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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-07 Transcription#2 Page 1 ITEM NO. 2. OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZEN AWARDS- Helen Lemme Elementary. Lehman: If Anna and Dowlin will come forward please. If each of you would give your name and then read your nomination for us. D. Johnson: I am Dowlin Johnson. Lehman: And read your nomination. D. Johnson: First of all, I would like to thank the city council for this award and for anyone that voted for me. As far as assignments go, I finish the ones that are due the soonest and get the other ones (can't hear). I demonstrate good leadership by not vandalizing or doing anything (can't hear). Once Martin, my brother, and I went to the (can't hear) and saw that someone took chalk and wrote bad things on the (can't hear). So Martin, my brother, and I washed it off. Other things I am in are I am the safety patrol captain and I sing for my church. A. Johnson: I am Anna Johnson and I would like to thank the city council for this award. I would also like to thank my classmates and teachers for nominating me to receive this award. I am an EOP student at Lemme and one of our five school patrol captains. I also play the saxophone in the East Elementary Advanced Band and sing in my church choir. I recently had an opportunity to travel to Tanzania, a country in East Africa. While I was there I saw the poverty of their country and realized how fortunate we are to be in America's educational system. I feel that it is important to participate in the classroom and complete my assignments on time. I also believe that it is important to participate in the community. One example would be voting. We have been learning about kids voting and studying the candidates in class. I have already voted and plan to continue doing so in the future. Last of all, I would like to say that I do not think that Dowlin and I are the good citizens from Lemme. I believe that we are representatives of the many good citizens at Lemme. Thank you. Lehman: We have for each of you a little plaque that says (reads award). And I have to say that there is a lot more than just the council proud of you. I think I see some folks out there who are pretty proud of these young folks. The other thing you guys need to remember is you should be very, very proud of yourselves. This is quite an accomplishment. Thank you very much. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #3 Page 2 ITEM NO. 3. MAYORS PROCLAMATIONS a. Service Week 2000- November 6-12. Lehman: (Reads proclamation). Karr: Here to accept is Brandi Campbell. Campbell: I just wanted to thank the mayor and the city council for our proclamation. It really does help us get into the spirit of this week. Some of the events that we have been doing and will be taking place today is we helped out with the election. And that is our service to the nation. Tomorrow we are going to be helping with the youth leadership program for sixth graders. And then Thursday we are helping with an after school program as well as various daycare centers as well. So it is really important to us that we have gotten this. Thank you again. Lehman: Thank you. b. Korean War Veterans Remembrance Day- November 11. Lehman: As I am sure all of us are aware, Saturday is Veterans Day. The 11th Of this month. And I think this is particularly timely. So, the Korean War Veteran's proclamation: (reads proclamation). Karr: Here to accept is Ken Fearing. Fearing: I am Ken Fearing, a long time resident of Iowa City living at 605 Manor. But tonight I am going to take a different hat- put another hat on tonight. I am formally Lt. Colonel Fearing, United States Army Reserve. And basically (can't hear). Lehman: You need to speak- Karr: Ken, Ken- Lehman: You need to speak in the microphone. Fearing: Basically we want to emphasize the fact that we are here in a three year period to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. This period started 25 June 2000 and will continue until July 27, 2003. And we are presenting the official poster for this to be displayed wherever the city fits. Okay. Champion: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #3 Page 3 Fearing: Now, more important- we will show this in a moment- Iowa City and through Johnson County also is nationally recognized as a commemorative community by performing at least three recognition events for the Korean War. We have already done it for the last- for this year- we have them in line for the next three years. And this allows us to fly this commemorative flag for three years, which we will present here. We are also on the internet but it is too long to give it to you right now- but I have it written down here if anybody wants to look at it on the national internet. I have another little pitch here- this Saturday the veterans of all wars will be honored at the- well, kind of a tailgate thing at the University football game. And it starts at 9:00 and it is at the park next to the baseball diamond. And then at the half time there will be some events honoring the veterans of all wars. And finally I just want to tell you it is not too late to get your tickets to the banquet which will be Saturday night. And that can be- they can be bought at the door. I would like to show you this flag now. And we are allowed to fly this flag for the next three years as a commemorative community. Champion: Great. O'Donnell: Tremendous. Lehman: Thank you Ken. This seems to be a really good time to mention that it is not too late to vote. The polls are still open. c. Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week- November 13-18. Lehman: (Reads proclamation). Karr: Here to accept is Theresa Kopatich. Kopatich: I am here tonight on behalf of the Johnson County local homeless coordinating board. And the board has made the commitment during this week to educate the public and increase community awareness in regards to homelessness and hunger issues. And on behalf of the many members of the board and the homeless population we serve, thank you Mr. Mayor and Council. Lehman: Thank you. d. (Addition) Iowa Avenue Streetscape Master Plan Lehman: The next item is not scheduled. Last night the City of Iowa City received an award from the American Society of Landscape Architects. It was This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #3 Page 4 presented for the Iowa Avenue Streetscape Master Plan in recognition of outstanding professional achievements by the Adamson Clark Landscape Architecture, Inc from Des Moines. And I would like to ask Karin Franklin if you would come up- I think probably you were as involved in this as anyone. But the work downtown on our streetscapes is nearing completion and we have received an award for it. Karin? O'Donnell: No speech? Champion: She can hang it over her fireplace. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #4 Page 5 1TEM NO. 4. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. Champion: Consider adoption. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by O'Donnell. I would like to point out that item d(1) is a resolution for setting a public hearing. The date is December 19, not November 24. Karr: And you wish to delete 4 d(3) and 4 e(4)? For separate consideration? Lehman: Well, we need that- Karr: This can be part of this motion. Champion: Moved. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Three and four- Karr: 4 d(3) and 4 e(4) will be voted on for separate consideration. Lehman: Okay, that is- your motion to adopt included those being omitted? Champion: Right. Lehman: Okay, is there- I knew that is what you said. Is there discussion? Kanner: On the consent calendar? Lehman: Except for three and four. Kanner: Yes, I had three items I wanted to mention. The first is in item 4(b), l(c) from the minutes of the boards and commission- the Airport Commission mentioned that there is or I am not sure if they are saying there will be a council commission subcommittee to discuss agreements for the north airport development. Lehman: There is a committee. Kanner: There is? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #4 Page 6 Lehman: Ross Wilburn and myself are on that committee along with two airport commission members. That committee has been in effect for- I think this is the fourth year that we have had a subcommittee comprised of council people. Kanner: Okay, I don't remember that appointment. So we made those appointments in January? Lehman: Yeah. But anything that- that is a joint committee where we discuss various things that we may be able to work out but obviously everything that we talk about comes before the council as it goes before the entire airport commission as well. Kanner: Have you met yet or are there- Lehman: We haven't met for a long time. Kanner: Have you set a meeting? Lehman: Well, we are going to be meeting rather shortly I believe. We need to be working on the contract that we have between the city and the airport commission. And until that is ready there is no point for a meeting. But at least to look at the details before we get it. Kanner: Will you keep council apprise of when the next meeting will be? Lehman: Sure, we can do that. Kanner: Okay, thank you. And then the second thing is I also noticed that we had in our correspondence f(6) from Lynn Walding from the Alcohol Beverages division. He noted that cities are eligible for $50 per compliance check. Are we taking part in that? Atkins: The Chief is working on the project. I don't have the results of what he has done. We were made aware of this. Yeah. Kanner: Okay. Vanderhoef: That was in the paper today. Atkins: And we will get a report for you. Kanner: About the announcement of that money being available? Atkins: We will give you a report on it as soon as we know more. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #4 Page 7 Kanner: Thank you. And then the final thing has been my tradition the last few weeks. I wanted to report on the two bars that are applying for renewal of liquor licenses- alcohol licenses- to point out how many arrests there have been for the number of visits of police officers. This is for possession of under the legal age. Jimmy' s Brick Oven has had 0 visits by the police and 0 arrests. And the Press Box, which is on Keokuk, has 15 visits from the police and 0 arrests for possession under the legal age. Thank you. Lehman: Other discussion of the consent calendar as amended? Roll call. Motion carries. Champion: Move adoption of- Lehman: Items 3 and 47 Champion: Items 3 and 4. Lehman: Moved by Champion. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Seconded by O'Donnell. Items d 3 and 4 of the consent calendar. Discussion? Vanderhoef: Mr. Mayor, I will be abstaining. I have a conflict of interest on these two items. Lehman: For the public's information this is a- item 3 is setting a public hearing for the estimate of cost and the contract for the Iowa Avenue Streetscape phase II improvements. And the other one is a public hearing for the- what a minute- 47 O'Donnell: Yeah, 4. Kanner: (can't hear) Karr: 4 d(3). 4 d(3) and 4 e(4). Lehman: Oh, e(4), I am sorry. That is for accepting the work on the Iowa Avenue downtown streetscape plan phase III. Discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 6-0 and one abstention. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #9 Page 8 ITEM NO. 9. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE TITLE 2, ENTITLED "HUMAN RIGHTS," CHAPTER 3, ENTITLED "DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES," SECTION 2-3-2, ENTITLED PUBLIC ACCOMODATION; EXCEPTIONS" TO EXEMPT DISCOUNTS FOR SERVICES OR ACCOMODATIONS BASED UPON AGE FROM THE PROHIBITION ON DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC ACCOMODATIONS (PASS AND ADOPT). O' Donnell: Move adoption. Wilbum: Second. Pfab: Do I have to excuse myself?. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Wilburn. Discussion? Kanner: I just want to note that this says that seniors and younger people can get special discounts but we did hear from the city attorney that state rulings and law does not allow differential treatment for women and men. And I just saw another ad in the newspaper today by a bar giving that differential treatment. And I just want the community to know that I don't think it is appropriate and the law says that it is not appropriate. So please keep that in mind when offering specials. Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #10 Page 9 ITEM NO. 10. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 332 S. LINN STREET, IOWA CITY, IOWA. O'Donnell: So moved. Champion: Second. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Champion. Discussion.'? I should point out this is an area that has been designated by the Council as appropriate for property tax exemptions under the commercial urban revitalization plan. Anyone who builds in that area is entitled to property tax exemption or- if they meet the requirements as set out by the Council. And my understanding is that this property has met those exemptions. Other discussion? Kanner: I am going to vote "yes" because this is something that we as a city made a deal on and we have to follow through on this with the criteria we set out. but I would ask that the council reconsider this area and giving these tax abatements. I have been told by different Council Members that the prices remain high for commercial space, which in my mind means that we don't need to give these types of tax abatements to encourage commercial development. That at this point in time we shouldn't automatically give it out. I think we should look at the area of the revitalization and perhaps set new criteria for what receives tax abatements. Because this is a hefty tax abatement that this project is going to be receiving. It starts at 80% the first year going down to I believe 20% in the 10th year of abatement on a commercial space. Champion: It is only on the actual value of the improvements. I think it is important that the public knows that. It is not really as big as it sounds. Lehman: The- Champion: Is that true? Lehman: Yes. Vanderhoef: It is only on the commercial part of it, not on the apartments that are up above. Lehman: It is only on the conunercial, but I think it is fair to point out that the property owner at that address will continue to pay the same taxes that have been levied against that property for past years and will be paying increased taxes based on the increased value of that construction at a This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #10 Page 10 proportionately increasing rate over a period of ten years. So, the city will continue to collect every penny we always have, plus part of the value of the improvement each year until the ten years is up. And Steve, in answer to or response to your comments, this area was set up I think several years ago. And whereas it may not appear to be as relevant fight now, I think we look at the long pull on any area of the community. And the area south of Burlington Street obviously was an area that had not had any development to speak of at all. And the idea was we would like to encourage development in that area. And obviously this is one of those- I mean, it is occurring and if that was our aim then we are perhaps becoming somewhat successful at it. Kanner: Ernie, I think there might be justification for some of these tax abatements in the future. I think, though, we should have the flexibility to look at it on a case by case basis that developers come to us and we say, well, perhaps it is needed at this area and perhaps it is not. And this doesn't give us that flexibility and doesn't give future councils that flexibility. Lehman: I hear what you are saying and I don't disagree with you. But I think the history of this Council is such that if I were a builder I would hesitate to do anything if I had to depend on the whim of the Council to decide whether or not they were going to approve it. And that is why I think we have got the rules in place the way we have. We have rules, they know the rules, and we play by the rules. Champion: I don't agree. I think it would be arbitrary. Lehman: Pardon? Champion: I think it would make the decision arbitrary where with this it is set down by facts. Lehman: That is why I think this is a better way. Other discussion? Vanderhoef: It would definitely take a change in policy to do that and then that policy would also be broad scoped for the entire area. You still couldn't do it individually. Kanner: Right. I would be willing to make it a little broader and we were told we could make it broad enough that people- we would have to discuss the individual cases. Vanderhoef: No, that is not what I just said. What I said is we would change the policy but whatever that policy would be then would have to be in place for the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #10 Page 11 entire area. So you still wouldn't have that flexibility on a case by case basis because we have a district. Kanner: Well, you could word the criteria so it is broad enough that you do have some flexibility. It could be done and that was my understanding of what was told to us. So it certainly- yeah, you have to have the same standards but you could word it in such a way that you have a little more flexibility of people meeting those criteria or not. Lehman: But if you set the criteria Steven, and I think the applicant meets the criteria, you have no choice but to approve it. Kanner: I would say set the criteria looser or tighter depending on how you want to look at it. Lehman: Okay. Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #11 Page 12 ITEM NO. 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT AMENDED BY-LAWS FOR THE PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE. O'Donnell: So moved. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoef. The Rules Committee met and I think if you've read the packet, that the committee wished to increase the number of professionals that were on the committee and also to increase the number of members on the committee. It was the opinion of the Rules Committee, which was Connie and myself, that there is fight now the flexibility to appoint no fewer than three, I believe, art professionals- no fewer than two- but could be as many as five. So they do have the ability to appoint professionals without any problem. Increasing the size of the committee makes it- was in our opinion- somewhat more difficult to get folks to serve on that committee. And the fact that we would like more professionals, we felt that to some degree kind of flew in the face of the whole concept of a Public Art Advisory Committee. We felt that the public needed to have a significant input and not necessarily- it is not designed to be a professional art committee but one that is responsive to and close to the wants of the public. So the Rules Committee is recommending denial of the recommendation. Discussion? Kanner: I have a question. Do we have the same by-laws about talking to this commission if we are going to overturn the recommendation as we do with Planning and Zoning? Lehman: No, they are just asking for approval. We just approve or deny. Kanner: Okay. Champion: Although the committee knew we were going to deny this change. Lehman: They have been told that. Champion: They would have been here if they had really strong objections to it, I would think. Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion fails. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #12 Page 13 ITEM NO. 12. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BUDGETED POSITIONS IN THE CENTRAL SERVICES DIVISION OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND THE AFSCME PAY PLAN BY DELETING THE POSITION OF CENTRAL SERVICES CLERK. Champion: Move the resolution. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Sackfield: Is this discussion for the public? Lehman: You may. Sackfield: I just have a couple of questions about- first of all- Karr: Excuse me, for the record could I have your name please. Sackfield: Sure, Tairi Sackfield. Karr: Thank you. Sackfield: Is this purely for financial reasons for eliminating this position and outsourcing? Atkins: Yes. Lehman: That is our understanding. Sackfield: And how does the other employees who will be absorbing the duties- they are not mentioned in here as far as perhaps changing their pay plan with more duties. Lehman: I can only speak for myself, but I think as a council person, we receive recommendations from the City Administrator- in this case Mr. Atkins- whose job it is to perform his job in as efficient a manner as possible. And when we were informed that this position- that the work done by this position can be done more efficiently by outsourcing, and that is the recommendation to us, that is the bottom line on the recommendation. That we can have the service performed at less cost to the people of the community. Sackfield: So it has already been outsourced? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #12 Page 14 Lehman: I do not know. We are only voting on the position. Sackfield: Well, okay, if it hasn't already- if we don't have any numbers to look at then how do we know if it going to save any money? Lehman: I strongly suspect that no one is going to tell us it is saving money if they haven't compared numbers. How else would we get a 40%- Sackfield: That was my question. Lehman: I am reasonably sure that there has been some calculations done. Vanderhoef: We've got some information here. It is just that we are going to have to go forward with buying a whole lot of new equipment that is in the $200,00- $250,000 worth of equipment that is only for what we do now. And it won't have the flexibility of doing the other things that an outsourced place might have for us. And with the changes- Sackfield: And that is strictly copying? Because that is all that machine does is copy. Vanderhoef: A copying machine. And the rates for copies will be declining in the outsource and they will be increasing because of the cost of the new equipment. Sackfield: So does everybody understand about outsourcing? I might be preaching to the choir here but after it is outsourced you have no control over how much it is going to cost in the future. Atkins: That is incorrect. Lehman: Tairi, I don't think that is correct because we outsource stuff all the time. Sackfield: And let's take for example- Lehman: It primarily is done on a bid basis. So, you have control and the market controls the price. Sackfield: Okay, so let's take the maintenance people for the downtown- the CBC people- the Central Business District people- both of these have been outsourced in the past and brought back into the city because it started to cost too much money to have it outsourced. Champion: I don't think that is the reason. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #12 Page 15 Lehman: I don't know about those things. All I know is that we have been asked to accept a recommendation by our City Administrator who says this is in the financial best interest of the city. Sackfield: Okay. Lehman: That is all we know. And I think that is all we probably need. O'Donnell: This was based on a study by an in-house committee also. Sackfield: And who was on that in-house committee? Dilkes: If I can interrupt here for a minute for the record- that recommendation is set forth in the memo of October 30, 2000 to Steve Atkins from Kevin O'Malley. Kanner: Was there union representation in the committee that studied this? Atkins: Not that I know of. I don't think so. I didn't appoint the committee, the Director of Finance did. Kanner: And who was on the committee? Atkins: I don't know. Kevin, can you tell me? O'Malley: I chaired the committee along with Karin Franklin, Barb Coffey in Document Services, Erin Herting my assistant, Lisa Mollenhauer the City Manager's assistant, and Mary Niichel the Central Services Administrator. Kanner: Ernie, I think these other points that were brought up are relevant. I think the issue of outsourcing is- (can't hear)- is in my mind an issue for the city Council to deal with. It is a philosophical/political issue of how much we want to outsource. Do we want to say that our workers have certain levels of pay that we guarantee at the city, which we don't necessarily guarantee when we outsource. Do we want to have more control about possible use of recycled paper if that is a goal of the council to close the loop on the whole recycling issue. There is things like that that I think merit more discussion and I would move that we defer this for two weeks and have some more discussion and facts presented at our next work session. I will make that in the form of a motion. Lehman: We have a motion to defer for two weeks. Do we have a second? Pfab: I will second that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #12 Page 16 Lehman: Okay, discussion on the motion to defer? All in favor of deferring this for two weeks say "aye". Opposed same sign. The motion is defeated. Discussion on the original motion? Champion: I think this is an administrative decision. I think outsourcing sometimes can save money and save energy- especially when you start talking about buying equipment that pretty quickly gets outdated. And so I am going to support this motion. Vanderhoef: For me these are also dollars and cents kinds of things that affect our general fund and if this is a way that we can get the same quality work that we have had before I think it is important to protect our general fund in this way. O'Donnell: I agree. Lehman: Roll call. I am sorry- Kanner: No, I would like- I think that Kevin made some good points in his memo. He projects that it would be 7 cents versus 5 cents perhaps for outsourcing the jobs for our photocopying. But I think there are other factors that might come into play that are worth considering and because of that- and we are not going to have more time to discuss this in two weeks- I am going to vote against this. Lehman: I think you may very well be right Steven but I have to feel that we have got a very, very professional group of folks working here at the city that have probably looked at about every factor we could possibly look at. And to me this is absolutely nothing more or less than micromanaging what we hire our city administrator to do. And I will support this. Kanner: Ernie, I think we do have a professional staff and I think it is our job to take that advise from our professional staff and as elected officials to look at perhaps more points of view. So it is very appropriate for us to look into this in a little deeper fashion. Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 5-2, Kanner and Pfab voting "I10"o Karr: Can we have a motion to accept correspondence? O'Donnell: So moved. Wilburn: Second. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #12 Page 17 Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Wilbum. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #13 Page 18 ITEM NO. 13. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BUDGETED POSITIONS IN THE WASTEWATER DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THE AFSCME AND ADMINISTRATIVE PAY PLANS BY DELETING THE POSITION OF SENIOR MAINTENANCE WORKER- LANDFILL AND ADDING THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT- LANDFILL. Vanderhoef: Move adoption of the resolution. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Vanderhoef: I looked at this and wondered and had some more conversation about it with the City Manager. I recognize that we had an employee from the Solid Waste area leave for another position two or three years ago and our head of Wastewater took over the entire program. So he has been carrying double duty. So I can understand that we need probably an additional person out there in the way of a superintendent. The only question that I had in my own mind was whether it was appropriate to be doing it between cycles on the budget. In this case, I will go along with this one. In some other cases I will object and ask that these things be brought forward at budget time. Karmer: You are going to vote for the item number 14 also, Dee? Vanderhoef: I am going to vote "yes" on number 13. Kanner: And what about 14, which is similar? Vanderhoef: We aren't there yet. Lehman: Let's do 13 first. Kanner: Steve, so you have no plans at this time to replace the senior maintenance worker? Atkins: You are deleting the senior maintenance worker- it is a trade. Kanner: Right. Atkins: No, the senior maintenance worker position will be eliminated and then we will add a substitute position of the assistant superintendent at the landfill. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #13 Page 19 Kanner: What is our ratio of management to non-management and how does that compare to other cities of similar size or close to our size? Atkins: We do not have a manager at the landfill now. The senior maintenance worker has assumed those responsibilities. And that is a union position. I think as I tried to explain to you the other evening, we are investing very heavily out there. It is going to become a regional recycling center and I truly believe that we need to have administrative attention. There are probably in the neighborhood of a dozen employees out there. And again, with the big investment I would like to feel that we can have someone who is a part of our administrative team be responsible for the day to day activity out there. Kanner: And so you feel that the senior maintenance position won't be needed? Atkins: Yes. We are trading the position. We are hoping that- it is likely that- and I can't guarantee this- that that individual would be promoted to this position. That it is a trade off. Kanner: And again, what is our management position compared to non- management through out the whole city? Atkins: Sir, that is going to vary from operation to operation. Kanner: No, no- our city. How many managers do we have that are, I guess you could say, outside eligibility for the bargaining unit vs.- just roughly. Atkins: We have of our 600 full time employees, maybe 90 who are called administrative and confidential and management- maybe of that, 90 people. That is a guess. If our ratio is 1 to 10 1 wouldn't be surprised. That is a little long. Generally you try to shoot for 1 to 7- that is the more standard ratio. Kanner: So you are saying the average perhaps in the country is 1 to 7- or that is-? Atkins: One to seven is a sort of generally accepted principle that one individual- in a fairly tightly controlled work environment can supervise 7 individuals directly. Now, for example, it is a little different when you think about like the police department where you take the seven individuals and put them in a car and scatter them all throughout the city. It is a little more difficult to supervise. In a city government because of the diversity of the missions and the responsibilities that we have, it is very difficult to say exactly how each one should or should not be managed and particularly This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #13 Page 20 the (can't hear) of management employees. We could certainly prepare a chart for you. It is not that difficult. Pfab: I have just a question- something I didn't understand. You said that there was- and this was a guess- 90 administrative, confidential and management? Atkins: Yes. Pfab: What is the confidential? Atkins: Confidential employees are people that operate in our document services, Marian's employees, Eleanor's employees, my office- those people are considered confidential employees. Pfab: And what does that- Helling: Confidential employees are employees who would be in the types of jobs that would be in the bargaining unit except for the kind of work that they do which is generally in support of management and would have access to records that would sort of breech the gap between management and labor in terms of collective bargaining. And so by law they are exempted from the bargaining unit and so they are called confidential employees. Pfab: Approximately how many employees are there? Atkins: Folks, you are asking me questions I can't answer. Helling: 25. Something like that. Pfab: Just approximately- (changed tapes)- Lehman: Other discussion? Kanner: I would like to talk about this in the context of our whole budget that we are going to have in January so I will be voting no at this time for this. Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 7-1, Kanner voting "no". Karr: 6-17 Lehman: Pardon? I am sorry- we had too many votes there. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #14 Page 21 ITEM NO. 14. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BUDGETED POSITIONS IN THE LIBRARY AND THE AFSCME AND ADMINISTRATIVE PAY PLANS BY DELETING THE POSITION OF MAINTENANCE WORKER III- LIBRARY AND ADDING THE POSITION OF LIBRARY BUILDING MANAGER. VanderhoeC: Move adoption. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef. Champion: Second. Lehman: Seconded by Champion. Discussion? Vanderho ef: Okay, on this one- this is one of those cases where the cleaning of the library had been outsourced and they chose to bring it in house because of their own reasons. I won't speak for them on that. So, just this fiscal year FY2000 the library added 2.25 full time employees to take over the general cleaning and maintenance of that building. Now, we are getting a request of a jump for one of those employees to go from a maintenance worker III up to a manager position. And here again, this is one of those cases that I think they had the opportunity in this year when they hired the new folk to put one in charge- however they wanted to do that. I am not inclined to support this. I will look at it when we do budgets and see where we are at that time. Champion: My question is- this extra $3,400, where does that money come from? Vanderhoef: General fund. Champion: From our General Fund? Atkins: It will be in the General Fund- this is not going to be sort of a hard hitting recommendation so please forgive me- I do not have the same intimate knowledge of the library operations that I might be expected to have on some of our other operations. This was a recommendation by the library staff, apparently to the library board. It was placed on the agenda. I had understood, speaking with the director, that they had an individual who supervised the contract, they did away with the contract and brought on these full time employees and in their judgement this individual was exercising greater responsibility and therefore the recommendation to upgrade the position. Dilkes: So the position being changed is not one of the new people hired? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #14 Page 22 Atkins: It is not. Yeah. I am sorry- that is about really all I can tell you fight now. Champion: The problem that I have is I have the same problem Dee does. But if they are cleaning the library in house now, and there are evidently 3.2- is this a person beyond the 2.25? Atkins: The 2.25 is- I think- involves three maybe four people. But it is a full time equivalent. Champion: Okay. But there is some- I mean, if there- the three people hired are managed and supervised by the library maintenance worker III. Now, to ask this person to manage the maintenance of the library without extra pay bothers me because it is a big responsibility. And I think if you are supervising people you shouldn't necessarily be their exact peers. So I am going to support this but I understand the question you are having Dee. I have problems with it coming out of the General Fund too. Is the money there? Vanderhoef: Well, this is it. and until we do budget I think it can wait until budget time. Atkins: I am sure they- Vanderhoef: - budget discussions and we can do it then. Lehman: It will go into budget but the budget that we are going to be discussing doesn't go into effect until the first of July of next year. Vanderhoef: Six months. Seven months. Lehman: That is true, it is six months. Vanderhoef: Absolutely. It can wait. Champion: You might be fight once you think about it for a second. Pfab: Let me ask you- I am kind of tom both ways on this and I am wondering- is this something that we can put off for two weeks without causing any big problem? I would be encouraged with that and maybe we can come up with a little bit more- put it on the agenda for next- delay it until then. Lehman: Could we ask Susan or somebody to give us a little bit better picture? I mean, I don't think- I don't think there is really a great deal of- obviously you were unable to answer the questions about this. (Can't hear). This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #14 Page 23 Atkins: (can't hear) Lehman: And in the absence of somebody who can answer those questions does the council wish to entertain- Champion: I would like to defer this. Pfab: I move that we do- Lehman: Moved by Irvin. Vanderhoef: I will second. Lehman: Seconded by Vanderhoefto delay until the 21st- defer, not delay. Defer. All in favor? Opposed? The item is deferred until the 21st of November with a request that the Library Board or the library director gets us some more information. Atkins: Yes. Kanner: Can we have that at a work session? Put that on our work session? Champion: That is a good idea. Kanner: For Monday. Lehman: Well- Dilkes: It will be under agenda items. Lehman: -agenda items it would be. Kanner: Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #17 Page 24 ITEM NO. 17. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF lOW ACITY AND THE CITY OF CORALVILLE, IOWA TO USE A PORTION OF PUBLIC LAND AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY FOR THE INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A WASTEWATER EFFLUENT FORCE MAIN. Pfab: Move adoption of the resolution. Champion: Second. Lehman: Moved by Pfab, seconded by Champion. Discussion? Kanner: (can't hear) Rick out there (can't hear). I was wondering if you could just explain where this is. It was a little confusing for me in the packet and I would like to be clear about this. Fosse: Sure, it leaves Coralville and follows the Iowa Interstate Railroad until it gets to about Greenwood Dr. there. And it passes Greenwood and then turns north and comes up on the east side of the church and crosses Myrtle Ave. And it gets onto University property and then goes straight east down to the river and then it will enter the river just north of what used to be Master Muffler. Kanner: And can you explain what a wastewater effluent force main is- that they are putting in? Fosse: Yes. That carries the treated effluent from Coralville's wastewater plant and discharges it downstream from our water plant and the University's water plant. Kanner: So that is the goal- to get it down from where we are taking in water? Fosse: Correct. It currently discharges just downstream from the Dairy Queen. Kanner: Thank you. Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #20 Page 25 ITEM NO. 20. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MERCER PARK CONCESSION AND RESTROOM FACILITY. O'Donnell: So moved. P fab: Second. Lehman: This was a project estimated at $200,000. We received four bids. The low bid was $175,900 from Moore Construction Company. The public works director- the recreation director- has recommended acceptance of the Moore Construction Company bid. And it was moved by whom? Karr: O'Donnell. Lehman: Mr. Pfab and seconded by O'Donnell? Or vice versa? Pfab: Vice versa. Lehman: Discussion? O'Donnell: (can't hear) make it known that Mr. Atkins has hit one homerun in the City of Iowa City and it was hit at this park and apparently damaged the roof. So this is necessary. Lehman: I am not sure you should have brought that to the public's attention. Vanderho ef: And another (can't hear) that I would just like to acknowledge is that the Babe Ruth organization is working to help fund this project. Champion: That is right. O'Donnell: Absolutely. Lehman: Which is one of the reasons it is lower cost. Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #21 Page 26 ITEM NO. 21. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING JOINT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE IOWA CITY LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND TIlE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY TO COORDINATE NEGOTIATING PROCEDURES FOR PURPOSES OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. Vanderhoef: So moved. Champion: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Pfab: I have a question. Is this something different than we have done normally? Lehman: No. Pfab: This is just an authorization to continue to do what we have done before? Lehman: Yes. O'Donnell: This has been done since '75. Pfab: Okay, that is fine. I just didn't know that. That is all. Lehman: Further discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #22 Page 27 ITEM NO. 22. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EXPANSION OF THE IOWA BEVERAGE CONTAINER DEPOSIT LAW. O'Donnell: Move adoption. Wilbum: Second. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Wilburn. Discussion? Roll call- oh! You have to be quick in this league. Vanderhoef: This woman came down from Mt. Vemon for us. Lehman: That was almost too close to call. Champion: Last thing on the agenda- the poor thing. Lehman: Go. DeVries: I actually don't have a presentation. I just am here to observe what your action will be and then I may have a few comments. But I- Lehman: You may give us your comments before you see our enthusiastic support for this resolution because- Pfab: Unanimously enthusiastic support. Lehman: After that we are going to the announcement of vacancies. Vanderhoef: And this is Marie DeVries. DeVries: I am sorry- Marie DeVries. I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Iowa Recycling Association as well as a solid waste planner at the East Central Iowa Council of Governments. And as a board member of the Iowa Recycling Association this is a resolution that is close to our hearts. And I am hoping that you will support it. If you have any questions about the proposed legislation I could probably answer those. Champion: I really think you probably could have stayed home because I think we all endorse it. O'Donnell: This is going to pass very quickly. Vanderhoef: What I would love to have you do though is to give just the broad scope of how the money is being considered for distribution. The five cent. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #22 Page 28 DeVries: Oh, explain how the five-cent deposit works? Vanderhoef: If you would please. DeVries: Okay. The distributor- it all starts and ends with the distributor. The distributor brings full containers to the grocer and the grocer pays the distributor five cents for each full container. And then the grocer as we all know turns around and sells the full containers to us and we pay the grocer five cents for that container. When we take those containers back to the grocer, the grocer pays us back the five cents that we have paid the grocer. And then the grocer sells it back to the distributor. Now, the distributor pays the grocer 6 cents for each container. So the grocer or the convenience store, whoever is handling those empties, actually is paid a penny for handling those containers. The distributor turns around then and sells the empty containers to recycling processors. So, they are making a certain amount of money in selling that material. And that is how- that is one way they fund that one penny that they are paying to the grocers and the convenience store owners. They can do it that way but they also probably just to make sure that they get that penny back are probably bearing that in the cost of the beverage itself. So there is no way that the distributor is losing out in this proposition. What the proposal is proposing is that the distributor now pay the grocer or the convenience store- whoever- two cents for handling each container. That amount has not changed in the 22 years since the law was passed. So, it is about time that the handlers received a little extra money. Also, in that equation- remember that some of us don't take our containers back to the grocer. So, we have paid the five cents but as I said the last time, sometimes your dog eats the container and so those- so what happens to that- to those funds? That also goes to the distributors. There is actually a windfall- and I think that was in some of the information that you received. That money ends up with the distributor as well. And what this legislation is proposing is that that five to seven million dollars per year in unclaimed deposits be used to fund recycling programs and state litter programs or initiatives. So, that is one of the components of this proposed legislation as I think you have already realized. Lehman; And then you are probably well aware that the money that is unclaimed will probably go into the cost of the beverages that we are all going to pay for at the grocery store. DeVries: Right, so we are going to end up paying for it. Lehman: What I am saying is that you call it "unclaimed money"- that money will be claimed when we go to the store and pay for our beverages. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #22 Page 29 DeVries: Exactly. You are right. Lehman: It is now claimed. Kanner: This looks like a great resolution and I plan to support it. and in addition to what you were saying, it is increasing what will have deposits instead of just the old carbonated beverages. It will include things like containers for tea and water and fruit and vegetable drinks. And also, perhaps the most important component is requiring all beverage containers sold in Iowa to have a minimum post consumer recycled content of 25% by weight. Closing the loop there. My question is- do you feel that this will have a good chance of coming to the floor for a vote by the whole legislature next year? DeVries: Well, we are hoping it will. This was proposed last legislative session and it never got out of committee. So, I- this year, the Iowa Recycling Association and some other organizations are doing a lot more work and hoping that this will be brought to the floor this year. A couple of things that we are supporting are petitions- we currently have about 43,000 names on petitions. We hope to have 55,000 by the time the legislature convenes in January. We are also distributing- they are like business cards. I don't know if you have seen those. Did you pass some of those out? Champion: Dee did. DeVries: And lots and lots of those have been distributed. In fact, we printed 12,000 of them and we almost have them all distributed. So we are hoping that people will use those at- will drop those off at the grocery store or convenience store- wherever they shop. And that will indicate to folks that there is a lot of grassroots support for this proposed legislation. And I think that is what it is going to take. It is going to take a lot of people calling their legislatures and writing to the governor' s office to get this out of committee this year. O'Donnell: Good. Champion: Thanks. Vanderhoef: Thank you for coming Marie. Kanner: And I want to thank Dee for bringing this to council's attention. Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000. #24 Page 30 ITEM NO. 24 ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES (8) Solid Waste Advisory Committee Lehman: And the Solid Waste Advisory Commission according to our discussions last night probably will be dissolved by resolution at the next meeting. Those appointments will be made on November 21. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of November 7, 2000.