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ITEM 2. OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS — Lincoln
Elementary
Hayek: Would the students from Lincoln Elementary please come forward. (applause)
Karr: Right over here. You're fine! Right in the middle! There you go!
Hayek: Well hi, kids, my name's Matt Hayek and I'm the Mayor, and this is your City
Council, and this is City Hall, and uh, we're really honored to have you with us
tonight, and what we do during the school year, at each of our meetings, is invite,
uh, leaders from each of the Iowa City elementary schools to come down here, uh,
and tell us a little bit about yourselves and we've got an award for you, and I see
that you've each, uh, prepared, uh, some comments and uh, we'd love to hear
from you, and I'll just pass the microphone from ... from you and then to you and
then I've got a little award I want to read to you. So why don't we start with you,
Ryan.
Braverman: Hi, my name is Ryan Braverman. I'm 11- years -old and I'm in sixth grade. I go
to Lincoln School. I'm honored to be here this evening. I'd like to thank my
Principal and all my teachers for nominating me to accept this award, and also the
City Council. I've always helped by doing safety patrol, student council, and
reading to kindergartners. I think it's important to be a good citizen because it
helps our community. (applause)
Lejarcegui: My name is Bihotza James - Lejarcegui and I'm a sixth grader at Lincoln
Elementary School. I thank the City Council for honoring me with this award. I
will try to live up to this honor. Good citizenship is one of the most empowering
of human qualities. It involves serving others and doing so without being asked.
When a ... one of my more rewarding opportunities to serve has come through a
program called Lunch Buddies, in which I have depended... deepened a friendship
with a girl with special needs. I help her become more social and understand how
she can join in a conversation with several people at once. A skill that many take
for granted, but one that for her requires people who will listen and give her time
to speak. It helps me develop humility and gratitude. I thank my parents and
grandparents, my teachers and principal, and the Lincoln School for cultivating in
me the value of serving others. (applause)
Hayek: Well those are wonderful presentations and um, you know, one of the reasons we
do this is to recognize young people who are setting an example in their schools,
and you certainly do that and you've given some great examples of what you're
doing at Lincoln, and uh, you know, I ... I got my start in leadership as a safety
patrol, uh, officer at Shimek, and I learned some valuable lessons that I carry with
me today and everybody up here has done similar things and you know, it's
important for you to set an example, and you're doing that, um, and ... and frankly,
the things you're learning now by being leaders in your school will help you as
you grow older and become adults and hopefully someday you'll... you'll sit up
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special formal meeting of November 22, 2011.
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here at the table and help lead the City as the City Council does. Um, I want to
thank your parents and your teachers and any other friends or relatives who are in
the crowd. I suspect you've had something to do with your ... with these kids'
success, uh, so we're very proud of you, and I want to read, uh, for you what's
called a Citizenship Award, which we're giving to you. It says for his or her
outstanding qualities of leadership within Lincoln 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, November 2011. Ryan
(mumbled). Bihotza, there you go. Let me shake your hands! Congratulations!
(laughter) This is (applause) this is not on the agenda, but uh, Dale Helling is the
Assistant City Manager. He's been with, uh, the City of Iowa City for more than
36 years. He started out in the Police Department, but soon shifted over to the
City Management office and has been part of the central management team for
33...33 plus years, and uh, has guided the City through thick and thin, and uh,
Dale ... and Dale's retiring next week. This is actually his last City Council
meeting, uh, and it's very hard for those of us who know him, uh, to ... to see him
retire, but we ... but we're happy for, uh, Dale and excited for what's around the
corner for you! But, you know, Dale, you are so highly respected not only within
City Hall, but out in the community, and indeed throughout the state, uh, the ... the
city management population, uh, or community is a tight -knit one throughout
Iowa and beyond, and Dale's reputation throughout Iowa and into other states, uh,
is ... is ... is incredible, and uh, you are a person of, uh, sound judgment and ... and
absolute loyalty and professionalism to the City. Uh, you have worked tirelessly
for more than 30 years to protect Iowa City and enhance it, and uh, I know that I
speak for everyone up here and those who have had the pleasure and honor of
working with you for all of these years in saying thank you on behalf of the City,
and on behalf of the community. And I have a very small token of our
appreciation for you. Uh, it reads, um ... it's a plaque and it says: In gratitude, in
grateful recognition of your 36 years of loyal service to the City of Iowa City,
your community thanks you. Presented to Dale Helling, November 2011, by the
City Council of Iowa City. Dale, thank you so much! (applause)
Helling: Thank you! Could I say something in response before you (laughter)
Hayek: Yeah! Yeah! I didn't want to put the, uh, speech spotlight on ya! (laughter)
Helling: No, I especially would like to thank you for embellishing so much (laughter)
um ... but it's ... it's been a great run. It's, uh, the only government that I would
want to work in is city government because of the accountability and ... and the
grassroots nature of city government, and the fact that have the opportunity to
work with elected officials, but also with all the citizens directly, and to be a part
of this process of the city council and the citizens interacting face -to -face, one -on-
one on, or you know, the council to each citizen or groups of citizens on a regular
basis, uh, that makes it very rewarding. I think probably, um, I'm not going to
say every council meeting, cause I've ... I've figured out it's been more than 1,500
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(laughter). I don't know exactly how many, but every ... almost every council
meeting I think when I've walked down the hall back to my office after the
meeting I've thought how fortunate I am to be a part of this process and uh, I
know I'll feel that tonight, and ... and especially tonight, and from here on out it's
been ... been very rewarding and ... and a real, uh, privilege and honor for me to
serve so I hope I've given even part to the community what I've taken out of it,
and I will be here as a resident and a taxpayer (laughter) and I certainly plan to
continue to give back to the community in any way I can, so thank you very
much!
Hayek: Thank you, Dale! (applause)
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ITEM 4. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA).
Hayek: This is the opportunity at every City Council meeting for members of the public
to address the City Council on items that are not on the agenda for tonight. If
there's something you'd like to bring to our attention, uh, we invite you to step
forward, uh, sign in at the podium, uh, state your name, uh, for the record, and
then as in keeping with, uh, how we handle all of our meetings, please keep your
comments to five minutes or less.
Hemphill: Excuse me for my delay.
Hayek: That's okay.
Hemphill: All right! Well, good evening. My name is Leon Hemphill. I'm new to Iowa
City, and uh... for the past four to five years I've been a resident here, and uh, I
started off in the Shelter House program and in ... upgraded myself to have my
own residence. And uh, as I ... when I first came here, I was under the ... we were
all under the leadership of a Governor Culver. Chet Culver, and he made a
profound statement that I heard, and he said that we had so much revenue that's
left over that would carry us into 2032. Okay? But what I'm speaking on now is
under this new regime. We are formerly under homelessness, uh, the Shelter,
vagrants, and certain other things. All right? I'm not I am a cliche. I would love
to be commended like the young childrens and like the gentleman, Dale, you
know, that have received a plaque and all from you all, that would be very much
appreciated, something I'm looking forward to, but in my recent, brief stay here,
I've ran into numerous of stone walls. And these stone walls are causing me to
once again to be might join the homeless branch, and I ... by me having ... I'm
disabled and I receive my own income, and uh, I'm in housing, Section 8, and
I've tried to talk to Miss Carrie Fox - Rinehart and several other peoples here, um,
Steve Ricketts, and all who ... who used to work with me tremendously, and the
progress and accel ... excelling me into a more compassionate (mumbled). Uh,
well I've worked at four, well, I've had several jobs and behind that it made me
really, completely disabled, but things I'm speaking on tonight is housing. All
right? My point ... I'm going to read first and try to keep it to five minutes. Good
evening, City Council. My name is Leon Hemphill. I stay at 1100 Arthur Street.
I came before you this evening to see if we can come up with new, um, solutions,
uh, reasoning, I mean ... I'm nervous. This is my first time in public speaking.
Uh, new solutions in reasoning these matters of the, uh, relations on the disability
here in Iowa. We are facing difficulties in funding, good housing, and here and
Iowa also. I belong to Section 8 voucher program here in Iowa and my issues are
to see how we could address these problems that seniors and disability peoples are
facing now. We are handing ... they are handing us papers, you know, with, uh, I
feel they are inadequate, they are not update. Most of the papers they give me,
which I have, and to me when you talk to these landlords and all, you know, being
on this Section 8 thing, you know, they automatically say, oh, we're not accepting
Section 8, you know. Yes, it's a lot of us from my era in life has come and tainted
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it, and made it crucial. To where peoples have to, uh, take consideration about
their properties, and I relate to that (noise on mic) but I have some ... the listings
(noise on mic) and each one of these listings I've been using for different periodic
times, and to no prevail. I received an eviction notice, uh, from Town and
Campus asking me to move by the 30th of this month so in ... in process of being
thankful and grateful, you know, I have to look to another location, and in looking
for that next location, I haven't been able to found one under this piece of paper
they give us. You know? And all of the documentary they have gave me, you
know, is a ... it's a, uh, a handful of all of these pamphlets and brochures they pass
out with no assistance in helping people with disabilities and deformities, come
up with adequate and fair housing, to be ... for us to be addressed, or to be seated
and have some, uh, compassionate for us — that's not happening! Uh, I reinjured
myself in, last year doing, right after the winter, I mean, right during the winter,
after the, uh, snow embankment we had last year. I was on the Muscatine ... on
the Iowa City Transit bus and uh, I had to overcome a hill, uh, embankment and I
fell and slipped and injured myself. Uh, I immediately called the Transportation
and I went down to view the gentleman Chris, um, I forget his name (mumbled)
spoke me to the Director, and uh, he explained to me that he (mumbled) disability
door and uh, certain other things he was going to try to help with. Since then,
there's nothing been done! All right? I've been, uh, disrespected, overlooked,
passed over as being part of the disability act, you know, and I feel it's not right
and it's not fair! You know, it's not ... I didn't never say when I was coming up at
career day, I wanted to be disabled or I wanted to be homeless or I wanted to not
to have anything, or I wanted not to be a leading perspective citizens in America.
It has come to us now that, hey, it's a problem with disability, with housing, with
other issues. I have numerous issues but I cannot talk to you all tonight because I
only have five minutes. You know? But I would like to see somebody to discuss
these issues with. I've been downstairs to City Planning, um, and Lieberman, I
tried to contact him numerous a times and Housing Inspection and everything,
and uh, you know, it's ... I'm not getting anywhere. I'm running into brick walls.
So I feel now it's time for me to address you all as a citizen of Iowa. I've made
mistakes in my life. Right now I'm currently, since I've been here, I've made
three. All right? And they are not really some ... you know, they're
misdemeanors, two of `em are misdemeanors and one is almost something else.
Hayek: Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt, but you've been going for a little over five minutes
so...
Hemphill: Yeah, okay, so this is what I want to talk ... I want to see if I can't get ... receive
some help regarding relocating without becoming homeless. Thank you and have
a blessed evening.
Hayek: Thank you, sir. Is there anyone else in the audience who'd like to address the
City Council during community comment?
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Perez: Um, hi, uh, my name is Kevin Perez. Uh, I live at 161 Columbia Drive. Um, the
reason, um, I came was to talk about the ... you guys are talking about the
amendments for the alcohol ... the alcohol thing, at the meeting yesterday, and my
thought pattern is ... uh, I don't care what you do ... I ... it really doesn't matter, but
I think a lot of the laws that you made before that didn't work maybe need to
come off the books, like for example the 500 foot rule. Like, I own Short's and
you know let's say Milio's went out of business, well, I can't expand into Milio's
space because the current law. Um, because the 500 -foot rule. I think a lot of the
things that came before in your attempt to curb the drinking have had
uninten ... you know, unintended consequences. For example, my brother owns
Bandito's on, uh, over on Market and you talked about a level playing field.
Well, he has to close at 12:00. Everybody else can stay open ti12:00 but he has to
close at 12:00. 1 just want to ... 1, you know, because the different laws you've
made, from the 500 -foot rule to the, uh, if you serve food you have to stop at
midnight, you know, a lot of things, rules, you've made in the past, in the last four
to, you know, six years and I think that, uh, when you go forward to make
amendments to the 21 -law, and again I'm not, you know, I don't really care cause
it, you know, for me, you know, we don't serve underage. That's not our goal,
uh, but a lot of the things you've done in the past have had an adverse affect on
people, and if I do want to expand Short's you know, if we have the opportunity,
I'd like to have that opportunity, but as the laws stand now we can't do that
because, you know, just because of, you know, if it's a say a clothing store, you
can expand, no problem. If it's a law firm, you can expand no problem. If it's a
bookstore, you can expand no problem, but if you're a restaurant you're penalized
because you have a liquor license, and I think that that doesn't, you know, I think
that is pretty unfair, uh, you know, we hire a lot of people, we do a lot of the right
things, so uh ... I think before you ... I think that you maybe should take a step back
before you make too many amendments to what you've done, and look at what
you have passed before, and see what you need to get rid of. I mean, you know,
the 500 -foot rule is tough, you know, it doesn't make any sense now cause there's
no shoe stores, you know, you buy it online. Everything is purchased online. The
only thing that you really buy is, you know, entertainment. You go out for
entertainment. You go out for food, but there's very little shopping that's not,
you know, in Coralville. And it's going to be that way, I mean, I don't see it
changing that way, and right now downtown is being carried by bars and
restaurants, and so I just ... I think ... I feel that you should look at what you've
done before and see, you know, you did this, like you passed the 500 -foot rule to
stop having too many bars, but an effect from that is some people can't expand,
right? I don't think that's right, you know, I don't think that's fair, so um... but
you know, what I think doesn't matter, but I think ... I think in the long run you
want to, uh ... you know, I think you should want it to be fair to, fair what's going
on in ... in ... and like I say, we've gone step, step, step, but we haven't taken
anything away. You know, we've just made more laws, more laws, more laws
but I think the laws that, urn ... you know, the laws that ... I think that you guys...
it's working or whatever, it's a different atmosphere downtown. There's no doubt
about it from, you know, from 2:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the morning, or
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whatever, from you know ... and that's... that's fine and you've, I think some
things have been accomplished, but I think you oughta look at the 500 -foot rule
for sure. I mean, I think that's a ... it's a hindrance to people that own property
and it's kind of an unfair practice, and also to the people that can't have... can't
serve after midnight. That's another ... I don't know ... Jann knows all the rules so
when you go talk to Jann she knows everything but ... like my brother Derek who
has Bandito's, he can't serve food and drink after midnight. He has to stop... for
some rule that came ... I don't know what it is but that's just ... that's what it is
so ... that's just all I want to say is I think that we should look what you've done in
the past before you go further to make more rules to make it more complicated,
cause I ... I imagine the police would probably like one set of rules as opposed
to... you open in 1986 you have a set of rules; you open in 1996 you have a set of
rules; you open in 2010 you have a set of rules. I think if we have a broad set of
rules across the board, where the grandfather clause doesn't have any effect, and
that's all I want to say. Thanks!
Hayek: Thank you. Anyone else like to address City Council during community
comment? Okay. Yes, sir!
Longden: How you guys doing today?
Hayek: All right. How are you?
Longden: Um, usually the community comment section is time for people to, uh, tell the
City Council some of the problems they have but today after listening today I just
wanted to say, uh, that...
Hayek: I'm sorry, I'm going to interrupt. If you could just give us your name for the
audience.
Longden: Oh, I'm sorry! Kenneth Longden. 1940 S. Ridge. Um, I just want to say thank
you for the things that you are doing, that are working, and I want to encourage
you to do better in the future.
Hayek: Thank you.
Champion: Thank you!
Hayek: Anyone else from the audience before we proceed? Okay, well, we thank you for
your comments and we will now move on to Item 5, Planning and Zoning
Matters.
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ITEM 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
C. CONDITIONALLY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 1.15 ACRES
OF PROPERTY LOCATED 911 N. GOVERNOR STREET, FROM
COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO -1) TO LOW DENSITY MULTI-
FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RM -12). (REZ11- 00016)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. (bangs gavel) Public hearing is open, and are there any
ex parte communications? (several responding)
Wright: Yep!
Hayek: Mike! (laughter)
Wright: Uh, the Mayor and I, uh, did have a conversation the other day just discussing
the... basically the lack of any specifics to go along with this rezoning request.
Davidson: Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Members of the City Council. I'm Jeff Davidson,
the Director of Planning and Community Development for the City. And maybe
we can get into some of those specifics, Mike, uh, this item is a request from
Mark Holtkamp as the applicant for a rezoning from CO -1 to RM -12 for a
property at 911 N. Governor Street. Uh, this is a property that was formerly the,
uh, Johnson County Human Services facility. Here's a location map, just to orient
you. You've got Governor Street, uh, right here; Happy Hollow Park, uh... there
is the aerial showing the property on Governor Street, uh, the existing office
building and parking lot. You'll notice two access points on Governor Street right
here. There's existing building, which should, uh, orient you, and you can see the
apartment building in the background there. Uh, as I mentioned the property is
currently zoned commercial office, CO -1, and the request is for a rezoning to
RM -12. Um ... the Johnson County Human Services building has been relocated
to the property adjacent to the, uh, Johnson County Admin building, uh, in the
Riverfront Crossings area, and this building is currently vacant and has been for
sale. Uh, the uh, in terms of the Comprehensive Plan for this area, the, uh, and
I'm going to go back here one. The Comprehensive Plan does call for multi-
family zoning, uh, in ... of this parcel, uh, and there has been discussion... you'll
notice that it is ... there is R313 zoning, which is a zoning classification that carries
over from an old zoning ordinance because of a court case stipulating that it shall
be zoned that. It is basically... you saw the building... there in the background,
that's basically an RM ... RM -20 building, uh, that's there, although it does have
the other zoning classification. The Comprehensive Plan does call, in addition to
the property which is under consideration, uh, this evening, also these two lots are
called for in the Comprehensive Plan for multi - family zoning. So basically what
you'd be establishing is ... is an area, entire area here, for multi - family zoning, uh,
in accordance to ... with the direction of the Comprehensive Plan. Urn ... this
property, if rezoned, would be subject to, uh, the design review standards of the
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Central Planning District. Uh, and that is a ... a stipulation that at least in my
opinion has given us, particularly some... some student housing buildings that are
of a lot better architectural quality, due to going through that process in ... in the
last year. So, uh, the CO -1 zone does allow, uh, residential units, and in fact, if
you were to deny this zoning, uh, the, uh, a person could build, uh, 18 units under
the CO -1 zoning on the second floor and above. What you're basically doing is
not increasing the density that would be a lot of the residential, but taking away
the office, uh, portion of the zoning. Now realistically no one has come forth with
a proposal for residential units above, uh, and office building here, but I did want
to point out that the zoning ordinance does allow that in the ... in the CO -1 zone.
Uh, there are some traffic considerations, which will, uh, be stipulated in the
conditions, uh, for which recommendation is ... is, uh, suggested. Uh, there is
both, uh, horizontal and vertical curvature of Governor Street in this area, and
there are some sight- distance concerns. It is a one -way street, which eliminates
some of the issues, but uh, as a condition of the rezoning we are suggesting that
the sight distance be approved by NPOJC, uh, and their traffic engineering group.
Uh, there's some utility issues, um, oh, and the other ... the other thing that was
discussed at Planning and Zoning and is a condition of the ... the proposal for
approval, is that in, uh, this area here, the applicant be required to complete a new
sidewalk across the frontage of the property and also across the frontage of these
two lots, and the work would be, of course, done in the right -of -way so uh, we can
require that of the applicant. The thought then is then that the City will complete
the sidewalk on that side of the street down to Brown Street, and basically enable,
uh, the persons living in this, uh, in the proposed new building to be connected to
the rest of the sidewalk system, uh, into town. Uh, the City does have a, uh,
ongoing capital, uh, improvements program project that allows for, it's called the
sidewalk infill — you might recall, and that's a ... a source of funding that could be
used for this. Um ... so then the ... the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning
Commission and staff is for approval. Uh, there are some right, uh, some right -
of -way, a small piece, that we're requiring the applicant to dedicate and then a
small piece that they can purchase from us, uh, basically even out the right -of-
way in the area. Uh, the ... the requirement to install the sidewalk, uh, the
requirement for Transportation Planning staff to approve the new driveway
location. Urn ... and the ... the sewer easements, those are the conditions. With
those conditions we are recommending, uh, approval. Uh, did your questions get
answered, Mike?
Wright: Nope!
Davidson: Okay!
Wright: (laughter)
Davidson: Any questions?
Wright: We don't ... I have no idea what is actually intended for this (both talking)
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Davidson: Uh, an 18 -unit apartment building.
Wright: ...not up to but actually an 18 -unit building?
Davidson: I believe so, yes.
Wright: And has staff seen any designs? Okay.
Davidson: It would ... it would be subject to design review, however.
Dickens: Would this property be eligible for the 25 %, if it was an elderly housing?
Davidson: Yes. All of the multi - family (both talking)
Dickens: If we pass...
Davidson: Right, if you... if you pass the subsequent readings, yes.
Dickens: So it would be eligible.
Hayek: Do we ... don't we typically see some design though when we're at the CZA?
Davidson: Uh, it's not a requirement. If we have something to show you, as part of a
rezoning, we will typically show you that but it's not a requirement.
Hayek: Well, um, I mean, I've got some comments, but we're still in the public hearing
phase so...
Davidson: Any further questions? Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks... thanks, Jeff! Anyone else on this before we close the public hearing?
Holtkamp: Hi, I'm Mark Holtkamp. I'm the applicant. And the, uh, what I'm proposing is
three -six unit townhouse buildings. It's not one big building, and I did have a site
plan that, uh, staff has, but ... I don't have it with me or anything but ... it'd be three
separate buildings, kind of around the perimeter of the lot. Um, so if you have
any other questions too I can try to answer them now too.
Wright: How many bedrooms per unit?
Holtkamp: Three bedrooms per unit.
Wright: Three three- bedroom townhouses per unit?
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Holtkamp: Three, no six ... six, uh, six ... three buildings of six units, three bedrooms in each
one.
Wright: You anticipate these to be sold as condos or kept as rentals?
Holtkamp: They'll be kept as rentals, yeah, and they'll be primarily, uh, graduates or
working, uh, I don't see students going that far out, be my guess, so...
Hayek: You've got a site plan but not a ... not a design concept.
Holtkamp: Not an elevation view, yeah, just site plan layout.
Hayek: Any other questions for Mr. Holtkamp? Okay, thanks! Okay, I'm going to close
the public hearing at this time. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Champion: Well, I for one...
Hayek: So we need to get a motion on the floor.
Champion: Oh!
Bailey: Move first consideration.
Champion: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Champion. Council discussion.
Champion: I think this is going to be a great improvement! (laughter) I really like the idea!
Wright: I have some problems with it.
Champion: Tell me what they are.
Wright: Um ... the surrounding zoning is RS -8, which would allow duplexes, but not these
townhouses, and I think it's a density issue, especially with the already heavy
concentration of apartments immediately next to it on Dodge Street, um ... that's a
very dense development right there, and I ... I have really serious concerns about
adding that much density to an already stressed neighborhood.
Champion: (mumbled)
Hayek: And you know what, Connie, I do too, uh ... this is a fragile neighborhood,
and... and you drive through it and you can see that. It's old. It's, uh, largely
single- family. I think the apartments to the west have, uh ... uh, impacted the
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neighborhood, and I know there's pressure to put more on those western parcels,
which is not before us tonight, but I know there's... there's interest in doing that
and I ... I suspect just north of that on ... on Dodge ... Dodge as well. I ... just, I have
concerns about this much dense housing in a otherwise fragile, historic
neighborhood.
Champion: Well, I can ... I guess (both talking)
Hayek: I recognize that what's there right now (both talking)
Champion: Right! That's what I was thinking!
Hayek: ... is ... is, uh...
Wright: It'd be hard not to improve on that (several talking and laughing) from an
aesthetic standpoint!
Champion: Wow! Something is going to get better here! (laughter) But, um, I didn't think
about the neighborhood implications, and usually that would be the first thing on
my mind, but I just think that whole space is so ugly that ... like to see something
done. But you might ... you're probably right. I guess I would agree with you.
Mims: At the same time (both talking)
Champion: ...because it's on Dodge Street too, I mean, or Governor... Governor, it's, you
know, it's a main thoroughfare so...
Hayek: (several talking) ... it's... they're historic street, they're old streets, that ... that have
been there since the 19th century that have become thoroughfares because we
made them one -way, uh, but there's still many, many residents along both streets
(both talking)
Champion: You're right! You're right! There are!
Hayek: ...that are very close to those streets.
Champion: I agree with you! You changed my mind.
Wright: And we were also having some conversations about the possibility of rerouting
State Highway 1.
Champion: Right, that's right.
Wright: Which opens up new possibilities for both Governor and Dodge.
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Bailey: This has come up before, the fragility of this neighborhood, and what are we
doing if we don't allow development in ... and moving forward. It's an in -fill
development, which we're very supportive of, I mean, generally, conceptually,
and as Connie has pointed out, it's a ... it's a vast improvement on what's there.
Um, it...it seems to make sense, um...
Wright: Don't you think it's a little dense surrounded by RS -8?
Bailey: You know, I don't have the concerns about density that seem to have come up in
the last month and a half with this group. I just don't. Um ... I think townhouses, I
mean, we talked about the attractiveness and appropriateness of townhouses.
Quite frankly I know friends who have looked for that kind of, uh, living space
and they can't find them. I mean, I have a lot of friends who are one person living
in three- bedroom townhouses, so I think we're also making implications about
what it might bring and what it might be, when I think that there are plenty of
people in my age range looking for those kinds of units. Um, and this is much
closer in than they have to settle for. So I see an attractiveness putting this in the
central area, with an in -fill development. So, I'm not...
Mims: Now if I understood Jeff right, with the current zoning you still could put 18 units
in there, but you would have to put commercial on the first floor. So to me the
question then also becomes ... you know, do we go ahead and allow the change in
zoning so they can put the 18 units in without the commercial, or do we deny it
and either, you know, nothing is done or they do it with commercial, which
potentially sits empty, um...
Davidson: Just one clarification, Susan. Commercial office.
Mims: Commercial office, okay. Thank you. Um...
Bailey: Yeah, I think...
Hayek: Or ... or come back and request something comparable to what's across the street,
which is RS -8. (mumbled)
Wright: You could easily build some duplexes there, for example.
Champion: And I ... I can see ... the office space, I don't think, would work, I mean, that's not
going to work. So you can't force them to do office space or commercial space,
whatever you want to call it. But I have to rethink this now. I may have to drive
up and look at that area again.
Bailey: Well ... once again, we're making assumptions about the market for townhouses
and ... and what I've seen, what we see around Blackstone's is ... it's one or two
people living in three- bedroom townhouses. And wouldn't it be nice if they had
the opportunity to live closer in, um ... I'm just not ... it seems to me what you're
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jumping to immediately perhaps, and you'll correct me if I'm wrong, is some kind
of student, very dense, every room occupied, and I don't really necessarily see
that.
Wright: The fact that they're being kept for rental does help me go more (both talking)
Bailey: But a graduate student... seems that people are looking for those kinds of things. I
don't know. I think that there's a market for it. And it's not just young student
housing.
Dickens: I just have a question for the developer again. Is ... if you could come up ... is it
economically feasible to do duplexes? Uh, I know a lot of times when you're
developing the property, the cost of the property and getting the maximum out of
it...
Holtkamp: Yeah, it's not ... if, uh, duplex units'll kill it and I'll not buy it.
Dickens: Okay.
Bailey: So why ... why rental and not, um, the ability to purchase, because like (both
talking)
Holtkamp: The, uh, the way it's set up right now is the ... it's not big enough to
do ... (mumbled) maybe you could correct me if I'm wrong, but you can't parcel
`em out and sell `em individually. It's on one parcel so (both talking)
Bailey: Oh, got it.
Holtkamp: ...sell the whole thing, but you can't do it ... you might be able to do a co -op, and
maybe do, sell individual co -ops or something. I'm not sure about that but ... you
can't sell `em individually as a zero -lot line.
Champion: Well I think we have a...
Dilkes: Generally we advise you that whether it's rental or owner- occupied is not a land
use consideration you should be...
Bailey: (both talking)
Dilkes: ...I understand that may give you some information, but that's not what you're to
be looking at.
Bailey: But it does seem to come up as a discussion about market. Or...
Dilkes: I understand. I'm just...
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Bailey: Okay, I understand.
Dilkes: ...reminding you.
Champion: Well I think we lack that kind of rental unit. We really do. That's not ... that's not
based on, um, or geared toward our student population, which I dearly love and
wouldn't be here without them, but we ... we do lack rental, nice rental housing,
for people of moderate income. Um ... I ... I still like the idea, but I agree with you,
I'd have to really think about it and I have to drive up there again and look at it,
from that perspective.
Wilburn: I think if you back away from the ... notion of some detail that you don't feel that
you're having and look at it's a rezoning request, as Regenia was pointing out, uh,
for in -fill development, um, for it to be residential, to take out the office nature of
it. Um, if you look at what was there before, uh, in terms of impact on
neighborhood, um, or things such as traffic, uh, it was the home of the
Department of Human Services which was, there was a lot of activity there in
terms of traffic, um ... so um ... for other considerations about impact, it would be
nice to have some idea, but just the notion of...um ... the nature of the rezoning
itself, how is the land going to be used ... multi-family residential, um ... you know,
I'm ... I'm supportive of, uh, of that with the, uh, especially with the notion of it
being, um, in -fill development. If in the end, um, this person does not buy that
property or doesn't feel, uh, upon design review that they are getting what they
want, um, the property will still have been, um, rezoned, we've given the
indication that looking for some type of more dense development there, so I ... I'm
supportive of it.
Hayek: And the reason ... part of what's behind my concern about this, is ... through the...
through the conditional rezoning agreement process (mumbled) it is set up to, uh,
enable in appropriate circumstances, uh, an applicant to get a property rezoned,
but at the same time allow the City to have input over the development there in
ways it wouldn't normally have if... if this process weren't being utilized, uh, and
so it is a give and take and ... and this, I think this is the time to ... to look at those
things, in terms of what the City would want to see there, and I ... and ... so that...
that's my ... my process perspective on it, and as I've said before, there are just so
many fragile neighborhoods, uh, in the community that, um, and ... and I lump that
into that category, that are impacted by, uh, by rezoning and .... and what they
result in, and ... and I've seen it time and again, uh, work out to ... to the negative,
and we don't have, uh, any design in front of us. We don't have, uh, anything to
look at, um ... we haven't even seen a site plan, which apparently exists, but we
haven't seen it, and certainly no, um, lateral views. So, and ... and that's why I
say, and I said this a few weeks ago on the other issue, you know, we should tread
lightly, and that's what I think we should do.
Bailey: But we seem to be showing a bias, um, for single - family or that kind of housing,
and not, um, multi - family, and that's concerning to me, particularly as Connie
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said, the market for these kinds of units, and the assumption that everybody can
afford ... a single - family residence, which isn't and increasingly isn't the case! It's
a struggle, and it's a struggle for all age groups, and I think that we're ... I mean,
this is a great opportunity to have some things ... in an area that aren't on the
fringe of town, I mean, in -fill development of this type is ... is, it's a rare
opportunity!
Hayek: Yeah, but if this were three blocks to the south in the now historic district, you
know, I ... people would have a different ... I view it as essentially an extension of
the historic district just a couple blocks to the south. And...
Bailey: ...a historic district mean we freeze it in its tracks, I mean (both talking)
Hayek: No, it means we tread lightly, uh, and that's what I'm suggesting (both talking)
Bailey: ...this property has been sitting there empty and I think is more of a concern to
the neighborhood. I think as Ross was trying to indicate, I mean, it's not only an
improvement upon there, I think ... I think that's a more ... more difficult situation
for a neighborhood is an abandoned, essentially an empty building that sits there.
Mims: I think the other thing... (several talking)
Hayek: So actually we've ... we've closed the public hearing, so at this point on this issue,
it's really just Council talking back and forth.
Hemphill: Oh, okay. Thank you.
Hayek: Yep! Thank you. Connie or Susan?
Mims: I think, uh, I think the other thing is we look at a project like this, um ... we have to
be very careful that we are not making assumptions about who's going to be
living there. Because when we talk about, you know, too much density or, you
know, what that's doing to a fragile neighborhood, um, we just ... we just have to
be really careful that we're not making those ... making assumptions that the
people who might reside in these 18 units are individuals who will not bring
positive things to that neighborhood. And I don't think that is an assumption that
we should be, you know, thinking about or taking into account as we look at, you
know, this rezoning. So when I look at the space that's there, what is currently
there, the fact that even under the current zoning you could put 18 units there, uh,
it may not be feasible because, you know, maybe office doesn't make sense. On
the other hand, you know what? There's people looking for office space! Uh,
you know, I ... so I'm going to go ahead and support it. I think, you know, we
have to hope that one, it's ... it's well - built, that it's well- managed, um, that the
people that come in there to live are assets to the neighborhood and don't, um,
add to any kind of decline to a fragile neighborhood, and I think we have to look
very carefully at what other things come before us, and things that we can do to
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Page 17
support that surrounding neighborhood, but I think if we reject this, then I think
we're making a very unfair assumption about the kind of people, uh, that would
be coming in there to rent those units.
Wright: And the problem that I've witnessed when we have zoned for higher density,
especially in this broader northside neighborhood, is that the heavier density has
typically been to the detriment of the surrounding neighborhood. In fact, it's
almost universally been to the detriment of surrounding neighborhoods.
Mims: If we were rezoning to a higher density than it already has, I would not be saying
what I'm saying. We're not rezoning to a higher density. All we're saying is they
can do the same number of units, but without the office on the first floor. And so
since we're not increasing the density from what's already there, um, I'm going to
support it.
Champion: (mumbled)
Dilkes: So we don't have ... just before you vote, remember that if there ... if it's going to
be a down vote, we have to have a consult with P &Z first. So you don't want to
do that. I don't know where all the votes are, but um ... you want to take a straw
poll before you vote, and if it's going to go down you've gotta defer it. It looks
like you might have four to approve it, but... (several talking)
Hayek: Okay.
Champion: The other option ... uh, is to defer this and have them bring us a site plan and some
concept of what we're going to be seeing there.
Hayek: Although you could do that on a second or third reading, couldn't you?
Champion: Yeah.
Hayek: Okay!
Dilkes: I think ... just (several talking) one comment I would make and ... and I can't give
you the details on this, but I... a lot of the detail I think that you would be
interested in already exists in our code. You know, the design standards that Jeff
was talking about. The, uh, site plan standards that we have. Um, and I ... I mean,
I think you could certainly be given more detail on that if that would be helpful.
Wright: It certainly is difficult to take it on faith.
Wilburn: But Eleanor's point is that's why we (both talking)
Dilkes: ...it's in the code. It's not (several talking)
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Page 18
Bailey: ...have design standards already. In this ... yeah.
Champion: Well, I'm ... I'm not ... I'm not going to support at least first consideration, but I
am personally going to take a closer look at this area. I mean, I just have driven
by it, but I haven't really concentrated on what effect it might have, so I'm not
going to support first consideration, um ... but I would consider support on the
second consideration, if I change my mind.
Hayek: Well...
Champion: I've already changed my mind twice tonight so ... (laughter)
Bailey: And it's early! (several talking and laughing)
Hayek: All right. Any further discussion? Roll call, please.
Dilkes: Are we going to have four?
Hayek: I think we are.
Dilkes: Okay.
Hayek: Item passes, uh, first consideration 4 — 3; Hayek, Champion, Wright in the
negative.
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ITEM 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
F. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF
SADDLEBROOK MEADOWS PART 2, IOWA CITY, IOWA.
(SUB11- 00014)
Bailey: Move adoption.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Mr. Davidson.
Davidson: Uh, Mr. Mayor, Members of Council, here you see the location of Saddlebrook,
uh, the final plat that's before you. It's a 3.57 acre L- shaped parcel that you see
here, extension of Pinto Lane, uh, from the existing Saddlebrook development and
Whispering Meadows Drive. Uh, and there you can see the 21 lots, Whispering
Meadows Part One, which is a planned development, um, mix of housing types as
this, uh, area here. These are single - family lots, uh, L- shaped as you see. There
is a small portion of property, uh, that will be added to the Sycamore Greenway in
this area, uh, to fulfill the neighborhood open space requirement. Uh, and just a
note that there are hydric soils present, which will, um, in terms of the utilities
and ... and both structures and the utilities, require some specialized building
techniques and that's also noted as well. Uh, the staff recommendation is for
approval. And this does ... we ... we are very delighted that the extension of Pinto
Lane, uh, will give secondary access then to the Saddlebrook development.
There's right now 467 units, I believe, on a single means of access at Heinz Road,
so we are delighted that after all these years we'll have secondary access. Any
questions? Thank you.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
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Page 20
ITEM 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
G) CONSIDER A MOTION TO SEND A LETTER TO THE JOHNSON
COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RECOMMENDING
APPROVAL OF A REZONING FROM COUNTY PUBLIC (P)
ZONE TO COUNTY RESIDENTIAL (R) ZONE FOR .93 ACRES
OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3920 KANSAS AVENUE SW.
(CZ11- 00001)
Davidson: And here you see the location of...
Hayek: Get this (several talking)
Davidson: Oh, excuse me.
Champion: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Champion. Discussion? Mr. Davidson!
Davidson: Here you see the location of 3920 Kansas Avenue. Uh this is a situation where,
uh, the City Landfill property is expanded out, uh, to be a neighbor to this
property. The septic system of this property was located on the Landfill property,
so a sale ... this is actually conditioned on a sale of the property, uh, taking place
and then the rezoning action occurring to make it consistent with the residential
zoning in the county and we are recommending the letter be sent approving that.
Any questions? Thank you.
Hayek: Further dis...
Davidson: There's the aerial, in case you care.
Hayek: Further discussion by Council? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay.
Motion carries 7 -0.
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Page 21
ITEM 6. AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF A SINGLE FAMILY HOME
LOCATED AT 1025 EAST BLOOMINGTON STREET.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is part of the UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership program. This is a
public hearing. (bangs gavel) Public hearing is open. Public hearing is closed.
(bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Wright: Move the resolution.
Bailey: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Wright, seconded by Bailey. Discussion?
Champion: I love this program!
Bailey: Me too!
Wright: It'd done some good stuff!
Hayek: Indeed it has. Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0, or I'm sorry, Item 6 passes 7 -0.
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Page 22
ITEM 7. AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF A SINGLE FAMILY HOME
LOCATED AT 1208 EAST BURLINGTON STREET AND RESCINDING
RESOLUTION NO. 11 -333.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. (bangs gavel) Public hearing is open. Public hearing is
closed. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Bailey: Move adoption.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Mims. Discussion?
Champion: I still love this program! (laughter)
Hayek: Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
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Page 23
ITEM 8. AMENDING THE FY2012 OPERATING BUDGET.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. (bangs gavel) Public hearing is open.
O'Malley: Good evening, Mayor Hayek, esteemed Council. My name is Kevin O'Malley,
Director of Finance for the folks at home. I'm here tonight to answer any
questions in regard to the ... this amendment, uh, we usually have two amendments
every year. This is the carry -over amendment from fiscal 11. It's mostly, uh,
capital improvement programs. We have a few new ones, uh, a few in this
building ... a few projects in this building are going to be done. We have some
remodeling in the Police Department and in, uh, Fire Station kitchen. Is there any
questions?
Hayek: Nope!
O'Malley: Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks, Kevin! Okay, I'll close the public hearing at this time. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Wright: Move adoption.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Wright, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item
passes 7 -0.
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Page 24
ITEM 11. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3, "FINANCE,
TAXATION AND FEES" OF THE CITY CODE TO ADD A NEW
CHAPTER ESTABLISHING THE IOWA CITY DOWNTOWN SELF -
SUPPORTED MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (SSMID)
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 386, CODE OF
IOWA; AND PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN
OPERATION FUND AND THE LEVY OF AN ANNUAL TAX IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH. (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Hayek: Item 11 — I'll read it but then will be abstaining. (reads Item 11) This is second
consideration. I'll be abstaining from this, and I assume Council Members, uh,
Dickens and Champion will, as we have on, uh, the first reading, due to our
ownership of, uh, businesses downtown.
Bailey: Move second consideration.,
Mims: Second.
Wright: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Wright. Discussion? Um ... oh, I'm (several
talking). Okay. That's true. Um, just a note for the public, we did receive, uh, a
petition, um, in opposition, uh, 17 represents, opposing, 17.4% of the owners and
22% of the property value. Uh, when both of those reach 25 %, it would require a
unanimous Council vote, um ... and if either percentage reaches 40 %, the issue is
declared dead. If anyone wishes to speak, um ... after our staff member gives us
an update, we, uh, just ask you to state your name for the public and limit your
comments to five minutes or less. Wendy.
Ford: Hi, I'm Wendy Ford, Economic Development Coordinator and I have a little bit
of an update on, uh ... uh, opposition surveys, or petitions, that have come in. The
numbers now are, uh, against, uh, the property owners or people opposing the
SSMID, uh, who have signed represent, uh, 19.5% of those property owners.
The, uh, value that those signers represent is 24.5 %. One thing that was in error
in the comment and I want to ... I want to make sure that you have this understood
is that in, uh, for an opposition petition to count either the 25% threshold or, uh,
the 40% threshold on, uh, ownership or valuation will be enough to, uh, reach that
threshold. Sorry I'm stepping over my words a little funny. Um, so um ... since
we haven't reached 25% on either, uh, of those ... we're fine. If we reach 25 %,
then you'll have to have a unanimous vote. If they reach 40% in either category,
then that will be enough to end the discussion.
Dilkes: Almost. I think that, um ... it's ... it's complicated. Actually on the 25 %, both have
to apply. On the 25% both have to apply to require un ... a unanimous vote. For
... for the 40 %, either one — property owners or value.
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Page 25
Ford: Okay, thank you.
Wilburn: Any quest ... further questions of Wendy? Thanks for that clarification. Uh, if a
member of the public would like to, uh, address the Council, please sign and state
your name for the public record and please limit your comments to five minutes
or less.
Murphy: Um, my name's Joe Murphy. Uh, been in business downtown Iowa City now for
three years with this current business, uh, running the TCB Pool Hall and Iowa
City's original business incubator, the Hall Mall, um ... we are not the property
owner; however, we pay all the taxes, do all the maintenance, uh, take care of the
property at 114 E. College Street. Um ... I pay property taxes of $38,000, roughly,
a year. Um ... yeah, this is an undue burden on us. It'd raise our taxes by another
$3,200 as I have it figured; if I'm incorrect please feel free to correct me, anyone!
Um ... I can pay a lot of bank notes off with that money. Um ... the biggest
problem I have is we have no say in this. We are not of record with the city, um,
because we aren't the property owner, even though with the triple -net lease, we're
required to pay for everything. Um ... this is bad ... law to start with, um ... and you
know most ... a lot of businesses downtown don't even know that they're going to
get their property taxes jumped. Uh ... no member of the City contacted me to ask
our opinion on it, uh ... what we thought about it. I was asked to go to a Chamber
of Commerce, or Downtown Association meeting by someone else who's aware
of this, and ... the representative of the SSMID was telling people that it's a
contribution, not a tax. And uh ... I got a little heated at that but uh ... uh, there was
wrong information being given out by the people in favor of this. Um ... but
anyone, uh...reading the, what they what to do is they want to use the money to
develop and manage business retention of...you don't do that. You make things
easier for people to be in business in downtown Iowa City, which would come out
of this room right here. I don't understand how, you know, somebody can do
that. Um ... the other thing they're going to do is they want to help increase the
park -n -shop, bus -n -shop program. Well, who's against that? Nobody! That's a
win! Um, but for that to work for me, I need to have the buses running til 2:30 in
the morning, um ... that's not cost effective. It'd be stupid to do. But ... still if...if
it's going to benefit me, that's something that would have to happen. Um, it also
would do special events creation and help run the events. Well, I'm in the concert
sound and light business so I wouldn't have any problem with that. I think it's
a ... that part of it's a great idea, but uh ... it's my money going away that's, um ... I
can't afford to give away. Um, this new thing would have $205,000 payroll, if
I've read the information correctly. Um ... Karen, is that correct?
Wilburn: I ... I'd ask you to address your Council (both talking)
Murphy: Oh, I'm sorry, okay. I just want to be correct. I don't want to, um, well,
I've ... my inference from what I've read is that they have $205,000 being the
expense of operating the thing with a $100,000 roughly to spend on making it
work. Um ... that doesn't make sense to me. Um, I wish I had a $205,000 payroll
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Page 26
for my business, uh ... you know, it's ... anyway, I don't understand what we need
in downtown Iowa City. The hotels are full. Buildings are rented. Um ... if the
Council would, you know, it's... building owners can rent any property they want,
if they would negotiate on price. There's no reason for a property to be empty.
Um ... you know, I've ... I don't get that one. Uh, you know ... really if the City
wants to work on something, uh, where're the stores in the Peninsula
neighborhood that the former City Council said was going to happen? Um, I
don't see any retail up there, and the last thing we need is the City Council and
City helping and hurting business more in Iowa City. If you really want to help,
forget about raising taxes. Offer tax breaks to businesses that have been in
business in Iowa City. If somebody's been here say ten years for the same
location, same owners, um, give `em a 10% tax break some year. Uh ... that's how
you're going to help ... that's how you're going to retain business and make people
come to Iowa City. Raising taxes isn't going to help a new business start in
downtown Iowa City. It just makes things more expensive. Urn ... if you really
want to help, uh ... you want to start a new program south, you call it the
Riverview, River Crossings, something. The first map, picture of that I saw, the
businesses that exist there are gone. They're wiped off the map. They're now a
park. That doesn't...
Wilburn: Mr. Murphy, uh, you have about one more minute left and I would ask you to
keep your comments to (both talking) self - supported municipal improvement
district (both talking)
Murphy: ...I am saying that ... that you want to ... okay. You talk about downtown Iowa
City, this thing wanting to retain and bring new business in, when you're doing
things that are contrary to that publicly, it doesn't give much credence to that.
Um ... the other thing is, you know, University, how involved are they? Um, are
they very involved, not at all involved, they're throwing some money at it. But
uh, I question having Mike Wright and Susan Mims voting on this because
Mike's a University employee. Susan's husband gets a nice paycheck from the
University, um, that should be a conflict of interest, uh, as far as I'm concerned.
Um, you know, Iowa City will work best if the City Council stays out of it. And,
let's business people buy and sell honestly and take care of their customers. Any
questions?
Wilburn: Thanks for your comments this evening.
Murphy: Okay. Thank you, Ross.
Wilburn: Okay. K Would anyone else care to speak to the self - supported municipal
improvement district in front of the Council, and please limit your comments to
five minutes or less, please.
Kohl: Hi. I'm Judy Pfohl on Abbey Lane, and actually I came for another topic but
since this is up ... um, I assume this is related to the survey that was sent out to the
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different neighborhoods and by emails, uh ... asking what types of things we
would want downtown and if this is, urn ... related to that survey, I'm very
concerned that the only things it was looking at was having the downtown area be
an exact duplicate of every town you can find with all of the chain stores. It..if
this is looking at something where you're going to be hiring somebody who will
try to make the town unique and work with things, I could ... I could understand
that, but if it's going to be the same philosophy as ... let's just bring in more of the
chain stores, I don't think that's going to help the downtown and I don't think
spending a lot of money for it to ... have us be the same cookie -cutter as
everywhere else is ... is going to be useful to Iowa City.
Wilburn: Thanks for your comments. Would anyone else care to speak to ... this issue?
Okay. Open up for Council discussion.
Mims: Nothing.
Bailey: I remain supportive.
Wright: I'll be continuing to support this, as well, and this is a, you know, this is ... um...
an initiative that began from the business owners in the downtown. This will be
directed by a board consisting of the business owners downtown and so if this
goes through, I would encourage you to get involved in that board. You can have
some ... uh, a voice in shaping the direction of how ... of how this moves and it
does have a, what is it a two -year sunset?
Mims: Four year.
Wright: Four years sunset so ... it's ... if it goes through it won't be forever.
Wilburn: And the only other piece that I would add is that, um, by State law, uh, this is a
tool, economic development tool. It is a self - supported tax that, uh, as Mike
indicated, um, the folks are asking to have done for improvements in that district
and to continue to enhance opportunities that have come up through, uh, over the
years in Iowa City, urn ... keep things moving forward!
Bailey: I think what should be added to Mike's comments is business owners have come
forward. Not all of them are building owners, so it's a ... it's an impressive mix of
people who are willing to tax themselves.
Wright: Good distinction!
Wilburn: Okay. Roll call. Uh, passes 4 -0 with Dickens, Champion, and Hayek, uh,
abstaining due to a conflict of interest. This was second consideration. We will
have third consideration at the next (both talking)
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
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Mims: So moved.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Mims, seconded by Bailey to accept correspondence. All those in
favor say aye. Opposed same sign. Carries 4 -0.
Hayek: Thank you, Ross.
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ITEM 12. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9, "MOTOR
VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC," CHAPTER 1, "DEFINITIONS,
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC
PROVISIONS," SECTION 1, "DEFINITIONS;" AND AMENDING TITLE
9, "MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC," TO ADD A NEW CHAPTER
11, AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT, TO ALLOW FOR RED
LIGHT AUTOMATED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT. (FIRST
CONSIDERATION)
Champion: I'd like to move that we defer this til after the first of the year. Um, since there is
some dissention on this Council about these lights and that we'll have three new
Council Members, and it seems foolish to me, um, to use any more staff time on
this until we know there's actually four votes to support it.
Mims: I'll second that.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, uh, to defer until after the first of the year; seconded by
Mims. Discussion?
Dickens: I would go for the deferment, but I'd also say that, uh ... just today I went to cross
Burlington Street twice and was almost hit because people going through red
lights. I think it's something we really need to consider. Even deferring it, I think
it's a ... it's a very important thing for safety. If...if it's just a break -even deal, I
don't care if the City makes money. That's the last of my concerns. It's ... it's
watching people almost get hit every day.
Champion: Well I saw somebody run a stoplight, a stop sign, at uh, Oakland and Court today
and I almost got hit. Are we going to put cameras there too?
Dickens: If it needs to be, eventually.
Wright: Eventually!
Champion: Anyway, I'm just moving to defer it til after January first.
Dickens: That's fine, but I do think it's very important. It's known as a safety, and I don't,
you know, if it's break -even with that company, fine. The rest of the money can
go to charity or wherever it needs to go, but uh ... I think it's very important.
Mims: I'm agreeing with Connie from the perspective of ... not necessarily pro or con,
and I'll have to admit I'm still somewhat up in the air on this issue, uh, but I think
with three new Council Members to go ahead and start the approval process and
have staff starting to negotiate a contract, um, if we're not even going to get it
approved, then we might as well wait til we've got the people here who are going
to do the final reading and the approval of a contract, if we get that far... rather
than switching personnel in the middle of a vote.
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Bailey: Yeah, the votes would... split, wouldn't they?
Mims: They would. I mean, even if we got this approved, we're not going t have a
contract before the new Council is in place, and they could then refuse to accept
the contract. So I just ... I think it makes sense from that standpoint to defer.
Bailey: And it makes sense that this is the Council's been sort of mulling this over, I
mean, I ... I have been somewhat, you know, wishy -washy about this issue too, but
I do ... I've come to agree with Terry that it's a safety issue, and since we're
focusing on red -light cameras, but certainly understand that, you know, a third
reading with a new group could really put a wrench in it.
Mims: Right.
Hayek: And I can support the motion, only because, uh, what really matters in this
process is approval of a contract which we aren't even close to seeing, um ... and it
...it, to the extent that what's up tonight is essentially a gut check on interest in
proceeding, um ... that it's appropriate to do so after the first of the year with...
with the new Council, but I ... I am, and I talked to the City Manager about, you
know, why is this on here tonight and ... and the ... the response makes sense to me,
which is that it ... this is when ... this is when it was ready to come forward to us,
and to take action or ... or to ... to move it out, uh, affirmatively on ... those on staff
whose job it is to set these up would in itself be a political decision, and so I think
it's appropriate that it is before us tonight and it's appropriate for us to make the
call whether to proceed with it, so I just wanted to ... sort of recognize why it's
even here in late 2011.
Champion: Well, I'm hoping all you will come to see my way of view by January.
Bailey: Well, for some of us it won't matter!
Hayek: Okay, all those in favor. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 6 -1, Wright in the
negative, uh, and this will be taken up after the first of the year.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Wilburn: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Mims. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. (mumbled) to accept correspondence passes, uh, 7 -0.
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ITEM 14. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND POLICIES.
Hayek: Uh, we've been asked, uh, by staff to, or no, wait. We talked about this last night.
Bailey: Move to defer to (both talking) December 6. (laughter)
Wilburn: Second.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Uh, motion from, uh, Bailey, seconded by Wilburn to, uh, defer to December 6 th
Discussion?
Bailey: As I indicated last night, I think that the committee needs to look at this addition
to the urban renewal bond a little bit ... urban renewal revenue notes, um, we've
heard from some developers and I think we need to take it under a little bit
additional consideration and bring a recommendation to the Council on the 61n
Hayek: And I think we're scheduled to do that on the 2nd as a ED Committee (several
responding)
Bailey: Yes, so we can ... we can do it.
Hayek: All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
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ITEM 17. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A REVISED SCHEDULE
OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICES
AND PROGRAMS.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Wright: Second.
Hayek: Motion from Champion, seconded by Wright. Discussion?
Champion: I think Mike made an interesting point last night when he asked the question
about what percentage the fees cover the actual cost, and do you remember what
that was exactly?
Wright: It was 48.3 or something like that... percent.
Champion: I think it's good for the public to know.
Hayek: Mike Moran, the Director of the department is here.
Moran: Greetings. Uh yeah, it was 48.35 %, uh, and that will go up to 50 when we add
two fees to it that we'll bring to you later on, uh, this spring. Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks, Mike. Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 18. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION REPEALING RESOLUTION NOS. 07 -261,
07-202,96-59,09-196,99-379,11-66, AND 11 -231 AND CONSOLIDATING
THE CONTRACTUAL AUTHORITY DELEGATED FROM THE CITY
COUNCIL TO THE CITY MANAGER IN SAID EARLIER
RESOLUTIONS INTO ONE RESOLUTION AND MAKING CHANGES
TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED TO THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN
CONTRACTS AND AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURES FOR CAPITAL
OUTLAY, COMMODITIES AND OPERATING SERVICES.
Wright: Move adoption.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Wright, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Roll call ... go ahead.
Dilkes: Just, um, I made a minor change in the resolution. I didn't pass it out to you just
because the competitive quote, um, threshold has changed for public
improvements but...
Hayek: Okay.
Dilkes: ...not a big change. Just wanted you to know about it.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 21. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: We'll start down on your end, Terry.
Dickens: Uh, first of all I'd like to invite everyone down to celebrate the seasons in
downtown Iowa City, starting Friday night the second and all day Saturday. Uh,
there'll be numerous events. It'll be publicized, uh, just come down and enjoy
things for all ages, uh, the Muppet Movie, the original one, will be playing at the
Englert, so it's a great time to come down. Secondly, I'd like to congratulate
Regina on their second state, or uh, second straight state title in Class II -A
football.
Champion: I thought you meant Regenia Bailey (laughter and several talking)
Bailey: ...retire from football now! (laughter)
Hayek: You playing both offense and defense, I mean (several talking and laughing).
Bailey: I would like to bring you greetings, uh, Mayor, from the Mayor of Seoul.
Hayek: Good golly!
Bailey: I know, it's heavy, and I carried it on a plane so you should appreciate that! And,
this from the conference, uh, the UNESCO Creative Cities Conference. I did
prepare a memo for you all. I won't read it. It's a couple of pages. Um, but I just
wanted to let you know it was a very beneficial trip. I think that there's really
good collaboration going on with the Cities of Literature, and we met together and
great opportunities to talk about what's happening and there's some ideas that
came from that, um ... I think also we should look at what more we can do with
cultural tourism, and I'm taking this as an umbrella City of Literature is, um, a
description of our culture that we work very closely with the University. So I also
include sort of the attractions of sports into sort of cultural tourism and I think we
should really make that part of our economic development policies, and then
insofar as the city, um, identifying and being proud of this designation, which you
know, I see so many people with it on their business cards throughout the world,
this designation. I think that we should do a little bit more, as we can, in cost -
effective ways to brand ourselves, put it on the business cards, link um, make a
link from our web site to the City of Literature organization web site. So, um, I
outlined some of those in ... in the memo so I really appreciate the opportunity. I
want to thank Josh Schamberger and the CVB board for allowing me to go
because they provided the funding and I really do appreciate your flexibility in
rescheduling these meetings so I wouldn't miss my primary responsibilities of
being a City Council Member. So, um, it was a great, uh, trip. And I'm really
sorry (several talking and laughing) but you need to get a chain like the Lord
Mayor of Dublin. I think that that would be a good look! (laughter)
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Hayek: Well, you ... you were an excellent ambassador from the city on such an occasion
and uh, you know, your leadership helped put together this organization locally,
uh, to begin with so ... you're ... should I open these, I mean, what...
Bailey: Those are books, um, Seoul is the City of Design and those are books outlining, in
fact I think some of our Planning Department might be interested in looking
through those. There's also something you might want to take home in there. I
think it's a stuffed thing.
Hayek: Single malt (laughter)
Bailey: No, I think it's for the shorter people in your household (laughter)
Hayek: All right! I don't want to take up too much TV time here but uh ... oh, very
beautiful!
Bailey: Yeah, that's the (several talking) yeah, the porcelain figurine that was developed,
uh, the ... the, a mascot, of Seoul!
Hayek: Wonderful! Great! This is great and I'll accept these on behalf of the City and
thank you for making the trip.
Bailey: Thank you!
Hayek: How you going to follow up on that, Ross? (laughter)
Wilburn: I don't know! I'll have to jump back to Human Services' stuff I guess (laughter).
I want to just, uh, thank and congratulate the American Cancer Society. Uh, they
had their "Dancing for the Stars," uh, fundraiser for the Russell and Gerten
American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Iowa City (mumbled) folks when
they're coming to the community for treatment at the University of Iowa
Hospitals for cancer, uh, just a wonderful facility. Uh, thanks to all the stars who
participated, but just well done, and thank you for all the contributions that folks
gave, and will continue to give to that organization. Uh, that's it!
Wright: I can't really top Regenia and all the rest so I'll just wish people a Happy
Thanksgiving, safe travels, and be sure to cook your turkey up to 170 degrees!
(laughter)
Champion: Make sure you cook your turkey, cause at my house one time it didn't get cooked!
(laughter) But have a great Thanksgiving! (laughter) It looked great, it just
wasn't cooked!
Mims: Um, just want to publicly thank Linda Schrieber who has done so much for our
downtown area in terms of the plantings, um, on the ped mall and donated I
believe thousands of plants over the years that she has been involved and always
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gives us an annual update and uh, has lots of great ideas and so just really, um,
want to publicly thank Linda for all that she has done and just kind of add to, uh,
Matt's comments at the beginning of the meeting, um, say thank you to Dale and
congratulations and we will miss seeing you over in that seat!
Helling: Thank you (several commenting)
Hayek: Um, sort of dovetailing the Linda Schrieber comments, uh, I think the downtown
holiday decorations are looking good (several commenting) A lot of people were
involved in that and several organizations, so kudos on that!
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ITEM 22. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
Hayek: City Manager?
Markus: I just wish Dale the best in his retirement!
Helling: Susan, following up on your comments, I have to tell you that, you know, Linda
and I have worked together for ... on many things, um, Linda gave me a little
retirement gift. It's a pair of heavy duty gardening gloves (laughing) and so one
of the things I was talking, giving back, I think it's going to be downtown in the
spring (laughter)
Mims: Well, good!
Helling: And I'll be happy to do it!
Mims: Great!
Hayek: You know, Dale, I've got another way you can give back. I refer to Item 19,
which is announcement of commission vacancies (laughter). Got a couple spots
on the Airport Commission if you'd like...
Champion: Steve Atkins said he was going to do it but he never did!
Bailey: I...
Helling: If I'll go out and garden I'll do just about anything (laughter)
Hayek: City Attorney?
Dilkes: I ... I just want to say thank you, Dale. It's been really a pleasure and an honor to
work with you all these years, and you will be sorely missed.
Hayek: City Clerk? Understood. Okay, uh, before we adjourn, Item 23 is an executive
session matter. So I'll read that, consider a motion to adjourn to executive session
to evaluate the professional competency of individuals whose appointment hiring
performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless
or irreparable injury to that individual's reputation, and those individuals request a
closed session. This has to do with reviews for the City Manager, City Attorney,
and City Clerk.
Bailey: Move to adjourn to executive session.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes
7 -0. We will adjourn to executive session at this time.
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