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ITEM 2. PRESENTATION.
a) Trees Please!
Payne: Good evening, I'm Michelle Payne, the Community Contact person between Mid
American Energy and the City of Iowa City. (mumbling, away from mic)
Hayek: Yeah, let's use this mic then. I can hold it.
Payne: All right! Um, I would like to present this check, grant check, for $20,000 to Mr.
Terry Robinson and the City of Iowa City, on behalf of Mid American Energy's
Trees Please! program.
Robinson: Thank you!
Payne: Um, Trees Please! funds are distributed to local communities each year to
promote energy efficiency and improve the physical appearance of communities
through the planting of trees. The grants are based entirely on the individual
merits of the project, the benefits to the community, and the ability to obtain
matching funds. With the Trees Please! program customers benefit from the
beautification and environmental enhan...enhancements in our communities.
Thank you to Mr. Robinson and the City for their efforts to beautify our
community. (laughter)
Robinson: I'd like to say thank you to Mid American Energy. They've been a very good
partner. We appreciate their help and...and all the trees we've been able to plant
through the years, uh, with these checks. Thank you very much!
Payne: You're very welcome!
Hayek: Michelle, I want to thank you on behalf of the City, as well. It's a great
partnership, and this is certainly a program that benefits the entire community.
Thank you!
Payne: Thank you very much! (applause)
Hayek: Terry, we'll make...we'll want to make sure that...that you and the City are co-
payees on that check! (laughter)
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formal meeting of April 19, 2011.
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ITEM 2. PRESENTATION.
b) Arbor Day--Friday Apri129, 2011
Hayek: (reads proclamation)
Karr: And here to accept the proclamation is the City Forester and... and Superintendent
Terry Robinson. (applause)
Robinson: I'd like to take the c-pportunity to thank the Council, um, it's been a lot of support
over a lot of years. Uh, seems like I've been up here 28 times, which is exactly
what it has been. So we thank you very much and uh, just as a quick note, uh, I
think we've all seen what can happen when we have, uh, terrible weather. We
knew that from 2008, by looking down south to see what's happened down there
and how important trees are for everyone. So I thank you very much for your
support.
Hayek: Thanks, Terry.
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ITEM 4. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA).
Hayek: This is the opportunity during each City Council meeting for members of the
audience to address the City Council on items that are not on the agenda. If
there's something you'd like to bring to our attention, please, uh, come to the
podium. You'll need to sign in and give us your name, and I know there are
people who are interested in speaking to us tonight, so I want to remind you that
our limit for public comment for each person is five minutes, and uh, I'11...I'll,
uh, be strict about that because I think there are people who, uh, want to, uh,
address us. Um, and with that...you may proceed! Hello, Jean.
Walker: Could I give a copy of what I'm going to say?
Hayek: You can, yeah, provide it to the City Clerk, yes.
Walker: Hi, my name's Jean Walker, and I, uh, live in the Melrose neighborhood. So, um,
I want to make it very clear that the Melrose neighborhood is not opposed to the
vendors. Yes, it would be crazy to ban them! The problem is their location. We
have come up with several alternative locations that address many of the issues
brought up by the City staff and the neighborhood. Bottom line, we feel that the
Council is moving ahead too fast on this topic, without sufficient knowledge, for
example, of the alternatives and without sufficient input from the neighbors. So
we are asking for time for further discussion by the Council and further public
input. Let's not rush this through, but let's get it right. Take time to look at the
alternative locations. Because time is pressing, we suggest that the vendors
remain where they are for the next year or two, with temporary use permit
regulations in place. With the understanding that an earnest effort is made with
cooperation of the City, the University of Iowa, the neigh...and the neighborhood
to find an alternative location that is outside the historic Melrose neighborhood.
City staff has stated that the highest priority is protecting the neighborhood and
moving the vendors to an alternative location close to the stadium would help do
that. So now is the time to come together to make this awin-win-win-win
situation for the City, the fans, the neighbors, and the vendors. Putting all other
considerations aside, we respectfully request that you answer this question, if a
nearby alternative location is found for the vendors outside the Melrose
neighborhood, is there any reason why it should not be used? And so I've already
submitted to the Council a document that lists the many positive aspects of these
alternative locations, and summarizes the reasons that vending should not be on
the south side of Melrose Avenue. And now I'd like to just present, uh,
suggestions for, uh, the alternate...um, locations. You can see, barely, Melrose
Avenue down at the bottom, and then the Melrose neighborhood is south of that.
The vending occurs in the first couple of inches from the railroad track in. So
that's the current place. The ideal place would be in the parking lot beside
Kinnick Stadium, because this would contain, um, all the vendor activity within
that area. Um, but as you already know, there's a contract that the University has
with a couple of vendors that doesn't expire `ti12016. Now, unless that contract
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can be modified, somewhere else has to be found, and we found a place. If you
can see, uh, there's Melrose and then Hawkins Drive, which is to the east of
Kinnick Stadium, and you see Ramp #2 there, and so there is a... an area, and I' 11
just note that, um, it doesn't stop the access to the hospital because it's just that
section along Ramp #2. That helps. Thank you. All right. So, I'm talking...this
is current, this is where would be ideal location, and here's the other spot, along
here. So, you still have all of this open and this is open here, and people coming
in from this side can get around here. It's just this section here. And so, um, here
is a... a photograph of that area, and I... it's 15-feet wide with a wide sidewalk,
and then there's another grassy area there. And here's another shot of it, and here
is the entrance to Kinnick, and I know that Regenia Bailey had just mentioned in
passing that maybe that would be a spot for it, and it certainly is a big, wide area,
but um...the other locations I think would be more acceptable to the University.
Here's a picture of the current, uh, location of the vendors, along here, and they
extend down here, and you can see that it's just a...a grassy area and then this
sidewalk. It isn't as much space, and you can see that these little houses, I mean,
it's an overwhelming thing to have the vendors along this strip. As I've said
before, we are not against the vendors being close to Kinnick and all the fun that
that involves, but it's just protection of our, uh, neighborhood, and here's aclose-
up of the grassy area, and where the vendors are, and there's a small part of the
sidewalk here. And, this is just to show you some of the mess that we're, um,
faced with in the city. And so...that's what I have to say. If there's any
questions, I'd be happy to...answer them. Thank you.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Champion: Sao moved.
Wright: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, seconded by Wright. Discussion? All those in favor say
aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries. Thank you, Miss Walker.
Stromquist: Good evening. My name is Ann Stromquist, and I live at 316 Myrtle Avenue,
which is at the very top of Myrtle Hill, um, and I'm also on the very edge of our
historic Melrose neighborhood, and um, it's a very fragile as well as historic
neighborhood, and I thought I would just follow Jean up with, um, some of the
reasons that we would...we think that Hawk, the Hawkins Drive location would
be advantageous to all, to the vendors as well as to the neighborhood. That
location would avoid the congestion along Melrose Avenue, thus allowing
emergency vehicles a clear path, and that's not always possible, um, when the
emergency vehicles have to go down Melrose Avenue. It makes the job of police,
fire, and ambulance workers a lot easier. It is just around the corner from the
current location, but still just across the street from Kinnick Stadium, so
it's...close to the football games. It gives greater protection for the historic
Melrose neighborhood. The favored location does not involve any residences. It
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gives the University of Iowa an opportunity to take responsibility for some of the
activities generated by their football games, and the City would not have to spend
the money, people, and resources to police the area and enforce regulations. The
University of Iowa lias stated in the past that it supports historic preservation.
And also that it wants to have good relations with its neighbors. By taking care of
this problem they will achieve both of those goals. It stops the inflation of
property prices in the neighborhood that is based on speculation of monetary gain
from commercial vending. Inflated prices would make home purchases in the
neighborhood out of reach for most people. It removes some of the trash
concerns generated by vending activity. Including the perception that it's okay to
trash the neighborhood. There might be some congestion of Hawkin
Drives...Hawkins L)rive though less because the vending area there is more open
than the current one. Also Hawkins Drive is not a main arterial of Iowa City, or
one that leads directly to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics...
emergency room, as opposed to Melrose Avenue. That section of Hawkins Drive
could be closed to all but official traffic during the vending period. Note that
access to the Hospital entrance is still available from both ends of Hawkins Drive.
As Jean pointed out:, people can still get in from the south, and from the north. So
thank you very much.
Hayek: Thank you!
Ford: Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening, I'm Chuck Ford, the person who's
responsible for the Big Ass Turkey Legs! Uh, what I would have to say to you is
that there are a couple of things that I would like to address. Number one, uh, it's
been stated numerous times that uh...the, uh, problem is the vendors, not the
tailgaters. Well, I beg to differ with you. There are over 100,000 people that
show up over there on Saturday afternoon. Only 70 of `em go to the game. That
leaves 30 to 40,000 people roaming around in the streets, uh, in the parking lots,
all over, trashing the place as it's been said. I can only speak for myself in the
area that I, uh, participate at, uh, 7...627, 727 Melrose Avenue. We patrol our
area very, very close. Uh, in the memorandum that, uh, Mr. Boothroy came up
with, all of the things that he has talked about enforcing, we already do. Uh, we
should enforce ourselves. Uh, I would like to just touch on the fact that there's
been some suggestions for alternatives. Uh, obviously the previous speakers
don't realize how much traffic there is coming up Melrose Avenue. Uh, they see
the trash and it bothers them. It also bothers me. Uh, I would like to offer to
them, uh, an answer to it by possibly considering the fact that we teach people to
pick up trash and dispose of trash as it's supposed to be, and if not, uh, smack `em
on the head if necessary, if that's what it takes, but uh... it is a fragile area, and it's
a beautiful area, but there's also a tradition with, uh, Hawkeye football and
tailgating there for over 40-some years that I know of, uh, that I've lived in Iowa
City, and uh, we keep our area clean, and I think everybody should keep their area
clean. If that's something that needs to be enforced, more power to `em, and I'm
behind `em 100%! Uh, the pictures of the trash that she showed, uh, I can't
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imagine it was there for a long period of time. Uh, most of the people are pretty
earnest about getting the trash cleaned up off the yards. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you.
Cavanaugh: I actually am located right next to Big Ass Turkey Legs. I'm Coco Cavana, and I
do t-shirts, and I may have...
Hayek: I'm going to interrupt you. Unless your name is Coco Cavana, could you...
Cavanaugh: Oh, I'm sorry! Crystal Cavanaugh!
Hayek: Thank you.
Cavanaugh: It's close! (laughter and several talking) I have a lot to say, but I'm going to
condense it, because I think a lot may have already been touched on, and...one
thing about moving the location for us is we have good relationship with our
property owner, and I do want to mention that while some of the neighbors may
be complaining, there's a lot of neighbors that love Hawkeye football because it's
a money-making opportunity for them, and you get a relationship with your
property owner. You respect the property, and we also need things like power.
So just picking us up and moving us on the side of the University, we're not going
to be able to have the same access to the tools that we need there. So I did want
to mention that, because I'm not sure people understood that. We are not a
destination shopping event. So we're not commanding buses and cars to be
coming in just for the vendors. So we need the foot traffic, and Melrose has
heavy foot traffic, and that's an ideal location for us, and I think if respecting the
neighborhood would just become a bigger theme for the specific problems,
without sending everybody out. I think that would be a better...better avenue to
go. So, and also things like I had heard and I don't know if this is true, about
encouraging...not encouraging, but saying the vendors should be paying for port-
a-potties. I don't understand that at all because basically we're not encouraging,
you know, urination in people's yards, and if that is some of the concerns, of
which I had heard, you know, property owners do have to take some
responsibility as far as securing their own property, and if somebody is...is
destroying your prop...property, they need to take a usual avenue, which is call
the police. Put up some video surveillance, put up some signage. Our property
owners love having us be vendors there, and I just hope that if there's some very
specific issues, we can address very specific issues without...without dismantling
the whole process, because it is a great Hawkeye experience. I know a lot of
people say if you haven't been to an Iowa football game you really should go,
because the atmosphere at our football games is not the same as other even Big
Ten schools, and I love Hawkeye football (laughter). Thanks a lot!
Hayek: Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to address the Council during
community comment?
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Norpel: Hi, my name is Troy Norpel. Um, my wife and I own Kingdom Graphics. We're
also a vendor on Melrose. We've been there about nine years or so. Um...we're
a small screen-printing business and uh, we, um, sell officially licensed Hawkeye
merchandise. We...,at the meeting last night they talked about bootleggers and
things like that. We're officially licensed with the University so we pay the
University a royalty fee. We also pay a site fee, and I keep track of all sales tax,
stuff like that, so I'm a legitimate business. Um, one thing that I do agree with
the, uh, Melrose Association, um, is with the trash problem, and I know as far as
myself and other vendors that I know of, we have our own trash receptacles and
we empty `em, and also, um...the, uh, we have...what we sell are t-shirts, is what
she does, we have...we take all the tags off our products, etc., so we really have
no trash that's going out there, but we constantly empty our trash cans full of beer
cans, pop cans, etc.,. that are coming from the tailgaters. Um...and I do...I do
appreciate the, I don't know what the company is but they're going to be donating
their services for the trash, and I think that'll help immensely, and like Mr. Ford
said, that if people just realize what they're doing to this area, they just feel like
they can just throw stuff. Us as vendors aren't encouraging that cause we don't
sell the alcohol there, causing these people to do that. Um...the money that we do
make from this is a large portion of our business because we're a small business.
Um, and honestly ii' we're not allowed to do vending in this area, it would
probably force us, I mean, it may force us to sell our business, just for the fact that
it's our slow time of the year's, um, usually December through March, so it
does...basically the revenue we make from the profits helps us get through that
slow time, and by n.o means am I making a ton of money at this. Um...uh...let's
see here...some of the issues were addressed already so I'm not going to go over
those again. Um...but I...I talked, I agree with Mr. Boothroy last night where I
really appreciate his willingness to meet with the vendors and kind of discuss
some of the options and regulations and some of the vendors, I've been there for
almost ten years, and some of the vendors have been doing it 15, 20 years, and
they have it down to a science, exactly how they set up and then what they're
doing, and the respect to the...the property, etc. Um, one thing that...at issue last
night was about stake-less tents. Um, in theory that would work, but then
depending on, sometimes if you sandbag a tent down and the gust of wind does
catch it, and Ifirst-hand of that, it can flip over so if it's not property secured, so
one reason, and that was brought up in the past, was having the utilities properly
marked by the utility companies so if you do have to stake it down, maybe there's
a...that needs to be done each game, etc. Um, but um...Melrose, or...vendors on
Melrose are a huge portion of the tailgating and the football experience, and then,
um, many of us vendors rely on this as a part of our income and livelihood, and I
hope that we can, us vendors can work with the City and work with the
community, um, some of the alternative areas, I...logistically Idon't know if
that' 11 work cause :you're butted up right next to the street, so I don't know if
that...if someone went up on the curb, that could be a...run into someone's tent,
and also one of the photographs that they showed was of trash in the front yard.
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That's a house that does offer parties in front of the house, so that's a result of a
party, not vendors. So I appreciate your time and I thank you very much.
Hayek: Thank you, Sir. Would anyone else like to address the Council during community
comment before I close it? Okay, and I want to express thanks to everyone who
did address us tonight, um, no matter the issue.
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ITEM 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
a) CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MAY 3
ON AN ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY REZONING 10.39 ACRES
OF LAND LOCATED AT 1725 NORTH DODGE STREET FROM
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PARK (RDP) ZONE TO
NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC (P1) ZONE (REZ11-00006)
Wilburn: Um, Mr. Mayor, I will be, uh, abstaining due to a conflict of interest. Uh, even
though this is just setting a public hearing. I work for the Iowa City Community
School District, although I'm not involved in these negotiations, um, I'm in the
Central Office and i.t would be located at this.
Hayek: Fair enough. Thanl: you.
Wright: Move to set the public hearing.
Bailey: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Wright, seconded by Bailey. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries 6-0 with Ross Wilburn abstaining.
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ITEM 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
c) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY REZONING
APPROXIMATELY 2.17 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT THE
SOUTHWEST CORNER OF TAFT AVENUE AND COURT STREET
FROM NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL (CN-1) TO PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY-LOW DENSITY MULTI-FAMILY
(OPD-RM12). (REZ10-00018) (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Bailey: Move second consideration.
Champion: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Champion. Discussion, uh, any ex-parte
communications? Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Item carries 7-0.
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ITEM 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
d) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY REZONING
APPROXIMATELY 12.72-ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT MORMON
TREK BOULEVARD AND DANE ROAD FROM COUNTY
AGRICULTURAL (A) TO INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL (CI1). (REZll-
00004) (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Hayek: The applicant has requested expedited action, uh, that does require six votes. I
don't know if we have that, or if there's even interest in expediting. So either we
need a motion to, uh, collapse, or just a motion to get...
Bailey: Move second consideration.
Wright: Second.
Hayek: Okay, second consideration moved by Bailey, seconded by Wright. Discussion?
Oh, yeah, we need to, uh, disclose ex-parte, and I'm sure there's quite a lot of
that!
Dickens: I just had a question on who the property owners were before...it was sold. That
was a question that I had asked, and was given that it was the Dane property
before it was sold to...that was the only ex-parte.
Hayek: Just go down the row.
Bailey: Um, and I received a...a video, a DVD, um, I didn't view it because I didn't have
the right program on my computer, but I did receive it in the mail. And I tried to
view it!
Davidson: Terry, the property was originally owned by John Dane.
Dickens: Thank you.
Hayek: Council Member Wilburn.
Wilburn: Um, I bumped into Colonel Dane, uh, at the pancake breakfast and I did not, uh,
he invited me to come out to the property. I did not have an opportunity to do
that. That was the extent of the, uh, conversation. (mumbled)
Hayek: Okay. I'll go in order here. Um, I did a number of things. I received a DVD
from the family over the weekend showing a view of the area around the property,
which I examined. Uh, I had two or three conversations with the Dane family,
um, and then I also visited the site, uh, yesterday with the City Manager, um,
and...and looked a.t the property. Uh, and spoke to the family. Uh, I also had a
question for Jeff Davidson this morning, uh, regarding, um, the zoning in the area,
uh...around this property, and then I...I briefly spoke to Susan Mims, um, today,
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uh, we were touching base on other issues, and... and briefly discussed this, and
uh, my...my site visit to the property.
Wright: I have email from a member of the Dane family just inviting me to come out and,
uh, view the property. I did so independently, without meeting with anyone, and I
also received the panoramic DVD.
Champion: I also received the I)VD, which I did look at, and I did, uh, go out and look at the
property, alone, myself in my car. Um, and that's it.
Mims: Um, I received the DVD, as well, and I believe I received an email as well
inviting me to comes out. I did not go visit the property, and as the Mayor
indicated, we had a conversation earlier today about the issue.
Dickens: I did receive a DVU, as well, and I did drive out to go completely around
(mumbled)
Hayek: Now that we've got that disclosed, uh...discussion?
Wright: I actually had a question for Mike Moran, and I see he's in the audience right
now. We had a memorandum from you indicating that you were going to check
the status of this property, (mumbled) the Iowa National Heritage Foundation.
Did you find anything out?
Moran: Uh, they were supposed to be sending me a copy of, uh, what they have on file,
and I haven't received that yet.
Wright: They do have...
Moran: They do have something that they'd indicated to me that they'd received, when
they did an agreement with the Dane family.
Wright: So there is an agreement.
Moran: That's correct. I just haven't seen it, or don't have receipt of it yet.
Bailey: I'm just curious. Did they indicate a nature of the agreement, like is it a
conservation...
Moran: It's a conversa...a conservation easement, basically, and then it's just got the
results of what the Dane family had asked for, uh, as a result of that.
Bailey: Okay. Thanks.
Champion: Will they be sending you a copy of that?
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Moran: Yes. And then I'll pass it along, uh, to Tom, and then to you.
Champion: Thank you.
Hayek: Does anyone have questions for staff? We've got pretty much everyone here on
the issue. Okay, further discussion by Council?
Champion: Well, I am concerned about the view of this from this park, and to this park. It
will be a park eventually, I'm sure. My...my economic side of my body says to
leave it alone and let it develop, but my human side, 30 years from now or 40
years from now, what Iowa City is going to look like makes me not be able to
support it. I think in the long-run it's not a good decision.
Wright: I would agree with you, having visited the site, um...I...I think it's probably even,
uh, a worse idea than I thought it would have been originally, given the...the lay
of the land.
Hayek: Well, I'll, uh, I'll weigh in here. Um, I spent a lot of time on this issue, um...in
part because it's just an important issue, and in part because I know the family.
Um...uh, but, and this is a tough call, but I'm...I'm not going to change my vote
tonight. I'm going to stay with...with what I initially voted, which was to support
the rezoning, and I want to explain why. Um, first this...this is consistent with
our Comprehensive, uh, Plan, uh, and the City's investment, uh, significant
investment in...in infrastructure in the area, um...uh, this was vetted through the
P&Z Commission and that...that was a unanimous vote, and I looked at the
meetings from those, uh, the minutes from those meetings carefully, uh, today, uh,
I prepared for this meeting tonight. Um, the...the area to the east, uh, which is a
significant geographic area, south and west of the Airport, is slated for industrial,
um, in the future. I think CI is an appropriate lead-up zone, for lack of a better
term, um...and uh, I...I also think with...with CI there's a, just a far greater
likelihood of development, uh, along this sector and in the area in general. Um,
and...and that's important at a time when we are, uh, striving to expand the tax
base, um, it doesn't mean anything goes. It's got to be something that's
appropriate, uh, for• the area. I do consider it to be appropriate. I think it's a
closer call than...tlian most situations. Um, but I think CI affords a much
broader, uh, set of opportunities for development, uh, in...in that area. Um, and
then lastly, uh, I...:[ feel like there are some adequate protections in place, um,
with respect to lighting, uh, the buffer, and...and then the height, or I'm sorry, the
screening. Um, that went through P&Z and that's part of this, um, and...and so
for those reasons, um, I...I will support the rezoning. I look forward to the time
when this becomes a... a public vista, or a gathering place, as I think was
described before, um, I do have one question, uh, of staff. Um, and that is, is
there any, uh, with respect to the, uh, screening, um, is there any part of the
zoning code or thi:> process that dictates where that screening occur, relative to the
boundary, or the property line?
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Davidson: Uh, that's worked out at the site plan stage in the HIS department, Matt, so I can't
tell you specifically, only that it...it is worked out at the time of the site plan.
Hayek: Okay, but I...and the reason for my question has to do with the fact that this
property slopes up so that the extent that you have a...have screening, you...you
maximize the visual screening the higher up the hill you get, and the closer to that
boundary you, uh, you go.
Davidson: Yeah, and I think, for the purposes of your discussion, probably...the most
significant thing before you in terms of the lighting and the screening standards
are what is in the conditional zoning agreement. Um, and that is that there would
be a 20-foot wide landscape buffer, meaning the S3 screening standards, the S3
standards are a dense hedge at least 50% evergreen that is 5 to 6-feet in height,
and that outdoor lighting may not be mounted higher than 30-feet. I mean, that's
basically...those are the stipulations in terms of the relationship between the CI-1
zoning and the adjacent residential property.
Hayek: Well, so the...the buffer zone, I assume, runs east-west along that boundary, is
that correct?
Davidson: It would be along the property line between the residential property and the CI-1
zone property.
Hayek: And the screening lzas to occur within that buffer zone?
Davidson: Yes.
Hayek: Okay, well, I think that answers my question that the screening would be close to,
if not right along the...the boundary line, between those two properties.
Davidson: Yeah, I mean, it's clearly...you're correct, Matt, in that it is clearly influenced by
the topography of the land, but...but what I just gave you is the requirement.
Hayek: Okay. Thanks, Jeff. Is there further discussion on this item?
Wilburn: I supported first reading, um, for the very reasons that you mentioned, Mr. Mayor.
Um...but I did say I would try and take a look at the property, and so I'm...didn't
want to expedite so I could find an opportunity to go do that, but, um, I think
there's (mumble) staff s been successful trying to help guide development and
usage of buffers, um, so, but I want to take a look and we'll go from there.
Hayek: Okay. Anything else? Roll call, please. Item passes 5-2, Council Members
Wright and Champion in the negative.
Karr: Mr. Mayor, could we have a motion to accept correspondence?
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Wilburn: So moved.
Bailey: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Bailey. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries.
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ITEM 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
f) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF
TERRA VERDE, IOWA CITY, IOWA. (SUB11-00004)
Hayek: I'm going to, uh, recuse myself from, uh, someone in my firm did some work on
this, uh, application. Council Member Wilburn will take over.
Wilburn: (reads item)
Champion: Move the resolution.
Wilburn: Moved by Champion.
Dickens: Second.
Wilburn: Uh, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? Roll call. Item carries 6-0, Hayek, uh,
abstaining due to a conflict of interest.
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ITEM 6. AUTHORIZATION OF A LOAN AGREEMENT AND THE ISSUANCE
OF NOT TO EXCEED $7,640,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION CAPITAL
LOAN NOTES, SERIES 2011.
a) PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing (bangs gavel) is open. Uh, Kevin,
you want to tell us about the bond sale today?
O'Malley: Yes, Mr. Mayor, thank you. Uh, we had a...three bond sales today, A, B, and C,
2011 A, B, and C; 2011 A was our construction bonds for this summer's work,
and um, the bids were, uh, I think they were favorable. They were 2.47% versus
last year at this time, actually it was a little later. I think it was July. We got
2.18%, but um...the uh...the market had gone about 120 basis points since last
December. There was some scare in the municipal market so we felt that's pretty
much a good victory for atriple-A city like ourselves. Um, 2011 B bonds are the
taxable bonds. They're a short structure of two years. Uh, they got phenomenal
rates of 1.08%, uh, and we had a lot of bidders. We had, uh, seven bidders on that
one. And the 2011, uh, C bonds, excuse me, were the refunding bonds from the
2002 GO issue. We had projected a 5 '/s% savings of roughly about $500,000
present value (mumbled) about $700,000 full-term. Turned out we had some very
good bids on that. I think it was 2.6%. And (mumbled) savings of a million
eighteen thousand dollars, present value about $900,000. So roughly about
$100,000 a year savings on that issue for the life. Um...we had three bidders
for...for that one also. Uh, any other questions?
Karr: You do have the documents in front of you this evening with that information.
Champion: Thank you very much. (several talking)
O'Malley: There's about nine resolutions to get all this done. (laughter) Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks, Kevin.
Champion: Keep on doin' it!
Hayek: Anyone else during the public hearing on this item? Hearing none I will close the
public hearing. (bangs gavel)
b) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TO
TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR
Wright: Move adoption.
Mims: Second.
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Hayek: Moved by Wright, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item
passes 7-0.
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ITEM 13. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DIRECTING SALE OF $
GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING CAPITAL LOAN NOTES,
SERIES 2011C.
Hayek: ...and I don't have a dollar amount.
Karr: $10,930,000.
Hayek: $10,930,000 general obligation refunding capital loan notes, series 2011 C.
Mims: Move the resolution.
Bailey: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes
7-0.
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ITEM 15. APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND
ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE IOWA
RIVER TRAIL -NAPOLEON TO TRUEBLOOD PROJECT,
ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY
EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE TO
BIDDERS, AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS.
a) PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) For the
public's, uh, knowledge this is, uh, this regards the construction of a 10-foot wide
recreational trail from Napoleon Park to the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area.
Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Champion: Move the resolution.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item
passes 7-0.
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ITEM 21. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
EXECUTE AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST AN
ENVIRONMENTAL COVENANT FOR A PORTION OF HIGHLANDER
DEVELOPMENT, SECOND ADDITION, IOWA CITY, IOWA.
Hayek: In regards to items 21 and 22, someone in my firm did some work on those and
therefore I need to recuse myself from these. Council Member Wilburn will take
over.
Wilburn: (reads item)
Mims: Move the resolution.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Mims, seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Roll call. Item carries 6-0,
Hayek abstaining due to a conflict of interest.
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ITEM 23. CONSIDER A MOTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF A
STUDENT LIAISON AND ALTERNATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
IOWA GOVERNMENT (UISG) TO THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 1, 2011
UNTIL MAY 1, 2012.
Bailey: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Mims. We'll have discussion and think we
probably ought to hear from Elliot.
Higgins: How you guys doing tonight? Uh, Mr. Mayor, Honorable Council, thank you for
allowing me the opportunity to address you tonight. Um, first of all, I would like
to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the continuance of this
program. Uh, it's truly innovative, um, it allows for the representation of almost
30,000 students in this community who may not have much of a voice otherwise,
and I know that you do not have to do it, so we really, really appreciate it! In the
last two weeks I've actually gotten two emails, um, from other schools, Northwest
Missouri State and Western Illinois who are also interested on modeling, um, our
system here, and I'll actually probably have to talk to you, Marian, about, uh, the
origination, uh, of the program, um, and speaking of our City Clerk, I would like
to give you a special thanks for helping me along the way. Um, you have really
been phenomenal this year. Um, as a student, I, uh, tend to like to do thing at the
last minute (laughter) um...Marian has always been there on Wednesday night to
remind me when I promised to submit some correspondence that the real world
has time limits, so :[ thank you for that, Marian. (laughter) Um, Eleanor, I'd also
like to give you a special thanks, um, I'm far from a lawyer and uh, I think I've
probably made that clear to you this year, uh, I have pled ignorance on various
issues, and I have, uh, needed your help often, and you are always willing to give
it, um, and you're always very patient with me and I appreciate that. Um, so this
past year, working with the Council's really been one of the best experiences of
my college career. Um, sometimes when we're locked in here on Monday and
Tuesday nights, I have to remind myself of that, uh, especially when we're going
through some zoning stuff, but uh, all kidding aside, it really has been a
wonderful opportunity! Uh, we were able to make a lot of progress together this
year on, uh, the security deposit issue, uh, the proposed amendments to the
informational and acknowledge declo...disclosure form, which I believe will be
in your packet next week, I think. Uh, and the reduction of the 21-fine. Um,
when I first became UISG's City Council liaison, I had the perception that there
was a great tension between the City of Iowa City and the students of the
University of Iowa. Uh, but after this year my view has truly changed. As my
hero President Barack Obama once said, the forces which divide us are not as
strong as those which unite us. I've come to realize that we all want what is best
for this community. We may not always agree on every issue, but we have
always engaged in open and healthy dialogue. Um, I want to thank you all for
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being responsive to the various concerns that I've raised this past year, and I look
forward to continuing to build a strong relationship between UI students and the
City of Iowa City, which brings me to the reason I stand before you today. Uh, it
is my true pleasure to introduce to you the Vice City Council Liaison, Cody
Graham, and the new City Council Liaison, Raj Patel. I am confident that you
will enjoy working with both of these young gentlemen. Uh, they are capable,
intelligent, hard-working, uh, and they will advocate successfully on behalf of our
peers. Um, so thank you again. It really has been an honor to work with each and
every one of you, and without further ado, here is Raj Patel.
Patel: I'd like to thank...I'd like to start by thanking Ma...Mayor Hayek, the Honorable
Council, and the City of Iowa City, in allowing the University of Iowa Student
Goverrunent to have a student liaison position with the City. It is certainly a
privilege that we are very thankful for, and we will not take for granted. We
appreciate the opportunity to sit in on discussions of common concern to the
students and the City of Iowa City, so thank you. I'd also like to thank my
predecessor, Elliot Higgins. It goes without saying that your work was valued
both on campus and in the city. Elliot has done a fine job creating a very healthy
relationship between the City and the University. I hope to further that
relationship, and I will always look up to you for advice, Elliot. So thank you.
To introduce myself, I'm an Iowa native, born in the great city of Burlington,
Iowa. I'm a sophomore at the University, studying Political Science. And I've
actively been a part of the University of Iowa Student Government since I stepped
on the Hawkeye soil my freshmen year. You may also remember me as that kid
asking for your signature in the ped mall last summer as I was trying to put a
referendum together for the 21-ordinance. Ultimately that didn't go our way.
But, I look forward. to wrapping up some of Elliot's initiatives, such as lowering
the fine for being underage in a bar after 10:00 P.M. A priority of mine is also
ensuring that Iowa City downtown stays vibrant and engaging for students, years
to come. I look forward to helping the City attract businesses that foster student-
friendly downtown.. I also look forward to working on some of Student
Government's goals, such as making the University charge card more accessible
with downtown businesses. There's a whole lot of Iowa City to discover outside
of the University of Iowa campus. Working with the City we'd like students to
get more involved and come across these areas through different volunteer and
community service activities. Yesterday at the work session, Susan Mims said
that we expect the University to be good neighbors to the City. And we in return
should be good neighbors to the University, and I believe that goes both ways,
both the University and City have one another's interests in heart. So again, thank
you for this incredible opportunity. I hope to bring innovative ideas and a
persistent work ethic to this position, and I look forward to a good year ahead.
So, thank you.
Hayek: Thank you! (several talking) Uh, we can go ahead and vote on these, and I want
to drag Elliot back. up here for a... a bit of recognition. Why don't we go ahead
and vote on...on the pending motion, um, is there any discussion on that? Those
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in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7-0. And, Raj and Cody, uh,
welcome, and we look forward to working with you. Um, Elliot, uh, there may be
others who want to say something but let me just...let me just, uh, put in a few of
my own words. I've...in my time on the Council, you've shown yourself to be
the most effective L1ISG, um, liaison, uh, that I have worked with, and, uh, I think
that's because you, um, identify tangible opportunities for collaboration between
the Council and...and Student Government. Uh, you come up with specific,
concrete proposals, um, you work with staff to tailor them to what is realistic
and...and uh, get rid of what is not, which is the part of any process, whether
you're in your shoes or our shoes, uh, and then you advocate effectively and
respectfully for that, and I think you've seen that you get, uh, a strong, uh,
audience and reception, uh, when you do that, and I think you're going to see that
as you go forward with your, uh, position next year, uh, with Student
Government, and as you leave the University and...and I think, uh, that has
helped us work well with you over the last year, um, and...so you're...you're an
extremely good advocate and...and I want to applaud you for that. We have a
certificate to, uh, give you, but if there's anyone else who wanted to weigh in
before I read that, um, go ahead and do so. (several talking)
Champion: Go ahead! (laughter) You're always interrupting me! (laughter)
Wright: I can say the same! (laughter) I was actually going to address Raj...just to say,
all of these accolades are true. You have might big shoes to fill in next year.
Elliot, you've done a terrific job and thank you very much!
Champion: I'm going to miss you, Elliot! I almost treat him like a child, but with a little
more respect! (laughter) You've done a great job! And you'll do a good job next
year too! And welcome, both of you! I'll try to be nicer to you!
Wilburn: She treats all of us like children, so (laughter) I would just say that, uh, you know,
I think one of the things that, uh, the Mayor was pointing out that made you, uh,
helped you gain the respect of the Council, and the...and the, uh, the community
was that, um, you looked at multiple issues that, uh, have an impact on students
and the, uh, some Iolks in that position that haven't been as effective, uh, merely
looked at the alcohol issue, and so really appreciate, uh, some of those other
issues, uh, that, uh, well, that you rattled off yourself, um, so thank you. And
good luck!
Bailey: Elliot, when you first came, um, aboard I think I greeted you with the story that I
actually voted against this position years ago when it was up in front of Council,
and I think what you've shown me this past year is actually what the position
truly could be. Not to take anything away from previous liaisons. I think all of
them did a good job within their own scope, but I think you've actually shown us
what this position can be. It can be rigorous, it can be multi-issued, and that you
do represent 30,000 people in our community, and so a great job, and I know that
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you'll be successful in whatever you undertake, and uh, just keep me on your
mailing list! (laughter)
Dickens: I just want to thank you for all the time you put in. I know being afull-time
student and trying to put this into your schedule and...does affect your studies. I
just appreciate all the extra time that you put in, and you brought a lot of great
ideas to the Council and you're going to be tough to follow!
Mims: I would just add, Elliot, it's been a pleasure working with you, and..and I would
just kind of piggyback on what the Mayor said. I think what really I think has set
you apart is the fact that you did a lot of homework, you...you looked at tangible
issues, and you came up with some specific ideas, instead of just coming in and
complaining about things. And, kind of off in the wild blue yonder. You were
very concrete in the issues and...and approaches to solving some of those
problems. And, that's the way we get things done in the real world, and so
you've...you've got a leg up on a lot of people, and so, Raj, you've got...you got
somebody to learn from and piggy back on and hopefully, you know, (mumbled)
characteristics to the table, so welcome to you, and thank you, Elliot.
Hayek: All right, let me read this, uh, certificate. The City Council of Iowa City presents
this certificate of appreciation to Elliot Higgins for is dedicated service as the
University of Iowa Student Government student liaison to the City Council of
Iowa City, to better identify issues of common concern to students and the City,
and for his commitment to improved communication between UISG and the City
for the 2010-2011 academic year, uh, it's a nifty certificate with the City's seal,
and it says presented this 19t day of April, 2011. So, Elliot, thank you very
much! (applause)
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ITEM 26. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: Start over with you, Susan.
Mims: Nothing!
Champion: Nothing. I don't like the weather! (laughter)
Wright: Nothing.
Hayek: Ross?
Wilburn: Nothing.
Bailey: Um, I think, um, we saw a letter in the, from a citizen a couple weeks ago, about
the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area and as many of you know, we received a
grant from the State, um, from Vision Iowa, and now the Parks and Rec
Foundation is undertaking a capital campaign to fund, um, to do some fundraising
for that...that particular asset to the community, and I would encourage those of
you who have watched the development of this park and who sought the
development of that park to consider making a donation to, um, bring it about.
Um, I think that there was a very nice appeal in the paper, and I know that the
Parks and Rec Foundation is working hard, as is the Mayor, talking to various
entities ,that we can all make a difference in bringing that closer to a reality, and
so I just appeal to the community to consider that, and as you look at, um, your
participation in the Parks and Rec programming, participation in the community.
Dickens: I just want to thank: our City Manager, Tom Markus, and the Parks and Rec for
their willingness to, uh, work out a compromise on the trail system out in Windsor
Ridge, uh, made the neighborhood very happy that it was something that
something was able to be worked out, and it made...made everybody happy I
think.
Hayek: Thanks for those comments!
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