HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-30 Transcription
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page I
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
7:00 P.M.
Council:
Bailey, Champion, Correia, Elliott, O'Donnell, Vanderhoef, Wilburn
Staff:
Atkins, Karr, Helling, Trueblood, Mansfield, Kopping, Craig
Tapes:
06-14, SIDE 2; 06-15, BOTH SIDES
Wilburn: Okay. Senior Center Commission. Oh do I need to take a roll call?
Karr: Nope. Work session we're fine.
Honohan: I'm here.
Wilburn: Okay.
Champion: And we're glad you're here.
Honohan: Thank you.
SENIOR CENTER
Honohan: Mr. Mayor and members of the Council, Jay Honohan with the Senior Center
Commission. Have to show up for a budget hearing. I would like to say at the
beginning we continue, the Commission, and the participants of the Center
continue to thank the Council and the administration for the support that the
Senior Center has had at least in the seven years that I have been on the
Commission. Your support has been welcome and it's been very strong. Briefly
some things that you may have already heard. I think I have told you that we are
at approximately 1000 registered participants now at the Senior Center and we
continue to grow each month. Our visits for example have grown from about
49,000 three years ago to over 55,000
Champion: Wow.
Honohan: in fiscal 2005 which we are very pleased to see. If you recall there were some
that felt when we went to membership fees that out participation would go down.
Fortunately that has not proven be the case.
Champion: Jay can you just clarify for me does that include senior dining?
Honohan: No, that does not include Senior Dining. When you include Senior Dining
and a few other things Linda would you agree with me about 86 or 87,000.
Something in that neighborhood.
Bailey: So what does that mean? It's not an unduplicated count I assume. It's attendance
at classes and band and choir and all the activities?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
-_.~~------~"---_._--_.__... -
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 2
Honohan: Everything.
Bailey: All the activities.
Kopping: We have visits as any person who participates in any activity.
Bailey: So it's not a nnrnber
Kopping: It's a duplicated count.
Bailey: Right, okay. So this participating in all your programs that you offer as well as
Kopping: It's all the programs sponsored, the number that Jay first mentioned was refers
to all the programs sponsored by the Senior Center.
Bailey: Okay.
Kopping: Ifwe add in the nutrition program, AARP, the task force, and other community
groups that use the Senior Center then it goes up to around 90,000 in that vicinity.
Wilburn: Jay did you have prepared text that you wanted to go through first this
evening?
Bailey: I'm sorry.
O'Donnell: Good.
Honohan: Not in particular.
Wilburn: I'm just giving you the opportunity...
Honohan: I welcome any interruptions.
Wilburn: Okay, alright.
Honohan: that we can try...what you just found out what I can't answer Linda can.
Wilburn: Okay, alright. I'll just check with each speaker if they have prepared text is all
for the council.
Honohan: I have some notes of course that I am following obviously. The next thing I
would like to mention is the Iowa City Senior Center Fund Inc. AS you recall we
established the Iowa City Senior Center Fund Inc. in June 2004 in order to invest
in the Community Foundation of Johnson County. I am pleased to say that since
my initiation contribution of $20 to pay the filing fees with the Secretary of State
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 3
that the Senior Center, the Community Foundation assets have now risen to
$489,552.42.
Champion: Wow.
Honahan: Of that we have invested $381,885 in the endowment fund and we have
$106,886 in the charitable giving account. If you recall the endowment fund is a
growth fund which we get the earnings from that and put it in the operations
account. The charitable giving account, although it does earn and it does have
growth, is a much more reduced growth and that is almost a kin to a checking
account for us. And from that for the operating budget for fiscal year 2007, if you
haven't noticed it, we are contributing $9800 to purchase new equipment for
Senior Center TV, $6000 for new fitness equipment and $10,000 towards
operations. In addition to that we have set aside funds in the charitable giving
account. We have a joint, we're starting a joint venture with Elder Services. I
don't know if you recall when Eleanor Hughes passed away she gave $275,000
approximately to the Senior Center. She gave $ 275,000 to Elder Services for the
dining program and we are proposing, and have formed a community. I don't
think they have met yet.
Kopping: Friday,
Honohan: Friday they are meeting to let Elder Services and the, or the charitable giving
account fund improvements for the assembly room to make both the dining
program and the programs at the Senior Center more compatible and more
enjoyable. That we don't know exactly how that is going to turn out but we have
talked in terms of maybe $50,000 is our share. In addition to this, as far as the
assembly room is concerned, I am going to shift a little to capital improvements
now. We have put in the budget improvements in the lighting and the sound
equipment and the wallpapers. The assembly room as you would recognize is
very important to the Senior Center because we have a lot of our programs and
we're trying to make that as attractive as we can and also of course when we're
talking about the TV equipment, the lighting and the sound equipment we're
talking about our programming that goes out over cable TV because that I'd be
less than candid if! did not admit that a lot of that programming doesn't corne out
as well as we would like it too and we think we improve that, our capabilities, and
the volunteers that work on it and the students that help, students from the
University that can be another advantage to the Senior Center for people in
retirement homes, people in their own homes, people in nursing homes and even
serves the outlying community that has cable TV. Lastly, I'll try and be briefMr.
Mayor, there's one item in the Citizens Summary that we are concerned about on
page 23 where there is a recommendation for the staff addition and then at the
bottom ofthe page 23 there is a recommendation or not recommended, I'm sorry.
for additional staff person for the Senior Center. We would request, and to be
honest I think I have asked for this 6 years in a row now, we would request an
additional staff person, a half time person, and that person would primarily be in
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 4
charge of organizing and operating evening programs for the Senior Center. I
know the Council and the Board of Supervisors have both from time to time have
said please have more evening programs but it is difficult to have evening
programs with the staff that we currently have. We do do some as much as can.
We stagger some hours so we can do that too but it would very advantageous to
the Center if we could have that halftime person. As I say the current staff is
exactly the same staff that when I came on the Commission seven years ago so we
have not increased in the last seven years and we're asking for that staff member.
It is important that ah I mention the fact that person being a trained professional
staff person rather than a volunteer can ensure that we a safe and secure building
in the evenings for people that would come to Senior Center programs. We could
I think we could expand some of our instructional programs and some of our
informational programs if we had that additional staff and I don't think I've taken
all my time Mr. Mayor.
Wilburn: You have five minutes left for questions.
Honohan: I got five minutes left so if you have nay questions that I can't answer Linda
will.
Elliott: Can you leave us or provide us with a listing of those anticipated and suggested
expenditures that you just covered?
Wilburn: The staff member is in our
Honohan: The staff member is on page 23 Bob.
Elliott: Yea. I'm just you talked about TV, and the things for the dining area, the
reception area, and
Atkins: A bunch of that Bob you're going to find in their operating budget, page 68,
under capital outlay. It will be in that book, yea. Track lighting, wall treatments,
and those things.
Honohan: That's correct.
Champion: But that's not extra money they are asking us for?
Honohan: No that's in the recommended budget.
Bailey: That's already been recommended.
Champion: Right.
Bailey: What has been the response to the evening programming that you done already?
And what has that entailed?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
------~--_.~--_.._._-~---_.-
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 5
Kopping: We have done ah Monday yoga class, and a Wednesday night yoga class, and
a Monday night weight training class and a Wednesday night weight training
class, We have two beginning band classes on Monday nights, We also have a
book discussion group going urn they probably it depends on the class for
example the yoga classes have probably between 6 and 10 people at a time,
Enough to make it worthwhile for the instructor to teach it
Bailey: And how have you covered that? The evening hours?
Kopping: It's interesting that you have asked that As it happens we have staffpeop1e
enrolled in all the fitness classes and I personally work until 6:00 so I'm there for
the band thing and other people as Jay said we stagger our shifts,
Bailey: Right
Kopping: But urn staff people are in the evening classes because they're interested in
enrolling in this type of class, I can't expect the staff people to go all the evening
classes though.
Bailey: The fitness expenditure got me thinking about your fitness room and I was
wondering about what safety procedures you have in your fitness room because it
is unsupervised, right? It's weight equipment and cardio equipment, right?
Kopping: That's correct I'm not unlike most health clubs, the swimming pools and stuff
in hotels and you go in and you are sorta on your own. We have people sign a
release when they buy a membership.
Bailey: Okay.
Kopping: Release ofliability. We have installed phones in the rooms and we directions
on the wall on how to secure help and we also have first aid kits available in there.
Bailey: Okay thanks.
Vanderhoef: So presently you're saying you are only open on Monday and Wednesday
night, is that correct?
Kopping: Correct, routinely.
Vanderhoef: And if you were to have a half time FTE would you be looking to do more
nights a week or extended hours on Monday and Wednesday, how would this
work?
Kopping: I would hope to open until 9:00 each week night, Monday through Friday.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 6
Bailey: And then how would you evaluate the success of that halftime staff person and
being open until 9? I mean what kind of attendance would you expect to see?
What would be successful attendance from your perspective?
Kopping: We would, I would hope to see the classes have at least a minimum of
participants to start with, say 5 or 6, and then I would expect to see that grow
regularly. I would expect to see memberships increase and ah there was
something else I thought of but can't remember now.
Bailey: So when you are thinking about success what would be a class load that you
would also like to see Monday through Friday? I mean how many evening
classes would you anticipate?
Kopping: I would anticipate more fitness classes. I would anticipate at least one fitness
class an evening and I would anticipate that we would have computer classes one
or two nights a week and I would anticipate financial planning. Other things that
might be appealing to people still working, financial planning, retirement
planning, those kinds of things.
Bailey: So potentially three classes every week night maybe? Staggering like Monday,
Wednesday, Friday yoga....
Kopping: You mean three classes in total over the course of a week?
Bailey: No, three classes an evening.
Kopping: Yes.
Bailey: That's what I was trying to get at like what would be your goal for per evening I
mean how many classes do you think, more classes could you offer per evening?
Kopping: I think three probably be urn a good number considering the staff that we have
in the building, or would have in the building.
Elliott: I read something the other day that I thought that you had had two half time
people for reception duties at the front desk. This shows just one halftime person
is that correct?
Kopping: Both are correct. The other half time person that is not on the list is a HACAP
employee.
Elliott: So, funding for that comes from another source?
Kopping: That is correct.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 7
Elliott: Yea, I thought that one of the things that you could do is Mercy Hospital has
volunteers at the front desk. I, that was the first thing that popped into my mind
and there may be logical reasons why that is not appropriate but
Honohan: In the past we did have volunteers that were like greeters Bob. However, that
became very sporadic because people don't like to commit too much. Although
we do have I don't know about 8600 I may be wrong don't hold me to the exact
figure but I think we had about 8600 hours in fiscal year 05, volunteer hours at the
Center. That sound about right?
Kopping: No, more than that. More than 500 volunteers.
Honohan: I was talking about hours. Obviously we disagree a little on this here. I'm
probably wrong and she's right.
Wilburn: (can't hear)
Vanderhoef: I think it's in your annual report.
Wilburn: Excuse me before you go on we're eating into the Library Board's time.
Honohan: Right. Okay.
Bailey: Thank you.
Honohan: Thank you. If any other questions come up I'm available by telephone.
Wilburn: Okay. Thanks Jay. David and Susan.
LIBRARY BOARD
Wilburn: If you have prepared text please say so and if you don't mind interruptions.
David VanDusseldorp: Thanks Ross. I'm Dave VanDusseldorp, President of the Board
of Trustees for the Library. Thank you for the opportunity to speak for a few
minutes this evening about the Library and thank you for the ongoing overall
support for the Library's budget. We just completed our biggest year ever.
Thanks to a wonderful facility. Over 600,000 visitors a year makes us the busiest
public library in the state and for a community our size among the busiest in the
nation. Tonight I'd like to ask for addition consideration regarding the part of our
funding request tied to expanding hours. If funded this would increase the weekly
hours open by 4.7% and increase weekend availability by 25%. The cost for the
additional staffing and utilities is $38,267 a year, an increase in only those items
of 1.2%. We proposed this project in response to a community survey as part of
our long range planning process. Only parking issues ranked higher than
This represents only a reasonably accnrate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 8
weekend hours as areas for improvement. Also while mentioning parking thanks
for the recent City Code changes so we can better monitor the short term spaces
on Linn Street in front of the building and heads up that we may be back in touch
with ah city staff and Council when we have an opportunity to measure the Plaza
Tower building users effect on the short term parking in the Dubuque lot. Lastly
for anyone who hasn't the annual report for last year I would encourage you to do
so. It is just huge evidence for the return on investment this community has in the
facility and its services. Also at any point if any of you are stressed out and your
work with our community stop by your library it's where I go feel best about our
community. I'm open for any questions.
Elliott: What time do you
Wilburn: I don't think the Library stays open long enough to handle our stress.
(laughter)
Elliott: What time do you close on Friday nights?
VanDusseldorp: We close on 6:00 on Friday night and the proposal is to go until 8 and to
increase the Sunday coverage form 5 to 6 to match up the closing time on
Saturday.
Elliott: I think it is especially important with the Friday night series. We'll have to wait
and see how that goes but I think it is especially important that they have access to
the Library.
VanDusseldorp: Yea, the meaning of this centralized facility in our community, the
vibrancy of that community space shared and as the community has more
activities on weekends and Friday having that facility open is welcoming place
and a place for activities.
Vanderhoef: Two questions. Number one has there a discussion of opening late to the
public on one of the weekday mornings to shift time over for the Friday night and
the additional hour on Sunday?
VanDusseldorp: I'll turn to Susan to
Bailey: Wouldn't that cause a riot?
Correia: I know all these people waiting at lOAM.
(all talking)
Champion: I think they need to open at 9.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 9
Bailey: Yea, I would love 9.
Craig: When we asked the public in a scientific survey about different options for
improving library service, when we asked about hours we gave three options and
we offered people would you like to see hours expanded on Sunday, would you
like to see hours on Friday night, would you like us to open from 9 to 10 Monday
through Friday. The top choice there was Sunday, the next choice was Friday
evening, and shortly behind was 9 to 10 Monday through Friday. I would not
recommend cutting hours we currently have to push or open hours that we aren't
now open. I don't think it would be popular with people.
Champion: I think it's very (can't hear)
Vanderhoef: Well it wouldn't be popular that isn't the question. The budgeting is the
question and given the choice would you rather have Friday evening versus two
hours on Tuesday morning or
Craig: I think the public would say keep the hours the way they are rather than that's my
. .
ImpressIOn.
Vanderhoef: Any my second question along with uh given your contract that you have
for employees and weekend hours the time and a half would that be included on
the Friday night hours or only on the one hour on Sunday?
Craig: Our labor agreement only calls for time and a half on Sundays.
Vanderhoef: Just on Sunday?
Craig: Yes.
Vanderhoef: Okay so it would one hour additional?
Craig: Yes, Sundays are very expensive but they are hour for hour our busiest time and
so bang for the buck you're getting a great deal. You are paying people a
premium rate but they are also doing premium work because there is a lot of it on
Sunday. I worked Sunday yesterday and we had oh 2000 people in four hours. I
didn't check our circulation figures today but it would be in the thousands for four
hours.
Vanderhoef: That's good information to have, thanks.
VanDusseldorp: Shifting those times Dee urn as we talked about the hours our initial
approach was to provide the additional hours. I didn't lead the group through a
conversation of what if's. Waiting to see how we carne out in this budget before
you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 10
Champion: Well I would implore you to open the same every weekday cause people
really get confused other wise.
Bailey: Yea I think that is true.
Vanderhoef: That's a good comment on that. But looking at the best service got to look
at all alternatives.
Correia: So this survey that you conducted you said it was a scientific survey? How
many people responded?
Craig: We contracted with a firm from Des Moines, Selzer and Company, who does
survey the Des Moines Register poll and things like that and it was I can't
remember a little over hundreds of responses and those people were polled from
the Iowa City residences and also rural Johnson County residents who we
consider part of our primary constituency because of our county contract.
Elliott: Were they users or residences at random?
Craig: These are community residents so they were everybody. About 80% of the
people polled said they had used the Library in the last year.
Elliott: Good.
O'Donnell: Thanks.
Wilbur: Okay, thank you.
VanDusseldorp: Thank you.
Correia: Thank you.
Wilburn: Airport Commission, Randy.
AIRPORT COMMISSION
Randy Hartwig: Good evening, Randy Hartwig, representing the Airport Commission
and by all means interrupt me if you have any questions. I trust you got our
written report for 2005 and I'd be happy to answer any questions related to that. I
did want to highlight some items out of it. I think it was last year when I visited
with you we were just finishing the strategic plan uh obviously one of main goals
that we laid out in there was desire to make the airport as self sufficient as
possible. Ah A big step in doing that is obviously the Aviation Commerce Park
project which were initiated by previous commissions. You know I was hoping at
this time to say that we're using those funds to help pay for things and obviously
we're not at this point but we are very confident that that will be paying off in the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 11
near future. Another one of the goals was to improve the communication and
cooperation with the City and departments. I think we have but I'll let the
departments be the judge in that but I feel we're on the right track there. With
respect to expenses we obviously eliminated the full time manager's position
which was obviously reflected in the 2005 actual expenses there. One of the
things that was is the new budget that is a 60% full time position, operations
specialist, we called it. And actually we working and hopefully in the next week
or so we're going to fill that position. I think that with the other management
arrangements basically using the FBO and that and consultants it's proven to be a
good arrangement and I look forward to that continuing that way.
Vanderhoef: Do you still have interns?
Hartwig: You know we do not right now but actually one of the interns from last year
has been a temporary employee and essentially doing a lot of the duties we
foresee in this operations specialist role so I think it's given us a good if you will
of how that will work.
Vanderhoef: The new position?
Hartwig: And we're still I think encouraged about using interns in the future too. I know
that Dubuque was happy with ah the arrangement we had last year so we're
looking forward to possibly using that in the future too. Ah, you know with
respect to revenues it's not a big one but I think it helps the airport we did I think
we spoke previously Hertz coming ion down there and they started operations
actually last month so they are up and running now. Even though its not a big
dollar amount it certainly adds value to the airport down there. Ah, some of the
other things that we have continued the Sertoma fly in last year was the first year
for the Eastern Iowa Big Kids Toy show and they are going to continue that this
year although I think they are taking a little different type of approach. I think
each year now from what they tell us is that they are going to identify certain fund
raising recipients and this year they are working with Children's Museum to fund
and help put an aviation exhibit out there so I think that will be a good use of our
facilities. Update a little bit on some of the projects that are ongoing now.
Obviously the big one is the runway extension. Since last fall they have been
outing a culvert in there and I think they are about 70% through that. They will
be doing the design and hopefully grading work yet this season so that is moving
along. The other things that we have done and are doing project wise are actually
its going out for bid here in another week or so are project upgrades for four
different hangars. We finished upgrading roofs on some hangars last year so that
effect will obviously be a much improved facility which would...Following that
would be some upgrades to taxiways that have been neglected for quite awhile. I
am encouraged about that. I think with respect to some of the numbers on the
budget, two things that stand out obviously there was the operations specialist and
then the parking lot repair. That parking lot if you are familiar it is the one just
north of the terminal there and hopefully this year we will be putting in the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 12
viewing area which is been discussed for quite a while. Ah, and that lot was
badly in need of new asphalt so that the request there. I think the only other
numbers I guess I think you brought it up too Regenia when we were talking to
was the decrease in the rents there.
Bailey: Yea.
Hartwig: I think the one of the reasons or one of the points in outing it down there the
anticipation of money we get from the go ahead
Atkins: That was earlier an estimate and that has been corrected. It is $2 0 2.
Bailey: So it looks like last year.
Atkins: So it looks like last year, correct.
Elliott: So instead of $1 8 7 that's 2 0 2.
Atkins: 2 0 2, that is correct.
Bailey: I like that number better.
Elliott: Okay.
Hartwig: And I think, Deb, isn't that where the ag income comes into?
Mansfield: Yes it is.
Hartwig: And I think when I was putting this together the anticipation was that that
would probably be going down as we moved ahead possibility with the Aviation
Commerce Park south cause right now a lot ofthat is used to raise com and such.
Bailey: Sure. So Deb you feel that the 202 is back up and that is a good estimate for next
fiscal year. Okay, good.
Hartwig: Otherwise I would just appreciate very much support you have given us in the
past and I think we're trying to balance the expenses and also really upgrade and
get back some of the infrastructure that probably has been neglected a little bit in
the past. The other thing I want to touch on I did want too because meeting with
Regenia and Bob a few weeks ago I had in discussing the Aviation Commerce
Park south had brought up the desire to have an update to the Airport Layout Plan
which would objectively identify the development in other words what the airport
needs might be in the future and what would ultimately be addressed and I think I
gave Steve a memo on that.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of Jauuary 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 13
Atkins: You did give me a memo and I will be handing that out tomorrow night. That's a
$15,000 new request. I agree with Randy that it has to be done.
Bailey: And that includes the plan for Aviation Commerce park south though too?
Atkins: It's the formal plan that does have an effect upon aviation commerce park too
that's part, probably the primary reason why we have to do it too.
Champion: Meet tomorrow morning.
Bailey: Tomorrow morning.
Atkins: Tomorrow morning, I'm sorry.
Elliott: And that deals with the perceived potential and what we can expect and what
we're going to need to do to prepare that?
Hartwig: Right, and it also helps identify what, how much land does the airport need
to...
Elliott: Right.
Bailey: Right.
Hartwig: The only thing that I wanted to bring up at this and that I haven't spoken to you
yet Steve in talking with David Hughes, he's with Earth Tech that is the firm
managing the runway project. He indicated that that planning study may be
eligible for FAA funds too so its possible
Atkins: Makes it all the better.
Hartwig: Yea, absolutely.
Elliott: Randy with the estimate for rents going back up to where it was will that then or
Deb or Steve or whoever will that then decrease the amount ofthe general levy
that's needed also.
Mansfield: Yes.
Atkins: Yes, it would.
Elliott: Okay. Yea.
Bailey: Do you have that number?
Atkins: You can take $15,000...its $120,000 I would reduce that to $105.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
--------------------_.._--_._-------_._.._-_.~-_.__..----.-
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 14
Bailey: Okay.
Atkins: And that changes the arithmetic also with respect to any application of money
that we apply for the property sales too.
Bailey: Right. Randy what's the status of the flight school out there?
Hartwig: Eastern Iowa Pilot's Association.
Bailey: Yea.
Hartwig: Actually we're working with her to she's still there she's scaled it back some
Bailey: Okay.
Hartwig: She'd like to move out ofthat office and maybe into a different area and so
we're working with her
Bailey: But the flight school is still there?
Hartwig: And in fact in that regard I think the FBO Jet Air has actually put on some
additional instructors and getting more formalized school too.
Bailey: Oh, okay.
Vanderhoef: Is she asking to move on airport property?
Hartwig: Right.
Vanderhoef: Okay, then can you give me an update on the old United Hangar plans or
any use that would be left in that
Hartwig: Actually its I'm glad you mentioned that because obviously in the plans for the
runway its gotta either be moved or taken down and up until well right now its
still that it would be taken down since that would be the one part that would be
covered by federal funds and there wouldn't be any charge to us for that. I just
got an email today from the state saying should we want to move it it could be
eligible for some state funds. Now I don't know whether that is feasible or
realistic at this point it is kina hard to say.
Vanderhoef: A token amount or a big moving
Bailey: An amount to move it?
Hartwig: I think it's sorta the usual 70/30 split from state money.
This represents only a reasonably accnrate transcription of the Iowa City City
Conncil budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 15
Bailey: It's a great building.
Hartwig: I'll keep you informed on that. I you know (can't hear) and having some place
to move it too of course.
Bailey: Have to docwnent it if they take it down because it's historic.
Hartwig: There is a lot of people that are concerned because it is an historical entity.
Elliott: Is there a loss of revenue ifit's eliminated?
Hartwig: Actually not too much right now we're getting ah well about $1000 bucks a
month I suppose all total.
Elliott: How much? $1000?
Bailey: $12,000 a year.
Hartwig: Use to store our own equipment too.
Champion: I think it would be nice to have some use for it.
Vanderhoef: Tell me if we do a land use plan would there be a scenario with and without
that building there so we could see what I know some of that building is not in the
flight clear zone
Hartwig: Right.
Vanderhoef: and some is so is there land if the building were gone
Hartwig: I think in other words I think it would have to be moved a long way. I don't
think you ca move it 10 feet or something and be out of the clear zone that they
are talking about.
Vanderhoef: Well I was thinking about re-use of that location if the United building was
not there then what useable land would be in that area and how could it possibly
be used?
Hartwig: Probably not that much to be honest with you.
Vanderhoef: It doesn't connect with
Hartwig: I'm thinking in the plans right now with it gone there essentially would be a
parallel taxiway so that would use quite a bit of that comer there.
Vanderhoef: Okay, and there isn't anything to the east that
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 16
Hartwig: I don't think too much Dee to be honest with you.
Vanderhoef: Okay.
Hartwig: We all looked into that too.
Vanderhoef: Just thinking we need two scenarios.
Champion: I know what's in the report about that United hangar and I remember when
we talked about it another time. What kind of repair is it in?
Hartwig: Not the best to be honest.
Champion: But not the worst?
Hartwig, Right, right. And actually
Champion: Sorta like my house (laughter)
Hartwig: Kim Brogan and I went in there. They actually did a lot of work on their own
to make it more usable so it probably is better now than a couple of years ago.
Champion: If it's possible to move it is there a place on the airport property where it
could be put to use?
Hartwig: You know I can't really answer that right now. I mean off the top of my head
it's a big structure.
Champion: It is a big structure.
Hartwig: Originally I thought maybe it could just be moved south a ways but I don't
think that's possible.
Champion: I don't think it makes a difference if you're going to move 10 feet or 200
hundred I think getting it ready to move is
Bailey: That's the major expense, right?
O'Donnell: We're talking about disassembling it?
Hartwig: That I'm not sure how they go about it to be honest with you.
Bailey: I thought we were talking about demolition.
O'Donnell: Demolition.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 17
Bailey: Which is different than disassembly, right?
Hartwig: You'll have to talk to the people from Kalona that move those things they could
tell us.
O'Dormell: That's too big to move. Don't you think?
Vanderhoef: Certainly in your plan you'd want to look at the highest and best use of the
available land on the entire property.
Hartwig: Right, right.
Vanderhoef: And that particular building may not be fit into a scheme of highest and best
use.
Hartwig: Yea, I guess you'd still want to consider it if the state has money.
Bailey: Can we put it on that corner....
Hartwig: available our share of it is that more than makes sense to use or get to the point
that really...
Vanderhoef: Say we'll use that money for something..
Hartwig: Right, right.
Vanderhoef: They've got money to give out in grants.
Hartwig: Anything else I can answer?
Wilburn: Coming up on the end of your time.
Hartwig: Thanks.
Bailey: Thanks Randy.
Wilburn: Thank you Randy very much. Convention and Visitors Bureau, Josh.
CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Josh Schamberger: Set up?
Atkins: I don't think so.
Karr: Try and set it up for you. (can't hear)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Bailey: Don't need another one thanks.
Elliott: What page is this on?
Bailey: 93
Elliott: I couldn't find it, thank you.
Correia: Be good to have on our agenda.
Elliott: Yes.
Champion: The gift certificate has been a great success obviously.
Schamberger: Yes they have.
Correia: You know you may need to restart.
Schamberger: Restart?
Correia: The computer. If you plugged it in after the computer was on.
Schamberger: I'll go without it.
Correia: Okay.
Schamberger: It looks all pretty but
Elliott: It is a beautiful shade up there.
(laughter)
Wilburn: Hit toggle?
Schamberger: I did that. It's just not picking it up. It is this one isn't it?
Bailey: I think you're right.
Correia: I think you have to have the computer off when you plug it into the thing
Schamberger: Into that?
Correia: And then turn it on.
Schamberger: I'll allow it to restart while I'm talking.
Page 18
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30,2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 19
Correia: Sure.
Schamberger: Maybe I'll pick it up. And it is my fault for not getting over here after
2:30 and testing it. It's been a real busy day. Well good evening and thanks for
allowing me again some time this year with a review of the past year activities of
the Iowa City Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau. It's really been another
exciting year for the CVB and I'm very pleased to provide you with results of
some of our larger 2005 business plan goals and objectives. And to begin with I
wanted to familiarize you with our Board of Directors who along with our staff
and various committees deserve an enormous amount of credit for the tours and
success the Bureau and the community has shared these past several years. They
include, and it says read Board Members, there it is. Thank you Amy.
Correia: You're welcome.
Bailey: I have anther problem I want you to fix on my computer at home.
Schamberger: Here we go. I think most of you do know our Board. From the
community our vice chair is Mayor Pro tem Bailey. Our chair this year is Stacy
McGauvran-Hruby who is the co-director of planning and market
communications for University Hospitals and Clinics. Dale Arens, Mark
Ginsberg, and Debbie Bullion round out Executive Committee. Our other Board
Members are listed here on the right and I know that they will be some very
recognizable names for all of you. One of our most recognized developments of
this past year was the creation of the Greater Iowa City Coralville Sports
Authority. This represents an incredible new opportunity for our communities as
it provides really the areas first organized plan for attracting amateur sporting
events. Because of an investment made by the City of Coralville last August we
were able to move forward this fiscal year with a plan, the hiring of our first
sports manager, and to roll out the logo and marketing collateral we need in order
to move into a real strong year two. They provided the necessary seed money and
this past week they agreed to pledge continued funding for this effort in fiscal
year 2007. This initiative was started by a very strong community sports
committee that has turned into the advisory committee for this organization. It's
marketed and presented separately underneath the Convention and Visitors
Bureau flag. As you can see our two co-chairs are Terry Kaeting from the City of
Coralville and Matt Traetow who is the Director of Sales here for the downtown
Sheraton Iowa City. Other Community Members you can see represent the Parks
& Rec. Department of Iowa City, Coralville, we have North Liberty's Parks &
Rec. Department, area hotels, University facilities. Mayor Wilburn is on this
committee as is Mark Wyatt who you all know through the Iowa City Bicycle
Coalition. Jason Howell is our new hire. He's been with us just short of3 and a
half months. He is a former University of Iowa wrestler. He's very connected
with the University Athletic Department which has been very beneficial in a
number of things that we have already been moving on. This all started, as some
of you, and I know I appreciate that some of you attended the presentation from
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
,---~----",>----_.,--~,---"---------"""-----'-----
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 20
the Sports Marketing, feasibility study, that a group of University ofIowa
graduate students conducted over a period of just over 8 and a half months under
the direction of Dr. Michael Lomax over in Health and Sports Studies at the
University ofIowa (end oftape) The avenue of the saints, ah the heart of the
saints, is ah another initiative that the CVB took the lead on this year. We lead
this initiative and were able to partner the communities of Cedar Falls, Waterloo,
the Amana Colonies and Cedar Rapids in creating this heart of the saints
initiative. Really this is the areas or really the state's collaboration of this kind.
It's important that we do come together more and market this area as a single
entity regionally for our individual and group leisure tourists. Cause unlike
conferences and meetings an individual and group leisure tourist we really are not
competing with each other, we are one community. The person that travels here
by bus or for three or four days stay from Chicago, Minneapolis, or St. Louis is
visiting these other communities. If they are here they're going to the Amana
Colonies, or they are going up to learn about Grant Wood in Cedar Rapids. And
if they are in Cedar Rapids they're coming down to learn about the Hawks, and
downtown shopping and retail. So this has been a great initiative and there's
already a lot of other, there has been a website developed, and we've been
collaborating on advertising. We all were independently advertising annually in
several key group tour motor coach publications and now we're splitting that bill
five ways and finding the same success. The community gift certificates as
Connie mentioned have been just a tremendous hit. Actually looked up how
many have been redeemed at your store, Connie.
Champion: A lot. (laughter) We don't always put our phone number down so
Schamberger: I know a lot people didn't but about 30% did and we just actually
compiled those numbers this past Friday and they are significant. As an example
ah Super Wal-Mart which I know been popular here in Iowa City, that discussion,
redeemed about $49,000 in the first year. Target redeemed an incredible amount.
Obviously the big stores you would think, Best Buy, but it is great to see like
Number 1 Tanning Salon redeemed $2000, and Java House downtown redeemed
$1200. It's pretty good. We sold in the first 13 months, we sold 66, 162 for just
over $2.5 million. Those redeemed thus far have been $1.6 million. These
numbers represent a 70.8% increase over the Mall program that had been running
and ceased to exist when we made this community wide. So those are significant
numbers. Roughly a third of those purchased are being purchased outside of
Coral Ridge Mall which means they are being purchased at all the Iowa State
Bank and Trust locations, downtown across the street here at the Chamber of
Commerce and at our main location out on exit 242. The great thing about this
program is really did our homework and put in these tracking mechanisms to
know they are being redeemed and also who's purchasing them and who is
redeeming them. And we know from the data that we have collected through
Iowa State Bank & Trust that 39% of all gift certificates that have been redeemed
have been done so by people outside of Johnson County. SO those are visitor
dollars. Our CVB partners, I have no idea why the other two logos did not show
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 21
up there but the Iowa State Bank & Trust, and the Chamber of Commerce, the
Press Citizen all of been terrific partners in this program. The Summer of the Arts
you've all heard about and we really put this as a major goal of the Convention
and Visitor's Bureau this year, was really the first goal with Regenia's partnership
and City staff here, the City ofIowa City, particularly Karin Franklin, have really
shown remarkable leadership in making this possible. The Old Capital Cultural
District, as you know, was designed about a year and a half ago and this goal of
providing a long term plan for securing and growing these important community
free festivals was one of the first goals ofthe Old Capital Cultural District and I
strongly, strongly encourage you to support in full the funding request for the
Summer of the Arts for these initial three years. It's really going to provide some
great seed money to get this operation up and running on its own for years and
years to come. As with many of these things, initiatives, that I am talking with
you about you'll find each of them in your armual report in full detail. I'd also
hope you take the time to read through that. More Old Capital Cultural District
efforts credit to the City ofIowa City first and foremost, and all of you, for
purchasing the terrific street barmers that were all around town this summer and
the Iowa River Cultural District, and the Shakespeare Fest bauners that were
posted over on Park Avenue. It's really providing some identity for downtown
Iowa City and you can tell when you start to see if you really look at some of the
ads for businesses downtown who are buying individual ads in news print that are
putting in their ads in the heart of Old Capital Cultural District. That's starting to
catch on. The website is very much moving forward. It's being developed
underneath the Downtown Association ofIowa City. We are providing some
funds to help do that and Summer of the Arts which I also mentioned here. The
CVB also was a leader in creating the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance this past
year. If you recall the CVB founded the Johnson County Alliance four years ago
and this is a nice progression into providing a long term advocate, advocacy and
aware to the tremendous economic and social impact that arts and culture have on
this community. The CVB has worked very hard over the years to position the
local tourism industry as a vital economic development arm of our community.
We strongly advocated on behalf of the arts and culture community and corridor
doing our best to communicate their tremendous impact. To this end we
partnered with the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance this past fall to produce Iowa
Visionary, assisting many, many corridor public and private leaders in bringing
Richard Florida to the community to share his research and further connect the
dots between community development, arts and culture, and tourism. It's very
important that you recognize and I ask to recognize the difference between our
organization and traditional economic development organizations as ICAD and
the Chamber. As much as work together and compliment each other's efforts and
initiatives we are different. We, the CVB, are not directly focused on landing
new business and industry. We're not focused on the number of new jobs that
come to town but we do playa major indirect role in securing these. We're
working daily to lead, improve, and enhance and promote the local quality oflife
that makes our community so attractive to these businesses, these new jobs, and
these new industries. In a sense we are the communities, and your community's,
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcriptiou of the Iowa City City
Couucil budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30,2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 22
marketing department, and you'll find our efforts all over the tec corridors new
business sales materials, brochures, and videos. The tourism industry is not just
hotel employees or waiters. It consists of attractions, cultural entities, retailers,
festivals, and sporting events. Weare caretakers of a 200+ million dollar industry
and hotel/motel tax that has shown steady growth over the past several years. The
bottom line is for everyone dollar of hotel/motel tax that the CVB received the
past year staff efforts brought a return of more than $6.96 through conference and
sports bookings. (cough) excuse me. For the first time Iowa City and Coralville
annual hotel/motel tax receipts surpassed two million dollars. Visitors to Johnson
County last year spent more than $228 million, over $15 million in taxes, and
tourism is the area's third largest employer employing over 3200 people. For
more information on hotel/motel (can't hear) I again refer you to your annual
report specifically the story entitled "Exceeding Expectations" on page 5 where
you will find results on our conference sales efforts and servicing. For fiscal year
07 the Iowa City Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau is requesting an
annual increase of$2.5% to be dedicated toward developing and further
advancing the Greater Iowa City Area Sports Authority. This 2.5 %,
approximately $17,000 new dollars based on current receipts, will be joined with
Coralville's commitment of $50,000 a year. We're confident that with your
commitment to join Coralville in funding this new program we will attain an even
greater ROI for the City of Iowa City. As you might recall from that study those
of you that remember reading it most sports events have stronger economic
impact than conferences or meetings and that's because they tend to have a larger
party size and they stay longer. I have some information up here if you have nay
questions I will leave that slide up but with that I'll thank you since I have three
minutes.
Elliott: Josh, I have a question. Have you or has anything processed on a Cedar Rapids
Iowa City road race.
Schamberger: Yes.
Bailey: Oh, Jillian you should
Elliott: Is that going to be perhaps a reality sometime?
Schamberger: It very much is. I'll let Jill come up and give you that good news.
Elliott: And while we are waiting on that. Have you talked to June Braverman much
about the month long activities.
Schamberger: Yep.
Elliott: Okay. Good.
This represents only a reasonably accnrate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 23
Schamberger: Weare working with June and we're going to be kind of communication
marketing arm for that. Jill want to tell them about your marathon.
Jillian Helscher: Yes we are working with the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and
Visitors Bureau along with an individual from the Cedar Valley Running Club in
addition to an individual from the Iowa City Road Racers to create a marathon
between the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area. We are looking at starting
somewhere in downtown Cedar Rapids and ending somewhere in Iowa City either
at Kinnick or in downtown Iowa City. We are working right now to secure a
route and actually Wednesday we are going to be driving some of the back roads
between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City of Iowa City
Elliott: Good.
Helscher: looking at that route and we hope to have it Mayor April of2007.
Elliott: Mike Reagan has been running that in Cedar Rapids for years have you been
working with him?
Helscher: He's actually the individual we have been communicating with the last few
months.
Elliott: Good.
Helscher: Yea.
Champion: Goodjob.
O'Donnell: Great.
Wilburn: Josh, just a comment, return on investment, you all do a great job, and we
certainly know you have the Midas touch with the different projects that you have
done with the certificates, the ah,
Atkins: Herky
Wilburn: Herky, thank you, how could I forget that.
Schamberger: Some people remember.
Wilburn: This is more of a comment ah cause theirs is also we make an investment in
you all but just to point out I brought this up at a Sports Authority meeting that we
do also make an investment in our facilities that hopefully that the Sports
Authority is going to be successful but that is going to put a maintenance and
hopefully there will be some expansion related to our facilities but I know you got
your 2.5% increase request that I don't know where we'll end up in our
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 24
deliberations but in the event that you don't end up you know we are Parks & Rec.
folks just walked in but we are also making an investment so that those facilities
are available for you know the great programs you're going to bring in.
Schamberger: Yea, we certainly wouldn't want to take Parks & Rec. money we are big
time backers of their efforts without a doubt.
Wilburn: I'm not pitting you versus I'm just saying that you know we do and it is
important for us to make sure there is quality facilities available for
Schamberger: I understand.
Wilburn: for these events to occur.
Schamberger: Definitely.
Wilburn: Okay, thanks.
Schamberger: Thanks a lot. Thanks for your help with that.
Bailey: Thanks.
Wilburn: Housing and Community Development. Jerry. Is Jerry here?
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Jerry Anthony: Mr. Mayor and members of the Council, city staff and others, greetings.
My name is Jerry Anthony and I am the chair of the Housing & Community
Development Commission ofIowa City and I come here on behalf of the
members of the Commission to request you for funds from the City for Housing
and Community programs, activities, in Iowa City. Before we get to the meat of
the matter let me first congratulate Ross Wilburn on his appointment as Mayor,
Amy Correia on her first appointment, Connie Champion and Mike O'Donnell on
their reappointments. I also want to thank you all for your diligence and attention
to attention and openness to suggestion during the prolonged and recently
concluded debate on the new zoning ordinance. Thank you very, very much for
that. The Housing and Community Development Commission, the HCDC,
advices the City Council on the annual disbursement of federal funds for Housing
and Community Development activities in Iowa City. These funds come from
federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs.
The CDBG HOME funds allow many activities such as construction of new
housing, direct economic development, construction of public facilities, and
grants for public services. Let me briefly provide you with a few examples of
projects supported in the last two years. Example one, Johnson County permanent
support of housing proj ect is a rental housing proj ect for low income seniors. The
$275,000 loan that we gave to this project will evidentially leverage about $1.8
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 25
million for investment into Iowa City. Example two, a down payment assistance
program for low income families buying a home in Iowa City. Example three,
rehabilitation of Old Brick the second oldest standing structure in Iowa City.
About $80,000 over two years for this building would help install a new chair lift,
remodeling the bathrooms, chemical washing and repointing of the exterior walls.
This investment leveraged with $100,000 from state and other sources. Example
four, $325,000 for a family resource center at Grant Wood Elementary. Example
five, $5,000 for help with the operational expenses for the Free Medical Clinic.
Example six, $3,000 for help in the operational expenses of Shelter House. And
finally example seven, $88,000 to the Extend the Dream Foundation a micro
enterprise project that would help low income persons acquire job skills. So in
short a wide variety of projects have been supported through CDBG HOME
federal monies. Projects that have helped spurn economic growth, provided
affordable housing and human services activities and improved the overall quality
of life of many residents in Iowa City. More over these funds leverage significant
amounts ofresources from private investors within the City and outside and from
state and federal resources. Unfortunately these monies are not sufficient to meet
all the needs that are presented to the community. Last year for instance HCDC
received requests for a total of $3.5 million dollars less than half of that could
evidently be allocated because that's the money that we had. Many deserving
applicants were turned away without anything or with much less than they
requested. Applicants such as Habitat for Humanity that asked for $300,000 but
received only $100,000 or the Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship that asked
for $812,000 but received only $175,000. But the compelling reason that really
brings me before you this evening is this. Federal funds such as the CDBG
HOME programs that we in Iowa City have depended on to serve all these
projects and programs are declining rapidly. In FY02 federal funds from CDBG
HOME to Iowa City amounted to $1.866 million dollars, in FY03 it was $1.6
million dollars, FY05 $1.5 million dollars. In FY07, the next fiscal year, we have
$1.3 million dollars to allocate. So from FY02 to FY07, a short five year period,
federal money from these tow programs for Iowa City have decreased by over
$365,000. Early estimates for FY08 indicate an 8% cut from the FY07 level.
Accounting for inflation about 1.8 or 9 million dollars is needed in FY07 to
maintain the same level of funding that we had in FY02. Another words we need
about 20% more than we have now in this annual allocation cycle. So from the
HCDC for the first time ever in 30 years I come before you with a request for
funds. More correctly two requests. One for city funds in this budget cycle.
How much? $570,000. This amount would restore funds distributed through the
annual CDBG HOME allocation cycle to the FY02 level. It is not an increase, it
is just restoring it to FY02 levels. Not all of this would go through the HCDC
allocation cycle of course, Council could incorporate the usual set aside for
economic development, Aids to Agencies, and administration ifit so desires. Our
second request is this. We request that you consider and implement new polices
and programs in the upcoming year. Programs that would increase the supply of
affordable housing in Iowa City and make available additional funds for housing
and community development in the future in the City. I sincerely hope that you
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 26
would act upon these requests for several reasons. These monies have broad
community impacts. They leverage and bring in resources from outside of Iowa
City to our community, and they foster economic development of our regional
Now the City of Iowa City's comprehensive plan states that and I quote "Iowa
City must meet the ongoing the challenge to preserve and improve a unique
quality of life for a growing population. The City of Iowa City provides the
foundation for a caring community by responding to human needs, being ethically
accountable, and making decisions for the greater good. We embrace good help,
decent housing, rewarding work, and helping each other as basic elements that are
essential to our quality of life" end quote. Many cities across the nation in the
face of declining federal support for housing and community development have
put into place innovative policies to pick up the slack. Thus far Iowa City, a so
called progressive city, has very sadly not. Thank you very much for your time
and attention.
Elliott: Jerry, ah will the change in HOD regulations represent any significant increase in
the number of units that are available?
Anthony: Number of subsidized units that are available?
Elliott: Like Section 8 units.
Anthony: It may
Elliott: Talking about the eligibility changes.
Anthony: Yes, but that has nothing to do with this allocation.
Elliott: No, no I know but it represents additional units that might be available.
Anthony: It might.
Correia: You mean with Pheasant Ridge?
Elliott: Yes.
Correia: That could open up, that could decrease a little bit folks that are waiting on the
list right now.
Elliott: But it do you have any idea?
Anthony: No, because we have no idea if these Section 8 units are maintained by private
parties. They are not maintained by the City.
Elliott: I know that but we are talking about number of units that are available in the
City. Number of peoples and families that can be assisted.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 27
Anthony: Because of the rule change? You see the rule change would have a minimal
impact. Ifthere are students living in such privately managed Section 8 projects
those students would now not be eligible. Most of those students. So to the
extent that there are students and I don't have any data, they are not publishes,
census doesn't have them, it's really up to these private managers of such
properties to furnish that.
Elliott; I really think it would be to the City's benefit to gain that information.
Anthony: Absolutely and I really think the Iowa Congressional delegation, the
University ofIowa, are taking an excellent leadership role, a national leadership
role in really addressing this issue.
Vanderhoef: Probably wouldn't be a bad idea for the City Council to acknowledge the
University ofIowa via a letter
Karr: Speak
Vanderhoef: Oh, I said it might be a good idea for City Council to acknowledge the
University for changing and taking this leadership and a thank you from Council.
Champion: Ross you can write a nice letter.
Correia: Jerry your request to consider new policies and programs is that related to the
Scattered Site Housing Task Force?
Anthony: Not necessarily to increase the supply of affordable housing and transfer
community development and yes it does have some impacts on the Scattered Site
task force too but this is beyond that it more broader.
Vanderhoef: But the $575,000 that you are asking for is straight out for projects other
than housing and similar to the projects that have not been funded previously?
Anthony: Well it's for all the projects that we have funded or the kinds of projects that
you have funded in the past HCDC allocation cycles.
Vanderhoef: So that would be the funding if we would chose to fund the $575 that could
all be put into housing because you're second one is you want policies and
funding for housing.
Anthony: No not necessarily the second issue is not just for housing, it's for housing and
community development so it's for things like say ah Emergency Shelter, for Free
Medical Clinic, ah the Free Dental Clinic, and as a society as a progressive
society I think we have to be thinking of the greater good. There has got to be a
little bit of social distribution or redistribution and so it is not just for housing.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 28
Vanderhoef: The number one but you're request for number two was policies and
programs for housing.
Bailey: And funds for community development is what he asked for.
Anthony: And funds for community development.
Bailey: Because you do facilities and services and housing right with the grant process.
Anthony: Well, yes.
Bailey: Did I call them right?
Correia: Well, yea but the CDBG funds fund those things
Bailey: Right.
Correia: and the HOME funds only fund housing.
Elliott: How about family resource centers?
Correia: That was the CDBG funds.
Anthony: Yes, that too.
Elliott: You'll be getting requests, or you have received requests for an increase there?
Anthony: Well, we have actually funded through HCDC we gave the Iowa City School
District $325,000 FY04 for the family resource center that I believe is nearing
completion at the Grant Wood elementary. It is a wonderful project.
Elliott: And I think you're going to get requests for probably additional funds this year.
Anthony: Yes, yea. So it is a whole range of projects.
Elliott: Yes.
Anthony: And thus far we have been fortunate enough to get money from federal sources
and now those sources are drying up and cities across the nation, we are not
unique, cities across the nation are facing it and they are putting into place
policies that leverage local resources, statewide resources, market policies and try
to get more money for affordable housing community development.
Elliott: And you are well aware as the need and additional finance that you have we are
receiving those similar needs for across
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 29
Anthony: Absolutely.
Elliott: It's going to be tough.
Anthony: Yes, it is going to be tough. That is why we decided to come for the first time
ever. We have never come in thirty years that federal monies have been coming
here we've never asked for any money at all to supplement federal sources.
Vanderhoef: And recognize that we put in out of our General Fund $350,000 right now.
Anthony: Yes, I do for Aid to Agencies.
Vanderhoef: For just Aid to Agencies.
Anthony: That's right.
Vanderhoef: So we are making a large contribution and have been that many, many
cities don't do.
Anthony: Well, yes, I'd say but there are many cities to do.
Atkins: Jerry has TARP entered into any of your thinking? Target Area Rehab Programs
did that enter into the Commission's thinking at all?
Anthony: The rehab program?
Atkins: Yea. TARP. That's okay thank you.
Wilburn: Okay, thank you.
Anthony: Thank you very much.
Wilburn: We're going to take a break until let's make it a quick one let's make it 8:20 so
that we can stay close to schedule here.
(BREAK)
TELECOMMUNICA nONS COMMISSION
Saul Mekies: Hi everybody sorry to add to your very long day. If you give me $100,000
I'll leave in thirty seconds.
(laughter)
Vanderhoef: At least you got us to laugh at something instead of crying.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 30
Mekies: (can't hear) I'm Saul Mekies I chair the Iawa City Telecammunicatians
Cammissian and I'm here with Michael Christians also. an the Cammissian. Last
September the Cammission sent yau a letter addressing an issue af impartance to.
the lacal televisian cammunity in Iawa City, namely the taking away af $1 00,000
fram the budget. We have nat received any respanse to. aur cane ern from the City
Cauncil. Let me go. aver the main paints af the letter. Since 1979 we a City cable
televisian divisian was first created City Cauncil agreed upan a palicy that all
revenues callected from Cable TV subscribers wauld be used to. the benefit af
cable TV subscribers. Three years ago., ar two. years ago., the City Cauncil made a
decisian to. break away fram this lang standing palicy and directed that $100,000
afthe franchise fee be put into. the general fund to. help recaup the funding lass
fram the state. Our divisian respectfully requests the return af these funds sa as to.
keep in agreement with the palicy ariginally established by the Cauncil. Our
divisian is an enterprise fund, it is aur understanding that this is the anly
enterprise fund from which revenues have been reallacated to. the general fund.
Mare aver the cuts will present a substantial percentage afthe divisian's budget, I
think clase to. 20%. The lass afthis funding has hurt the divisian in a number af
ways. Equipment has nat been purchased and staffing has had to. be cut. Raises
have had to. be pastpaned and have nat kept up with inflatian in certain cases.
There are several impartant principles at sake here. One is the abviaus and
practical need far that maney to. be restared to. the divisian sa that the divisian can
cantinue an its wark. As we knaw the impartance with the all the channels that it
carries. Anather (can't hear) it is impartant that the City keep its ward when it
establishes and aperates an a user fee principle. That is that the users af cable
televisian are paying far that maney with that understanding. Whether the City
Cauncil wauld allaw ah the ather impartant issue is whether the City Cauncil
wauld allaw an increasingly impartant service such as Telecammunicatians to.
develap much less (can't hear) There is a need far equipment for persannel far far
a need to. envisian the future. There are very impartant issues that have to. be
dealt with including WiFi which a number af cities around the State,
Marshalltawn, and autside the state are already engaging and that we are nat
daing. Sa far Athens to. flaurish it needs the manies nat just the matta we hape
it's just samething practical in a very impartant service. Thanks far yaur patience.
Champian: Saul, what year did we cut the funding? What year did we do. that?
Mekies: I dan't knaw the exact date, it was two. years ago..
Atkins: It was 04.
Mekies: 04?
Atkins: Yea.
Vanderhaef: When we re-did the budget.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 31
Atkins: Yes, mid year.
Bailey: Saul so I can get a little bit of an idea of, you know, the goals that you are talking
about with the equipment and personnel and then WiFi. What are your goals for
the upcoming year that this transfer out stands in the way of?
Mekies: Yes, well the number of part time people have been cut. Ah the raises have not
been given to part time people. They are getting paid in general around $6 an
hour. It's very hard to recruit people.
Bailey: How is that affecting services, I mean tell me a little bit about how affects
service and how that affects your ability to plan for service in the future.
Mekies: Well a number of people who are covering ah covering issues around town and
equipment is being spread around for example equipment from the City that is
used for City Council is also used in the studio, is also used around town, so every
time it has be dismantled, repackaged and some ways it ah it is wear and tear and
in some ways in the long run we would be saving money by taking better care of
the equipment. So ah we also losing ah talent. People who could be contributing
and are not coming around the studio anymore because of the money, because
lack of money. Well of course that also impairs our ability to envision some
future, I would have liked to see ah some effort made in the wireless provision for
around town. Medicine is engaged in that and the City like Iowa City with ah a
lot of talent and a lot of energy could easily do that with cheap labor if that money
was (can't hear) around.
Bailey: But there is an effort by C Free Wireless that is already occurring would this be a
supplement? And the public library is also provided wireless to the public.
Would this be a supplement I mean what's the vision?
Mekies: I would have liked to see you know I would like to discuss with the Council and
the Council could consider it but it would be nice to have that all over town.
Bailey: Provided by this.
Mekies: We're falling behind by the way a number of countries. Countries using
American technology. A number of countries are doing that already where all
over down you can grab a portable and just sit down by the college on a bench
and use wireless. They are doing that in Korea where we have 38,000 American
troops protecting South Korea but we are unable to ah to be ahead. These are
technologies where Americans used to way ahead. Weare now barely keeping
out.
Vanderhoef: Tell me what it would cost to go, to put the WiFi in for instance, for all of
downtown?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
'-"-~--~----'-~"-'------------'---_._- -
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 32
Mekies: This is a vision, this is not something that right now we are requesting money
just to keep up with what we are doing.
Vanderhoef: So what
Mekies: It would be if we had that money we would have time and the leisure to actually
discuss the future. WiFi for example.
Correia: So the Broadband Telecommunications has roughly $860,000 in reserve or
beginning balance at the end. Is that are there policies that regular or
requirements by the state or the franchise agreement or whatever that meet or
require that to be at that level?
Atkins: I'm sorry give me the question again?
Correia: The budget has a beginning balance of maybe I don't know if you call it a
reserve or how
Atkins: That is the reserve balance for that fund, Telecommunications fund, and right.
Correia: So is there a requirement that that is at that level?
Atkins: By policy.
Correia: So that's by a policy ofthe Council that it be at a certain percent of their budget
or
Atkins: I don't even believe we've gone that far we just simply allowed it to accumulate
to where it is.
Correia: Okay, so is there a need for it to be that large? I mean if there capital
investments that need to be made with equipment so that we are not shuffling
equipment.
Atkins: The answer to your question is you got the choice.
Correia: So if we wanted to invest if a big issue, investment of equipment, so that we are
not shuffling stuff all over town we could take a portion of this cause it's not an
ongoing cost
Atkins: Sure.
Correia: and invest in equipment.
Vanderhoef: How much of that would serve as required being there
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council bndget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 33
Correia: Right.
Vanderhoef: between collection oftax bills?
Atkins: No, no. How do we pay for that quarterly or monthly?
Mansfield: Quarterly.
Atkins: Quarterly. We're paid quarterly by Mediacom so we really don't need it so much
for cash flow Dee.
Bailey: So we've just allowed this to accumulate?
Atkins: It's allowed to accumulate.
Correia:' So it's been allowed to accumulate so if we wanted to make capital investments
in equipment at least this isn't and we're not talking here about request for
ongoing staff we could
Bailey: Good idea.
Atkins: But if you're planning on upgrading equipment and do that you certainly want to
consult Drew.
Correia: Of course, right, right, right.
Atkins: It's not out of the question what you are proposing.
Correia: Right, okay.
O'Donnell: Very good.
Mekies: What I would like to urn respectfully ask you to ponder is these are 25 year
policy where the user fee would not touch. Will you go back on that policy and
will you also go back on the user fee contract, social contract, you've had with
cable television users?
Champion: We'll help you (can't hear)
Correia: Right, right.
Mekies: Thanks very much.
Elliott: Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
~----,._--_.~----------,~.,..._----------
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 34
Wilburn: Parks and Recreation. I thought Terry was going to come up and I was going
to say you only had 12 minutes but since it's you we're go ahead.
Elliott: Five minutes.
(Laughter)
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
Craig Gustaveson: Thank you so much. I thank you for the respect that I so deserve.
My name is Craig Gustaveson, I'm the chair of the Parks & Rec. Commission and
joining me tonight are John Westafal back in the back room who's also a
commissioner and Terry Trueblood, Director of the Parks & Recreation Division.
First of all I would rally like to draw your attention to you know a handout that
Terry handed to you a little bit. You've kinda seen this before in other formats but
the reason we handed this out tonight it kinds shows you the priorities the way
that the commission did it compared to the way Steve and the City Manager.
Atkins: (Laugh) I'm sorry Steve did it.
Gustaveson: That's right, compared to the way the City Manager's CIP was put together.
Champion: Simple request. When you change a document like this, we got one the other
day, I'd like to have it in a different color.
Gustaveson: We'll see what we can do Connie.
Bailey: It was, it is. This is what I got.
Champion: But it's been changed.
Bailey: Oh.
Gustaveson: Personally I thought we ought to do it in an orange color cause I felt like
really we should be doing this presentation around Halloween which some people
call All Beggers Night so you know that's what we are all here for asking for
money.
(laughter)
But I'm going to take a different format and actually not going to ask you for
money tonight. But you know there's always a need for extra money so if you
find a couple hundred thousand dollars laying around let Terry or I know because
we've got a good use for it. The thing that I really am going to do tonight is kinda
go over our Capital Improvements Project and some budgetary items so I'd like to
start off the Iowa River Trail Pedestrian bridge. This is the peninsula area that
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 35
will be connected to Rocky Shore Drive. Ah this continues to be a very high
priority list for the Commission and for staff both, and as you can see it actually is
ranked number two overall for us and it's also a high priority for the City
Manager's CIP committee.
O'Donnell: Craig, can I ask a quick question?
Gustaveson: Sure.
O'Donnell: I've seen many different locations for that trail bridge on Rocky Shore Drive
which one do you favor or does Parks & Rec. favor?
Gustaveson: I don't know if we really favor anyone of them right now. There are several
options we're looking at. Kinda
O'Donnell: Crandic Park?
Gustaveson: One of the areas we're looking at is more toward Crandic Park because
there is already parking there so if we could come across there it might make a
more logical location because there is already parking there as opposed to maybe
further up on Rocky Shore Drive.
O'Donnell: Okay, thanks, sorry for interrupting.
Gustaveson: Ah, early this spring, well first of all that Peninsula area of parkland is open
to the public and in a few weeks, maybe a month or so, the Dog Park will be
opening up and later this summer the disc golf course will be opening up. Now
both of those we feel are going to generate a lot of traffic over there. When you
couple that with just people coming in and using the park you know to go fishing,
hiking, walking though there we feel like it is going to get a lot of use. Currently
there is one major entrance into that park and it's though Foster Road unless you
take the corridor that goes over to Coralville and the bridge coming across the
river into Iowa City City park which is accessible to Coralville. Other than that
there isn't another entrance into that park and it's one of the reasons that we feel it
is such a vital connection to that park. We feel like this will help alleviate some
of the parking congestion, the traffic coming in there will make it more accessible
for both hiking and walking traffic through there. It also connects our Iowa River
Trail, it's kind ofa connector, so basically it will connect the Water Works Prairie
Park to the Peninsula Park. You can come over to Rocky Shore Driver through
City Park, south along the river and you'll be able to go all way up to Napoleon
Park. And as I mentioned earlier it seems kind of strange that Coralville has an
easier access to City Park that what we have and that's one of the reasons that we
feel that this bridge will be an important connector to that park. And again you
know as I mentioned earlier it will help alleviate some of the parking problems,
the congestion getting down there, and encourage people to do more walking
through City Park and just make it easier and more accessible through there.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 36
Champion: (can't hear) thought the bridge was going to Crandic Park?
Gustaveson: It will go from the Peninsula area across some lace along Rocky Shore
Drive but that will evidently you can go up Rocky Shore Drive into City Park,
through City Park, and down so some place along there Connie it will come
across the river ah like I said that might be the most logical place but there's I
think we actually have about five locations that we have looked at.
Correia: And this is a pedestrian trail or
Gustaveson: It will be a pedestrian bridge.
Correia: Pedestrian bridge so not by car.
Gustaveson: No, it will just be a foot bridge and for bike lane only.
Elliott: But some where along Rocky Shore Drive?
Gustaveson: Yea, yep. The second thing I would like to bring up the Skate Board Park
restrooms. Ah, this remains a very high priority for us and we feel that it is such a
high priority we'd like to see it go from the unfunded list. One of the little, you
can say jab I'll give you guys, when we first asked for the skate board park to be
built several years ago it was originally rejected at this location because there
weren't any permanent bathroom facilities there and we mentioned at the time was
that one of our long range goals as this park become more and more used that we
would like to put bathroom facilities there so I'd like to remind you that it was
request that bathroom facilities be put there and as more and more and it is getting
more and more users. Skate Board Park has to be one of the most used parks on a
year round basis and it is getting to the point that we really do need some
bathroom facilities over there. In the meantime Terry is having staff look at ways
we can out either some type of port a potties over there. Something that aren't just
going to be stuck out there in the middle but looking at a some things like a three
comer shelter around them so you just don't have blue port a potties sitting out
there in the open but those are something that we are looking into and seeing a
viable option. The next thing is the Brookland Park redevelopment. Now this
does appear on the CIP funded for fiscal year 07 but we feel that it does deserve
special attention. Originally this was not one of the Commission's high priorities
but we met with the neighborhood park association, they have already had their
master plan put together, and after reviewing it we felt like this really was a high
priority. Something that needs to be done so we kinda changed our, it has move
dup, so basically what I'm asking you is to approve it the way it is presented by
the City Manager. And in regards to the operating budget. Ah last year we
recommended that we have custodial help at Scanlon Mercer facilities and we
requested that the custodial staff be increased from 2 and a half to three; and that
didn't happen. Ah, the City Manager is proposing that it be increased to 2.75 this
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 37
year even though it is a small increase, a quarter percent of an employee, we feel
like it really is helping us a lot because now we will have two full time custodians
and a three quarter time custodian that would help greatly in keeping that place
maintained. Last year once again we asked for a natural areas specialist and we
have kinds modified that a little bit and asked for it again but again it wasn't
included in the budget. And when Terry and I sit down to talk about it we realize
how difficult it is to increase funds when you are asking for additional staffing but
one of the things that we feel is that it is great benefit to talk parks and recs
partially as we are seeing more and more parkland being added, natural areas, and
we just need a specialist to take and maintain these parklands.
Bailey: Do you work with a specialist consultant now is that how you do it or do people
just reading books real fast and advising?
Gustaveson: I'll have to defer that to Terry.
Correia: Reading books real fast?
Bailey: Staying ahead of the plans.
Elliott: Good question.
Vanderhoef: However, if we are going to do this Sports Authority and our playing fields
and so forth are going to get more activity, heavier use.
Terry Trueblood: That would come under another request that we have.
Vanderhoef: Oh.
Bailey: (tape over)
Trueblood: rec. services for natural areas.
Correia: So you're talking about like the prairie restoration areas and is that?
Trueblood: Yes, that's correct we would just have this consultant
Correia: Sure.
Trueblood: kind of inspect the areas and let our staff know what needs to be done and on
occasion conduct prairie bums.
Correia: Okay.
Trueblood: Although we have had three staff go to a special school sort of speak and
they have now become certified arsonist.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 38
Wilburn: Are you one of those?
Trueblood: I'm not certified no,
Correia: This is why we need more firefighters.
(laughter)
Champion: Certifiable.
(all talking)
Champion: Do you have any idea what the cost s of temporary bathrooms would be at
that facility? I mean at the skate park? Do you have to rent them? Rent a
shelter?
Trueblood: The monthly rental fee is something like $80 or $85 a month. There would
probably be two of them so you could double that. The shelter kind of thing we
could probably get done for I'm going to say $3000 or $4000.
Gustaveson: Questions.
Champion: Seems like a waste of money to me.
Gustaveson: Port a potties? Unless you need them.
Elliott: Yea.
Atkins: Remember one of the big expenses with the restroom is getting the water and
sewer lines over.
Bailey: Water, right.
Atkins: That's your big ticket items.
Bailey: You can't truck sewerage?
Champion: So that the $85,000?
Atkins: I think it is. I'm pretty sure.
Schreiber: I have to say on a topic (can't hear) disc golf is an extraordinarily popular
activity among College and high school age people and it would be a great boom
to have a way for them to walk over there so that especially for the young people
who don't have cars ta drive and just ta get the exercise an a nice day.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Conncil bndget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30,2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 39
O'Donnell: Great.
Elliatt: Talking abaut the ane that is being develaped in the peninsula.
Bailey: The bridge. Yau can walk there yau just can't walk acrass the bridge.
Champian: Yau cauld swim.
Gustavesan: Okay ane af the last things that I wauld like to. bring up is
Carreia: Can canae.
Gustavesan: that we have requested two. full time maintenance warkers in the Parks
Divisian neither which were recammended in the budget and again we realize
haw hard it is to. ask far additianal staffing particularly when yau are laaking at
trying to. staff a new fire department, we need mare palice, and I think all af us
wauld agree that public safety has gat to. be paramaunt in any tawn. But we just
want to. let yau knaw that yau knaw maintenance is impartant to. aur Parks
department and it is getting mare and mare difficult particularly when yau keep
adding mare parklands, trails, and special facilities and aur staff is really getting
to. be averwarked and we really need additianal staffing. Again what we are
asking is that yau keep these things in mind in the future and when times get
better, finances get better, please keep in mind same afthe requests that we've
had. There have been things desperately needed in the Parks department. I've
been an this Parks & Rec. Cammissian naw far seven years and we have been
asking for additianal maintenance warkers all seven years and we haven't
received anything yet and aur parks are grawing pretty rapidly. I guess I'd like to.
clase by saying that I hape that when yau laak at the budget far Parks & Rec. far
a lat af these things ah it's nat really an expenditure its an investment in aur
cammunity. I knaw Bab and several afyau went last fall went to. the great places
presentatian aver at Hancher Auditarium and there was a gentleman by the name
afRichard Flarida that gave and wrote a baak called "The Rights afthe Creative
Class" and ane afthe things it talks abaut is peaple maving to. cammunities nat
because that's where the jabs are but that's the quality aflife is at. Ifyau laak at a
lat afthe publicatians aver the last several years Iawa City has been ranked in the
tap 100 places to. live. Just this fall is was ranked in the tap 10 places far places
to. retire. And the reasans that these places and the reasan that Iawa City is such a
papular place to. mave to., and live, and retire in is because afthe facilities like aur
Parks and Rec. department, the Summer afthe Arts activities that we do.,
Riverside Theater, Englert Theater, all afthese add to. the quality aflife and that's
what brings peaple to. aur cammunity, and it brings the type afpeaple we want in
aur cammunity. Sa when yau laak at this budget please think afthis as being
investment in aur cammunity because it really is and like I said we are nat gaing
to. ask far additianal maney we just want yau to. take a laak at the budget,
recammend it the way Steve has presented to. yau and please keep in mind same
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 40
of the requests that we have had and that we keep asking for every year and
hopefully like I said when times get better that we will be able fund some of these
extra workers and facilities.
Elliott: Craig for you and or Terry they still have work study programs at the University
do they not?
Gustaveson: Yes.
Elliott: Yes, the university has a recreation department.
Gustaveson: Yes.
Elliott: Do you make use of some work study, obviously not for maintenance, but for
other things? Can they be helpful to you in some ways?
Trueblood: It's been several years since we have had any work study students. The
primary reason for that is they are all used at the University, they put them all to
work, at least that's what I am told.
Elliott: Okay, they take care of their own first.
Trueblood: They have first priority and where they have the needs they'll employ them
all.
Elliott: Okay.
Wilburn: Costs have also gone up for work study to the employer now. The University
pays the fuller amount. FYI.
Champion: When was the last time that we gave you extra maintenance help?
Trueblood: We've never had extra maintenance help. We've always had just barely
enough.
Champion: You hire extras in the summer?
Trueblood: Well yea, because there are now more restrictions on the number of hours
that temporaries can work that even adds to the problem sometimes. But its been
Atkins: Oh, its been three years
Trueblood: Oh, it's been several years since we got an additional full time.
Champion: Terry have you looked into out sourcing any of our maintenance?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 41
Trueblood: I'm sorry?
Champion: Have you looked into out sourcing any of our maintenance?
Trueblood: We have and we are studying that further right now. As a matter of fact a
year ago I guess it's been I got some contracts from other, from sample contracts,
from other communities that we might be able to look at. Now that's going to
take money too obviously but at least you are not looking at year round full time
paying benefits that kind of thing.
Champion: Right.
Trueblood: But what we are primarily looking at is to see if we can contact some out to
help out with mowing needs outside of parks. We do a lot of mowing outside of
parks that we think maybe we could contract there to help us out.
Champion: What's your maintenance needs in the winter time when you don't have grass
to mow?
Bailey: (can't hear) plow.
Champion: Trails to plow and
Trueblood: We have a lot of snow removal work, a lot more than just parks and trails
even. We have a lot of areas where it is our responsibility to remove snow that
aren't even close to a park or a trail and obviously a lot of the time is used for
taking care of maintenance needs for the following spring. Taking care of picnic
tables, shelters, mostly equipment that you can work on indoors. But like with
this winter we've been transplanting trees lately. All of nature is confused this
winter I think. But we have been doing a lot of tree trimming and even tree
planting but on a typical winter it's used a lot for maintenance for the following
spring as well as ah snow removal efforts.
Champion: Well, the thing that I think about in out sourcing is not necessarily what you
are talking that you are doing now but things like snow removal which is sporadic
and mowing which is isolated to a certain period oftime and those are the kinds
of things we could phase to out source. I don't think your year round
maintenance should be out sourced. Ijust wondered if you thought about it. I
know the school district save a lot of money when they out source on lawn
mowmg.
Trueblood: Again we have thought about it and we're thinking more about it.
Bailey: Well along that same vain, just going back to the natural areas specialist and
getting some more funding to do more contracting I think would that be of help?
Where is that in your priority list this natural areas specialist?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 42
Trueblood: For me as far as the operating budget goes natural areas specialist would
probably be my number one priority. It's just that we are getting so many more
natural areas whether its prairies or whether it's forested areas, wetlands whatever
and we just don't feel like we are properly taking care of them and we're not able
to offer any educational programs in those whatsoever.
Bailey: So is it typical that you could find that level of expertise forest, wetlands and
prairie in one person or does contracting or consulting or whatever you call it
make more sense?
Trueblood: Again, personal opinion it makes more sense to be able to hire that person.
You get somebody that is a natural areas specialist. They are going to have
expertise in those areas that you mentioned. It's somebody that can be, would be
a hands on maintenance person as well. Not just somebody that sits in an office
and ah you know writes up plans and conducts educational programs. It would be
somebody actually out taking care of the prairies and the forested areas and the
trails within and that kind ofthing.
Elliott: And that is not available from soil conservation districts or extension offices that
sort of thing?
Trueblood: That's available for advice, that sort of thing, not for actual work.
Elliott: Right.
Vanderhoef: My thought is having a specialist ah they become familiar specially with
our areas and the needs for those areas and a consultant has to come and sort of
research that area before they can make
Bailey: Well it could be somebody that you used repeatedly though.
Vanderhoef: It could be after a long time.
Bailey: Don't have to pay the Benes.
Elliott: I was just thinking if soil conservation district or extension office is available for
advice then that advice and recommendation could be given and a maintenance
worker could be carrying it out. But obviously it's not going to be as
comprehensively as beneficial to you and to Iowa City but at least its something.
Champion: I have to disagree with you because I think there would be more to that job
than deciding what needs to be done. I think the component that the public would
love would be the educational
Bailey: Yes, I agree.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 43
Champion: school kids, adults. I mean just little things like that tree walks that they had
in the cemetery, that was so well attended a couple of years, I don't know whether
they have done it recently but that's the educational aspect of a naturalist and
would really be beneficial to community I think and well worth paying for.
Gustaveson: From a personal standpoint when we were working on the water works area
Elliott: Mike
Gustaveson: When we ere working on the water works areas and we had a naturalist
come in and talk about how we were going to seed around the ponds. Talking
about a certain type of seeding so that the grass would be so high so ducks
wouldn't come in and land in the ponds and we keep the ducks out of there and we
bring in trumpeter swans for certain things. To me it was just fascinating just to
talk about all the science that went in to do the prairie grass runs so that we kept
certain water fowl out of there and the way different grasses interacted with other
things and so I think you're right. We have an ampha theater out there for that it
would nice if we could put it to use.
Vanderhoef: Tell me a little bit about how we are doing with our tree farm and any other
planting that Terry has out at Scott Park or in that area?
Trueblood: I don't have a clue.
O'Donnell: What does this have to do with the budget?
Trueblood: How's that? It's still out there. Still doing well. Ah, the old arboretum as we
call it is now part of really part of Scott Park and will remain as such. Where the
new little shelter is and we left a number of trees in there from the old nursery so
it could be part of the park so the newer part is further to the east and I couldn't
tell you how many trees its got in there but it has a bunch in there and we utilize
them and we utilize them regularly a variety of them.
Vanderhoef: Do you have any idea how many were transplanting each year at the
nursery?
Trueblood: I'm sure we do but Ijust don't know what it is.
Vanderhoef: Okay, and the question in mind is as you say the old nursery we let some
mature and it has become part of the part are we looking forward into any other
land areas within the City that we might be starting new nursery?
Trueblood: Ah I don't know that myself but my guess is that Terry Robinson probably
has his eye on 3 or 4 different areas where that could become a nursery at some
point in time but it's nothing that we have discussed.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Wark Session
Page 44
Vanderhoef: It's something that I am very interested in and certainly as we get more
trails and more river areas I think we have more opportunities perhaps if we just
keep our eye out for them to expand our nursery.
Trueblood: Yea.
Wilburn: We do have some other items to get to tonight so.
Trueblood: I'm sorry I'll quit asking questions.
(laughter)
Wilburn: Thank you.
Bailey: Thanks.
O'Donnell: Appreciate it.
Wilburn: We have general budget discussion. Is that something you had or is that our
time.
Atkins: That's really your time. I think the first thing do you want to have another
session planned?
Schedule
Bailey: We need to schedule right.
Atkins: Yea, you need to schedule. While you are thinking about the schedule tomorrow
morning we begin at 8 and we'll do the rest of the CIP. I will do a presentation
for you on the tax rate, you asked that it be pulled down and the consequences.
And then I have made up a list of decisions just hearing your discussions certain
decision list that you can work from that isn't completely comprehensive and then
really the morning is yours as you see fit. The first hour or so is pretty much
taken care of for sure.
Wilburn: Okay.
Champion: So you want to set a date for another meeting in case you need it is that
right?
Atkins: In case you need it, right.
Bailey: We will need it.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
-------------.,-----------..--...- .-.-...---
January 30,2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 45
Correia: I have a quick question. I had it in my calendar that we had a Council meeting
on February 21 but it'd not in here so is that wrong.
O'Donnell: I thought the 13th?
Karr: It was, the February schedule was adjusted.
Correia: Okay.
Karr: Because of some conflicts so it was switched only for Conncil meetings for the
regular meeting of the 14th was combined to the 13th and 14th because that
included setting a public hearing so we needed to move the public hearing date to
February 27 and 28.
Correia: So we're meeting on the 13th and then not again until the 27th and 28th.
Karr: At this time, that is correct.
Correia: Okay I'll take it that off my calendar.
Wilburn: We got a memo from Marian, people and schedules. She put down what
seemed to be where we had a majority, 6 or 7 Council Members available. Ah,
Champion: I can make it anytime but Sunday I'll be out of town.
Correia: I can make it any day but that Thursday the 9th, in the day, but I can do
evemng.
Wilburn: That still leaves February 2 and Friday, February 10th.
Correia: I can't do that I'm sorry. I can't do the morning.
Wilburn: Okay. How is February 2 at 6:30?
Elliott: The evening is open for me.
Karr: February 2, 6:30, plan on three hours.
Champion: Can we do 7?
Karr: Sure it's just a question of how much time you want to do and how late you want
Bailey: You want to go 7 to 10 instead of6:30 to 9:30 or what do you want?
Champion: Well,
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 46
Vanderhoef: What Connie?
Bailey: What do you need?
Champion: It's just that I don't get to eat if!
Bailey: Oh we want you to eat.
Atkins: We want you to eat.
Bailey: We want you to eat.
Atkins: Helps your mood.
Wilburn: 7:00? February 2.
Champion: Are you calling me crabby?
(laughter)
Karr: 7:00 on the 2nd.
Wilburn: Yes.
Elliott: Okay.
Vanderhoef: Okay. That gives me another half hour to get home.
Elliott: And this is a budget work session, right.
Atkins: Yes. Probably out of all your sessions that one for sure would be the most open
with respect to issues anybody would like to put on the table. Tabulate those
tomorrow and I think we can knock off some decisions.
O'Donnell: Can we leave this stuff here?
Karr: Yes.
Atkins: Yes.
Bailey: What you are not going to go home and study it?
(laughter)
O'Donnell: I have already read it.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.
January 30, 2006
City Council Budget Work Session
Page 47
Bailey: I am kidding you.
Champion: I read it from word to word.
Elliott: Word for word?
(all talking)
Bailey: She needs to eat.
Vanderhoef: She didn't see the numbers she read the words.
(laughter)
Bailey: We're going to deal with some numbers later on you may want to look at those.
Atkins: I assume you're ready to wrap up but I just to give you a quick tally Senior
Center wants $33,000; Library Board wants $38,000; Convention and Visitors
want $17,000; Housing and Community Development wants $570,000;
Telecommunications wants $100,000.
Bailey: Does anybody not want money?
O'Donnell: Parks and Rec.
Bailey: And I'm willing to give them money.
Vanderhoef: Shall we just do all amenities and forget the obvious police and fire, public
safety?
Wilburn: Yep, already.
Bailey: Amenities always seem more obvious to me.
Wilburn: See you in the morning.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council budget work session meeting of January 30, 2006.