HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-09 Transcription
January 9, 2006
January 9, 2006
City Council Work Session
Page I
City Council Work Session
6:30 PM
Council: Bailey, Champion, Correia, Elliott, O'Donnell, Vanderhoef, Wilburn
Staff: Atkins, Dilkes, Franklin, Helling, Karr, Johnson, Nasby, Boothroy, Moran
TAPE: 06-02, Both Sides; 06-03, Side I
(Problem Tape at beginning)
PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS
ITEM 6a)
Franklin:
Elliott:
Franklin:
Elliot:
Franklin:
REZONING APPROXIMATELY 10.41 ACRES FROM LOW DENSITY SINGLE-
FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE (RS-5) TO SENSITIVE AREAS OVERLAY/LOW
DENSITY SINGLE-F AMIL Y RESIDENTIAL ZONE (OSA/RS-5) FOR PROPERTY
LOCATED EAST OF mGHW A Y 218 AND SOUTH OF MELROSE AVENUE
And this is what is being requested. And if you will notice that the change is
that the cul-de-sac on this one is longer, this is 990 feet long. And this one was within 900
foot requirement of the subdivision code. The reason the re-zoning is before you is
because in the sensitive areas ordinance, it provides for modification in street standards,
lot sizes, etc. If it is for the purposes of avoiding environmentally sensitive areas. What
they have done here is that they have decreased the number of lots from 26 to 24,
extended the cul-de-sac to the 990, and then this area which has some of the more severe
slopes, has been taken out of any lot development. It previously was in these lots along
here. So what's happened is they have moved the cul-de-sac farther north into this kind of
flat area that used to be outlot A, and created two lots there but then have this larger outlot
B here which will stay in its current state. So the recommendation of Planning and Zoning
Commission and the staff is to approve this sensitive areas rezoning because it does lessen
the disturbance of the critical and the steep slopes, even though it does require
modification of our standards to change the cul-de-sac length to 990 feet.
Karin, how many houses on that cul-de-sac? About? And is it the safety concern that is
your regulation with length?
The length, it has to do with access of how much traffic is on there, how much of it is then
a burden upon the property owners that are at the very end of it. In fact what is happened
here we have 2 fewer lots, there will be 24 lots instead of26 and we don't believe the
extension of the cul-de-sac Bob is an issue.
So really there would not be any more traffic on this, then on the shorter one?
Right.
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Elliott: Good.
Vanderhoef: Potentially less.
Franklin: Exactly. Ok? And that is the final plat.
ITEM 6b) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF VILLAGE
GREEN PART xxm, IOWA CITY, IOWA (SUB05-00024)
ITEM 6c) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF VILLAGE
GREEN PART XXIV, lOW A CITY IOWA (SUB05-00025)
Franklin: Ok, then we have the Village Green Part 23 and 24, that is Items B & c. These were
under consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission back in October, we have
been waiting for construction plans and legal papers. The construction plans and legal
papers are completed and so we would recommend you would go ahead with these, these
are the final plats which you have already looked at for zoning, and for also preliminary
plat. This is just giving you location and the particulars. Ok? Do you all recall where that
is and what it is? Alright.
ITEM 6d) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF
LACY'S RUN ADDITION, IOWA CITY, IOWA. (SUB05-00020)
Franklin: Item D is resolution approving the preliminary plat of Lacy' s Run addition which is off of
Conklin Lane, that is on the north side ofIowa City, just too orient you, this is Dodge St.
here, the Hy-Vee is right over in this CN-I area, Dodge St. Ct. with the duplexes and then
we recently looked at a rezoning in this area here, community commercial. Conklin is a
sub-standard street, currently there is a house on this lot, and in fact this whole property is
owned by the Parrott family. There is a house on this lot, I'm echoing.
Elliott: Yes you are.
O'Donnell: That is annoying.
(laughter)
Franklin:
It is annoying to me too Mike.
Elliott:
There it went.
Franklin:
See what you did. (all talking) On lot I is an existing house. Do all of you have access to
your packets, cause the computer just died. Ok, if you can look at the pictures in your
packet, Lot I currently has a house on it. Outlot A, which is immediate the entrance to
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outlot A the major remainder of this property is just south of lot I and there is a 60 foot
extent there that is reserved for access back to outlot A at some future time. Lot 2 is a lot
that has a bam on it. Kevin Parrott who is the brother of the fellow that lives on lot I,
wishes to build a house on that lot, so what is going to happen in the short term is one
house will built here on lot 2 of Lacy's Run. So we will have in total 3 houses on Conklin
at that end right near the entrance to Hickory Hill Park. Before any further development
could take place on outlot A, there would need to be an upgrade to Conklin Lane, sewer
would need to brought to the site, because all 3 of these houses will be on septic and they
are an acre which is sufficient for septic tank.
Elliott: Which is insufficient you said?
Franklin: It IS sufficient.
Elliott: Is sufficient.
Franklin: Yes.
Bailey: At the time Conklin is upgraded, a house move? There is something about moving a house
because
Franklin: It's possible that, the house will not meet the set back requirement.
Bailey: On lot I?
Franklin: On lot I, the bigger issue with Conklin Lane is the house that is up at the comer of Dodge
St. Ct. in terms of having sufficient right of way to improve Conklin Lane. But what we
have done with this subdivision is we have acquired sufficient right of way with the
Lacy's Run subdivision to take all of the right of way to the east side of the street so we
don't have to get into the cemetery. Because we don't want to take any ground off the
cemetery because we don't know exactly where people's feet are.
Wilburn: That would be bad.
Franklin: So you want to stay east. That would be bad.
Elliott: You tell it like it is don't you?
Franklin: I try too. Yea.
Vanderhoef: The rest of that outlot A Karin that looks like it has a deep ravine in there?
Franklin: Yea. I mean the likely hood of that all developing, it is gonna take a lot of work to develop
that. And to develop that in the sensitive areas ordinance and to get sewer there, so the
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people that own it right now have no plans to do that.
Wilburn: There looks like there are several slope, steep slope areas in there in outlot A
Elliott: Is that Dennis Parrott?
Franklin: Yes
Vanderhoef: Accepting some ofthat rough terrain, since it is adjacent to Hickory Hill Park, it that how
it gonna
Franklin: This is purely speculation on my part, but, the logical way to develop that property would
be to come in to that property from the north, use the fIat ground and then those steeper
parts would conceivably be used to fulfill the neighborhood open space requirement and
be attached to Hickory Hill Park. But nothing is happening? (cough) Including my voice.
Right now it is just going to be the 3 houses for the family.
Vanderhoef: Ok.
Franklin: Ok?
Wilburn: Alright
ITEM 6e) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF
KENNEDY'S WATERFRONT ADDITION, PART FOUR, IOWA CITY, IOWA.
(SUB05-0003I)
Franklin: Item E is a preliminary plat for Kennedy's Waterfront Addition Part 4, this is zone CI-I,
commercial intensive. It is a 5 lot commercial subdivision, we have done some control of
the access onto Southgate, because that is an arterial that will serve that area. The
recommendation here is for approval, there is no outstanding issues.
Vanderhoef: Is that space between lots 2 and 3 for
Franklin: Access to the back lot.
Vanderhoef: back to 5?
Franklin: Yea, a drive or a road, if it is going to be a road it would be subdivided further. It could be
developed as commercial property, just that one piece with the drive out to Southgate. Ok?
Elliot: I have a question.
Correia: On this memo about the Kennedy addition, it says that this application be deferred?
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Franklin: That was at that time that it was before Planning and Zoning and when you see those Amy
often there are deficiencies that are on the plat on the time that it goes to the Planning and
Zoning Commission. When it gets to here, it won't come out of Planning and Zoning
without those deficiencies being taken care of, and when it gets to here, it would be, if
there was anything still pending, it would be a recommendation subject to xyz.
Correia: Gottcha
Franklin: And we would have those taken before you voted on it.
Elliot: Okay, thanks.
Franklin: That's it for me.
ITEM 7. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 10 OF THE CITY CODE,
ENTITLED "USE OF PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY," CHAPTER 3,
ENTITLED "COMMERCIAL USE OF SIDEWALKS," TO LIMIT FENCES TO
THREE (3) FEET IN HEIGHT, TO ALLOW SIDEWALK CAFES ONLY IN
ZONE 1 IN CITY PLAZA, TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF AMENITY, AND
TO REQUIRE ANCHORED FENCING EXCEPT IN THE WINTER MONTHS,
AND CHAPTER 5, ENTITLED "CITY PLAZA," SECTION 7, ENTITLED "USE
OF CITY PLAZA, " PARAGRAPH A TO CLARIFY THAT SIDEWALK CAFES
ARE A PERMITTED COMMERCIAL USE IN CITY PLAZA. (SECOND
CONSIDERATION) (DEFERRED FROM 12/13)
Wilburn: Ok, sidewalk cafe's agenda, Item number 7.
Karr: You have before you in your packet, the map and some figures you had requested, the
background information. The staff is present to answer any questions should you have any
additional comments.
Bailey: Was the only reason that we decided to take sidewalk cafe's out of zone 2 because of those
two letters of complaint we received about the Giovanni's cafe?
Vanderhoef: No, I think it was more the safety issue for me it was.
Bailey: What safety issue?
Vanderhoef: The safety issue when it's not connected to the building it's self.
Bailey: Giovanni's cafe was always connected to the building, it was just out of zone 2.
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Champion: Pedestrian traffic problem.
Vanderhoef: But the traffic problem combined with the, made a walkway up close to the building, then
you have the alcohol problem and you have the safety problem in my mind.
Bailey: I was actually asking why there was any change to the ordinance at all, what motivated
that? And that came from staff! thought?
Eleanor: Regenia, my recollection of that, there were a couple issues, one was that generally it
wasn't possible to do it anyway cause there were so many amenities in zone 2. And also it
was kind of a trade off by taking away the 8 foot adjacency, the 8 foot walkway
requirement. Currently there has to be 8 feet up next to the cafe. Now we are saying you
don't need that in the plaza and you can use zone 3 to fire lane for that.
Elliott: Different zones pertain to the distance out from the building, is that what you are talking
about with the zone?
Dilkes: Zone I is the 10 feet in front of the building, zone 3 is the fire lane and zone 2 is that
ending of zone I and 3.
Schreiber: Does zone I end where there is the difference in the brick? You know. It goes, it becomes
parallel, urn perpendicular to over the brick
Karr: Do you have a hard copy map in front of you, that might be helpful to you.
Schreiber: I was out there tonight looking at the area.
Karr: Pretty much, yes, there are some fluctuations in that.
Elliott: This that we have, from Jim Mondanaro, is that what they are proposing?
Karr: No, what you have from Jim, you simply have, because of the memo attached from the
police department and their concerns and Matt Johnson is here from the police
department. We wanted you to see the diagram that is being suggested, that prompted the
police department's concerns.
Elliott: So could you explain to me when I see feet and what have you, I have a hard time
visualizing this. How will this change what has been in effect this past summer?
Karr: I'm sorry Bob, how will what change, the proposal dated November 14, or the ordinance
before you?
Elliot: The ordinance that is before us.
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Bailey: It is my understanding that Giovanni's would probably not have a sidewalk cafe, given the
narrow frontage that they have, if they had to reduce it. Only to be in zone 1.
Karr: Staff is recommending all sidewalk cafe's be limited to zone 1.
Elliott: And they have decided if, with that limitation which would make them the same size as
others, would not be acceptable to them. Is that?
Karr: I can't answer.
Vanderhoef: It is so narrow as compared to some.
Schreiber: Right now they have 464 square feet in that area and that would reduce it too 194
maximum square feet. Which is a substantial reduction.
Wilburn: Because of their store front.
Bailey: And the position of their door as well.
Vanderhoef: Has there ever been any request to go in front of someone else's building?
Karr: We talked about it a number of years ago when we did the ordinance, there was some
discussion about that, whether that would be allowed or not. Whether for instance, an
establishment was not a food and beverage establishment, might want to lease there space
to a neighbor, because the configuration may be that their door maybe farther down and it
would not, and at that particular time the staff felt that would be a private arrangement
between the two businesses and that, then the city would consider that request as one
request. So again that is possible in the right configuration it wouldn't work for everyone
but yes, we have not had that but it was contemplated, yes.
Vanderhoef: Okay, so there isn't anything in the ordinance that says that that can not happen?
Karr: There is nothing in the ordinance that would preclude that from happening, no. There is
nothing in the ordinance that the city feels that we would be involved in negotiating that
either, it would be between the property owners, but yes that can certainly happen.
Correia: Have we looked at the ordinances of other cities like Madison that have walkways
between the restaurant, sidewalk walkway and then the outdoor cafe to see what, how their
ordinance reads and what the safety issue?
Oilkes: I'm sorry Amy, I didn't hear your question.
Correia: In Madison, Wisco!)sin. They have sidewalk cafe's that have the door to the business, the
walkway is still open, I think there might be a small area outside the door, there is still
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Karr:
O'Donnell:
Dilkes:
Vanderhoef:
Dilkes:
Elliot:
Karr:
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open walkway and then the cafe is closer to the street, thinking of State St. in Madison. So
you have the configuration that maybe might work for this.
We did not research farther than that simply because the problem, quite simply, I'm sure
staff could jump in here if they wish, is two fold. Number one, the State of Iowa
requirement for serving alcohol uses the term contiguous. That's why any other state in
their configuration would not address that particular concern. The second issue is one that,
if an establishment would like to have a sidewalk cafe and not serve alcoholic beverages,
that would not be a problem what so ever with the walkway again. So it's the combination
of being in Iowa, the State Law, and utilizing the full service menu of liquor that brings us
to where we are right now.
What is the definition of contiguous?
And I think where we left it, let me back up a minute Mike. I think where we left it the last
time we talked about this, is that there are some creative ways to deal with the contiguous
requirement under the state code. And the question is whether council wants to allow
those or not, and I know other staff members have some issues with that from a safety
perspective etc. So I really think this becomes an issue for the council as to whether you
want to allow some kind of walkway between the, assuming we can get over the
contiguous requirement and I've told you that I think there are ways we can do that,
between walkway between the primary area bf the cafe and the building. I think that is
where we are at.
Ok, can you tell me if there were a walkway between the cafe and the serving door that
they would be coming out of the building, who's liable for any accidents that happen in
that walkway that are directly related to serving customers and food service.
That area, that walkway would be included within the description of the cafe and there
would be a hold harmless agreement in the sidewalk cafe agreement with the
establishment transferring liability to them and requiring them to hold the City harmless in
the event there was an accident within that area. And I know that Jim, I mean he and I
have had that discussion and I, he is aware of that.
I would kind of like to hear from Matt, since the basis of this change is for safety
purposes, Matt's here and I'd kind oflike to hear what the safety concerns are, if that
would be appropriate.
Well Matt's coming up, Ijust wanted to clarifY, I'm not so sure that, I would term the
basis for this ordinance before you, one of safety. First and foremost, is defining as a
council whether you want extension into zone 2, size, appearance. as ethics. Then if the
answer is you wish to expand into zone 2, then I do think we do have to have these kind of
discussions, if you wish to limit them to zone I, then I think these type of discussions
relative to walkway and safety issue might be a little bit different in slant.
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Wilburn:
Elliott:
Bailey:
Champion:
Wilburn:
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Before you start Matt, you might want to have a seat and relax. I want to start with that
question about whether we go into zone 2, and, I mean ifthere's not enough interest to do
that then it may not be an issue. I recalled in addition some of the things that Eleanor and
Marian were outlining, there were concern, or conversation, part of it was the safety thing
another part was just strictly how do you move, how do you force equal access, direct
access is the term for the public coming through the area, if you go down the pedestrian
mall, if that, it could be a situation where there's not a direct path for someone wanting to
get from one end of the pedestrian mall to another, and a question I had in terms whether
we would go into zone, allowed to go into zone 2, I guess it was related to just space for
the public, I mean we got lots of activities going on, the jazz fest, the arts fest, the Friday
night concerts, and would we be taking away from just room for the public to, I guess you
would call it breathing space to exist is what I look at zone 2 as. Is there any comments
about that?
I'm interested in at least looking at some kind of compromise, I think that the council last
time indicated it was very interested in outdoor cafe's and I think certainly before I would
want to vote on this I would like to hear what the safety concerns are. I'd like to hear if
there are any compromises on size. The extent to which the outdoor cafe would proceed
out into the pedestrian mall. I would certainly like to see if there is some kind of
compromise that we could have rather than just say, well, you can't go into zone 2, zone I
isn't large enough, that's it, next item.
I would like to go into zone 2. I would like to omit trees and tree rings from the list of
public amenities that couldn't be included in a cafe as long as there is some agreement that
those trees will be taken care of by the restaurant or some understanding of that and I
would like to allow the creative approach to contiguous. So I will just lay it out and then
we can start
I agree with you Regenia, I think we have been way to uptight about sidewalk cafe's. I
mean when you go to other cities, in Europe and even South America, sidewalk cafe's are
everywhere and they go right to the street, they don't even care about having pedestrian
traffic. It just doesn't exist. I think we need to maintain pedestrian traffic but I think it is a
real asset to have them, I think it adds a real ambiance to the downtown and I'm willing to
compromise, not to compromise safety of course, but compromise in some way, that we
can try it for a year, I mean last year they tried the configuration that didn't work, we can
try another configuration this year, they already have the fencing, it's just a matter of
putting it in. I think they have fencing. They haven't sold it yet. If we could find some way
to put it in that could be largely profitable for them, that's the other problem.
Ok, so we have enough to at least explore the possibility of going to zone 2 now.
Capt. Matt Johnson: We would only add one aspect to the memo that I generated in response to the
sidewalk cafe that dealt with safety issue. The other dealt with traffic flow and the
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El1iott:
Johnson:
El1iot!:
Johnson:
Bailey:
Dilkes:
Champion:
Wilburn:
Johnson:
Wilburn:
El1iott:
O'Donnell:
Champion:
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conveyance of alcoholic beverages across what I considered to be unregulated an
unregulated portion of the plaza. The safety issue is simply that the distance between the
serving premise and the sidewalk cafe, the carrying of hot food, hot beverages and the
potential for conflict between service staff and people using that as a pedestrian walk area.
That drove the issue of safety for me. Hence the inclusion of that in the memo.
You did mention serving of alcohol at least entered into a part of the safety issue?
It did.
Do you feel having an opening there would then be less safe? There might be minors
come in, problems?
I'm not certain that's the direction that my brain was going when I was thinking of that. I
was thinking more of the regulated area that the regulation of alcoholic, provisions of
alcoholic beverages needed to be consistent with the premise.
And if the restaurant assumes liability, don't they then, aren't they then responsible for the
regulation, as if it is part oftheir restaurant? If they assume liability for that cafe area?
How does that work?
I think what Matt is talking about is just more physical1y the having those kind of physical
barriers around the area in which alcohol is being consumed. We can certainly define that
area as, it is going to be part ofthe licensed premises under the State code. It is an area
that the establishment is responsible for in terms the sel1ing of alcohol etc. But I think
Matt's concerns were more of a practical nature.
With the availability of alcohol in both houses in town I don't view it as a problem.
With our existing cafes has there been problem with access?
No there has not.
Any other questions for Matt?
I'd just like to think that we would provide some time for a few more negotiations and a
compromise. I think several of us at least feel it would be good to have this. One of our
very nice restaurants.
I think we can address the safety issue of stuff coming out the front door, maybe put a
couple rails out, wasn't that suggested?
You want people to be able to walk through there, that's the whole idea.
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O'Donnell:
Karr:
Champion:
O'Donnell:
Champion:
Bailey:
O'Donnell:
Champion:
Elliott:
Bailey:
Dilkes:
O'Donnell:
Champion:
Bailey:
Champion:
O'Donnell:
Champion:
Karr:
Dilkes:
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Well, that's my point. I didn't say extend the rail to the patio. I said out from the building
a short ways.
Are you talking about the suggestion at one time, arms?
Tell me what that is.
Yes. It's an arm.
Where is that arm at? Is the arm here or is it up here somewhere?
No, it's down here.
Little arms the waitress or waiter can come out and stand there and say, hey, there's
someone coming, then walk out.
Oh, you mean in front of the door so to speak?
And Eleanor has pen in hand I can see.
Staging type of area.
I think this is the basic idea. The establishment arm, walkway, the rest of the. . .., that was
one of the things we talked about.
Right.
Okay, so the arm would come out from the building so the waiter could be out of the
building being able to see what is happening.
Right.
Then you need to have enough space between that arm and the sidewalk cafe for people to
walk through.
We've got 8 feet.
How much room is that going to give them before the get into.... I think you have to
provide a way for a fire engine to get down there don't you?
No, no.
No, the fire lane is in the middle of the Plaza.
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(Laughter)
Champion: I meant in the middle of the Plaza. That's what I meant.
Bailey: We aren't even going into zone 3.
Vanderhoef: How about this for a compromise? There is interest in trying to make this work for Jim
and that's fine. Could we have an ordinance that limited them by right into zone I? An by
an exception or case by case in zone 2? Because each one is going to look a little different
if we go out into zone 2.
Dilkes: But Dee, I think a practical matter there just isn't enough people that can go into zone 2
anyway, because of all the amenities. Basically, there's just not that many that who do it.
Vanderhoef: Okay.
Elliott: I would just like to defer this and ask the staff to ...
Bailey: We need to get a vote on it.
Dilkes: We need to get some decisions made.. . get permits out.
Champion: Ifwe vote on it, if we say we allow them in zone 3 under certain circumstances...
Bailey: We have never talked about zone 3.
Karr: Zone 2.
Champion: And then by special exception, so then they don't have to bring to us their plan. But other
people want to get their cafe's going and get their permits, isn't that the problem?
Correia: So if there was a policy about zone 2, and issues related to contiguous, then, or
establishments that need that are smaller in dimension that would need to have a walkway
or it wouldn't work because it would be too....
Karr: Well I don't believe the walkway is an issue, I don't believe, ifit's only zone I, so ifit is
going into zone 2 then we just need direction from you on how you want to handle that
then. There are very few that have the opportunity to extend into zone 2. For those that do,
what is your desire to make that happen? Do you want to require a walkway, limited too,
obviously zone I and 2 only refer to the city plaza. So you only have those type situations
on the plaza with zone 3 left open. So do you want to allow it I and 2 as it is right now
and simply allow zone 3 as the walkway.
Bailey: No.
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Vanderhoef: No.
Champion: No.
Karr: Ok
Champion: There has to be a walkway in zone! if you go into zone 2.
Schreiber: 'fyou go out and look where it is at there, it's not like you have this free open space
because there is this massive planter here, so it's not like you are blocking an open space
as it is, you're coming up against the planter so if you went into zone I you still only have
4 feet between where the planter and where that tree is and everything to the end of zone
I, so at best you have 4 feet of walkway there if you limit it to zone 1. Why not just go to
zone 2 where there planter, where people aren't trampling through these planters on the
way out of the ped mall.
Champion: They do sometimes.
Schreiber: Well, they shouldn't be.
Bailey: Later at night.
Elliott: , would like the open cafe to be there, , would like for there to be a walkway and whatever
is need to do that. We have set a precedent for using those spaces. As a matter of fact
several years ago, we shut down a whole street to put a hotel up in the middle of the street.
So , would think certainly we could do this.
Wilburn: You mean a walkway in zone 2 then?
Elliott: In zone 1 or 2.
Bailey: I would like to allow cafe's in zone 2 by right not by special exception because, if we are
really going to encourage cafe's, 'think it needs to be as easy as possible.
O'Donnell: , agree.
Bailey: So , would like to allow them by right.
Vanderhoef: How far out does Vito's come?
Bailey: Vito's?
Vanderhoef: Well they are On the other side of the plaza, but' am looking at the map and looking at
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January 9, 2006.
.' ---,-----,-~-_.".,,----,--------_._----~._,.,,~-----~_..--.'-.
January 9, 2006
Karr:
Schreiber:
Dilkes:
Bailey:
Karr:
Champion:
Bailey:
Champion:
Bailey:
Champion:
Bailey:
Elliott:
Bailey:
Wilburn:
Karr:
Bailey:
Schreiber:
City Council Work Session
Page 14
where zone 2 is by other eating establishments. So Brothers and Vito's would be the two
that I would see on the plaza.
But Brother's has private property. You're saying ifthey would extend out in the plaza?
Vito's has a lot of frontage so they can go....
Vito's runs into
The gazebo if they go into zone 2, right?
Yes.
Well what I think you are saying Regenia is by right would be ideal, except I think you
have to provide walk ability for all these little businesses.
Well if they go into zone 2 then they have to provide some walkway.
In zone I?
In zone I and if they don't go into zone 2 then it is as it has been, but they don't
necessarily and I know that we, in this one we were very specific about amenities but I
think a tree is nice in a cafe.
I do too.
So as long as we can come up with some agreement
As long as you keep the birds out
And then that becomes the cafe's problem right? But as long as the tree is taken care of
So are there 4 people willing to let them go into zone 2? And if they, they must provide
some walk ability.
As so for those sidewalk cafe's, just to clarifY, who do not have the opportunity to go into
zone 2, so they utilize zone I but they do not have to provide a walkway. But those who
utilize zone 2 do have to provide a walkway. And you want to remove the tree, and tree
ring from the amenities but leave all the other.
With some level of understanding that the care of the tree has to be addressed.
Light posts would have to be there too. It's right next to it.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9,2006
Wilburn:
Bailey:
Elliott:
Bailey:
Atkins:
Champion:
Atkins:
Champion:
Bailey:
Wilburn:
Dilkes:
Wilburn:
Karr:
Bailey:
Wilburn:
Schreiber:
Vanderhoef:
Bailey:
Schreiber:
Champion:
City Council Work Session
Page 15
How do we address the care of the trees?
I don't know.
The City can work that out.
If it is in the cafe, then we don't particularly have access to it.
Just spell out which ones are or are not amenities, we can get into the trees, we can get
into the light, I mean, push tables aside and fix things.
I don't think if there was a trash can there they would pay to have it removed, move it.
Trash can may have to be moved, that is correct.
Right.
But if it isn't at our expense, I suppose.
Ok this is I have a question about timing now, this is, we are scheduled for second
consideration tomorrow of staff given what the discussion you have heard, is there any
agreement you can come up with.
Yeah, we will get something done that you can amend on the floor tomorrow.
And is that enough direction?
We may have you expedite as much as possible, typically we'd have the agreements out
by December, and signed in January. So we will have something for you tomorrow night,
if there is an agreement we might accelerate the readings.
Let's not look at this next year.
My purpose would be, let's make this decision and you know there is understanding
Is there a 3 foot height maximum in the agreement?
On the fence.
On the new ordinance there is.
Where does that come from? Why is the 3 feet?
That's probably good.
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Wilburn:
Some of us are shorter and can't see over the top.
(laughter)
Dilkes:
I just need one clarification, you're preference is to have the walkway as close to the
building as possible, am I right about that?
Vanderhoef:
In my mind it should be as close in alignment with the others. Dilkes: Those are two
different things.
Vanderhoef: And I understand that but if we're trying to encourage customers to get to the next
buildings and so forth, weaving in and around is a problem in my mind and may do
exactly what seemed to have happened this past year and if people can't see a continuous
walkway through there then they think they have to walk so far out and around then they
won't go down there and that was the complaint we received.
Dilkes: If a continuous walkway is not close to the building, a continuous walkway to the extent
you can accomplish it because you can't cause there is so much stuff out there anyway, but
to the extent you can accomplish it would be at the beginning of zone 2.
Karr: Between the end of 1 and the start of 2.
Vanderhoef: Right on the edge of 1 and 2.
Dilkes: So you need to tell me what you want to do with that.
Elliot: And you would be thinking of an arm sticking out there?
Dilkes: If there would be because, you would have some continuity to the...
Champion: Just work something out
Elliot: I think you have to remember waiters and waitresses, I think you call them all wait persons
now, are used to carrying merchandise, food and dirty dishes through crowds anyway. I
don't think that is much of a problem.
Dilkes: I am going to assume then that we are talking a walkway as close to the building as we can
get assuming with the arms we need for the contiguous thing.
Wilburn: I think I saw enough heads nodding.
Atkins: Can I ask one quick question? Does that mean the restaurant like Venuturo's is precluded
from sidewalk cafe because they must have a walkway?
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.___...._.__.._n_____________..'______________________.'-- ----.-...--..---.-------...----------------.---..--...--,,-.----.-.-..--"'.-.----.----~'-'--
January 9, 2006
Bailey:
Dilkes:
Atkins:
Bailey:
Karr:
Champion:
Atkins:
Bailey:
Atkins:
Champion:
Dilkes:
Karr:
Bailey:
Dilkes:
Bailey:
Vanderhoef:
Dilkes:
O'Donnell:
Wilburn:
City Council Work Session
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No, because they are in zone I.
Only if you are in zone 2 do you have to deal with a walkway.
Only if you go to zone 2?
Right.
But that does bring up the fact that if a person utilized zone I & 2, and were in operation,
and a new business came in next door, and wanted a sidewalk cafe and was limited to
zone I, but that walkway then in zone 2 would not line up with their sidewalk cafe.
Nothing is perfect.
We'd have to deny it I would suspect.
No, that is not our intent.
Find a way around it?
Walk around it.
I think what they are talking about is.having a situation where you have a walkway
through and then you collide with the next.
And that would be the advantage in that walkway being more to the outside of one to the
start of two. To promote then potential use of zone I next door.
So you're talking about a boarder walkway between zone I and 2.
Now I've never talked to Jim aboutthat issue so I don't even know....
I don't think that would be so bad, I would hate to have to deny a restaurant that moved in
because our intent is too encourage sidewalk cafe's, so we should develop something that
can do that.
Encourage shoppers to pass through the area and get to the shops.
But that means you are going to have a walkway through the middle of the cafe.
That's right.
I don't know any other way around it.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
Karr:
Champion:
Bailey:
O'Donnell:
Elliott:
Bailey:
Champion:
Elliott:
Wilburn:
Bailey:
Elliott:
Wilburn:
Karr:
Wilburn:
City Council Work Session
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No pun intended "any other way around".
You know if we could just leave it the way we had it, then if it becomes another problem,
then we should just look at it again. Because I can't imagine, what's the name of that bar,
the Union?
Businesses change and move, I think that we should set something up as Ross said so that
we don't have to continuously look at this and have staff concerned about getting permits
out, that doesn't promote a business friendly environment for sidewalk cafe's either. If
they wonder every year what the regulations are going to be and how things are going to
change.
That's what we just did.
If you go into zone 2 you have to have a walkway.
On the boarder between one and two.
Is that going to make the cafe's so small that you can't, people aren't going to walk
through the middle of the cafe. It just won't happen.
In these discussions in the future, tonight we have heard from our attorney and we've
heard from a representative of the police, I think it would be appropriate to have the owner
of the establishment and get that point of view also, it seems to me that is the side we lack.
Ijust finished letting Mr. Mondanaro know that because we are talking about regulating
the zones and this is not just about his location that there is not an opportunity for anyone
else who might be considering this, so I recommended that he come back tomorrow, if you
wanted to address this. We didn't advertise this as a public hearing.
We should be making ordinances flexible enough for whomever ends up in building
downtown. It shouldn't be this case by case.
Yup
Did you want to say something?
Well a couple things, I believe Mr. Mondanaro was asked by a council member to come
tonight and number two is if wish any action tomorrow night, then we have to know what
you want to do to prepare it. Now unless tomorrow night you direct us to do it, we
wouldn't have any action tomorrow night then.
Are there enough council members that would like to hear from Mr. Mondanaro tonight
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given the concern I have expressed about any other.
Elliot: I would simply like to know if what we have discussed, I think we are almost beating a
dead horse, I think we have given our idea's to what we like and the staff can take care of
setting it up. I would like to know if this is, if this seems reasonable to him.
Atkins: Why don't we just summarize real quickly. Somebody do that?
Dilkes: In the event that a sidewalk cafe wants to extend into zone 2, beyond zone I into zone 2
they must provide a walkway for pedestrians through the cafe. Weare not going to
include trees as amenities, you can encompass tree, we will work out in the agreements
how the care of the tree is dealt with. Really the only issue remaining and an issue that has
come up now and has not previously been discussed is where, if you want to say where
that walkway will be, will it be essentially next to the building but for some kinds of arms
that gives us that contiguousness, or do you want it on the border between zones I and
zones 2. That former issue, that last one is one, that option has not been discussed.
Elliott: Regarding that, I would simply like to have it be consistent whether it's close to the
building with an arm out, or on the dividing line between zones I and 2. I don't see that it
make any difference. Just so that it could be consistent.
Bailey: But it does make a difference if you have it going into zone 2, in zone! because if you do
the walkway through zone I and the next door cafe is there, you go right into there
Elliott: That's what I said, I would like to have it consistent and if it needs to be between I and 2
to be consistent, fine, let's do it that way
Bailey: You mean to create a consistent walkway.
Elliott: Yes.
Vanderhoef: That is what I want
Champion: If it is going to be between I and 2, then, is there enough space in 2 to have a cafe that will
be large enough to pay for it's self?
Bailey: Yes.
Karr: Connie, if you're taking same space out of, whether it is the building to zone I, let's just
say it is 8 feet, then it is the same 8 feet whether you take it out of the middle. Now one
could say, potentially that you would like it to be as close to zone I and 2, it doesn't mean
it has to be 8 feet out of 2, it could be 4 foot out of 2, 4 foot out of I, each configuration
would denote that. The other thing you have to consider is, and I don't know is that for the
same concerns you voiced earlier about people walking through a cafe, I don't know the
This represents only a reasonably accnrate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meetiug of
January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
Dilkes:
Champion:
Dilkes:
Champion:
Karr:
Atkins:
City Council Work Session
Page 20
perceived, I know Jim mention earlier about the possibility of a trellis or an archway or
something of that nature, where ever you put it, the perception by some maybe that they
are walking through it. Whether it is by the building or whether it's between zone I and 2,
we can't make them, it isn't a street.
I do think we have to resolve this issue, we are going to be back in the same spot that we
are in now and I think we may need to hear from Jim on that issue. But, we are talking two
very different things, the walkways up next to the building as I see it, you have dead
space, then you have cafe, ifthe walkway is between zone I and 2 you've got cafe,
walkway, cafe.
We don't want that.
Well that is the issue.
We don't want cafe, walkway, cafe.
Then they won't match up.
I maybe missing something. Sounds like we solved the Giovanni's issue. Giovanni's is
resolved. As we understood it.
Jim Mondanaro: I wish it was.
Bailey:
Dilkes:
Atkins:
Karr:
Atkins:
Bailey:
Atkins:
Bailey:
No it's not because we don't know where the walkway would end up.
No, it's not resolved. This issue is necessary to resolve Giovanni's.
You can not put an 8 foot walkway in zone I against all of those buildings without
sometime precluding one of the businesses from having a sidewalk cafe.
But Steve they are saying, if you are in zone I and have a sidewalk cafe you don't need
the walkway.
Ok, that is good enough.
We don't want to see sidewalk cafe's denied simply because they are next to a sidewalk
cafe that extends into zone I, and the walkway would go right into what would be their
proposed cafe in zone I.
You are always going to have those changes, 3'd Base could become a furniture store
tomorrow or it could become a sidewalk cafe.
Right, so what would happen is if you put a walkway next to the building as Dee pointed
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
Atkins:
Bailey:
Wilburn:
[Side 2]
Wilburn:
Mondanaro:
Atkins:
Vanderhoef:
Mondanaro:
City Council Work Session
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out you would walk right into their cafe and for visually impaired person, I think that is
incredibly dangerous.
And that is my point, you may ultimately may have to deny a certain businesses the ability
to have a sidewalk cafe.
But our intent is to encourage sidewalk cafe's.
I think Steve was just pointing....
Jim, which of your concerns has not been addressed by this discussion?
Well I think that they have all been addressed, but I think in total understanding is what I
want to address. The zone I as I see it, is one set of criteria for outdoor patio or cafe. The
thing that makes Giovanni's a unique situation is that we really one of maybe two other or
one other place that has the ability to be able to go into zone 2. When we go into zone 2
we are basically going to vacate zone I because, it is very important to me, that people
have the right of way in front of buildings all the way down. Ifa zone I, we have that
already anyway, that's what the ordinance has been since we initiated outdoor cafe's, so
the zone I hasn't isn't in effect, what's really being talked about is the implementation of
zone 2 if it is available in front of the restaurant like it is Giovanni's. I don't want to do it
unless I have my neighbors happy. My neighbors weren't happy when they couldn't have
their customers walk up and down the street freely. We are buffered by a planter, that's on
the west side of zone 2 which means it's no obstruction, it just so happens that the lay of
the land is an enhancement to Giovanni's with going into zone 2. So to me what it really
comes down too, Eleanor, is being able to figure out how to do the contiguous, and I did
suggest that I think it would be very attractive we did some kind of trellis. that came out
and over and above and back down almost like an archway that would show this neat way
to walk into the plaza from the west side, but again, I think the important thing is how far
away when zone I begins do you want the walkway? That is what it really comes down
too.
I agree.
So you're saying you're not going to object to having that continuous walkway on the
border of?
No, I would object, I think you want, Dee, I think you want it to be clean. I think when
you turn the corner off Clinton and you walk into the Ped Mall, you want to be able to
look straight down and if zone I cafe butts out, that's not that big of a deal. I just don't
think you want to be able to have this set back with like 4 feet off the building, or 5 feet
and then this clear path way all the way down, because I think that, Ijust think that will be
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January 9, 2006
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disruptive. Ijust think the clean lines with being right off the front of the buildings all the
way down.
Vanderhoef: And the minute we get more restaurants in zone I we won't have a clean line at all.
Mondanaro: Well we wouldn't have now anyway, because zone I is already part of the ordinance as it
is. They are all zone 1.
Vanderhoef: Which makes it automatically, if there are several in a row, that they walkway is out there
at the end of zone I and 2.
Mondanaro: I think part of what we want though, people that I know, I live down there, I am there
every day, I have 2 businesses right there on that street, andj think the thing people want,
that I hear from my neighbors, they want to people to browse the streetscape right next
door to their buildings. And they feel that when they are pushed, they don't feel that to be
an encroachment on that, when people are extending into zone I. But it was a big negative
when zone 1 and zone 2 were combined into one big box. I didn't want to do it, as a
matter of fact, when we first put it up, I didn't put it up, and I saw Eleanor and I said I
broke the law. She said what do you mean and 1 said I didn't close that thing up, cause 1
didn't feel like it, she said, Jim, you better do it or you're gonna be in trouble, so then we
closed it up and then all of a sudden they started screaming at me. But again Dee, the thing
about what we have at Giovanni's is that it is a unique situation like all downtown, you
know you can walk down to Mickey's and we don't get a patio, but, because we don't
have the street width. But you go up 60 feet and Atlas they are good friends of mine, they
have a wonderful because the sidewalk there is wider on Iowa Ave, then it is anywhere
else. Nothing is ever going to be the same, we just have to see whether or not as a council
we're willing to make things work. Because that is what this is all about.
Wilburn: Thanks for your comments Jim. So you've go the extra bit of information from Jim and I
would just ask if folks invite someone to come down and speak at a work session, please
give the rest of us a heads up.
Bailey: I invited Mr. Mondanaro so he could hear the discussion and know the direction this going
through. I had no intention of inviting him to speak. I just wanted to be clear about that. I
think it is always important for people to hear the direction that council is going on a
particular issue.
Wilburn: Ok, thank you, so with that said. Is the... what's the decision on the walkway?
Champion: Clear path that's fine.
Bailey: Ijust don't want to hear about sidewalk cafe's being denied because we can't get that
clear path. I want to set up an environment it which these are encouraged and I think that
is clarity in creating this walkway so you won't be bumping into a sidewalk cafe. I don't
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9,2006
Elliott:
Champion:
Bailey:
Elliott:
Bailey:
Schreiber:
Bailey:
Elliott:
Bailey:
Dilkes:
Bailey:
Dilkes:
Elliott:
Dilkes:
Bailey:
City Council Work Session
Page 23
know, that is just my impulse because I dou't like to hear that we will potentially have to
deny a cafe if somebody' s going to walk right into it. It seems to me that the intent of
council tonight when we all spoke is to encourage these kind of things in our city plaza.
And you're saying since all, should I say literally all or virtually aU, current sidewalk
cafe's are in zone 1.
They're aU in zone 1.
With the exception of Giovanni's.
So if we leave zone I open, and fiU in zone 2, then we are setting up for someone to walk
through zone I in a sidewalk area and walk into a railing for an existing sidewalk.
It seems that is possible, right?
The only way to have a clear path is to have it in zone 2.
Or between the zones as Dee mentioned.
And Bob, they are not going to walk into a railing, because we're are not going to approve
that, it is just to dangerous.
Exactly, so we would get a disapproval and then we would not be encouraging it.
But one of the... I mean there are ways you could deal with that possibility
Oh good.
. . . since we have, I am just thinking out loud, if we have, cause we have so few situations
where that is likely to happen, I mean you could actually provide in your agreement when
you let someone go into zone 2 with that walkway that if there was somebody wanted to
do a cafe right next to them they had to pull back into zone I. I mean....
I think, most of us probably don't care where the walkway is, just so it doesn't in the
future encumber someone else from having it or causing a danger.
That is what I am saying, as long as you don't run into somebody else that wants to have a
cafe that situation will work, you put them on notice that ifthat situation develops they are
going to have to pull back into zone I.
What if that situation developed, it would change the placement of their walkway rather
than the size of the cafe. I think that that would be a compromise...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
Elliott:
Dilkes:
Wilburn:
O'Donnell:
Bailey:
Karr:
Bailey:
Karr:
Bailey:
Karr:
Dilkes:
Wilburn:
Elliott:
Vanderhoef:
City Council Work Session
Page 24
Given that flexibility I would like to just ask staff to do it.
Okay?
Okay.
It's good.
I'm assuming that requests that permits come in such a manner that you would have a
good idea of where all the cafe's were going to be and you could do that?
No, they come in, they don't come in once a year, they come in as needed constantly, no
you wouldn't know that.
Ok, so that's not a good idea.
Well, I wasn't going to bring that up, they come in as people get financially stable enough,
wish to expand, have a change in business, it isn't like they are all April I to...
So January 15th you don't look and say Oh, we are going to have 17 cafe's
January 15th, December 15th we would typically look and we would say we have 17 cafe's,
we would send out the papers based on the premise that everything is staying the same and
they would either renew, or not, but that doesn't mean that in the next year they couldn't
sell to another owner or, but no, there is no guarantee in anything on ownership.
You could still do it though, you could provide for a 30 day notice in which the pathway
or something to that.
Ok, thanks. I misunderstood Marian, I assumed she meant there was an expectation there.
Glad we got that done
Break time?
ASSESSOR REPORT (lP2 of 1/5/06 Info Packet)
Wilburn:
Bailey:
Can we quickly do the Assessor Report so should we.... Ok, the Assessor Report we got
information in the packet, are there 4, I guess I am looking for where we want to go with
this, the report I believe showed that by combining the City and the County or eliminating
that there would be perhaps savings for the County but not the City so are there 4 folks
interested in pursuing this or not?
Well I... go ahead Bob.
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January 9, 2006
City Council Work Session
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Elliott: I'm, you read my mind, I'm interested in pursuing it and it's seemed to me that in the
memo that I saw, there were some assumptions made that I thought need not be made and
I think that the fact...
Vanderhoef: Be specific please.
Elliott: .. . the fact you would still need to pay the person who is the City Assessor to assume, I
think that person need not paid as the City Assessor, that can be a lower position on the
rung, and therefore there could be money saved. But that person would still be looked at to
have the expertise. I am very interested in merging and coordinating and if there is a slight
financial difference, I think we've got to look seriously at that, and we can not always hold
the financial aspect as the guiding light.
Bailey: Well, I would like to continue to explore it and get perhaps a more objective analysis of
the question and also looking at the County Assessor's Office, talking to the supervisors to
see if we could do a bigger picture view of achieving some efficiencies in perhaps some
cost savings but stepping back and getting maybe a more objective look, having someone
else look at this from that perspective.
Wilburn: Any other thoughts on this?
Champion: I certainly think it's worth exploring, I thought it was interesting that Iowa City is one of
the few cities that has it's own Assessors, there must be a reason why people don't have it.
Vanderhoef: If you look at the list of those that were compared there, they are all but one in the top 10
Wilburn: Population.
Vanderhoef: population wise and those are bigger job centers and their housing market looks different
than small town Iowa, so I think it takes a different set of facts actually to be an appraiser
in our larger job centers in Iowa. I don't see the need for combining. I don't see the
advantage for combining, in fact it bothers me a little bit on the compensation board that
we have people who live in the cities not rural people who don't have the same perhaps
the same background in housing costs, but it certainly does look different when you go to,
or you go to Solon or to Riverside or out in the county some place. This recommendation
has not changed since the last time we reviewed it which was about 8 years ago.
Bailey: Did the same person do the recommendation?
Champion: No.
Vanderhoef: No.
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January 9, 2006
City Council Work Session
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Bailey: Ok, was it an objective recommendation last time from an outside point of view or was it
somebody in one of the offices?
Vanderhoef: It carne from within if! recall.
Atkins: Yes, Dan Hudson prepared it. There was never to my recollection Regenia, there was
never any interest or direction that we would have a third party do it.
Correia: Does it say in here when Des Moines consolidated, cause Des Moines doesn't have it's
own City Assessor if that is a relatively recent?
Champion: Will the City of Des Moines practically it's own county.
Vanderhoef: Yeah, Polk County is now urbanized like.
Atkins: I don't believe it to be recent though Amy.
Correia: Not recent, there is no data in here on the cost, for the shift and that might be something to
look at.
Bailey: We keep talking about joining services and regionalization so when are we going to start?
This seems like a logical place to start, at least examining the possibilities if there can be
some benefit.
Vanderhoef: Well this is what I've seen is that there isn't any benefit at this point and time and I see a
potential disincentive for me to look at it and loose the compensation board for the City
and combine it with the rural Iowa City, rural Johnson County.
Wilburn: For me my recollection of this whole conversation it came up as a cost savings, so that is
why I asked that question. Now there may be some other benefits to combining, I would
be willing to take a look at that, but a concern I would have or whether it's consolidated or
not, I guess towards the elimination of the City Assessor, the concern would be, I'm
forgetting the term but the adjustments that are made, if you are forced to make...
Atkins: Equalization.
Wilburn: equalization.... that would be the concern I would have and the track record for Iowa City
shows that we have not had to have those equalizations and I think the public would be
pretty upset if we had a forced equalization. But did you have any in terms of a 3'" party to
look at these type of issues, did you have any idea or Steve did you have, would you have
any recommendations on ?
Bailey: Because sometimes we can be so close to it that somebody who can......
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
Atkins:
Wilburn:
Elliott:
Atkins:
Bailey:
Elliott:
Atkins:
Bailey:
Champion:
Atkins:
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I'm not sure who we would hire to do that. You would have to compensate someone to do
this if you truly want a 3'd party. Where they do it for a living. I don't know where we
would turn.
You looked scared when you said that. I guess that is the direction to give staff, if they are
going to know where to go with this.
Well, I am not interested at this time in saying YES we want to combine, but I am
interested in looking at it further. I am apprehensive about saying let's put it on a
discussion because that's like, let's throw it in the morgue and form a committee or
something but I think we do need to consider this further and not just drop it now. But I
am not interested tonight or tomorrow for voting that we do combine. But I certainly do
want to pursue the possibility, I'd like to talk to maybe some other towns, why haven't
they done it, community that might be our size, what where there, 8 communities Steve?
Have their own?
8 or 9.
Only 8.
And see what problems has anyone done it recently, are there any that have combined that
have done it successfully.
I'm not so sure you are going to discover those kinds of things. I think the equalization,
speaking in favor of keeping the City Assessor, it is someone who devotes their time to
our business. Now does that cost us a little more? Maybe, I don't know that for sure but
it's nice to have that professional arms length relationship. Ifwe become incorporated into
the County, the County can certainly hire an Urban Assessors, folks with that kind of
experience that's not out of the question. Ijust think, I'mjust looking at the long standing
tradition, it makes it easier for us to work with whether it is Denny or Dan or whomever it
might be.
Well I would be interested in learning about Des Moines experience, even though they are
not comparable in size, some of the things that are happening in the urbanization of that
county, seems a little bit similar, the challenges they have with traffic, the kinds of, the
housing the suburb issues and so getting a sense of what they looked at when they decided
to combine, who did that analysis, when did it happen, I think timing is always critical
with these kinds of discussions, maybe that could lends us at least a little bit direction of,
is an analysis ofthis even possible?
Is it comparable? Des Moines?
I'm not so sure that the size of that jurisdiction is
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January 9, 2006
Champion:
Bailey:
Vanderhoef:
Dilkes:
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They don't have any rural area, that is my point
Yeah, but when did they combine? Perhaps they had rural
Recently, in the last five years.
Denny knows it looks like.
Dennis Baldridge: I can probably answer some of these questions.
Wilburn:
Dilkes:
Vanderhoef:
Wilburn:
Baldridge:
Wilburn:
Baldridge:
Champion:
O'Donnell:
Baldridge:
Why don't you come up to the mike then.
While Denny is coming up, can I just say one thing? I did as I was looking at the code,
there is one difference between us and Des Moines and that is that the code provides in it a
city of 75,000 or more that does not have a City Assessor can provide for a City Board of
Review. That wouldn't be an option available to us, it would have been available to Des
Moines.
Not until we get to that point.
Okay, Let's make sure we have one conversation so the transcriber doesn't have a problem
with the conversations.
Des Moines, they combined in '96 or '97 I believe. I think the impedance behind that was
they were pushing for a county wide consolidation at that time and that was seen as maybe
a first step towards doing that. It didn't go any further and I don't know the reasons for
that, political I assume. As far as an outside study, I have never seen one done. I believe
maybe Ames, not Ames, Ames had one recently that this report that I did borrow heavily
from, it was done by the City staff, City Manager's Office I believe.
Of Ames?
Ames, that's right. And they decided not to combine, it's very recent, they haven't
appointed a new assessor yet in fact. I did see one study done about 10 years ago by
someone for Davenport but it was done for the Davenport City Assessor's, so I'm not sure
how impartial that would be, it was a 3'd party but it was done for the Assessor's Office.
Are there any other questions?
I think Ames would be much more comparable to our situation cause they have a lot of
rural area around them.
You said that the study recommended that they not combine, what were the reasons?
Well, pretty much the ones that were laid out in this report. I think theirs showed that
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January 9, 2006
Wilburn:
Baldridge:
Wilburn:
Baldridge:
Wilburn:
Vanderhoef:
Wilburn:
Bailey:
Champion:
(Laughter)
Wilburn:
Bailey:
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Ames was even more probably their statistics were even more better, I shouldn't say that,
but better than the counties statistics, ours are slightly better in commercial. Cost savings
they said they would probably save the cost of the Assessor's salary. I think they wrote it
that the cities tax base was larger and any savings would probably go more to the counties
end of it than the cities. Third thing was representation on the conference board itself, the
Mayor would be one vote of 12 or here the city council has one of, has it's own vote on
the conference board. The school board would likewise be diluted they would be one of 10
I think, school boards that would be included. And the Board of Review as Eleanor said, it
would, currently there are no of course no Iowa City citizens on the County Board of
Review, they probably could expand that and include some [ don't know how that would
work, it would be a county conference board decision. Those are the reasons that Ames
had in their report.
But you said that city was done in house by the City Manager?
City Manager's Office.
Thank you.
Another thing that most of the consolidations I have seen, I have been in the business
about 30 years, most of them, all of them I believe have happened when one or the other
of the Assessors have retired, they usually don't do it in the middle of someone's term. I
don't anticipate either of them retiring very soon here, 4 or 5 years at the earliest probably.
Dee do you recall is this perhaps an issue that the Iowa League has looked at in the past?
Or probably not?
I am not aware that they have, it has not come up as an issue for legislation during the last
10 years.
Well we don't have a conference board til the 23,d , and it sounds like a couple folks at
least talk to some supervisors and perhaps call some other cities.
Sound like we should also talk with the school board if we are looking at, I mean, that
would be significant impact to them.
I'm losing interest.
So let's each of you have those conversations, I do have to talk to someone with the school
board about another matter, I will talk with the school board.
So will this be scheduled for another work session for further discussion of this, as Bob is
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concern that it gets the limbo, the limbo land of topics?
Wilburn:
I don't know if we can get it in before the City Conference Board Meeting.
Bailey:
It doesn't have to be, I don't feel like it has to be, I think this is something we should look
at.
Wilburn:
Ok, I had a request for a break
Atkins:
Where did we leave this future work session?
Bailey:
And it doesn't have to happen before the conference board meeting.
Elliott:
Break? Break, did you say?
Wilburn:
Yeah, 5, back at 10 til, 10 til8.
Break at 7:40 O'Donnell left
Citv Council Aooointments
Wilburn: Well we were talking about
Karr: You were talking about ECICOG, Jail Taskforce, and Student Senate.
Wilburn: Ok, let's start with ECICOG. I am currently involved with the sports authority as my
intention to continue that, I am also involved with ICAD so Dee had done ECICOG
before, I don't know ifthere is anyone else interested but with council approval
Champion: Done good job.
Wilburn: With council approval
Bailey: Be terrific.
Wilburn: Dee.
Elliott: You like that?
Vanderhoef: That's fine.
Bailey: Thank you Dee.
Wilburn: What's next? Oh, the Jail Task Force, Connie can you give us a little more information.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006,
January 9, 2006
Champion:
Elliott:
Champion:
Elliott:
Champion:
Elliott:
Champion:
Elliott:
Champion:
Wilburn:
Karr:
Champion:
Vanderhoef:
Champion:
Elliott:
Vanderhoef:
Champion:
Vanderhoef:
Champion:
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Well, I don't think this has to actually be for the Council. Ijust want to make people
aware, I am going to try and get a hold of Pat Harney this week to see what he has in
mind, we are just getting the subcommittees together and they've asked that Iowa City be
more involved, council members, someone from the police department as Steve knows.
I attended the last meeting and I assume I am a member of that subcommittee, the same
one which you are a member. Talking about location.
Last week?
Yes.
I did not attend that meeting obviously.
Yeah, we talked about you.
Did you say something good? You are on that committee now?
Yes.
Then that is probably all we need.
If you talk to Pat can you let him know have him let us know or City Manager which
subcommittees there are so that Steve can get the appropriate staff people. Sound good?
So there is no more action necessary other than that?
No
So which of the subcommittees did you go to Bob?
Facilities.
Yes, Facilities subcommittee.
And your's Connie?
Facilities.
So you're both on the same subcommittee and there are two other subcommittees?
There are 4 all together but I think we combined 2, there's public relations that kind of
stuff and still working on alternatives, Press, I think they combined 2 of them. The reason
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January 9, 2006
Wilburn:
Karr:
Wilburn:
Elliott:
Vanderhoef:
Elliott:
Schreiber:
Wilburn:
Schreiber:
Wilburn:
Elliott:
Schreiber:
Wilburn:
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we broke the conunittee down is because we were trying to find a way to keep the
supervisors informed about what was going on without having to have open meetings, I
mean all of our meetings are open but not having them more informal. And so we thought
by putting up somebody from the supervisors on every subcommittee then once a month
we meet as a whole group in the supervisors office to discuss what is going on, because
they were uninformed, because it is an inefficient system.
Were there any other?
Student Senate
Student Senate, we made appointments to the student senate subconunittee to council
members and I guess my question is does the student senate feel that is necessary given
that you're here or do you all have any recommendation about that, I guess that is what we
are looking for. This was prior to the appointment of the liaison we had 2 council
members available to meet with the ...... So is there still a need for that?
And we didn't.
We did the first year. See the student senate leaders change every year but we stay for 2
years, our appointments so our first year we.
We haven't met that I recollected anyway.
How often was the meeting? Apparently not very often.
More at the call of them. Connie and I did it once and I think we had 3 or 4 meetings with.
Just to talk about what was going on in the City? Was there something beyond?
It was any relations but any issues that they felt the city could be looking at. A couple of
things that came up one was the debit cards for the parking ramps, that one was issue that
came up, that is just an example.
Are we not talking about a role reversal with the council representatives being with the
senate the same way that you are with the council?
I guess I really don't see the need for it since I think ingrained in my position as the liaison
by definition to take what they want and bring it to you, they are not conununicating that
to me then. Our fault, not you guys'.
Can you take that back to them and reconunendation because it could be that we
discontinue that.
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January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
Schreiber:
Wilburn:
Karr:
Champion:
Wilburn:
Karr:
Champion:
Karr:
Champion:
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I will certainly talk at our next executive meeting about whether or not they want that
done, but I can't see a reason why you need to continue based on what the position
encompasses.
Agenda Items.
Before we pass on that, just to clarify then, so we will on the meeting of the 23'd we will
firm up the appointments on ECICOG, Dee and the sports authority of you, correct? So
those 2 and then the jail task force you will just work on Steve with that, we don't know
anything on student senate until Jeremy comes back either.
I don't think we should make that Jail Task Force a permanent council committee just
because
It's a task force type thing?
But it still would be ratified a 2 year appoint Connie or not?
No, it's not necessary, I have been on it for 5 years they've never ratified it
Yeah, we have ratified it.
Oh, you have? That's fine, you can ratify it.
AGENDA ITEMS
Wilburn:
ITEM 12.
Elliott:
Atkins:
Elliott:
Atkins:
Agenda Items.
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING
THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT
WITH REGAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
OF A DUPLEX HOME UNDER THE AFFORDABLE DREAM HOME
OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM.
I had a question, the 2 bidders on the affordable dream house is Regal construction, is that
the same outfit that's putting the, out by the interstate, is that out of Des Moines.
Thinking of Regency
Ok, Regency, where is Regal from?
Steve Gordon.
Doug Boothroy: Steve Gordon, Jim Miller, Regal is the construction company. A M Management is sort of
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January 9, 2006
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the holding company.
Elliott: But this is obviously a local firm which really helps, good.
Vanderhoef: I can't remember what the previous bid was?
Champion: $288
Boothroy: $288 and this was $267,280, and hopefully we've got 4 votes to approve this.
Bailey: And the estimate was $220.
Vanderhoef: (laughing) You're making a recommendation?
Boothroy: (laughing) Call for hands?
Bailey: No, you can't do that. Ross can do that but you can't do that.
Correia: Can I just clarify something. Essentially it is a zero lot line?
Boothroy: No, it's not a zero lot line.
Correia: It's a duplex but you are selling each side?
Boothroy: It's condominium.
Correia: Ok, condominium. So the funds for this are the HUD so you will sell them at
Boothroy: Fair market.
Vanderhoef: Some of these funds are from the sales of previous
Correia: Yep.
Boothroy: They are from our TOP tenant to ownership program.
Correia: It is a requirement that those funds from those sales go back into affordable housing.
Boothroy: Yes, that's correct.
Champion: Good.
Wilburn: Thanks Doug.
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January 9, 2006
Champion:
Wilburn:
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Little bit cheaper.
Other agenda items?
IP6 of 1/5/06 Info Packet Memo from the City Manager: Refuse Tipper Carts- Update
Elliott:
Atkins:
Elliott:
Atkins:
Elliott:
Atkins:
Elliott:
Atkins:
Elliott:
Atkins:
Champion:
Atkins:
Champion:
Atkins:
Wilburn:
ITEM 11.
Urn, the one about the tipping bins and the special,
Refuse tipper carts, right.
Is there an additional cost to the city for going that direction, obviously the lack of injuries
is a big plus.
Long pull it's going to be far less costly. Cause we eventually hope, we are working our
way to one person crews..
So it will be a money saver.
It should be a substantial money saver, yes.
Two ways, safety and financial.
It would be helpful to our employees cause we were experiencing back injuries on a
regular basis.
I think you said no one ever retired.
No one ever retired from refuse collection that right.
So it's a good idea.
They have become very popular. I mean, I was very pleasantly surprise that they work
well. We can't use them in all our neighborhoods because of on street parking, those types
of issues but it work very well for us.
But some towns only those so how do they do that?
They don't have on street parking on certain days. We'd be probably run out of town if
you...
Other agenda items
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ESTABLISIDNG A REVISED SCHEDULE OF
ThIs represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa CIty City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
Correia:
Atkins:
Correia:
Moran:
Correia:
Elliott:
Moran:
Elliott:
Moran:
Elliott:
Moran:
Champion:
Moran:
Wilburn:
Moran:
Champion:
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FEES AND CHARGES FOR PARKS AND RECREA nON SERVICES AND
PROGRAMS
I still have a question about the revised schedule charges for parks and rec.
Mike Moran is here, recreation superintendent.
Just a quick question about, will the rec center continue to have the discounted or sliding
fee for lower income, so and what's the 80% and below, 50%?
Criteria is 50% off the class fees, and it is based on 135% of the federal poverty
guidelines, it is the same as the school lunch menu.
Okay.
Yeali, my question was, what's the increase and then I looked at your material and there
were 7,000 categories and fees and what have you.
There are actually 94,72 of them are going to be increased.
But still there is no charge, it's basically the senior center is, that you can go in and take
advantage of the space, I presume you do you rent basketballs and pool tables?
We just ask for a deposit, so if they bring the ball back.
Ok, good
The free programs will maintain themselves so, and the low income program will maintain
itself as well.
What is actually being increased?
Well everything that's marked in there, our history has been every other year and so this
year coming up is our heavy year like I said there were 72 fee's being increased over the
94, and that's what gets increased, then next year it will be a little bit lighter and we just
volley back and forth.
Softball is going up $10.
And ballfield rentals too so you are going to get hit.
I don't worry about those softball increases, only because that is only a one time
expenditure.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
Wilburn:
Champion:
Moran:
Wilburn:
Moran:
Champion:
Moran:
Wilburn:
ITEM 9.
ITEM 10.
Atkins:
Wilburn:
Bailey:
Elliott:
Bailey:
Elliott:
Correia:
City Council Work Session
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Those are the ones I hear about.
It's a one time expenditure. It's $10 a year. I worry about things like swimming.
Becomes a repetitive increase.
Well we also maintain consistency throughout the county and throughout the state, we
always try to figure out what everyone else is doing so that we aren't out there ahead of
everybody else.
I think one or two, maybe a couple years ago, there was an adjustment in a family pass
because of what they were doing in Cedar Rapids.
We adjusted all our family and monthly passes.
I think the family passes are really well priced.
They have been real popular.
Thanks Mike, like the tie by the way.
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY ECONOMIC BETTERMENT ACCOUNT
(CEBA) FUNDS AND LOCAL MATCmNG FUNDS TO ASSIST PROCTER AND
GAMBLE HAIR CARE LLC.
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
lOW A CITY APPROVING THE APPLICATION OF PROCTER AND GAMBLE
HAm CARE LLC FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING BENEFITS UNDER
THE STATE OF IOWA'S mGH QUALITY JOB CREATION PROGRAM.
And ifthere are any questions on P&G, Steve is here.
Okay. Procter & Gamble. Any questions?
Looks fabulous.
These are jobs coming from Mexico to Iowa City?
Possibly.
Well that is the intent.
What is the time line from hearing back from IDED?
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January 9, 2006
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Champion: State.
Vanderhoef: They meet on the 18th.
Bailey: They meet next week, right?
Steve Nasby: Iowa Department of Economic Development meets next Thursday so this stuff will go to
them on Thursday and so we hope to find out relatively soon after that board meeting
whether or not they will approve the funding, but we need to be in place so they can have
that.
Wilburn: Any other agenda items?
Council Time
Wilburn: Council time. I will be going with the chamber and other local government officials to
Washington D.C. in February. Steve has pledged to council positions to go, Regenia has
expressed an interest in going.
Vanderhoef: I would like to go.
Wilburn: So we would either be looking at adding an additional spot or choosing between 3 of us.
Bailey: I won't be going to the National League of Cities, but that would be my only D.C. trip.
Correia: Why would there only be two going?
Wilburn: We have 2 budgeted if council is willing to add a third, it would be more expense for this
trip.
Elliott: Ijust, on situations, any meetings, I would see no reason for any more than 2 people to
ever go, anything that you gain or learn, 2 people can represent Iowa City and anything
that is to be gained or learned, the people can bring back and teach us.
Bailey: This is the lobbying trip.
Wilburn: Arm wrestle for it?
Vanderhoef: The lobbying, yes I go to D.C. but when I go to D.C. and meet with the Legislators I am in
either wearing my Iowa League of Cities hat or my National League of Cities hat, I'm not
there with time to lobby for Iowa City, or the Corridor, that's not
Bailey: So who are sending to lobby for Iowa City to the National League of Cities?
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January 9,2006
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Vanderhoef: But when I go to National League of Cities, it is the issues that are approved and put
forward for the National League policies, or Federal activities. We do have one meeting,
the Legislators that is the Iowa Caucus of whoever goes to the League of Cities from the
cities,
Bailey: Right.
Vanderhoef: But we are lobbying for the issues for the State ofIowa, not specifically
Bailey: You should have told me that last year. Cause that's not what I was lobbying for. I
specifically focusing on issues that would effect our city. But my question really is, who is
going out this year. I can't go out to League of Cities this year.
Vanderhoef: I will be going to League of Cities.
Champion: But those are issues that we all talk about Dee,
V anderhoef: Yea.
Champion: I mean you're not just pulling them out of the blue.
Vanderhoef: No, but when you meet with the Iowa Congressional Delegation,
Champion: Right.
Vanderhoef: We're looking at Iowa issues.
Correia: Which are Iowa City issues.
Vanderhoef: .. ..may not be a state
Bailey: But I think it is important that they hear once again a month later after the chamber has
been out, issues that are particularly important to Iowa City, that's what we are out there
for, our community, not only our state only. So I can't go to the League of Cities, I can go
on the Chamber trip but I can't go later so.
Correia: And Dee you can go to the League of Cities?
Vanderhoef: I just put that on my calendar first because of my commitments.
Wilburn: Is there support for adding a third or?
Elliott: I would be for 2 people.
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January 9, 2006
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Wilburn: Ok
Atkins: I can't promise the third, I did, it's not our end, it's there end. I did reserve 2 spaces.
Wilburn: Okay. I guess I would put forth the recommendation since Dee will be going out that it be
Regenia and myself.
Vanderhoef: That's fine, not a problem.
Wilburn: Okay, and Steve can make sure
Atkins: I will cali.
Wilburn: Ok, thanks. I know there is a time factor to that
Wilburn: Urn, otherwise council time, any other things or do you want to save it to tomorrow?
Bailey: I have a question about the bike rack issue and the snow.
Atkins: The bike rack issue and the snow. We tried to do that.
Bailey: There were lots of bikes damaged because of the amount of snow this year and I think we
have to address that cause there are a lot of bike commuters that live on Church St and it is
amazing to me how many bikes I see going by my office. Even in the snow.
Atkins: We do not have the people to keep those bike racks clear.
Bailey: But I think what they were saying is that the snow clearing and the piling was happening
against the bike racks.
Champion: That's the problem.
Bailey: I think that's the problem, it's not digging them out, it's where we put the snow, now 1
anticipate we probably won't get any more snow now...
Vanderhoef: If you look at loading zones downtown for instance though, if you want the loading zone
cleaned out so it can be used as a loading zone, then they are going to push that snow
somewhere off the blade and I know in our loading zone beside us, the bike rack is right
up there next to the street.
Bailey: Right, we have to respect all kinds of commuters, I mean, if you bike commute, that just,
you just lost your way home probably, not only because you have to dig it out but because
the wheel or something is going to be bent.
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Vanderhoef: What I am saying is if you are just going to be straight out plowing, it's gonna happen, if
you are going to keep your streets open.
Champion: There has to be some way of doing this.
Vanderhoef: We locate where bicycle racks are placed.
Helling: I have had a conversation with Terry Trueblood and also with Chris O'Brien from parking
because they share the responsibility parking primarily the ones in the ramps. There was a
little bit of a slip up this year in terms of getting them cleared quite fast enough but they,
in all cases they are a lower priority because the idea is to get the streets cleared first
otherwise you can't get to the bike racks on a bicycle although I have heard some people
riding through snow this deep to..
Bailey: Right.
Helling: But they do have a system, Terry said the thought they could improve on that the next
snow we get, if we get one. So but people have to understand, it is a lower priority, they
have to push the snow out of the streets, then they remove the snow from the bike racks as
quick as they can.
Champion: That's not the problem, the problem is when they are pushing the snow onto the bike rack,
it is damaging the bikes.
Bailey: With attached bikes, that's the challenge.
Champion: It's not that the bike racks are covered in snow, it's that the bikes are there and they are
getting damaged.
Atkins: So the choice would be don't push the snow on them.
Champion: Exactly
Atkins: Then how do we clear it from the street if I can't
Bailey: Oh I bet you're smart enough to do that.
Elliott: The way some cities do it is go from the curb, push the snow to the middle and pick it up
in the middle.
Atkins: We do.
Elliott: That would be the downtown way
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
Atkins:
Elliott:
Bailey:
Correia:
Bailey:
Champion:
Correia:
Bailey:
Atkins:
Champion:
Bailey:
Champion:
Bailey:
Elliot:
Bailey:
Elliott:
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That's what we do.
And aren't most of the bike racks that are being, having close to the street and having
bikes damaged, aren't most of those downtown?
Yeah, there is one on the comer of Washington and Gilbert was probably piled with, I
don't know, an enormous pile of pretty hard snow and I
Was that snow piled, cleaned from the street, or cleaned from the sidewalks?
I don't know.
We don't know.
When they clean the streets, I mean the sidewalks from the city plaza, I mean there is a lot
of snow on those bike racks.
Where are all our covered bike racks are they all on the new, how many covered bike
racks do we have on Court St.?
Capital St. has them, Court St has them, quite frankly you can put them up under any
parking garage you wanted too.
But is there a way to lock it up?
Right, you have to have a rack. So if we could provide
Indoor parking.
No, I guess what I am saying is sending out a release at the end of October encouraging
people to use our indoor bike racks with the winter months because we can't obviously
predict in the snow and you leave your bike rack, or your bike parked over night and it
snows and the chances of you getting piled in. So looking at some more indoor, or covered
in the ramps, bike ramps might address the issue.
I would like a time to talk about snow possibility of snow routes through town, possibility
of setting priorities for snow plowing for downtown area.
I would like to talk about snow removal.
I think it would be good, Steve, to hear from, because when you just talk about snow
removal, it sounds pretty easy, just remove the snow, well obviously it isn't but we'd like to
hear.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
(Tape 2, 06-03)
Atkins:
Correia:
Atkins:
Bailey:
Wilburn:
Bailey:
Atkins:
Champion:
Bailey:
Wilburn:
Elliott:
Wilburn:
Elliott:
Atkins:
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We have a detailed route system.
I mean in some cities, for example on College St, there is no sign saying, that in a snow
emergency you would need to be responsible to move your car so those could get cleaned.
A number of years ago we choice not to do that simply because there was so much on
street parking on the north side Amy, that was discussed and many cities do
We need to put this on a work session.
Can you put that on a work session?
Including the bike issue.
Yes.
I think the bike issue is a major issue, I think those cars have no problem driving through
the amount of snow we get.
Well I sold my car because I have trouble driving through the amount of snow we get. I
got rid of it.
We'll discuss this, any other council time?
I just had, I'm pleased that we switched the goal setting planning meeting from the water
works to the library. I think that is a plus. Sometime I would like to get a report on the
peninsula project, we got some information before, but I am interested, you know, when
did it start, what were, obviously I never was a big fan of it, but when it started, what was
being proposed, it seems to me that nothing much is happening out there, I have heard
from one owner who was concerned that when he purchased a home out there that there
would be a playground, and park area and that has not transpired and I would just like to
have an update on the peninsula project..
Would you like a timeline update or just an update?
Yeah, I just, you know, it has been several years and
Please keep in mind that is a subdivision approved by the council and it's a private
developer, not a whole lot different from other subdivisions other than we passed a unique
zoning ordinance requiring the type.
This represents only a reasonably accnrate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
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January 9,2006
Elliott:
Correia:
Atkins:
Wilburn:
Bailey:
Champion:
Bailey:
Atkins:
Bailey:
Correia:
Atkins:
Karr:
Champion:
Correia:
Bailey:
Correia:
Champion:
Elliott:
Bailey:
Champion:
Wilburn:
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Well there were a lot of restrictions out there which made the building more expensive
than in other areas, and I was out there this afternoon, a whole lot offor sale signs, I don't
know ifthat's good or if that's not good, but it just seems there isn't much happening.
Dog park going in. Do we have any pedestrian bridge down there?
Yes we do.
Any other council time items?
Can we set a goal setting session tomorrow night?
Have it.
Why do I only have it to be a determined time.
24th I need a start time.
That's what I meant sorry. Start and finish time please?
And will we get an agenda in advance or is that???
Jim Swaim will serve as facilitator and it's really no formal agenda.
We typically do a goal setting and he sets the agenda.
8 o'clock.
8 :45?
Oh my God we are bargaining?
Shouldn't we wait until Mike is here?
No, he doesn't get
I have it as 9 on my calendar.
That's because you don't like early meetings I thought.
How about 9 o'clock?
9:00.
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January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
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Atkins: I'll send you out a reminder. 9 - 4.
Karr: 9-3 because.
Atkins: 9-3. We're up against something.
Wilburn: And I know that Jim, ifhe hasn't already, is going to be meeting with Steve just to get
some comments and he is going to be talking with me and I will talk to Jim about getting
some bit of information out to the council so you're aware of how the day will go.
Bailey: Yeah, I think to think about things in advance would be helpful.
Wilburn: Okay.
Vanderhoef: I like the idea about talking about future goals and visioning which takes in a lot of CIP as
well as collaborative kind of things.
Wilburn: Or policy type things?
Correia: There was an ernail in the packet about the jake brakes issue, is that something that we
might talk about at some point?
Atkins: We did talk about it a two years ago, I think Dee raised the issue and Council rejected it at
that time.
Vanderhoef: I had some people that really wanted it but there wasn't a lot of public out cry at that point
in time.
Correia: The gentleman emailed did say, is there anything he could do to drum up support, petition
or get, I mean it sounds like what he is saying that because of more development and more
development in industrial park and with Scott Blvd that there are more trucks then there
were 2 yrs. ago.
Champion: And there is a lot more development out there of residential, it might be more of a
problem.
Bailey: How do we evaluate that? We do traffic studies, but how do you do a jake brake study?
Correia: Survey?
Vanderhoef: Coralville has put one in an ordinance for that.
Correia: What is a jake brake?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.
January 9, 2006
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Elliott: It's a device when you gear down and it's noisy.
Bailey: Trucks are noisy and this makes them nosier.
Elliott: There is a town between here and Chicago on Hwy 30 when I am not in a hurry going to
Chicago, I traverse it and it has signs along and I will make that trip one ofthese days and
I will bring back the sign, I would also like to talk to them
Bailey: Just the wording (laughing)
Elliott: I would also like to talk to them to see if it makes any difference.
Atkins: Do you know the name of the City?
Elliott: I forgot which city it is.
Atkins: Let me know and I will contact them.
Wilburn: I think the concept is if you have a manual transmission, this is over simplified, but if you
down shift to slow down, you're engine makes a lot of noise and it's kind of along those
lines.
Vanderhoef: You can use a different brake but they say it's more cost effective to use the jake brake.
Bailey: So do we send someone out there to listen? And count? Is that how we do it? 24 hrs?
Atkins: Yea.
Vanderhoef: Part of it is the time of day that it is happening.
Champion: We put a microphone down there.
Correia: Oh yeah, ok.
Vanderhoef: Any probably during the daytime with other noises they're not quite as
Wilburn: I'm sorry, there are to many conversations going on.
Vanderhoef: Noticeable as people who are light sleepers.
Bailey: Well, what did you want to do about this?
Correia: I mean, I would be interested ifthere are other folks that are interested in it at least
considering the ordinance.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
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January 9, 2006
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Elliott I would like to collect some information, Steve, I'll see if! can look at the map and give
you that town.
Atkins: Then I'll track it down.
Correia: And if Coralville just did it.
Wilburn: Get a letter to us on what you find.
Correia: Ijust have something real quick to let folks know I got the applications for the Youth
Advisory Commission hoping to set up interviews during this weekend, Regenia as the
alternate will help with those interviews, there are 10 applicants in the IS to 17 years old
age bracket, and 4 positions to fill, there are 5 applicants in 18 to 21 with 3 positions to
fill. So...
Vanderhoef: Older ones are not quite as
Correia: Not as many.
Bailey: Maybe they don't want to hang out with younger kids.
Wilburn: Alright, very good. See ya tomorrow night?
This represents only a reasonably accurate trauscription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of
January 9, 2006.