2:30? Vanderhoef: There is a morning session too. Lehman: Yeah, basically it is pretty much an all day event. Well if anyone can go we will get the information for you. But it is something that obviously we are going to be dealing with. Vanderhoef: So it doesn't sound like we have a quorum problem? Lehman: No. A quorum problem? We have a problem getting one person there. Vanderhoef: Okay. That is what I wanted to check on. That is all. Wilbum: I will just announce that the Iowa City Community School district is beginning a student hunger drive. Their mission is to unite and empower area high school students in the commitment to feed the hungry and promote volunteerism. I know the high schools are one of the drop-off locations. The participating schools include Iowa City West, City, Regina High School, Lone Tree High School, Clear Creek Amana High School and Solon High School. There are other businesses and grocery stores that will be drop off sites. You can contact Jennifer Moody, the student hunger drive coordinator at the school district building. That is it. Lehman: Thank you. Steven? Kanner: And also to piggyback on that. The superintendent of Iowa City Schools said he will be wearing a T-shirt from the high school, no matter where it is from that collects the most food per student. Lehman: That is cool. Kanner: That will be exciting. Wilburn: I tried to get him to shave his head but he wouldn't do that. Kanner: Join the Ross Club. There were two events I attended today and I wanted to mention those briefly. I attended the Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation district tour. And we were learuing about ways urban areas can help stop erosion. And I want to thank the district for the tour and commend them for the hard work they are doing. I also want to point out This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. //19 Page 37 that this is something- I sort of was aware in the back of my mind but it really hit home that the district has five county wide elected officials. These are people that get elected. And so they do a lot of good work and I want to commend them again for that and make people aware that they will have a chance to vote for these people again in upcoming elections. And I did attend the kickoff for the campaign that Ross was mentioning and a tour of the Crisis Center. And I am glad that we have high school students that are working on these issues and also glad that we have a place like the Crisis Center that can help those people who are in need. It is a very nice place and I urge people to go and check it out and to see how you can help the Crisis Center get involved. And finally, I wanted to announce that I along with some other council members are going to be participating in the annual state League of Cities that Iowa City is a member of. This year' s meeting will take place in Dubuque next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. And I personally look forward to a schedule of workshops, learning what other cities across the state are doing to meet their challenges and discussing the League's role in helping to shape state legislation so that it will benefit all of our cities residents across the state of Iowa. And that is next week and I anticipate going to that. Lehman: Very good. I just wanted to remind the council tomorrow at 4:00 is the joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors, City of Coralville, North Liberty School Board and so on at 4:00 in North Liberty. O'Donnell: You should make it clear also Ernie that we are meeting at 10 at the school as I understand. Atkins: 10 at the school. O'Donnell: And then we are going to take a tour and from there go to the community center. And I didn't catch that until I read it today. I am sure I would have gone to the community center. Kanner: Is that right next door to the community center2 O'Donnell: Stay on the highway and it is the school (can't hear). Kanner: I am going to bicycle up the path there. O'Donnell: You are going to bicycle? Leave early. Lehman: Start at three. Kanner: I plan to. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #19 Page 38 Lehman: If you go in on Dubuque Street you can't miss Penn School. It is the only school up there. Kanner: Okay. O'Donnell: It is on the right hand side. Lehman: I think that is all I have. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000. #20 Page 39 ITEM NO. 20. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF. Lehman: Mr. Atkins, aren't you on the executive board of- Atkins: Board of Directors of the League of Cities? Lehman: League of Cities? Atkins: Yes. Lehman: As a member of that board do you have any comments tonight? Or as just City Manager do you have any comments? Atkins: No. Lehman: Eleanor? Dilkes: No. Lehman: Marian? Karr: Yes. I just received word late this afternoon of a press release issued by the US Census Bureau. And listing the final response rates across the country. And the final response rate for the United States is 67%. That is up slightly from the 1990 response rate of 65%. But the final response rate- Iowa led the nation with 76%. So I think all of our citizens should be very happy with that. And the final results will come-they are due to the President at the end of the year December 31. We typically get them here mid January. Pfab: Do we need a motion to accept correspondence? Lehman: I don't know what correspondence that was-. We are going to take a short break. Five minutes. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City Council meeting of September 19,2000.