HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-10 TranscriptionPage 1
ITEM 3. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA)
Hayek: This is the opportunity at each City Council meeting, uh, for members of the
public to address us on items that are not on the agenda. If there's something
you'd like to bring to our attention, uh, we invite you to sign in, uh, and come
forward to the podium. Also give us your name verbally, and we ask that you
keep your comments to five minutes or less! Hi!
Mitchell: Hi, I'm Jarrett Mitchell. Uh, I'm here with a group tonight, uh, the ICLUC, uh,
Iowa Citians for the Legalization of Urban Chickens. Uh, and I just want to speak
briefly. We have been gathering signatures throughout the summer on this issue.
Uh, some of you know that it's been brought up in the past. Uh, I've talked about
it over the course of the campaign in the fall. Those of you that were with me
probably remember the banging of the drum. Uh, and so I guess I'm just here
tonight to kind of talk about, uh, real quickly this issue and just sort of...I've been
asked by some people to talk about why it's important. Why is this issue
important, why should the Council even consider it, uh, there's a lot of things,
clearly, that are important to City Council. What's this issue mean? Uh, and I
guess I would frame it in terms of looking at, uh, why, uh, why is it important? I
would say that it's important in terms of, uh, the same reason that giving $30,000
to a cupcake store is important, and that is that Iowa City itself is a place that the
number of people in the town don't totally show the whole story about what we're
about. Uh, it seems that with, um, the grant that was given out for the cupcakes,
and I think that this is a good logic, is that in Iowa City we have ... there was New
York, Chicago, and Iowa City's the next logical choice. Uh, both of those cities —
New York and Chicago — both urban chickens are legal. I think it's important to
understand that Iowa City is a great town and a great city that we, uh, we're trying
to mimic some of the great things happening in other cities, and so I think that this
issue, while it may not provide the same economic development, might not
provide the same money, uh, to the City that a new business and a, uh, storefront
downtown that is currently, uh, available would provide to the City. It provides a,
uh, sort of social fabric. Uh, it provides, uh ... uh, a foundation in the social fabric
that can't be quantified by money. Uh, I would encourage, uh, you all to consider
this issue for somebody to bring it up .... a person with courage to bring this issue
up, to look at it, for the City to look at it, uh, Cedar Rapids has done this. We can
look at a city that was ravaged by the floods, and that they have taken the time,
uh, during this time. There were all these other things going on, but they saw that
it fit, that they would also move in this way towards, uh, the development of
sustainability, uh, in terms of property rights, all of these things that are important
to us as Iowa Citians, we can look to Cedar Rapids and we can see what has
happened there and go through the corridor and see what's happened to the north.
Our neighbors to the north, and see what we can do down here. Lastly I'd just
like to say that, uh, there's a group of us here. We've all got the pins on; we've
got the buttons on. Uh, it's been a great group of people, uh, working on this
issue, getting signatures, uh, talking to members of the community, and
developing sort of a ... a rationale as to why it's important, uh, it's a great group of
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 2
people and if you look at it, who is it? It's small business owners. It's people that
run non - profits. It's Guggenheim Fellowship winners. It's the people of this
community. It's young families that have moved here from other places. It's the
people that we want to attract to this community, and I think that's what we need
to understand, is that while it might not provide the economic thing that a lot of
the other issues that we're bringing up here, and Council do, what it provides is
a... it shows the rest of the country... it shows people that want to move here, the
people that we want here, it shows that Iowa City cares about sustainability, and it
shows that we care about personal freedom and about property rights. This issue,
uh, students aren't going to have chickens. It'll already ... it would totally, all the
legislation would fall out if that... students aren't going to be having that and the
students that would would be the ones that are devoted with their landlords, that
have a very special relationship with ... with their landlords, so I would encourage
you guys ... think in terms of property ownership. Think in terms of sustainability.
And think in terms of the intangible, social capital that we'll gain by passing an
issue like this, and I thank you guys so much for the hard work and everything. It
is great to see everybody up here, and uh, thank you for having me here tonight.
Hayek: It's good to see you too, Jarrett. Thanks!
Imborek: I'm going to go next before you guys get tired of hearing this, so ... uh, thank you
for allowing me to speak tonight. My name's Katie Imborek. Um, I'm a proud
citizen of Iowa City for the last ten years and after growing up in northwest
Indiana, I moved to Iowa City for medical school. I fell in love with the place,
decided it was a wonderful place to raise a family, and never left. Um, and one of
the things that I found about Iowa City is that it's refreshingly progressive, with
things like health promotion, uh, it was one of the first cities in... in Iowa to ban
smoking. We've done a lot in terms of making bicycling more friendly. Um,
we've done tons in terms of local food movement and social justice issues. And I
believe it's time again for Iowa City to stay true to its tradition of being forward
thinking by discussing the feasibility of keeping urban chickens. In this situation
we wouldn't be leading the pack, however, uh, and that is (mumbled) with regard
to other Iowa towns or ... or even other out of state communities. Instead we'd be
following a precedent, and importantly it is a precedent of success with little
reported complications, from places like Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Chicago, and
Ann Arbor. So my wife and I have two little boys, ages five and two, and we also
have a school -age niece and two nephews who live in... in Iowa City, and we
believe that the opportunity to raise backyard hens would be an amazing
educational experience for children. Chicken keeping is a great lesson in
responsibility, sustainability, and life cycles. Having chickens is a natural
extension for gardeners. They provide weed control, pest control, they enrich the
soil with... with nitrogen from their droppings, and of course for most ... for most
folks the main reason to keep chickens is cause you want the eggs, which are
proven to be healthier than store - bought varieties. So I really love the fact that in
Iowa City when I go shopping at the grocery store I can actually see how many
miles from the market my food came and what would be more local than walking
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 3
out your back door to get chickens and bringing them in to your kitchen table.
This is definitely an opportunity that I want my boys to be able to experience,
while continuing to live in this city, in this community that we love. And I'm
clearly not the only Iowa Citian who feels this way. Um, ICLUC has recently
delivered you a list of 985 signatures from other community members who are in
support of keeping chickens in Iowa City. They've also provided you with a very
concise FAQ sheet, uh, which outlines some of the commonly perceived barriers
to chicken keeping, and again, we're really fortunate that our neighbor, Cedar
Rapids, is approaching their second anniversary of passing a chicken keeping
ordinance, and this is really a great example of a well composed set of guidelines
that working extremely well in that community, and that many of the policies
could be discussed also in terms of an ordinance in Iowa City. And one of the
real main stays of that ordinance is the requirement for potential chicken owners
to actually take a class in urban chicken keeping to even be made eligible to have
a permit for up to six hens. So this definitely deters the impulsive chicken buyer,
um, and it would take both forethought and money to actually be able to raise
chickens. And this would potentially cover any expense to the City and to the
Animal Shelter, and also greatly decrease the chance for abandoned chickens in
Iowa City. There have been other university towns, like Ames, Kalamazoo, and
Madison who have successfully implemented chicken keeping policies without
problems such as abandoned chickens. So in closing, I believe that backyard
chickens in Iowa City is feasible. This attention ... or this issue was brought to the
attention of the Council in 2009, and it never made it to formal discussion. So
former Mayor Bailey was actually on the NPR program On Point and she was
quoted as saying that she wanted to wait at least one year to give enough time for
discussion and evaluation of the implementation of this policy. So here we are
three years later. We have great examples of the successful implementation of
chicken keeping ordinances in towns as close as Hills and Cedar Rapids. So it's
time for the Council to address this issue and work toward a policy for allowing
keeping urban chickens in Iowa City. Thank you very much for your time and for
all of your hard work.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Cook: Good evening, my name is Melanie Cook. And uh, I've been a member of the
community for ... oh, 25, 30 years. Um ... used to be a resident of Iowa City a long
time ago. Been a member of North Liberty community. Just moved back into
Iowa City. Kind of wanted to set up a homestead in Manville Heights. Got a nice
yard. And uh, there's nothing back there, and I wanted to raise some chickens!
They make great pets. I have friends that have chickens in Amana, and uh ... they
make great pets. They're wonderful educational experience. I'll be on board with
educating, um, if you guys implemented an education program, we'd be happy to
do that. Sorry, I'm a little nervous. Um...
Hayek: You're doing fine.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 4
Cook: ...I've been involved with the Girl Scouts (laughter) for oh, seven or eight years
now, uh, leader, uh, all the way up the, you know, director type ladder, and um,
very involved in the Girl Scouts, and I have been an advocate, you know, getting
the chicken thing going with them too so ... um, I'd just like to say that I'm, you
know, all for this and if I can do anything to help it, you know, move forward, I'd
be happy to. Thank you very much.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
LaBadie: Hi, my name is K. T. LaBadie and I've spoken to you guys before. Um, I've been
a resident here for two years and something that people may use to describe me is
that I'm a person whose very much into sustainability, green living. I like to eat
healthy. I like to live healthy. Um, I'm also very much into environmental
education and, you know, for me ... urban chickens is not just something that I've
done in the past before moving to Iowa City. It's something that I really can be
an educational tool for children to get connected to their food system and I know
that it is possible to legalize chickens, to minimize a lot of the problems that
people have as potential concerns. Um, I have a professional background in
urban planning and public health, and you know, a lot of the concerns that people
have, I know that they can be overcome, especially through the formation, you
know, of a very high - quality ordinance that addresses a lot of those issues. Um,
so you know not only personally for me to be able to keep chickens here would be
great. I've been two years without chickens, since moving here, and you know,
store - bought eggs are just really not that great once you've had, you know, fresh
eggs, um ... and ... you know, I want to see other people in this community to have
the ability to experience what I've had in my life by being able to go and connect
with animals in my backyard. To have this great food production cycle of
growing vegetables, having eggs, you know, making your nice breakfast omelet
that came from your backyard in the summer. You know, it's really something
that can't be beat, and I think it's a very great, um, you know, experience that all
children should have and you know everyone in the Iowa City community. If
they choose to do so. Um ... so you know I just urge you guys to consider this
issue and the positive impacts that it could have on our community. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you.
Meyer: Hi, my name's Fred Meyer. I'm a master gardener and I've lived here in Iowa
City for ten years, and I'd like to, uh, keep chickens in my own backyard for two
reasons. First reason, and many folks don't know this, is chickens are fantastic at
helping in gardens. I love raising food, and there is nothing ... no other critter
that's better at deseeding and deweeding and fertilizing a new garden bed than
three hens. And they're also fantastic, as you know, at laying eggs and also
providing control for insects, like Japanese beetles that we're all having troubles
with now. They eat Japanese beetles and their grubs like they're candy, and so
they can turn a potential problem into fertile soil. The second reason is I think
urban chickens, as other folks have said, contribute to the resiliency of our
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 5
community. When I take those eggs, and I'm going to have more eggs than I
know what to do with, and give them to my neighbors and friends, that is making
them more dependent on me rather than folks that they don't know from far away.
And that is what is the essence of a ... of a resilient community. And I think ... a
progressive community is a resilient community and many folks think that
perhaps if Iowa City has a few dozen people who are raising chickens it'll make
us less progressive, more farm -like. But I don't think that's the case! I really
think it's a sign of progressiveness when a city can start providing for itself, so
that its citizens can provide for themselves, rather than relying on the City to
provide services and things like that for its citizens. So I urge you to support the
legalization of chickens. Thanks!
Hayek: Thank you for your comments! Okay, would anyone else like to weigh in, uh,
during community comment portion? Okay. Seeing none ... I appreciate the
comments that were provided tonight and ... and your appearance here in general.
We'll move on to Item 4, Planning and Zoning Matters.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 6
ITEM 4e CONDITIONALLY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 4.29 ACRES OF
LAND LOCATED ON WALDEN ROAD, WEST OF MORMON TREK
BOULEVARD FROM MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL (RS -8) ZONE TO HIGH DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL (RS -12) ZONE. (REZ09- 00003) [Discussion only at formal
meeting]
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Any ex parte
communications from the last time we took this up? (several responding) Okay.
Miklo: Bob Miklo from the Planning and Community Development department. Just like
to point out that the Conditional Zoning Agreement has been signed by the
applicant. Uh, the agreement provides for City engineer review and approval of
the storm water management system; uh, that review and approval will occur at
the time of subdivision, um, which will be after the zoning. Um, Ron Knoche the
City Engineer is here and available if you have any questions about, uh, the storm
water management, uh, proposal at this point.
Throgmorton: I ... I do have a question.
Hayek: Yeah.
Throgmorton: So ... should...
Hayek: That'd be fine.
Throgmorton: Yeah, so, um ... my question is, uh, consistent with one asked by some of the
nearby residents, uh, the uh ... the Conditional Rezoning Agreement states I think
the storm water management system will be designed in the manner that will not
exacerbate, uh, storm water drainage issues on adjacent properties. So the
question is, um, basically by what means will anybody be able to verify that the
proposed drainage, swale system will not exacerbate neighbors' drainage
problems?
Knoche: Part of the design'll be looking at what the existing conditions are, and so
they'll ... do some modeling to determine how much water is existing, and which
way the drainage flows today, and then we'll look at that compared to what's
going to come off of the lot, um, in the post - construction... situation.
Throgmorton: So ... so let's say that, at some future moment there's a ... a drainage related
flooding problem on nearby properties.
Knoche: Uh -huh.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 7
Throgmorton: How will one know that it's not exacerbated by the ... this proposed development?
Knoche: You know we'll ... what we'll do is be ... we'll be able to determine from the
design, um, and kind of what the pre ... the pre ... the pre- existing conditions that
were there, and the way the runoff was in prior to construction and determine if it
was ... if the issues that are there today are based on water coming off of lot 79.
Dobyns: My sense, Jim, and there are some constraints to the property, but you know, it's
nature. You can't ... I didn't expect anybody to sit there and say with absolute
certainty that there won't be exacerbation, but there's also not only the City staff
has looked at it, uh, with those constraints, but I think there's been good faith
discussion between the developer and concerned property owners as well, and
(mumbled) see how it goes.
Hayek: Why don't we ... why don't we try to keep, uh, the conversation directed at
questions for staff and I also want to provide an opportunity for the public to
weigh in and then we'll get into the discussion if...assuming there's a motion.
Dobyns: Sorry!
Hayek: That ... that's fine. I just want to try to keep it delineated.
Champion: I may not have my memory, but wasn't there some possibility of helping those
neighbors who have flooding problems now with how this is going to be
constructed? Am I... am I remembering that wrong?
Knoche: The ... the way that the original ... the way that it was proposed, um, with ... the plan
that was before us, uh, was that there would be an overland flow route, that would
be graded, to keep the water from Lot 79 in the MidAmerican easement area, and
out to a ... a storm sewer that's along, um, Rohret Road. Um, there's been some
discussions with MidAmerican since that point, and it looks like, uh, part of the
requirement from MidAmerican's standpoint will be to pipe, um, all the storm
water that comes out of the detention basin to the storm water system along
Rohret Road. So, the only time the overland flow route would be used is if we
had a storm event that's greater than a 100 -year storm.
Hayek: Are there other questions for staff? Okay. Thanks, Ron.
Knoche: Yep!
Hayek: Would anyone else, uh, from the audience like to weigh in during the public
hearing here?
Denaldo: Hi, my name's Kevin Denaldo. I live at 54 Coll Court, and I spoke at the public
meeting that's now been continued a few weeks ago. So I live at the property
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 8
that's immediately west, kind of at the ... we're at the end of the Coll Court cul -de-
sac. My property, um, backs directly into the, uh, redevelopment area. Uh, and I
do have a few questions about the ... the, uh, conditions of the rezoning. Uh, one
of them was, uh, I appreciate the questions about how to measure whether or not
it's been exacerbated. Obviously it's either going to stay the same, it's going to
get better, it's going to get worse, and how do you ... how do you know. I guess a
follow -up question I have to that is ... who bears the cost of this measurement? Is
that something that the City bears the cost of measuring the initial, uh, process,
and then down the road if we think it has been exacerbated, or is that a cost that
the homeowners potentially are going to bear. So I ... absent specificity, I'm
just ... I'm concerned that there might be a cost that are born by the homeowners to
go through this process down the road. Uh, and the other, um, item, and I raised
this last time and after thinking about it more I ... I still have concerns about this.
The wording in the conditions talk about the design and the construction at the
initial point, and ... obviously over time, uh ... with an open swale, there's got to be
maintenance, as well. Uh, things can be designed perfectly. When we buy a new
car, it's designed perfectly, we think — should be — but over time, if you don't
maintain it, it's not going to run properly and eventually it won't run at all. And
absent any wording about the obligation for maintenance, uh, if you look at where
that's going to be and where the developed property is going to be, uh, the new
construction, they're not going to probably even know this exists. And they're
not going to be concerned about the water because it's going to be down from
their property, and so my concern is that absent any wording or specificity about
who's obligated to maintain this, again, is that an obligation that's going to be
borne by the homeowners because we're the ones that are closest to where the
potential affect would be. So I'd like clarification on who's obligated for the
maintenance and, uh, what I would like to see is that there's specifics written in
the condition of the rezoning so that it's clear who bears the cost of maintenance,
and I guess the other question I have is, if whatever process is used to determine if
it's been exacerbated, if it's determined that the drainage has been exacerbated on
my and my neighbors' properties, uh, the recourse process, if there is any
litigation... that's involved with that, is that something the City bears, because the
City has approved the conditional rezoning? Is that a cost that's going to be borne
by the homeowners in this process and I don't ... I don't know the process. I don't
see wording so ... one of my overall concerns is that down the road, are there some
hidden costs that are going to be borne by the homeowners, uh, related to these
issues. So ... thank you for my, uh, listen to my questions.
Hayek: And ... in reaction to that, I mean, several questions have been posed, which staff
may have the capacity to answer during this public hearing. May ... may need to
go back and ... and verify and come back to us potentially at the second or third
reading. I don't know how we want to handle that. Um...
Champion: Well I think those are valid questions.
Hayek: Yeah...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 9
Champion: And I'd like the answers to them.
Hayek: Okay.
Mims: I would agree!
Miklo: In terms of the ... the cost of the design, that will be assumed by Southgate
Development when they do their ... their platting, the design of the, uh, of the
storm water facilities. In terms of clarification of maintenance, when ... there will
be, uh, legal papers with the final plat that will specify the obligations of the
homeowner's association for lot 79, the actual development, that will be
responsible for, uh, the maintenance of that. In terms of the legal question I guess
I would defer to Eleanor for that.
Dilkes: Well, the situation'll be examined at the time the ... the plans are approved.
Um ... and then the maintenance obligation will be put on the ... the homeowners'
association as Bob said, so the responsible party in the future, um, will be the
homeowners' association. Now in terms of litigation costs by either of those
parties, those are private costs that ... that we would not be involved in.
Hayek: Okay. All right, would anyone, uh, else like to weigh in during this public
hearing? Okay, seeing no interest I will close the public hearing at this time.
(bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Throgmorton: So moved.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved, uh, moved by Throgmorton, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? All
those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0. Take up first
consideration at this time.
Mims: Move first consideration.
Dobyns: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dobyns. Discussion?
Mims: I would just say, I ... I had the same concerns in terms of...you know, how ... how
do you put a real handle on what the issues are now in terms of quantifying it, and
the potential for disagreement down the road, whether the situation has been
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 10
exacerbated. Um, certainly you know very much want to see this go forward, but
also want to make sure that we've got adequate protection in place for those
homeowners, you know, in the area that are affected by the runoff from there. So
I just ... I don't know exactly how you do it, but I just point that out to staff and
developer that I think that's ... has to be real high priority to make sure that there's,
you know, some protection there for those people.
Throgmorton: I ... I wonder if it would be possible, consistent with what you're saying, Susan, I
wonder if it would be possible to a ... attached a condition to the rezoning,
requiring per ... periodic monitoring for some specified period of time, like, uh...
um ... checking that the, um, the success of the design system, uh, and doing that
at... for up to maybe five years or something like that after the, um, after the
rezoning's approved. Uh, and ... and then ... and requiring the developer, not the
homeowners' association, to, um, correct any flaws in the system. So I'm just
putting it out there as a possibility. I don't know if it's a good idea or not.
Hayek: Would ... would that be part of the CZA or would that come at the plat stage?
Dilkes: The maintenance obligations will come at the plat stage. We ... we ... typically
impose, um ... well, we have different ways of doing it. Um, whether the City
takes an easement and ... and takes on the obligation for easement, but in this
situation, it will be an obligation that's imposed on the homeowners' association
at the time of the subdivision. And that'll be a ... a legal document that's recorded
with the subdivision papers.
Throgmorton: ... it would be, uh, a condition of rezoning, as well. That's a ... that's an alternative
legal route that could be followed initially, is ... is it not?
Dilkes: Uh, it could ... for the same way that we're requiring that ... there be approval of
the, um, the storm water system by the City Engineer, conceivably yes you could
include such (both talking)
Dobyns: ...certainly been guilty of maybe prematurely discussing some of the specifics of
the drainage, um, at this stage of the zoning, um, I really think we ought to wait
till, you know, after the zoning change, if that's approved, and just look at the
actual plats. I think it's more appropriate at that time to actually ask about the
specifics, um, of what's going to be built there, and the swales and what actually
might be downstream water issues.
Throgmorton: But we ... as a council we wouldn't be in any position to modify the preliminary
plat in any significant way. On ... on what basis would we do that? Cause we
...we'd defer to our Public Works' staff.
Dobyns: Well we can reject it!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 11
Dilkes: Well, the way the Conditional Zoning Agreement reads now, actually there was a
change made in it that went from compliance with City standards to, um, a ... built
to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. So the minimum is going to be City
standards and if the City Engineer believes that there's, my reading of it, if the
City Engineer believes that there are additional requirements necessary to prevent
exacerbation of an existing condition, the City Engineer can impose those
requirements.
Hayek: Do you view that as an added protection over...
Dilkes: I actually think that change in language is ... is an added protection. It was
requested by the developer, but I ... I think it is ... is a good change for us.
Hayek: I guess where I come down on this is, um, yes there are question marks. Um,
and ... and concerns from the adjacent neighbors that I ... that I, uh, I ... I certainly
take to heart. But, you know, at the end of the analysis I have to, uh, place my
trust in the ability of City staff to vet these proposals at the platting stage,
um ... based on ... on our local standards and best practices, and uh, as they do with
every single project that comes across their desk, and uh, not approve or
recommend approval of...of a plat that doesn't meet those threshold of concerns.
And ... and I think that's where I come down on this. There are concerns, and
that's why we have a process, and that's why we have experts who ... who review
and approve or ... or recommend, uh, not approving particular projects.
Payne: And right now I think this seems like the best bet in doing something about the
drainage problem. I mean, this seems like a way to make sure that something gets
done about it and that we have... professional trained people to look at the
outcome of...of the design. And right now it's just running...
Throgmorton: ... status quo's no good right now.
Payne: Right! Exactly!
Dickens: Apparently it's a problem (mumbled) so ... it's a way to help solve it, and we can
see once the plans come, we can always make that determination at that time
(mumbled) continue on with it.
Hayek: Okay, further discussion on first consideration? Roll call, please. First
consideration passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 12
ITEM 4f CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE VACATING AIR RIGHTS WITHIN THE
PUBLIC RIGHT -OF -WAY LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE PROPERTY
AT 114 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET, IOWA CITY, IOWA. (VAC12-
00003) (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Champion: Move second consideration.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Would anyone from the
public like to ... yeah! Appears to be the case. So I'll ... let's, uh, entertain, uh,
input from the public on the ... this air rights. Again, we're not talking about, uh,
the TIF issues on the agenda this evening, but instead the air rights.
Dieterle: I'm Caroline Dieterle, uh, 727 Walnut. Um, in the publicity that has surrounded
this, uh, project, I have never seen a drawing or a photograph or a sketch or any
...any kind of schematic, um, showing exactly what will happen when the air
rights are sold to ... allow this cantilever balcony that is supposed to be part of the
project, and ... there's so much of the, um, ped mall that is nice the way it is now —
trees, per ... a pergola, things like that. I really, uh, would be distressed to find that
this balcony was going to shadow all of that. Um, sunlight is kind of a nice thing
to have in the ped mall (laughter) and I don't want to see any less of it. Um, I
understand the Council's desire to have a higher -rise building in this space and to
reap tax money off it and so forth, but ... I think that things are getting a bit, uh,
out of whack when you're actually selling air rights and beginning to shadow the
main drag of the ped mall. So, I'm asking whether you in fact have anything that
you can show us about that, and any listing of the amenities that are now on the
ped mall that will be, uh, overshadowed by the balcony. Um, an effort has gone
in to putting trees down there, which are a very nice thing to have and, uh,
planters and those things need sun to prosper and to ... to be healthy, and if the
balcony is going to cut the sun off from those things, you should be aware of the
negative effect that that will have, not only to the way the place looks, but to the
general ambiance and attractiveness to people who want to go there and sit. So,
um, what have you got? Do you have any pictures?
Hayek: Well we don't ... you know we're not ... as you know, Caroline, we're not set u to
engage in a back - and -forth with...
Dieterle: No, but are any pictures going to be made public of this before...
Hayek: Well, Bob, you can weigh in. We ... we have seen schematics; in fact you may
just be bringing one up there.
Dieterle: Where ... where is ... where is the balcony in this?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 13
Miklo: The cantilevered portion of the building is this area here, approximately four feet
that would, uh, project into the street. And you can see here, as well.
Dieterle: So it's only four feet?
Miklo: That's correct.
Dieterle: And not ... and how far ... how far does it run ... what's the length that it runs?
Miklo: It's the, uh, length of the west and north side of the building.
Dieterle: Okay. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments. Would anyone else from the public like to
provide, uh, input during this discussion portion?
Michaud: Hi, I'm Pam Michaud. Um, I guess there was some misconception that it was just
a balcony but as we see now it goes up 13 stories and it's a solid fagade, except
for some indented balconies. So it adds, uh, I believe with the 5,600 square, uh,
finished square feet to the building. So that does ... involve more development
and, um, tax, uh, revenue, so I understand that. Um, I guess, you know, in the last
five years, just five years since 2006, we've had, um. ... and I think this does have
to do with this, uh, tornadoes, floods, and fire destroy buildings that were historic.
Wells Fargo is not a historic building, but the pedestrian mall has been established
since the 70s, and it's iconic of Iowa City. Um ... in ... in talking to people about
the other petition that we're not discov ... uh, discussing, um ... people would
comment on Ann Arbor, Michigan, being unrecognizable because it has lost all its
character. It's all large developments. And I would suggest that, um, that a large
development in the core of the city pedestrian mall included that's over $5 million
should have some kind of public review and be open to a bid process. In my
discussions with a lot of different people in the last five weeks, I've talked to
contractors and public employees and builders that felt they were excluded from
this process. They didn't think that they would have a right to, uh, participate in a
bid process. And, um, that the downtown was, uh, was just not an area that they
were able to participate in.
Hayek: Pam, I'm ... I'm going to have to interrupt you and ask that you keep your
comments relevant to the air rights.
Michaud: All right. So ... I think you got the idea.
Hayek: Okay.
Michaud: Um ... when you have cataclysmic money you are, the City is contributing a large
amount of money, uh, to give a lot of air rights and ... and I would ask you to
reconsider that.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 14
Hayek: Thank you for your comments. Would anyone else from the public?
Knapp: I thought maybe Caroline (mumbled) excuse me. Was going to speak. My
name's James Knapp. And uh ... I don't have an objection to the building per se,
except that I think we have more building in downtown Iowa City than we need in
this type of a building. My objection is ... to the TIF. My objection is to the fact
that I don't believe the Council, other than Connie Champion, were around when
the original TIF on Plaza Towers was given (both talking)
Hayek: Mr ... Mr. Knapp, I'm going to interrupt you again. We ... we've got several items
tonight relating to this project.
Knapp: I'm relating to this project, cause I think some of the people on the Council have
not been apprised of the situation and how it was handled in the past.
Hayek: That... that's... that's fine, but if you're ... if you want to talk about the TIF or the
proposed revenue route, I would ask that you hold back your comments for Items
7 and 8, cause that's (both talking)
Knapp: I'm not talking about the TIF.
Hayek: Okay.
Knapp: I'm talking about what's transpired in the past and (both talking)
Hayek: ...I'm going to ask you to try to direct your comments (both talking) I'm going to
ask you to try to direct your comments toward what's on Item 4f, which is the
vacation ... the sale of air rights. Okay? Cause that's what we have to decide
under this specific item.
Knapp: So we can't object specifically to the fact that we're granting a TIF when we
should not be doing this and raising taxes for the taxpayers and costing us
taxpayers more money because of this, and did the City know, did the Council
know in advance that ... if Marc doesn't get to do this, he'll probably sue for
damages, just like he sued to suppress his financial statements previously. Was
the Council told about this? Was it written into that, so that he could not do that,
so that if they said blanket no, it was no and done and Marc, get your own money
for it? Was that done? Were you apprised by the City Attorney?
Hayek: We don't set up our meetings to engage in a back -and -forth with the public, but
we invite public comment on items like this. So if you've got a comment on the
proposed sale of air rights, regarding this project (both talking)
Knapp: I have a comment on how you're railroading this down the throats of the
taxpayers. I have a comment on that. I have one page, two sides I will give to the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 15
press. I will publish in the papers, and ... and we will see it, and I just want the
people in Iowa City to know what's gone on in the past and what'll go on in the
future as long as you keep giving money to Mr. Moen.
Hayek: If you...
Knapp: He does not need it! He can do it without it, or the City can do without the
project.
Hayek: If ... if what you brought you'd like to submit to the Council, you can give it to the
City Clerk (both talking)
Knapp: I have eleven copies left. I gave one away. I will pass them out to the Council
and I, please hope they will read them, because they're also going to the press,
and the press will be reading them.
Hayek: Very well. Thank you.
Knapp: But I would like to know if you were advised that if you ... Council made a
decision to go ahead with this and then changed their mind because of a public
outcry, that ... were you aware that there would be damages sought against the
City for doing so. And if that's the case, I think the City should be apprised of the
actual real costs, and those costs should be documented with the people that
they're spent ... Munson Architect or whoever it is, and then I think that ... a letter
should be drafted to the IRS saying, okay, this is what he said he spent, this is
what we said we got, so is that reported on their taxes.
Hayek: Sir, I suggest you make your comments, uh, available to the Clerk and then to the
media. It'll become part of the public record.
Knapp: I've already made my comments to ... the City Attorney and she said that she
works for the Council, not the people of Iowa City.
Hayek: Thank you, Sir. Would anyone else from the public, uh, like to provide input?
Okay. I will close the public comment portion and we can now turn to Council
discussion.
Champion: (mumbled) on the floor?
Karr: We have a motion on the floor.
Mims: We have a motion. (several commenting)
Dilkes: Has there been a ... a request to collapse on this? No? Okay.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 16
Mims: Well I'm going to support it as I did before. I think, um, I think the four -feet
cantilever actually makes a better - looking building, um, I think that it increases
the potential value of that building and the, uh, taxes that the City will, uh,
eventually get from it. I'm going to continue to support it.
Hayek: Yeah, I ... I'll repeat what I've said at...at prior, at the first reading and even
before that. I'm ... I'm not going to support this particular item, uh ... I have, uh,
concerns about the vacation of...of right -of -way in the pedestrian mall for reasons
I've given earlier. Um, but also as I've indicated earlier, uh, this should not be
construed as ... as a lack of support for the project. I think this is an excellent
project for downtown and I will be supportive of that later on in the agenda. Any
further discussion?
Throgmorton: I ... I'll be voting no just to be consistent with prior votes.
Hayek: Okay. Further discussion? Okay, roll call, please. Uh, item pa ... or second
consideration passes 5 -2; Hayek and Throgmorton in the negative.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 17
ITEM 4g CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF
WINDSOR WEST PART TWO, IOWA CITY, IOWA. (SUB12- 00009)
Hayek: Um, with respect to Item 4g, we were going to read that but there is a request to,
uh, entertain a motion to defer this until, uh, July 31 St
Mims: Move...
Champion: Go ahead.
Mims: Move to defer to July 31St on Item 4g.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by, uh, Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? All those in favor say
aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0. We'll take this up on the 31St of the
month.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 18
ITEM 4h CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF
PENINSULA NEIGHBORHOOD 5TH ADDITION. (SUB12- 00005)
Payne: Move resolution.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? For the public's input, this,
uh, will allow development of an 8 -lot, uh, or 16 -unit, roughly two -acre
residential subdivision located on Foster Road.
Throgmorton: This is just carrying out, basically decisions we made earlier. So, seems like we
ought to do it!
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 19
ITEM 5. PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATE
OF COST FOR THE RENOVATION OF FIELDS 1, 2, 3, and 4 AT THE
NAPOLEON PARK GIRLS SOFTBALL COMPLEX, ESTABLISHING
AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY EACH BID,
DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE TO BIDDERS, AND
FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. Public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) This, uh, cost is
estimated to be at about $180,000 and will be funded with GO bonds. Various
improvements to the fields. Any public input? Okay. I'll close the public
hearing. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING
Dobyns: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item
passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 20
ITEM 6. PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE
OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE S. DUBUQUE STREET
STORM SEWER AND WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT,
ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY
EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE TO
BIDDERS, AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Estimated
cost of the project of the ... for the public's information is, uh, $355,000 and will
be funded with storm water and water revenue proceeds, as well as road use tax
dollars. Any public input? Okay, I'll close the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING
Dobyns: Move the resolution.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item
passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 21
ITEM 7. INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR
THE AUTHORIZATION AND ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED
$2,800,000 TAXABLE GENERAL OBLIGATION URBAN RENEWAL
BONDS, SERIES 2012.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. (bangs gavel) Public hearing is open. So if you're here
regarding the TIF project, now is the time to come forward.
Gordon: Uh, my name's, uh, Colin Gordon. I live in Iowa City on Rochester Avenue.
Um, I'm opposed to the public financing for this project. Um, I think with a
substantial public subsidy, uh, we should be, uh, seeing a substantial public
benefit. Um, I don't see that in that project. Uh, the laws upon which this kind of
subsidy are originally based were designed to remove threats to the public
welfare, which is one kind of public benefit. I don't think we're going to argue
that the Wells Fargo building is that. Uh, another possible public benefit is
providing a substantial public good, something the market would not provide.
Uh... something like low- income housing, for example, uh, but by my reading, uh,
this deal actually plays somewhat loose with Iowa's TIF law, uh, resting on an old
urban renewal statute, um, which allows the building of housing, when in fact it's
an economic development zone, which requires a set -aside for low - income
housing, which is not taking place. Another, uh, potential, uh, public benefit
might simply be serving the purposes of the urban renewal plan as drafted. Um,
but I can find nowhere in that plan, um, the hint of a mention of the need to build
market or above - market housing in downtown Iowa City. Uh, so all that's left,
um, and I think what this project really hinges on, all that's left as a conceivable
public benefit, uh, is getting a property with a much higher assessed value, uh,
and hence revenue stream. But of course we won't see any of that for 18 years,
the time it's going to take to pay off the TIF. Uh, it'll take longer than 18 years if
the State legislature enacts commercial property tax reform, um, which will
strangle that revenue stream. And I think, uh, most relevant in this case is if the
developer in question has indicated his willingness to build a smaller building on
the site. So, we're not conjuring a new assessment out of thin air. In fact, by my
math we're giving up 18 years of assessment on a slightly smaller building, but
it's substantially larger than what's there now, in exchange for the promise 18, 19,
23 years from now, uh, of a small gain. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Dieterle: I'm Caroline Dieterle, and I won't put my name down a second time. The
proposed funding mechanism for the TIF in question here is general obligation
bonds. And the interest rate to be paid on these bonds is low because they are
being backed by the credit of all Iowa City property taxpayers. If the Iowa City
Council is to use the citizens' credit in this manner, the citizens deserve to vote on
whether they want to do this. The original intent of GO bonds was to allow
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 22
funding at reasonable interest rates for expensive but necessary public
infrastructure, as the gentleman that just spoke mentioned. The original intent of
TIF legislation was to encl... enable the reclamation of blighted areas, returning
them to revenue - producing status. But the situation now is that these two good
ideas have been perverted and united so that every developer of every piece of
ground is asking for TIF funding of some sort. It has become a given in
developers' planning, essentially removing development from the much lauded
private enterprise into the realm of publicly funded risk. Where will Iowa City
draw the line in its total TIF funding? Will we go to $280 million like Coralville?
Have you thought about how much is going to be too much? The structure
tonight in question is a building to be privately owned and it is to be built for
private profit. If banks and other private investors think a proposed income-
producing, for - profit development is not doable to their satisfaction, I might say,
without TIF help from the public and therefore will not lend sufficient capital to
build it independently, why should the citizens of Iowa City be asked to lend their
credit to help the developer build it anyway? By making up the difference?
Again, why take a risk with private ... with public money that private capital isn't
willing to take? When ... when we're told that the project won't go without this
TIF funding, uh, I find it a little hard to believe that it would have been profitable
at 12- stories, but all of a sudden with 14- stories and a balcony it's not doable
without TIF money. So it means to me that what really it is is that there... there's
an insufficient profit with the plan as it stood and that is why the extra two stories
are ... are to be added by the developer, or what he wants to do. The justification
being given to the public for involving citizens' credit is the premise that there
will be an eventual return on their money due to the expanded tax base. But
somehow the tax base does keep expanding, but property taxes never go down!
And this is because the development creates more expenses at the same time that
it creates the revenue and the revenue never outpaces the expenses! I've been
listening to the Council talk about expanding the tax base since 1968! Look at the
difference between the town now and 1968, and how much bigger the tax base is.
Have your taxes gone down? Mine didn't! They've gone up! Inflation is a factor
that no one has talked about very much either. Property values are rising, along
with the cost of everything else. And in 18 years, $2.5 million will buy a lot less
than it would today, and the tax revenue that's finally realized from the
investment in this TIF will look proportionately less impressive. The citizens of
Iowa City would get a lot more good out of investing $2.5 million in GO bonds in
any number of public goods in town. The Free Medical Clinic, the Library, the
Animal Shelter, the parks, and the swimming pools, and citizens would enjoy the
benefits of investing their money in these public good ... public goods relatively
soon, not in 18 years! So, I would hope that you would not grant this TIF. Thank
you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
DeProsse: Um, my name is Carol DeProsse. I live on Burry Drive. Uh, this afternoon we
turned in the much - discussed Moen TIF petition to the City Clerk. We counted
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 23
862 valid signatures, well over the 697 required. In a recent article in the Cedar
Rapids' Gazette, City Manager Tom Markus said that in the face of a successful
petition, he would recommend the Council move forward with revenue bonds and
vote on them tonight. He has obviously concluded that the signers of the petition,
what the signers of the petition think is totally irrelevant to the pursuit of his own
career interests. Tonight you have another recommendation before you. One
from over 800 citizens you represent, stating their preference for a vote on the
issuance of general obligation bonds. This recommendation should not be so
lightly dismissed. In the same Gazette article, City Councilor Connie Champion
said that unless she received new information that gives her pause, she would
support using revenue bonds to fund a project which she believes will benefit
Iowa City for decades to come. There is no "we" in she. For two of those
decades to come, the City will not realize any tax revenues into its general fund
from this project since all tax payments will be used to pay off the bonds. And
after 20 years, no one knows what will happen with assessment values and tax
revenues. In that same article, Connie... Councilor Champion also said, "I
appreciate that there are people out there who think that we shouldn't back Moen
with money. On the other hand, people like Moen are the ones who are putting
money into the city." At the rate Mr. Moen comes to the City with hat in hand,
and the rate with which the Council generously fills it, he will soon own most of
downtown Iowa City. And finally, from the Gazette article, Mr. Markus said that
as long as other neighboring communities aggressively use TIF, Iowa City will
need to respond accordingly. We're going to have to step up our game — period —
he said. I said to a friend of mine after reading those words, that you all have
apparently hired Kelly Hayworth's fraternal twin to also run our city into massive
debt. Maybe someday matching Coralville's $280 million TIF obligations that
have caused its bond ratings to be downgraded. We all know that Wall Street and
the global banking industry are stinking with corruption. The Libor Rate
manipulation scandal in England is now coming to our shores, including the
Secretary of the Treasury and the New York Federal Reserve being sucked into its
financial chicanery. The global economy is in shatters, and many economists
believe the U.S. economy is either in or on the verge of a depression. Congress is
owned by the super- wealthy. So the corruption and failure to put in place any
meaningful regulation of these financial giants goes on and on. No one can
possibly believe that Iowa City or any other city is immune from the economic
impacts that this corruption is breeding. These scandals and the severe downturn
in the global economy most definitely have local impact. I believe that there has
not been a time in my life where the long -term future of my country seemed less
financially secure. Lastly, if any of you go to the Farmers Market you must be
quite pleased that with this summer's heat temperatures of 100, 101, 2, 3, 4, and 5
degrees, that the Farmers Market isn't being held out on an open street, like Iowa
Avenue. The parking ramp was a haven for vendors and shoppers, but a handful
of us were out in that heat, many times, heading out at 8:45 on Saturday mornings
and 4:45 on Wednesday afternoons to gather signatures on a petition to ask for a
vote, a vote, on a $2.5 million TIF. We had to set up outside the ramp to comply
with the rules of the Market. Citizens voting, the very basis of democratic
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 24
governance and under attack by Republicans and Tea Partiers around the nation,
including in this state by our Governor Branstad. I hope that thought alone gives
you the pause you need to grant the citizens a voice in the development of their
community and allow us a chance to vote on this issue. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Knapp: I apologize for before because I left my hearing aid at home and I couldn't tell
which section you were in. (laughter)
Hayek: No problem!
Knapp: I totally agree with Caroline. I believe that the public ought to be apprised of the
situation and they ought to be public ... a public vote that would take care of this.
Whether it's a referendum, I don't know how it would be done. If it'd be put on
the November ballot or if it could be done (mumbled) but ... being on a ... not even
on a fixed income anymore. I'm still working at 72 years old. I don't feel like
my taxes oughta go up, and I think the City has arbitrarily prop ... valued my
property higher than it should be and I looked at the Plaza Towers' property
values today and they're high, so they're paying some taxes, but I think that the
project, if Moen's gonna do it, he should do it on his own money and his own
investment, and not put our capital and our City capital to risk because ... as they
have said before if this comes back to the City, we can always take over. Well,
what does the City want to do with a 14 -story apartment building? Um, I ... I just
feel that you ought to let the entire city know through vote what's going to be
done and ... not have to go in and... acquiesce and say, okay, you've got damages,
Marc. We'll pay them. Because that's what it's going to boil down to if you say
no to him at this point in time. And ... I just feel that ... Council has stepped out of
their bounds a little bit by not... considering the city and considering (mumbled)
particularly on what's happened in the past and ... I have 1,500 pages of
documents I had to pay for previously and ... if anybody would like to share those
and look at em with me, they will be coming out in a book some day. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Cochran: Kathy Cochran and I live at 2665 Triple Crown Lane in Iowa City. And I
interestingly ... have a scanned copy from practically ten years ago from July 17,
2002, when the Council voted on the Moen project, which was in the parking lot
of what was the City Library. Now that decision came down to a 4 -3 decision.
Now the only person that's still on the Council is Connie Champion who voted on
that day and maybe hopefully remembers the discussion that came up at that time.
That project also involved TIF money. And the reason that the vote came down
to the 4 that it did was because that project was actually supposed to have
affordable housing in it! The swing vote on that ... vote, Ross Wilburn, said
specifically that the reason he voted yes for the TIF funding to be allowed and
that project to go forward was because affordable housing was to be in it. Now, I
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 25
don't know about you, but I also know that when that building was about to open,
affordable housing was taken off. There isn't affordable housing in there!
Basically, he said there was going to be affordable housing. The City Council
approved for the project, and then once it was built, oh, we're not going to have
affordable housing in there. Now this is one of the reasons why I don't think that
we should be giving TIF money to Marc Moen and the development company
because basically I think that that was a little bit ... I don't know, slightly
unethical? Um, misleading? Um, I'm sure that there's maybe other words that I
could use, but I really don't want to be libelous. Um, but I hope that maybe,
Connie Champion, that gives you pause to who you're offering money to with the
TIF funding in this process. Is this someone that we really want to ... offer another
couple a million dollars to? In funding a building? When in the past they've kind
of reneged on promises that they've kept to this Council? I don't think so! And if
you vote yes, what does that show about you? That you're that trusting? You're
that naive? Or that you just believe so much in this project? Well, the citizens
have... commented with their petition that they would like to vote on this project.
You, as City Council Members, should take into account that as voters we would
like to vote, and that you, as people that we have voted for, should represent that
vote. For us, but ... the fact that we have petitioned to have that say ourselves, you
should take that into consideration and allow us to make that decision for
ourselves. I think that the City Council needs to think about this and either not
agree to the TIF funding for it because I do think that he has other resources
available to him. I also think that I personally don't think that I need a 14 -story
building, um, downtown pedestrian mall because I like the pedestrian mall the
way it is! And, if you have 13 more stories where Wells Fargo used to be, that
does change the whole essence and aesthetic of the downtown, if you're building
that project 14 stories there's going to be a disruption of the ped mall, which you
finally just got put back together! Ped mall is the heart of downtown Iowa City!
You've been trying to get people to go back to downtown Iowa City. To tear up
downtown Iowa City, to put in a building that at least we're saying pause on the
special funding for. Think you need to take a step back, reconsider this, and not
vote for this. Thank you very much.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Knapp: This young lady mentioned Ross Wilburn (both talking)
Hayek: Hold on a second (both talking)
Knapp: ...clarify that if...it'd take about two seconds.
Hayek: All right!
Knapp: Ross Wilburn had recused himself on every vote that was involved with
Community Development Block Grant funding until this project came up. This
project was appraised... this lot was appraised, that she's talking about, at
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 26
$1,750,000. The lot was ... Karin Franklin set it up with Atkins and they gave the
lot to Moen for $250,000. That took $1,500,000 out of Community Block Grant
Funding that should have gone in. Ross Wilburn did not recuse himself on this
one issue, and have had ... if he had, it would have been a 3 -3 tie. It would have
disappeared, gone away, and we wouldn't look at a 14- story, tin can down the
street. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you, and let's see if anyone else from the public would like to, uh,
participate in this process while we still have the public hearing open. Is there
anyone else who would like to give input?
Moen: My name is Marc Moen. I live at 221 E. College Street. Uh, I just wanted to
respond to a couple of things that were said this evening. Uh, one that Plaza
Towers did not deliver what was promised, which is not true. It delivered way
more than was ever promised, uh, to the City. It's returning, uh, way more money
than was ever predicted. The assessed values are double almost what, uh, we...
what we discussed at the time we proposed that project. Uh, the TIF, uh,
financing for that project has been paid off and the building pays nearly a million
dollars a year in taxes. The hotel pays another something like $150,000 in hotel/
motel taxes. Um ... this idea that we would build a 12 -story building without any
TIF incentive, but can't build a 14 -story building is ... I don't know where that
came from. I've seen it repeated in the paper a number of times. Uh, it's not
something I've ever said. It's not true, and I just want to make sure the Council
understands that that ... there's no way we're building a 12 -story building or any
other building on that site, urn ... if...of that scale if we can't, uh, if we don't get
TIF financing, and then finally the issue about the risk factor in this building. It
has enjoyed the same ... of people that are really interested in investing in
downtown, this project has enjoyed the same sort of momentum that Plaza
Towers did. So we have non - contingent purchase agreements on a number, large
percentage of the condominiums, and the retail space, and the only contingency in
those contracts is the vote tonight. There... otherwise they ... the buyers of those,
uh, units have no contingencies in their contracts. And it's been... extremely well
received, uh, by people, young professionals who want to miv ... live downtown
and a business owner who wants to own space in the building. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for those comments.
Moen: And I will answer any questions if anybody has any.
Cox: Hi, I'm Jeff Cox, 112 S. Dodge. Uh ... sorry I just got here, I apologize if I repeat
what other, uh, other people have had to say, but I would just like to make one
point. I want you to consider very carefully whether this is a good time to cast a
vote against education. Because that's what this vote is. I mean, the... the TIF,
uh, provisions are incredibly complicated, and one of the reasons they're
complicated is so people don't ... won't understand them. Uh, they allow people
to make claims that just aren't true, like this is just a loan. That it will be repaid.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 27
Or that the schools won't get hurt because the, uh, State legislature, uh, makes up
the difference. None of those things are true. Uh, schools get a triple- whammy
when you approve a TIF. They don't get the money from the, uh, TIF'd uh .... uh,
they don't get the money from the TIF'd project for the full period in which it's
paid. It's ... it's never repaid to the schoolchildren. Uh, and they, uh, they do get
re .... uh, reimbursed by the State for the value of the property, as if it were un-
TIF'd, but where does that money come from? It comes out of the General Fund!
So (laughing) the schools are better off if there's no development whatsoever on
the property, and they're paid the property taxes that would be paid if there were
no new development on it, because if there's new development on it, the
reimbursement from the State is ... is out of the same fund that... allowable growth
funds, are... are... are, uh, used for, and so it puts budgetary pressure on the school
districts from two different directions. And I don't know why the School Board
and the School Superintendent aren't down here, making this point. Certainly the
Clear Creek Amana School District has made its point to, uh, plenty of times
because they've been hurt much worse than the Iowa City School District from
this, and they've actually had to have special relief from the legislature because of
this. So, this ... this is not a time to increase classroom size at Longfellow
Elementary School in order to put money into a private, uh, investment. That...
that's what this is. And ... and I hope you'll consider carefully, uh, whether that's
a good idea at this time in our history.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments. Anyone else before I close the public hearing?
Okay, public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b. ADDITIONAL ACTION
1) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION FOR AUTHORIZATION AND
ISSUANCE (OR)
2) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ABANDONING THE
ISSUANCE (OR)
3) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION CALLING A SPECIAL CITY
ELECTION
Dobyns: I move the resolution that we abandon the issuance of General Obligation bonds.
Mims: Second.
Champion: I'm sorry, I didn't hear the motion.
Dobyns: Uh, abandoning the issuance of GO bonds.
Hayek: Okay, there's a motion to abandon the issuance of the $2.8 in GO bonds, uh, from
Dobyns, seconded by Mims?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 28
Mims: (mumbled)
Hayek: Discussion?
Throgmorton: I think we need to consider how we respond to the, uh, petition and their request,
uh, the citizens' request of roughly a thousand, however many the number is, uh,
of our, uh, voters who have requested that we schedule a... a special election. I...
I think we need to, uh, be clear about why ... uh, we would chose not to do that and
there ... and have to abandon the, uh, GO bonds along the way. So ... just so, for
my benefit and for the audience's benefit, if we vote on the ... the resolution as
presented by Rick, uh, that ... that would mean that we would be, um, abandoning
the GO procedure and therefore automatically not schedule a public, uh, a special
election because it becomes irrelevant.
Dilkes: Well that would depend on how the Council voted on that issue, but if there was
an affirmative vote on the abandonment then (people speaking in audience...
"...we can't hear you... ") That would depend on ... on how the vote was on that
issue, but yes, as we discussed at the work session, you cannot pass a resolution to
schedule... schedule an election, and pass a... a resolution to abandon. Um, I think
what Council talked about at the work session was to put either one of those
motions on the floor and now we have a motion to abandon on the floor, and then
have that conversation, urn ... before you voted.
Dobyns: I'm going to save my comments until the next item. Cause I think they're related.
Throgmorton: Okay. Well, I ... I won't save my comments. I ... I hear lots of, uh, important
questions and objections and concerns being expressed by many people who I
know very well and who I respect deeply. In ... in many cases, I think, uh, what
I'm hearing are expressions of, uh ... uh, of worry about risk, worry about affects
on the ... on the school system as Jeff just articulated, uh, and so on, but in many
cases I also heard what I take to be factually incorrect statements about what the
Council has done in the, uh, with regard to this issue in the past, uh, and about
what, uh, the developer, Marc Moen, is doing and what his motivations are, uh,
and so on. So, uh, I ... I don't want to recap each of those and explain why I think
they're factually incorrect in... in instances. What I would do is say that I
articulated my own rationale, uh, for supporting the TIF back on April 3rd. I
articulated that in a guest opinion that appeared in the Press - Citizen, Thursday a
week ago. I ... I don't know what the date was, but not last Thursday, but the one
before it. Uh, and I would strongly encourage anyone who, um ... uh, has not seen
that guest opinion to read it so they'll know why I voted the way I did! Uh, and...
and that said, I think I would have, I mean, I was just on the verge of saying I
move that we, uh, schedule a special election, so that we could expressly, uh,
discuss, A ... what our reasoning would be for either not ... for either scheduling a
special election or not scheduling it, and it was clear from the work session
discussion that we would not chose to schedule a ... a special election, uh, but I
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 29
think it's important to articulate our reasons why collectively we would not take
that course of action. So anyhow I've probably talked enough about that now.
Hayek: Good comments! Thank you for that.
Mims: Well, I'll make my comments now and be quiet on the next one (laughing). Um
...I don't believe ... I don't believe that economic development can be done by a
public vote process on every single project that comes before the Council. I think
that as we sit up here as Council Members for this community, um, we have all
gone through an election process that the community has ... had a chance to vet us,
um, in that election process and we have a responsibility to sit up here and set
policy and make decisions for the community. Um, certainly there ... there is the
petition process and in certain cases things will go to the public. I don't believe
when it comes to specific, uh, economic development projects that that is a
particularly feasible way for things to happen. I think the time delay, I think, um,
I just look at the time that we spend... digging into the details and educating
ourselves on those projects and making those decisions, often times is not going
to happen, uh, for the general public. I think people are going to hear ... Jim just
commented about how many, uh ... factually incorrect comments have ... he has
heard tonight and has heard out in the public. And unfortunately sometimes those
things just tend to get repeated and repeated and repeated and uh, as they say, if
you hear it enough times you think it's true. And so I ... I just don't believe that
economic development can be done through a ... a public voting process. I just
would like to quickly address a couple of other things in terms of...of this Council
and ... and process and some issues. We have a City policy on our debt limit. We
are not going to be $280 million in TIF debt, uh ... I don't know if it's just TIF
debt but we're not going to be there. We have a debt on our policy limit. Uh, we
have a policy on our debt limit (laughing) let me rephrase that. Um, we have
talked repeatedly at the staff and Council level how vitally important it is that we
maintain our triple -A bond rating. We do not take that lightly, at all! We have
put together new economic development policies in terms of...what's important
to us and how we want to guide economic development in this community. And
in what kinds of circumstances we would use public money, use TIF money, to
assist in development. I think those were developed very thoughtfully by a
combination of staff and Council. They've been approved by Council, uh,
without thought of any one particular project, but looking forward as a whole at
the City and how we do things and how we can benefit the people who live in this
community. I think in regard to this particular project, I think we are going to
have a better building that serves this community better with the retail and class -A
office space than we would have if we had a building that just went up, that was
geared for the maximum profit with student housing. In terms of the look of the
building, everybody has their own opinion. Um, in terms of the shadow on the
ped mall, we have seen shadow studies done before and particularly that time of
year when most people are out on the ped mall, it really is not that significant.
We ... that was presented to us and we did see that. Um, talk about getting people
back downtown, again, I think the office and retail components of this building
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 30
really add to that, uh, very well. Um, in terms of the cost to the School District,
uh, the School District will continue to get their portion of the taxes on the current
value of the property; like the other taxing districts, they will not get tax on the
incremental value. Uh, I don't disagree with Jeff in terms of the whole budget
constraints at the State level and the State does not backfill on that, etc., but I
think in the long run, um, we have to look at what is going to be the best
economic development for this community as a whole, and I believe ultimately
will benefit not only all the people who live here, but I think our schools, as well.
Dobyns: And I'm going to change my mind. I am going to comment because (laughter) I
think what Susan stated, um, I want to build on that. Uh, we are your
representatives, um, we're a diverse group of people. We're not shy about
disagreeing with each other or disagreeing with City staff. But we've all taken a
good look at this, and we voted 7 to 0. Um, I have no problems. I've used the
initiative and referendum process myself, but in those ... were areas where the
Council was split 4 -3, perhaps 5 -2. This was 7 -0, and I think as part of our
representative democracy, I feel very comfortable that this is a time that we
should not send this to the voters.
Payne: I ... I also want to piggyback on some things that Susan said. I think, uh, the City
of Iowa City, the staff, I think we use TIF very judicially. We study it, um,
maybe sometimes people think we study it too much before we actually get to
vote on some of these things, but we don't just throw money at people, um, and...
and build it and they will come type thing. Um, we ... we need to use some
method of economic development in order to compete with other cities in our
area, to keep economic development happening here, and this is one method that
we can use to keep people building within our city, and keep our city growing!
And ... I think this is a great project, and in the end it will be a value to our entire
city.
Dickens: Having grown up in Iowa City, I always use my ... my history of Iowa City. I had
the, uh, fortune to, uh, grow up with Tim Brandt and urban renewal was very
important in this town. It was very divi ... divisive in this town, too. And I look at
this city and see what it is now, at what it could have been if we hadn't gone
through all this urban renewal. I think this is a great step in the right direction, to
continue the work that was done way back in the 70s. I probably should have
been just being a high school student and enjoy that, but I got my interest in
politics way back then so ... I just look at this as another step forward.
Hayek: Uh, I keep crossing out comments that I was intending to make (laughter) uh...
but ... but here's what I'm left with (laughing) that hasn't already been mentioned
and ... and to dovetail this ... this concept of...of representative democracy. I
mean, that ... that's what we are. The seven people up here, we're elected by the
city's... citizens to make decisions of this nature and ... and that's been mentioned,
but what I would also add is that part of that representative, uh, local democracy
is ... is the work we do to employ the staff who bring the expertise, um, regarding,
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 31
uh, this and many other issues, um ... into the discussion. Um, and ... and what's
missing from this conversation is the exhaustive vetting process that occurred at a
staff level, uh, analysis of the project, urn ... uh, and ... and consideration of...of a
variety of factors to make sure that this was, um, an ... a project that would benefit
the community and that was worth the investment of the public. Um, by way of
its participation. And then extending out from staff was the, uh, use, uh, by the
City of outside, independent help to further vet this proposed project. Uh, to give
us an outside perspective, um, we accomplished that as well, and so ... the
information coming back to the Council, which we have taken up and ... and
discussed considerably and reviewed considerably, uh, supported this project and
that's, I think, why you see such, uh, strong support for ... for this project. Um, I
want to mention, um, one other thing here and... because... cause there was a
comment earlier about how, uh, how we are no longer immune from ... from
economic downturn, and ... and we have to be mindful of that, and to that I say:
absolutely! Uh ... we, um, locally our property values are flat. We have lost tax
base to the suburbs. We have lost support from the State. Uh, we have lost
interest income on the funds we hold because the federal funds rate is so low. We
have lost our ... our pension expenses are ... are out of control, and the cost of
running government, relative to where our tax base is now, uh, is ... is widening,
and um, for decades we have had the enviable luxury of being able to be what I
would describe as `relatively complacent' about growth, uh, and ... and about
growth of our tax base and ... and the revenues that we can use on behalf of the
citizenry. Um, and I think those days are over, um, and we have to be smarter
about how we grow our tax base. We have to be smarter about how we, uh,
encourage, uh, the ... the kind of expansion and new business that it's going to
take, to continue to provide the services that we are accustomed to here in Iowa
City. Uh, a top -shelf police and fire department. A top -shelf library. A... a
senior center. A ... a parks division. All of the things that we enjoy in Iowa City
cost money! And ... and ... and the ... we cannot ... we cannot rely on the steady 4, 5,
6% growth that we had for so many years. Those days are over, and ... and we
have to be smarter about how we maintain the tax base and what we're able to do
with it to support our services, and so that's what this is about. Um, it's being
done, uh ... consistent with clear policies and clear requirements that this Council
has adopted, and which were mentioned earlier, um, it's being done in an
absolutely transparent manner and ... and it's being done with ... with a sharp eye
toward our credit rating, which we have all agreed is sacrosanct not ... and
something that we are not willing to trade on, um, and so ... that's why this is an
important project. I think this Council was appointed to make decisions of this
nature. We've gone through a lot of homework here, um, that's why I'm
supportive of abandoning GO, uh, on this and moving to, uh, a revenue approach,
as will be seen in the next item.
Champion: Can I say something?
Hayek: Yeah! (laughter)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 32
Champion: I ... I'm not going to repeat. You've all said the same things that I'm thinking of,
but there is another thing that Iowa City does differently with TIFs than a lot of
other communities. We have a money limit on em, not just a time limit. So
when ... as the ... as the building becomes, increases in value and they start owing
more taxes, that goes toward the TIF, and so it might not take 18 years. Plaza
Towers took, I can't remember what ... 7, 8, 9? (mumbled) was an 18 -year TIF or
whatever. So we limit the amount of money, not the years, so ... if we'd limit the
years we could keep that money going somewhere else, like you know ... to
stealing other people's businesses, but I just really feel that this is a good, positive
thing for Iowa City. We're very conservative with TIFs and this is just one that I
feel very positive about and I'm definitely going ... going to support it. Not the
TIF, but the other way around now but ... you know what I meant!
Hayek: The revenue approach (several responding)
Champion: Right!
Hayek: Further discussion by Council? Okay! Roll ... roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0,
and the GO approach is abandoned.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 33
ITEM 8. INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR
THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $3,100,000 TAXABLE URBAN
RENEWAL REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2012.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel)
Gordon: Um, Colin Gordon again, uh, I think, uh, everyone in this room is acting in good
faith. Um, I think there are honest disagreements over policy, um, but I think in
the interest of acting in good faith, we need to ask ourselves why there is a
specific provision in the TIF agreement allowing for a petition protest and a
special election. And the purpose of that provision is not merely to allow the
Council in five minutes time to spend $300,000 more dollars adding how many
more years to the path of the TIF. But I would ask in the interest of acting in
good faith that we respect the democratic process and allow that special election
to occur, but now that that, uh, option has passed, I would ask that you vote nay
on the ... on the, uh, new bond proposal.
Hayek: Thank you.
Knapp: I heard how ... the Councils been elected and they should be the final authority and
they should do this and that, and Miss Mims clarified that for me. Urban renewal
came in, at one time the University of Iowa was banned from doing any
development in the central business district. They've taken over the Old Capitol
Mall. They've taken over the ... Plaza Towers, or not Plaza Towers but Plaza
Center One. They've taken over the Jefferson Hotel. Why don't we take those
properties back and turn those into tax- paying properties again? Why do we have
to go out and get more money and create a TIF when we don't know... and you
say you know about it and you're right and your decision should be valid because
you were elected. Maybe something comes up that you don't have any
knowledge about or don't know about, and one of em is how hard it is to live out
here and have to pay taxes to support something like this when, if Marc can't do it
on his own, when I had to build houses, and I couldn't do it on my own, I got out
of it and got into something else. Now, if he can't build a building and do it on
his own, he oughta get out of it and go to something else! When is enough
enough, you know, I mean the guy's got enough money to last him the rest of his
life. He doesn't care about Iowa City. He cares about living in that tower up in
the 14th story of that aluminum tin can! And you don't know what you're talking
about, Miss Mims!
Dieterle: Uh, I agree with Mr. Gordon that, you know, in the interest of, uh, letting
the ... the citizens have a say in this because it's a rather controversial development
downtown, I think it's very wrong that you do not allow an election on this issue.
If you're so sure that you're right, that this is a wonderful thing, then you should
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 34
be able to convince the voters of that, as well. So I would ask you to vote no on
the revenue bond vote, and to set an election. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you. Any ... further public input?
Dieterle: Really I ... I know this is a post - script, but it's sort of...seems like contempt for the
citizens when you refuse to allow a vote on something like this. That people have
cared enough to put their names on the line and have cared enough to go out and
gather the signatures for. Because if you tried doing it, for a while, and you can
consider how much time is spent just explaining and talking about the democratic
process, and telling people who say over and over, well, there's no point in
signing this cause they'll never let us vote. That's really sad, you know, for our
democracy. (person speaking from audience) You know, when... when... when
we're told by our people we're trying to rally to the cause (light applause) that
they'll never let us vote! That is the worst thing about this whole affair!
Hayek: Thank you for your comments. Okay, I'm going to close the public hearing.
(bangs gavel) Yes, Sir! Got in sort of under the wire!
Downey: (laughter) Couple of things to say. My name is Downey. I've lived in this town
about 50 years. And I am shocked ... to listen to an adult tell me that it is she
sitting on a committee that knows how to spend my money! And above all, not
even ask me what I think about it, and that's what you people are doing! You're
cutting these people out! You talk about democracy, my goodness! What ... what
is it that you don't see here? And I tell you one more thing, the reason economics
is called the dismal science is because the answer to most economic questions is
no! What I mean by that is, economic, you don't know what economic
development is! You got a billion dollar university over here and why don't you
go ask somebody! Economic development is an economic concept is based on
comparative advantage. And the other side of not following comparative
advantage is you're going to eat your own tail! And what that means is, is that
you continue to tax people and tax people and thinking that you're growing, and
al you're doing is destroying the people that you're getting' the money from! My
goodness, I'm just ... I've never been here before! And this is amazing to me!
Hayek: Thank you for your comments. We'll close the public hearing at this time.
(bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Dobyns: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 35
Throgmorton: I wonder, uh, during our work session, Tom, uh, Markus our City Manager, um,
made some comments about the, uh... (both talking) pay for this difference
between the ... the TIF bond and the GO bond. I wonder if you could go over that
for us, Tom.
Markus: Of course there's a difference in the cost between, uh, revenue bonds and GO
bonds, and so we went to Mr. Moen and said that, um, we thought it'd be
appropriate that he made up the difference. We calculated the present value and
um, he's agreed to participate at $170,000, which is the present value. So ... that
equalizes the difference between the GO and revenue... financially.
Hayek: Thanks for that clarification.
Throgmorton: Just to put it in different words. So by going this revenue bond route, or...
Markus: ... same cost.
Throgmorton: Uh, we'll be basically spending the same amount of money as ... as if we went the
GO bond route, right? (several responding)
Dobyns: The same cost to the taxpayer.
Throgmorton: Well, I ... I'd like to ... uh, say something here. The first thing I noticed is intensity
of feelings, and I ... I really respect what you had to say, Mr. Downey? Is that
right, your last name is Downey? (responding from audience) Uh ... uh, you
know, we ... we might disagree about particular facts, but what I'm very conscious
of is the intensity of feeling, and that matters, and in my personal judgment that
suggests that, uh, and I ... I wrote about this in my guest opinion, that we need to
do more with regard to our process to engage with ... folks in the public so that
people understand why we're proposing to ... to issue a significant TIF, uh,
significant subsidy involving TIF, for a particular project, and to hear the
questions that people have before we make a vote, before we vote on the TIF, and
in my judgment that has been a missing element in our process up to this point.
That said, given the structures of these decisions we've had to make ... we have to
make tonight, I will vote yes for this ... for the ... for the TIF bonding mechanism
that's before us. Do we have ... we already have a motion, don't we (several
responding) All right. I'll vote yes for the motion (noise on mic) but given ... the
context in which our decisions are being made.
Champion: Well I want to say that I value this petition but I also value this project, and I
think I said in the same newspaper article that somebody was quoting me on that
the buck stops here. I still have to make the decision and I have to make the
decision that I feel is the best one, that I can make. You may disagree with me,
and I've got to frankly tell you I've never seen such strong emotion. I actually
have felt really insulted up here, and I've been on this council for 15 years, and
that has never happened! Even though people have disagreed with me or agreed
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 36
with me, and I ... I'm sorry that I don't agree with you and I'm sorry that you don't
agree with me, but I am definitely going to support this project.
Hayek: The... the... you can have a ... a philosophical, uh, disagreement over ... over
economic development policy, over the use of TIF, um, that sort of thing. I
understand that. Because there are many perspectives on the issue. Um, and I've
been studying this for ... for as long as I've been on ... on the Council and I'm
aware of a multitude of...of perspectives on the issue. Uh, but when it comes to
...to TIF, to this ... this particular, um, tool that, of the few tools that are made
available to municipalities for... for economic development, I ... I think, I mean, a
lot of times people say, well ... why should we give money, why should we give
public money to a ... to a wealthy person or a wealthy entity, corporation or
whatever, uh, for a particular project. And... and I heard that again tonight, and...
and I don't believe that's the analysis. Um, I think that the analysis is, and it's
what I believe we went through, is would this project be, uh, launched without the
participation of the public's money, as we've, uh, embedded in these documents.
Would ... would the project happen? Not, should we give money to somebody of
means. And the analysis that staff made, that was, uh, that ... that was concurred
with by our outside consultants, and then vetted through our Economic
Development subcommittee in a very public process and then brought before the
entire Council. Um, for ... for our deliberation and discussion was that this
particular project, which we see as bringing many benefits to the community, not
only downtown but ... but throughout the community, um, this particular project
would not happen without our participation, and ... and that's the basis for our
decision. And that's a different analysis, but I think it's one that matters, because
I think it's often lost in the argument. So, I'm supportive of this and I just wanted
to clarify that. Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0. Do we
need to take a break or can we ... finish out here? I don't think there's a lot left
but ... you never know. Keep going? (several talking and laughing) Okay!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 37
ITEM 10. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO
ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2012
MUSCATINE AVENUE WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, seconded by Payne. Uh, discussion? Uh, for the public's
information, uh, the Engineers had estimated this project would cost around
$937,000. Uh, Public Works and Engineering recommends awarding the contract
to Carter and Associates of Coralville, who came in at just over $714,000.
Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 38
ITEM 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN
AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CHAPTER 28E AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA AND THE CITY OF
CORALVILLE, IOWA FOR THE PROVISION OF ANIMAL CARE
SERVICES.
Mims: Move the resolution.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
Markus: Uh, we've asked Simon Andrew, a budget analyst, to go through this agreement
and kind of bring you up to date. It's the next two items on the agenda so one is
operational, one is capital improvements, and I thought because of where we're at
in this process, it'd be good to update you at this point, so, Simon, go ahead.
Andrew: Thank you. Like Tom said, Simon Andrew, budget analyst with the City. I'll be
brief on the update and then we'll get into the specifics of these contracts. Um,
schematic design is underway. Uh, expects to be completed by the end of the
summer. Uh, we're under contract with Neumann Monson Architects, um,
pursuant to the, uh, RFQ process from last fall. Um, and Jackson and Ryan
Architects, which did the programming study early on in the process are also still
on board as consultants. Um, again the facility is approximately 1200 square feet,
and really next month the whole process will start moving a lot quicker as we
have more detailed square footage estimates and cost estimates. We can move
forward with the, uh, fundraising effort with the Foundation's capital campaign,
and move forward with the improved project requests, uh, with FEMA. Uh, the
site is here. It is on the Public Works' complex site, um, right behind the salt
storage building, right in here, um, straddling that road. Again, FEMA funding —
FEMA has obligated $1.4 million for the project. Uh, that includes a 10% match
from the State. Um, some of these funds are obligated for non ... uh, construction
costs, um, including the demolition of the former facility. So, we, again, at the
end of, uh, next month, once we get our improved project request in we can ... uh,
give you a more accurate, uh, synopsis of where project costs lie and how much
FEMA funds will go to the construction of the new facility. Uh, the Friends of
the Animal Center Foundation have committed to raising $1 million. Uh, they
intend to pay this out over, uh, five annual installments starting next year, of
$200,000 apiece. Um, and they have committed to accelerating this payment, uh,
schedule... they will accelerate it if...if their fundraising comes in more quickly
than anticipated. Um, and again, at the end of the next month. They're really
chomping at the bit to get moving on this project so ... urn ... as far as our
neighboring jurisdictions go, uh, Coralville on June 26`x' did approve the two
contracts that are before you tonight. The, uh, you'll be voting on with Items 10
and 11...11 and 12, rather. Um, Johnson County, University Heights, and the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 39
University of Iowa have all submitted letters of intent, um, that in principle agree
to the cost sharing agreements that are before you with Coralville. Um, and the
agreements with these identical terms have been submitted to all of these
jurisdictions for their review. Uh, Item 11 is the operational agreement. Um, this
is ... almost exactly the same contract that we're currently under with Coralville.
It distributes costs, uh, based on the percentage of animals that come from
Coralville. Uh, a three -year average is used and then applied to the Center's
budget for the following year, and it does not include field services. It is just for
animal sheltering services. And then moving on to Item 12, the capital cost
sharing agreement, again, takes the same percentage, um, of usage of the facility
and applies it to the net project cost for, um, construction of the new facility. And
net project cost is the cost that's left after FEMA reimbursements and after
fundraising. Um, so we are essentially sharing FEMA reimbursements with the
other communities that are, uh, coming on board for the project. Okay, so the
next step, tonight's agenda items are the Coralville contract, um, and I can answer
any questions you have about the specifics of those contracts, beyond what I've
just described. Uh, August 15th is when we've requested formal action from all
the other jurisdictions. Um, and I know that University Heights was discussing it
tonight, so ... urn ... they'll have some news on that moving forward, and again,
August 31 st, by that point we expect to have schematic design completed and we
can really get moving with the other, uh, moving parts to the project. Um, and
we're still targeting early calendar 2015 for completion of the project. Of course
there's a lot of design work, uh, to go on in the meantime and going out for bid,
but um ... that is the target estimate for completion of the facility.
Dickens: Is this smaller than the original ... I know there was kind of original `original'
plans. Is this much smaller than the original?
Andrew: Yeah, by about 4000 interior square feet. Um, the original programming study
was in between 16,000 and 17,000 square feet, depending on, um, if the basement
was included or not. Um, that has been scaled back to 12,000 square feet.
Dickens: Is that based on the agreements that we've got in place and...
Andrew: Part of it was, some of our capacity won't... current capacity won't be coming to
the facility anymore, um, so we did scale it back, um, to that end and there was
also some cost concerns and getting other jurisdictions on board. They had some
concerns about the overall cost of the facility, as it was originally, um, as the
original concept was presented.
Markus: And ... and let me interject. If in fact there is going forward, um, once we get to
bid, you know, we're probably, what, a year away from, uh, or less from bid on
these things. Lot can change in the bidding environment by the time we get to
that point, so the ... I think the attorneys have done a masterful job of putting in
adjustment provisions, if in fact those conditions occur. Um, the other thing I
would say, um, because we're going to talk really about both agreements, is the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 40
operational provisions. We will, um, invite the opportunity for the participants to
sit down and discuss our operations on an annual basis, and the way, uh, the
language is drafted, we will make a `good faith' effort to consider those, um,
ideas, recommendations, opinions about how we operate and adjust our
operations, um, to accommodate that as best we can. Ultimately, as the owner,
uh, we have to be responsible for how this operates, and so the final decision rests
with us, but there is language in the agreement that really makes, I think, a very
sincere effort to try and take into consideration. You'll recall not just anecdotally
but, uh, a number of stories that, you know, cause some concern with some of the
participants in the past, and I think going forward we have to make a better effort
to try and accommodate our operations to the concerns that are being expressed
by these participants in this (mumbled) and I think the agreement does a very
good job of trying to accomplish that. So ... at this point, we're hopeful that the
agreements, um, as drafted and as approved by Coralville, uh, are approved by the
other agencies, um, but there's... there's still some unknowns and we've tried to
draft the language to take consideration of those unknowns. I know when you
looked at the slides you probably saw the issue of, um ... donations coming in at
about $200,000 a year. Well, quite frankly that's a cost, you know, that we're
going to have to, you know, adjust for and take care of to a large extent. There'll
be some proportionality being distributed to others, but ... that makes it tougher to
pull this all off. Not all those funds are going to be there right up front when
you ... when you'd like to have (several talking) the contractor expects to get paid,
so ... the City, I think, again, has been pretty generous in how we're doing this.
You know, all of the costs are after the grants. They're after the land. We're
providing the land for all of this. So we aren't charging in terms of the capital
expenses, uh, to the other jurisdictions those costs, so ... I would argue we're still
being generous in this process. I would guess that the reaction ... if negative from
some, has been that they aren't used to paying at that level, and I would argue that
they haven't been paying what the cost is, and our taxpayers have been
subsidizing that and we're trying to balance that table.
Dickens: Is there room for expansion and ... if there...if it does expand and we get other
jurisdictions that want to join...
Markus: I think once this is up and operational, um, I think that, yes, there is and I think
that's part of the design feature is to allow for expansion, and um ... why I don't
want to, you know, within two years or three years have to jump back into
expansion, uh, we're trying to accommodate for a degree of growth, um, I think it
would be nice to see some of the communities return to the ... to the operation at
some point in the future, and I ... I think you might see some of that. So yeah,
we ... we've built that idea into the concept.
Hayek: Good! Thanks, Simon, and thanks, Tom. Discussion among Council? Well, I
want to thank staff. You've been working on this, uh, for... for quite a long time,
and this represents a major step forward in the process. Roll call, please. Item
passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 41
ITEM 12. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN
AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST AN ANIMAL SHELTER
FACILITY CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA AND THE CITY OF CORALVILLE,
IOWA.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Again, this is just the
capital side of the, uh, project. Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 42
ITEM 13. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AND THE CITY
CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CAR SHARING SERVICES
FOR THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
Markus: This is, uh, a two -fer item. You'll recall this was on one of the items on the
pending list for some time and we have been working on it, uh ... Councilor
Throgmorton had raised the question about how that's progressing, and so rather
than run it back through work session, we said (noise on mic) we got the RFP out;
we got the contract ready; let's bring it to Council. So Chris is going to run
through this for you and explain the details of it (several talking)
Mims: I'll move the resolution.
Hayek: Yeah.
Dobyns: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, uh, seconded by...
Dobyns: Dobyns.
Hayek: ...Dobyns. Mr. O'Brien!
O'Brien: Thank you. Uh, Mayor Hayek, City Council, um, here tonight for a brief
overview of the car sharing, uh, project that we've been working on, as well to
answer, excuse me, any outstanding questions. Uh, the memo that I submitted,
uh, very vague, I know, when ... when I put it out. Just kind of some highlights.
Uh, we weren't quite finalized with the details, so some of that, until we finish
with the purchasing process, couldn't be ... couldn't be put into ... into that
document. So I have some of those details now that we're, um, we're to the point
of... of finalizing the negotiations. Uh, last spring /summer is when we began this
project, and it was a ... a project that we're really excited about. It's a joint project
between the University of Iowa and... and the City of Iowa City, uh, to bring car
sharing services to this community, uh, in the memo that 1, uh, had in the packet.
I kind of gave a brief overview of what definition of what car sharing was. Um,
and basically the difference between that from your ... your normal car rentals
is ... uh, the ability to rent for short-terms — per hour — um, rather than a full daily
rental, as well as having access 24/7 to make reservations, depending on what you
might need that car for, and uh, where we think it's going to, um ... I think suit the
community is in the, people that live downtown, people that do not want to have
the operational costs of a vehicle, people that utilize transit for their, um, or
bicycles or pedestrian access and they might have a doctor's appointment or need
to get groceries or uh, emergency comes up and they have to take their child to,
uh, pick up their child from daycare and they don't have access to a vehicle. Uh,
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 43
these vehicles will be spread throughout, uh, the community, as well as campus,
uh, and provide access for that. Um, we went through the RFP process. The
University of Iowa's the lead agency. We ... we were a, uh, I guess a sub, um, we
were part of the joint ... but they actually led it, the actual project. Ran the RFP
through, um, there were two submittals to that RFP and the City and University,
there was a team of, um, individuals that scored that from both the City and the
University, so it was a joint process. Um, and Zip Car received the highest score,
um, from everybody across the board. Um, just a little brief history on Zip Car
for those... some of you may have done some investigation. Um, they were
established in 1999. Um, in the memo I had 500,000. I just found an article that
was written today that states that their ... their membership is now over 600,000.
Um, in addition to 6,000 businesses; nearly 10,000 vehicles; and they're spread
throughout 35 states. Um ... if, once this is fully signed Iowa will be the 36th state.
There are currently no Zip Cars in ... in Iowa. Um ... they have seven ways to
make a reservation. There... there's 24/7 access, um ... and as I stated in the
memo, one ... one Zip Car could take the place of up to 20 personally -owned
vehicles, so ... it's certainly a sustainable project that we engaged in. Um, one of
the reasons to have the University involved and one of the reasons that I think
they were, um... such an excited participant is, it changes the rental, um, status
from 20, or the age from 21 down to 18. So the students are allowed to
participate in this, which might mean that students coming to campus can forego
bringing a vehicle, that they can utilize these vehicles if they need them for ... for
whatever errands they may need to run. And that is one of the differences in ... in
this process. The insurance, the fuel, the maintenance, the cleaning, all that is
included in the hourly rate that you pay. So there are no additional... additional
costs. Uh, this would be a three -year contract with renewable terms up to two
additional years for a total of five. Uh, we're looking at ten vehicles to start, and
there were, um, it's a mix, and they're all fuel efficient. Nissan Sentra, Ford
Focus, Honda Civic, Honda Insight, um, and the way they add vehicles is once
you get to 38 to 42% usage, they up the vehicles so that they're... they're
available on campus (mumbled) and in the community. Uh, the rates range
hourly from $7 to $9 per hour. So if you needed to rent it for an hour ... it depends
on what vehicle and what day of the week. Uh, weekends are a little higher. Uh,
and they also offer daily rates and ... and weekend rates, as well. Um, I think one
of the big questions are what are the City's commitments to this project. And
why hasn't this been done earlier. Uh, in past years, one of the barriers to entry
for this was there was always a ... the City or the University would have to put up
a guarantee. So there'd be big up -front costs in order to secure these vehicles,
um, and right now the commitment that we have is ... um, staff time for marketing,
as I pointed out in the memo, and ... and parking spaces, and when I said parking
spaces, those aren't being donated. There's actually a charge for those. Uh,
they're paying 50% of the fee up... for year one; 75% in year two; and then
they're back ... they're at market rate in year three. Uh, and then market rate
moving forward. So ... um, there's membership fees, uh, for personal use and
business accounts. Um, ranging from $35 to $60, depending on when you sign
up. Um, and then you also get credited. So if you spend $35 for your fee, you get
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 44
a $35 credit that you can use for your driving charges, so ... um, for your initial
signup. Um, that's kind of a brief overview that I have. If there's any
questions...
Payne: Is that fee per year or per month or...
O'Brien: That's annual.
Payne: Okay.
O'Brien: That's an annual fee. I'm sorry.
Mims: Have you determined where the parking spaces are going to be...
O'Brien: ...being we're just finalizing (mumbled) we have not actually done the walk
through with them, um, until we award it, nobody wants to come and mark out
spaces.
Mims: Sure.
O'Brien: Um, I think both the City and University have some ideas. I think it'll be a mix of
on- street, for the City, on- street and then some off - street, um, and then a ... the big
thing is word of mouth and uh, the visual aspect of seeing the cars, so ... you
know, initially especially they'll be in ... in prime locations, so that they're highly
visible, so that the use gets built up...
Mims: Sure.
O'Brien: ...and then we'll ... we'll probably look at different spaces after that.
Mims: Thank you.
Hayek: Any other questions for Chris?
Mims: I think it's a great project.
O'Brien: Yeah, we're really excited about it. I think it's just another mode of
transportation that we can add and...
Mims: Yeah!
Hayek: Yeah! Good work!
O'Brien: Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you. Discussion among Council? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 45
ITEM 14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES. Applicants MUST reside in Iowa
City and be 18 years of age unless specific qualifications are stated.
Hayek: A new announcement of a vacancy on the Youth Advisory Commission. We
need a student from West High School for that.
Karr: Mr. Dobyns, did you wish to state something regarding advertising... for the
Youth Advisory position?
Dobyns: Um...
Mims: Delay it? (laughter)
Karr: Vacancy (several talking) you ... you had indicated a potential of waiting until the
next Council meeting, when we'll discuss boards and commissions in general
(both talking)
Dobyns: Oh, that's right, yes, thank you! (laughter) Thank you, Marian! (laughter)
Mims: It's getting late, Marian! (several talking and laughing)
Dobyns: No, I recommend we defer it, um, because of some things that I want to talk about
later on regarding that (mumbled) next session we're going to be talking about
boards and commissions in general. So I'd like to hold the advertisement of that
position, pending that discussion.
Hayek: I shall retract said statement forthwith! (laughter) We'll take that up, and maybe
come back and advertise for that. Uh, but that leaves still a number of, uh,
positions that we want to fill, including, uh, seven vacancies on the, uh, newly
formed... forming ad hoc Diversity Committee; uh, one vacancy on the Airport
Commission; two vacancies in the Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment; two
vacancies in the Airport Zoning Commission; one vacancy on the Human Rights
Commission; and uh, there's another vacancy on the Youth Advisory
Commission that I will hold back on, uh, for now. Uh, applications for what I just
mentioned must be received by 5:00 on Wednesday, uh, July 25tH
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 46
ITEM 15. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. Applicants MUST reside in Iowa City and be
18 years of age unless specific qualifications are stated.
Hayek: Uh, we have, uh, three spots open on ... on Housing and Community Development
Commission and earlier this evening, uh, the Council agreed to
appoint... reappoint Andrew Chappel and Rachel Zimmerman -Smith to that, uh,
which would still leave one vacancy, and we encourage the public to look, uh, for,
to look at that vacancy as a possible way of volunteering, and then on the Police
Citizens Review Board, uh, earlier this evening we agreed to reappoint Melissa
Jensen to another term on that, which also leaves one spot, uh, that we need to fill
and we encourage the public to look at that vacancy. Is there a motion on the, uh,
reappointments?
Mims: So moved.
Champion: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Champion. Discussion?
Payne: Did you ... did I zone out, and did you comment about the fact that it ... one of...the
gender requirement and that's why we're not appointing both people that applied?
Hayek: You may have zoned out, but I didn't mention that. (laughter)
Payne: I thought I was (several talking)
Hayek: Okay! Is there a motion on the floor?
Mims: Yes!
Hayek: Okay! Uh, discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion
carries 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 47
ITEM 17. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION
Hayek: We'll start down ... with you!
Throgmorton: We skipped 16.
Dobyns: I'm sorry, what?
Hayek: No, we don't ... we, uh...
Throgmorton: We don't need to.
Hayek: We don't need it, yeah.
Throgmorton: Right. Sorry.
Hayek: Just set up there if we run out of time on the front end.
Dobyns: I just wanted the public to know, um, and with Jeff here from the School Board,
there are opportunities for multiple jurisdictions to kind of work on problems with
each other, and I have been talking with City staff about, um, the school -age kids
in the, uh, Miller Orchard area that have to go all the way up the steep Benton hill,
past the old Roosevelt School and to the new, uh, school of Horn and um, we've
been thinking of some things where the City can actually, you know, collaborate
with the School District on (mumbled) you know, it looks like the School District
has other options that they're looking at for that. Um, but I'm just really glad that
our City staff kind of offered a hand to the School District, um, you know, to help
with problems that they would have and I think it's a nice example of
collaboration. I appreciate City staffs' work on that.
Markus: Thank you!
Payne: I don't have anything.
Dickens: Just like to thank all the volunteers that worked on the art, or Jazz Fest, uh, over
the 4th, that weekend before, and Marian for getting the great, uh, display of
fireworks off again, and it ... I've heard nothing but good comments on that.
Hayek: Susan?
Mims: Nothing.
Throgmorton: Yeah, I have a couple things I guess. The first thing I'd like to do is to pick up on
the School Board comment, uh, Rick, and acknowledge Jeff McGinnis' presence
here. It's, uh, I hope you found this to be a really rewarding experience (laughter
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 48
and several talking) Uh, but I'd also, uh, like to praise the recently announced
targeted home rehabilitation assistance program, uh, which, uh, I don't know,
somebody else could describe much better than I could, but it's targeted to
specific neighborhoods, uh, and provides funds for the rehabilitation of homes for
people who are below a certain income level. I don't know what ... what exactly it
is. Uh, and uh, and ... and there's, uh, what's the right word here, the right phrase?
Um, forgivable loans if you... if you retain ownership of your home for an
extended period of time.
Markus: (both talking) Right.
Throgmorton: So this is a real positive thing. I'm really excited about it. The last thing I'd like
to mention is that, uh, next ... this coming weekend, uh, we'll be holding the Iowa
City Book Festival. Uh, so I'd like to, uh, draw people's attention to it, urge
people to attend, take advantage of the opportunity to meet with various authors,
uh, hear readings, learn more about the, uh, book friendly environment we have
here, and I should tell you too, uh, fellow Council Members, that uh, the City of
Literature board of directors had an extended discussion about how to, uh, kind of
ramp up the book festival and make it a much more significant event as time goes
on, so you'll be hearing more about that.
Hayek: Great! Uh, I too wanted to thank Jeff McGinnis from the School Board for ... for
attending our meeting this evening. Um, I also want to just indicate the ... the
Metro Coalition, which as you know is the lobbying group of the ten largest
communities in..in the state, holds a retreat later this week and we'll be attending
that and going over the prior, uh, legislative session and talking about what can be
anticipated for the legislative session, uh, early next year. Uh, and then lastly I
just wanted, uh, to mention, last weekend at...at the Englert Theater and maybe
some other locations, there was a space adventure or some, I forget the exact title
of it but a... a local initiative designed to, uh, drum up interest in... in engineering,
space exploration, things like that, uh, largely directed at youth, and it was really
good. I took my .... my 3- year -old and my 5- year -old to it. They got to go into
this blown up kind of tent on the stage of the Englert and look up at some stars
and it was going pretty well for about 20 minutes until one of `em had to go to the
bathroom so we (laughter) cleared out and that was it, but it was ... it was a good
event and I just want to express thanks for those who were involved in that
project. So...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.
Page 49
ITEM 18. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
a) City Manager.
Hayek: City Manager?
Markus: Nothing to report.
Fruin: Yeah, just real briefly I wanted to point out, if you noticed when you came in the
door there's a QR code now, uh, on the entryway to, uh, this room, as well as the
Helling Conference Room. This is something our, um, communications staff and
Adam and Marian have been working on, along with going wireless. So, uh, you
or anybody from the public will be able to scan that, uh, with your mobile device
or your i -Pad at any time, and get the agenda for the appropriate meeting, uh, that
you're having, so whether it's a Council meeting or Economic Development or
anything else that might have a posted agenda, it'll always be available at the door
if you have a... a mobile device. (several responding)
Markus: And you have that app for that code reader, you can just run that by.
Fruin: Zap it and it's there at your fingertips!
Mims: Cool!
Hayek: Great!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of July 10, 2012.