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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-09-25 Transcription#2a Page 1 ITEM NO. 2a. MAYOR' S PROCLAMATIONS: SEAMANS CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND SCIENCES DAY - SEPTEMBER 28 Karr: Here to accept is Fred Streicher, Director of External Relations, College of Engineering. (applause) Streicher: Good evening. My name is Fred Streicher. I am the Director of External Relations for the College of Engineering. Mr. Mayor and City Council Members on behalf of Gary Seamarts and the College of Engineering, thank you. This is a very special occasion for the community and I mean that not only for Iowa City and the University but the College of Engineering which is our community. Gary Searoans was actually born in Davenport and he's traveled the world in his career but Iowa City is his home. The University of Iowa is where he got his initial education, his higher education. He treats this place as it is his hometown and comes back often. His mother still lives here. His mother and father moved here when he was at a very early age. In fact, one of his found memories is, in fact, going to his grandmother's house on Burlington Street, actually passing the old engineering building which probably in his early days was about what it was like five years ago. Hadn't changed that much in about thirty some years. So, we are celebrating the fact that we have renamed it the Seaman Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences. And Gary is as proud of this College and the University as an icon of technology in the State of Iowa and especially Iowa City. We've got dozens of our faculty and staff who are Iowa Citians and, in fact, our faculty generate a little bit over twenty-two million dollars a year in grants and contracts that come back into the state and back into this city. So on behalf of Gary again, from the college, thank you. And the invitation is for anyone of... I'm talking about... the City of Cedar Rap...of Iowa City, to partake in the activities. 3:30pro on Friday afternoon on Capital Street. We invite you all to join us. Thank you again, very much. Lehman: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #3 Page 2 ITEM NO. 3. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. Champion: Move to adopt. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? Kanner: I'd just like to point out there's public hearing for October 23rd. We're setting a public hearing fermenting the urban renewal plan which will allow possible tax abatements for future developments. People are welcome to comment on that. This is for downtown urban renewal. Thank you. Lehman: Other discussion? Motion carries. (all ayes) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #4 Page 3 ITEM NO. 4. PUBLIC DISCUSSION (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA). Lehman: This is a time reserved for the public to comment on items that do not otherwise appear on the agenda. If you wish to address the Council, please sign in. Give your name, address, and limit your comments to five minutes or less. Jerry Hartsen: Good evening Mr. Mayor and Council Members. My name is Jerry Hansen and I'm chairman of Weatherby Friends and Neighbors. A local neighborhood association and I'd like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to have a committee to discuss our neighborhood council proposal for a new nuisance ordinance in town. I'd like to strongly urge you to consider having a neutral party, somebody that is maybe neighborhood oriented, be the chair of this committee. I think it would go a long way toward peoples fears about the outcome of what's going to happen in this committee. I'd like to say that, this ordinance is needed because in my neighborhood...The ordinance is not about cars parked on lawns. It's not about, you know, party houses. It's about safety and tranquility in our neighborhoods. And I know that Weatherby has been plagued by terrorism. And I don't use that term loosely because Webster defines terrorism as systematic intimidation and I think that' s precisely what's been going on with the gang activity that we have in the Weatherby neighborhood. It has gotten us drive by shoorings. It's got suspicious deaths by fire. It has gang activity. It has drug dealing. It has all these things surrounding it and all of these things, in our opinion, point back to housing issues. And so we would like you to carefully consider who chairs this committee. And I'd also like you to remember that there's a plaque, right on the other side of this wall, and it says that this house shall stand for the happiness, safety, and advancement of all the people of our beautiful city. I think that says it all. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Jerry. Incidentally, Jerry, if you have suggestions for that... Hansen: I do. Lehman: ...position, talk to the Council folks. Okay? LaVonn Horton: Good evening. My name is LaVonn Horton. You have my letter in your packet. And, I'm just standing in regard to the option of extending the franchise, or ending the franchise, with Mid American utility. I lived in Iowa City for twenty...in a community which had a public utility for twenty years and the conununity benefited greatly from that community. I know you're thinking, oh well, this is just impossible, we just have too much on our plate. But as soon as the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #4 Page 4 plate gets a little bit empty, the line starts forming for filling it up again and that's why I'm standing here. I know that that commtmity benefited so greatly from having a municipal utility because, not only did we have lower rates, the community...the utility was able to do many things for us in forms of new tennis courts or even Christmas bonuses. That's beside the lower rates. It simply doesn't make business sense to me to be sending our monies out of town when we can have a municipal utility. And, I know, we don't have the plant which the original municipal utilities did. But, I think there is a way of doing it and if the community wills it, and really wants it, I know they can do it. I worked on the committee that got the municipal utility where I lived. It was in Osage, Iowa, at the time and I do remember that it takes a will to do it. And, the franchised people do not...the franchised utility does not want to give up that franchise. So, it almost takes and Erin Brockowitz to do it. So, I would like to see us work toward a goal of getting municipal utility and to explore all the avenue that you might have. To work toward that end when it is feasible. So, thank you very much. I appreciate your public service. Lehman: Thank you. Horton: Are we supposed to do this ahead of time? Lehman: It doesn't make any difference as long as we get it. Horton: I'm new at this. Tim Walker: Hello. My name is Tim Walker. I am here for the same reason as Jerry Hansen. He and I have worked together on the proposed amendment that you spoke about last night. And I thank you for your time and attention to that. Because this amendment's proposing increased enforcement by the Police and by the Housing Inspection Services, the Neighborhood Council Housing Sub Committee really does believe that it should not be chaired by a person from either of those offices because we just worry that it would skew the results. We would like an outside community citizen, civilian to chair it. So, I appreciate your call for nominations. O'Donnell: Thanks, Tim. Walker: Thank you. Kanner: How do we intend to pick that chair? Does anyone have any thoughts on that? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #4 Page 5 Lehman: You know, I...the only ones I would think that perhaps once we get the report back after...we're going to get a report at our next work session after the meeting that Doug was talking about last night. And we, hopefully at that time, will have some idea who the people are and I think we can certainly deal with that at that point. And, I think that these are, these are just suggestions. Kanner: At our next work session? Lehman: Yeah. Kanner: Okay. Lori Benz: Good Evening. Myname is Lori Benz, I live at 2012 Dunlap Ct., in Iowa City and I'm your appointee to the Senior Center Commission. I just wanted to take a few minutes of your time to bring you up to date on some of the events and activities there at the Senior Center. Many of you were at the... some of the twentieth anniversary celebration events earlier this month and we had very good attendance for the recognition of our twenty year volunteers. Incredibly these are...there were nine individuals who were honored who have continuously volunteered at the Center since 1981 and that's quite a distinction. I also want to let you know, though, that a couple...a few events had to be rescheduled due to the national events of the week of September 11. And I wanted to tell you about the dates that those are going to take place and invite you to participate if you're able. The first activity will be on Thursday, October 4th at 1:00, which is the Senior Center SkyWalk dedication and there will be a reception immediately following the dedication. As you know, this was a concerted fund raising effort. It was successfully accomplished and thanks to your support, actually has materialized and will be officially dedicated. In conjunction with that, on Friday of this week, I just want to let you know that several members of the Senior Center' s Strategic Planning Committee for the SkyWalk Project will be receiving the Govemor's volunteerism award. They...those individuals are Jay Honohan, Terry Miller and Joanne Hora. They are...they were the key individuals that led the fund raising project and they will be honored at Coe College this Friday, September 28, to receive that Governor's award. Next, I...again in conjunction with the celebration, I want to invite you to the Senior Center's. ..has an historical program that looks at the past twenty years of the Senior Center including many interviews that were conducted by the volunteers of individuals who will relate anecdote stories and other descriptions of the Center's early years through the present. That's going to take place on Tuesday, October 9, and...at 2:00. It will be lead by Dr. Loren Horton. And I think that's going to be an enjoyable program. Finally, I just wanted to let you know that This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #4 Page 6 the Center's accreditation process is continuing. And on October 24 & 25, there will be two representatives from the National Council on Aging, the National Institute of Senior Centers who will come to Iowa City to begin the review process for that accreditation. And, Linda Kopping, the Director, the Senior Center's Director is coordinating all of those events. So, thank you very much for your time. I hope that you will be able to come to some of those special events. O'Dormell: Thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Loft. Brian Davis: My name is Brian Davis. I live at 1001 Oakcrest and I wanted to just make another quick endorsement for looking into the feasibility of a municipally owned utility. A lot of the arguments you've already heard. I think it will save Iowa City some money in electricity. I think it'll be beneficial for the community as a whole. I also want to point out that, I think last Saturday a group called Public Power Initiative for Iowa City had a community forum that, I think I only saw one of you at but it's replayed over and over again on the Government Channel. I hope, if you haven't had a chance to see that yet, you'll look into it cause they really make a lot of great points there. And, I just wanted to make a few of my own as well. I think, by franchising through MidAmerican we support financially, because we have no other choice, everything that MidAmerican stands for, all there policies, all there politics. And (couldn't hear) something as a community, Iowa City, may not want to do. If we can work toward a municipally owned utility, the key thing there, in addition to financial savings, is we get to make the decisions. If we want to invest more in renewable sources we can do that. If we want to invest in clean coal or whatever, we can do that. And um...I think, I'm sure you'll probably hear, and obviously, I'm in no position to evaluate the truth of it, but the MidAmerican folks are going to tell you why you should renew the franchise for another fifteen years. And, I think it's pretty obvious, the only people that benefit from a long franchise agreement are MidAmerican Energy and the shareholders. What's best for the folks of Iowa City is if we just do it as short as we possibly can and from there we can take it into looking into a feasibility study. At that time, if we decide there's no way Iowa City can have a municipally owned utility, we can always renew for another fifteen years. But, any sort of long-term renewal, even if it's ten years, and I forget what the various proposals are but I think there was a five-year and a ten-year, I could be way off on that. Even a five-year renewal ties our hands on this for five years and we want to have the freedom to get our energy, especially in a time when deregulation at the state level is a consistent issue, year after year it comes up. A back door deregulation effort This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #4 Page 7 came up at the state level earlier this year through HF 577 was the jargon. It was not very publicized but what it would have done is deregulate any new power plants built and obviously, that, over time, would have the same effect as demgulation. And we sure don't want to be in the position Califomia was in earlier this year. So, strongly encourage you to just renew for as short a period of time as MidAmerican folks are willing to do it for and look into this. And we can always decide later if it's not feasible, go with Mid American for a longer period of time. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Robynn Shrader: Evening. Robynn Shrader from the Weeber-Harlocke Neighborhood Association. I appreciate your time. There are many of us here tonight; however, not everyone plans to speak to you, as I know you have a full agenda. So with that in mind, Mr. Mayor, I hope you'll indulge me with aadditional minute, ifit becomes necessary. (read statement) Dilkes: Are you looking at me? Lehman: Yes, I'm looking at you because, I mean...and I do appreciate, I really appreciate approaching Council with things like this. You are talking other parts prior to somebody doing something. I mean, I really think that' s being proactive and I think that's the way to do it. As far as this particular request is concerned, what are the ram...I mean, we can set a public hearing. Dilkes: First, with respect to the Benton Villa project... Lehman: Yes, that... Dilkes: ...there is a pending for downzoning. Lehman: Okay. Dilkes: I think you can set a public hearing. You can't do it tonight, obviously, that would...cause we have to give notice of that. But you can do it at a subsequent meeting. And upon the setting of the public hearing, there will be a sixty-day moratorium. With respect to the general, more broader moratorium that' s being requested, we're going to have to take a look at that. Lehman: But the one...the immediate one... Dilkes: Certainly. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #4 Page 8 Lehman: There has been a rezoning request filed. Dilkes: Yes, as I understand it. Lehman: And we can then... Shrader: Yes. Lehman: ... set the public hearing. Dilkes: Yes. Lehman: Okay. Kanner: Has the building application, permit been filed by the develop... proposed development? Dilkes: I believe them has been a site plan review process that's ongoing. Karmer: And that means they could get that within twenty days if we don't... Dilkes: There is a protest provision in the ordinance that would take that to the Planning and Zoning Commission. And I believe that is something that the neighborhood is pursing. Shrader: That is in the works. My understanding is that is a more technical process. That taking it to Planning and Zoning would simply be a delay which, which we're willing to go to the exercise of doing that and we have many of those signature ready and available. My understanding of the down zoning process is a more legislative function and is really more guided by Council action. Dilkes: Yeah. The site plan review...there is a protest provision. It's an administrative, technical review that, if the sufficient number of protests are made it is bumped up to the Planning and Zoning Commission but the Planning and Zoning Commission purview is the same as the housing official. They, they review it on the same standards. So, it is not...it's a very different standard then a zoning decision that you all would make. So, that's certainly not...the protest of the site plan is not a substitute for a setting of a public hearing and a moratorium. Lehman: Well, that gives... My question is assuming that we are in agreement that we'd like to set a public heating to discuss this and resolve the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #4 Page 9 issue, there us no point in a public hearing ifa building permit is issued prior to us having the heating. Is that not correct? Dilkes: The setting ofapublic hearingwould stop construction. If a building permit has not been issued, or if a building permit has been issued and there's no substantial progress made on it. But I think the idea would be to set the public hearing prior to the building permit being issued. And, I think, the time that we've figured out is that that can happen if you do that at your October 8 meeting. You should be okay. Lehman: Than we're okay. Okay. Fine. Kanner: So, we're in agreement to put that on the agenda then? Set the public hearing? Dilkes: So on October 8 we will put an item on your agenda that sets the public hearing. Lehman: Have to put on agenda to vote on it but I think, I think that... Shrader: I thank you very much. Thank you. Could I please give you these since you have a Councilor missing? Lehman: Do we have a motion to accept correspondence? Wilbum: So moved. Champion: Second. Lehman: Moved by Ross, seconded by Champion. All in favor? Motion carries. (all ayes) Dilkes: Oh, and on the second issue that Ms. Shrader raised, is that something that you want us to take a look at that? Champion: I think that would be a good idea. Lehman: I think preliminarily we should have...I don't... is that something we can get a short opinion on? Dilkes: I think that's something that we, we probably need to take a look at just in terms of...so we're not addressing these issues piece meal. So we'll take a look at it. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #4 Page 10 Lehman: Okay. And could we have that...Well, we would have that information by the time that we hold the public hearing which would be the second meeting of October. Champion: In...Isn't that planning process going to start? Shrader: We've been told it begins in the fall. Dilkes: Karin? L ehm an: Kari n. Champion: (can't hear) the microphone. Karin Franklin: The neighborhood meetings will be at the end of October the beginning of November on the Southwest district plan. When you're setting the public heating on October 8 it will be for a period of time that allows sixty days for review by the Planning and Zoning Commission so we'll have to figure out exactly when that's going to be. Lehman: Does...We set the public hearing, that goes to Planning and Zoning Commission .... Franklin: That' s right. Lehman: and before...by the time we have our hearing we have a report from Planning and Zoning on their recommendation. Franklin: Yes, you do. Yes, you do. Lehman: Okay. Fine. Dilkes: And you have to hold the public heating and then act within the moratorium period. Lehman: Right. But, but the public heating will be held after a recontmendation from Planning and Zoning Commission so this is going to get full treatment. Franklin: Right. Dilkes: We have to run through the whole process within that sixty days. Lehman: All right. Okay. That's fine. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #4 Page 11 Champion: Okay. Kevin Perez: Hello. My name is Kevin Perez. I live at 161 Columbia Drive. You guys...there's number thirteen on the agenda tonight is about the parcel of land... Lehman: Ifthat's on the agenda then... Perez: But it doesn't seem...It seems to be mildly different. I'm just. I just have a few questions about... I want everyone to know where the money goes. You know, you sell a piece of property and it's 1.7 million dollars is the appraised value... Lehman: We will discuss that when it comes up on the agenda. And that... Perez: That will be discussed? Lehman: Yes. You will be welcome to speak at that point. Perez: Okay. Lehman: Okay? Perez: Because it...I mean it doesn't read that way. Lehman: No. Well, no, no. But anything associated with that. Perez: Anything associated with that. Lehman: Any connection you want to make you're welcome. Perez: Okay. All right. I'll talk then. Thank you. Lehman: Other public discussion? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #6 Page 12 ITEM NO. 6. HEARING ON PROPOSED CIVIL PENALTY OF $300.00 AGAINST OUTER LIMITS OF IOWA CITY. Dilkes: Mr. Mayor, Andy Chapel from the County Attorney's Office is not going to arrive until 8 and so we'd ask that you move this later in the agenda. Lehman: Do we need a motion to? Do we have a motion to...how do I? Vanderhoef: To amend the agenda. Lehman: Well, I want to amend the agenda by letting number 6 float until the County Attorney's Office gets here. Dilkes: That'll work. Lehman: Is there a motion to that effect? Vanderhoef: I just did. O'Dormell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Donnell. All in favor say aye. Opposed? Motion carries. (all ayes) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #9 Page 13 ITEM NO. 9. PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2001-2002 DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN. Lehman: Is there anyone who would like to speak to the recommendation from the Deer Management Committee? Lory Van Allen: If there' s nobody else, I would. Lehman: Okay. Ifyou're...justintime. Lory Van Allen: Okay, my name is Lory Van Allen and I have been here several times on the same issue. And I don't want to miss passing up this issue again. I kind of would like to forget about it and let it pass and not to even bring ~t up but I don't want to do that. And, I want to start with something that I've written. Striking, even alarming is the amount of urban sprawl Iowa City has seen in recent years. Former farm and woodland are now mushrooming housing tracks and new highways. Caught in this encroachment are the helpless deer. Once living on the edge of town, now finding themselves in someone's backyard. With no end in sight to the further expansion of the City, I see no end to the clash with deer. Will we be so short sighted and so money hungry that we fail to establish green corridors that allow the deer their space or will the pattem of deer hunting simply shift according to the demands of development? Will the killing of deer that was a short-term solution become a yearly enterprise? Already it seems with the opening of the gate to hunters of all skill levels and from the general public the line has been crossed and killing deer for sport is fast becoming the latest hobby. Despite that bantering back and forth about a humane death, as in the quick shot to the head humane, how humane is it, I ask, to bate and kill deer in the harshest season of the year? How humane is it to slaughter whole sale the families of does and their young with the...As the experts explain, the mother being shot first and the young being shot as they return to their mother. And I wanted to say just extemporaneously, you know, after this two weeks of violence that we've all experienced and the extremeness of it that I'm hoping that it will bring light upon how prevalent violence is in this society. And that how it starts with the young and those without voices to talk back or to speak up for themselves. That it starts with the lowest level, the most helpless and without power, and goes up, you know, violence towards women, violence towards the elderly. I think there's a continuum there that, one of these days, we'll be understood better. I think it's understood now that there' s a lot of violence on TV that effects the unstable in our society and I think it's a responsibility of people to look at how violence is sanctioned in our City Governments. And, just were exactly it's all going. And to say no to guns and violence and yes to other solutions. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #9 Page 14 Karmer: Lory? Lory? Could you comment on some other possible solutions that you don't see in the deer plan? Van Allen: Well, I think that they have been brought up. I think, you know, they really need some concerted effort. I'm not familiar with this, this particular session and how it...that went. I know there was some positive talk about others...alternatives. And that they got to a certain point and then they were... as they did last year were cut off and the plan that' s been in, you know, the solution for the last few years was...became the plan. And, I think, it's been proven that birth control methods do work. And that, to me, would be one solution. It would take perhaps a few years to get, to get the desired results but, you know, I personally think, you know, just kind of, you know, just getting them away from the... from where they cause the most problems will not be a difficult, you know, job. I think, you know, putting food where they are away from housing developments, you know, possibly even using those bait sites as places to administer the birth control would be the solution. And there's a...just a...quite a few other, you know, things to think about, you know. There's also the problem of why is it a problem. It's a problem because there is so much development. And, I ...I see the, the, you know, just pretty clear that the shooting is following the patterns of development and will continue to do so. You know, it will be over here next year and over there next year and...okay. Kanner: Thanks. Lehman: Other discussion? Karr: We have a motion to accept correspondence. Vanderhoef: So moved. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Donnell. All in favor? Motion canies. (all ayes) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #10 Page 15 ITEM NO. 10. PLANS, SPECIHCATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HICKORY HILL PARK TRAIL PROJECT, ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS, AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECIPT OF BIDS. Lehman: The public hearing. The public heating is open. Lori Bears: Good evening, Council, my name is Lori Bears. I live at 402 S. Gilbert Street. And I've got a testimony. (read testimony) Hello my name is Lori Bears and I'm here to speak for the Johnson County Coalition for Persons with Disabilities and on behalf of the Coalition I'm here to ask you to approve the Hickory Hill Park plan and specifications. We are completely behind this project. We are very excited about the plans for Hickory Hill as they now stand. We would like to thank the City Cotmcil, Dunbar Jones, and the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission and the Department for allowing us to participate so fully at every stage of the project. Hickory Hill Park is an excellent example of how City government and community groups can work together to make parks both accessible and beautiful. We would like to thank Terry Trueblood from the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department. Tom Dimbar and Mike Stineman from Dunbar Jones Partnership. Dave Purdy and the Friends of Hickory Hill and Lynn Sadler and all the intems from the Iowa Law School's legal clinic for making the process so effective and progressive. The Coalition pledges its continued support and participation. Again the Coalition asks this City Council to approve the Hickory Hill plans and specifications tonight and we hope to see you and other modern day trail blazers next July in Hickory Hill Park to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Loft. O'Donnell: Thank you, Loft. Lehman: You know, for the public's information, this is a project that was... involved a tremendous amount of con... of cooperation between the Johnson County Coalition for Persons with Disabilities and the Friends of Hickory Hill Park. And the result is a project that, from my understanding, has the unqualified endorsement of both groups. And Terry, I think you are to be commended for working this out and for everyone' s satisfaction something, I think, we can be proud of. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #10 Page 16 Terry Trueblood: Well, thank you very much. I appreciate that but it certainly wasn't me alone. I did want to just take this opportunity to let you know that because there were several concerns expressed at your meeting of two weeks ago, as I indicated last night, we did meet with the bulk of the committee that's been involved with the planning of this for well over a year. And basically, those concerns expressed turned out to be some misunderstanding and some confusion and everything was ironed out. After we met, they indicated that they understood why we had to do certain things the way we specified them and everybody is on board now. So, and I would also like to just take this opportunity to say that, as you know, or I think you know, I was out town at the last meeting. But, if I would have had any idea, whatsoever, that there was any concems over these plans and specifications I would have been here or I would have had somebody here in my place. Vanderheof: While you're there, Terry, could you tell me how the previous meeting went? Trueblood: Yeah. We did have pre-bid. We went ahead with that as scheduled END OF SIDE 1 ... attend that. The pre-bid meeting lasted something like an hour and forty-five minutes which is very long for a pre-bid meeting because they had a lot of questions. After that, our consultant, Mike Stineman, whose here this evening, went out to the park in the rain. Fortunately, I had other commitments so I didn't have to go out there in the rain. (laughter) You know, I might melt out there, anyway. But anyway, they went out there and walked around for about three hours just to make sure that they had a good clear picture of what the terrain is like and what the project is all about. As I said, they did have a lot of questions. I would say a fair amount of anxiety, I'm don't know if that's the right word or not but, it's a project that's bid different because there are many restrictions placed on the contractor particularly with regard to protection of trees and the narrow construction work space corridor. So, anyway, we're just keeping our fingers crossed that we will get some viable bids and go from there. You may have heard that we did not, or will not be receiving the grant that we applied for for the road oil substance so...But we recognized up front that we could still do the project without that. That that would be in addition to the project and not something that we were counting on for the project to be successful. So, we do plan on going ahead. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #10 Page 17 Vanderhoef: Could you reapply next year for that grant? Treeblood: Well, we could but it would be too late if the project goes forward. Because the road oil substance is something that has to be incorporated into the crushed limestone as it's installed. It's not something that you spray on it after it's already there. Vanderhoef: Okay. You mentioned the protection of trees and, at our last meeting, there was a statement made at the podium about careless removal of trees during the cemetery project. And, I was under the impression that we hadn't taken out any significant trees. Can you clarify that for the public, please? Trueblood: Certainly. As some of you may recall that we really made no pretense before that project that we would be able to save a lot of trees. Matter of fact, I think the most positive statement we were able to make is that we, if there were any really unique or significant trees, we would make every effort to save those. And if there were other trees that were, you know, weren't that unique but were good trees we would make an effort to save those as well. We had our forestry crew go through that entire section and evaluate all the trees and there were no unique or large or significant trees to be saved. There were, I think they said, about six or eight that were borde~ine. We did not save any trees and we knew going in, as I said, that we might not be able to save any trees. It was a question of, do you save a borderline tree and sacrifice maybe eight burial spaces to do so and, and the goal of that project was to get as many burial spaces as we could in that small area. So, that's what we went forth with. Yeah, but no, there were no trees marked to be saved. None whatsoever. Vanderhoef: Okay, thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Terry. Anyone else wish to speak at the hearing? Public heating is closed. Do we have a resolution approving? O'Donnell: So moved, gladly. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoef. Any Council discussion? Motion carries. (6/0, Pfab absent) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #11 Page 18 ITEM NO. 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST AN EXTENSION OF TE LISTING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND LEPIC-KROEGER REALTORS OF IOWA CITY, IOWA FOR THE COMMERCIAL UNITS REMAINING TO BE SOLD AT TOWER PLACE AND PARKING. Wilbum: Move adoption for resolution. 0'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Wilburn, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? I have one question, Steve. We've had some, I think, very good success in marketing these condominiums. What do we have left? I mean most of this... Atkins: We have...chosen, Joe's in the audience. It's seven units. Five of them sold at full price. Lehman: Yeah. So I mean are... Atkins: Right, Joe? Eight units. Lehman: Well, anyway, I think that has been more successful than I thought it would do when we started but... Council discussion under resolution? Roll call. Motion carries. (6/0, Pfab absent) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #12 Page 19 ITEM NO. 12. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC ART FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, THE OWNER, AND THE CURRENT TENANT OF 2 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET FOR A MURAL ALONG THE IOWA AVENUE SIDE OF 2 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET. Champion: Move the resolution. Lehman: By Champion. Wilburn: And second. Lehman: Seconded by Wilburn. Discussion? Kanner: Cotrole, have you figured out what it's going to be? I've gone by there. I... Champion: I didn't have time to go by today, but... No, I'm not too sure what it's going to be but it's coming along. Kanner: It looks colorful. Champion: It does. It's colorful. Lehman: You know if it has even a portion of the interest that the Blackhawk Mini Park with that mural that was there for so many years it will be a tremendous success. I don't know how many years that was there, Steve, do you? The Downtown Association painted that probably before you even got here. Atkins: You've been here a whole lot longer than I have. Lehman: That's true. O'Donnell: He's been here a whole lot longer than a lot of us. Lehman: But it's really, really... Atkins: Than everybody has Lehman: It was a very... In fact, that's where the Blackhawk Mini Park got it's name... Champion: That's right. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #12 Page 20 Lehman: ...was Chief Blackhawk painted on the side of that building which was pretty amazing. So, I think... Atkins: Thank you for that. Lehman: ...this will be very neat for downtown. Champion: I think...I'd just like to point out that Sandy, who owns Dulcinea has been very enthused about this project. And, this the kind of, typical of business owners downtown who take a real active interest in the downtown. And she's very excited about Iowa Avenue and she wanted to contribute to that. And, I thank her for doing that. Kanner: I want to mention that Dee and I were at the, along with Ross too, but we were at a workshop at the State League of Cities and we went to a workshop on public an and the people there were real exciting and we...I was especially impressed with a woman who coordinates some public an projects for the Twin Cities and some of the Grass Roots Art Projects. I think, things that are...like the mural and the more we can encourage that kind of thing, the more exciting it will be for the City as a whole. To have that color and that energy happening and I think this money is well spent. And hopefully we can duplicate in other areas. Lehman: Okay. Roll call. Motion carries (6/0, Pfab absent) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 21 ITEM NO.13. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION SELECTING A PREFERRED DEVELOPER FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF URBAN RENEWAL PARCEL 64-1A. Kanner: Move to defer. Lehman: Well, I would like...it's on the agenda and I would like to encour...invite the public to comment on this. We will be deferring this tonight. Dilkes: Let's get the... Kanner: Well, we need to move the motion. Dilkes: Let's get the motion on the... Lehman: Okay, we have a motion to defer from Mr. Kanner? Kanner: To next... Champion: October 8. Lehman: 8. Karmer: October 8. Champion: Second. Lehman: Moved by Kanner, seconded by Champion. Discussion? Public discussion? Dawn Mueller: Hello, Council. Dawn Mueller. I just wanted to ask the Council if you could keep in mind, I have a background in physics and am very interested in astronomy. I'm a little concerned, having seen the concept plan for the proposal last night. The potential for any light pollution to impact the observatory to effect the observatory on top of Van Allen Hall. Therefore, I would like to request that Council and any other committee that might take a look at this, to consider the impact of light pollution on the observatory and to contact some of the astronomers there to get from their perspective how they feel the impact would be. There are a couple of astronomers I would recommend. Bob Muttel and Steven Spangler at the Physics Department. If anybody is interest in seeing what the view is like from top of Van Allen Hall, I would be more than happy to give you a tour up there. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 22 Kanner: Can you... Lehman: Thank you, Dawn. Kanner: From the observatory can you still see significant astronomical objects? Mueller: It's well used by the faculty to teach students. There is a robotic refractor telescope up there which is used quite frequently for, not only the public is invited to come up to view, but also the students do projects utilizing the data there. And therefore, it's very critical to the astronomy teaching program for us to try and monitor the light pollution in town. The installation of the lighting fixtures on Lirm Avenue and some of the other lighting around town, while it is very ornamental and very pretty, from an astronomers point of view, it can be very debilitating. And, as somebody who has taught a number of children the wonders of the sky, and who has managed an observatory before, it is very nice that in Iowa City we have a pretty good view of the sky considering the amount of development that we have here. And I'd really like to do what we can to preserve it. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Kanner: Speaking of lights, I had heard there were shields of some sort put on some of the Dubuque Street lights after the streetscape. Is there anything to that? Lehman: I don't think so. Kanner: Someone had mentioned something about that. Atkins: We had...Last time we had a shield related lighting issue was on College Green Park and that was a number of years ago. I don't recall that, Steve. Karmer: There wasn't, huh? Atkins: No. Kevin Perez: Hi, my name's Kevin Perez. I...My...I've been reading this and I watched the four proposals on the Access Channel and I'm assuming that the committee has already made their decision. And, the problem I'm having is the fact that...Well, first of all, the 1.7 million dollars the property is appraised at...When you sell that property, and I talked to Karin Franklin today and she told me that that money goes into an account, that or that is...goes to benefit low and moderate income This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 23 families and make resources available to them. And that's where that 1.7 million dollars would go to if it was sold for the appraised value. And, I mean, obviously, tonight you can see some of that money could go for trails, for public transportation. It could go for a lot of different things. Ofthe proposals that lthink, that they are down to two that they're probably going to choose from. One is offered zero and the other one is offered 250,000. And, I think, in projects that are work 25 million dollars, I don't think that it's un...I don't feel that they should get such a good deal. I mean, the property is obviously a great piece of property, it's worth 1.7 million dollars cause that's what it's appraised at. I think that would be...It looks, it looks kind of suspicious when someone buys a piece of property for 250,000 and it's worth 1.7 million dollars. And that money would go to benefit the City. So, I just want to get some comment about that and I know you guys have talked about it. Lehman: (can't hear) Perez: And I talked, I talked at length with Karin Franklin today about where the money goes and I just, you know, 1.7 million is what 7% of a 25 million dollar project and it goes directly to the residents of the City. And you could make great improvements in the City. That's a lot of money. Lehman: One of the questions the Cotmcil will have to answer, and I think you bring up a good point. One of the four proposals offers, I believe 1.7 million dollars and a 12 million-dollar building. Which will produce tax revenue in less than 50% of two of the proposals that are made. So, I think, it becomes a matter of prudence at least for me as a Council person. Perez: Right. And, I understand. I traderstand. I understand that argument but why wouldn't...why wouldn't you say okay here's your 25 million project, the price of that property is 1.7 million dollars? I mean you've already had Lepic-Kroeger selling property for you, fight? I mean, they're doing it. We just talked about that earlier and you're talked about getting full price. Well, I mean, why...why would we take, why would you only take 250,000 for 1.7 million dollar property. It doesn't make sense. Cause it feels like you're taking money from the citizens,... Lehman: Right. We... Perez: ...you know. Cause that's exactly who it would benefit. Lehman: And we could do the 12 million-dollar project and get the 1.7. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 24 Perez: And, I think that should be part of the sale price. I mean, the sale price... just having it up in the air doesn't make any sense to me. You know, we have this for sale but we don't know how, you know...we don't have a price tag available. If you are going to develop the property, the price of 1.7 million, or close to it, should be a part of that price...should be a part of that agreement. Kanner: And actually, Ernie, one thing we could do is, we could ask for 1.7 million and then put that back into the apartments and possible condos and make that low income. Make that available some low income. We could put CDBG money... Perez: It's already earmarked according to the Urban Renewal where it has to go. And it has to go to low and moderate income, which I believe is $62,000 is the moderate income. Kanner: Right. But what I'm saying is we could subsit... what we do is we use that money for other projects, for profit or non profit, to have built housing that will house low and moderate income... Perez: 1.7 million dollars is a lot of money. It could be used for a lot of different things. And that's my whole point is the fact that we shotrid use... probably look at... that the sale price should be a lot closer to the appraised value. Lehman: Kevin, I'm sure. And, Steven, I'm sure that's going to be part of our discussion on the 8th. Atkins: What Steven is indicating is not out of the question. Lehman: Right. Atkins: Remember in 1969 when the property was tmder Urban Renewal? Federal Government provides some money, the land is purchased, it's written down, development occurs, and at the time you sell the property, where we are now, you have a choice of selling it and those monies going in the CDBG account and/or you can use it, the value of that land, for some alternate public improvement. And that's where it's a very broad definition for you all to decide on. Lehman: Well, those options we need to talk about on the 8th. Atkins: And that's, I'm sure, subject to negotiations with the developer you ultimately select. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 25 Lehman: Okay, thank you. Perez: But, 1.7 million goes farther than 250,000. Right? Lehman: Any way you want to cut it. Perez: Thank you. Lehman: Okay. Any other discussion? Chuck Goldberg: Good evening. Chuck Goldberg, 2136 Hastings Ave. I've been asked this evening by the ownership of the Sheraton Hotel to speak and let everybody here know our position on this project. While we've committed to all the developers to work very, very closely with them if their projects were to be chosen, Merstar Hotels and Resorts is thrown their support to the Moen Group in the concept that they have for the City. The meeting space will allow us to not only move the City forward, bringing in additional revenues to the City and increasing hotel/motel tax but, bringing in those groups that we can not bring in at this point. There are a lot of project in the, in the mix right now that, I believe, we need to look at. One of which is the project going on directly across the river from us in Coralville. I think that needs to be a largely considered as a hotel bringing in 200 rooms, I believe, at this point, to the competitive set of the City. Adding additional hotel rooms directly on the other side of that in our opinion, Merstar Hotels and Resorts, the ownership of the property, is not going to allow Iowa City to increase their hotel/motel tax. We believe it will actually have a detrimental effect to it. We believe that it will allow us to compete for the larger meetings. We even talked about League of City, I believe, last night. Those meetings are out there. There's no doubt about that. There's not doubt that they would choose to come to this City; but, are there enough of them out there to support the project of an entirely new hotel and meeting space next to an existing hotel. We've looked at it. We don't believe that that's the case. We believe that we can utilize, in conjunction with Moen group, the meeting space that they've proposed to step the City up to the next level and increase all the revenues all around. Again, I was asked to present this to you and give your opinion. We believe the proposal has stability to the downtown development. Brings in a base of people that would live in the downtown area above and beyond student level, which makes us very happy. We'd like to see a more mature audience move in down there and we believe the amenities that come along with that proposal would add to the downtown and to the level we would like to see downtown brought to. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Chuck. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 26 Marc Moen: Good evening. My name is Marc Moen. I'm one of the proposed developers for the 64-1A parcel. I live at 210 S. Clinton St. above the Mondo's Restaurant, downtown in Iowa City. I can't tell you what a thrill it is to be here. I came to Iowa City in 1976 as a student and never would have dreamed I would be standing before the Council proposing a 25 million dollar project for the City. And, it's been an amazing ride. We approached the City over a year ago about 64-1A and have been working on that project ever since. We got a favorable response from the City, that the City would be interested in entertaining proposals for that site. We're here a year later and about $50,000 in expenses later. That $50,000 went to provide you and the committee, the selection committee, with as detailed a plan as we could possibly provide you at this stage. Not only renderings of the building but floor plans of the interior and specific uses that we'll make of that building. There were some issues raised last night and I think some excellent question, questions that I would have if I were sitting on the Council, and I wanted to try and address some of those or just comment on them tonight briefly. First of all, the issue of the hotel/motel tax. I presented to Karin Franklin today a letter that details our position on that and I'm not going to try and get into all the figures of that now and the percentages, and room rates and all that but, what you need to consider, I think, or what the committee will need to consider, is one thing is the room rates. Our hotel has 57 suites. These are large, 525 square foot suites, two room suites. And, the rental rate on those suites is significantly higher than the rate on the standard fair hotel room. So, it's not 57 rooms versus 144 rooms in the two projects and you'll see the details of this, I think, when the committee presents it to you. But, we would wait those rooms at about 1.5 based on the rentals for those rooms as opposed to the standard rooms. So, ifa standard room rents for $100 per night the suite would rent for $150. Kanner: Does that take into account occupancy rates? I would assme the larger one is perhaps is a slightly smaller occupancy rate. Moen: Well, we don't think so. I mean, we think that from the analysis that we've done and from our conversations from other hotel operators, independent operators and our conversations with Sheraton we're filling a niche that doesn't exist in Iowa City. There is no upscale of this caliber, in fact, there' s no hotel in the Midwest, short of Chicago, that would meet the caliber of the hotel we're proposing. So, I think it would be a real destination point in addition to just supplying additional rooms. I mean have we something very specific in mind as to what we are going to do with this hotel if we get the project. And it's something very special. It's something that we don't have and no one around here has. When you look at the occupancy rate to This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 27 determine what the effect is on the motel/hotel tax you have to combine both the Sheraton existing rooms with the facility would be put on 64-1A. So, under our proposal you'll have 291 rooms total. Under the Executive Hotel Group proposal you'll have 378 rooms total. When you factor in the higher revenue per room for the suites, both hotels, and I... again, you're going to have to see this in writing, I think, and get the specifics of it but, both the... When you' re comparing that they would have to run at 85% occupancy, both hotels, both the Executive Groups Hotel proposal and the Sheraton to produce the same revenue that we would produce if the, if our hotel were full and the Sheraton Hotel were occupied. So, they have to get, and I'm not explaining that very well but, they would have to get to 85% occupancy, both of those, before you would realize any addition hotel/motel tax. And it's seldom that they would be at 85% occupancy. That is, in addition, offset by the fact that when you are running at less than 85% occupancy, since our rooms will rent for more than the standard fare, there will be more revenue generated during those times and there's an offset that's increased revenue which is increased hotel/motel tax with offsets some of that additional hotel/motel tax that you might conceivably receive if the larger hotel were filled. We've had a lot of discussion among our own group, with experts, with consultants in Des Moines, with the Sheraton Group about the optimal number of rooms given the environment in Iowa City, what's available at the Sheraton, all of those factors and that' s how we came up with the number of rooms that we did. It wasn't just pulled out of a hat. And again, these are luxury hotel suites unlike anything else in the Midwest. And these are designed to complement and not compete directly with the Sheraton. Again it's something that the Sheraton doesn't offer and no one else in town offers. As a resident of Iowa City and a property owner of downtown property I want to make sure that we do nothing to take business away from the Sheraton. And our feeling, and we've had this confirmed by others we've consulted with, is that a full size hotel, as opposed to a small luxury hotel that we're proposing, would take business away from the Sheraton. Our goal is to work with the Sheraton and to enhance that property. And they've committed to work with us to enhance our property. And we think it's a great marriage. It's also...our project has been designed to...and the uses have been designed to enhance the traffic to existing businesses in the downtown area such as restaurants and retail establishments. Initially we considered a restaurant in this facility and we decided again that after determining the number of quality restaurant in a four block area around the pedestrian plaza. We also have talked to the Sheraton and they have plenty of facility, plenty of physical plant to service not only there hotel but our 57 hotel suites and also the convention and conference facility that we are proposing as part of this project. They have two kitchens on two different levels. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 28 They have all the facilities they need to service those, both of those enterprises. And, in fact, our building was actually designed and placed on the lot to compliment the Sheraton and to avoid interrupting any of the views from their rooms. And that's the reason it was set on the lot the way it was. And that's what, the reason the building is designed at an angle that, to make sure that we are not interfering with any of those views. Another aspect that I want you to be aware of is that the hotel requirements, if the hotel requirements are greater than we anticipate, on level seven through eleven of our, of our building, those can easily be converted to hotel uses. Now, if we convert those to hotel suites, that would be 19 per floor. If we did it the smaller rooms it would be even more than that. But those are easily converted to hotel space. It could be done...if we know that that need is there immediately, we could do it immediately. If it's ten years down the road, we could do it ten years down the road. Ourbelief is that it is a wiser way to develop this property to start first of all filling a niche that isn't filled with luxury hotels suites and secondly to allow for expansion rather than plunk down a large hotel next to an existing hotel. Lehman: Marc, you're going to need some kind of... unless we get questions, kind of rap it up so we don't go too much longer. Moen: Okay. Just a couple of other things. The grocery store idea has been extremely well received. I've had enormous support on that. I think that points out the benefit to a local person doing the development on this site because, I think, only a local person feels the pulse of the City. And, I can tell you that we are absolutely committed to a grocery store and that it can be put into the development agreement and we will sign it with not hesitation. I've also provided Karin with some information on the energy proposals that we're contemplating. And, just one other note, the $250,000 that was offered...I just don't want there to be any misunderstanding on this, is up front money with this... our commitment to negotiate with the City on whatever additional costs are reasonable for that development right and the land. Our preference is to pay that over a ten year period but we certainly don't expect to buy that land for $250,000. Thanks. Lehman: Thank you, Mark. KevinBoyd: I'mKevinBoyd. I live at 2216 N Dodge. And ljust want to make a couple quick con'kments. I went to all four proposals at the library. I thought it was really nice way of getting citizen involvement input. And, I was pleased to find out that the Moen's had gotten preferred developer status, at least recommended by the staff. I just wanted to also, since there was some discussion last night about considering This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 29 another option, I think it's important that we consider the local developers first. And, I think it's the...if you're looking at the two projects, the Executive Hotel and the Moen project, my support is for the Moen project because it is local. So, thank you. Lehman: Kevin. O'Donnell: Thanks, Kevin. Tom Summy: Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Council members. My name is Tom Summy. I live at 2505 Rochester Avenue, Iowa City. It seems kind of irrelevant how long ones has lived here in town, I think, for this particular purpose. The primary goal of Iowa City and block 64-1A is to ensure the economic viability of the Central Business District. It was set forth in the Urban Renewal Plan many years ago and it's still true today. The development of the proposal that the Executive Hotel Group submitted is complementary to the Iowa City streetscape and also complementary to the proposed new library that would be adjacent to it. The Executive Hotel Group proposes a project of 25 to 30 million dollar in the form of a ten story building, 144 rooms with valet parking to be available to the near by City garages of which there would be four, at that time. Sixty private residential condominiums and 20,000 to 25,000 of convention space. And that would include a 600 room, a 600-seat ballroom. And, there would also, of course, be related breakout rooms and those would be on the first and second floor. Addition to an upscale restaurant, that would provide a complimentary pleasure of staying to those, for those staying in the hotel. As well as, having a new dining experience for the people in, within this region. This make-up would truly make it an upscale property. We know from previous experience that when you bring a project of this size into the Central Business District, the little competition also is good as a major catalyst to grow retail business in any area. That's the whole concept of shopping centers, good or bad, whether you favor them. But, competition together, is good. It brings more people into the market place. Sixty condominium units would have at least one underground parking space per unit thereby ensuring the marketability of the units. All the units would be a minimum of two bedrooms, two bathrooms and would have a variety of amenities available to ones in terms of housing and furnishings, maid service and room service. Itisinourplanthatiftheownerofanunoccupied condominium would like to rent that, the hotel would assume that responsibility providing those services as requested. And, in addition, as you know, a condominium of that nature is also covered under the lodging tax. Block 64-A is that last piece of the Urban Renewal puzzle. A project which was to serve and anchor as a magnet to the visitors of hiwa City for years to come. We submit, and we'll also do This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 30 this later, a vita the architect, Bob Zeigelman, that...and it'll highlight the, his firms experience as a merit architect for the city, the State of Michigan. In the four proposals before the Council, only the Executive Group had develop a proposal of this size and scope and importance. And, of course, this is all based upon what our consultant told us was feasible. They came to town. They spent four days here talking to University Officials and the Convention Bureau, the Sheraton Hotel people, business people on the street and people who are buyer of convention space. And then based upon that, made a recommendation to us. And a copy of that will be submitted to you. The Executive Hotel exper, company is experienced hotel operators. This is not their first time at this type of situation and it's been done in a very competitive market, which is the core of downtown Detroit. I guess the saying goes, there's no substitute for a little experience. As we submitted previously, the primary goal is the economic success of downtown. We urge the Council to be make their selection upon a quantitative, economic viability rather than on a public policy. Thank you very much. Kanner: Tom? Lehman: Thank you, Tom. Kanner: I had a question. Lehman: Go ahead. Kanner: Like, the other development proposal, you're asking for TIF financing. But you didn't offer a price. Do you have a price that you're offering at this time? Summy: $250,000. Kanner: 250 Summy: For the, what's called development rights and TIF financing. That'll even the playing ground for you a little. Lehman: Thanks, Tom. Champion: Thanks, Tom. Summy: Thank you. Dawn Mueller: Another comment that I wanted to express to Council, last night it was of a little bit of concern what sort of grocery store would go in and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 31 Councilor Vanderhoef made a comment which I thought was very important. Is that, she was interested in having some kind of flag store in there, such as a Hy-Vee or an Eagle, which would have definite longevity so that the store would not fail and then turn over into something else, perhaps which downtown would not want. Speaking to the issue of competition, I felt a little concerned when you brought up the name Hy-Vee. I'm starting to feel as if in Iowa City I am being surrounded by Hy-Vee and I would love to offer them some competition. Also, with respect to competitiveness with New Pioneer Co-op, I don't know what sort of grocery store would go in there but I also wouldn't want to undermine the business of the Co-op. I enjoy it very much. If there is a need for a particular type of store downtown, a grocery store, one thing that needs to be kept in to consideration is a number of people in the downtown community live downtown, don't have vehicle and are desirous of a grocery store to which they can walk. These tend to be students quite a bit. And, I would encourage folks to think about possibly putting a type of grocery store which would be affordable to the student population. That may conflict with the idea of an Executive Hotel which sounds more upscale to me. But I just wanted to remind of some of the needs of the community. Just one quick other conunent as long as the developer, Mr. Moen, is here, I would also like to extend my invitation to give a tour of the top of Van Allen Hall and the observatory there to the developers so that we can address any engineering concerns. One of my concerns with the design of the Moen proposal is that with this steel and glass exterior of the building, there's the potential for beaming light in that direction given the orientation ofthe building. I'm concerned about that and also, in addition to the optical telescope on top of the building, there is also a radio telescope and the possibility for signals reflecting off of that building back to the radio dish is also one that needs to be kept in consideration. Thank you. Kauner: Where's Gary Seaman when you need him? Lehman: I hate to...You'll find him on Friday afiemoon. Well, I would like to go ahead and vote on the motion to defer. Obviously, this discussion will continue on the 8th, which is when hopefully we will be discussing this. Steven. Kauner: I ... I have concern as Kevin Perez about the asking price and it appears that we would probably pick one ~nalist and then negotiate. And I would ask the Council to consider that we ask...we come from a position of strength and we negotiate with the two ~nalist before we pick one. That way, I think we can get a higher price. And, so, that's something, I think, we need to consider. I would ask the Council to consider at our next work session when we might talk about this. And, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 32 along those lines, what are the open meeting laws, Eleanor, in regards to negotiating these prices? Is this something that can be done? Has to be done in open? Or ifCouncil's involved... Lehman: There' s four of them. Kanner: ...can it be done in closed session? Dilkes: Well, the same roles apply. If Council, I mean, if a... if four or more Members of Council are negotiating the contract that would be subject to the open meetings law. If staff is negotiable it or if less than four Members of Council are negotiating it, then it likely would not. Kanner: So, when...if we were to negotiate with two at once and say, give us your best offer, our staff would do that. And they come back to us and say this is what's being offered. Do we have to do that in an open meeting? Dilkes: Again, it depends on who is doing the negotiations. If Council is doing the negotiations... Karmer: No, staff...Let me repeat that again, Eleanor. Staff is negotiating with both proposals... Dilkes: There would be no open meetings required. Kanner: ...and they come back to Council and say this is what we have from the two. Do we have to meet in open meeting or is it something... Dilkes: Ifthere's a report being made to Council about the negotiations, that would be done in open session. Does that answer your question? Kanner: Not, not real... completely but... Dilkes: The concept, Steven, is that, if there is a governing body involved, you all, not staff or a couple of you, then the open meetings law comes into play. Kanner: So, when we do acquisition of property, we're...we can go into closed session for that? Dilkes: You can. Kanner: But this is the opposite of that. Dilkes: You will... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 33 Kanner: Selling, selling property does not merit closed session. Dilkes: Selling property does not. Lehman: Well, it's an RFP. I mean, it's a public proposal. I suspect that negotiations that would necessarily have to be public. That's not to say staff can't negotiate with the two folks we're talking to and come back to us next Monday, a week from Monday,... Dilkes: For... Lehman: ... and give us the results of their negotiation. But that's public meeting. Dilkes: For example, the water plant property that you talked... that we have for sale and that we're looking at selling to the University. There were discussions at the staff level between the University and City Staff that were not done at public meetings. When the report was made to you about what the City, what the University's offer was, that was done in open session. Kanner: I'm just trying to figure out what's the way to get the best money for the land, the most money for the land. Vanderhoef: Well, I suspect that, that if we chose as a Council to set a policy of we would take no less than, we could get that introduction to our staff. That, that' s always been a possibility for us. Dilkes: Remember too, that you're not... if you choose a, a preferred developer and then enter into negotiations you are not committed, I mean, and you don't get what you want during the course of those negotiations, there's nothing binding you to... Lehman: I think that's a really good point because, I think that most of us are in, and I guess I would consider myself the same. I'm kind of in this mode that we are going to select one of these and that' s a done deal. And that really isn't true. This is an RFP. And after we select the preferred developer, there is any, any amount of negotiation that we can do. And any time that we're...if we're satisfied, the project moves along. If we are not satisfied or we don't feel it's right, then... There's nothing that says we have to do anything. And I, you know, I, I tend not to think about that but, that's exactly right, Eleanor. Once the, with the preferred developer is selected, then there may be some pretty serious negotiation. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 34 Wilburn: And that's a point to start those negations. Because, I would like to point out that when...although, at the time, I was the only one who didn't want to put anything on the lot, when the criteria for the RFP were developed, we didn't, we didn't rank those criteria and say that the number one criteria is the amount of money that we can get for the property. While I'd like to see us get as much as we can, but, you know, again, I think, once a developer is selected, again, you're looking at negotiating again. Champion: In all (can't hear), I think we should hone in on, on the, on the land itself, although we will certainly be paid for it. We are looking at a whole concept that we want downtown and so we're not, we're not looking to sell the land. We could, we could've put that land on the market and sold it, I'm sure. But we...that's not how we chose to sell it. We wanted a concept there. Something we were after. Wilburn: All the criteria... Champion: All the criteria... Vanderhoef: I think, I think there's a combination. There's a concept there but there' s also a return on our investment and our investment has been sitting there as a parking lot for a long time. And, now... Champion: But that's nobody's fault but our own. Vanderhoef: That's right. And now... Champion: We don't need developer for that. Vanderhoef: Now it's part of the negotiation, is to look and see what we get back in taxes... Champion: Of course. Vanderhoef: ...and so forth that may offset the selling price. Champion: Right. That's what the whole concept is about. Vanderhoef: And I feel comfortable doing that because, if this benefits the community to the point that we increase our tax base and bring in more dollars to our general fund, then it makes us capable to do other projects that include all these other things. And it certainly falls into the purview of CDBG monies to do this as a community project. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 35 Dilkes: I, I think just a coup...another analogy that might help you, Steven, is that ...it's my position, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to negotiate with two different entities at the same time, playing them off against each other. This is a s...this is analogous to what we do with consultants where we choose on, based on their qualifications and then we negotiate a price with them. As opposed to a competitive bidding situation where you have some very concrete parameters that you're looking at, price being the major one and you seek closed bids and whichever price comes in the lowest...if we're dealing with a public improvement project or the, you know, highest. If we're dealing with bonding then you choose that. But that's really not the kind of situation we have here. Kanner: Well, actually, the X factor here, for the most...We have everything laid out, for the most part, except for the selling price of the land. So, it is...I don't see the complications there, Eleanor. It seems pretty easy to say, this is what you're offering, this is what you're offering, we have that, we don't know what X is, as far as the selling price. Give us your best offer in a sealed bid. Dilkes: Well, I think... Kanner: Give us your best offer Executive Hotel. Give us your best offer, Moen. And see which one comes out higher. And then we can use that to, to perhaps start a new round of negotiations. Dilkes: Well, I think, as Ross pointed out, that's not how you went into this. You went into this... Lehman: You're right. Dilkes: ... looking at the... a number of different factors and you are not comparing apples to apples at this point. You are comparing apples to oranges. Price is a factor but it's one factor. So, I think... Lehman: Well, you know, this gives us a lot to think about in two weeks. You know, isn't this a wonderful problem to have? I mean really. Vanderhoef: It's wonderful that we've Lehman: We sat here with... Vanderhoef: got four good projects... Lehman: Yeah. We sat here with a vacant lot that frankly there was very little interst on the part of developers for a lot of years and now we've got This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #13 Page 36 them knocking at the door. I think that's wonderful. Are we ready to vote? To defer this until the next meeting? O'Donnell: Let's do. Kanner: Yes. Lehman: All in favor. Motion carries. And we're going to take a break. Karr: We have a motion to accept correspondence. Lehman: We have a motion. O'Donnell: So moved. Lehman: By O'Donnell. Wilbum: Second. Lehman: Seconded by Wilburn to defer, or to accept correspondence. All in favor. Motion can-ies. And we will return at fifteen minutes to nine. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #6 Page 37 ITEM NO. 6. HEARING ON PROPOSED CIVIL PENALTY OF $300.00 AGAINST OUTER LIMITS OF IOWA CITY. Lehman: This is a heating, not a public hearing. Andy Chappell: Thank you Mayor. My name is Andy Chappell. I'm an Assistant County Attorney and as most of you know, I think, by now, our office is administering these civil penalties on behalf of the City. And, also as you know, Iowa Code section 453A.22 provides that when the employee of a business is guilty... is guilty... END TAPE 01-88 ...tobacco to a minor. The business can then be assessed a civil penalty. Per civil penalty for each business is a $300 civil penalty. With respect to outer limits...Let me also back up and say I want to thank the Council for making the time accommodation, pushing this backing this up a little bit. Lehman: No problem. Chappell: I appreciate that. Back to the story, with respect to Outer Limits, specifically in this case, we had a juvenile...the Police Department had a juvenile who went into the business, went up to the bartender, requested change for the cigarette machine. Change was given, I believe the bartender even checked the I.D. and for whatever reason, still gave the change and directed the juvenile right to the cigarette machine. I was just given a copy of some correspondence I believe the Council has received from the business owner which appears to do nothing to dispute any of that. Based on those facts, I believe a violation was corrkmitted by the, by an employee of Outer Limits of Iowa City and that they, that Outer Limits of Iowa City should be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of $300. Lehman: Any questions from the Council? Thank you, do we have a motion? Chappell: Yes. Kanner: Yeah, I had a question. The person said I want change for the cigarette machine? Chappell: The juveniles are directed specifically to ask for change specifically for the cigarette machine. Yes. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #6 Page 38 Karmer: And, the owner of Outer Limits, or the licensee, notes that the Iowa Code is posted there. Did they have...did the owner have his instruction posted in regards to not selling to minors? Chappell: I have no idea. I'11...I'll give the employee the, or the employer the benefit of the doubt and assume that he did everything in his power to put up any rules he may have had. I just don't think it matters. What triggers the civil penalty is the violation of the State Code by the employee. Dilkes: That's accurate. Wilburn: I don't know if this is... What? Were you done? I'm sorry. I don't know if this is...this probably isn't relevant to that but I'm just curious. In his correspondence he points out that they don't have a cigarette permit. (can't hear) Champion: They dropped it. Wilbum: They can have a machine and not... Champion: They dropped it. Chappell: I believe the correspondence, the way I read it, is that they no longer have the cigarette permit. My understanding is that after, in fact, the very next day... Lehman: They removed it the following day. Chappell: They removed the cigarette machine and likely handed in the permit to your City Clerk. Karr: They simply let it laps and it did not get renewed July 1. Wilbum: Okay. O'Donnell: And the employee is not longer working there. Chappell: That's my understanding as well. But based solely on the correspondence. Lehman: Okay. Is there... Kanner: They can renew that if they wanted to at any time? That license. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #6 Page39 Lehman: Anybody could. Karr: They could apply to re...to... they would reapply for a new license at the time, yes. Dilkes: The, the issue is that non-payment of the fine kicks in a suspension and the question then becomes, if there's no permit what is there to suspend? That could come in to play if there was a re...if there was a request for a permit made down the road. Lehman: Is there a motion to consider resolution assessing the penalty? Vanderhoef: So moved. Lehman: Moved by Vanderheof. Wilbum: Second. Lehman: Seconded by Wilburn. Discussion. (6/0, Pfab absent). Thank you very much. Chappell: Thank you, Council. Thanks again for accommodating my schedule. Lehman: That's okay. Champion: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #14 Page 40 ITEM NO. 14. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE SENIOR CENTER BUILDING ENVELOPE WATERPROOFING PROJECT. Champion: Move the resolution. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion. Kanner: Could you explain the add-on and what happened with the water coming in? Atkins: Linda's here. She knows everything about that. Kanner: Probably too much that you want to... Linda Kopping: The original bid, or the original estimate was to cover some repair to the windows, some tuck pointing and to repair the front stairs, both sets of front stairs. Earlier this year, we'd had some waterproofing done to the west side of the building but we didn't do anything under that stairs because there was no anticipation that we would have to remove the stairs. So, after the original estimate was taken and submitted to the Council, there was a heavy rain storm and we had water leakage from the west side of the building fight beneath where this, both stairways are. So, it became pretty logical to incorporate doing the water repair under the stairs when we had the stairs out and then complete the whole project so we could get all the waterproofing done at the same time. Arkins: Linda brought it to me at the time. You had approved one number and it seemed to make good sense that if we were going to do a waterproofing project, lets incorporate all of it into one bid. That's when we changed the bid and we want to do it...and that's that memorandum you got yesterday informed you of that. Kanner: There's some leakage on the big staircase in the lobby. Is this going to take care of some that leakage or is that a different problem7 Kopping: Yes, that, that, that leakage is due to a window problem and the window repairs have been incorporated into this. Kanner: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #14 Page 41 Kopping: Uh-huh. Vanderhoef: Does anyone know how long this waterproofing is supposed to last? It seems like we've done this once before? Kopping: The tuck pointing was done once before and I think that's probably something that will need to be done again in the future because it's exterior of the building. But, this, the waterproofing that's below ground, I would think, would be pretty permanent. Atkins: I think you can pretty well tell yourself that we will continue to put money into that building. It's, I don't know. How old is it? Kopping: 1904 Arkins: 1904. So, it's 100 years old and when you're 100 years old you start to crack. Wilburn: Kind of like my old car. O'Donnell: Older then Emie. Atkins: Like your what? Vanderhoef: May even be before. Lehman: It's older than I am. Atkins: As Ross points out, it's a lot like his former car. Lehman: I don't think there's any building that doesn't require maintenance. Vanderhoef No. Lehman: Is there other discussion on this? O'Donnell: No. Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries. (6/0, Pfab absent) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #15 Page 42 ITEM NO. 15. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR TEMPORARY USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA WITH, BILL MILHALOPOULAS, AND ATLAS WORLD GRILL, INC. D/B/A ATLAS WORK GRILL, FOR A SIDEWALK CAFI~. Champion: Move the resolution. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? Vanderhoef: Did we get an answer? Karr: I did get an answer, I believe, ifI understood your question. This particualar request if from a one of the new restaurants on Iowa Avenue. And, with that streetscape that' s a 33 foot wide, from curb to building, sidewalk and so the Atlas is requesting 12 feet of it for use as a side walk caf6, leaving 21 feet of sidewalk. This is a pretty unusually situation because of the configuration of the streetscape there. Lehman: All fight. Vanderhoef: Yeah. Where, where the narrow part was that I have been concerned about is that we end up with bike racks and benches and trees. Karr: We are taking, we are also going to be taking a look at that. But again, the ordinance itself has not changed from the 8 foot requirement. Vanderhoef: I understand. That's fine. But what I was trying to get was the distance between the street scaping things and the permanent fencing because I was concerned that that if someone was going to put in permanent fencing then we might be looking at changing this. I wanted to be sure them was plenty. Karr: This will be coming up every year for renewal as well so we can take a look at that time also. Vanderhoef: Okay. Thank you. Lehman: Other discussion? Kanner: Dee, you're worried about ifthere's going to be the required 8 feet or not? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #15 Page 43 Vanderhoef: Well, I think there is in this case but it's...that's always my concern that 8 foot is too narrow and maybe we should be looking at at least 10 foot between steetscaping pieces that are obstacles for pedestrians and whatever the fence is for a sidewalk caf~. Kanner: So, you're thinking that 10 feet in general that we might consider changing our ordinance to? Vanderhoef: That's what I'm asked to have looked at and brought to us to look at. I don't know what the ramifications are throughout the downtown. Champion: Well, it'd be a lot I think on some of the older streets like... Vanderhoef: Well, I don't know that. Champion: ...like Washington and... Lehman: Aren't we kind of in... Karr: It'll be a couple weeks. Lehman: Aren't we kind of in a holding pattern just to see how...if the 8 feet does not work I'm sure we're going to hear about it. Karr: But the 8 feet has been in existence for some time. Lehman: Right. Karr: We've had morn requests for more sidewalk caf~'s based on that 8 feet. Lehman: Right. Apparently, Kanner: So, maybe we need to have a work session on this down the road. Vanderhoef: Well, take a look at it before we start taking renewals for next year. Lehman: Well, I would agree with that except that if we aren't having any difficulties with 8 feet I don't know why we would change it. Champion: Right. Vanderhoef: I think there are some difficulties in a couple of places. Lehman: That's what we need to know. That's what we need to know. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #15 Page 44 Kanner: It is, it is a little difficult for people in wheelchairs to get. Lehman: Okay, roll call. Motion carries. (6/0, Pfab absent) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #17 Page 45 ITEM NO. 17. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO OFFER FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES AS A RESULT OF ACTS OF TERRORISM. Vanderhoef: Move the resolution. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Dee, you were at the League of Cities and I believe this is, came from that meeting, or at least that's were... Vanderhoef: Part of it. Lehman: ... the seed was planted. Vanderhoef That was...I brought it back and asked staff to take a look at it. It seemed like a real appropriate thing to do at that time. I think everyone was very frustrated on what they could do and just making a public statement of support for the areas where the terrorism took place. Subsequently, it appeared that the Red Cross is the vehicle to use to make sure the dollars get to all the people who have been effected by this in the disaster areas. So, I strongly support this and hope you will too. Lehman: Other discussion? I certainly would not...I mean this, to me, is a symbol of how this community feels. Obviously the financial assistance in miniscule to the scope of the problem but I think it does indicate to those folks that this City does feel like we have a concern, that we care about those folks. And so I certainly would endorse this resolution. Wilburn: I'd also like to mention, the local Red Cross is looking at... keep an eye in the media that they are going through the process of having trainings for disaster relief cause they have to send trained volunteers out. And people were lining up and wanted to know how they could go out and do that. But a, but a keep your eye out, too, for those workshops. Okay. Kanner: I, too, am going to support this and I think that we need to...think this will be a small token of helping the people that were victims of the violence. I just wanted to say, I think that one of the ways that we can work against the violence is to keep doing what we're doing in terms of democracy here in Iowa City and trying to be as including and have a democratic process that brings people in as much as possible. When This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #17 Page 46 people feel they have a voice, I think, they are less prone to do violence. And I just wanted to read a quote from Martin Luther King. That' s one thing I haven't been hearing in this discussion, just a short quote that he wrote in 1958. He said that, "I could only close the gap in broken community by meeting hate with love. If I meet hate with hate I become depersonalized because creation is so designed that my personality can only be fulfilled in the context of community. When I love, I restore community." So, I think we have to try as hard as possible to look at replying to violence with non-violent means as much as possible. Lehman: Other discussion. Roll call. (6/0, Pfab absent) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #20 Page 47 ITEM NO.20. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION. Champion: I would just like to tell people and remind people that the ballots are ready for the primary election and you can vote early at the auditors office as of today. I voted. Lehman: All right. O'Donnell: I would second that and I would just like to say that I artended one of the Senior Center functions and watched this group of incredible people get a 20 year award of service to the Senior Center. And that is truly amazing. I was wondering, we've rescheduled the dedication of the SkyWalk. Does anyone know when that is? Champion: Yes. Lehman: Yes, she told us earlier tonight. It's on... O'Dounell: I'm sorry. I forgot. Lehman: October 4 at 1:00. Unless I get them to move it to 12:00. I think over the lunch hour would be great with everybody walking around downtown. But anyway... O'Donnell: (can't hear) Champion: It's probably too late to change that. O'Donnell: That's all I had. Lehman: Never, never too late. Dee. Vanderhoef: Okay, we've had several people come the microphone today and we've gotten e-mails about this power and electric municipality. There was a forum that was eluded to tonight and I just thought I would tell you that there are replays of the forum on Public Power. One of them is tomorrow night at 10:45pm. There's another one Thursday at 3:30am. This is on Channel 4. However,... Lehman: Who are you talking to about these? Vanderhoef: PATV Lehman: Set your recorder for that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #20 Page 48 Vanderhoef: Yes, PATV, Channel 2 is also going to show it four times. And October 3 at 7:30 P.M., October 5 at 11 P.M., October 8 at 10:30 P.M. and October 11 at 10:30 P.M.. So anyone that's interested in listening to that, those are the dates and I will give these to our cable TV and have them mn the hours. Lehman: Okay. Vanderhoef: That's all I have. Kanner: (can't hear) Vanderhoef: On a sleepless night, huh. Lehman: Ross. Anything for Council time? Wilburn: Oh, uh. Vanderhoef: Hello. Wilbum: What did you say about sleeping time? Lehman: You don't get in the mode for that until about 11:00, right? Wilbum: Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, not tonight. Lehman: Okay. Kanner: Three things. One again, Dee, Ross, and myself went to the State League of Cities and I went to some good workshops. One was about municipal telecommunications where they actually recommend that if you consider that, you piggy back it on a municipal electric franchise. It's much easier to do that with the infrastructure. And that was kind of iutemsting. And that's something to think about. Also, as I mentioned before, community neighborhood mediation programs taking place in Ames and Dubuque and something we might want to consider getting going here. And, also, the idea of study circles. We talked about the process that happened with Parks & Rec and Hickory Hill Trail. I think that was a collaborative effort and there... these kind of collaborative efforts are taking place all over the country especially with study circles. The National League of Cities is recommending it and it's being done successfully in Waterloo to deal with racial issues and I think it's something that we might want to look at especially in regards to the jail issue. And, I'll get more information out to the Council and also to the County on those things. And two, saw Kurt Vonnegut a couple weeks ago, the author of Slaughterhouse This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #20 Page 49 Five and other books and I like one thing he said. The purpose for him of life is to have fun and have time to fart around. So hopefully I'll be able to achieve some of that. Vanderhoef: Maybe we quit on that one. Kanner: Just one final thing... Vanderhoef: Aw... Kanner: ...it's...the New Year's for the Jewish faith, Rosh Hashanah last week and tomorrow night is Yom Kippur. These are the high holidays of the Jewish religion and it's a good time for me personally, as a Jewish person, to have Rosh Hashanah to come because it's a period of renewal, spiritual renewal and I appreciate that at this time with the events that have happened in the last couple weeks. So, I do though want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Steven. Couple things. Actually, maybe three. Friday morning, and I don't have the letter with me. Steve, you may have to help me. Atkins: Okay. Lehman: ACT is having a ground breaking for their project which is in the neighborhood of a $40 million project. Atkins: I believe it's 9:30. Lehman: This Friday at 9:30, I believe. And I personally would really appreciate, and I'm sure ACT would appreciate, as many of our Council folks as possible out there. This is a huge event for this community and I think it's something that really deserves our attention and our respect. So, Sat...Friday morning at 8:30 for those...9:30 for those of us who can be there. Champion: Okay. Lehman: Good. O'Donnell: I'll be there. Lehman: I think that's...I think that's important. Obviously, our last meeting we did not have public discussion or Council time but I was privileged to go to a ribbon cutting for the Small Mall. It's a store on the comer of Gilbert and Court Street. That is a project that was funded by This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #20 Page 50 allocation from our CDBG monies for folks with disabilities. It is anything but a small mall and I would encourage all of you to stop by. It is the neatest place and to me, that is a real example of money that's intended for social programs really, really working. Here are folks who have jobs. They're working, they're proud of where they work. They've got a neat little place and they've got a cute gift shop, a great print shop, art shop, antique shop, coffee shop built. Great coffee. So, it's really worth stopping down there. I really...and we did that 4:00 in the afternoon on a home football game and there must have been 50 or 60 folks there. I thought it was just great. O'Donnell: Good. Lehman: Last night we visited briefly or listened briefly for a...the start of what I suspect will be probably some extensive discussion of electric utility franchising. I talked to Dale earlier this afternoon and I'd like to have some indicating from the Council. Obviously, MidAmerican Energy is going to want to make a proposal to us. My suspicion is that the coalition who is interested in municipal utilities would also like to make a presentation. Now what I would propose, with the consent of the Council, is that we schedule each of those two to come for a half- hour/forty-five minutes during a work session so that we can get their input. I mean, I really believe...I got my eyes opened last night as to how complicated this thing really is. But, I would like to see us, if it's all right with the Council, to get a presentation from MidAmerican and also from the coalition and then start our deliberation and have an opportunity to ask some questions. Is that... Champion: Yes. Lehman: ... satisfactory. Champion: Good. O'Donnell: I think that makes great sense. Lehman: And I think, it's best if we do it on two separate nights... Champion: Yes. Lehman: ...because of two reasons. We won't get a debate going between the two different groups and also, work sessions tend sometimes to last a long time. We're probably going to do a better job is we do one each time. So, Dale, if you and Steve schedule those and we'll proceed with that. Last night I misspoke about a letter that was requested from the City of Coralville supporting their Convention and Tourism This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #20 Page 51 Center. And I...the funding that Coralville is applying for is CAT money not Vision Iowa money. This is a $50-55 million project for a convention center hotel that Coralville is proposing and they would like a letter of support from Iowa City for that project. And, I see no reason that we should not send them that letter. Champion: No. That's fine. Lehman: So, with your concurrence, I will send that letter. O'Donnell: I think it's a per... Champion: It's for the convention center, correct? Lehman: This is not Vision Iowa funds. Vanderhoef: This is for the hotel... Lehman: Hotel, convention center,... Vanderhoef: ...convention center... Lehman: ...all of it. That's all it applies to. Vanderhoef: Right. Okay. And this is... O'Dounell: And there would be no reason for us not to send that. Vanderhoef: ...the CATP funds are funds that are for community attractions and tourism but they are for small projects so what they are asking for from this is a $4 million a grant... Lehman: Over four years isn't it? Vanderhoef: I don't know whether it's four years but... Lehman: I think, I think it's over three or four years. Vanderhoef: But, but that's about the max that any of the small ones come. And they have to compete with other cities of their equal size for those funds because those funds are broken down into three categories for different size cities. So, they're...the State Legislature is making sure that all cities have an opportunity. So, this isn't...we wouldn't even be in the same group if we were to apply for CATP funds. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #20 Page 52 O'Donnell: No, we aren't. And this is just one community helping another and it's perfectly appropriate. Vanderhoef: And I think it's... Champion: It's totally appropriate. Lehman: Well, is that...Do I have concurrence of the Council to do that? O'Donnell: Yes. Kanner: Well, I... There was concern brought up yesterday, which I also share about the convention center, is tied with the proposed Vision Iowa. And... Lehman: I think they're taking... Kanner: Or Iowa Child, I mean. Lehman: But, I believe, Coralville's position is that the convention center hotel is a project that will stand on it's own whether or not the Iowa Child thing ever comes about. Vanderhoef: Right. Kanner: Well, I... Vanderhoef: The Iowa Child will be applying for Vision Iowa funds, not for CAT funds. O'Donnell: Different funding all together. Kanner: Right. They say it stands on it's own but things are changing all the time with the projects that they're working on and, I think, then we, for my satisfaction, I would like to have some reassurance that it is separate and will remain separate. I have a feeling that it won't stand alone. That the convention center will only go if the Iowa Child goes and I'm not too thrilled about the Iowa Child project. And so, at this time, I prefer not to send that letter. I would, I would like more information and more assurances. Lehman: Well then lo... if we choose to send a letter. And again, it's certainly only with a concurrence of the Council, that letter needs to be...they have to have that letter by Friday. That's when they're making their application. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #20 Page 53 Champion: But, this letter in encourage...I mean endorsing the convention center. Lehman: Addresses. Champion: It's not endorsing the Iowa Child. Lehman: It addresses only the hotel convention center. Champion: Right. So I don't have any problem with it. Cause I certainly don't support the Iowa Child. Lehman: I, I... Vanderhoef: I actually believe their project and the ones we've been listening to in tonight' s meeting and last nights meeting, that they will complement one another and I'm comfortable with sending the letter. O'Dormell: They certainly will complement each other and I'm prepared to take Coralville on their word and that's ... Champion: Me too. O'Donnell: ... that's fine. Let's, let's send the letter. Lehman: Okay. That's all I have. Wilburn: The, the a...When you talked to a them, he said....Did he say this will, regardless of whether Iowa Child goes through or not, they're going...their committed to the convention center. Vanderhoef: Yes. I talked to Jim too. Lehman: Theirs no question about that. Wilbum: Okay. O'Donnell: I spoke to Jim also. Vanderhoef: This is the land that they already own. Lehman: It's also a really big hill that Coralville has to climb to get this project to go. I mean, I think, it's going to take a lot of things working perfectly for them...this is a $50 - $55 million project. It's a huge, huge investment. And, obviously they can use...If our letter has any influence at all for them, they can use all the help they can get, I think, on this project. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #20 Page 54 Vanderhoef: This project is 60,000 feet of exhibition space and 30,000 of meeting rooms and 30,000 for banquet. Dilkes: You know, if you need a whole lot more discussion on this you need to give people notice so you're going... O'Donnell: I don't think we need a lot of discussion Dilkes: ...either, either... Lehman: Discussion is over. Dilkes: Move on. O'Donnell: Yes. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001. #21c Page 55 ITEM NO. 21c. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF Lehman: Steven, do you have anything? Atkins: Just a reminder, and looking at Marian, your meeting on Monday the 8th will likely start in the early after...early to mid aRemoon because you're taking off on the... Lehman: Do we know the time yet? Atkins: No. Karr: No, because we don't know the agenda yet. Atkins: We don't know the agenda yet but I think you're look at 4:00ish, possibly. Lehman: Okay. O'Donnell: Pass that to Steve. Atkins: That' s all. Karr: You've, you've already deferred about three things to it so... Atkins: Yes. Lehman: Right. And a couple of those may not even make it then. Do you have anything else, Marian? Eleanor? Dilkes: No. O'Donnell: Move to adjourn. Lehman: Do we have a motion to adjourn by O'Donnell. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Second by Vanderhoef. All in favor. We are adjourned. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of September 25, 2001.