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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-18 Transcription #1 ITEM 1 Wilburn: Page I CALL TO ORDER. STORM UPDATE. Well, good evening everyone. Thank you all for coming down. I wanted to take a quick moment to give an update on our recent storm damage, and as some of you may have heard through the media, we were fortunate enough to have no deaths in the community and above all, I think that's the most important thing. Combination of preparedness. Johnson County's one of six storm-ready counties in the State, which means you do the early preparedness; you spend the resources, the time, the money, effort, energy, practicing with the siren system, the weather radios, and rehearsal and practice, and the most important part ofthat is that you, the citizens, paid attention to those warnings and got yourself to a safe place to try to weather the storm. The other piece of that is luck and in some people's opinion, a little divine intervention never hurts things. So, a lot of good team work. There's always, during a natural disaster like that some moments of confusion and excitement, and those are to be expected, and above all, I think the community came through very well in terms of just the response and trying help prevent any unfortunate deaths or serious injuries. I understand there were some, but hopefully those folks will recover. We're entering a period where the response has been tremendous. Neighbors just got out with chain saws and buckets and mops and helped people clean up, clean up debris. Thank you all for stepping forward and doing that. Other folks have, you know, it's just an overwhelming response to the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, the Crisis Center and offering your support. It's important if you are watching or those in the press can get out the word to folks. If you're needing some type of assistance, to have those folks call, you know, those relief agencies so that people can be matched up with that type of assistance. Just as an F.Y.I., a lot of natural conversations are occurring; people sharing their experiences about where they were and what happened during the storm, and it's important that those things continue on. For folks who don't have an opportunity to do that, that aren't part of natural groups, I have been in contact with the Attorney General's office, Crime Victim Assistance Division. They have a crisis response team for situations like this where this is either a crime victim or a natural disaster. I've been in touch with the University and couple groups in the community that are willing to host such debriefings where the community comes in, essentially shares their stories, and makes sure that there's no one out there that is having any ongoing trauma, or just being aware of any indicators of potential trauma with young people or with others, you know the next time a storm comes up or those type of thing. We're also at a, kind ofa frustrating period where we're waiting to find out if there's going to be a recommendation to the President, a request of the President, for disaster area and to have F.E.M.A., the Federal Emergency Management Administration, come in and offer support for essentially This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #1 Atkins: Page 2 uninsured loss, which is where we've been hearing some stories and we're hopeful that that's going to happen. It can take anywhere up to a week to 30 days for that to happen, and so we ask for your patience while those types of things work themselves out. The City Council, our local Legislators, they're all trying to pay attention to, after that request goes in, to try and expedite it as quickly as possible, but again, please be patient. If you have had some loss, please take photographs, document it, and be prepared to try and get some request for assistance when we do learn what's going to happen. I've asked the City Manager to give us just an update on some items, but again, nice job everyone involved and hopefully the community will continue to move forward here. Okay, thank you, Sir. It's difficult to come up with real specifics because we're actually right in the midst of everything right now, but there's some things that I think are important to the community and their own sense of . public safety. Our fire crew staffing has returned to normal. Our Police Department are continuing to work 12-hour shifts. Those will probably continue throughout the remainder of the week. Our biggest issue happens to be traffic control, and we are moving along. We've replaced a number of signals - Burlington in particular. All streets should be open. They will be closed temporarily when we have to do some debris removal. Our transit system, busses are running close to being on schedule. Again, with debris piled at the curbs, it makes things a little more difficult to move around. All of our parking garages are operational. We had significant damage in all but Tower Place. The attractive, plywood windows that you'll see will be there for some time, just simply there's a run on glass as you know, to get these things replaced. Parks and Recreation, the Recreation Center has reopened. Pool, of necessity, is being drained. It's full of broken glass and we've had to shut that down. There's a number of other damage that, at the Recreation Center, which has slowed down some of the general recreational activities. Again, just please bear with us. Our solid waste, our refuse collection crews are back on their regular routes. What we're doing is our streets crews, which are separate from refuse collection, are working 12-hour shifts. At the end of the workday for refuse collection, we will unload at the landfill, bring those refuse trucks back, go back into the neighborhoods for assisting the streets crews in cleanup. Parks, in general, we are into the parks now. That is, particularly Hickory Hill Park, which saw significant damage. We've been able to do a good bit of cleanup, but we're going to have to bring in cranes and some other heavy equipment because, particularly those larger trees are uprooted have tom away at the bank, for example, Ralston Creek. . . it will be difficult for us to get in, in to remove that. Generally speaking, you know, we're targeting hopefully by this weekend to have the opportunity to say we can get back to some reasonable degree of scheduling for our public services. There is one thing that I want to mention. We've had an incredible response from volunteers. People asking to do anything and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. --_...._---~-,---------_..__..._.._--------------'-_...~-_._--- #1 Page 3 everything, and it's difficult to say no, but in many instances, folks are willing to come and work with our crews. The pickup of construction debris, in particular, is very dangerous. It's metal; it's glass; it has nails; and our folks know what they're doing. That doesn't mean that we're not going to need volunteers, because today at our staff review, we've actually started to put on the table our plans for replanting the trees, and we're certainly going to need volunteers when we get into the replanting process. Number of folks have asked about giving just financial assistance. The United Way has a fund set up, if you'd like to make a contribution. Vou can feel free to give it to them. Steam cleanup, once we can get big stuff out of there, then we can schedule folks to come in and help out. Again, thank you to all the volunteers. It's just at a stage right now where we just need our folks to do what they have to do. Any questions? Wilburn: Yes, I guess the only other piece to add to that, it goes back to that patience, and there'll be some opportunities for that. Offer your assistance. If you're needing assistance, please give a call to Salvation Army, Crisis Center, Red Cross to request assistance, but you know, please asking for some patience here. It's not like...the City Manager and I were discussing, it's not like the straight-line winds where just the whole town was leveled. It was, what destruction happened was, it was tragic and it looks nasty, but it's a concentrated area. The cleanup went a lot quicker than folks had.. . from our prior experience. So, again, I think just nice job. Incidentally, the Iowa Homeland Security people and F.E.M.A. representatives that were here were very complimentary of the community, the County Emergency Response Plan, and the City and County street crews, and City staff, just in terms of getting all the paperwork ready and just...a nice job. Atkins: One other comment. You may recall, it hasn't been all too long ago, you adopted a policy on the Iowa Municipal Mutual Aid compact, where the calling system. We exercised it. I believe we were the first to do that. So that's why we were able to do much of what we were able to do and get responses. I did mention last night that we had no injuries. Unfortunately, after we talked about that last night, we did have a streets worker fell from a truck and broke a leg. Everybody's going to be okay, but we did have one injury to a City employee. Wilburn: Any questions for the City Manager, Council? Vanderhoef: Just a comment, when you talk about volunteering, we have always had such good response and have Project GREEN in our community who has taken it upon themselves to work with some of the plantings and so forth, and they're set up to use volunteers in the planting in-some oftheir projects, and that might be a place to either donate plant material or to give money, or give of your time. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #1 Page 4 Bailey: And I bet Friends of Hickory Hills Park will also be looking at that park to do some replanting and also some remediation where the big equipment has to come in. So that's another group that you might want to contact if you're interested in that work. Wilburn: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #2 ITEM 2 Wilburn: Karr: Rubin: Wilburn: Page 5 PROCLAMATIONS. b. National Medical Laboratory Week - April 23-29, 2006 (reads proclamation) Here to accept the proclamation is Bonnie Rubin, representing the University Hygienic Lab and other labs in Iowa City. (applause) On behalf of all the professionallaboratorians in the Iowa City area, we'd like to very much thank you for this proclamation signing from the Council and from the Mayor. The laboratorians here in Iowa City work in the University Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, at Mercy Hospital, at the Veterans Hospital, at Cross Medical Laboratories here in Iowa City. We're very proud to be able to provide to you all the testing that you need to lead a good quality oflife here in Iowa City, and to the State of Iowa citizens from your cholesterol testing, to testing for cancer, to testing for emerging outbreaks, such as mumps and avian influenza, if and when it ever comes here, and to also be prepared for times if we do have any sort of public health emergency, hopefully not in the form of tornadoes, but maybe something else. We do do emergency preparedness, and we are responsible for the bio-terrorism and chemical terrorism preparedness for Iowa. So thank you very much for this recognition. Thank you. That reminded me, for. . . back to the storm related incidents, anyone who wants to be on a list where you can be called when a natural disaster happens, is you can go to disaster readiness preparedness training through the American Red Cross - the Grant Wood Chapter here. That way, when something happens you get a call and you get the training on how to help out. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Conncil meeting of April 18, 2006. ^^m_.'__"~~_______~__.___'__'__""'_~_'_'_'_____'____,,__'__~'_____'__"_____"__'_____ _.'_+'~_'.~___ .__"_____..__ __u._.____"._ #2 ITEM 2 Wilburn: Elliott: Karr: Malatek: Wilburn: Page 6 PROCLAMATIONS. c. National Volunteer Week - April 23-29, 2006 (reads proclamation) Very timely! Here to accept the proclamation is Danielle Malatek. (applause) I am proud to accept this proclamation on behalf of the Volunteer Administrators Network of Johnson County. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the many volunteers in Johnson County that help contribute over one million hours of service each year. In times of tragedy like this, we are reminded of the power of neighbors helping neighbors. So, please take an extra moment to thank a volunteer during National Volunteer Week observed April 23 through April 29, 2006. Thank you. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. --~~.. _._--_._...~.._-_..._..._....__.._.__.._._--'_...,._-'-,-,-_...._-_.._-~,-_._-,_._-_.......- m P.7 ITEM 2 PROCLAMATIONS. d. National Youth Service Days - April 21-23, 2006 Wilburn: (reads proclamation) Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is members ofthe Youth Advisory Commission. (applause) Wilburn: Thank you, thank you for your service, thank you, thank you for your service, thank you, and thank you. Kamps: Good evening, my name is Elyse Kamps. I'm 17 years old and an 11th grader at West High School. I have tried to get involved in as many govermnent related activities in the community as I can, and I'm President of my school's govermnent club. I hope to some day work in the field and on behalf of myself and the rest of the Youth Advisory Commission, we'd like to thank the City Council for giving us this great opportunity. The first meeting of the Youth Advisory Commission was March 23rd, and our mission is to promote understanding and awareness of Iowa City, among Iowa City youth, allow a select group of youth to make decisions concerning them and their peers, enable youth members to utilize and expand on their leadership abilities, to serve as a mechanism between youth and adults in Iowa City, and create a bridge where youth and adults can develop partnerships. Subramanian: Hello, I'm Subha Subramanian and I'm 16 from Iowa City West. Few activities that I'm involved in is I'm a passionate member of our Student Senate and I'm really passionate about volunteering. Some goal, or another type, or another part of our goal of the Iowa City Youth Advisory Commission is that we will empower, engage, and foster youth participation in our local community. More specifically, to provide a sounding board for youth issues affecting the Iowa City youth community. And, now I'll just take this opportunity to introduce ourselves and give us a little, and give you a little, a little bit about ourselves. (laughter) Stubbers: Hi, I'm Jackie Stubbers and I'm a junior at the University and right now I'm majoring in exercise science and psychology. Keranen: Hi, my name is Audrey Keranen. I'm a sophomore at West High School, and I'm excited about being able to volunteer and share my environmentalist ideas. Nelson: My name is Michael Nelson. I'm a sophomore at the University and my majors are biology. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. ~ P~8 Bleam: Hi, my name is Maison Bleam. I'm 19 and I'm a freshman at the University ofIowa and I'm majoring in science, political science, with a business admin (unable to understand). Ziegenhorn: Hi, my name is Sarah Ziegenhorn. I'm a junior at City High and I'm involved in cross-country and orchestra, among other things, and I'd like to thank the Council for this opportunity. Wilburn: I want to thank you all. (applause) I think their second rneeting was Thursday night during the tornado, so hopefully the next one won't be as turbulent. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. .__~..______,_.~__,___._._______.._..n'___""_~"_"__.__'^'____..M'.____,____'......__.'__._____.' #2 ITEM 2 Wilburn: Karr: Gurll: Wilburn: Gurll: Wilburn: Page 9 PROCLAMATIONS. e. Johnson County Community Theatre Week - April 24-30, 2006 (reads proclamation) Here to accept the proclamation is Dr. Nelson GurU. (applause) Thank you very much, Mayor Wilburn and Members of the City Council. I accept this proclamation on behalf of the enumerable members ofthe Iowa City Community Theatre over the last 50 years, and if you have the doldrums about the tornadoes, come out to celebrate with "My Fair Lady" the last weekend of April and the first weekend in May, at the beautiful, historical, downtown Englert Civic Theatre. Thank you. You were in "Man of LaMancha" weren't you? I was one of the ruffians, yes. That's what I thought, yeah. (laughter) I had the pleasure of performing in the pit orchestra for that so good to see you again. This represents only a reasonably accnrate transcription of the Iowa City City Conneil meeting of April 18, 2006. #3 ITEM 3 Wilburn: Panther: Wilburn: Panther: Wilburn: Panther: Wilburn: Panther: Wilburn: Page 10 OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARD - Grant Wood Elementary Will Tom Panther please come forward. Hi, how ya do, Tom? Thanks for coming down tonight. I understand you were sick a few weeks ago? Uh-huh. Do I know you? Yeah. How do I know you? Alex Wilburn is my friend. Oh, okay, all right. You know, glad that you can make it down here tonight and this is a time, and there'll be some others following you, too, from another school, where we get to hear about the good work that you've been doing. We just heard about National Volunteer Week and lot of good community service, so we're just excited to hear what you have to say about the reason that you're receiving the award. Do you want to hold this? First I would like to thank my teacher Mr. Wallheart for nominating me and the Iowa City Council for recognizing me. One of my accomplishments is that I received the Student Council Member of the Year. I like to bird watch and enjoy learning about World War II. Again, I would like to thank the City Council and my parents for teaching me respect. (applause) This is the main reason you came down, for the award. You got to take this, buddy! (laughter) For his outstanding qualities of leadership within Grant Wood Elementary, as well as the community, and for his sense of responsibility and helpfulness to others, we recognize Tom Panther as an outstanding student citizen. Your community is proud of you and I know your parents are proud of you, because I know them to. All right, presented by the Iowa City City Council. Congratulations, Tom. (applause) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #3 ITEM 3 Wilburn: (female) Wilburn: (female) Wilburn: Figueroa: Conley: Harney: Page 11 OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARD - Helen Lemme Elementary Would the representatives from Lemme come up, please? Thank you for coming down. Do I know you? Yes. How do I know you? Softball. Oh, okay. (laughter) Again, this is, we're just really excited to hear about what you've been up to. Here you go. My name is Kristen and I'm honored to receive this award. I'm Patrol Captain, a caring friend, and a respectful student. Thank you for this recognition. I'm going to tell you what I think it means to be a good citizen. The first way to be a good citizen is that you should help out the community. For example, like the tornado on Thursday. Even if you don't personally know someone in need, you can still check what needs to be done. You also need to help nationally, like Hurricane Katrina. Being a good citizen means doing your part to help society without expecting anything back in return. It also means respect for all mankind and caring for all. Thank you. (applause) Hi, my name is Lindsey Conley, and I'm here to represent Lemme Elementary School. To be a representative means lots of things to me. Even though I'm not perfect, these are the things I try to do. I do the best I can in school. I treat others how I want to be treated. I help out others when they need help, and I never treat others worse because of how they look or act. I enjoy my life as much as possible and I try to follow the six pillars of character. Number one, trustworthiness. Be honest and others will trust you. Number two, respect. Treat others how you want to be treated. Number three, responsibility. Always do what you are supposed to. Number four, fairness. Don't take advantage of others. Number five, caring. Be kind and show you care. Number six, citizenship. Help out your community, help out to make your community a better place. (applause) Hi, my name is Lindsey Harney and I'm a 6th grade at Helen Lemme. I have written a poem about what I think being a good citizen means to me, and I'm thankful for this award. Thank you. C is for caring about others, I is for including everyone, T is for _ people, I is for ignore negative attitude, Z is for zero tolerance for bullies, E is enjoy new friends, N is never be mean. (applause) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #3 Page 12 Wilburn: Do I know you, Lindsey? Do I know you? How do I know you? I don't know you though, do I? Well, once again, just thank you, ladies, for the good work contributing to your community and your schools. I'm going to read one of these, they all say the same thing, but they have your own name on them. Citizenship Award, for her outstanding qualities of leadership within Helen Lemme Elementary, as well as the community, and for her sense of responsibility and the helpfulness to others, we recognize Kristen Figueroa as an outstanding student citizen. Your community is proud of you. Presented by the Iowa City City Council. There we go. Congratulations. And Lindsey, two Lindseys, that's right. I was confused. Goodjob, and Lindsey, good job. Congratulations! Thank you! (applause) I guess they have a good reason for not being at softball practice tonight. So... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. _____~_____"__~.___m~.__._.. _._____.,._..__ ._..,._....___."._"._ - -- --..---.. --~--~.--,--"._._,..,..-,." #4 Page 13 ITEM 4 CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. Bailey: Move adoption. Wilburn: Moved by Bailey. Vanderhoef: Second. Wilburn: Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? Correia: I just wanted to note that there are two public hearings in the Consent Calendar. One is for the annual Action Plan regarding the City Steps, which includes funding recommendations from the Housing and Community Development Commission, and a second public hearing is for the Grand Avenue roundabout project. Wilburn: Thank you. Any other discussion? Roll call. Carries 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #5 Page 14 ITEM 5 COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA) Wilburn: This is a time for items that do not appear on tonight's agenda. If anyone wishes to address the Council, please approach the podium, sign your name, and state your name, and limit your comments to five minutes. Braverman: My name is Jeff Braverman. And I'm certain I'll keep it under five minutes. Thank you for your time. I'm just before the Council once again to ask for some direction since I've been led to the Council by the City Traffic person, Mr. Davidson, regarding Lexington Avenue and the gate. We're still diverting traffic as oflast Friday the gate went up, which is causing overflow onto other streets that are still unsafe with sidewalks on only one side or none, and I'm asking the Council for some direction on what I can do as a citizen to try and have traffic calming 12 months out of the year for Lexington, and at the same time, stop the diversion of traffic to other streets. Wilburn: The Council discussed this at our work session last night. We gave instruction to Jeff Davidson to.. .he's in consultation with the University, trying to get a firm idea on what their plans are in the area. Also, the last time we had a study done in terms of the traffic was in the fall, and they will be conducting another study. Otherwise, I guess they will be notifying the neighborhood that we may be considering, the Council may be considering whether or not the, there will be future use of the gate as a barrier, and that there will be a look at traffic in the entire area over there. Braverman: Thank you very much. Vanderhoef: The other thing that we did also mention, just an add-on to what Ross said, was that because it's been five years since we've done a count, that at that time there wasn't interest by the folks who live on Lexington to put in sidewalks, but we'll do the count in the fall so it would be the following year probably before the barrier could come down if that's what we chose, but if anyone wanted to get started this construction season on building sidewalk system on Lexington, I would encourage them to do it. Bailey: And I believe Jeff has also indicated that your streets are eligible for traffic calming, so that might be a measure that you would take in the meantime. Braverman: It's my hope that you'll consider all of Manville Heights when you look at traffic calming, since it's a very heavily traveled area to get from one point in the city to another. Thank you. Wilburn: Thanks for your comments. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #5 Connors: Page IS Hello, good evening. My name is Ann Connors and I congratulate you on a very positive start of your City Council meeting, impresses me, makes me feel good, seeing all those wonderful young citizens. I am here actually to also discuss or mention my concern with, and my desire to have some traffic calming in my neighborhood. I live at 301 Richards Street, and I think you just answered the questions regarding the gate and thank you very much for the positive response and I hope that we can work as a neighborhood over there, as a group, together because it's a problem for every street over there, and I appreciate the, the involvement of the University - big part ofthat. I decided to come up here, I wanted to bring something else up. I have a business that is over here on the north side. It is between the Northside Historic Neighborhood and College Green Neighborhood. My neighbors over here have been very, very good to me over the years, to my business. On Friday morning after the tornado, my biggest concern was whether or not my, the electricity was on so I could go to work. I went to work. I saw patients all day and many people came in and were giving eyewitness reports ofthe damage along Iowa Avenue and Hotz Avenue. Hotz is just to the east of me and Iowa to the south and Jefferson, Washington, all the streets that we all know about, and in the last two or three days I've taken walks through these neighborhoods, and I've been very, very saddened for many of my friends, many of my patients, many of the young people who have lost their homes. rm here tonight because I love historic preservation. Iowa Avenue in particular is, it's one of the most beautiful avenues in Iowa City, one ofthe most historic with the boulevard. It ends at Woodlawn and my questions to you as a Council and as our leaders in this city, is there something that can be done and guided by our community leaders, by our City departments, to help aid these homeowners, business owners, landlords, whatever, that own these beautiful homes, some ofthem in good shape, some of not such great shape. Is there anything that can be done by the City, by Friends of Historic Preservation, etc., that can help preserve these neighborhoods? When the time comes, and I suspect it's rather close, when demolition permits will be received or requested. Is there anything that we can do as a group and as a community to help preserve these beautiful streets - the small streets, the big streets - neighborhoods are very, very important in Iowa City and it makes, it's a large attraction to this town. We've all seen the destruction of many nice streets and nice buildings for, because it's allowed. It's in the law. People can do it. There are a lot of people out there talking. Some of us want to help. We don't know what to do, but I would like to at least plant the seed into your minds that there are people that would like to get involved and would help other neighborhoods, and I would hope that we would have the backing of the City, Planning and Zoning, all the resources, all the great resources that this community has to help guide these people, and have the homeowners and the City and the community come together to rebuild. Thank you very much. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Couucil meeting of April 18, 2006. #5 Wilburn: Hartwig: Page 16 Thank you. Good evening. Randy Hartwig. Here for two reasons tonight. First is representing the Airport Commission and I wanted to just update you with respect to the tornado that, as you're probably aware, we had a Commission meeting Thursday night. The damage to the Airport really I think only consisted of some gutters on one of the hangars, which is rather amazing when you consider how close the funnel cloud was. Another purpose I wanted to bring up was just to recognize John Toomer who is Jet Air employee who was on duty. There was probably twenty some people civil air patrol also having a meeting there. There were some travelers from Minnesota and after the sirens went off, I wisely adjourned the meeting and, but, John was really the first one who saw the funnel cloud and directed us to the basement as it were, and had flashlights available, which we didn't need, but his actions were commendable. So I wanted to make mention of that. Second purpose of my being here, if! can take off Commissioner hat and speak as a private citizen just to offer some thoughts. I know I read in yesterday's Press-Citizen an opinion that was maybe less than commendable about some of the actions ofthe City after the tornado, and I'll be the first to admit that there was probably some inappropriate behavior. I know Thursday when I was at the dealership and sort of taking it in, it didn't make me feel good about somebody laughing and having a beer in the area, but to me, that's reflection on that individual - not on the community as a whole, and then on Friday morning, when I got to the dealership and sort of really taking it in, you're asking yourself, geez, I don't know what to do or how to do it or when to do it. You know, and by... if somebody would have asked me at that time, that. . . did I think we'd be able to reopen Monday, I didn't see any way that that would happen, and you know, by 8:00 I think that morning, there was a crew from Knutsen and you know, a competitor that showed up with brooms. I can't list all of the people, but the fact that we were able to open Monday is really a result of those people and not anything I did other than to stay out oftheir way. And so, to me, I think that's a much better reflection of the community than I think some times the quick impression, if you will, is not always accurate. I know that when my father and uncle bought the dealership in 61, we moved here from Finley. I know my mother was not real happy about leaving Finley, Ohio. She thought it was a great community, and her first impression of Iowa City coming in on Dodge Street was a fistfight going on outside of (unable to hear, laughter) and I think she was ready to turn around then, but she would also be the first to agree that it was and has been a great place to live and certainly are appreciative of all the help being offered. I think that it is kind of weird when people are driving around and almost sort of in a different world, and I remember cleaning out the showroom and looking at Riverside Drive which was backed up with traffic and there were six people all This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #5 Page 17 taking pictures out of their car, and I understand that, but by the same token, and maybe I'm naive, but I think ifI had said, 'Hey can somebody help me,' I think everyone of those people would come and help me, or help us. So, anyway, very appreciative ofthe help that we've received and really amazed that we're able to be open so soon. Thank you. Wilburn: Thanks for your comments tonight, Randy. We're sorry to hear about the loss at the store and glad to see you able to be back. Yeah, all right, thank you. Anyone else like to address the Council on an item that's not on tonight's agenda? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #6 Page 18 ITEM 6 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS. a. CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MAY 2 ON AN ORDINANCE VACATING THE ALLEY LOCATED NORTH OF BENTON STREET BETWEEN CLINTON STREET AND DUBUQUE STREET. (V AC06-00001) Champion: Move to set the public hearing. Wilburn: Moved by Champion. Bailey: Second. Wilburn: Seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Correia: I just want to note that I'm going to abstain from this vote. Urn, it's a conflict of interest. I work for the County and this is a building where I would have my office. . . have a vested interest. Wilburn: Okay. All right. Any other comments? All those in favor say "aye." Those opposed same sign. Motion carries 6-0 with Correia abstaining due to conflict of interest. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #6 ITEM 6 Bailey: Wilburn: Correia: Wilburn: Elliott: Wilburn: Page 19 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS. d. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE REZONING A 1.80 ACRE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1803/1835 BOYRUM STREET FROM INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL (CI-l) TO COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC-2). (REZ06-00005) (SECOND CONSIDERA nON) Move second consideration. Moved by Bailey. Second. Seconded by Correia. Discussion? This is an instance of a larger business buying out or moving out a smaller business. Interestingly, we've had no one complain about that. Roll call. (TAPE ENDS) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. ~ p.w ITEM 8 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3 "CITY FINANCES, TAXATION & FEES," CHAPTER 4 "SCHEDULE OF FEES, RATES, CHARGES, BONDS, FINES AND PENAL TIES," SECTION 3-4-3 ENTITLED "POTABLE WATER USE AND SERVICE" OF THE CITY CODE TO DECREASE OR CHANGE WATER SERVICE CHARGES AND FEES IN IOWA CITY, IOWA. (SECOND CONSIDERATION) Elliott: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended, that first consideration vote be waived, and that the ordinance be given second consideration and vote at this time. Wilburn: Moved by Elliott. O'Donnell: Second. Wilburn: Seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Correia: We haven't talked about this for a long time (unable to understand) talking about the budget. So, I think we're all done talking about it. Wilburn: Roll call. Item carries 7-0. Elliott: I move at this time.. . consideration. Wilburn: Moved by Elliott. O'Donnell: Second. Wilburn: Seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Roll call. Item carries 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #12 ITEM 12 Wilburn: Correia: Wilburn: Bailey: Correia: Wilburn: Elliott: Correia: Wilburn: Page 21 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE IOWA HIGHWAY lIUS HIGHWAY 218 RAMP SIGNALIZATION & IOWA HIGHWAY lIKITTY LEE ROAD RIGHT TURN LANE PROJECT. Engineer's estimate...where's the approval? Streb, okay. (several talking at once) Okay, for $419,361.65. I appreciate having that memo. We need a motion. So moved. So moved. Moved by Bailey; seconded by Correia. Discussion? I agree, Amy, that the memo was necessary and described it well and I certainly agree. So, just to explain to the public, Streb was deemed the lowest responsible bidder because there was some concern about subcontracting with the lowest bidder, and that often means that that wouldn't be an area of expertise for that particular company, that there's a lot of subcontracting. Roll call. Item carries 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #14 Page 22 ITEM 14 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2006 PAVEMENT REPLACEMENT FOR WATER MAIN PROJECT. Wilburn: Award to Hansen Asphalt ofIowa City for $155,593.50. Champion: Move the resolution. Wilburn: Moved by Champion. Correia: Second. Wilburn: Seconded by Correia. Discussion? Champion: I'm happy to see a lot of our bids are coming under our engineer's estimate. Maybe we need better engineers! (laughter) No! Wilburn: Roll call. Item carries 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #17 Page 23 ITEM 17 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. Wilburn: Which was the one we did have last.. . (several talking). Okay, last night we discussed, agreed to appoint to the Historic Preservation Commission, who was that? Ms. Baker, okay, and I have the name here. Get a motion to approve. Bailey: So moved. Elliott: So moved...second. Wilburn: It's been moved by Bailey; seconded by Elliott. All those in favor say "aye." Opposed same sign. Carries 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. -~~"--'-~-----'----~--------~'---------'--""'---'-"-''~-_._---_._-----_._. "--.----.-- - - ....., . -,- .------.,-- ---, .,-- -.----.--..--...,.,- . #19 Page 24 ITEM 19 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION. Wilburn: We will be readvertising for the Housing Community Development Commission, and (unable to understand) another 30 days? Karr: Yes, we'll readvertise the Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Airport Zoning Commission, the two Historic Preservation Commission, and the HCDC to the June 7th Wilburn: Okay. Thank you very much. Now, City Council information. Bob? Elliott: Ross! Good comments from you and Steve to start the meeting, and... Vanderhoef: I second that! Elliott: .. . Regenia and I went out early Friday morning and we mentioned to each other that it was a point of pride. I think often in a time of crisis, the best and the worst emerges and we certainly had an extensive amount of the very best in human nature that emerged. I know on my way down about 7:00 I came to the intersection of Burlington and Summit. No street lights, they weren't working, there was no stop sign out yet. There were cars backed up in all directions, yet no horns were honking. Everyone was waiting for the next person to leave. Everything went very smoothly and that was a harbinger ofthings to come. As we went around we saw people, not standing out and crying for help, but getting busy, doing their work, the neighbors were coming to help, and the city was moving. It was a pretty moving time, and I was just very proud. A couple things - sometimes the communication, electronic communication, gets some bad publicity. I thought channel 18, Brad Man, I was watching that Thursday night. I don't usually watch it. I surf over it, but Brad Man did an extraordinary job. I went to bed at quarter to two and he was still on, receiving phone calls and passing that information, helpful information, on to the people and was not very kind to those people, a few, who called in and wanted to make a joke of it, and for Steve Soboroff and his KCJJ people, I've heard they did an extraordinary job of keeping their station open and as a center for information. Really an emotional and a tragic time, but boy, Iowa City, great place! Wilburn: Here, here! Bailey: Nice comments, Bob. I would also, thank you Public Access TV. I didn't get the chance to watch it, but it was pretty impressive, what I heard, about the coverage, and also just really want to thank Steve Soboroff and KCJJ. They had staff members going out throughout the city with cell phones and reporting on the damage and it really enabled us to know what was going on because, even though we didn't lose electricity, we were This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #19 Page 25 watching a Cedar Rapids station. It couldn't personalize it in any way for us. So, I really commend KCn. I think that's pretty brave to stay on the air. I don't think they have a basement out there. So, that was pretty impressive, so thank you very much, and thanks to the rest ofthe city for really pulling together. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I think given what we've seen so far, that it will be easy to move forward in this community. V anderhoef: Well, I would like to commend the women of Alpha Chi Omega and how they handled themselves during the emergency at their sorority house that has taken major, major damage, and to the people who came and helped them. The University of Iowa Student Senate was offering persons to come and work to do whatever needed to be done, as well as some of the fraternity men came, and let me tell you, they worked for two solid days - Friday and Saturday - and they hauled furniture, they hauled clothes, they hauled personal possession of these young women, and we got them totally relocated into another house in this city over on fraternity circle in two days. The house is being boarded up today. It probably will be demolished. It's most unfortunate. It is a historic house in our city, and we're sorry about it, but it appears that structurally it won't withstand rebuilding. So, thank you to all the people who walked in along the street and said, 'What can we do to help you?' And we had all sorts of people come forward and assist us and we do appreciate. Thank you. O'Donnell: Those are all great things to say. I want to thank Public Access and Brad Man and KCn is always, always there for this community. You hear many stories after something like this, and you know, the oddities that happen and as I walked up the back steps of the Civic Center today, up above the wall was a piece of wood driven right into the building. So, it's incredible that. . . you know, a city is based on its people and Iowa City will recover from this and do it very quickly, and I'm very proud of the city. Champion: I think we all want to thank everybody. I think we should be really proud in Iowa City that we all acted 99.9999% it was very well in the tragedy by helping each other and making sure the city moves forward. Thanks everybody. Correia: I reiterate everything, and there were many staff working beyond the call of duty. Marian and I were here, the Youth Advisory Commission, and Marian made sure people stayed in the shelter area when we all have curiosities and want to go up to the window. The Police were very good about bringing people in off the streets, to find shelter, and it was calmer than one might expect as more and more people came in. A woman from outside Omega House came in. At that point I knew electricity had gone off so we didn't know what was going on. Didn't have access to the radio or a Public Access television. Knew that something big had happened, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006. #19 Page 26 and the response was immediate and amazing, and just appreciate the whole community and everybody at the city. I have just a couple other things. Ijust wanted to thank Lori Bears. She had served on the Housing Commission for a very long time, I think since about 99. She has resigned to be on the board of ARC, so congratulations ARC. You're receiving a very good board member. And, also, just wanted to let people know that the University ofIowa Community Credit Union is matching donations to the United Way Disaster Relief Fund, so if you make your donation at a credit union branch, they will match dollar for dollar up to $2,500. So I encourage folks to make their dollars go further with the Disaster Relief Fund. Wilburn: Terrific comments here. I gave my comments earlier, but also really just want to give kudos to City staff, all departments, all levels; County staff- there's lots of, you know, whether it's KCJJ radio or Marian keeping folks in the basement here, and Marian, I called her when I was down at the Sheriffs Office before I made the declaration of state of emergency. She was on her way, hung up before I could tell her where I was at. She hustled down with the seal of the City so we could get the order. I understand James Moody, North Liberty City Council Member, was at the Library and another Library staff, I think it was Jim Cohen, something like that. At the Library, there was a child, a mother in the alley. The child came in and one went out and brought them into the Library as the tornado was hitting downtown. So just lots of good, you know, neat stories about people coming to each other's aid. Otherwise, like I said, that's all I have. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of April 18, 2006.