HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-08 Info Packetwar �
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ift =I - CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
CITY OF IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org November 8, 2012
IP1 Council Tentative Meeting Schedule
NOVEMBER 13 WORK SESSION
IP2 Work Session Agenda
IP3 Information from Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C: 2013 Legislative Session
I134 Memo from Fire Chief: Johnson County Hazardous Materials Response Team (JCHMRT)
IP5 Memo from City Attorney: Separation Requirements for "Drinking Establishments" in
Outlying Areas of the City
IP6 Pending Work Session Topics
IP7 Memo from City Clerk: Additional Meeting Requests
IP8 Memo from City Clerk: KXIC Radio Show
MISCELLANEOUS
IP9 Civil Service Entrance Examination — Maintenance Worker II — Refuse
IP10 Copy of Gazette article: Iowa City Police Chief Candidate for Missouri Job
IP11 Iowa Department of Transportation: HMA Joint & Crack Sealing — Iowa Hwy 1
IP12 Johnson County Paratransit Advisory Board minutes —August 17
City Council Appointments — Base Salary History [Distributed at 11/13 Council Meeting]
DRAFT MINUTES FROM CITY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
IP13 Board of Appeals: November 5
IP14 Historic Preservation Commission: October 11 (5:15PM)
IP15 Historic Preservation Commission: October 11 (6:30PM)
IP16 Human Rights Commission: October 16
' ago
CITY OF IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
IP1 Council Te
IP2
IP3
I P4
IP5
IP6
IP7
IP8
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
Meeting Schedule
NOVEMBER 13 WORK SESSION
Work Session Ag nda
Information from Davi Brown, Koehn, Shors & Ro
Memo from Fire Chief: Jo nson County Hazardo
Memo from City Attorney: S aration Requir r
Outlying Areas of the City
Pending Work Session Topics
November 8, 2012
�rts, P.C: 2013 Legislative Session
s Materials Response Team (JCHMRT)
ents for "Drinking Establishments" in
Memo from City Clerk: Additional Meeti equests
Memo from City Clerk: KXIC Radio Show
MISCBLLANEOIJS
IP9 Civil Service Entrance Examination Maintenance Worker II — Refuse
IP10 Copy of Gazette article: Iowa City lice Chief Candidate for Missouri Job
IP11 Iowa Department of Transportatio HMA Joint & Crack Sealing= Iowa Hwy 1
IP12 Johnson County Paratransit A isory Board minutes —August 47
DRAFT MINUTES FROM CITY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
IP13
Board of Appeals: Nove
IP14
Historic Preservation Cc
IP15
Historic Preservation c
IP16
Human Rights Comm s
5
emission: October 11 (5:15PM)
emission: October 11 (6:30PM)
n: October 16
11 -08 -12
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HO • City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule IN
November 8, 2012
CITY OF IOWA CITY
Subject to change
Date
Time
Meeting
Location
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Tuesday, November 13, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
�k
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
7:OO13M
Special Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Monday, November 26, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
7:OOPM
Special Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
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Tuesday, December 4, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
7:OOPM
Regular Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
7:OOPM
Regular Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
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Saturday, January 5, 2013
8:OOA -5:OOP Work Session Meeting - BUDGET
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Monday, January 7, 2013
1:00- 5:OO13M Work Session Meeting - BUDGET- CIP
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
7:00 PM
Special Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
7:00 PM
Special Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Monday, January 28, 2013
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting - BUDGET
Emma J. Harvat Hall
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Tuesday, February 5, 2013
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, Febraury 19, 2013
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
5:00 PM
Work Session Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
410 East Washington Street
tows City, tows S2240 -1926
(319) 3S64000
(319) 3S6 -SO09 FAX
www. icgov.org
City Council Work Session Agenda
November 13, 2012
5:00 PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall - City Hall
410 E. Washington Street
■ Questions from Council re Agenda Items
■ State Legislative Update from the Davis, Brown Law Firm [IP # 3]
■ HAZMAT Presentation [IP # 4]
■ Separation requirements for drinking establishments [IP # 5]
■ Taxicab Ordinance Changes [Agenda # 4f(6) ]
■ Information Packet Discussion [October 25, November 1, 8]
■ Council Time
■ Pending Work Session Topics [IP # 6]
■ Meeting Schedule [IP # 7]
■ Upcoming Community Events /Council Invitations
IP3
Policy Issues
The 2013 Legislative Session holds great promise for what can be achieved in
promoting economic growth in Iowa, but that promise is based upon policy makers
working together. In order for Iowa to realize its potential for growth, economic
development and business issues must be approached with a fresh perspective that
understands the value and importance of economic development initiatives
provides in creating jobs and growing Iowa's economy.
The potential for Iowa to grow in 2013 and beyond is strong. Iowa's finances are
among the most solid in the nation. The economic development structure for Iowa
has been updated. And, national attention has highlighted Iowa's workforce
strengths and relative resilience during the national economic downturn.
That said, Iowa policy makers have not been able to successfully act on important
policy matters, such as commercial /industrial property tax reform - leaving an
unfair and onerous system in place that stifles economic growth. Iowa policy
makers have also struggled to allocate resources at the level needed for the new
economic development organization to best compete for job creating investments.
The Iowa Chamber Alliance is proud to provide leadership on issues and strategic
policy recommendations for achieving an environment conducive to economic
growth in Iowa. Growth is achieved with competitive and fair taxes, responsible
stewardship of taxpayer dollars, necessary investment in infrastructure, forward -
looking programs that incentivize entrepreneurship and attract investment, and a
stable regulatory environment rooted in science and weighed for efficiency and
cost - effectiveness.
The Alliance is optimistic that 2013 can be the year many of these issues are
addressed in a meaningful way and pave the way for strong economic growth across
Iowa. This agenda is presented as guidance for how the Governor and Legislature
can approach these important issues to further drive economic growth for Iowa.
Taxes
Commercial & Industrial Property Tax Relief
The non - partisan Tax Foundation 2012 ranks Iowa 41St in its State Business Tax
Climate Index and at or near the bottom in several of its measures. ' While these
rankings are not definitive, they do inform the selection process for companies
evaluating where to invest (including businesses currently operating in Iowa) and
put Iowa at a severe competitive disadvantage.
Iowa's tax environment continues to be a challenge for business expansion and
attraction. Tax competitiveness is among the top factors considered in business
location and expansion decisions.
Iowa must improve its business tax climate. The number one thing that can help
achieve this is property tax relief for commercial and industrial property taxpayers.
Iowa's tax system ranks among the highest for business property taxes. This is
unacceptable and puts Iowa at a competitive disadvantage at a time when
competition is not just with other Midwestern states, but the entire United States
and beyond.
The Alliance supports addressing unfunded mandates, reforming pensions and
other measures to help offset rollback effects on local governments.
The Iowa Chamber Alliance supports property tax relief that follows a set of four
core principles:
The property tax relief must be substantive and permanent with the tax savings
targeted to commercial and industrial classes of property.
Any move toward real reform must move the four locally assessed classes of
property taxpayers closer to equitable treatment.
Consideration must be given to the impact a relief proposal may have on the
budgets of local governments. While local governments should not have an
expectation to "be made whole," it is not in the best interest of economic growth for
Iowa to simply push property tax relief onto the budgets of local governments.
Any property tax proposal should be tethered to the values of simplicity,
transparency and predictability.
Corporate Income Tax
Iowa's six corporate income tax brackets, topping out at a rate of 12 %, hobble
economic development efforts. The Iowa Chamber Alliance supports efforts to
simplify and reduce corporate income taxes as a means to better market Iowa's
economic development efforts. Further, as part of making Iowa's corporate tax code
more marketable and understandable for its effective rates, the Alliance supports
the elimination of federal deductibility for corporate income taxes if coupled with
lower brackets that achieve a tax reduction greater than what federal deductibility
offers.
Personal Income Tax
Iowa's personal income tax is overly complex. Simplicity should be pursued with
respect to Iowa's personal income tax code so that Iowa can better market itself for
economic development .Flattening and streamlining the personal income tax will
help illustrate that Iowa is working to attract business and new jobs and keep more
capital in the hands of individually owned businesses that pay through the personal
taxes of their owners (common in LLC and "S Corp" businesses)..
Economic Development
The successful creation of the new Iowa Economic Development Authority and its
accompanying non -profit entities - a concept for a private public partnership born
out of the Iowa Chamber Alliance - provides the flexibility, nimbleness and
expertise needed for economic development for the entire state of Iowa.
The Governor and legislature keenly implemented this new approach, however,
funding of incentive programs has lagged and stands to inhibit economic
development efforts - with only 56% of requested funds appropriated. Funding
these incentives is imperative if Iowa wants to compete for investment and jobs and
economic development incentives have proven to have a high return on investment.
The Alliance supports much stronger funding of economic development incentives.
The Alliance supports a variety of tax credits for the purposes of economic
development. They are a vital part of growing, keeping and attracting employers to
Iowa and capital to investments in Iowa. The economic landscape in 2013 calls for
restoring the "cap" on economic development tax credits back to the $185 million
level. More projects are in cue than in the past and tax credits remain a primary tool
for putting together deals. The current cap of $125 million will be reached within
this fiscal year with planned projects. Restoration to the $185 million level is in
nrrinr
Transportation & Infrastructure
Iowa has great needs for updating and repairing its transportation infrastructure.
Quality roads are central to economic growth. The Iowa Chamber Alliance supports
fully funding the Transportation Investment Moves the Economy in the 21st Century
Fund (TIME -21). The Alliance supports new or alternative sources of revenue,
including a fuel tax increase, provided the cap on TIME -21 is removed. New
revenues should not be distributed under the old Road Use Tax Fund formula.
Consideration must also be given to distributing more dollars toward Iowa's most
traveled roads, which drives commerce and economic growth for Iowa.
Workforce Development & Education
Iowa's workforce is at a crossroads. There is a significant gap between the skills
sought by employers and the skills our workforce currently possesses. The gap will
only widen if action is not taken.
The Iowa Chamber Alliance supports a three - pronged approach to close the skills
gap and position Iowa for strong, sustained economic growth:
1) Work to equip the workforce of today with the skills they need through skills
remediation and pursuit of National Career Readiness Certification
programs.
2) Continue Iowa's push to emphasize Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math (STEM) skills in K -12 education, with special attention to grades 7 -12 in
order to affect the workforce within the next 5 -10 years.
3) Pursue the Governor's Education Reform Blueprint to revamp Iowa's schools
to best equip children to be globally competitive as adults.
General Business
The Iowa Chamber Alliance supports periodic review and cost - benefit analysis of
agency rules and regulations in cooperation with affected businesses and
organizations to ensure a minimally invasive and efficient regulatory environment.
Rules and regulations should be regularly evaluated for necessity, effectiveness,
cost - efficiency, enforceability and financial impact. Regulatory stability and
responsiveness must be recognized as a critical component of the business climate.
� CITY OF IOWA CITY 1P4
'No 7_1 �
' MEMORANDUM --
Date: November 5, 2012
To: Tom Markus, City Manager
From: Andrew J. Rocca, Fire Chief
Re: Johnson County Hazardous Materials Response Team (JCHMRT) — Funding
Information Packet — November 8, 2012
Introduction:
At the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency's (EMA) commission meeting
conducted on September 26, 2012, EMA Coordinator Dave Wilson proposed a $0.25 increase
in the per capita funding for the JCHMRT. Mr. Wilson has requested to meet with the City
Council at their scheduled work session on November 13, 2012, in order to present his
recommendation. Since 1988, the JCHMRT has generally been funded on a county -wide $0.25
per capita basis.
Background:
Currently, the City of Iowa City annually contributes $16,965.50 to fund the JCHMRT. The City's
share has been funded through the General Fund in the Fire Emergency Operations cost
center. The remaining incorporated jurisdictions and unincorporated areas in Johnson County
also contribute in funding the JCHMRT. County -wide, the funding is calculated at $0.25 per
capita based on the 2010 census figures. The current FY2013 budget for the JCMHRT is
$40,063.59, of which $36,985.86 is generated by the county -wide per capita funding. If the
$0.25 per capita is increased to $0.50 as proposed, the City's contribution would be $33,931.00
for FY2014.
Financial Impact:
The basis for the increase in per capita funding for the JCHMRT is two -fold. First, annual
operating costs and capital expenses have not kept pace with service demands. Second, there
isn't a vehicle replacement fund for the planned replacement of Haz Mat 1, the team's primary
response vehicle. The EMA proposal would generate a total of $378,698.54 over 11 years to
fund the operations of the JCHMRT, to include a vehicle replacement fund of $284,023.91.
Additionally, the EMA proposal would reduce to $0.40 in FY2025, while continuing to allocate
$0.10 per capita increase for operating costs and $0.05 per capita for a vehicle replacement
fund.
Recommendation:
I recommend approval of the proposed $0.25 increase in per capita funding for the JCHMRT, as
presented by EMA Coordinator Dave Wilson, provided the Johnson County Board of
Supervisors fund the county contribution from the rural levy as opposed to the general levy.
Let me know if you have any additional questions.
/ajr
11/2/2012
11/2/2012
2
Plpelinae In Johnean County, Imaa
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CITY OF IOWA CITY 1P5
. o M EM0RANDUM
Date: November 8, 2012
To: City Council
From: Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney
Re: Separation Requirements for "Drinking Establishments" in Outlying Areas of the
City
Background
This memo will review the City Code provisions that impose separation /distance requirements
on establishments that are licensed to sell alcohol for on -site consumption and whose principal
activity is the preparation, dispensing and consumption of food and /or beverages (i.e. bars and
restaurants). It does not address provisions of the code that impose requirements on
establishments that sell alcohol for off -site consumption (e.g. liquor stores, convenience stores)
In 2009, as part of Council's initiative to address the over consumption and underage
consumption of alcohol and its negative effects on the community, the City's zoning code was
amended to define "drinking establishments" and establish a separation requirement of 500 feet
between "drinking establishments" in all zones that allow "drinking establishments ". In order to
avoid the many difficulties involved in distinguishing between bars and restaurants based on the
percentage of food and alcohol sales, and based on an examination of the hours of existing
establishments, a "drinking establishment" was defined as one that is open for business on a
regular basis any time between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 2:00 a.m.
The Zoning Code includes a classification process to determine whether an establishment is an
eating or drinking establishment. Prior to the issuance of a liquor license the applicant must
submit a verified statement that details the type of license applied for, the nature of the business
and the hours of operation. Based on this information, and any additional information the City
may request, the City determines whether the business is an "eating establishment" or a
"drinking establishment" as defined under the zoning code. If it is a "drinking establishment" it
may not be located within 500 feet of another "drinking establishment"
As an example, in May of 2012 Mexico Wayne's LLC (now doing business as Short's Burgers -
Eastside) filed a verified statement which stated that its regular business hours would be
Monday — Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Based on this affidavit the business was classified as an
"eating establishment" and therefore was not required to be 500 feet from Blackstone's, which is
classified as a "drinking establishment"
The 500 foot separation requirement of the zoning code should not be confused with the
location restrictions on "outdoor service areas ". A liquor license authorizes the sale of alcohol
on a particular property, which is called the "licensed premises ". If the applicant for a liquor
license wants to sell alcohol on any portion of the property that is outside (i.e. a deck or patio)
the State requires that this "outdoor service area" be approved and made a part of the "licensed
premises ". Under the City Code "outdoor service areas" on private property (as opposed to
sidewalk cafes which are on city right -of -way and controlled by the City), may not be within 100
feet of a residential zone, except in the central business district zones (CB -2, CB -5 and CB -10).
An example of this restriction is the Blackstone's outdoor patio which is within 100 feet of a
residential zone, and therefore, cannot be an "outdoor service area ". Blackstone's has satisfied
the Building Code's requirements for the additional occupancy resulting from the patio and may
serve food to patrons on the patio, but it cannot serve alcohol on the patio.
November 7, 2012
Page 2
Issue Should the 500 feet separation requirement between "drinking establishments" apply to
outlying areas of the City that do not have a concentration of alcohol - related uses?
Discussion /Recommendation: As noted above, the 2009 city -wide separation requirement
began as a Council initiative. After the proposed amendments had been through the Planning
and Zoning Commission and were before the Council, Council did discuss whether the
separation requirement should apply in all areas of the City or just in the core areas that were
suffering from the concentration of alcohol uses. At that time, a majority of Council continued to
be in favor of making it effective for all areas of the City.
I have discussed this issue with the City Manager's office. Staff believes it is reasonable to
distinguish between areas of the City that have a concentration of alcohol uses or are
susceptible to developing a concentration of alcohol uses and those that are not. If Council is
interested in eliminating the separation requirement for drinking establishments outside the core
areas of the City, staff is prepared to examine how such areas would be defined. It might, for
example, be reasonable to use the concept of the "University Impact Area" whether under the
current or a revised description. Of course, any amendment to the zoning code will need to go
through the Planning and Zoning Commission before it is considered by Council.
Cc: Tom Markus, City Manager
Geoff Fruin, Asst. to the City Manager
Marian Karr, City Clerk
Jeff Davidson, Planning Director
Doug Boothroy, Director HIS
Sara Greenwood Hektoen, Asst. City Attorney
IP6
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
PENDING CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION TOPICS
November 7, 2012
Pending Topics to be Scheduled
1. Continue the discussion on the sale or dispersion of public housing units
2. Discussion pertaining to noise concerns voiced by residents of Ecumenical Towers
3. Discuss potential procedures and/or policies related to requests for habitable private
spaces constructed over public right -of -way
4. Single use plastic bag ban
CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
DATE: November 7, 2012
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
RE: Additional Meeting Requests
Area Legislators
Typically the City Council meets with area legislators prior to the start of the session to identify
legislative priorities for the upcoming session.
Invitations to area legislators generally have offered different times and dates. Options have
included prior to the start of a work session; Saturday morning; or a separate day early in the
morning or later in the afternoon.
A possible date identified is:
Thursday, January 3, 7:30 AM
Once a date and time have been identified I will contact area legislators to confirm and report
back.
CITY COUNCIL APPOINTEES EVALUATIONS
Council agreed to schedule a time for all three evaluations. A possible date identified is:
Friday, December 7, 1:00 PM
Please check your calendars and be prepared to confirm dates and times at the November 13
work session.
U: add Imeeti ngs2012.doc
�I _. CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM IP8
Date: November 8, 2012
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk M
Re: KXIC Radio Show
KXIC offers a City show at 9:00 AM every Wednesday morning. In the past Council has
volunteered for dates, and staff filled in as necessary. Please take a look at your calendars and
come prepared to help fill in the schedule at your work session on November 13:
November 14 — Dickens
November 21 -
November 28 -
December 5 -
December 12 - Dobyns
December 19 -
December 26 -
January 3 -
Future commitments:
U: radioshowasking.doc
From:Ul HR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
November 6, 2012
13193350202 11/06/2012 13:53 #022 P.002 /002
4 i
CITY OF IOWA CITY
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240 -1826
(3 19) 356 -5000
(319) 3S6 -5009 FAX
www. icgov. org
TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council
RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination — MAINTENANCE WORKER II — REFUSE
Under the authority of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, I do hereby
certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Maintenance Worker
II — Refuse.
William Weldon
IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Lyra .Dickerson, Chair
Iowa City police chief candidate for Missouri job I TheGazette
Iowa City police chief candidate for Missouri INN
job
Hargadine has held post since 2005
Iowa City Police Chief Saml Hargadine(right) talks to outgoing City Council member Russ Wilburn du
a reception Dec. 6 at City Hall in Iowa City. (Bran Ray/The Gazette)rceMedia Group News)
Iowa City Police Chief Sam Hargadine is a candidate for the same position in St. Charles, Mo.
Hargadine confirmed he was in the town, which is about 25 miles northwest of downtown St. Louis,
two weeks ago for an interview.
Hargadine is a Columbia, Mo., native, and said he has family in the St. Louis area and that is major
part of his interest in the job. He also said St. Charles has a modern police department, a nice historic
district, a progressive business community and is about the same size as Iowa City with nearly 67,000
residents compared with Iowa City's 69,000.
"It's fairly impressive," Hargadine said of St. Charles.
St. Charles' officials did not immediately return messages seeking comment Monday morning. Local
media reported Hargadine is one of three finalists picked from more than 45 applications. The other
two are the city's interim police chief and a police chief from another town.
Hargadine, 54, has been Iowa City's police chief since 2005. He was a captain in the Columbia, Mo.,
police department before coming here.
He said he is happy in Iowa City.
"It's been an excellent opportunity and I've made a lot of friends here," he said. "I work with
extraordinary people. That part of the decision has not been easy."
Hargadine said he has not had contact with St. Charles officials for the past two weeks. He said he
was in St. Charles for a day and interviewed with the search committee, which included the mayor,
sheriff and several city department heads. He also lunched with the mayor, toured the city and the
police department and had a meet and greet with the City Council, he said.
He was not aware his name was going to be made public on Monday, he said.
Iowa City Manager Tom Markus said it's not unusual in city government to have employees look at
other jobs
"From my standpoint, any department head that wants to better themselves or make a decision that
they want to take a look at another position, I don't discourage that," he said.
Should Hargadine leave, an interim police chief likely would be appointed and a national search for a
permanent replacement would be held, Markus said. The city manager selects who to hire, with City
Council approval required.
Hargadine's current annual salary is $139,610.
Cedar Rapids swore in a new police chief, Wayne Jerman, last week.
Iowa Department of Transportation
5455 Kirkwood Blvd. S.W., Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 Phone: 319 - 365 -6986
Fax: 319 - 730 -1563
November 5, 2012
The Honorable Matt Hayek, Mayor
Ref: MP -1- 6(711)89- -76 -52
Johnson County
City of Iowa City
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street q w
Iowa City, IA 52240 `
SUBJECT: HMA Joint & Crack Sealing — Iowa 1`,
Dear Mayor Hayek: --- §,
This letter is official notification to your City Council that the Iowa Department of'I ranspdhhtion
proposes to let a HMA (Hot Mix Asphalt) Joint & Crack Sealing project on January 16,013.
The work consists of sealing cracks in hot mix asphalt pavement. The project is on Iowa 1 from
I -80 northeasterly to Solon.
It is anticipated that the project will be completed in calendar year 2013. The work will be done
in accordance with the current Form 810034, "Agreement for Primary Road Extension
Maintenance and Operation ". Project costs will be paid from the Primary Road Fund and no
charges will be made against the city.
Resident Construction Engineer, Mark Brandl, P.E., of Davenport, Iowa, telephone number 563-
391 -2750, will advise you of the contractor's proposed schedule when the information is
available.
We would appreciate this project notification being included on your next City Council meeting
agenda as a matter of information for Council members.
If you have any questions concerning the work involved, please contact this office as soon as
possible in order to expedite any possible changes.
Sincerely,
Thomas M. Storey, P.E.
District Staff Engineer
TMS /rhh
cc: Jim Schnoebelen, P.E., District Engineer, Iowa DOT, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Mark Brandl, P.E., Resident Construction Engineer, Iowa DOT, Davenport, IA 52809
Newman Abuissa, P.E., Staff Engineer, Iowa DOT, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
11 -08 -12
IP11
1�
IP12
Johnson County Paratransit Advisory Board
Minutes
August 17, 2012
Goodwill Plant
Present:
Members: Marc Rahe, Terry Dickens, Harry Olmstead, Pat Harney, Scott Wieser, Lynne Stamus,
Vicky Robrock
Ex- Officio: Ann Trotter, Ron Schieffer, Roger Goedken
Others: Tom Brase, SEATS Director, Angie Conard, Chris O'Brien
Absent:
Members: Rick Dobyns, Sally Stutsman, Pat Harney, Loren Schmitt
Ex- Officio:
Others:
1. Call to order - 11:06 a.m.
2. Chairperson's Report
a. Introductions were made.
b. 2012 Rider Survey: Copies of results were passed out. Not as many responses as in the past
but they ones they got were consistent with past years. Consumers were given surveys
through providers, on line, or from drivers on the bus. Coralville mailed them out with
recertification forms. Thank you to Marc Rahe for the summary.
3. Director's Report
a. Premium Service and rates: SEATS is going above and beyond. Fixed routes do not go out
on Sunday's. There is a 9% increase in ridership, this is from Sunday, more rides on
Saturday, and more Iowa City riders. Premium rates were discussed. Cost per ride in FY12
was $18.41. Reduced fare and using fixed routes were discussed. This will be discussed
again in the future.
b. FY12 Efficiency Report: Several reports were handed out by Tom Brase. SEATS is at
98.73% for On Time Performance. Missed rides have gone from 3.31% in FY 11 to 3.21%
in FY12.
c. Changes: Reservations can be made 14 days in advance now. New punch cards started on
July 1. The policy for manual wheelchairs /ramps was handed out.
4. Old Business
a. Approval of last meeting's minutes: Move to approve by Harry O, second Terry.
5. New Business: None
6. Open Discussion: None
Next meeting: November 16, 2012. 11:00 a.m. at the Goodwill plant (1St Ave).
7. Adjourn 12:13
City Council Appointments
Base Salary History
[2000 -2011]
MANAGER ATTORNEY CLERK
Incumbent Hire Date: 7/86 Incumbent Hire Date: 9/97 Incumbent Hire Date: 4/83
1- New Hire
2 - Pension plan Payment
3 - Cash value of 80 hrs accrued vacation paid directly to pension plan
4 - 60% FTE effective October 3
5 - Full health premium
6 - Car allowance, contract amendment
7 - Full medical insurance, contract amendment
8 - Increased Life Insurance
Salary
Add'I Benefit
Salary
Add'I Benefit
Salary
Add'I Benefit
FY01
6.8%
6.59%
6.76%
2000
$125,008
3
$84,011
4
$63,003
FY02
3.2%
3.25%
6.5%
2001
$129,064
3
$52,041
2,4,5
$67,100
3
3.25% COL
3.25% COL
FY03
3%
3.5% merit
3.5% merit
2002
$132,932.80
3,6
$55,623.36
4,7
$71,718.40
3
FY04
3%
3%
3%
2003
$136,926.40
3,6
$57,295.68
4,7
$73,860.80
3
FY05
2.65%
2.65%
2.65%
2004
$140,545.60
3,6
$58,818.24
4,7
$75,816.00
3
FY06
2005
$144,414.40
3,6
$60,440.64
4,7
$77,896.00
3
FY07
2006
$153,088.00
$65,270.40
4,7
$84,136.00
3
FY08
Interim /Acting
6%
6%
2007
$148,000
$69,189.12
4,7
$89,190.40
3
FY09
6.75%
6.75%
2008
$160,000
$73,856.64
4,7
$95,201.60
3
FY10
Interim /Acting
2%
2%
2009
$160,000
$75,329.28
4,7
$97,115.20
3
FY11
2.87%
2.87%
2010
$160,000
1,2,6,8
$77,488.32
4,7
$99,902.40
3
FY12
2%
2%
2011
$160,000
1,2,6,8
$79,035.84
4,7
$101,899.20
3
FY13
2012
1- New Hire
2 - Pension plan Payment
3 - Cash value of 80 hrs accrued vacation paid directly to pension plan
4 - 60% FTE effective October 3
5 - Full health premium
6 - Car allowance, contract amendment
7 - Full medical insurance, contract amendment
8 - Increased Life Insurance
FY16
FY15
FY14
FY13
FY12
FY11
FY10
FY09
FY08
FY07
FY06
FY05
FY04
FY03
FY02
FY01
FY00
FY99
FY98
FY97
FY96
FY95
FY94
FY93
FY92
FY91
FY90
City of Iowa City Wage Settlements
AFSCME
Police
TBD
2.20%
1.25% -1.25%
1.35%-1.5%
1.35% - 1.5 %*
1.35%-1.5%
3.10%
3.30%
3.25%
3.10%
3%
2.50%
3%
3.25%
3.25%
3.25%
3%
3%
3%
2%-2%
3.25%
3%
4%
2%-3%
3.85%
3.50%
3.50%
Fire
2%
2.20%
1.25% -1.25%
1.35%-1.5%
1.35%-1.5%
1.35%-1.5%
3.05%
3.30%
3.25%
3.10%
2.75%
2.75%
2.75%
3.25%
3.25%
3.25%
3%
2%-2%
3.25%
2.80%
3.25%
3% - 2.78 % **
4%
2.5%-2.5%
5%
3.50%
2.75%
*FY12 December 1.5% ATB for Police will be used to create a ten -year step
* *FY95 Fire pay plan further adjusted in April 1995 by 2.78%
Admin /Conf
TBD
2.20%
1.25% -1.25%
1.35%-1.5%
1.35%-1.5%
1.35%-1.5%
3.10%
3.30%
3.25%
2.85%
2.75%
2.65%
3%
3.25%
3.25%
3%
3%
2%-2%
3%
3.25%
3%
3%
4%
2.5%-2.5%
5%
3.50%
3.25%
Police
TBD
2.20%
1.25% -1.25%
1.35%-1.5%
1.35% - 1.5 %*
1.35%-1.5%
3.10%
3.30%
3.25%
3.10%
3%
2.50%
3%
3.25%
3.25%
3.25%
3%
3%
3%
2%-2%
3.25%
3%
4%
2%-3%
3.85%
3.50%
3.50%
Fire
2%
2.20%
1.25% -1.25%
1.35%-1.5%
1.35%-1.5%
1.35%-1.5%
3.05%
3.30%
3.25%
3.10%
2.75%
2.75%
2.75%
3.25%
3.25%
3.25%
3%
2%-2%
3.25%
2.80%
3.25%
3% - 2.78 % **
4%
2.5%-2.5%
5%
3.50%
2.75%
*FY12 December 1.5% ATB for Police will be used to create a ten -year step
* *FY95 Fire pay plan further adjusted in April 1995 by 2.78%
Admin /Conf
TBD
2.20%
1.25% -1.25%
1.35%-1.5%
1.35%-1.5%
1.35%-1.5%
3.10%
3.30%
3.25%
2.85%
2.75%
2.65%
3%
3.25%
3.25%
3%
3%
2%-2%
3%
3.25%
3%
3%
4%
2.5%-2.5%
5%
3.50%
3.25%
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IP13
MINUTES Preliminary
IOWA CITY BOARD OF APPEALS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012
HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
410 E. WASHINGTON STREET
IOWA CITY, IA 52240
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Roffman, Scott McDonough, Andrea French, Chad
Campion
MEMBERS ABSENT: Matt Neumiller
STAFF PRESENT: Tim Hennes (Sr. Building Inspector), Sue Dulek (Asst. City
Attorney), John Grier (Fire Marshal), Jann Ream (Code
Enforcement Asst. acting as minute taker)
OTHERS PRESENT: None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
Recommended by a unanimous vote (4 -0) to adopt the 2012 International Fire Code with
amendments as proposed.
CALL TO ORDER:
John Roffman called the meeting to order at 4:01
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Campion moved to elect John Roffman as chairperson of the Board of Appeals. McDonough
seconded. VOTE: John Roffman was elected Board of Appeals chairperson by a 4 -0 unanimous
vote.
McDonough moved to elect Andrea French as vice - chairperson of the Board of Appeals.
Campion seconded. VOTE: Andrea French was elected Board of Appeals vice - chairperson by a
4 -0 unanimous vote.
Discussion and possible recommendation to Council regarding adoption of the 2012 International
Fire Code:
John Grier explained that he had gone through the new code and had pulled out the notable new
sections and revised amendments so that the Board could see the changes that would occur
with the adoption of the 2012 International Fire Code. He explained that he could go through
them item by item but wondered if anyone had any questions up front. He explained that the
2012 version of the code had been significantly re- organized so many of the code sections had
changed reference numbers even though that section may or may not have changed or revised.
He also explained that the amendments that are currently adopted would remain. For purposes
of discussion for the Board, he had only pulled out those items that would be something new or
revised.
2
He mentioned one change that he had not highlighted for the Board which allows the Fire
Department to send plans out for review by a third party and requires the applicant to pay for the
review. He did not anticipate that the Fire Department would need to do that very often.
Roffman asked about the new section that required monthly and yearly testing of emergency
lighting equipment. He wondered how the Fire Department was going to educate property
owners about this new requirement. Grier explained that the department would be do ongoing
education when doing inspections and would slowly work towards getting compliance. He also
clarified that this requirement applied to new buildings only and that he fully expected the
technology for emergency lighting equipment would begin to incorporate automatic testing and
reporting software.
Grier mentioned reasons for some of the new requirements. Since many restaurants are now
storing their cooking oil inside for recycling or re- processing, there are new requirements that
relate to that storage. There is now a minimum size requirement for fire pump and riser rooms in
new buildings because, without it, these rooms were being built so small that it was difficult to
maneuver in them. The emergency responder radio coverage regulations address the issues
with coverage being diminished because of current building design — repeaters become
necessary for adequate coverage. Carbon monoxide alarms will now be required in certain
occupancies with fuel burning appliances. Because solar panels are becoming more prevalent,
there are new requirements that govern installation of such panels on roofs and how to shut off
the power in emergency situations.
MOTION: McDonough moved to recommend to City Council that the 2012 International Fire
Code with all proposed amendments be adopted. Campion seconded.
VOTE: The motion passed 4 -0.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Hennes noted that the terms for French and Roffman were expiring at the end of December,
2012. Roffman had already applied for a new term and French indicated that she would be
turning in her application to the City Clerk after the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairperson Roffman adjourned the meeting at 4:20PM.
Chairperson, Board of Appeals Date
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MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OCTOBER 11, 2012
EMMA HARVAT HALL
PRELIMINARY
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kent Ackerson, Thomas Baldridge, Esther Baker, Shannon Gassman, Andrew Litton,
Pam Michaud, Ginalie Swaim, Dana Thomann, Frank Wagner
MEMBERS ABSENT: William Downing, David McMahon
STAFF PRESENT: Chery Peterson, Bob Miklo
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (become effective only after separate Council action)
None.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Swaim called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA:
There was none.
CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS:
515 Van Buren Street.
Miklo said this property is in the Northside Historic District on the west side of Van Buren Street between Fairchild
and Church streets. He said the Commission previously reviewed a proposal for a window well on this property.
Miklo said that proposal for a plastic window well was not approved; the guidelines call for a window well made of
material that is similar to the foundation.
Miklo said this is a revised application indicating that the window well would be similar to the foundation materials,
but the drawing does not make that clear. He said staff s recommendation is that this be approved subject to the
window well actually being made of concrete and finished with a block that matches the foundation.
MOTION: Gassman moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the application for 515 Van
Buren Street as presented with the following conditions: 1) the concrete block used to patch and fill out the
foundation wall must match the existing textured block, 2) the divided light pattern of the new window must
include vertical muntins in the top sash to match the existing basement windows, and 3) corrected drawings
showing the block construction of the new window well must be provided. Male seconded the motion. The
motion carried on a vote of 9 -0 (Downing and McMahon absent).
REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF:
Miklo said he could provide details if any Commission members had questions about these certificates.
DISCUSS ANNUAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS.
Miklo said the subcommittee met the evening before and looked at potential award winners to narrow down the list.
He showed slides of the properties to confirm which ones the Commission would like to bestow awards on.
Miklo asked that the Commission approve the awards as submitted by the subcommittee. He stated that Baker and
Alicia Trimble are on the subcommittee and were available to answer any questions and available if anyone wanted
to challenge any of the recommendations.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OCTOBER 11, 2012
Page 2 of 3
MOTION: Ackerson moved to approve the list of properties as proposed for the Historic Preservation
Awards. Baker seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9 -0 (Downing and McMahon absent).
Swaim stated that the presentation would be held November 9h at 5:30 at the Public Library. She thanked staff and
volunteers for working on the nominations.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 13,2012:
Swaim said the minutes were not included in the packet. Miklo said they would be on the Commission's next
agenda.
OTHER:
Swaim stated that the County Poor Farm is a very interesting building. She asked anyone who would be interested
in touring the building to let Peterson know. Swaim said the tour would be Monday, October 22, at 9 a.m.
Regarding the hearing for a local Jefferson Street District, Swaim said the public hearing would begin at 6:30. She
said she signed as the chair the official letter that went to property owners and also included everyone else's name so
that the owners could see that the Commission is a board of citizens.
Swaim described the meeting procedures, which would include a staff report, photographs of properties, any
Commission questions to staff regarding procedures, and public discussion. Miklo said that after public discussion,
Swaim could cite the number of letters received but would not need to get into the content of the letters.
Swaim said that after public discussion is closed, it is the Commission members' opportunity to comment as to why
they are or are not in favor of this. She said there will then be a vote. Swaim said if the vote passes, the item will go
forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration at one or two public hearings. Swaim said if the
district passes there, the designation will go on to the City Council for one or two public hearings.
Miklo distributed excerpts from the Historic Preservation ordinance that describe the Commission's role in deciding
whether these properties are eligible for local designation.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 5.43 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte
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MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OCTOBER 11, 2012
EMMA HARVAT HALL
PRELIMINARY
MEMBERS PRESENT: Thomas Baldridge, Esther Baker, Shannon Gassman, Andrew Litton, Pam Michaud,
Ginalie Swaim, Dana Thomann, Frank Wagner
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kent Ackerson, William Downing, David McMahon
STAFF PRESENT: Chery Peterson, Bob Miklo
OTHERS PRESENT: Helen Burford, Christine Denburg, Susan Futrell, Nancy E. Carlson, Sharon DeGraw,
Cynthia Kemp, Cecile Kuenzli, Nathan Marks, Jon McPheron, Jiyun Park, Judith Pascoe,
Claire Sponsler, Nialle Sylvan, Charles Thiede, Alicia Trimble
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (become effective only after separate Council action)
None.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Swaim called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR JEFFERSON STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT:
Swaim explained the procedure for the public hearing. She said that to insure that interested parties have adequate
time to address the Commission and that discussion can proceed in a timely matter regarding issues before the
Commission, it is the intent of the Commission to observe these procedures.
Swaim read, "After introducing the item for discussion, the Chairperson will ask the City Planner for a staff report,
then the Commissioners can ask the City staff for any information, and then we will open the issue for public
discussion. We will follow three rules. Any questions from the public should be addressed to the Chairperson
rather than to another member of the public. Speakers are asked to approach the podium, give their name and
address, print their name and address on the form provided, and speak into the microphone, and the Chairperson
may place time limits."
Swaim said that after public discussion is opened, each person is asked to limit his or her comments to three
minutes. She added that after everyone who wishes to speak has done so, there will be a second round of discussion,
and each person will be allowed to speak for two minutes. Swaim said that at that time, the public discussion will be
closed, and Commission members will be asked to make a motion on the proposal, and the Commission will then
discuss the issue and vote.
Swaim pointed out that this is the first public hearing on the proposal. She said that if the proposal passes, the issue
then goes to the Planning and Zoning Commission for another public hearing, or two if that Commission so chooses.
She said that meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 15''. Swaim stated that if this passes at the Planning
and Zoning Commission level, then it would go on to the City Council, which can also hold one or two public
hearings before it makes its decision.
Swaim said it is great to have a good turnout. She said the Commission hopes to have continued good discussion of
the issue.
Miklo showed slides of the area and properties as he spoke. He stated that the Jefferson Street Historic District was
listed on the National Register of Historic Places in September of 2004. Miklo said the proposal before the
Commission is to consider whether the National Register Historic District should be designated as a local historic
district, which is an overlay on the zoning map. Miklo said if this is approved, this would provide Historic
Preservation Commission or staff review of any proposed significant changes to the exterior of properties, although
it does not affect the interior of properties.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 11, 2012
Page 2 of 11
Miklo said that if the Commission recommends approval of the designation, the proposal will go to the Planning and
Zoning Commission, and the Planning and Zoning Commission will consider whether the proposal meets the criteria
of the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that there are two areas of the Comprehensive Plan that address this particular
neighborhood. Miklo said one is the Historic Preservation Plan itself, which, due to the high concentration of
historic buildings in this area, does encourage its designation as a local historic district. He said that some of the
buildings in the area date back to Iowa City's early history and are associated with the founding of the territorial
capital and then the state capital. Miklo said some of the buildings were used as early government buildings, such as
City Hall. He said it is clear that the proposal does comply with the historic preservation aspect of the
Comprehensive Plan.
Miklo said another aspect of the Comprehensive Plan that addresses Jefferson Street is the Central District Plan. He
stated that the Plan shows this area as a mixture of institutional uses such as churches and University buildings and a
mix of residential and commercial buildings. Miklo said the zoning for this area is MU, mixed use, on the zoning
map. He said it was specifically developed for Jefferson Street as a way of encouraging the preservation of current
buildings and allowing them to be used for either residential or commercial, thereby being viable in the marketplace.
Miklo said that if one walks through the district, one notes several of the buildings have been converted from
residential to commercial. He said some of them have commercial uses on the ground floor with apartments or
rooming houses above. Miklo said some of them are operated as commercial inns or bed - and - breakfasts. He said
that some buildings are operated as religious institutions, and others serve as apartment buildings and rooming
houses, and there are still some remaining single - family homes within the mix.
Miklo said the zoning that was put in place specifically to allow these buildings to be reused in order to encourage
their preservation. He added that although it is not the Commission's charge to consider the Comprehensive Plan,
this clearly complies with the criteria that the Planning and Zoning Commission will use.
Miklo stated that it is the Commission's charge to determine whether the proposal to make Jefferson Street a local
historic district meets the criteria specified in the zoning ordinance for such a district. He said there are two specific
criteria that this must meet, with the first being that the area is significant to Iowa City or Iowa or American history.
Miklo said the second criterion is that the area possesses integrity of design, setting, materials or workmanship - in
other words, the buildings still retain much of their original design and quality and have not been redesigned to the
extent that someone would not recognize them as historic buildings.
Miklo said there are four additional criteria, and the Commission has to find that the area meets at least one of those.
He said it has to meet the first two, for which the Commission has a detailed list, and also has to meet one of the
additional criteria which are as follows: that the area or buildings are associated with events that have been
significant and have contributed to the broad patterns of our history; the area or buildings are associated with the
lives of persons who have been significant in our past; the area or buildings embody distinct characteristics of type,
period, method of construction or represent the work of a master and possess high historic values; or the area or
buildings may yield information about our history or pre- history.
Miklo said the National Register of Historic Places registration form that the Commission has goes into a
considerable amount of detail and documentation how the district met those on a national level, and the
Commission's charge is to determine whether the district meets them on a local level.
Public hearing:
Cecile Kuenzli, 705 South Summit, said that she is on the Board of Friends of Historic Preservation. She said she
was delighted to hear that the Commission is considering local landmark designation for this area.
Kuenzli said the irony of this situation is sort of multiple. She said this district is so beautiful, ironically because the
owner of those properties restored them so beautifully that it made one want to be around them and see them and
show them off. Kuenzli said that every time she has company from out of town, she takes them down Jefferson
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 11, 2012
Page 3 of 11
Street and around Iowa City's older neighborhoods, and they always say, "Gee, you have such diversity of housing
styles here. It's wonderful."
Kuenzli said that as we know, properties are disappearing almost weekly to the wrecker's ball. She said one other
irony is that a friend of hers was on the University Planning Committee when the yellow and red brick building
across the street that is now the Psychology Building was discussed. Kuenzli said the first inclination was to tear
down the building, and they decided not to because of the presence of the wonderful houses across the street, so it
would be too ironic if something should happen to those houses and they would no longer be there.
Claire Sponsler, 413 North Gilbert, said she lives on the North Side and would like to speak in favor of this historic
district for the Jefferson Street area. She said that if there is any one area in Iowa City that seems deserving of
historic district status, it is this one, not only because of the architecture and quality and variety of the architecture
and its history but also because of the people who have lived there and the fact that this is such a visible area of the
City.
Sponsler said this is a crossroads where so many people pass through Iowa City. She said it is sort of the heart of
historic Iowa City, and for that reason it would deserve preservation.
Sponsler said she lives in the Gilbert-Linn Historic District and wanted to speak from the perspective of living in a
new historic district. She said that district took quite a lot of effort to pass, with many, many tries over many years.
Sponsler said that in the end, despite all the opposition, it was a win -win situation that has stabilized the
neighborhood and helped everyone who has a stake in the neighborhood, whether landlords or renters or
homeowners. She said that experience demonstrates how valuable historic districts can be in preserving what is
most valuable about Iowa City.
Jon McPheron, 220 East Bloomington Street, said he has lived on the North Side for almost 30 years. He said he
inherited a great house from a friend back in 2006. McPheron stated that the whole area is special to him, and the
Jefferson area is just adjacent.
McPheron said it is important to support this to preserve the existing homes of the North Side /downtown area. He
said it is truly an international neighborhood well- renowned around the world. McPheron said we need to slow
down some of the creep from the cookie - cutter, large -scale apartment buildings. He said there is no doubt they are
solid construction and look nice, but we need to keep things in perspective and kind of slow those down a little bit
and not tear down solid, historic buildings.
McPheron said one example is the Bostick House and the nearby houses in the Jefferson area. He said they form a
pleasant buffer between the main downtown and the North Side Market Square District and allow for the North Side
to keep its unique character and its distinct charm.
Helen Burford, 528 East College, said that some years back, she spoke to the fact that this area of Iowa City
contributes to the economic vitality of Iowa City and the North Side. She said the structures are inherently historic,
and it is natural for this to be an historic district.
Burford asked the Commission to consider that as recently as two years ago, the University made a significant
investment in preserving and rehabilitating Stuit Hall. She said if that is not evidence of the fact that this area is
legitimately an historic district for the vitality of Iowa City, because there is a very direct relationship between the
benefit of the University and the people who live here and work at the University, she could not think of a better
example.
Burford said she would not like to see the slings and arrows that have been thrown at the College Green area happen
again. She said it is part of the responsibility of us, as emotional as it might be, to make a stand to say who we are
as a city and what we want to be thought of as a city.
Susan Futrell, 311 Fairchild Street, said she lives in the North Side Gilbert-Linn Historic District. She said she
wanted to speak in favor of the proposed new district on Jefferson Street.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 11, 2012
Page 4 of 11
Futrell said she has been a resident of Iowa City for almost 40 years and has a very strong memory of what the City
looked like when she first arrived here and how beautiful and wonderful it was to be in a city with so many beautiful
buildings and a mix of uses close to the downtown. She said Iowa City has lost a lot of that in the intervening years,
but she is very proud of the way that Iowa City has chosen to make this a place that celebrates the history as well as
all the newness that comes in every semester and every year because of the University.
Futrell added that it would be ironic in many ways if this district were not designated an historic district, because it
is kind of at the heart of what people see when they first come to Iowa City and see the campus and the downtown
and the nearby area. She said because we have done a good job of making many of the surrounding neighborhoods
historic districts, it would be a significant benefit to put the heart into it in this way.
Regarding being in a fairly newly- designated historic district, Futrell said she owns an old house in the district. She
said she would characterize the change in her whole neighborhood since the designation mainly as a stabilization.
Futrell said it is another mixed neighborhood with not much commercial but a lot of rental. She said the
neighborhood has really stabilized into a place where people are feeling comfortable investing in and maintaining
their houses, and it has really been a benefit to have that protection.
Futrell said she had a porch on the back of her house that was in serious need of repair the year after designation.
She said she went through the process of filing for a permit with the Historic Preservation Commission and making
sure that what was done was appropriate. Futrell commented that the whole process was very straightforward and
went very well. She said she was allowed to do cost - effective things to maintain the structure but still have it look
nice. Futrell said she applauds the way Iowa City has dealt with the challenges of maintaining the old
neighborhoods and hoped the Commission members would vote in support of the new district.
Christine Denburg, 1011 Woodlawn, said she lives at the end of Iowa Avenue on Woodlawn. She said her house
was hit by the tornado a few years ago. Denburg said that at that time, the exterior of her house had significant
damage, and she had 100 years and more of paint layers on her house.
Denburg said that the preservation briefs put out by National Historic Preservation discuss how when paint gets to
the point that there are that many layers of alligatoring, if one were to just quickly scrape and put another layer of
paint on, the lifetime expectancy of that coat of paint would have been severely diminished. She said that because
of having that historic preservation brief and the protection that she was given because the house in on the National
Register, her insurance company was all the more willing to pay to strip the paint off of three sides of the house.
Denburg said it was something that she would never have been able to afford herself.
In addition, Denburg said she had ten -foot tall chimneys that came down — two out of the three. She said the
tornado actually helped with maintenance of her house that she herself could not have afforded. Denburg said that
when one goes and looks at Iowa Avenue and remembers just a few short years ago when the tornado hit and what
happened, that people were really concerned about whether this would go the other way and would these houses be
torn down.
Denburg said there were a couple of houses that people really did want to tear down. She stated that with the
protection of historic preservation, they were strongly encouraged, and the houses were taken care of and rebuilt.
Denburg said the integrity of the neighborhood was therefore maintained.
Denburg said she looks at the neighborhood, and if there were another tornado or severe windstorm that went into
that area, the people who live in those homes would have a lot of protection by virtue of being designated. She said
that 15 years ago her house was hit by a hailstorm, and the insurance company totaled her standing seam metal roof,
which the insurance company again replaced with another standing seam metal roof, something she could not have
afforded on her own.
Denburg said that having that historic designation helps us work together when there are problems. She said if
anything happened, that would really help all the neighbors be able to put the houses back, and a severe event would
not be an event that would really destroy the neighborhood.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 11, 2012
Page 5 of 11
Denburg said she is a landlord and has three homes in the Longfellow Neighborhood. She said she owned her
homes before it was designated as an historic preservation district, and she has really appreciated that. Denburg said
she has not had any kinds of problems. She said the housing inspectors have been very agreeable and very easy to
work with. Denburg said she has found it to be nothing but a good thing.
Denburg said the property values of the houses have gone up. She said lots of people have moved into the
neighborhood, and the neighborhood has really been fixed up. Denburg said she just sees it as a very, very positive
thing. She said if someone is a little uncomfortable about it being designated, she thinks it is just the idea of the
unknown. Denburg said if anyone wants to talk to some of the people who lived in that area during the tornado,
they would be more than happy to share their stories.
Denburg said what started her neighborhood being protected was a plan for her house to be torn down and replaced
with a colonial apartment complex. She said the neighborhood received the designation, and her house was not torn
down. Denburg said that when it happens, and it gets stopped, one sort of breathes a sigh of relief. She said now
looking back on it, one can't imagine that that could ever have been a possibility. Denburg said that she really hopes
the Commission will consider this designation and saving this really beautiful neighborhood.
Nialle Sylvan, 1722 Morningside, said she was speaking from a dream built on the idea of Murphy- Brookfield
Books being housed in a National Historic Register home. She said she is also speaking to how this neighborhood
could be, if it must be changed, and she thinks its current status as longer term housing for University guests has
been nothing but a wonderful way to bring culture into the North Side District and to downtown, if it has to be
changed, she has an idea for that.
Sylvan said she understands from priorities described by City Council that City goals include increasing the
presence of independent, locally owned businesses; encouraging more live /work style development and more job
growth; and facilitating a more business - friendly environment. She said she likes those goals, and she likes Iowa
City. Sylvan said she really likes that neighborhood, and it is beautiful and has been so well -kept. She said she likes
owning a business near there.
Sylvan said she does not like having to rent property for her business. She said that one long -term problem that she
has faced is that all of the property is already owned. Sylvan said she has a few rental options but not very many,
and many of them are very highly priced. She said she is in the used books business, which is a business one does
not go into to get rich.
Sylvan said it is not about wanting to get rid of the North Side block, which has been dramatically improved very
recently in very beautiful, historic ways. She said it is about wanting to build up equity and put down roots and take
her part in preserving part of Iowa City's history in a way that reflects her business's 34 -year history and sets it up to
become, if it isn't already, an anchor store in Iowa City that will have a legacy.
Sylvan said the rent she pays now is low compared to downtown. She said, however, if she were building equity in
a building and were able to do so at an even lower cost, then she could be prepared to meet future business
challenges better. Sylvan said she could expand her work force and have her business located back in a house. She
said she likes her current building, but it isn't a home and doesn't have the same feel that the Haunted Bookshop has
really striven to have.
Sylvan said that as of next year, she would have had enough money saved up to make a down payment on a building
of comparable value to the houses on the 300 block of Jefferson Street. She said she would have been able to live
upstairs from the business and also allow one of her employees to live in an apartment in that building and still have
room to develop the downstairs into a bookstore of comparable business strategy and appearance to Murphy -
Brookfield Books, a property that is owned and maintained in accordance with National Historic Society guidelines.
Sylvan said when she looked at this, she realized that the Bostick House more or less perfectly fit her vision for what
the bookstore is. She said that if the use were to change and she could buy the Bostick House, she could put down
roots that would allow her to grow her business to help other businesses perhaps invest in low impact but unusual,
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 11, 2012
Page 6 of 11
unique frontage. She said it would be kind of like the neighborhood on Washington Street that was lost just months
ago.
Sylvan said it would be a buffer between the downtown district and the North Side District but also a connector.
She added that she doesn't know how these things work or if it would be possible or permissions would be needed,
but if it were still possible and could be done within both City and historic preservation auspices, it would be a
contribution to the preservation of history and to the commercial future of the City.
Jiyun Park, 20 Rock Shore Drive, said she is trained as an art historian and also as an architect. She said she has
lived here for three years. Park said she had three points to make. She said there is an idea of Anywhere, USA,
where one could go into a town, and it would feel like the McDonald's you just left in Anywhere, USA. Park said
then one could go into Iowa City, and it feels like Iowa City, and there is a particular reason why it feels like Iowa
City.
Park said it is as much for the open space, which is a diminishing potential in our modern society, as every major
city in the world has doubled in size in population. She said what is happening in those cities is that they are losing
green space and losing potentially historic space. Park said that historic space isn't just a building; it's not just
people who live there or built it or time, measure time, memories, intimate potential, dreams. She said it is actually
like a physiological space that human beings need and want. Park said that without that, something transforms in
your consciousness and in your psyche.
Park said that for her, Iowa City is defined in large part by those spaces, like that breathing space around those
buildings is just as vital, the negative space around those buildings is just as vital. She said that as a pedestrian,
when you walk or when you bike, you're not coming up right against it or whatever. Park said there is that breadth
and depth and beauty. She said she hopes that will be preserved if for no other reason than that it is beautiful.
Park said that cannot be rebuilt over and over again. She said there is a patina to it that cannot be rebuilt. Park said
there is a limitation on what is lost; she said one loses so much if this isn't preserved. She said it is not just what
might be gained if something else were put here. Park said you would lose what you would lose; it is like a fabric,
and there is an identity to the City.
Park said, regarding the Red Avocado building, if one looks at what is there now and remembers what was there
before, it was like the identity. She said she attended the University of Michigan, and when she goes back there
now, she sees that they did not preserve their identity. Park said it burgeoned in the 80s and 90s, and what is there
now are these constructs to wealth, power, greed, and dominance. She said that all the things that made it the patina
of a city was the identity of Ann Arbor and the people that were there.
Nancy Carlson, 1002 East Jefferson, said she supports the Jefferson Street Historic District. She said that all of the
other historic districts are residential. Carlson said there may be a church intermingled among the houses, but they
are all houses.
Carlson said this area contains an important collection of churches, residences, and institutional buildings of the
University. She said it has important examples of educational, religious, and community development. Carlson said
it has a cross - section of middle- and upper- income households where prominent business people and professional
citizens lived next door to working -class families, something we can't seem to achieve today.
Carlson said there are eleven different architectural styles found in the area, making it a syllabus of architectural
history. She said that all of these attributes help to point to a legacy of past achievement worth preserving.
Carlson said the sixth purpose of the historic district described in the zoning book speaks of protecting and
enhancing the City's attractiveness to tourists and visitors. She said that between 5,000 and 7,000 cars travel this
street every day, making this the most visible historic district in the City. Carlson said it would provide a statement
that as we develop and move forward into the 20 century, we also respect our past.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 11, 2012
Page 7 of 11
Carlson said the guest houses in the 300 block provide unique, non - cookie cutter accommodations honoring our
past, steps away from a vibrant downtown and University campus. She said that in the space of one block, one is
back in another time and ambience.
Carlson said we need to decide if we, as a community, can come together to embrace our past and grow upon its
foundation or destroy it; the choice is ours.
Nathan Marks, 404 East Jefferson, said he is the congregational chairman for St. Paul's Lutheran Church and
University Center on Jefferson Street. He said he has concerns with the proposed plan.
Marks said that, as a not - for - profit, with a primary mission of spreading the word of God to the students of the
University of Iowa, funds are certainly tight in his church. He said that any additional requirements that the church
would be held to to maintain the facility would certainly take away from that mission.
Marks said that while the church certainly appreciates the historic value and doesn't wish to change it, the costs are
definitely high in maintaining the church's facility. He asked that the Commission not adopt the proposal.
Sherry DeGraw, 519 Brown Street, said she hopes the Commission votes for the historic designation along this
street. She said the buildings are beautiful, and in time, there will be plenty of opportunity for developers to take a
look at what they can do in the River Crossing area. DeGraw said it would be a terrible mistake to start bulldozing
more beautiful buildings on the North Side of the City when there will be plenty of time for growth and opportunity
on the other side of town.
Judith Pascoe, 317 Fairchild Street, said that when the North Side Neighborhood was working on the Gilbert-Linn
Historic District, one of the counterarguments frequently heard was that the neighborhood was already too far gone
to try to preserve it. She said she is struck with this new area that could potentially be designated an historic district.
Pascoe said it is amazingly intact. She said it is very unusual in Iowa City, when there have been so many decades
when there was a very different attitude toward preserving the past, it is very hard to find a stretch of several blocks
that has such an intact streetscape with so many beautiful properties on them that are very historic. Pascoe said she
supports this district.
Cynthia Kemp, Congregational Church, said she represents the Congregational Church and said she would echo the
sentiments of Saint Paul's in that they are very concerned about further constraints and limitations that might be
placed on the use of their facility and property, which is quite small as it is, with further rules and regulations. She
said they know they are in an historic building and are doing the very best they can right now with the roof repair,
lintels, gutters, etc.
Kemps said the church is concerned and hopes this does not pass. She said the church is already designated an
historic building and any further designation seems immaterial or unnecessary, she would say.
Miklo stated that the Congregational Church is already a landmark, so there would be no additional rules and
regulations above and beyond what already applies to that property. Baldridge asked if the same would then be true
of Saint Paul's. Miklo said it would not, as Saint Paul's is not a landmark property. He added that Saint Mary's is a
landmark, as well as the Methodist Church and the rectory at Saint Mary's.
Alicia Trimble, 2232 California Avenue, said that she is the executive director of Friends of Historic Preservation
and also sat on the Commission for several years. She said one thing that is widely misunderstood about the
Historic Preservation Commission is the belief that one is forced to change things. Trimble said if the building is
how the owner likes it now and the owner is doing his best at historic preservation, generally there is nothing within
the guidelines that will prevent someone from maintaining his building just as it is. She said that certainly we know
that most every building in this neighborhood being proposed is already well -kept and well -kept in an appropriate
manner for each of the different styles of architecture seen here.
Trimble said she wanted to point out that as members of Iowa City from all different parts of the City, we are a
community. She said the community is made up of congregations, made up of businesses, and made up of homes.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 11, 2012
Page 8 of 11
Trimble said the most important thing to recognize here is that this is not one of us; this is all of us. She said if we
want to keep our community strong, we all need to work together and support what is best for our community.
Swaim noted that the Commission received five letters or a -mails on this proposal. She said that three were in
support of the proposal, and two were against. Swaim said the correspondence will be part of the record.
Charles Thiede, 1232 Jensen Street, said he is the facilities manager at First United Methodist Church. He stated
that he has also lived in two of the buildings that are designated in the 400 block. Thiede said his church is
dedicated to preserving its building in an historic way and welcomes the designation of this area as an historic
district.
Swaim thanked everyone for sharing their viewpoints and having a good discussion.
Public discussion closed.
Swaim asked for a motion regarding the proposal. She said the motion is usually presented in the affirmative, and
then it can be voted up or down.
MOTION: Litton moved to approve the zoning overlay for Jefferson Street, as presented. Baldridge
seconded the motion.
Baldridge said that, as a person who was born in Iowa City, went to school at Saint Mary's, and worshipped at Saint
Mary's Church, over various times that he has been in and out of Iowa City, he finds it reassuring to find that old
neighborhood improved and stabilized. He said he was really quite amazed when the old isolation hospital, now
called Stuit Hall, was restored. Baldridge said he never liked the old hospital, and the Mediterranean architectural
style is totally inappropriate, but that one building set aside was really marvelously restored.
Baker said the richness of the diversity of the historic resources in that neighborhood is truly something and
something unique in the City of Iowa City. She said that to lose that would be tragic. Baker said it seems that this
neighborhood is an exemplary example of why we have historic districts. She said that every effort should be made
to preserve this community resource and maintain its integrity.
Thomann said two things that struck her tonight was hearing that this area is still intact and hearing from the North
Side District, which was an area where things were not quite intact, yet the residents were able to get an historic
district moved there. She said that if one comes through the North Side today and takes a look around, there are
some amazing painting projects going on. Thomann said these are all by choice of the owners. She said it is
important, as one person mentioned, that historic district designation doesn't change anything but is there to help
and presents guidelines in keeping the property up very well.
Thomann said someone had noted that this historic district is not just residential, and all of the other districts are
residential are this point. Thomann said that is very important to think about and to think about on a Sunday, when
you walk around that area and see what is going on. She said the allure of the businesses, the beautiful buildings,
and the upkeep done around that area make it really wonderful.
Litton stated that the initial question he asked himself is whether this meets the historic district and conservation
district overlay guidelines, as presented by Miklo. He said that he feels the Jefferson Street Historic District does
meet those guidelines, and the Jefferson Street area is certainly worth designation, so he will vote in support.
Gassman said she would echo a lot of what has already been said, but the main reason she has for supporting this is
that it contains institutional projects and commercial businesses that are not represented in any of the other districts.
She said it is really important that we start, even beyond this district, going to these institutional, commercial
downtown districts. Gassman said they are just as important as residential structures. She said the guidelines do not
talk specifically about commercial and non - residential buildings, so that might be something the Commission would
want to look at in terms of structures that are not used in a residential manner. Gassman said there are a lot of
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 11, 2012
Page 9 of 11
details that might apply for these buildings especially, and if the Commission continues with similar structures, it
might be interesting to look at the guidelines as they apply.
Gassman said she agreed with the comments about the former isolation hospital. She said that effort in restoring
that building has been superb. Gassman said she would like to see that extend to the east and hopes it inspires some
of the homeowners on the south side of the 400 block to continue their preservation efforts, as she hopes the
designation will help them to be inspired.
Wagner said he is in favor of this historic designation overlay. He said one thing to keep in mind is that the
University could tear down any building whether it is historic or not; it doesn't have to abide by the rules. Wagner
said the University actually set a standard or set the tone by restoring Stuit Hall. He said he actually likes the
Mediterranean building to the west and hopes the University restores that as well.
Wagner said the Commission can work with the University, when in fact the University doesn't have to wort: with
the Commission at all, by putting this designation on Jefferson Street, and they might not tear that down. He said
this might set a good precedent there.
Wagner said he is a long -time and native -born Iowa Citian. He said that most people might already think that
Jefferson Street is part of an historic district. Wagner said people look at all the activity on Linn Street and the
Oktoberfest and John's Grocery and the Foxhead and George's and think that a lot of historic things have happened
there and might also think that Jefferson Street is already historic. He said it is important that the Commission give
it that official designation, because it would be a shame to lose that connection between the residential North End
and the University and downtown.
Swaim said the area is a National Historic District, but what is being proposed is a local historic district, which
means that exterior alterations and demolitions must go through the Commission. She said a local district has more
provisions for protecting an area.
Michaud said she is a 40 -year resident of Iowa City and lives on College Green. She said she has seen a lot of
changes, and this area is threatened because of a major purchase of the University guest houses. Michaud stated that
this is mixed -use and is perhaps a little less threatened than some areas, but, and much has been said about the 300
block of Jefferson, because they have five contiguous jewels in their gardens, and what was lost on Washington
Street was also the setting, the gardens, the open and green space that can't be replaced.
Michaud said that the 300 block is more Victorian. She said the 400 block, although more modest, has been part of
the model for the Peninsula Development. Michaud said it would be ironic to risk that original development to just
have rapid growth. She said there has been so much demolition this year with three major apartment buildings right
now on Washington Street.
Michaud said that right now there is a fairly pristine, very high percentage of contributing properties on Jefferson
Street. She said from her point of view, it provides a refreshing oasis between the bustling downtown and campus
and the revitalized Market Street. Michaud said that a lot of money has been spent by the City on Market Street,
with new paving, new metal benches, and street lighting that would be appropriate for the turn of the century in the
1900s. She said that money should not be at risk because this Jefferson Street oasis is at risk.
Michaud said that, building on the Comprehensive Plan and restoration of neighborhoods, this should definitely be
an historic district.
Swaim said she agrees that this should be a district. She said she has learned a lot by reading the 40 -plus pages of
research and documentation that were put together when this was first nominated to be a National Register historic
district. Swaim said the historic significance of the district really spans a century. She said it begins with the district
being part of the original town plat, and some of the earliest churches were located there and then later St. Paul's
Lutheran and now the Lubovitch Center.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 11, 2012
Page 10 of 11
Swaim said this area also represents the period when the University went through major growth and expansion in the
late 1890s and early 1900s. She said it has state and local connections to government in that the Park House was
originally a hotel that a lot of state legislators stayed in during the legislative season and then became a boarding and
day school for Catholic school girls. Swaim said the Bostick House served as a city hall for a while. She said the
area is a cross section of working class and upper and middle class, of merchants and faculty and staff and students —
was then and still is.
Swaim cited the fact that of the 44 properties, 97% of them are contributing, which is an astonishingly high number
for a district, and 50% of them are key, contributing properties. She said it clearly is an overwhelming and
compelling example of what should be a district.
The motion carried on a vote of 8 -0 (Ackerson Downing and McMahon absent)
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte
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Minutes
Human Rights Commission
October 16, 2012 — 6 P.M.
Helling Conference Room
Members Present:
Members Excused:
Staff Present:
Page 1 of 14
PRELIMINARY
11 -08 -12
IP16
Harry Olmstead, Connie Goeb, Orville Townsend Sr., Dan Tallon,
Jessie Harper, Kim Hanrahan, Howard Cowen.
Diane Finnerty, Shams Ghoneim.
Stefanie Bowers.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Human Rights Commission
meeting of October 16, 2012.
Recommendations to Council: None.
Call to Order:
Chair Olmstead called the meeting to order at 18:00.
Consideration of the Minutes of the September 18, 2012 Meeting:
Townsend moved to approve minutes, seconded by Goeb.
Motion passed. 5 -0. (Cowen and Hanrahan not present)
Old Business:
a. Human Rights Breakfast
SB: The breakfast is coming up a week from Tuesday, October 30''. I had said earlier this
morning that I wanted Commissioners there at 6:50, but if everybody can be there at 7:00
that should be okay. If you're walking in the door of the Sheraton at 7:00 a.m. that
should work. The breakfast will be downstairs. There are stairs and an elevator to get
down there, and it's in the Amos Dean Ballroom. That's actually a large ballroom, but
you'll be able to see where we are at and I'll be looking for you. The sub - committee of
Orville, Kim and Dan met this morning, and again I want to thank them for their time.
As you know the keynote speaker will be Chad Simmons, who is the Executive Director
of Diversity Focus. The honorees this year for the Linda Severson Award it will be
David Lesch, and for the Rick Graf Award it will be Joan Vanden Berg. The
International Award will go to Cliff Missen, and for the Kenneth Cmiel Award it will be
Robin E. Armstrong, and for the Isabel Turner Award it will be Tom Widmer. Then for
the Community Award it will be the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights. Just
to go over some housekeeping matters for the breakfast. I have Orville Townsend down
as doing the closing. So I would need somebody to do the introduction of keynote and
the welcome, which I would say is maybe about five to seven minutes. Then I would
Page 2 of 14
also need somebody to introduce or present the awards. We generally go on seniority
based upon length of time on the Commission, which would be Harry, Connie and
Howard who is not here.
CG: I'd be glad to do it. You said what the introduction of?
SB: The welcome to attendees and then of the keynote.
CG: Introduction of the keynote okay. Do you write that?
SB: Yes I can.
CG: I'd be glad to deliver it.
SB: Then the introduction of awards, Harry if you don't want to do that I can ask Howard to
do that. He's done it before so.
HO: I'd rather not.
SB: Okay I'll ask Howard and if Howard declines then look for emails from me. I'll write
that up. The main thing is for you and Connie and Orville, I'm not sure if you're going to
adlib or how you want to do it, which is fine. It's not a lot to say. As time goes on lots of
times there are very small changes, but nonetheless changes, and so you'll probably get at
least two additional copies from the first initial one. So always just discard the older one
and always go with the new one because lots of time there are just little changes that you
may not necessarily detect, but may be important to that particular award winner. In the
past sometimes for whatever reason people don't always notify me that maybe their last
name is not pronounced how it appears. So little things like that may get tweaked
towards the end. Just be mindful of that, and then some other things. Just to go over for
you two. I changed the arrival time for the Human Rights Breakfast, which is October
30th, a week from this Tuesday. We're used to having them on Thursday but this year it's
a Tuesday, so just remember that. If everybody could be walking in the door at 7:00 a.m.
I will need two Commissioners to volunteer to sit at the table and collect tickets and any
payments that somebody may be making on that particular day. Would you mind doing
the introductions of the award winners?
HC: That's fine.
SB: And as you're used to from the Youth Awards you know that the first thing I send you
will probably not be the final thing that I send you. So we have three Commissioners
who will be outside the ballroom collecting tickets. The other Commissioners are just
kind of expected to greet people, to be visible to attendees, and to introduce yourself as a
Human Rights Commissioner. As part of that please remember to wear your pins. If you
will not be at the breakfast please let me know. I'll send out my cellphone number for
emergencies should any occur. No tickets are sold on the day of the breakfast because I
have to give a count to the Sheraton prior to that. So it just gets too tricky, and we want
Page 3of14
to make sure that we do have seats for everybody who has already purchased one or at
least reserved on ahead of time. Sometimes you'll have particularly with the press, or
sometimes community members will want to see the awards breakfast, but don't want the
meal. If you have somebody approach you for that just let me know and I'll make those
arrangements. Usually what we do is just ask for a chair from the staff at the Sheraton
and do it that way, and that way they're not actually taking a seat from a table that
somebody technically should be sitting at. For the three people who are at the table,
when somebody comes and says I need to pay for a ticket that I received. Make sure that
you mark down their name and how they paid. In the past sometimes what happens is I'll
end with just cash, and I need to know who gave me that cash, and who paid for their
tickets. If they give you a check and it's obvious from the check that they're the person
on the check, then that's fine, but as a rule of thumb it's probably best just to write down
everybody who gives you any form of payment so that I know.
KH: And you'll have the table prepared for us?
SB: Correct. There will be a lockbox and there will also be pen and paper to write down that
information, and an envelope to stick it in to put in the box.
KH: And we'll be taking tickets too, do we need to track the tickets?
SB: You don't need to track the tickets meaning that if I was given ticket two you don't need
to like look at a list and cross that out no. I mean generally we've never had a problem
with anybody trying to sneak in, but make sure that people are giving you tickets if
they're walking past you to go into the ballroom. If you should happen to get a coffee,
tea or something to eat prior to the breakfast starting, make sure that if you're at that table
that you put the leftover dishware they have trays to place those on and they're not left on
the table. It doesn't present very well when things are left on the table like that. The
keynote will have fifteen minutes, and everybody else just has five minutes. So I'm a
real stickler for that so that we can literally send people home at 8:30. Howard you will
be the gatekeeper of time because if the keynote goes sixteen minutes you need to be
right behind him so he understands that he needs to wrap it up. Also with the honorees if
it's like four and a half minutes it's probably not a bad idea to get up and go stand behind
them and that can kind of be a reminder without being obvious that they're getting close
to their time. That's only a problem sometimes so. Another thing is if you are somebody
who is speaking at the breakfast make sure like the Youth Awards that if you've moved
the microphone, that you leave it in a place that somebody else may find it more
comfortable than if you're short or tall. Sometimes in the past somebody who is tall will
bring the microphone up and then the next person comes and they don't move it down.
So they don't realize that the sound is not filtering as well as it could be if the
microphone was right in front of them. So whether you're speaking or you're going up
after somebody who spoke, make sure the microphone is adjusted for your proper height
level. If you have like a monologue or something that has been printed out make sure
that you either return those to me or that they get thrown away and they are not left at the
podium or on a table somewhere. This is just helpful for me. If something doesn't seem
right come and let me know. Don't wait till after the breakfast to let me know. If the
Page 4of14
food doesn't taste right, one time somebody said the French toast was hard as a brick.
nobody told me during the breakfast. So if you get hard bacon, sausage, French toast, if
the yogurt doesn't taste right, please let me know because that's not how we want the
breakfast. We want people to enjoy the food.
HO: Somebody should test the mic before we get started because last year we had a problem.
SB: Jerry had actually tested that mic a few times, and I think we even had a backup one, but
it was just not a good morning for microphones last year. So I'm going to remind them
of that fact and hopefully there's not a repeat of last year.
HO: That was one of the criticisms that came back on the survey as I recall.
SB: Yes. I don't think the sound was quite right and then it failed twice. If you're in the
buffet line, which is how the breakfast is served and you see that one of the items is
getting low please let me know because again we don't want people going to the buffet
and there's only one cinnamon roll left. Just learn from experience and let me know.
KH: Do the doors open at 7:00 too or what time do they open?
SB: The food will be ready at 7:00 and really it's not when the doors open, but are there
people that will arrive at 7:00. Usually it's a slow crowd so that its manageable if I'm the
only one there, but by 7:15, which is when people are told to arrive so that we can start
right at 7:30. There is kind of like a mad group of people who do arrive at 7:15.
KH: So those of us at the table should potentially get there a little early to grab our food?
SB: No actually when the breakfast starts at 7:30 the Commissioners sit just like an attendee.
So you would get your food just like you were just attending to watch it. In the past
sometimes people get a coffee or tea, and then they get up and leave to go and sit down at
the table to eat and things get left at the table. So that's what I was referencing. I think
that's it and I sent everybody...
HO: One more thing. We've got to stick around afterwards for pictures.
SB: That's right, pictures are very important.
JH: What about the dress code?
SB: I would say it's probably business attire. I think that's fair to say. It's certainly not
formal. Everybody should have a ticket in an envelope that was sent to you as part of the
packet. Again those tickets are complimentary to Commissioners. Please do stick
around for pictures because we have a banner which all the honorees sign, and then there
are group photos taken of the Commission with the honorees. Those are sent out as press
releases, and also included as part of the letterhead when we send thank you notes and
survey cards to attendees. So yes, don't run out at 8:30, but it shouldn't take more than
Page 5 of 14
five or ten minutes. I would say you would probably be out by 8:45. Howard since you
are kind of the MC, always kind of be looking for me and I'll be the only one standing. If
something is not right or wrong, then I'll be trying to look at you to get that fixed.
HO: When will the honorees be notified and how?
SB: They've been notified via email today. Three have responded and three have not yet.
Then next week a more formal email goes out. We used to do letters but with the email
it's easier to get all the information out, especially with not a long time between the
turnaround. They've been notified.
KH: Has the Commission been told who?
SB: Yes.
CG: Was there a pretty good amount of people or?
KH: There was a fair number I would say.
CG: So you did have choices.
KH: Yes.
b. World Human Rights Day Proclamation
SB: And this is really just on there again, and I know it's been on the agenda and in your
packet for the last several months. This is the closest thing we have to a final draft and I
believe the Commission was satisfied at the last meeting. It's just another opportunity to
look through it. You don't necessarily have to read it word for word this evening, but if
you happen to read it later on and you see something that is just considered like a typo or
something, please let me know and that can be corrected. The city council meets
December 4th, so that would be the only meeting that would be prior to the December 10th
date at which the proclamation may be read once I submit it. So I can submit it or I can
wait until after the November meeting date to submit it to the city council. I should say
to the mayor, or I could submit it sooner. So it's just kind of what the Commission wants
me to do on this. When it is submitted its placed upon more of a card stock and given
fancier presentation than what you see here in the packet. It doesn't get presented as you
see it now.
HO: So we need a motion to approve the proclamation as it stands or any corrections?
SB: I think it's more corrections. You approved it at the last meeting, so it's been approved.
If anybody saw anything with the content it wasn't too late at this point to get it changed
at the meeting and/or submit just typos, errors or grammatical changes.
Page 6of14
KH: Eight has, needs a closed parenthesis.
SB: Okay.
HO: Okay any other discussion? Moving right along, Immigration Subcommittee Kim?
Updates/Reports
a. Immigration Subcommittee
KH: We actually did another tour. There were four or five of us.
SB: Seems like more than four.
KH: Actually it went really well. It's a lively tour and a lot of discussion. Similar suggestions
again one of my thoughts I was kind of taken that some of just the computer generated
signs. It hadn't been translated into even just Spanish. So Stefanie again took notes and
took pictures. The next step according to Stefanie is to put together a memorandum to
share with the Commission members, and we're hoping November or December to have
that done with recommendations. Is that how it would go?
SB: Yes.
KH: I think we're moving right along.
HO: And your next meeting is?
KH: We have not scheduled a next meeting, hopefully in November.
HO: Any questions, discussion?
SB: Just Kim follow up with me after October 301'. I have notes that would probably be
helpful and I can assist with getting that.
HO: Okay Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, Orville.
b. Ad Hoc Diversity Committee
OT: We had a meeting Monday. We met with the transportation department, and it was a
very good meeting. We had asked questions and I thought the director Chris did an
excellent job of giving us written feedback to work from. Our transportation system in
Iowa City seems to be number one, we have an excellent transportation system. We
talked about the issues with the diversity issues with the bus riding for school kids. We
had a problem a while ago, and they have made some changes to the rules to deal with
Page 7of14
that. We're really hoping that in the future that, well let's put it this way. When we deal
with issues the city deals with issues or any system. The first thing they think about is
money. You know what is the cost going to be and usually the cost will either dictate or
greatly influence the outcome in terms of decisions. So you know just kind of pointed
out that in the future you know when we have issues that we're dealing with that we not
only put the costs up front, but we also consider diversity to see if there are issues with
diversity that need to be considered. For example if we had taken that approach a while
back then we wouldn't have had the issue that we had because we would have known that
we really didn't want to have a group of kids downtown right after they got out of school
and they were real hyper. But it just seems that that's a situation where nobody is wrong.
It's just that we're dealing with differences and it can create problems. So we need to
consider diversity in making our decisions right up there with costs. What it comes down
to is if it gets to be bad enough you're going to make the changes and spend the money
anyway. So you might as well just put it up front. That was one of the things that you
know I encouraged them to do. Another thing that came up for transportation is
transportation bus services on Sundays. I guess that comes up every two years, and
basically again you're talking about costs. This is not a diversity issue, but a citywide
issue. It basically becomes an economic issue because if you can't afford to have an
automobile you rely on other forms of transportation. That's why that keeps reoccurring,
and they are looking at that, but again you know that's a cost item and that's why they
probably haven't done it. They mentioned that they are going to send out surveys
concerning transportation services. I asked if they were going to deal with the Sunday
services to ask people if they would be willing to pay more in terms of a higher fare on
Sunday. The director responded that no, he hasn't done that, and they are just handling
that with a general question. Would you be willing to pay more for better quality
transportation. I had some concerns about that because surveys are kind of weird. I feel
that when you're trying to deal with specific issues you have to ask specific questions. I
personally feel that if you phrase the question that way concerning transportation on
Sunday. If I didn't have a car I'd still say no because we have excellent transportation.
So if I have excellent transportation why would I pay more. So I'm hoping that they will
rethink that and they will basically and specifically ask if we want something along the
lines if we were to initiate bus services on Sunday, would you be willing to pay a higher
cost for you to take it on that particular day. I think that way we would get a specific
group, and you know they will tell us. Their responses will let us know what we're
dealing with in terms of numbers. I thought it was a great meeting, and we are very
fortunate in my opinion in terms of the quality of transportation that we have in our city.
The buses are really modern and they're kept well, and basically the schedule is very
precise. I ride the bus once in a while and my stop I can count on it 25 after. You look
up and it will be coming around the corner. So I think we're in good shape with our
transportation. I think we really need to look at it in terms of diversity, though in the case
of things coming in the future, down the pass that maybe we'll handle differently or be a
little more proactive.
JH: So has the committee identified if they're going to have a working agenda? When I say
working agenda you mentioned that, talking about the transportation, but they were also
you know when they were gathering people where they were saying they were going to
Page 8of14
address issues of the homes, as far as like referrals for homes and other issues that were,
the people were complaining about. Will those things be coming on the agenda or for
right now are they just going to be going or working under transportation?
OT: No, what we did was our committee's charge was specifically to take a look at law
enforcement and transportation, and that's what we're doing. We met with law
enforcement first and then yesterday was our first meeting with transportation. Some of
the committee members had questions, so we're going to meet with them again. But
we're also going to have a public forum, and that's where we begin to get a little more
broader. After that public forum then we'll probably have a lot of other things that we as
a committee will need to look at, and then determine how we can address it and make
recommendations to the city council. Keep in mind that our two charges are basically
transportation and law enforcement, but I'm almost sure that when we have the public
forum that's going to become more general.
CG: Orville when they do the surveys from the transportation department, how do they
conduct the surveys just with people who ride the bus or do they send them out a sample?
OT: I don't know. I would imagine that they'll probably have information on the bus that
riders can take and fill out. They'll do something by email and probably you know I
would say maybe an article in the newspaper indicating that it's happening and giving
information as to how you can access the surveys. Nobody asked that, but next time I'll
try to remember to ask that question.
CG: I don't know how, what the transportation is right here in terms of whether it's very
routine. I mean whether the same people are taking the bus all the time, or whether it
changes off and on. It would seem to me that surveying the people who regularly ride the
bus would be the ones that would matter. You could ask me do I have an excellent bus
service and I take it once a year, and it probably wouldn't matter to me one way or the
other.
OT: I think basically that's going to be tricky because individuals that ride the bus on a daily
basis I'm sure that they're very pleased with the services. The only thing I can think that
they may be displeased with is you know the fare went from .75 to $1.00, which you
know still with what we're getting quality service and quality wise, that's okay. I guess
the only thing that I could see that would be a negative is lack of transportation on
Sunday, and that's something that basically, that's an economic thing. Everybody can't
have a car or you know even everybody can't have a job that fits within the timeframe
that the buses run. So you know that's going to be an ongoing thing, but I think if we
begin to address the Sunday thing and we stay at it, we might be able to do something
with that. I mean there are a lot of options. They can contract with the cab companies or
something like that if they're got enough people. I don't know what they'll end up doing,
but I think that they really get to the point that they want to consider addressing that and
making it happen. Then they can start looking at the options as to whether they'll do it
and not use a heavy bus since they probably could use a smaller bus that's more
economical. If you've got people, not a lot of people can you contract with the cab
Page 9of14
company. Those are things that you've got to do. Another thing that we talked about is
the silos. You've got all the various bus systems. around. You've got Iowa City,
Coralville, and University, so basically are they working together, and if they do work
better together will that give me more maximum benefits and things like that. That's
something that they are also looking at.
KH: Which is really a good thing because most of our subsidized housing now is in North
Liberty, and there are only two buses at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and so folks are stuck in North
Liberty.
OT: It's like a lot of individuals basically the type of work that they can get they get off at
11:00 or they get off at weird times, and they work on Sundays and stuff. So it would be
nice in an ideal world, it would be nice to have transportation on Sunday, but reality wise
it's going to come down to whether or not its cost efficient. I think if you look at the
budget and stuff like that, and we're going to get a chance and the city manager is going
to give us some insights into the budget and the cost effectiveness of what's going on. I
think that's going to be interesting too, and that will help us to understand more why
we're not doing it, but also maybe about a little bit about some things we can do better to
address the situation.
KH: I know that would be their only...
OT: I thought the _ mentioned something you know. There are some they can do involving
the public, which hoops would you rather do. I mean right now we've got the ideal
situation. The bus goes from one place and you catch it and it takes you where you're
going. You could probably if you altered the route so that it went down and went around
instead of catching it in front of your house. You gotta walk three blocks over so that
they can expand it. Would you be willing to do that? A lot of things can be done, it's
just basically are we going to be able to get a system that's going to be workable.
KH: Some bigger cities have more than one hub, like we have our downtown hub and that's it.
OT: We're kind of spoiled here in Iowa City because I know in the larger cities I mean you
may have to walk four or five blocks. But other than that I thought it was a good
meeting.
HO: Okay any other discussion?
CG: I just was wondering are there more with the police than two or are you finished with the
police, just the public forum?
OT: We've had two meetings with law enforcement now, and this was our first meeting with
transportation.
CG: But so no more with police individually or as ...?
Page 10 of 14
OT: We can if we need to, but we're on a timeframe. So right now we're just trying to you
know get it together so we touch all the bases. So if we need to come back and then
communicate with someone I'm sure we'll have that option.
CG: Is that going to be a public forum with the police or it is just transportation?
OT: No, the public forum is basically just the police, two meetings with law enforcement,
which we've done. Now the committee has had the first meeting, and we'll have a
second meeting with transportation. The next phase will be an open forum, and basically
that's ...
CG: With both subjects?
OT: That will just be open to the public and whatever they want to talk about, but basically
we'll probably be addressing those two areas. We'll be addressing those two areas, but a
lot of other stuff.
HO: Do you know when the public forum is going to be?
OT: I was trying to look at that. It's on Thursday November 8t' I think it is, but don't put that
in ink because I had some other dates.
HO: Your Ad Hoc Committee goes till what January?
OT: It's April I think. We have a good committee, it's a good mix.
KH: Do you know where the forum will be held?
OT: The public library.
KH: Will it be taped by public television?
OT: I don't know, probably so.
SB: The only problem with taping it is sometimes I don't think you get full disclosure
because people know they're on television. So they may not be as willing, but it's a
public meeting so it is what it is.
HO: Any further discussion? Next is Building Communities.
c. Building Communities
OT: We had a meeting scheduled and there were not enough responses. We're got a meeting
coming up here next week, and hopefully we'll get a lot of people to show up so we can
deal with it. Every time we meet we come up with a new direction. I think basically I
got a good group, just got to get the right timing for everybody so that we can start
Page 11 of 14
working. Hopefully the next one I'll have something that is more concrete for you, but
right now we're just hoping that we can get enough people to attend the next meeting.
HO: Any questions, discussion?
d. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights
SB: I put that on the agenda because I put a copy of the letter that was sent and to date I
haven't received any correspondence back. I believe there is a meeting in November.
There is a board meeting in November, and other than being recognized for the
community award at the breakfast I think that's really all I would have to put under that.
e. Commission
HO: Kim do you have anything?
KH:
I do not.
HO:
Dan?
DT:
No.
HO:
Jessie?
JH:
No.
HO:
Orville?
OT:
No.
HO:
Howard?
HC:
No.
f. Staff
SB: I just have a few things. One thing I didn't mention is make sure when you're at the
breakfast if you happen to be sitting with a Commissioner that there's not five of you at a
table. Just be mindful. So if there's a fifth person just politely ask them to go sit at
another table. Each of you will be introduced so it's up to, so she will be introducing all
the Commissioners. The status of complaints should be in the back of the packet. We've
received two more since the date that's filed, so now we're up to seven so things are
picking back up after an opportunity to catch up on some. There are three vacancies on
the Human Rights Commission. Those applications are due November 7t' by 5 p.m. in
the City Clerk's office. The next meeting for the Commission is November 20"', which is
the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I'll certainly be around. It's not a problem on staff
Page 12 of 14
side, but I do know sometimes for the holidays if Thanksgiving is something that you
celebrate sometimes people are not always around. So just trying to get an idea of
whether or not we would have a quorum on that particular day just because it is that week
of Thanksgiving. If you think you're not going to be in town if you could send me a
note. Then just to add to Kim's comment about taping the program. I do think that's
beneficial for those who can't attend, and if it is being taped maybe one way that I think
the Commission has done in the past that was helpful, not only just controlling the time
allocated to each speaker who would want to speak. I imagine you could have people
lined up around the corner for the hearing, is that to have notecards and then to just have
somebody read. I realize there are complications with that and that's not always ideal,
but that way if you have notecards where people can write out generally speaking what
their frustration is or what they see as a problem, sometimes that's a great way for people
to be more forthcoming than they would be standing in front of a microphone with the
cameras looking at them. That gets complicated too because I'm not necessarily
somebody which you all probably know, who can write everything down on a notecard
either, but it is an option. It may be an option for those who don't want to appear on
camera, so kind of an either or. Other than that I don't think I have anything else.
OT: I just have a correction. I just found it. The public meeting is Thursday November 1501
,
six to eight p.m. at the public library.
SB: Will there be flyers too?
OT: Yes. I'm kind of excited that we really need to choose to get the information out so that
the groups in the community let people know so that they can get it on their calendar and
get prepared.
7. Next Regular Meeting — November 200i at 18:00.
Adiournment:
Motion to adjourn at 18:41
Human Rights Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2012
(Meeting Date)
Page 13 of 14
NAME
TERM
EXP.
1/17
2/21
3/20
4/17
5/15
6/19
7/17
8/21
9/18
10/1
6
11/2
0
12/1
8
Dr. Howard
1/1/13
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
Cowen
Constance
1/1/13
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
X
Goeb
Harry
1/1/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Olmstead
(8 -1 -2010)
David B.
Brown
1/1/14
X
O/E
O/E
O/E
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
Diane
1/1/14
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
O/E
Finnerty
Orville
1/1114
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Townsend,
Sr.
Henri Harper
1/1/15
O/E
X
O/E
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
Kim
1/1/15
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
Hanrahan
Shams
1/1/15
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
Ghoneim
Jessie
1/1/15
-
-
-
-
-
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
Harper
(Appointed
6-5-12)
Dan Tallon
1/1/14
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
X
X
X
(Appointed
7- 31 -12)
F71
KEY:
X = Present O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting /No Quorum
R = Resigned - = Not a Member
Page 14 of 14