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ITEM 2. OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS — Horace Mann
Elementary
Hayek: Would the students from Horace Mann please come forward.
Karr: Doesn't matter what order. Just come right up here!
Hayek: Don't be shy! Come on down! (laughter) Hi, guys! Welcome to the City
Council meeting. I'm Matt Hayek, I'm the Mayor, and this is the City Council
behind you and we work with, uh, the staff down here to help run the city and do
all the things that cities do, and it's a great honor for us to have you here. Uh, one
of the great traditions we have at the City Council is to invite leaders from all of
the elementary schools in Iowa City to come talk to us, uh, during the school year,
and uh, I know you've been briefed by your parents and teachers on how this
works, but what we'll do is I'll hand the microphone to each one of you and ask
you to tell us a little bit about yourself, and then I have an award that I'm going to
read to you. So, why don't we start with you?
Murray: Hi, my name is Kate Murray. Being a good citizen is part of everyday life.
Here's some things that I think mean that you are a good citizen. You are kind
and polite to others and respect their wishes. In class when I'm working with
others, even if their ideas aren't my first choice, I listen respectfully and try to
compromise. You can help people who are not as lucky as you, as much as you
can. My Girl Scout troop has collected food for the Crisis Center, and we rang
the bell at a Salvation Army bucket to collect money to help people, and when I
see a Salvation Army bucket, I ask my parents for money to put in them. You
should also be responsible. I make sure I practice my piano and cello and finish
my homework every night. I walk my dog, even on cold days when I don't want
to. I also make sure I go to school early when I have safety patrol to help make
sure students get to school safely. These are things I do in my everyday life. As
some might say, it is a recipe to being a good citizen. (applause)
Randle - Estes: Hi, my name is Destini. I have two brothers and sisters. Their names are
Diamond, Daizianna, Dionte, and Pug. I have a little dog named Scruffy and he is
fluffy. When I'm not really doing anything I like to sing to myself or to my
sisters. Two of my favorite classes are math and writing. If I have free time I
write and write until I can't write any more. I love shopping, going to movies.
When I'm at home I watch Channel 253. That's the Lifetime Channel. I'm a
funny, cheerful, and kind person. I help others if needed and I help be a leader.
I'm also good at making friends. An example of those things is one time in the
P.E. class there was a team that needed another person and on that team ... and on
the team I was on I was ... there was too many. So by myself I decided to go to
that team. Another example is in math class. I help other students by being a
peer coach. Some of the school activities I am ... I am in are safety patrol and
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formal meeting of December 6, 2011.
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student council. I have enjoyed telling you about myself and before I go I would
like to say thank you for this award and have a great evening. (applause)
Gidal: Hi, I'm Lottie Gidal. I'm in 5th grade and I'm one of the representatives from
Horace Mann. I'd like to thank my classmates for voting for me and thank my
school for being the best one there is. You guys are the best! (laughter) One
thing I like doing is being involved in a lot of activities. I've gotten to go
horseback riding at Wintry Farm, be on a robotics Lego team called the
`ManBots,' and made up a program about enjoying nature called (mumbled)
nature experience.' I participated in a horse show where the price of each class
was food to be donated to people unable to provide for themselves, and at school
I'm in an acting club, and last year I got to help out with the special ed kids in
P.E. Once again, I really want to thank my school, my classmates, and my
teacher for simply being the best. (applause)
Hayek: Well we've had some good presentations thus far but I'm seeing some nodding
faces. I think you guys may have set the bar about as high as we've seen thus far
(several talking) just wonderful! Just wonderful, and you know, uh, the people up
here who serve on the City Council did the kinds of things back when they were
your age that ... that you're doing, safety patrol, Girl Scouts, being leaders in their
schools, and it's so important because you set an example in your school with
your fellow students and your friends, and they see you doing these things and...
and it's infectious. You're going to show other people what it takes and what it
means to be a leader in your community. We hope that you continue to do that as
you get older in the school system and ... and do things out into ... in the
community, and uh, it's ... it's just so great to see this, and I want to recognize
your parents and your teachers and ... and other people in your lives who have
helped you. I suspect they've had something to do with all the things you ... you
have accomplished. So, uh, I just want to congratulate you for that. I have a ... a
Citizenship Award, uh, and there's one for each of you, and I'll read it. It goes as
follows: Citizenship Award, for her outstanding qualities of leadership within
Horace Mann Elementary, as well as the community, and for 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, December 2011. Kate (mumbled) congratulations! I'm going to
shake your hands. The most important thing (applause).
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ITEM 3. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
b) MidAmerican Energy Company Community Grant Presentation
Hayek: Okay, the next item, uh, is a MidAmerican, uh, special presentation. I've been
told to stay up here.
Karr: MidAmerican Energy Company community grant presentation. Michelle Payne
is here representing MidAmerican.
Payne: Good evening, Mayor, Council! (laughter) I'm here, um, as the liaison between
MidAmerican and the City Council and the City of Iowa City for the last time!
(laughter) Tonight I'm presenting a check to the City Council and to Marcia
Bollinger and to, uh, Kelsey from the University of Iowa Student Government on
a project that the City and the Student Government is doing together, and I'll let
Casey explain the program.
Zlevor: Hi, my name is Kelsey Zlevor and I'm the `sustainability initiatives advocate' for
Student Government at the University of Iowa. Um, I have my notes so I don't
forget, but um, we've been .... this project was actually started last year so this is
the second time it's, uh, running through, but the first time, um, it was run by
Chris Page and he did an awesome job, and just a little bit about the program was
what we did, we distributed light bulbs, um, eco- friendly light bulbs to low -
income housing in Iowa City, and the benefits of that are, um, the idea that it
saves electricity and these light bulbs typically, um, last about five years so
there's a lot of energy savings there, as well as monetary savings and we're doing
it this year, um, I would like to do it with the University's `earth month,' or `earth
week.' We have a lot of great initiatives going on then, and um, the whole idea is
to kind of get students involved and volunteering and going and distributing these
light bulbs, helping out the community, and um, overall I'm really excited and
thank you so much for your support! Um, we're trying to really bridge the gap
between the City and the University because I think so much of that is inner -
related so this is just another step we're taking to try and bridge the gap, get
everyone involved and it's great press for us. It's great press for you, and overall
I think it builds a stronger, um, bond between the community and the University.
So...
Bollinger: And I'm Marcia Bollinger. I'm the Neighborhood Services Coordinator for the
City, and thanks, Michelle, and thanks, Kelsey. Um, as you mentioned, we did
this project last year and um, there were over 500 CFO light bulbs distributed,
um, both to Forestview Mobile Home Park and Ecumenical Towers, and that's
where I come in. I assist in locating, um, neighborhoods or areas that most, uh,
most might be in need of this type of thing and um, I think you had dozens and
dozens of students out there, hand - delivering these to the neighborhoods, so yeah,
connecting the University with the neighborhoods, um, has been a real positive
thing.
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Hayek: And let me just say for the City, I ... these kind of collaborations are so important,
as you have stated, but it's not just a ... a feel -good exercise. This produces a
tangible product for the benefit of the community and what better way to help
people and then build these, uh, connections between UISG and the City and
everybody else, uh, who ... who was involved. So thank you for your time. Thank
you, uh, and your employer for your (laughter) your support, and Marcia, thanks
for everything you do for our neighborhoods. So, congratulations! (applause)
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ITEM 5a. (ADDITIONS)
Hayek: We do have a couple additional items outside of Item 4 for the Consent.
Champion: (mumbled) amendment, um ... to the Consent Calendar, I'd like to move adoption
of Item 4.d(f) and 4.d(8) ... (7) ... 4.d(7) and 4.d(8).
Karr: Just for the record, we will not be including them in the Consent Calendar.
We've deleted them so we're just going to treat them as item 5. 5.a. So we'll just
adopt them as presented as Item 5.a.
Champion: Move adoption of 5.a.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Motion from, uh, Champion, seconded by Mims. Discussion? I'm going to
recuse myself. I have a law partner who's involved on a couple of those items,
which is why we pulled this item out. So I won't be voting on it. Item passes 6 -0,
Hayek abstaining.
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ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
B) REZONING THE MIDAMERICAN SUBSTATION AND
CONDITIONALLY REZONING APPROXIMATELY .42 -ACRES
OF LAND LOCATED AT 221 N. LINN STREET, 225 N. LINN
STREET AND 223 E. BLOOMINGTON STREET FROM
NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTIAL STABILIZATION (RNS -12) TO
CENTRAL BUSINESS SERVICE (CB -2). (REZ11- 00012)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: Before we open the public hearing, am I correct in that we don't have the final...
Davidson: We do not have a signed CZA at this time.
Hayek: Okay. So what this means is this item will, uh, we will open this up for a public
hearing, uh, and anyone who wants to comment on it can do so. At ... once we've
run out of comments, we will continue the public hearing, uh, to a later date
because we don't have a required signature on one of the underlying documents,
and then the Council will not be taking any action on this tonight. Okay, so I will
open the public hearing at this time. (bangs gavel) Uh, as an initial matter, are
there any ex parte communications that Council should disclose? (several
responding) Okay. Jeff?
Davidson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and good evening, uh, Members of the City Council, I'm
Jeff Davidson, the Director of Planning and Community Development. This was
a matter initially considered two City Council meetings ago where you defeated a
proposal at that time, uh, for a rezoning. A proposal to rezone properties from
RNS -12 to CB -2, and after... following that action, you had a joint meeting with
the Planning and Zoning Commission and did indicate some provisions by which
you might be willing to reconsider the project, uh, at the intersection of
Bloomington and Linn, and I'm here very briefly to, uh, review that with you.
Uh, we have received a revised plan from the, uh, applicant. Uh, the three items
that you asked to have considered in a ... in any reconsidered proposal would be
the redesign of the Bloomington Street side. You had some concerns about how
that Bloomington Street side related to the remainder of the neighborhood on
Bloomington Street. That being the more residential side of the facility, the Linn
Street side being the more commercial side. Uh, you asked that universal design,
uh, provisions be, um ... uh, be assumed in the building and the developer has
indicated that that will be the case, and I believe, you may ask for clarification
from Mr. Allen, but I believe all of the units will have universal design provisions
built into them, the residential units. You also asked, and I'm not positive if I
have a ... yes, you can see it here ... that a comprehensive, we have three properties.
This ... this being the subject property. We have three properties here,
immediately north, across the street that ... that have, um, that ... that are landmark
buildings that could be designated, uh, basically they're historically significant
buildings and you asked to have a Comprehensive Plan line which includes them
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right now in the Northside Marketplace commercial district to exclude them, uh,
and basically run that line up and then over, and that action is pending at the
Planning and Zoning Commission right now. That Comprehensive Plan action
that you requested is pending at Planning and Zoning, and will eventually come to
you for the ultimate decision. Uh, so in terms of the specific proposal, this is the
Linn Street side, the east elevation, which is unchanged, uh, from the original
proposal, and then this is the Bloomington Street side, the north- facing side that
you considered, uh, at your meeting, uh, and indicated that you would like to see
some changes to the, uh, and this is the side that has residential units here and
entrance to, uh, parking at this ... at this point. Uh, the revision that you see is a
step down of the unit, uh, going from three- stories to two - stories... adjacent to the
remainder of the residential neighborhood here. Uh ... let's see, that's the west
elevation in the back. You can see then from the back, again just trying to show
you the original west elevation. This would be facing the, uh, the alley, uh, or
excuse me, would be facing west, uh, and then what that shows with the, uh, third
story taken out of the piece, uh, immediately to the west. So, uh, again, any
questions about the three things you asked about and what the status of those are,
uh, before you continue the remainder of your hearing? Uh, the Conditional
Zoning Agreement then which has not ... is essentially the same agreement. Uh, it
refers to a, uh, generally consistent with a site plan and building plans, well, they
would now be these sites plans and building plans would be the only difference,
but otherwise the wording of the Conditional Zoning Agreement remains... would
remain the same. Any further questions for me?
Bailey: I do have one question about this new design.
Davidson: Pardon me?
Bailey: I do have a question about the (both talking)
Davidson: Oh, yes!
Bailey: Um, what's ... I was particularly interested in the commercial. This certainly has
an impact on the commercial... space, doesn't it? What is it?
Davidson: Um ... well, as ... as mentioned.... okay, the east elevation here shows the
commercial storefront spaces on the... the... the ground floor level.
Bailey: Right.
Davidson: Um ... Bob Miklo who is more familiar with the redesign, working directly with
the applicant did indicate to me, and I will ask Mr. uh Allen to correct this if it's
...if it's inaccurate but uh Bob did tell me that originally on the Bloomington
Street side, um, the commercial space included the, excuse me, the commercial
space included the first two floors, and now just includes the first floor, with this
being converted to residential, and again, I'll ask Mr. Allen to correct that if that's
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incorrect, but that this would be the only space that went from commercial to... to
residential. Oh, I ... I should say, the net effect of this is a reduction of two
bedrooms. Two two - bedroom units become two one - bedroom units. So it's a
reduction from 30 bed ... it's still 17 units, but it's a reduction from 30 bedrooms
to 28 bedrooms. That's the net effect of the proposed change.
Bailey: And a reduction of commercial.
Davidson: Yes. Any further questions?
Mims: Well, it's not actually a reduction in square footage, is it, cause wasn't that just
open, two floors?
Davidson: Jessie, could you clarify?
Bailey: I think it could have been live /work. I think you're right, I mean, it was an
optional.
Allen: Hi, I'm Jessie. Um, on the first plan it was basically a two -level ceiling so it was
just a taller ceiling. So what we did is we just put a floor over that at the 14 -foot
height and just put that residential unit over there, so we're not losing any...
Mims: Not losing any square footage for commercial.
Davidson: And it's ... and it still meets the office development standards that we have for the
first floor spaces.
Mims: Okay.
Bailey: So the impact is just a different configuration. It's not a loss. Okay. That ... thank
you.
Davidson: Any further questions... before you continue your hearing? Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks, Jeff. There may be some...
Dilkes: I ... I should just clarify too is this ... the revised CZA does correct the number of
bedrooms cause that changed.
Hayek: Okay. And ... and before we move on, I need to ask the people near the door to try
to clear away from it, just for fire exit purposes. We get in trouble with the
department... so if you could just try to keep the door clear. Thank you! Okay,
are there others who would like to address the Council during the public hearing
on this item? And we will keep our, uh, five minute rule in place, uh, as ... as we
do with all things. Thank you.
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Thomas: I thought I...John Thomas with the, um, Northside Neighborhood Association. I
thought I would distribute a copy of my comments or statement, just so you have
that to refer to. There's some new information, um, that I'm presenting. In... in
reviewing the summary of the revised building, the total number of dwellings
remains the same as before, 17 units. Thus the density of the dwelling units per
acre remains at 50 units per acre. The bedrooms have been reduced from 30 to
28, a 6.6% reduction. I would like to focus on the 50 unit per acre density of the
proposed building by putting it in the context of Iowa City's residential zoning.
Fifty units are higher than the city's highest residential zone, high- density multi-
family RM -44, which allows 44 dwelling units per acre. Thus we have ... thus we
would be introducing densities on the Blooming... Bloomington Street, an RNS-
12 neighborhood residential stabilization zone, that exceed the highest allowable
densities under any residential zone. To put it simply, the CB -2 central business
service zone would allow downtown residential densities on a neighborhood
residential street. If the CB -2 zoning generates incompatible densities at the
neighborhood edge, what's the alternative? The intent of the neighborhood
commercial zone, CN -1, is described in the City zoning code reads in part as
follows: The purpose of the neighborhood commercial zone, CN -1, is to pro...
promote pedestrian oriented development at an intensity level that is compatible
with surrounding residential areas. And promote principles of site design that are
typical of traditional Main Street design. Allowed uses are restricted in size to
promote smaller neighborhood - serving businesses and to limit adverse impacts on
residential areas. This aptly describes Northside Marketplace. It is quite different
from the intent and character of the central business service zone, which allows
for the orderly expansion of the downtown, and makes no mention of promoting
traditional Main Street design, or limiting the adverse effects on nearby residential
areas, two goals of the 2008 Central District Plan. A critical difference between
the two zones is the allowable residential density. The central business service
allows upper floor residential uses at a density of one unit per 875 square feet.
That is 50 dwelling units per acre, as seen in the proposal. Neighborhood
commercial allows upper floor residential uses at a density of one unit per 1800
square feet, or 24 dwelling units per acre. CB -2 allows over four times the RNS-
12 density. CN -1 would allow twice the density of Bloomington Street's RNS -12
zone. The densities of CN -1 closely match the 20 units per acre density we
advocated for in October with the row house concept. We believe the residential
densely... density allowed under neighborhood commercial, CN -1, is a much
more appropriate model for in -fill development where the commercial zone meets
the residential edge at Bloomington Street. The CB -2 residential density would
be more appropriate where Northside Marketplace meets the CB -5 central
business support zone at Market Street. The 20 unit Writer's Square building
across Market Street, for example, has a density of 72 units per acre. In
summation, while we do not object to ground floor commercial on Linn Street up
to Bloomington Street, the proposed building's residential density of 50 units per
acre is clearly incompatible with the RNS -12 residential zoning on Bloomington
Street. We find the neighborhood commercial, NC -1, density of 24 acres, units
per acre, a promising alternative to central business service, CB -2, where the
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Northside neighborhood edge meets the small -scale retail and personal services in
Northside Marketplace. As important, I'm sorry ... the residential density
described in NC -I would preserve the residential integrity of Bloomington Street.
As important, it could also ensure that Northside Marketplace, unique in Iowa
City, will ... will remain distinct from the central business district. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments. Is there anyone else who would like to address
the Council on this item? Okay. I'm going to continue the public hearing at this
time.
Karr: Can we have a motion to accept correspondence?
Hayek: (bangs gavel)
Mims: So moved.
Hayek: (mumbled)
Wilburn: Second.
Hayek: Motion from Mims, seconded, uh, by Wilburn. Discussion? Those in favor say
aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Bailey: Do we need a motion to defer that?
Karr: We continue the public hearing til January I Otn
Bailey: And then defer first consideration. Do you need ... to do that?
Karr: We ... I'm sorry; we had a motion to accept correspondence. (mumbled) you want
a motion to continue the public hearing til January I Otn
Mims: So moved.
Bailey: Second.
Hayek: Okay, moved by Mims, seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0. So this will be taken up again in January.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
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ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
C) CONDITIONALLY REZONING APPROXIMATELY .88 -ACRES
OF LAND LOCATED AT 2218 ROCHESTER AVENUE FROM
LOW DENSITY SINGLE - FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS -5) TO
LOW DENSITY MULTI - FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RM -12).
(REZ11- 00009)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. Public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Any, uh, ex parte
communications before we get started? (several responding) Okay. Jeff!
Davidson: Good evening again, Mr. Mayor, Members of the City Council. Jeff Davidson,
Director of Planning. And I apologize for not being able to find my notes here.
Uh, the proposal you have ... uh, for the rezoning of, uh ... excuse me. Here we go!
.88 acres from RS -5 low density single - family to RM -12 low density multi-
family. This is located at the intersection of First Avenue and Rochester Avenue,
which you see here on the location map. The rezoning, if approved, would allow
the establishment of multi - family dwellings, and specifically, nine townhouses,
which are proposed for this location. The address is 2218 Rochester Avenue. Uh,
and again as I said, the existing zoning is RS -5 low density single - family
residential. There is currently one dwelling unit, which you see right there, uh,
which would, uh, presumably be removed if the proposed, uh, rezoning is ... is, uh,
is passed. Urn ... this is, obviously, an in -fill parcel, uh, located at the intersection
of two, uh, arterial streets. The Comprehensive Plan does indicate that it is
appropriate for, um, multi - family zoning. Uh, there is multi - family zoning pretty
much surrounding it as you can see, uh, there are some remaining single- family,
two single - family residences here, Regenia High School complex is over here.
Um, the Comprehensive Plan, as I mentioned, does call for all of these single -
family dwellings, that they would be appropriate for multi - family, uh, zoning.
Urn ... this area is on the very edge of the central planning district, which does
mean that because it's, uh, multi- family proposal it would be subject to the design
standards of the central planning district. Uh, in terms of traffic, uh, there ... there
are traffic issues associated with the, uh, intersection of First Avenue and
Rochester Avenue. There is a very heavy peak traffic component to this
intersection, because of Regina being located here. They have a single, uh, single
period in the morning when ... when everybody seems to be coming through
basically two access points. One in each direction at Regina High School. So in
the AM peak it is a busy situation here. Um, the, A ... proposal is to, and I believe
I ... yeah, here. Uh, you can see the nine units that are proposed. They face, uh,
First Avenue. Uh, what is proposed here is to get the driveway that you see here
located as far from the intersection as possible, and to limit the single driveway to
this complex to Rochester Avenue, which has a turn lane on it, as opposed to First
Avenue, which does not have a turn lane and is also on a fairly steep hill. So that
is a ... a condition that is suggested, uh, with the rezoning. We also have
established an access easement, uh, in this area to allow when this property
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redevelops over here, uh, this could be closed and access provided, again, just
getting it a little bit further yet away from the intersection, that at least would be
allowed in the future, uh, with this, uh, condition. Those two conditions, along
with general compliance with the, uh, site plan that you see before you are the
conditions. Uh, this did get quite a bit of discussion at the Planning and Zoning
Commission. There were con... some concerns. Originally what was proposed
was a 12 -plex building, uh, with garages that were very visible. P &Z expressed
some concern about that, and the whole proposal was reconfigured. The garages
are not prominent in the proposal that you see here. Uh, there was concern about
there being a flat facade along the front here, and as you can see that the proposal
is to have a staggered facade. Uh, just provide a little more interest to the
building. There was concern that there is really not, uh, really any places for
spillover parking to occur in this area and that that might impact the neighborhood
commercial zone across the street. So you can see the developer has put, uh,
parking for visitors in this area, and also provided buffering from the single -
family units over here, uh, a little bit additional buffering as to what is required. I
believe it's 12 feet rather than the 10 feet that's required. Um, and then also there
was ... there was a desire expressed to have good pedestrian access from the
sidewalk system, and so you can see, each of the dwellings have a connection
from the First Avenue sidewalk to a front door of the building, even though
obviously for the people who love here, uh, most of their access will be from the
rear through their garages, but nevertheless, good pedestrian accessibility with
this design. So, uh, are there any questions about the proposal that you have
before you?
Champion: Can you go back to that... site plan or whatever you call it.
Davidson: Uh -huh.
Champion: Now ... the buildings are going to face Rochester, is that correct?
Davidson: No, they face First Avenue (both talking)
Champion: Okay, okay, I couldn't quite figure out where they're going to get all that space on
Rochester. Okay. I understand now.
Davidson: Yeah. And I guess, I always like to just real briefly, the ... the three conditions of
the Conditional Zoning ordinance are general compliance with the concept plan,
and remember, we're not talking about building design. Building design will go
through the, uh, central, uh, planning dis ... dis ... central planning district, uh,
design review process, and what that does, there were some questions about that
with the 911 North ... North Governor project last time, exactly what that is. It's a
staff design review committee that sits down with the applicant, determines... an
appropriate architecture for the concept of, you know, the context rather of the
neighborhood, and then once that's agreed to, between staff and the developer,
basically goes through the specific design elements of...to make sure that the roof
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pitch and the windows and those sorts of things meet the standards of that type of
architecture, and we've had a couple of buildings recently, the two buildings on
Burlington Street that face each other up near Summit Street, and a building on
Bowery between Dodge and Gilbert that everybody seems to be pretty pleased
with in the neighborhood, in terms of how those turned out. Those are examples
of buildings that have been through this process. Any further questions?
Bailey: Do we have a broker, um, with Friends of Historic Preservation? I noted in the
notes that the bungalow, the 1930s bungalow is in really good shape, um, which
would be great minimally to salvage, um, some things. Do we ever indicate to
Friends of Historic Preservation that something like this is going to occur and
help them...
Davidson: Yeah, obviously that's a privately owned business, so it's (both talking)
Bailey: Right, I understand that.
Davidson: So it's ... there's nothing stipulated in the CZA that you before you that would
require that. That would be, uh, a matter for the ... the developer to ... to make that
available.
Bailey: Okay.
Davidson: Any further questions?
Bailey: Thanks!
Davidson: Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks, Jeff. Any additional input from the public?
Clark: I'm, uh, James Clark. I'll ... I'll fill in... fill in a little bit more on this. I do have
plans. We actually have gone through the Planning Division and come up with
plans for ... that they're somewhat comfortable with (mumbled). There ... we
changed everything for `em and such. The lot itself would take 14 units
(mumbled) placing nine. These are nine three -story townhouse with the garage
under it. That's one story of it. Um, they have three bathrooms, three bedrooms,
they're good -sized units for the ... for the area. We did put in like ... do we ... do we
have that plot plan again of the, uh ... thank you. Yes, we put a 12 -inch buffer
between us and the neighbor next door. That will be developed some time in the
future, for sure. We do have 12 extra parking spots for the visitors, plus two
behind each unit for the visitors and the garage door. So there's probably, what,
12 plus 18 is 30 ... plus another 18, there's a lot of parking! A lot of parking for it.
Um, the design it does jog in and out like, uh ... uh, Jeff said. It, um ... we did
...we made all the changes that they really wanted in the Planning and Zoning.
We took away the flats and put it back to condominiums. Just suits the area much
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better than just a straight complex of nine, or we had 12 units on it, and we
dropped it back to nine. Um ... the rest of it's ... I have plans on it here that the
City has seen and gone over. I mean, as such ... I'm sorry that Bob's not here
tonight cause he had a few more pieces of information as such. Uh, is there
anything else I can answer for you? What was your question again?
Bailey: Oh, I was just curious about the bungalow that's in such good shape. It ... owning
that, and you work with Friends of Historic Preservation to salvage some of that.
It's so hard to find materials for (both talking)
Clark: Already in the works, yes! We're going to do that. (both talking) Yes, we're
going to salvage what we can of the house. The house may itself be moved
somewhere.
Bailey: Oh that'd be great!
Clark: It's a possibility also. It's a ... it's a nice looking (both talking) it's a nice looking
house so be a shame to ... we know we're going to get most of the parcels out of it
that are of value to somebody for sure.
Bailey: Okay.
Clark: Okay.
Hayek: Okay, thank you. Appreciate your time!
Clark: Excuse me. Do you want ... does it make any difference to you? (mumbled)
Hayek: I think the staff has that and ... okay.
Clark: Thank you.
Bailey: I believe it's nice.
Hayek: Any, uh, additional comments from the public before I close the hearing? Okay,
I'll close the public hearing at this time. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Bailey: Move first consideration.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
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Champion: Well, I think this is the ideal place to increase density. It's on two arterials, two
busy arterials, and um ... I like this plan. I think it's going to be an asset for the
area, unlike some other rezoning we've been talking about.
Wright: I think this is a compatible development for the property.
Dickens: It is ... it's surrounded by ... I think the townhouses is a nice touch, because there is,
um, more apartment -type buildings on both sides, so this is really a nice look for
that area.
Hayek: Yeah, I agree, Terry, good ... with your comments. Further discussion? Roll call,
please. First consideration passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
D) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE 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).
(REZII- 00016) (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Bailey: Move second consideration.
Wilburn: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Wilburn, uh, discussion? As an initial matter
let's, uh, disclose any ex parte communications between the first consideration
and this evening.
Mims: I just talked to Tom Markus the other night, just asking for some more
information, I think Jeff probably has in terms of rental, uh, permits in the area.
Hayek: Okay, and I ... uh ... after first consideration I heard from, uh, John Thomas who
expressed general concern about the impact on the broader single- family context
of that ... of that neighborhood, um ... he sent me a ... document that a student had
done on neighborhoods, uh, I'm embarrassed to say I did not look at before this
evening, um, and he copied me on what's in our packet. So...
Davidson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. (both talking)
Hayek: Sorry, Jeff, just a second. We're not done.
Wright: I had a conversation with John Thomas, as well, uh, I think probably dovetailing
yours fairly closely. Also had a fairly long conversation with, uh, Christina
Reynolds on a run the other morning. We bumped into each other and we just
kept going and had a good conversation! (laughter)
Champion: John did drop off something for me but I did not read it, but I did not have a
conversation with him.
Hayek: Okay. You're going to need to show the substance of that...
Wright: Oh, I'm sorry, the conversation was ... I ... the conversation had to do with the, uh,
the effect of the density on a neighborhood that is primarily, uh, zoned single -
family, uh, the ... possibly that might be an inappropriate development for, uh, that
area.
Hayek: Anybody else? Okay. Jeff.
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Davidson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, again, this is the location... it's the former Health
and Human Services, uh, building on Governor Street. And there was, uh,
additional information that, I didn't realize it came from Susan, but uh, that was
requested this afternoon, and we were able to pull together, and I will tell you we
were able to pull this together because of the affordable housing model
(laughter) ... just able to extract the data out of that, which was kinda nice!
(laughter) What this shows, and again, this is the, uh, proposed... excuse me.
This is the proposed site. That's the actual building right there, and anything you
see here that's a dark blotch is just a building. Okay? More importantly in the
information that was requested is the shading. The shading shows any property
that has a rental permit ... on it. So basically what this shows is the percentage or
...indicates with the green shading properties that have rental permits on them.
So again, the subject property is right here, uh ... uh, Happy Hollow Park is right
here. Um ... and again, this information was just requested and provided. Um,
there ... there was one other thing I wanted to clarify. Last time there seemed to be
some confusion that you didn't have a site plan before you. A site plan's not
required for this action, and a lot of times we show you site plans. We have not
showed you a site plan for this particular project because the site plan that's been
submitted has one of the buildings over a sewer line, and so it's basically a site
plan that can't be constructed, and I didn't want to show you a site plan that...
that can't be constructed. The applicant's indicated that, uh, if approved, and it
was ... first consideration, remember, was approved on a 4 -3 vote, that he would
likely move the sewer line so that, and an easement would be established and then
would ... would, I believe the applicant indicated that there were three buildings,
uh, each with six units, total of 18 units. They're all three- bedroom units.
So ... any other questions for me?
Hayek: Thanks, Jeff.
Davidson: Thank you.
Hayek: Okay. Um, this isn't technically a public hearing but we know there are people
from the public to comment on this, and so at this time we will, uh, invite, uh,
commentary on this item during the discussion. So ... we'll follow the same
routine; if you'd please step forward, sign in, give us your name, limit comments
to five minutes. Thank you.
Thomas: Good evening, John Thomas again, uh, Northside Neighborhood Association.
After hearing tonight's test... testimony I hope Council will agree that the
proposal to build 18 multi -unit three- bedroom homes is not the best fit with the
surrounding Northside neighborhood for a number of reasons. We now have a
chance to repair the neighborhood and even make it better. Many Northside
neighbors and concerned Iowa City residents have signed a petition to that effect.
One of Iowa City's architectural legacies is its fine collection of small, affordable,
single - family homes. The Northside Neighborhood Association's steering
committee welcomes the idea of adding to that tradition by rezoning 911 N.
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Governor as 1.15 acres for a pocket of small single - family residences. Since the
issues of parking and traffic were not addressed in our letter to City Council that
was included in your Information Packets, I wanted to put some numbers to them
as they apply to this part of the Northside. Since Governor and Dodge prohibit
street parking between Brown and North Summit Streets, all residential parking
demand for the nearly 60 properties musts be met either on private property or on
nearby residential streets where parking is permitted. If we assume each of the
bedrooms in the proposed apartment complex require a parking space, 18 cars
will be without one. This will result in residents either using undesignated
parking zones, such as lawn areas or the closest residential streets with available
parking. Since a parking space is about 20 -feet long, 18 cars will require
six ... 360 feet of street parking, roughly the length of a standard Northside block.
The problem is compounded by the fact that the only east -west street in this area
is Brown Street to the south, so walkers often cut through, between residential
properties, when going to or from their car. Add to this the need for visitor
parking and you have a major parking shortage, an impact on private properties.
Apart from the residential parking shortage and the issues related specifically to
this rezoning application, general traffic patterns are of a neighborhood concern.
We ask the Council to consider requesting the MPOJC to look for ways to
improve parking and traffic in this area. The residential streets here are all
adversely affected by the traffic along, and spilling out of, the arterial one -way
concept that was implemented around the same time as the development of the
multi - family and commercial properties. The problems are especially severe
because of the traffic speeds and volume, street layout, and long distances
between traffic signals or stop signs. And I have, urn ... I think about eight pages
of signatures here, uh, I'll just read the um ... the statement. Uh, we support the
redevelopment of 911 N. Governor Street with housing compatible in size and
character with the surrounding neighborhood of North Governor Street and North
Dodge Street, and Dewey Street, which is composed primarily of single- family
homes with some duplexes. We do not support the addition of 18 additional
multi- family units to the existing 39 multi - family units on North Dodge Street.
And then, um ... lastly I'll also distribute to you, uh, a map of the area. It's a little
bit confusing, I think, uh, trying to understand how the streets and the properties
are configured up there. So if you'd like the map, um ... although you had it on
that map up there, I'll distribute that, as well.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Baum: Hi, I'm Jennifer Baum. I live at 814 Dewey Street. And I would strongly
encourage you all to consider rezoning the 911 N. Governor... Governor Street
property as a single- family and some duplex, rather than a multi- family property.
I believe very strongly that it would disrupt the nature of our surrounding
neighborhoods. Adding more small houses to the neighborhood would be wel
...a welcome improvement to our area. Several small houses next to the park
would enhance the use of the park. It would make for a safer, cleaner
neighborhood, because when someone owns a house, they have ownership in the
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surrounding area. There's an issue of traffic increasing. The odds of an accident
at the bottom of Governor hill increased dramatically with every unit built. The
number of cars entering and exiting from 911 would increase. Humans aren't
patient. When they have somewhere to go, like work, at 8:00 each morning, they
aren't going to wait as long as they may have to ... or they aren't going to want to
wait. The higher the number of cars, the better the odds that someone's going to
get hurt. And an accident at the bottom of that hill is particularly troublesome to
clear. And in the winter, if there's ice ... or if the roads are slick, like this morning,
and someone's trying to pull out to get to work on time cause they're running a
little late, and someone's trying to go over the hill, and they're running a little
late, and it's slick. It could be very uncomfortable for people. Brown and Dewey
Streets are brick. They're old, and they're historic as they ... was one of the first
streets paved in the Iowa City, because it got used to the cemeteries. And that's
where you go.
Champion: That's where everybody goes, right? (laughter)
Baum: Um, the more traffic on these streets the harder it is on the streets themselves. As
it is now, cars and trucks speed through at 35 miles or more daily, and that
includes down North Summit, around Dewey Street, and out through Brown, and
down Brown into Dodge. When you get going, down North Summit, which is the
red line and then you make that really sharp curve, and then another sharp curve,
and then another sharp curve ... many individuals think it's a perfect way to
practice their high skills driving. And we get a lot of that up there. More than
you'd think for a neighborhood with so few residents. The accidents caused by
people doing this ... have affected fire hydrants, telephone and electrical poles,
lawns and gardens. I still have marks in my lawn from three years ago when
someone did this. Urn ... street signs, and even once we had an air conditioner
removed from the side of the house because someone missed that turn and went
over the hill and hit Steve Warner's air conditioner away from his house. This...
these accidents... these accidents are expensive to the City, property owners, and
the taxpayers. We've had the ... fire hydrants out there taken out three times in the
last five years and had to have the City come out and repair them each time.
We've had the street sign taken down two or three times. It gets expensive! I'm
not going to talk about what would happen if some child happened to step out into
the street at the wrong time with the increase in (mumbled) traffic and the speeds
that they're going. This is about the nature of our neighborhoods, and a density
population issue. If one increases, the other must decrease. Thanks! Any
questions?
Hayek: Thank you.
Baum: Oh, excuse me, one more thing! Can everyone who's from Deweyville and North
...and Brown Street area hold up your hands. Can anyone who would like this to
be a multi - family dwelling, hold up your hands. Thanks!
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Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Welu- Reynolds: Hi, um, my name is Christina Welu- Reynolds and I live on the Northside of
Iowa City. I've moved three times in Iowa City, and I've never left the Northside.
Um, to start with, I'm not against development. I don't think most people in this
room are against development, but when I hear 18 units, three- bedrooms, how
disheartening for our neighborhood. Three bedrooms pretty much pigeonholes
who's going to be renting there. Okay? Families who can afford a three- bedroom
are going to look at houses to rent instead. College students, most who are
serious, are going to look at one or two bedrooms, not three. Three is generally
three unrelated people. Then you've got three vehicles. We've already heard
there's not enough parking space for this. The surrounding neighborhoods will
pay the price for this. A few weeks ... a week ago in the newspaper I read that the
City Council was looking for stabilization ... was one of the main concerns for our
neighborhoods. I see how this relates to stabilization zero. It doesn't! I think the
average stay of many individuals who s ... who live in three bedroom units is 12 to
15 months. That's not stabilization. That's quick turnover; quick buck for
developers; the neighborhood suffers. The number of people here reflects a huge
concern. We all live there. We know what will happen. Dodge Street, Dewey,
North Summit, and Brown Streets are not equipped to handle another... another 18
unit, three- bedroom apartment complex. The one -ways, the no street parking on
Dodge and Governor means Dewey, North Summit, and Brown Street will pick
up the street parking. Now I understand I don't own the street in front of my
house. But there's also a quality of life we have to expect here. That's one of the
unique things about the Northside. Comings and goings of residents, since there's
not enough parking for them, and then the comings and goings of friends affects
the neighborhood. It affects our quality of life. We're the ones who helped to
make that neighborhood. There's ... a renter is not a dirty word. I understand that.
But owners need to be acknowledged too. At least equally. That area of town is
one of the first places people see when they come into Iowa City. It's one of the
last places they see when they leave. Is this what we would like them to see? I
am entirely jealous of the proposal for Rochester and First Avenue. I would
welcome something like that, at 911 N. Governor Street. We can do better.
Many of us here are feeling ignored. We're looking at many of the other
proposed zoning changes that affect the Northside and it's defeating. Please
consider not allowing this proposal to go as is. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Clark: Good evening, my name is Sarah Clark and I'm actually speaking on behalf of my
neighbor Sheri Degraw at 519 Brown Street. Sherry has childcare duty tonight so
cannot be here so I'm going to read her letter. Dear Council Members, as a
resident of the Northside of Iowa City I am concerned about the rezoning of 911
N. Governor to allow for the construction of a new apartment complex. I look
forward to seeing this property redeveloped with new buildings and new
residents; however, I encourage you to reconsider your decision to zone for RM-
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12 as the construction of a new apartment complex will have a negative impact on
the surrounding historic homes. I have lived on both North Summit and Brown
Streets since 2003. It's been exciting to observe a wave of new residents buying
older homes, fixing them up, and many starting families. A healthy neighborhood
is composed of a mix of owner - occupied and rental properties, and after a long
history of being a neighborhood of mostly rental properties, the ratio is starting to
shift between Brown and North ... North Summit Streets. The 900 blocks of
Dodge and Governor Streets are composed of many smaller rental homes in need
of repair, and it would be wonderful to see some of these homes transformed by
the property owners, thus creating a vibrant neighborhood. If the plan for 911
Governor was to build many small ... to build small dwellings, say cottages,
intended to be owner- occupied I think the current trend of historical
refurbishment would continue. The neighborhood would become cleaned up, so
to speak, and relates to my final reason for preferring owner- occupied dwellings
at this site. In the past two to three years, I've noticed what seems to be a
surprising number of drug arrests in the homes around my home and near the site
of the proposed development. These are all originating out of rental properties. If
the City of Iowa City, developers, and neighbors all work together, the residents
between Brown Street and North Summit Streets will become many ... will
become many would like to see as their first choice as a place to live in Iowa City.
Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely yours, Sherry Degraw, and she
actually then attached a list of... short list of drug and crime activity near Brown
Street but ... you can come and see me afterwards if you're really interested
(laughter)
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Thompson: Hi, I'm David Thompson. I live at 827 Brown Street, so I'm pretty close and I
share a lot of the concerns, um, I'm very nervous so ... in any case, um, I wonder
why it's RM -12. 1 mean, I ... from what I've read, some of the reasoning was...
there are surrounding properties that are ... are zoned, um, higher than residential.
So, uh, that's somewhat of a justification, um, I'm not real familiar with the
zoning, uh, codes but uh ... seems to me RM -12 is too far. Seems tome to justify
it based upon surrounding zones, uh, look at the residential zones. Um, and ... and
it's not justified, and you've gone from something... it's just too far. I ... I'd like to
hear some discussion about that maybe, uh, why ... why it's appropriate to go that
far in changing the zoning in that ... that property. Um ... as far as parking ... I
didn't know that ... there not even enough parking spots to match up the number
of ... of, uh, units that are being rented. Thirty -six units ... are there at least 36
parking spots, plus are there spots for... for guests? Uh... if there're not, I don't
know why you would even consider it. Um ... already from properties, uh, in the
900 block of...of Governor Street, uh, there already are residents there that
routinely park on Brown Street because they're not adequate parking where they
are renting. Uh, I've seen houses on Dewey Street that previously a year or two
previous have been single - family houses that are now turned over to rentals. The
neighborhood is having, is under stress, a little bit. Uh, this will not help. I think
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there's some provisions about a drive ... proper placement of a driveway. Well,
Governor's a one -way street and when people are going down Governor, often
times, almost all the time, you want to turn right when you get to the top of the
hill. Well, a lot of times people are in the left -hand lane thinking I want to get
farther ahead and then turn right. So you're looking over your shoulder, looking
in the rearview mirror ... right at that point, going down the hill. Round a curve.
So, uh, a driveway with that many people is likely to be a problem. Just doesn't
make sense to me. So hope ... hope you'll really consider things before you... you
take the wrong action on this and ... thank you.
Hayek: Thank you, sir. Anyone else?
Bowers: Good evening, my name is Sally Bowers. I live at 931 North Summit. We two
years ago had the fortune of moving into the lovelies neighborhood. We call it
Deweyville. It's very small. It's lovely. It's a beautiful place to live. We took a
triplex, it's zoned commercial. We are trying to turn this back into our single -
family house. Right now we rent out the upstairs until some time that we can
afford to turn it back into just us. My immediate concern is ... the natural shortcut
coming from the north, from North Dodge, from ACT, from the interstate, past
Hy -Vee, past the dairy ... to this ... to this proposed construction. The natural
shortcut would be to turn onto North Summit, at the ... at the Hilltop and as other
people have said, many zigzags through Dewey and onto Governor. Right as
people go past my house is when they're going the fastest. This is already for
reasons I don't know why considered a shortcut. That is going to increase. I keep
my three- year -old out of the street. My neighbors help me do that. But she's
three. This is my concern. More cars, more traffic, more worry. We don't need
it. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Bishop: Good evening, my name is Joel Bishop. I live at 819 Dewey Street. Um...
interesting terminology that we use for these developments. Multi - family. It
sounds very pleasant. It's an apartment complex, basically. And there's nothing
wrong with that. I lived in an apartment on Dubuque Street for years. But, uh,
one of this size in this area ... aside from traffic issues, uh, is going to bring a lot of
movement of people in and out of that building. It's ... I imagine it's going to have
very high turnover rate, and... something that needs to be considered in this is... is
the possibility of an increase in crime. Now we've already been a victim of
criminal acts on Dewey Street. We've had cars drive down from Hilltop and
smash into other cars. We've had people driving in excess of 55 miles an hour on
a 25 mile per hour street. Um ... we had a car broken into several times. Uh,
we've had money stolen from cars. And ... part of this is because the area can be
used as a ... a cross - through zone, especially coming up from Governor Street.
And if you add ... uh, 18 units of this type with that kind of turnover you're simply
increasing the chance that that activity will increase. It's ... it's not a viable idea.
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It's not a necessary idea. I ... I cannot believe that this area cannot be ... zoned in
such a way, and controlled, for better housing development than this. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you.
Throgmorton: Hi. I'm Jim Throgmorton. As you know I'm an incoming Council Member so I
don't feel like I can speak, uh, at length with regard to this and I wouldn't want to
anyhow right at this moment, but uh ... uh ... I should also say I ... my address is 714
N. Linn Street, Apt. 8. Uh, I just want to say, uh, in order to be fair to the
developer and to the neighbors, uh, that I have many, uh, concerns and questions
about this particular project, which uh, in the proper circumstances I will
elaborate upon, uh, I won't do it here. I also want to say in the spirit of full
disclosure, that my wife lives at eight ... owns a house at 814 Ronald Street, and I
spend a lot of time there. So I know the neighborhood very, very well. Thanks.
Shields: Hi, I'm Ashley Shields. Um, I'm going to read a letter that's written by my
husband, Mark Shields. He's at home with our other two kids. It says: Dear
Council Members, upon hearing the news that the property located at 911 N.
Governor Street was to be rezoned for a proposed low- density multi- family
residential development, I had immediate concerns. The first concern was that
this development will affect the traffic flow for residents of not only North
Governor but also for those who live on North Summit, Dewey, and Brown
Streets. How many vehicles should we expect these potential tenants to bring
with them? One per unit, or more likely than that, at least two, maybe three? If
we're talking about 18 -unit development, that would potentially be an increase of
36 vehicles that will utilize these streets daily as a cut - through or loop. We
experience enough traffic as it is during the day and enough demonstrations of
formula one hopefuls after dark. Let alone the bi- annual wayward semi - tractor
trailer causing costly public and private damages. We do not need an increase in
volume for those looking to loop or shuck ... or short cut through these already
narrow streets. The second concern would have to do with extra foot traffic
cutting through yards to go from North Governor to places such as the Hilltop
Tavern on North Summit and the North Dodge Hy -Vee. Not everyone wants to
fence in their yard, nor does everyone wish to have strangers and /or pedestrians
use the path of least resin... resistance by way of their private property. The final
concern was that there's already a similar property apartment complex across the
way from 911 N. Governor, located on Dodge Street, which has been a good
example of how these types of elements do not work. I would invite a similar... I
would not invite a similar situation. Thank you for your time and consider...
consideration. Mark Shields, Concerned Resident, 913 Dewey Street.
Hayek: Thank you.
Andersen: Good evening. My name is Ray Andersen. I'm also a resident of Dewey Street,
812 Dewey Street. Uh, we have a very nice residential neighborhood. We have
lots of kids, good families, uh, many families moving in to this area too and uh,
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I'd really encourage you to vote against this particular development. (mumbled)
other people have said, it's way too many people, way too much traffic for that
area. This is, uh, a really wonderful neighborhood, um, one of the old classic
brick road neighborhoods and uh, I'd really hate to see it go downhill. Thank you
very much.
Hayek: Thank you.
Lindell: Thank you for this hearing, uh, and I would just like to, uh, reiterate some of the
things that people have already said. I live at 804 Dewey Street, and it is...
Hayek: (mumbled) sorry! Can we get your name, ma'am?
Lindell: Shirley Lindell.
Hayek: Thank you.
Lindell: And since I've, uh, lived there for the past couple of years, it's ... it's a wonderful
feeling of community, and everyone looks out for one another. Uh, you don't see
that very much anymore in the city. I came from the country and so this is about
as close to country as ... as I could get, um, but there is so much traffic, uh, on this
brick road and it's fast and it's noisy, and it ... and in the summertime with all the
children out and you've seen how many younger children there are, that it's, uh,
it's going to be very dangerous for even more people to be coming with more cars
and the, uh, the traffic along Dewey Street has really increased, and because of
the trucks and the-the, how fast that they go and the noise is very disruptive now,
and so I can imagine what it's going to be like with more people, so I urge you to
decline from this. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments. Is there anyone else who would like to address
the Council on this, before I close the public discussion and close it for, uh, City
Council discussion?
Huntington: My name's James Huntington. I live on North Summit, 1012 N. Summit. A very
quiet neighborhood, except for Sunday mornings, of course, and I think you
should all be pleased at how many people have come forth tonight to voice their
opposition to this project. It's democracy in action. And, I hope that you will
consider... rejecting this proposal. We're all scared that you're going to go ahead
and, um, approve this. That's why so many of us are here tonight. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Petkewec: Michael Petkewec at 1012 N. Summit, Apt. D. Why that's significant is that as it
was said earlier, renters not necessarily a dirty word, but I do know that as my
wife and I moved into that apartment six -plex that we live in, that we were
looking for a quiet neighborhood, as working professionals moving new to the
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area and enjoying a university, um, position that my wife has, that we wanted a
place where we could truly grow and put down roots, and having found a
wonderful facility that has enough land, enough space, off - street parking, and a
wonderful neighborhood where people really care about each other and the
neighborhood is growing and the people are actually improving things and taking
care of historic homes, and that ... that's something that you don't see every day.
And as I look at that map up there, I see to myself, well, I'm in that RM -12 kind
of area over there, and I see how much space is there, and just from a common
sense logistical point of view and I look at the space where that big arrow is, and I
see, wow, that's a lot of people and a lot of things going on in a very small area,
and it's pretty black and white as I look at that space, and I think to myself, what
will that do as far as parking is concerned? I know on Dewey, as I travel down
that, lots of times there's not enough space just for the people that are parked
there right now to actually have two lanes go by, and I often have to pull over to
the side, just to let traffic through. We also have a cemetery there, a place of
peace and quiet. Obviously, that's something important to the neighborhood, and
I think that as we think about these larger... domiciles that we are going to run
into the problem of as was said before — density — but also a way of life, and that's
something that I think ... that cannot be measured in any simple, human terms
other than one family at a time and as you saw up here, there was a woman with a
baby and there's also other people with other families, and things that do not need
in that small little area to fit that many people in a small space, even if they are, as
myself, renters. I know I wouldn't want that in my neighborhood either, and I can
safely say that as a renter. So please... consider that as you consider all these
other things about the cost factors and ... and about the amount of people, but
density and way of life is a very important thing to think about in this Northside
neighborhood. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you. Okay. Uh, at this time I'm going to close the public discussion and
open it up for Council deliberation.
Dickens: Jeff, could you ... tell me how long this property has been empty? Set empty.
Davidson: I do not recall, but I believe we have the realtor listing of the property here... do
you (mumbled) how long has it been (unable to hear person away from mic).
Two years?
Dickens: And another question for you is, um ... as far as the zoning, if we approve this
zoning, we can turn ... turn down ... what's brought to us as far as what's built
there? I mean, you could ... it could go up to 12, all right ... it's an RS ... RS...
Davidson: Right, I believe it allows the 18 units that are proposed, but that would be handled
administratively through a site plan approved by the City.
Dickens: But that's how many units are allowed.
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Davidson: Right.
Mims: And under the current zoning, Jeff ...there could be 18 units built there, but there
would have to be first floor commercial office, is that...
Davidson: That's correct, Susan.
Mims: Can you also, uh, reiterate with the current zoning versus this change, the parking
requirements. Can you help me with that or...
Davidson: I ... I have to confess that the (both talking) commercial office zone I'm not certain
the parking requirements the same. In all of the multi - family zones, an efficiency
requires one space, a one - bedroom requires one space, a two - bedroom requires
two spaces, a three- bedroom requires two spaces, a four - bedroom requires three
spaces.
Bailey: And...
Davidson: So there is a ... there is a break, so to speak, for a developer that encourages, and .
that's one of the ... it encourages the higher number of bedrooms, uh, that's one of
the things in our analysis... you've asked us to take a look at the RM -44 zone.
We'll take a look at that parking requirement and basically how it affects all of
the multi - family zones.
Bailey: And I understand that it does have an impact on the streets surrounding and I ... I
understand that, but I also understand why we do that, so we don't have large
swaths of concrete parking lots. I'm assuming that that's the balancing act with
those parking requirements.
Davidson: We ... we ... you know, our on- street parking policies in neighborhoods, anywhere
throughout the city, are ... are intended to allow on- street parking, uh, unless there
is a traffic reason related to not having them, such as the street being too lar ... too
narrow, we would eliminate it on one side. That sort of thing. But otherwise we,
you know, our on- street parking policies in the city are not intended to demonize
on- street parking.
Bailey: Right, and our pol ... our parking policies for ... for residential or multi - family are
also not ... so ... high that we have a lot of concrete in, I mean, we have to balance
that, I guess...
Davidson: Right.
Bailey: ...I'm not saying this very well.
Davidson: Yeah, and our analysis, you know, there ... there has been discussion at the
Planning and Zoning Commission level when that comes up as should we
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reestablish our parking requirements to basically every bedroom requires a
parking space. That's one of the things we'll be looking at but it does exactly
what you suggested, Regenia, in that it creates larger parking areas then.
Bailey: Right. Thank you.
Champion: But this re ... this could be rezoned to other zones, I mean, we ... it might be zoned
office or whatever now. It doesn't have to be rezoned ... uh, RM -12.
Davidson: It doesn't have to be rezoned at all, unless you determine that (both talking) it
should be.
Champion: I think there are other zones that would ... would fit better in here. It seems
contrary to our strategic planning session about neighborhood, uh, stabilization
and also contrary to our University /City partnership of restoring rental properties
back to, um, single - family housing in this area. I ... I'm very much against this
rezoning. I think this is a ... a neighborhood that's on sort of an upswing and not a
downswing, and I'm afraid this is going to stop that upswing it's in, and so I'm
not going to approve this rezoning at all, and I really hope somebody else will
consider changing their mind on it. The neighborhood is here. They've spoken
out, and I think with very valid reasons. Since I've lived ... live in an older
neighborhood that was almost destroyed by zoning, and then was saved by
zoning, I know exactly what you're talking about, and thank you for coming!
Wilburn: Jeff, uh, question there, and ... and I'm just drawing on your recollection here so
you may not be able to, um ... answer this at this point. Urn ... just looking at
traffic ... um ... putting aside the question about parking, have there been any ... one,
have there been any traffic studies in this area that you recall, two, have there,
were there any done before the Department of Human Services were there with
their, the, you know, the volume of traffic, um ... and probably not after it, but can
you answer that (both talking)
Davidson: Um, there is not a traffic study that I recall in the area when it was the Human
Services building, Ross. Um, there was a small amount of study done with this
proposal because of site distance concern and the driveway location, as ... as
several of the, uh, um ... people testifying have stated. There's a pretty significant
and horizontal curvature in this area and so we wanted to make sure the driveway
could be located in a... in a place that made it as safe as possible, uh, and that's
why there is the condition in the, uh, rezoning that states that MPOJC will look at
that driveway location to, in order to maximize the visibility as much as possible,
but ... but that's all that I'm recalling, Ross.
Wilburn: All right, thank you.
Dickens: I think the MPO is doing the overall study on traffic coming through. At one of
our meetings in October, November, I think, they talked a little bit
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about... looking at that whole area. Another question is, has the traffic increased
when First Avenue opened up, because I know you used to have to go all the way
to Governor to get out of town if you lived on the east side. There was not a good
way...
Davidson: Yeah, and... and Terry...
Dickens: ..back up to the levels that it was before that...
Davidson: Yeah, and I have to confess that in terms of (both talking) the immediate past
(mumbled) when First Avenue immediately opened we saw a slight reduction in
that Goosetown area of the traffic that had been cutting through it ... cutting
through. Quite frankly it wasn't actually as great as we thought it would be, but it
was a slight increase, uh, we have continued on most of the arterial streets to see
pretty moderate, you know, in the 1%, 2% type growth on arterial system but I
can't tell you exactly what it is for these arterials.
Mims: Jeff, if I recall from our last meeting, there's also some significant issues on that
property with, uh, either water or sewer lines, in terms of...
Davidson: Yeah (both talking)
Mims: ...would restrict the placement of buildings.
Davidson: There were some issues to be worked out in terms of some easements, Susan, and
that would all be handled, again, at the site plan stage, and as I mentioned of
course the ... the, one of the, there's an issue with one of the buildings being
located over a sewer line. Either that building's got to be moved or the sewer line
moved and that would have to be resolved before the site plan would be approved.
Mims: Part of my reason for asking that is a number of people have suggested, you
know, what they would like to see is like small single - family homes on that site.
With ... do you know off the top of your head, would you be able to judge if that
would even be feasible, given the kinds of easements that, you know, are on that
property?
Davidson: Uh, presumably it could, Susan. I mean, single - family is a ... is a type of
development that's pretty easy to fit, and there's plenty of room for fitting
easements through and utilities through. It's usually much more difficult in a
multi- family situation.
Mims: Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks, Jeff.
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Wright: Connie made a point about, um ... the fact that it doesn't have to be zoned up to
RM -12. Could say CO -1 or if you look at the zoning map up here, across the
street is RS -8, which is a medium density single- family zone. That's to the
immediate south, and to the southwest. North is some RS -12. Um, to the west of
it is the, couple of monster apartment buildings that have added their own issues
to the neighborhood. Zoning has ... a huge impact on a neighborhood, or it can.
We have in the past in Iowa City made some really stupid choices about zoning
and what would be allowed in neighborhoods. Putting the Human Services
building smack in the middle of a single - family neighborhood was probably not a
good choice to start with. Putting a high- density apartment streets... apartment
building smack in the middle of a single - residential neighborhood as we see
adjacent to this property on Dodge was not a very good idea. I would like to think
that as time has gone on we've learned a little bit about what is compatible with a
neighborhood and what upsets a neighborhood. I think a development like this is
going to have a negative effect on the surrounding neighborhood, both in terms of
traffic and in terms of density. Um ... I think with a certain amount of creativity
this property could be developed in a much less intrusive manner for the
neighborhood, uh, we've certainly heard plenty of concern from the
neighborhoods about the existing plan, which further calls it into question in my
opinion. I absolutely cannot support this. I think it's just ... it's a poorly
(mumbled) it's the wrong ... it's the wrong building in the wrong place.
Hayek: I, um, I didn't support this at first consideration and I continue to be unable to
support this. I ... I'm still concerned about the impact of yet more multi - family
apartment complexes in what I consider to be a fragile neighborhood, um, and I
think the experience in Iowa City has been that multi - family large apartment
complexes have had an adverse impact on many of our neighborhoods, uh,
especially our ... our established neighborhoods. Um, and ... and we increasingly
recognize that as a city, and that's why we have made some progress toward, uh,
historic preservation, um, um ... zoning stabilization and some of the other tools
that we have deployed, um, to reverse some of that... that... that damage, and uh,
I ... I fear that this is going in another direction and ... and in, as I've said before, a
very fragile, uh, neighborhood. We want in -fill. This is going to have in -fill, um,
and we talk about in -fill, but it needs to be compatible in -fill and I..I just ... I don't
think this is, um, and it strikes me as I look at this map and ... and uh ... consider
this area, we've done a lot to protect the north end, um, I consider this part of the
north end, uh, and yet this particular subset of the north end has historically been
left to fend for itself, um, and I think that's a mistake, and I ... I fear that, uh,
upzoning in that parcel is going to lead to pressure to, uh, upzone in other parts of
that part of town, uh, which I think would be a real mistake. I think we can do
better. I think we should, and I ... and I can't support this.
Mims: When we looked at this for the first consideration, um, I supported the rezoning,
and one of the questions, um, that I asked and for information for tonight, um,
was the map that was shown earlier, in terms of, uh, the properties that have rental
permits. And as people indicated, you know, the word renter or rental is not, uh,
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it's not a dirty word; however, I think when you get over a certain percentage, uh,
in a neighborhood it does and can often times have a negative impact on that
whole neighborhood. I mean, we've talked a lot about the near downtown area,
the near Northside in terms of getting that balance. We've worked on the
UniverCity plan of buying up some rental properties and ... and returning those to
owner- occupied, to stri ... to try and strike a certain balance that helps keep a
neighborhood really vital. Um, in seeing that map and seeing the percentage
and ... and looking at it I can't tell you, but there's an awful lot of green spots on
that map, um, I find that very concerning, um, I drive Dodge and Governor every
day. I live out, uh, in behind Hy -Vee, in that area, and so I go up and down
Dodge probably at least once a day, and as people have talked about the road or
the street right there along where 911 is, um, that is a very, uh, dangerous part of
Governor Street. As you say, you're curving both horizontally and going down
and then back up, and you talk about the winter and certainly the concern, um, on
the site distance, uh, no matter where that driveway is put at the bottom. We
talked at our strategic planning about neighborhood vitalization, protection of
neighborhoods, um ... and so when I look at those, that map with the rentals shown
on it, um, listening tonight to the neighborhood concerns in terms of the traffic,
um, I have to say I was quite surprised to hear, uh, people talking about the
amount of cut - through traffic on North Summit and Dewey. I mean, whenever I
have driven through there, as I was just learning the city, and like why would
anyone drive through here if you didn't have to, because those brick streets are in
such bad shape (laughter) uh, so it... it really was surprising to me that you're
getting that much of it. Um ... I ... I would have a suggestion for staff that we look
at some no truck signs maybe through there.
Bailey: Yeah.
Champion: For traffic calming?
Mims: Yeah. Um, so I mean I think ... I think that's a discussion for another time. But,
uh, given looking, given having looked at, uh, that map with the number of rental
properties in that area, the ... the need for the neighborhood stabilization and I
think as people have said, a neighborhood that's in flux. We're seeing
improvement. You're talking about the improvement that you're seeing in the
neighborhood. I don't want to see us do something that is going to, um, take us
backward on that. So I am going to change my position and not support the
rezoning.
Dilkes: Yeah, I ... I just want to comment. Again, I think I said this at the earlier meeting,
but we need to take our ... we should not have our focus on whether it is a renter or
an owner. The focus needs to, as the gentleman said that whether it's a tenant or
an owner is not the issue here. The issue is the use of the property. The density
of the property. How many people, how many cars that you think, etc., is
compatible with the neighborhood. So that's ... I'd urge you to think about it in
that way rather than the focus on the ... the rental.
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Mims: And I ... I am. Maybe I didn't phrase it as well as I should have, but I think as ... as
people commented earlier, I think often times in this community when you're
talking about three bedroom apartments and the rate at which those are going to
rent, um, a family probably can find a single - family home to rent for an
equivalent rate, which means I think in all likelihood the traffic that is going to be
generated, um, when you're talking 54 bedrooms, 18 units, three bedrooms, um, is
not ... it's not unforeseen that you could have literally 54 cars, um, in and out of
there and lacking traffic... lacking parking spots, um, as well as the traffic in and
out of there, and so um, that is what draws me to that conclusion.
Dickens: I guess I ... following Susan a little bit, I drive that every day as well. Uh, my wife
and I walk up in that area a lot. I ... originally I supported it, um, I guess looking
at all the problems up in that neighborhood, it sounds like we have greater
concerns about driving. I think those issues need to be looked at, as well, um, I
also would like to see this property developed, but after two years nothing's
happened. I would like to see ... if there's something that can be done with this
property, instead of just sitting empty, uh, right now it's ... the way it's zoned it
could still have ... those 18 pieces put up on there. I just would like to see (several
talking) I know part of it is the economy. Money has been tight, and to make that
property work, whether it's feasible for putting single- family dwellings in that I
don't know, but I can no longer support it.
Dilkes: I'm going to interject. So we don't get in the same position we were with the last
time, is it looks like we're change ... the majority is changing here. Before you
can vote no you have to schedule a consult with the Planning and Zoning
Commission. So, if it looks like that's the way the vote is .... is going, you want
to, um, defer it and schedule your consult.
Hayek: We apparently have five already...
Bailey: Yeah, but I, this is my last opportunity (laughter)
Dilkes: I'm not (several talking and laughing) I'm not ... I'm just saying that because I
didn't want to forget and have us vote quickly!
Hayek: Talk, we won't vote! (laughter)
Bailey: Yeah, um, you know, this won't make a difference, but I will say that, um, one of
the things that has concerned me tonight is, you know we say that renter is okay,
but quite frankly I'm not believing it. I'm hearing a lot of concerns about renters
and that makes me really sad. Um, most of us were renters at one time. I have a
lot of friends, that's... that's their situation. That's the economic situation for a lot
of people, and maybe high rents in Iowa City that doesn't feel true, but a lot of
people don't have the down payment to make, you know, to be owner- occupied,
and that's quite a privilege, I think, to be owner, you know, to be an owner in
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Iowa City, um, so that ... that was a really concerning part of this conversation, and
given that we could have 18 units in the current zoning, um, I've been supportive
of this. I want to see this developed. I believe in in -fill development. I mean, it's
meeting... it's meeting so many standards. Um ... renters don't necessarily, just by
their very nature of not, um, not owning a property, they don't disregard the
community by being a renter. They don't bring crime just because they're a
renter. I think we're making some ... maybe we're not making those assumptions
but it felt like it was going in that direction, and I also know that I'm much more
comfortable with density than the rest of you. I think that we have got to start
looking at that in, um, our central district, because providing services at the edges
is just ... it's expensive, and so I hope that after the meeting with Planning and
Zoning we come to a feeling that we can do something that will work for this
area, but will get it developed, will honor the aspect that a ... there are a lot of
renters in this community and it doesn't necessarily mean that that's a
destabilizing factor, and that we think about... if we want something very
particular to happen, that perhaps we're going to have to be the lead developer,
because it sat for two years and that tells me something about business models
and market conditions. So, um, I understand the perspectives that I've heard
tonight, but I think, you know, let's have a deeper conversation about what we
want to see when we talk about in -fill. And I'll continue to support it.
Champion: (several talking) another question for Jeff. Can the Council initiate zoning
changes?
Davidson: Uh, the City, yes, can initiate zoning changes.
Champion: So the Council could suggest (both talking) a new zone for this property.
Davidson: I mean, basically what the zoning ordinance indicates, Connie, is that you feel
that's the appropriate use of this property, and there are certain rights by the
property owner who owns that property, under that zoning. So if you feel it's
inappropriate, and I would remind you that in spite of the discussion tonight, that
your Comprehensive Plan, which is the broad vision for the community, does call
for low - density multi - family, uh, residential in this area. But clearly, Connie, if
you feel that what's there is inappropriate, the City can initiate a rezoning.
Champion: I will bring that up at Council time, to see if anybody else is interested.
Wilburn: Well I would ... you know, we all have, uh, opinions, that's why (several talking)
and ... I would ask the Council to, uh, take a look at what you think an appropriate
zoning is because of what could go there right now. I have concerns that it has sat
so long. I am a supporter of in -fill development and so I really encourage you to
think of that, and, um ... I'm not ... accusing folks of having strong opinions against
renters, um ... I'm not accusing folks of that, but as the City Attorney pointed out,
the comments seem... seemed to be coming back to that, and so I encourage you
to look at the zoning and think about land use, um ... I am a renter, and it is hard to
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hear, uh, those comments, even though I know folks aren't intending that, but we
need to tailor the comments towards appropriate land use, and I think what I heard
from folks is you do want to see something happen there so let's focus the
conversation on what's the appropriate land use, what are some realistic
expectations about traffic, urn ... and for those who, uh, are supportive of
something there, I would hope, encourage the Council and the public not to
accuse someone of a different opinion of a destroyer of neighborhoods. And
that's all I have to say.
Hayek: Okay. So do we defer, or do we just take it off? Or ... we defer?
Mims: Move to defer.
Wright: Second.
Hayek: Motion to defer from Mims, seconded by Wright. Discussion? All those in favor
say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0. This will be taken back to
Planning and Zoning for a joint meeting. I think at this point we take a five -
minute break and uh, we'll come back to the meeting...
Karr: Mr. Mayor, could we accept correspondence first?
Wilburn: Move to accept correspondence.
Mims: Second.
Bailey: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Bailey. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0. (BREAK)
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ITEM 10. TO DISCLAIM ANY INTEREST IN THE IOWA CITY COMMUNITY
SCHOOL DISTRICT'S CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
LOCATED AT 509 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET, IOWA CITY,
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. (bangs gavel) The public hearing is open. Public
hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Bailey: Move adoption of the resolution.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
Bailey: One of the most fascinating pieces I've read since I was on Council! (laughter)
That we had property from the 19th century! (several talking and laughing)
Hayek: 1858.
Bailey: Yep, great!
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 12. 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. (PASS AND ADOPT)
Hayek: Uh, I will, as I have on prior readings, recuse myself, uh, along with Council
Members Champion and Dickens due to our downtown property interests.
Bailey: Move adoption.
Mims: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Mims. Uh, discussion? Go ahead, any members
of the public have any additional information they want to add on this item?
Kubby: Good evening, my name is Karen Kubby. I'm the Chair of the Downtown
Association's self - supporting municipal improvement district committee and uh,
if this is finally voted on and passed tonight, we are ready to go tomorrow with
applications for people to apply to be on the board, projecting a January 12th
meeting of the first SSMID board. So if it doesn't pass we will have wasted some
time getting those documents together. We won't ... we wanted to be ready to
rock and roll. We are excited about this new chapter in downtown's history, and
we hope you have ... we have all four votes again. We're ready to go to work!
Thanks!
Wilburn: Thank you!
Dilkes: I just want to make sure we don't have any more protests. No? Okay.
Wilburn: Okay. Anyone else? Council discussion?
Bailey: I think you should get ready to go to work.
Wright: I hope so!
Wilburn: I just encourage the group to, you know, we heard from the study tonight. Just
make sure you take advantage of any information and work closely ... I know you
work closely with Wendy our Economic Development Coordinator so roll call.
Uh (applause) approved 4 -0, with Hayek, Champion, and Dickens abstain due to
conflict of interest. Thank you all! Good luck!
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ITEM 14. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND POLICIES.
Bailey: Move adoption.
Wilburn: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Wilburn. Discussion?
Bailey: We did talk at the, um, that we'd like to make an amendment to paragraph five to
this um ... the policy that you saw a couple... couple meetings ago, I don't even
remember. That change that from talking about urban renewal financing.
What...
Dilkes: It was to remove, I mean, I don't have it in front of me...
Bailey: I have the wording, but urban renewal...
Dilkes: Revenue note.
Bailey: Revenue notes.
Dilkes: Yeah.
Bailey: And change that wording to upfront financial assistance and appropriate financing
mechanisms and security will be considered on a case -by -case basis. So um, what
we'd like to do is move this as amended, with that wording. That would be my
motion.
Wilburn: (mumbled)
Mims: Second.
Karr: So it's a friendly amendment by Wil...
Hayek: Okay. It's been seconded. Further discussion?
Champion: Was this approved by everybody on the Economic... okay. (several responding)
Bailey: Enthusiastically, I think.
Hayek: It was.
Bailey: We just felt that it would, um, the language was more inviting to developers; it
gave the flexibility, um, to the City for any kind of risk management that would
be necessary, and case -by -case is how ... how you have to consider these projects,
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and the Council.... Economic Development Committee will see them and the
Council will see them, as well.
Wright: Makes sense!
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 18. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING, AUTHORIZING AND
DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND THE CITY CLERK TO
ATTEST AN AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA
CITY AND DAVIS, BROWN, KOEHN, SHORS & ROBERTS, P.C. TO
PROVIDE LOBBYING SERVICES.
Mims: Move the resolution.
Bailey: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Bailey. Discussion?
Bailey: I think this is a great move by the City, and um ... we talked about this for a long
time. I know that this is a year contract, and I think that, um, I encourage you,
because we had so many qualified applicants who rigorously examine how it goes
after a year and ... and uh, consider, you know... choosing someone else or
continuing to do this, or even choosing (noises on mic, unable to hear) next.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please.
Wright: I get so choked up over lobbyists!
Hayek: (laughter and several talking) Item passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 19. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION OF UNCLASSIFIED SALARY
COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012 FOR THE CITY
ATTORNEY AND CITY CLERK.
Wilburn: Move adoption of the resolution.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Mims. Discussion? For the public's
information, this provides for a 2% increase for both of those positions, and I
want to thank you for your ongoing service to the community. Further
discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 20. CONSIDER A MOTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF
MATTHEW J. UTTERMARK AS STUDENT LIAISON ALTERNATE
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA GOVERNMENT (UISG) UNTIL
MAY 1, 2012.
Wright: Move adoption.
Bailey: Second.
Hayek: Motion from Wright, seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Cody, do you ... do we
need to, do you want to introduce, uh, our new friend here (several talking) You
know, it's pending, we haven't voted him in yet! (laughter)
Champion: He probably doesn't want to be voted in after tonight!
Uttermark: Good evening everyone, I am Matthew Uttermark and I am pending in a few
minutes to become the new Vice City Council Liaison for UISG, um, I am a first -
year student here at the University of Iowa, originally hailing from Duluth,
Minnesota. I am currently receiving a double major in political science and
English at the University. Outside of my work with Student Government, I am
also a Founding Father and sit on the executive board of, uh, the Delta T Delta
Fraternity as Director of Academic Affairs. Um, I'm also involved with the, uh,
gay, lesbian, bi- sexual, transgender allied union on campus, and I just sort of
enjoy everything a freshman does (mumbled) etc., etc., (laughter) it's been a very
lively discussion tonight and ... (laughter)
Wright: Welcome! (several responding)
Uttermark: Look forward to more!
Hayek: Thanks for the introduction. I had a nice conversation with Matt yesterday after
our strategic planning. Further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed
say nay. Motion barely carries, uh, 7 -0.
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ITEM 24. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: But before we start, I just want to, uh, recognize our three outgoing Members, uh,
Regenia, Ross, and Mike for your service, uh, to the Council and to the
community. What did we add up? Was it 24 collective years of experience?
(several responding) (mumbled) and to thank you, and I've, uh ... I'm going to
miss this Council. I'm excited about the next one, but I'm going t miss this one.
We've had such a great working relationship, um, and what the three of you bring
to the table is so important and your leadership, uh ... uh, over the years has made
such an impact, uh, to Iowa City. Um, and so it's hard for me to see you guys, uh,
move on, uh, to ... to other things. We do have a couple of things for you. First of
all, City Clerk would you... show the artwork please! You want to tell us about it!
(several commenting) Do your Vanna White?
Karr: Um, this is from local artist Marcia Wegman and this year she selected the City
Hall and Farmers Market theme, and so each of you will receive one of these.
(several talking)
Hayek: And we also have, uh, a plague from the City that goes to each of you with your
name and uh, your term ... your years of service on the Council, and Ross, says
here 2000 to 2011, Mayor 2006 -2007. Michael, you're last. Regenia Bailey,
Council Member 2004 to 2011; Mayor 2008 -2009.
Bailey: Thank you.
Hayek: And Mr. Wright, we were in the thick of it from the early days of, uh,
campaigning together in 07. Council Member, uh, 08 through the present. Thank
you (several talking) and it's just been a great honor for us to serve with you.
(applause)
Champion: We will all miss you. I'll probably have to break in three new people. (laughter)
Wright: Connie'll break their spirits real quick! (laughter) No, this has been a lot of fun.
I've enjoyed it immensely.
Wilburn: I just wanted to, um, IA can't thank the public enough for the opportunity to... to
represent, uh, all of you, um ... I want to thank my family and my friends for the
time, uh, taken away from them, uh, for a good... for good reason, but uh, I will
say my kids probably know more about, uh, government than a lot of adults in the
community, but uh, certainly their peers. Urn ... gonna miss working directly with
the City staff, uh, you're top notch, you're the best. Uh, the public, you should be
proud of your City employees, uh, this is not just a job for any of them. They
give their hearts and souls to, uh, helping work with all of you to make this, uh, a
better community. Urn ... I've been very excited about all the growth in the
infrastructure, the parks and the trails, and the Trueblood Recreation Area and, uh,
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Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement, and I think there's been a lot of
momentum, both internally and community -wide, uh, in seeing those things going
forward and continued on through the rest of the mayors and councils, um... very
proud of the work that was done with, uh, consolidating the Summer of the Arts,
um ... I guess my message, uh, from all the public involvement I've had in the
community is just get involved in community, um, it doesn't necessarily mean
running for public office. In fact there's days I wouldn't wish that on anybody
(laughter) but uh, you know, contribute to your neighborhood, get involved in
your mosque, synagogue, church, uh... service club, all of those things, it really
makes, uh, it improves the fabric of our community. Um, ultimately this is all
about relationships and the diverse people and ideas that we have. Uh, it's all
about relationships and, uh, whether it's with some of our fellow elected, uh, in
the county, all the way up through the federal, um, to the folks that come and
express their opinions here. I know we've agreed and disagreed, but I'd much
rather live in a community where people care, uh, enough to step forward and step
to the mic and ... and lobby and get involved. Um, it just makes it, uh, just such a
great place to live, to work, and to raise your family. So, uh, the best of Iowa City
is yet to come! Certainly! And thank you all.
Bailey: Well I certainly also want to thank the citizens of Iowa City. I can honestly say
that I've enjoyed every minute of it, even the tough ones. Um, it's a beautiful
city. I love this community and service has been really great. I have to, um,
express my appreciation for staff in general. I'm like Mike and Ross. I came into
this City Council role, um, having not served on a commission, and so my
learning curve was pretty steep and there were people in this great staff, I mean,
it's very committed, very talented professional staff who really, um, helped me
climb that steep learning curve, and one of the people I want to recognize is Steve
Atkins. Um, Steve always had an open door, um, and you could go through
issues with him, and he also was very ... is very politically savvy, so I really
appreciated his perspective. One of the things that we do so much of is Planning
and Zoning. I mean, Michelle comes in with that background because she's been
on the Planning and Zoning Commission. I was not. So Karin Franklin and then
subsequently Jeff Davidson very helpful getting up to speed with economic
development and other things and I will also, um, be very grateful for, um, Jeff
Davidson when I was JCCOG chair, getting me up to speed on transportation
issues and working with him on the Joint Emergency Communication Center.
Uh, with, uh, without a doubt that's one of my most proud ... our proud
accomplishments. The people of Johnson County are safer because of that center,
and it was great to be an Iowa City Council member and have that impact in the
entire county. And then of course staff here, um, I haven't had that much of a
chance to work with Tom and ... and you've already gotten my list so ... you
(laughter) and you know that I'll be back to talk about those things, um, but
certainly have worked very closely with Eleanor and Marian, and really, um,
appreciated the wise counsel that we've always received from Eleanor, and um,
particularly when I was Mayor. It was kind of a rough time, a part of that time
(laughter) with some water rising and those sorts of things and you both were
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fabulous, um, and Marian, I will never forget those 6:00 A.M. meetings in your
office to get people back in their homes, and I don't know how early you had to
get here to make sure coffee was on and lights were lit and those, um ... those
orders were ready to sign when I came in. So I really appreciate all of your
commitment to the City and uh, it's been really inspirational and um, it's been
great serving with all of you. I wish you, um ... the best of Iowa City is yet to
come, always, and uh, seize opportunities and uh, make us all very proud and
otherwise, I know I will come back and talk to you (laughter) so thank you for the
opportunity to serve...
Champion: ...Airport Commission? (laughter)
Bailey: I told Ross when ... when the Mayor was reading those aren't you going to sign up
for one of those? (laughter) Yeah!
Wright: I have to say, ditto to everything that my colleagues have said. This has been an
excellent Council to work with. I ... I can't tell you how much I've appreciated the
fact that we can, uh, disagree with each other, sometimes rather vehemently, and
still then wonder off to take a break and joke. It's been ... we've had an excellent
working relationship. It's been, uh ... a terrific opportunity. I thank the citizens of
Iowa City for this opportunity. This has been a tremendous way to serve the
community. It certainly to get to know the community in ways I couldn't even
have imagined, uh... it really has been fun. I started ticking off some of the
accomplishments that we've, uh, achieved since I've been on the Council and I...
I was dumbfounded how big some of those were. We have the fourth fire station
is open. We've added more policemen to the ... police officers to the beat. Um...
the JECC has opened, and I had the privilege of serving as the Chair of the Joint
Emergency Communication Center board for, uh, for a bouncy year but uh, again,
that's a tremendous accomplishment. Um, we developed the Northside Historic
District. The list just goes on and on and on, and I'm really ... I'm very proud and
very thankful to have been able to be a part of this, so my thanks to everybody,
and especially to Marian who, uh, place... she's just the best nudge! (laughter)
Hayek: Well, uh, we ... this is hard work and you guys have sacrificed countless hours,
and I think local government is frankly harder than regional government because
the exposure is sitting 20 -feet in front of you in most meetings but urn ... your
leadership and your mayoral stints, uh, got us through some really important times
and um, the community owes you a debt of gratitude. So, wish you the best of
luck! (several talking)
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ITEM 25. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
Hayek: City staff, City Manager?
Markus: Just say thanks to the, uh, three outgoing Councilors. First for your, uh, vote to
select me, but I do have my doubts, I mean, shortly thereafter you declared that
you weren't running for office (laughter) ... in such order but... (several talking)
Wright: I don't think those two are related!
Markus: Okay! That's good to know! (laughter) Best of luck to you!
Hayek: Thanks! (several talking)
Dilkes: Well, I ... you three are really going to leave a huge hole and uh, and I'll miss you.
I usually once I have a Council, I don't want to see `em go, but I really think
that's true with the three of you, I mean ... you're respectful, you're smart, um,
you're just ... been great. Um, and I wish the best of luck in your future
endeavors.
Wright: Thanks.
Bailey: Thank you.
Hayek: City Clerk? (several talking and laughing) Okay. We need a motion.
Bailey: So moved.
Wright: Second.
Hayek: Hold on. Let's do this. Moved by Bailey, seconded technically by Wilburn, with
a very close third from Wright (laughter) All those in favor say...
Karr: Then we adjourn back to work session.
Hayek: Yes (several talking). Discussion? Last chance, last draw! All those in favor say
aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries and we are adjourned back to the work
session. (bangs gavel)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of December 6, 2011.