HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-04 TranscriptionPage 1
ITEM 2. OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS — Weber
Elementary
Hayek: Would the Weber Dolphins please come forward, please. Well, good evening,
everyone. My name is Matt Hayek and I'm the Mayor of Iowa City, and this is
your City Council! And we want to welcome you to, uh, our student
presentations, uh, this is something we do during the school year, where we
invite, uh, student leaders from each of the elementary schools in Iowa City to
come and ... and talk to us, and you guys are the second school to ... to do this, and
we're very proud to have you here, urn ... I noticed that each of you brought
something to read, and the way we'll do this is, and this is a teeny -tiny
microphone and maybe I can hold it for you or you can hold it yourselves, but uh,
we'd like to hear a little bit from each of you, just about what you're ... what
you're up to at school, and then I've got a couple of things I want to say, and I'm
going to read, uh, an aware to you. So why don't we start with you?
Doyle: Okay. I'm Dillon Doyle and first off I want to thank my teacher, Mrs. Williams,
for everything she's done and for nominating me for this award. I want to thank
my family and my two big brothers, Domilin and Decklin for being great role
models. I think I won this award because I participate in school safety patrol and
student council, which both help civilize our school, and I also help the
kindergartners in the school. I (mumbled) honesty, compassion, perseverance,
respect, responsibility, self - discipline, and giving every day. Thanks again, and
have a good night. (applause)
West: My name's Austin West, and I'd like to thank the Weber teachers and staff for
recognizing me for being an outstanding citizen. I believe the following reasons
make me one. I always look for ways to make other people's lives better. I do
this by following rules and treating others the way I'd like to be treated.
Everything about making someone happy is important to me. It's not going to
hurt to give 45 seconds of your day to help somebody. But it isn't only me being
nominated for this award. It is my family, teachers, coaches, and friends because
they're my great role models. (applause)
Moreland: Hi, my name is Meg Moreland. I'm in sixth grade at Weber Elementary. Some
things I've done that show citizenship are I'm the manager for our school store.
As school ... as school store manager I order supplies, price supplies, and
managing working students. I've also been a conflict manager. A conflict
manager is someone who goes around at recess and helps people with conflicts
that occur. Last year I served as a media helper, who helps the librarian with any
jobs they need done. I've gone out with my dad to get ... to get signatures from
citizens on a petition for a candidate to be on the ballot for City Council. I have
also helped my mother by volunteering to help set up for the United Action for
Youth flowers' show fundraiser. I want to thank you for this award and amazing
opportunity to be here with you all. I'd also like to thank my parents, Joseph and
Catherine Moreland, and my teachers who have helped me become a better
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 2
citizens throughout the years. I'm so glad I get to live in such a wonderful city!
(applause)
Hayek: Well, those are very nice, uh, presentations from the three of you, and uh, I've
known Meg Moreland since she was about this high, for pretty much her entire
life, um ... uh, what you guys do in your school's important. Um, and ... and you
may not realize it, but it is because what we do here is try to make decisions for
the benefit of the community, and we try to be leaders, and when we're not here,
someone's going to have to do that, uh, in ... at the City Council, and in all sorts of
other places around the community, and the example that the three of you set, not
only at Weber but for, uh, students and young people throughout the community
is a really important one, and it...it pleases me that you ... that you learn these
lessons at a young age and that you're taking, uh, the time to do good things for
your ... your fellow students and for your community, and ... and uh, you know, I
did safety patrol a long time ago, and uh, those were lessons that ... I was a Shimek
Shark, I don't know if the Sharks and the Dolphins would get along (laughter)
but ... urn ... but those were ... those were very important lessons that I learned, and
so we're very proud of you, and ... and we're also thankful for the ... for the role
that your parents play and that your teachers play in your lives. I suspect they've
had something to do with ... with your successes. So, we have a Citizenship
Award that goes to ... to the, to you, and I've got one for each of you. I'll read it,
and it says as follows: For his or her outstanding qualities of leadership within
Weber Elementary, as well as the community, and for his or her sense of
responsibility and helpfulness to others, we recognize you as an Outstanding
Student Citizen. Your community is proud of you. Presented by the Iowa City
City Council, September 2011. So, Dillon, here's yours! Thank you. And
(mumbled) and Austin, that's yours, so congratulations, and keep up the good
work! Thanks, Meg. (applause)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 3
ITEM 4. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
d) Setting Public Hearings:
2. CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING
FOR NOVEMBER 1, 2011, ON AN ORDINANCE CREATING A
SELF - SUPPORTING MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
(SSMID) ACCORDING TO IOWA CODE CHAPTER 386 FOR
DOWNTOWN IOWA CITY.
Hayek: Uh, Mayor Pro Tern Wilburn will handle and I, along with Terry Dickens and
Connie Champion will abstain cause this relates to the SSMID and we cannot
vote on this measure.
Wilburn: Item 4.d)2., uh, I guess it's no longer that item anymore, is it? Uh, consider a
motion setting a public hearing for November 1, 2011, on an ordinance creating a
Self- Supporting Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) according to Iowa
Code Chapter 385 for downtown Iowa City.
Bailey: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by, um, Bailey, seconded by Mims. Uh, discussion? Uh, this was
approved by the, um ... Planning and Zoning Commission on a vote of 5 to 0, with
2 being absent. All those in favor say aye. Opposed... same sign. Uh, it's
approved 4 -0 with, uh, Dickens, Hayek, and Champion abstaining to a conflict of
interest.
Hayek: Thank you, Ross.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 4
ITEM 5. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA).
Hayek: Uh, this is the time at each City Council meeting where members of the public
can address the City Council on items that are not on tonight's agenda. If there's
something you'd like to bring to our attention, I invite you to step forward to the
podium, uh, and please sign in, give us your name, and then limit your comments
to five minutes or less. Thank you.
Buss: I'm Anna Buss and I live at 525 W. Benton Street. And last Wednesday night the
City had a meeting at the, uh, old Realtor's office down on Highway 1, and a
number of the neighbors were invited to that meeting, but um, upon arriving at the
meeting, observed that a lot of people whose land was going to be involved in this
sidewalk project on Miller and Hudson were not there. So I went around the
neighborhood and made a number of phone calls, and a number of people were
not notified about the meeting. They didn't receive the notice, whether they
didn't get it, for whatever reason. But, I brought... this... for you ... okay, this
is ... Benton Street is on the top ... this is Miller, Hudson, and this is Orchard. And
what the City has been proposing to do is put a 5 -foot wide sidewalks up Miller
and Hudson. This would be the 10 -foot wide bike trail that would hook up, I
believe, to Mormon Trek, and then it would come to 8 -foot over here on Orchard.
Well, if you'll notice, there's a lot of red. Those are all rental properties. They're
not going to scoop the snow in the winter. (coughing, unable to hear) ... a number
of us that I've talked to, um, we're really not interested in having this sidewalks at
all, and 5 -foot wide, um, is really invasive. Um ... on ... Miller Street... including
myself ...there are just three owner- occupied properties. Period. Over on
Hudson, on the side that this would be affected. There are only four owner -
occupied properties. On Miller, 100 feet, um ... my neighbor, I have some elderly
neighbors that own two lots, and it would mean 100 feet of scooping snow for
them. Over on Hudson, a couple more of my neighbors are senior citizens as
well, and it would really impose a hardship on them, as well. There have not been
sidewalks in this neighborhood, obviously, forever and with the Roosevelt School
closing, the safety of the children doesn't become an issue anymore, because they
really will be going to a different school, and I presume they'll be bused.
So ... one of the things that I have come to ask you is, if you could please revisit
the issue of having a meeting, only this time, with the people who it does affect.
If necessary, I will call `em and get it all set up. I don't have a problem doing
that, but I cannot see having the City spend money on survey fees and preliminary
fees, when, as many of the neighbors that I've talked to, are really against this.
Um, and want more information before anything is done. So, before anything is
done, we'd like to at least get a meeting with the powers that be. I thank you.
Hayek: Thank you. And, Anna, I would ... I would note for you, uh, I think it's... it was
the same issue you're talking about that there is some information in our Info
Packet about a notice that did go out, and we can check with staff to ... to see to
whom it was sent, but it also states, um, that we'll be arranging for, uh, the City
will be arranging for individual meetings with adjacent property owners and
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 5
residents when they get a little farther along in the design process. So I believe
there is, uh, something built into this to ensure that contact and communication,
uh, does occur. So, but we ... why don't we ... if we can follow up on that. About
the notice. Would anyone else like to address the Council during community
comment? Okay. Seeing none, I'll move on to item 6, Planning and Zoning
matters.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 6
ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
D) AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADOPT THE
RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS DISTRICT - SUB -AREA PLAN.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. I'll open it at this time. (bangs gavel)
Miklo: Good evening. My name is Bob Miklo with the Department of Planning and
Community Development. Um, I'd like to give you a little bit of background of
how this plan was put together. Um, we received funding from the, uh, the
Environmental Protection Agency in 2008 in response to the flood. Uh, the
funding was to, uh, assist us in planning for flood recovery, uh, for damage, both
public and private facilities, in the Riverfront Crossing area. Um, the City
Council and approximately 200 citizens participated in that planning process. The
result was a, uh, a document, uh, that had very broad or general, uh, policies for
redevelopment of the area, uh, that would be compatible with ... with the flood
plain. In 2009, the City received a second grant from the EPA to do a more in-
depth study, um, and that's what you're being asked to consider as part of the
Comprehensive Plan tonight. The, um ... area covered in Riverfront Crossings
begins at Burlington Street on the north, approximately Gilbert Street on the, uh,
east, Highway 6 on the south, and Riverside Drive on the, uh, the west. The...
sub -area is the, includes the north wastewater treatment plant and the adjacent
private properties. The, uh, much of the sub -area is, including the wastewater
treatment plan, is in the flood plain and that's why the, uh, wastewater treatment
plant is being moved, removed from the area. We ... we saw this as an
opportunity, moving the wastewater treatment plan out of the area, uh, to
um ... reclaim the flood plain and use it for a, uh, a major city park, um, the, uh,
infrastructure of the wastewater treatment plant would no longer, uh, be
vulnerable to flooding, uh, but we'd be creating an asset, uh, that could, um, could
withstand flooding and not have severe damage. Uh, the thought was by creating
a major park in this area, we'd be taking a negative and creating a real positive
that would be beneficial to the adjacent private properties. The, uh, the plan has
some fairly, urn ... um, specific goals regarding, uh, what's, um, what the citizens
who participated wanted to see, uh, for the area. Uh, the idea was to create an
urban mixed -use neighborhood, uh, designed to be pedestrian - friendly, uh, create
a resilient riverfront park system, uh, enhance Ralston Creek so that it's not just a
drainage way, but becomes a... an asset to the community. Uh, to develop
a ... multi-modal transportation network, uh, including the riverfront trail, uh,
pedestrian sidewalks, the, uh, streets of course, uh, transit, and potentially, uh, rail
service in the future. And then also to, uh, to use environmentally - friendly, uh,
methods in terms of constructing the streets and promoting sustainability, uh, in
terms of the new private construction. Uh, this illustrates the general framework
of the plan. Um, again, the idea of creating a major riverfront park, uh, where the,
um, wastewater treatment plant currently is, as well as some of the privately
owned, um, flood plain adjacent to the river. The ... the goal of the plan is to not
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 7
develop the flood plain with something that's vulnerable to damage, uh, that may
not be possible in all cases, uh, so the plan does talk about methods that can be
used to minimize, uh, flood damage, um, if...if private development does occur
there. Taking advantage of the open space that would be created by the, uh, by
the new park, the plan proposes some fairly intense, uh, residential mixed -use, uh,
development, adjacent to park, to take advantage of the riverfront views, as well
as the green space. Uh, this illustrates, um, how that might look with Iowa River
in the foreground, the park, and then private development to the east. Breaking
the plan into little bit smaller segments, um, the, um ... um ... plan calls for fairly
intense building, perhaps as high as 10 or 12 stories adjacent to the park. Uh, and
a mixture of uses. It'd be primarily, uh, residential, although key corners could
accommodate commercial uses. Moving farther east along Gilbert Street, the plan
proposes, uh, re ... reconstructing Gilbert Street as an urban boulevard. Uh, with
commercial lining the street, with also the possibility of some residential, um, and
then moving, um ... away from, um, Gilbert Street back towards the park,
introducing more residential and, uh, green streets such as this, which could be
used to manage storm water, uh, but also bringing the park into the neighborhood
and connecting to the, uh, the larger district. The park itself, uh, the plan
proposes, uh, restoring wetland... wetlands along the southern portion of the park
and along Ralston Creek to help, uh, better manager storm water. Uh, and then
some fairly, uh, large open spaces that could be used, uh, for active, uh, public
gatherings, uh, and then, uh, boardwalks and uh, trails along the riverfront itself.
This image shows how the, uh, the, uh, private, uh, development on the other side
of the park might look and be able to take advantage of the great views along the
riverfront. This illustrates how a wetland might be incorporated into the, um, to
the park. The plan addresses, uh, not just the physical land uses of the area, but
also transportation, um, and the various, uh ... um, modes of transportation that
might develop here, including the Riverfront Trail, uh, bike - friendly streets, um,
streets of course for vehicles, and then hopefully in the future, uh, possibly transit,
um, with train. The plan also has a section on, uh, storm water management, and
how we might do a ... a better job in terms of controlling run -off, uh, before it gets
to Ralston Creek and... and the river. The plan also contains a series of guidelines
that could be used to develop a zoning tools for the area to help implement the
plan. Um, and it calls for a mix of land uses, not just commercial or not just
residential, and one of the, uh, the key things that the plan, uh, encourages us to
explore is that, um, unlike areas like, um, downtown where we require
commercial on the ground floor, um, a zoning code that would allow, depending
on the market, either commercial or residential on the ground floor. Uh, because
of the Airport overlay, the plan does have, um, a section addressing height
limitations. In the southern area, uh, near the Airport, uh, we would anticipate
lower buildings, two to three stories in height, but as we move north along Gilbert
Street and then eventually to the, uh, park along Kirkwood, um, heights as
possibly as high as 10 and 12 stories. At this point we, uh, we are, staff and the
Planning and Zoning Commission, are recommending that this plan be adopted as
an element of the Comprehensive Plan, uh, to provide guidance to both the City
and also, uh, private entities that may want to develop in this area. We've had
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 8
some interest in, uh, redevelopment and we feel it'd be good to have this as part
of the public record, um, and um, that we would go on to the next step, which
would be developing zoning tools, a form based code that would, um ... it'd be a
little bit different than our current code in that it would allow a lot more flexibility
in terms of land uses, commercial or residential, uh, but would address, uh, things
such as height and setbacks and ... and building form. Um, we'll also, uh, need to
further explore traffic engineering, uh, storm water management plan, and
develop a detailed plan for the ... for the park itself. Um, Karen Howard who
worked extensively on the plan and I are both here, and be able to answer any
questions you might have.
Hayek: An initial question, um ... and this isn't loaded in any way, why start there as
opposed to some other area south of Burlington?
Miklo: We started, uh, because we have control of the waste water treatment plan. It's
our property, and the thought is by, uh, investing in that, improving that, that will
be an incentive and a catalyst for redevelopment of the private properties adjacent
to it. Most of them are zoned industrial. We feel that this will bring enough value
to those properties that they will be able to relocate and, uh, sell their properties or
develop them for higher intensity. The plan doesn't call for the City to go in and
buy up private property and ... and redevelop. Uh, the goal is to leave that to
the ... to the private sector, um, and that our investment in the park, hopefully will
be an incentive to do that.
Mims: Bob, what kind of input through this process has there been from area developers?
Miklo: Uh, we invited them to the, uh, the planning sessions that occurred since 2009,
both the public meetings and then also individual or small group meetings. And,
um, there's been some enthusiasm I would ... I would say from what we heard.
Champion: I don't have any questions. I just think it looks like a really good plan and ... I
know it's going to take a while for it to develop (mumbled) gone into it, and thank
you.
Wright: It is a terrific plan and I think it's got a lot of possibilities. I ... I have to admit I'm
a little ... not entirely convinced that Gilbert Street is going to be a truly bicycle
friendly corridor as ... as outlined in here. We've got a couple of behemoth
intersections, but uh, that's a long ways off.
Bailey: I don't have any questions. I think this is one of the most exciting things we've
talked about, uh, since I've been on Council, and I think... given some of our
conversations tonight about financial concerns, I think it makes sense to begin to
develop and do more intense development where we already have infrastructure
in place, where we don't have to provide additional services like bus services, and
so I'm really looking forward to seeing how this develops, with the catalyst of us,
um, getting rid of that wastewater plant in that area.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 9
Hayek: How much of this sub -area is now City- owned? Do you know?
Miklo: The wastewater facility is just under 20 acres.
Hayek: Out of a total of?
Miklo: Believe the sub -area is 80 to 90 acres (mumbled)
Hayek: A quarter of it roughly is already in our hands?
Markus: What's build -out, Bob? Projected built -out time? How many years?
Miklo: Um ... the plan really doesn't address that. It would be a considerable amount of
time, given that the, uh, moving the wastewater treatment plant isn't going to
occur for another three or four years. Um, we do have a market study associated
with this, but I ... I'm not sure that it, uh, gives us a timeframe of what...
Markus: I got the impression it might be 10 to 20 years.
Miklo: Yeah, exactly.
Wright: I think that was the timeframe, uh, that was involved when we were having our
initial discussion (several talking)
Miklo: ...not going to happen overnight but ... time to start the framework.
Hayek: Is that...
Bailey: Well having a direction makes a lot of sense. (several talking)
Champion: It's great!
Mims: Well I think ... trying to find that balance of... giving ... giving developers an idea
of... of what we want to see in this area, kind of what our vision is for it, yet with,
um, enough flexibility that they can also be creative and not hamstrung on what
they want to do, and so I think it ... I think it's really going to take, um, I think a
real ... a shifting paradigm in a way in terms of the way staff and developers work
together, um, to really plan some things, um, maybe than what we've done in the
past and really look forward to ... to that creativity on both sides working well
together.
Bailey: I think some of that shift is already ... the groundwork has been laid because ... as
you asked how many people were involved, I think for those of us who were
there, it was notable how many developers and realtors and people in that sort of
business were involved in the planning and the visioning part, and I think the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 10
continuation of the development of this plan and involving those voices I think
really not only provided the opportunity for this to be built out in a timely manner,
but that excitement and that flexibility.
Hayek: Well, when we talk about ... the condition of our budget and we need to, uh,
expand our tax base, this area is so critical, I think, to our future, um ... budget
prospects, because it is ... is such a desirable location, uh, density will ... will
(mumbled) benefit, um, and there is so much potential there.
Bailey: (mumbled)
Hayek: More progress we can make towards this, uh, the better. So you think three or
four years before we're out of the wastewater... spot there?
Bailey: Takes a long time to decommission (both talking)
Hayek: Yeah, I can imagine it's going to take a little while to get that site ready for what
follows but...
Markus: It'll be interesting to see how this form -based code rolls out and how the
development community accepts it. Across the country it's really considered to
be one of the more progressive approaches to zoning and I think this is our first
endeavor, um, into that ... that arena, and where I've seen it used it really ... it really
creates the kind of interaction between staff and uh, the development community,
as to the creativity and ... and flexibility to make things happen, so ... I think that's
a really strong element to this plan.
Champion: (mumbled) ... have this area be allowed to dissolve now.
Hayek: My initial reaction was, you know, why are we starting so far south, um, but your
explanation makes sense ... what I anticipated and actually I think, you know, with
this kind of investment, uh, juxtaposed against what the University and other
major stakeholders are intending to do, upward and toward Burlington Street
we'll have a powerful book -end to the whole area.
Miklo: We're currently working on the ... rest of the sub -area. We're hoping to have that
before you in February, uh, of next year.
Hayek: Okay, anything else from staff? Any questions for staff? This is a public hearing,
so anyone from the audience is free to weigh in on it, on the ... on this item. Okay.
I will ... I will close the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Bailey: Move consideration of the resolution.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page I I
Dickens: Second.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item
passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 12
ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
E) AMENDING TITLE 14, ZONING CODE, PARAGRAPH 14- 4B -4B-
23, TO MODIFY THE STANDARDS FOR VEHICLE REPAIR
USES IN THE INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL ZONE WHEN
LOCATED ADJACENT TO A RESIDENTIAL ZONE. (FIRST
CONSIDERATION)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. I will open it now. (bangs gavel)
Howard: Hi, I'm Karen Howard, a Planner with the City, and there are a number of zoning
code items on your agenda tonight and um, rather than go into detail on these
amendments, I will just be very brief and then if you have any questions about
those amendments we can dive into the details a little bit more, um ... uh, in detail.
Um, the first one is, um, an amendment to the zoning code to, um, modify the
standards for vehicle repair uses in the intensive commercial zones. Uh, approval
of this amendment will reduce the number of, uh, nonconforming auto repair uses
that we have in the intensive commercial zone, uh, by establish... establishing a
more lenient, um, restriction on the outdoor activities, um, and the location
standards for these auto repair uses. The CI -1 zone is really intended for intensive
commercial uses similar to auto repair uses. Um, not very often but sometimes
the CI -1 zone is located next to residential zones, and in those cases, right now the
code requires 100 -foot separation requirement, which has proved to be too strict
for some of the auto repair uses in our community right now, and so the Planning
and Zoning Commission and the City staff is recommending that we ... we change
that standard to just restrict outdoor activities and auto repair activities during
nighttime hours, rather than have that strict 100 -foot separation requirement. Is
there any questions?
Hayek: Questions for Karen on that one? Okay. Anyone else from the public? Okay, I'll
close the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE
Champion: Move first consideration.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, seconded by Mims. Discussion?
Mims: Just glad to see the effort on, you know, part of staff and I'm sure input from
businesses in the community to, uh, give a little more flexibility on something
that, uh, hopefully will not have any negative effect on the neighboring, uh,
residences.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 13
Hayek: Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 14
ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
F) AMENDING TITLE 14, ZONING CODE, SUBSECTION 14- 4C -1D,
TO CLARIFY A CROSS - REFERENCE REGARDING OFF-
STREET PARKING LOCATED ON A SEPARATE LOT FROM
THE USE SERVED AND TO DELETE SUBPARAGRAPH 14 -2C-
411-3a., AN OBSOLETE PROVISION REGARDING SIDE AND
REAR BUILDING SETBACKS IN COMMERCIAL ZONES.
(FIRST CONSIDERATION)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: I'll open the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
Howard: Karen Howard again from the Planning office. Um, these are two very minor
amendments. They're basically clean -up amendments. The first one, uh, we
req ... we allow off - street parking on a separate lot in the commercial zones, um,
by administrative approval, uh, currently, but the zoning code doesn't include a
cross - reference to that, um, which just is an oversight that needs to be corrected,
and there's an obsolete provision regarding, uh, side and rear set -back, building
set - backs, in our commercial zones, um, those things are now addressed in the fire
code in the building code, and so they no longer need to be addressed in the
zoning code.
Hayek: Any questions for Karen? Okay. Anybody from the audience? I'll close the
hearing. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE
Mims: Move first consideration.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item
passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 15
ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
G) AMENDING TITLE 14, ZONING CODE, TABLE 2C -2(a),
SECTION 14 -2C -6, SECTION 14 -2C -8, AND PARAGRAPH 14 -4B-
4A-7, TO ESTABLISH DIMENSIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SITE
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS
SERVICE (CB -2) ZONE SIMILAR TO STANDARDS APPLIED IN
THE OTHER CENTRAL BUSINESS ZONES, AND TO CLARIFY
AND ESTABLISH SETBACK AND ENTRANCE
REQUIREMENTS, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY FOR
PARKING LOCATION, AND MODIFY CONSTRUCTION
STANDARDS TO ACCOMMODATE UPPER FLOOR
COMMERCIAL USES IN MIXED -USE BUILDINGS IN THE
CENTRAL BUSINESS ZONES. (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: I'll open the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
Howard: Karen Howard again from the City's Planning office. Um, and as discussed at a
recent Council meeting, um, it uh was all agreed that it was a good time to assess
our Economic Development policies and regulations, uh, that help implement, uh,
both policies with the goal of improving opportunities for investment, particularly
in the downtown area and Riverfront Crossings. Um... so we've done a more in-
depth ... we're doing a more in -depth study through the Riverfront Crossings
planning effort that Bob just referred to, and the downtown planning effort
that ... that is ongoing, but in anticipation of that, there's some minor amendments
that we wanted to go ahead and move forward with, and some of these were
discussed with you at that work session, um, they're in ... in the memo that was
sent to the Council... there's a bulleted list and I'll just run through those briefly
and then if there's questions for that. Um, there's a minor clarification regarding
setback and frontage requirements for properties that front on City Plaza,
um ... treating them the same as buildings that would front on streets in the
downtown area. Uh, also, uh, build in some flexible... flexibility to adjust the
required storefront depth that's required in the CB -10 zone. This is a form -based
standard that we have in the downtown zone that requires, um, the front parts of
lots to be developed for commercial uses, the parking is required to be located
behind. Typically we have structured parking, that sort of thing, in the downtown
off the alleys. Um, we have a 50 -foot requirement. There's currently no
flexibility built into that standard, um, but there are some lots in the downtown
area that are quite small that can't, uh, easily meet that 50 -foot requirement. So
because we already have, um, a process that the Board of Adjustment uses to look
at that storefront depth, as it relates to the amount of parking, uh, allowed in ... in
the CB -2 zone ... the CB -10 zone, um, the recommendation is to allow the Board
of Adjustment the flexibility to consider reducing that 50 -foot requirement when
there's practical difficulty, um, meeting that standard. Is there questions about
that particular item? Um, moving on, um, there's a proposal to delete the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 16
limitation on the amount of surface and ground level parking allowed, um, in the
CB -5 zone. Similarly, in the CB -5 zone we require the parking to be behind, uh, a
minimum storefront depth, um, there's also a second standard that says that you
can't, uh, put more than 50% of your lot into parking. Um, that has proven to be,
uh, somewhat limited, uh, a limitation to development, particularly on really large
lots, not directly in the downtown, but in the surrounding areas where we have
irregular- shaped lots. Um, down in, particular in downtown ... in Riverfront
Crossings' district, um, so the recommendation is to delete that minimum, um,
requirement... in the CB -5 zone. Uh, moving on, a requirement in the CB -10
zone, um, market research has revealed that there is demand for quality office
space in the downtown area. Uh, there has been a concern expressed that there
has been a proliferation of, uh, new buildings in the downtown area that are... that
are being constructed, excuse me, in a way that precludes, um, the use of the
upper floors for office or other commercial, non - residential uses, and to address
that concern what we're recommending is that both the first and the second floor
be built to commercial standards, uh, and have a floor -to- ceiling height that's
more conducive for office uses, have more windows, so that ... that the second
floor can be used for office uses and other non - residential uses. This amendment
will not require that those second floors be used for, uh, commercial uses, but it
will then provide the opportunity without a lot of changes to buildings in the
future, um, that are costly to retrofit buildings, uh, so that's just a requirement
when the new buildings are built.
Hayek: Let me ask you a question on that, uh, Karen. What's the first floor ceiling
requirement, terms of height?
Howard: The first floor floor -to- ceiling height, which is more, um, intended for retail, is
14 -feet.
Hayek: Okay. And is ... is the 11 -foot figure you cite, is that like floor to deck, which
would then subtract off for the sub - ceiling, or is that actually the interior ceiling
down to the...
Howard: Floor to structural ceiling. So, um...
Hayek: With a finished out space, appear to have (both talking)
Howard: ...finished out with a ... with a drop ceiling to hide mechanical equipment, but
then it would allow that extra space on a residential floor a lot of times that would
only be 8 or 9 -feet, so with a ... with something like an office user or some other
non - residential use, they might need that extra couple feet for their mechanical
equipment.
Hayek: Right, I'm just wondering if this is enough for an office, uh, and I don't know,
but...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 17
Howard: So this is the second floor so, I mean, urn ... that's not unusual for a second floor.
Hayek: Okay.
Dickens: Will there be a separate... requirement for say if we do build these taller buildings
in that ... we were talking Riverfront Crossings, say a restaurant or some type of
business wants to be on the top floor of that, is that going to be addressed here or
will that be a separate...
Howard: Well the zoning code requires you to do certain things. It doesn't prevent you
from building if somebody wants to build a restaurant on the top floor, obviously
they're going to have to build that restaurant to, um, meet building code standards
for a restaurant, um, so the zoning code just sets the floor. It doesn't mean that
you couldn't go beyond that.
Dickens: Okay.
Howard: Uh, the final amendment in the CB -10 zone is that the first two floors of a
build ... be built ... of a building, be built to the side lot line, and this is to address
really a concern expressed about new buildings constructed in the downtown area
with the small side setbacks. I'm sure a lot of you have seen this, um, that have
resulted in dark, sort of narrow unkempt spaces between the downtown buildings,
that have created some problems. Um, so what the standard would be was the
first two floors would be required to be built to the side lot line, unless there's
some designated public walk -way or public open space, um, or some other...
there's some flexibility built in for unusual circumstances, but in general, the first
two floors, um, would be built to the side lot line. The reason that a lot of
developers build, um, set it back from the property line on the side is because of
the upper floor apartments. There's a, uh, in order to get balconies or windows
that ... that, um, in the bedrooms, you have to set it back from the property line to
meet the fire code. So, um, this would allow the first two floors to be ... that are
being built to the commercial standards with these new amendments, um, and
then the upper floors could then be set back, um, further than that, but it
would... so from the ground level, uh, for most people then you wouldn't be able
to see through those unkempt spaces along the street.
Champion: You know, I was thinking, um, with the fire we just had ... what might have saved
that building is those narrow spaces, uh, so has the Fire Department looked at the
zoning codes. I'm sure they have!
Howard: Well, with those older buildings, of course, they weren't to the current fire code,
um, standards, so any new building would have the fire separation, um, if it's built
on the lot line, you'd have a higher fire rating for those side ... side walls.
Champion: Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 18
Hayek: And the buildings that didn't burn were the new ones. Okay.
Howard: Moving on, um ... we also have a third central business district, um, there's not
many properties zoned CB -2, um, there's only, uh, two areas really, the Northside
Marketplace has a number of properties zoned CB -2 and a small area, uh, right
near City Hall here, right along Van Buren Street that's still zoned CB -2, um,
back when we did the Central District Plan, the Council directed staff, um, to look
at, um, revising the Central Business Zone, uh, because it did have a lack of
appropriate site development standards. It was really more of an outdated sort of
suburban -model of development, um ... so we did that during the Central Business
Plan, met with all the property owners in the Northside Marketplace, and the other
property owners in CB -2 zones, and it was agreed that it should have similar site
development standards as the other downtown zones. Uh, although at a smaller,
at a lower scale, so stepping down from the CB -10 to the CB -5 to the CB -2,
which is around the periphery of the downtown. So this, um, these amendments
will then basically achieve that ... that objective. Any questions about that?
Hayek: Any more questions for Karen? Thank you. Anyone from the audience? Okay,
I'll close the hearing. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE
Bailey: Move first consideration.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Um, I'm pleased to see, uh,
well, all of this, but in particular the ... the treatment of commercial space, um, on
the first and now potentially now second floor. I ... I think, uh, some of our past
efforts, um, with downtown structures have resulted in, I don't want to use the
word `throw away,' but ... but less than grade A commercial space, that was not
intended, but just occurred, um, which defeats some of the purpose, and I think
this, um ... uh, expanded focus on quality and ... and, uh, the type of commercial
space on the first floor and then second floor, for which I think there is a need,
will pay dividends. It's a good thing.
Bailey: I think this indicates what we can do when we really get our focus on economic
development and what we want to see, and we can look at those unintended
consequences and correct for them. And I'm excited to see this.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 19
ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
H) AMENDING TITLE 14, ZONING CODE, PARAGRAPHS 2A -6C -4
AND 4B -IA, TO ALLOW AN APPLICANT TO SEEK A MINOR
MODIFICATION TO THE SINGLE FAMILY SITE
DEVELOPMENT STANDARD THAT ESTABLISHES MINIMUM
DRIVEWAY LENGTH. (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: I'll open the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
Howard: This is another minor amendment, um, to the site development standards in the
single - family zone. Um, we currently have a requirement for a 25 -foot, um,
driveway length in our single family zone so that when cars are parked outside of
their garages they don't overhang the sidewalk. Um, unfortunately we don't have
the flexibility built in to adjust that standard. This amendment will correct that,
and will allow minor modification in those cases where there's either no sidewalk
or, um, we have a really extensive right -of -way that it's not going to be a
problem.
Hayek: Questions for Karen? Okay. Thanks! Anyone from the public? I'll close the
hearing. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE
Wright: Move first consideration.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Wright, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item
passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 20
ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
I) AMENDING TITLE 14, ZONING CODE, ARTICLE 4A, USE
CATEGORIES, TO ADD A NEW USE CATEGORY ENTITLED,
"BUILDING TRADE USES, "; AND ASSOCIATED AMENDMENTS
TO ALLOW SAID BUILDING TRADE USES IN THE CI -19 I -19
AND I -2 ZONES AS PERMITTED USES AND IN THE CC -2 ZONE
AS PROVISIONAL USES AND TO ESTABLISH APPROVAL
CRITERIA FOR SAID PROVISIONAL USES IN ARTICLE 14 -411.
(FIRST CONSIDERATION)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: I'll open up the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
Howard: This amendment to the zoning code, um, will add a new use category. Um, we try
to keep our use categories really quite broad so that a lot of different types of
businesses can fall into those category and so they're allowed broadly across the
community. In this particular case, this category may be ... the category industrial
service use may be too broad and that we may need another, uh, use category for
building trade uses and these are uses such as building contractors and plumbers,
electricians, heating and air conditioning contractors, and similar uses, um, that
fall currently into a more restrictive, um, category, uh, of...with heavier
construction type uses that would have lots of outdoor storage and ... and outdoor
work activities. For these types of contractors a lot of times they just have an
office with a dispatch, um, with vehicles there and not a lot of activities on site.
So these uses clearly could be located in a lot of different zones in the community
and so that's the recommendation here is to create that category to ... to broaden
the location opportunities for those businesses.
Hayek: Questions? Okay. Thanks! Anyone from the public? I'll close the hearing.
(bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE
Bailey: Move first consideration.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Mims. Discussion?
Mims: I'd just say overall, just really happy to see the review, you know, of the zoning
ordinances and looking at areas where, um, we can be more flexible and make
things work better for businesses in the community. So I really appreciate seeing
that.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 21
Hayek: Yeah, it's helpful to us to have this kind of review and these things brought to our
attention cause heaven knows we're not looking at them, um, unless it's brought
to our attention and uh, these things make sense, and we appreciate the time
you're putting in on it. Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 22
ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
,l) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE REZONING APPROXIMATELY 10
ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 350 DUBLIN DRIVE FROM
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY 8 (OPD -8) TO PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY LOW DENSITY MULTI - FAMILY 12
(OPD- RM12). (REZII- 00005) (PASS AND ADOPT)
Bailey: Move adoption.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Mims. Uh, discussion? Any ex parte? Since our
last meeting? Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 23
ITEM 8. DETERMINING THE RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS URBAN RENEWAL
AREA OF THE CITY TO HAVE CONDITIONS OF BLIGHT AND THAT
THE REHABILITATION, CONSERVATION, REDEVELOPMENT,
DEVELOPMENT, OR A COMBINATION THEREOF, OF SUCH AREA IS
NECESSARY IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY
OR WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY; DESIGNATING
SUCH AREA AS APPROPRIATE FOR AN URBAN RENEWAL
PROJECT; AND ADOPTING THE RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS URBAN
RENEWAL PLAN THEREFORE.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing and I'll open it now. (bangs gavel)
Ford: Good evening. I'm Wendy Ford, Economic Development Coordinator for the
City. Um, the proposed Riverfront Crossings urban renewal plan is for an area
bordered generally by the Iowa River on the east, Highways 1 and 6 on the south,
Myrtle Avenue on the north, and a line even with about Myrtle and Orchard on
the west. The purpose of an urban renewal plan is to provide a vision and to
enable the possibility of City- assisted development and public improvement
projects throughout... through the use of TIF, with a goal of, among other things,
building the ... the tax base in the community. Public projects in this area and any
area actually might include beautification of the river ... of Riverside Drive, uh,
commercial area corridor. Connecting the trail system through the area, and
fixing conditions that impair the environmental or economic health of the
community. This plan is being established for the purpose of blight remediation.
The area was beginning to show signs of blight before the tornado in 2006, uh,
and the flood of 2008, which worsened some of the existing conditions and added
new ones of concern. Blight tends to lead to disinvestment in an area, drawing
down property values and thus slowing the growth of the tax base in the city. It
can be a liability physically, economically, and socially. The state go ... the state
code defines several conditions of blight, including defective or inadequate street
layout, faulty lot layout, deterioration of site or other improvements, or any
combination of these. And there are actually some other conditions too, but we
have some to show that specifically illustrate the ones that we mentioned here.
This is an aerial view of the Riverfront Crossings urban renewal area, which if
you think back to Bob's slide is the lower left -hand corner of the greater
Riverfront Crossings area, and the reason for beginning the urban renewal plan in
this area particularly is because we have some development interest in it now, and
because some of it involves City property, which needs to be, uh ... um, gotten
ready or cleaned up for development. So, back to, um ... uh, the definitions of
blight as per state code, uh, when considering urban renewal plans. As I
mentioned, defective or inadequate street layout, and these are, uh, photographs of
these conditions that do exist in the Riverfront Crossings area. I'm sure you...
I'm sure you'll recognize some of them ... where pedestrians, parking, and street,
uh, the street, uh, circulation are crossing and ... and making for hidden, uh, hidden
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 24
driveways and ... and difficult places to navicate ... navigate both in your vehicle or
on foot. Faulty lot layout, in relation to size adequacy or accessibility or
usefulness — there are several lots in the area that have triangular- shaped or ... or,
uh, funny little parking lots that don't really lend themselves well to, um, good lot
layout design and most efficient use of space. The ones we always think of when
we think of blight are these unsanitary or unsafe conditions, and this would be an
example of one that is been in a similar condition for quite some time. Also,
deterioration of site or other improvements in the area, and here we have pictures
of the public, uh, public sidewalk adjacent to the private property, which is all
cracked and, again, not being paid attention to by the, urn ... uh, by the adjacent
property owner. Um, we also have buildings in disrepair and there seems to be
this sort of cycle of disinvestment in the area. Or any combination of these
factors, deterioration of the site, upkeep the land, etc., etc. While we drive past
these every day, perhaps we don't think of them in a, uh, large group, um, like we
just saw in these slides very quickly like this, but um, there are a number of
properties as you know right in that area which do exhibit conditions of blight and
which merit the blight designation for the establishment of this urban renewal
district. The urban renewal plan, um, as reviewed by the Planning and Zoning,
uh, Commission appears to be in conformity with both the 2002 Southwest
District Plan, um, in which this specifically ... the relationship between the
commercial and the residential dis ... districts was called out as being, uh, needing
improvement, and also build ... and also the walkability, uh, of the streetscape, as
well. Um, the comprehend... it's also compatible with the Comprehensive Plan,
um, which states among its economic land use and other urban pattern goals to
redevelop and reuse existing commercial sites, which actually helps, um, in
stemming urban sprawl, to provide and protect areas suitable for future
commercial development, to focus commercial development in a defined
commercial center, including small scale neighborhood centers, commercial
centers, to foster strong community neighborhoods with a mix of housing,
churches, schools, recreational facilities, commercial areas, and etc., and finally to
consider financial incentives and programs to facilitate achieving these goals.
The Planning and Zone ... Zoning Commission as I mentioned reviewed the plan
on September 15th and determined that it was in conformance, um, and they have
forwarded their recommendation to you. State law also requires to establish a
plan that the City hold a meeting with the affected taxing entities, the County, the
schools, and Kirkwood Community College, which was held last Friday,
September 30th. In order for us to allow for the full, uh, comp period of comment
and response times, um, staff is recommending that this public hearing actually be
continued to October 18th. Questions?
Hayek: So if there aren't any questions, um, should we just go ahead and continue it at
this time?
Bailey: Move continuation of the public hearing.
Wright: Second.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 25
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Wright. Discussion? Those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0, so the public hearing on item 8, uh, will be
continued until October 18th, at which time we'll take it up again.
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Bailey: We need to defer the resolution. Move deferral of the resolution to the 181H
Wilburn: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Wilburn to defer consideration of item 8.b. to
October 18th. Discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion
carries 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 26
ITEM 10. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9, ENTITLED
"MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC," CHAPTER 3, ENTITLED
"RULES OF THE ROAD," SECTION 6, ENTITLED "SPEED
RESTRICTIONS," SUBSECTION B, ENTITLED "EXCEPTIONS ".
(FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Bailey: Move first consideration.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Dickens. This has to do with speed limits along
North Dodge. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 27
ITEM 11. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING THAT GENERAL
PROPERTY TAXES LEVIED AND COLLECTED EACH YEAR ON ALL
PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE TOWNCREST URBAN
RENEWAL AREA, IN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, COUNTY OF
JOHNSON, STATE OF IOWA, BY AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
STATE OF IOWA, CITY OF IOWA CITY, COUNTY OF JOHNSON,
IOWA CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OTHER TAXING
DISTRICTS, BE PAID TO A SPECIAL FUND FOR PAYMENT OF
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON LOANS, REBATES, GRANTS,
MONIES ADVANCED TO AND INDEBTEDNESS, INCLUDING BONDS
ISSUED OR TO BE ISSUED, INCURRED BY SAID CITY IN
CONNECTION WITH SAID URBAN RENEWAL REDEVELOPMENT
PROJECT. (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Bailey: Move second consideration.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Mims. Discussion?
Champion: Mr. Mayor, I will be abstaining from this because I have a conflict of interest.
Hayek: Okay. Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 6 -0, Council Member
Champion abstaining. (reads Item 12)
Markus: Excuse me, Mayor, can I make a ... ask Wendy a question?
Hayek: Yeah! (several talking and laughing)
Markus: Just to be clear on this, this is the TIF for this particular area.
Ford: On item... I I?
Markus: Yes.
Ford: This is the TIF district established... that's being established for the Towncrest
urban renewal area.
Markus: And ... and, because there's been questions, uh, raised about term of this particular
district, can you talk about that as it relates to this parcel?
Ford: Certainly! The Towncrest, uh, TIF district is being established as both an
economic development and a blighted, uh, conditions area, which would, uh,
create a ... a sunset without a limitation. The important thing to note about a TIF
district without a sunset is that it provides an opportunity for Council to be able
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 28
to, um, assist projects, both public and private, throughout... without a 20 -year
limitation. Um... does that help?
Markus: Yeah, I think it does. I think the original question was raised during the course of
the day and I, um ... related it to the Crossings urban renewal and overlooked this
particular project in terms of Towncrest, and we've had at least one other public
official raise question about this. I think you were made aware of that. Um...
while it is our desire to end these upon completion of the actual TIF project, as
the ... is there anything we can do at this particular time to ensure it doesn't exceed
that 20 -year timeline?
Ford: I think that's going to be up to the Councils who make decisions on what projects
to support with...
Markus: So... so we can still control that particular part of this issue in terms of length,
based on the actual incentive and project. I ... I'm saying these things out loud so
that Councilors who may have had a concern about that issue during the day, hear
that conversation public. So we can still control that time limit afterwards.
Ford: It's certainly possible (mumbled)
Dilkes: I think the way I think of it is is that ... your 20 -year time limit will run from the
point when you first certify debt. And so, um, let's say that ... without the
limitation, we can... uh, wait for five years, for instance, and incent a project over
a period of five years. We can wait another five years and incent another project
for a period of time as long as we wish to incent it for with ... with tax diversion.
Um, and we're not limited to ... revitalizing the area, essentially, in a period...
within a period of 20 years.
Hayek: Couple things, I mean, first this is state code, this is a blight approach, right? And
(both talking)
Dilkes: For this one, yes.
Hayek: For this one, which provides for ... for essentially unlimited... but there's a
difference between what the duration requirements might be within a district, and
what we establish for any given project.
Dilkes: Course ... yes.
Hayek: Isn't that the point?
Markus: That is the point.
Wilburn: Is that similar to what happened with lot 641A which is now the Moen ... is that
similar?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 29
Dilkes: Absolutely!
Wilburn: Okay, that's what I was thinking.
Dilkes: I mean, that urban renewal area has been around for ... the downtown urban
renewal area has been around for years.
Wilburn: And that was the last project and now the...
Dilkes: Within that area.
Wilburn: The hotelVetro project there and ... yeah, okay. All right.
Dilkes: Right.
Ford: That was an area that was established as slum and blight, and is also an area now
that is not, uh, capturing any of the TIF increment at all, and all of the property
tax is being generated in that area are being, uh, distributed as they would without
any TIF project in the, at all, despite the fact that it's a slum and blight
designation.
Markus: I think ... I think the point I want to raise for the public's benefit is that while slum
and blight allows an unlimited timeframe, consistent with our past practice, it
would be our intent, uh, not to just run these districts over and over again and to
limit them. Um, to a particular project, and have a payback period that, um,
retires these as soon as we can. That's consistent with the policy that the City
Council had adopted, but the issue is raised and I thought publicly we should at
least have that out there.
Hayek: Thanks for clarification. Thanks, Wendy! Okay, back to item 12.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 30
ITEM 16. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: Why don't we start down with you, Susan.
Mims: Nothing.
Wright: Nothing.
Champion: Well, I was ... I was thinking about (both talking)
Wright: I thought you were shaking your head no. I'm sorry!
Champion: You're trying to keep me quiet, aren't you? (laughter)
Wright: That's not possible! (laughter)
Champion: I just want to commend the Fire Department for containing that fire, and I was
thinking the other night when we had that windy, windy night, that would have
been really horrible. The whole downtown could have burned up! And I really
am concerned about some fire codes that we might have to think about for our
older buildings downtown, that ... that was really pretty scary, I think.
Hayek: Ross?
Wilburn: Uh, if you take a look at the City's web page, the Mayor, uh, posted a welcome to
Reykjavik, Iceland as the UNESCO's newest City of Literature so take a look at
that and... so, nice touch!
Hayek: Thank you. It wasn't my idea! (laughter)
Bailey: Sure it was Jeanette's, right? (laughter) I want to echo, um, Connie's thoughts.
A commendation to our Fire Department for taking care of something that could
have, um, been quite tragic and quite horrible.
Dickens: Nothing.
Hayek: Uh, echo the comments on the Fire Department, job ... job very well done on that.
Um, this Saturday we had a dedication of the Northside Literary Walk with the
bronze sculptures, uh, that have been installed and look great and ... and recognize
the many authors who have passed through Iowa City. Some of whom live here,
and that was a good event, and Oktoberfest, holy smokes what a great event that
was! Um, I think it has established itself in its maiden voyage as part of the
pantheon of great local, community events. There were upwards of 10,000 people
there. I took my family and kids and ... and we had a great time. Just a great vibe.
Nothing but positive comments and the people who put that together should be
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 31
commended and just a really great way to celebrate the investment of the City in
that neck of the woods, so ... really great event.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.
Page 32
ITEM 17. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
a) City Manager
Hayek: City Manager?
Markus: Uh, Fire Station #4 is open and operational, and the open house... Marian, you're
going to have to help me. November 6th
Karr: Sunday the 61h
Markus: Sunday the 6th from?
Wilburn: 1 to 4.
Karr: 1 to 4, tentatively.
Markus: Have kind of a ribbon cutting and a, uh, open house and tours of the new fire
station. The investigation at the Bruegger's continues so you're going to continue
to see activity. I don't think they've made a conclusive determination as to cause,
and as I understand it, the um, determination as to how, what will be saved and
how it will be used has yet to be determined. So that's ongoing. Once we get that
information I'll have, uh, the Fire Chief share that with us so (mumbled)
Hayek: Dale?
Helling: Nothing.
Hayek: City Attorney? City Clerk? Need a motion.
Wilburn: Move to adjourn.
Bailey: So moved.
Hayek: Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Bailey. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0, we are adjourned.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of October 4, 2011.