HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-21 Council minutesMarch 21, 2012 Joint Meeting, Iowa City Public Library, Room A Page I
Present: Matt Hayek (IC), Susan Mims (IC), Terry Dickens (IC), Tim Kemp (Hills), Sally
Stutsman (JC), Mike Haverkamp (UH); Janelle Rettig (JC); Pat Harney (JC); John
Lundell (C); Jim Throgmorton (IC); Rick Dobyns (IC); Terrence Neuzil (JC);
Vicki Fields (ICCSD), Marla Swesey (ICCSD); Gerry Kuhl (NL); Tom Salm
(NL); Rod Sullivan (JC); Jeff McGinnis (ICCSD); Connie Champion (IC)
Jeff Davidson (IC); Rick Fosse (IC); John Yapp (MPO); Tracey Mulcahey (NL);
Tom Markus (IC); Marian Karr IC( ); Mike Moran (IC); Rick Fosse (IC); Julie
VanDyke (JC Planning); Andy Johnson (JC); Stephen Murley (ICCSD)
(IC — Iowa City; Hills; JC — Johnson County; ICCSD — Iowa City School Board; UH-
University Heights; C — Coralville; NL — North Liberty; MPO — Metropolitan Planning
Organization)
Call to Order:
Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek called the meeting to order at 4:30 P.M.
Welcome and Introductions:
Mayor Hayek asked that those in attendance introduce themselves. This also provided an
opportunity to check the mic system.
Right -of -Way Dedication in Fringe Areas QQ:
Pat Harney with Johnson County spoke to the Johnson County right -of -way dedication map. He
stated that Johnson County has to adopt such a map yearly. He briefly explained why this is
done, stating that if surrounding jurisdictions let them know where new subdivisions and/or
roads may be built, for example, that this then allows them to plan accordingly. Rod Sullivan
with Johnson County then added comments, giving those in attendance some examples from the
North Liberty area.
Legislative Priorities (ICCSD):
Vicki Fields with the Iowa City Community School District gave an update to those in
attendance regarding what they have been working on at the State level, in addition to local and
federal efforts. Funding and growth are two main topics, according to Fields. She also noted
that people may have noticed when paying their income tax that there is an Instructional Support
Levy on there. Currently the School District is able to levy it, but are not able to fully fund it at
the rate that was put on there. She noted that this difference grows each year, and currently the
District is about a million dollars short in that funding as it is not fully funded by the State.
Fields continued, noting that quality pre - school for all 3 and 4- year -olds is also a top priority.
Another top priority, according to Fields, is their support of tax increment financing (TIF)
limitations and reforms that "provide for meaningful input from school districts, whose taxable
valuation and property would be affected by a municipality's TIF project."
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Fields then responded to questions concerning her presentation. Jeff McGinnis (ICCSD) also
spoke to these issues, in particular the issue of allowable growth. The impact of this on class
sizes is one of the hot topics in Des Moines, according to McGinnis. Connie Champion (IC)
asked McGinnis what the average class size is for first grade. It was reported that on average the
kindergarten through second grade averages are lower, usually around 24, with the average rising
in the third through sixth grades to around 26. However, even with this as a priority, it was noted
that some classes are in the 30 range.
Jim Throgmorton (IC) asked if the City routinely consults with the School District when it comes
to TIFs. Hayek responded that he is not sure that this has ever been the practice in this region
when it comes to TIFs. Janelle Rettig (JC) then spoke briefly to what others' legislative
concerns are, adding that the County has entered into a lobbying contract with four other
counties. She stated that they have spent more time in Des Moines this year than ever before.
One issue that Rettig stated will greatly affect those present is a mental health redesign by the
State. She gave a brief rundown of what this redesign will mean, noting that the County is
concerned about this. Hayek suggested that each entity perhaps share their legislative priorities
with each other, in order to keep each other informed of what issues are most important in each
jurisdiction. Rick Dobyns (IC) stated that the lobbyists most likely know each other and that
asking them if there are commonalities between the jurisdictions would be a good idea, as would
finding out what issues in other jurisdictions might affect surrounding areas, etc.
2012 -2013 Road and Trail Proiects Affecting Neighboring Jurisdictions PC):
Rettig (JC) shared with those present where the County is currently with this plan. She added
that the Dubuque Street trail is now complete, and that the County is working on a project now
that goes through Coralville and Tiffin, headed to Kent Park. This trail is to then connect to the
Amana Colonies in the future. Rettig then turned to the trail in North Liberty, stating that the
plan is to take this along Mehaffey Bridge, headed toward Sugar Bottom, and then continue to
Solon and Ely. Eventually the trail will connect all of these areas, from the Terry Trueblood
Recreation Area to Cedar Falls, according to Rettig.
Continuing, Rettig shared some upcoming road projects: Oakdale Boulevard from Coralville to
Dubuque Street is a two -year project; funding is shared between the County and Coralville, and
there are some federal hands available; Mehaffey Bridge construction has come in at $4 million
over budget, causing some rethinking of the five -year road use plan.
Rick Fosse (IC) spoke about Iowa City's upcoming projects. He noted the Butler Bridge
pedestrian addition, currently under construction, as being completed by the end of the season.
Iowa City will be responsible for clearing snow and general maintenance of this bridge. He also
noted the extension of the trail system on the east side of town, with the Court Hill trail system.
Mike Moran (IC) addressed questions regarding this trail. He noted that the trail starts at Scott
Boulevard where the current Court Hill Trail ends, and then follows Ralston Creek through Scott
Park, with a bridge over the creek to the Dog Park and then continue on to Windsor Ridge along
the creek.
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John Lundell (C) noted that they only have two external connections to the trail system, Oakdale
Boulevard and the other by their ball fields on the west side of town. Internally they are working
on a variety of projects related to their flood mitigation projects, encompassing areas along the
river and up to Clear Creek.
Gerry Kuhl (NL) stated that they completed their portion of the Dubuque Street trail last year.
They do not have any trail plans for this year. As for road projects this season, North Liberty is
finishing the north half of Jones and some various sidewalk projects around town. They will also
be doing some design work on the next phase of 965, as well as the south half of Jones
Boulevard.
Mike Haverkamp (UH) stated that they recently held a community meeting to go over their
`sunset sidewalk' program and to get community input. They hope to come to some type of
conclusion soon on this project.
Roosevelt Elementary (ICCSD):
Steve Murley (ICCSD) spoke about the School District's disposition plans for Roosevelt
Elementary. After much review and thought, the Board has arrived at the use of a competitive
bid process. This will allow the Board to very tightly constrain the parameters under which they
would consider selling the property. Murley noted that after much public input, the Board has a
very specific list of what the neighborhood does not want to see there. Interested parties can then
use this information for preparing a competitive bid, which they can then present to the Board.
The Board then has the right to accept any, or none, of the bid proposals received. April 1, 2012,
is the deadline for these competitive bids, according to Murley. Dobyns (IC) asked what the
neighborhood would prefer to see, and Murley noted that it was easier to define what is `not
wanted' in the neighborhood, such as: high density residential, strip malls, gas stations, bars, or
liquor stores. Uses such as office space or medical office appeared to be okay to the
neighborhood. Dobyns (IC) also asked about the Roosevelt ravine. Murley noted that this is part
of the bid documents, where it is stipulated that it must remain undeveloped. Tom Markus (IC)
asked Murley if they have worked with Iowa City's Planning Department on this project.
Murley stated that they have had discussions with Planning, after encountering questions from
the neighborhood that they could not answer. Murley continued to explain what this process will
entail and what timeframes they expect as this moves forward. Terry Dickens (IC) shared his
experiences on the taskforce for the Roosevelt Elementary disposition.
2013 Budgets for Social Services (JC):
Sally Stutsman (JC) shared information regarding the County's budget for social services in the
area, and stated that the County would like to know what others are doing regarding this type of
funding. Some of the agencies funded by the County include: block grants for the Visiting
Nurses Association, Elderly Services, the Free Medical Clinic, the Food Bank, Shelter House,
Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Action for Youth, Youth Home, RVAP, Crisis Center, 4Cs,
Senior Center, Uptown Bill's, MECCA, and the Housing Trust Fund. Stutsman (JC) then
responded to questions regarding their funding. She added that in this year's budget they have
added an "unmet needs" account of $22,000, which can be used for emergencies that come up.
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Jeff Davidson (IC) noted that the Iowa City City Council continues its funding to social services
agencies. He explained that the majority of the funding comes from the City's General Fund,
$274,000 in FY13; $91,000 from CDBG funds; and $26,000 -plus from utility user fees. There
are 15 to 20 agencies that request funds annually, according to Davidson. The conversation
turned to funding shortages and how each of the jurisdictions will handle these. Terrence Neuzil
(JC) noted that in Iowa when the State has cut funding in the past, others in the communities
have picked this up. He also addressed the impact of the State taking over the MHDS programs
and funding. There will be several agencies in the local area that will feel this change, according
to Neuzil. Neuzil (JC) then responded to questions regarding how commercial property tax
changes will affect this funding, as well. Rettig (JC) added that the County has 21 classes of
property that are taxed. This year 15 of those classes are going to see a tax cut — industrial,
commercial, Ag land, Ag buildings, and utilities. The only classes that will see an increase are
the six classes of residential.
John Lundell (C) shared their funding for these agencies, noting that they were able to give an
increase to this funding. Their council had a subcommittee review the requests, one of which
was for the Coralville Food Pantry. They were able to give this agency a sizable portion in order
to establish their services.
Gerry Kuhl (NL) stated that their list is much shorter. Some of their agencies are the Family
Resource Center, the Housing Trust, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, and the North Liberty Food
Pantry. Neuzil (JC) asked that the communities present remember these funding issues as they
look ahead and think about ways to keep these agencies funded, as State funding decreases.
Tim Kemp (Hills) added that they gave $8,000 to their Family Resource Center and were also
able to add another $7,000 in the next fiscal year for various community funding needs.
Redistricting (ICCSD):
Steve Murley (ICCSD) spoke about the District's redistricting plans. They are currently
reviewing the attendance zones in the district, paying particular attention to the elementary and
junior high attendance zones. Of particular concern is overcrowding at North Central Junior
High. On the other hand, Northwest Junior High is under capacity, according to Murley. They
are considering some type of redistricting to address this. Grant Wood Elementary in Iowa City
is overcrowded, according to Murley, with temporary classrooms in use there. Hills Elementary,
on the other hand, has empty seats. This is another area where the District is considering
redistricting. Murley briefly explained the process the Board is going through to address these
issues. Others shared what they have been hearing from the public concerning these issues.
Joint Meetings with Large Cities (JC):
Rod Sullivan (JC) spoke to this issue, stating that the County has had meetings in the past with
Solon, Tiffin, and Swisher at their council meetings, and have plans to attend Lone Tree's in the
next month. The County would like to do this with their larger cities, and the school district, if
there is interest on the part of those entities.
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Other Business:
Janelle Rettig (NL) noted that before the next joint meeting they will be having Bike to Work
Week (May 14 —18). She noted that in the past Iowa City and Coralville helped to fund this
activity, and that various officials have taken part in the activities. She asked for interested
parties to take part in the activities, giving everyone a brief history on this.
Schedule Next Meeting:
The next joint meeting will be hosted by Johnson County and will be held on June 20, 2012, at
4:30 P.M.
Adjourn:
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 P.M.