HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-19 TranscriptionPage 1
ITEM 3. STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS — Grant Wood Elementary
Hayek: We're going to switch Items 2 and 3, uh, and I'm going to ask the students from
Grant Wood to please come forward at this time. How you guys doing? Good!
Well I'm honored to meet you. My name is Matt Hayek and I'm the Mayor of
Iowa City and this is your City Council sitting behind you. Have you ever been to
a meeting of ours? First time! (laughter) I want to tell you that, uh, I think the
last ... the Mayor before me was a Grant Wood, uh, alum. I think Regenia Bailey
attended Grant Wood. Am I right about ... who's got the institutional memory?
Anyway, so we're ... it's great to have you here and the reason, uh, we bring you
here is that throughout the school year, um, the elementary schools in Iowa City
nominate, uh, leaders at those schools, um, who serve as a good example to other
students, and to the community, to come down to City Hall and meet us and tell
us a little bit about themselves and we have a special, uh, certificate that we want
to give to you. So I see that you've each brought a piece of paper — that's the first
step, and uh, if you wouldn't mind holding this, or I can hold it for you if you're
more comfortable. (mumbled) like to hear about ya! We'll start with you
(mumbled)
Flack: Hi, my name is William Flack. But you can call me Will. (laughter) I'm a sixth
grader at Grant Wood Elementary. I participate in band ... I play the trumpet; 411;
Johnson County Shooting Sports, the Sharpshooters; wrestling, City High Mat
Pak; tackle football, The Little Hawks; safety patrol. getting students on the buses
safely; and flag personnel, raising and lowering the flags in the morning and in
the afternoon. I think Miss Brock, my teacher, chose me for this award because I
am responsible, respectful, and help people when they need to be helped. I thank
my coaches, teachers, family, and the Iowa City Community School District for
this award. (applause)
Lopez: Hi, my name is Karina Lopez. I am a sixth grader in Mr. Glenn's classroom at
Grant Wood Elementary School. I help Miss Gold by being a reading buddy
helping kindergartners in their classrooms and by checking my class reading
(mumbled) to make sure they're reading according to their contracts. I also help
by being a good role model for my peers, and all students at Grant Wood. I am
responsible. I show respect, and build relationships. I would like to thank the
City Council for this award; Mr. Glenn and my family for supporting me.
(applause)
Patterson: Hi, my name is Cora Patterson. I'm a sixth grader is Miss Grigsby's class at
Grant Wood Elementary. I help my school by being in safety patrol, where as a
sixth grader I take younger kids to their buses and make sure they get on safely.
...I help by being a classroom banker. I'm also reading buddy. Finally I help by
being a good role model for my peers and all students at Grant Wood. I am
responsible; I share respect, and build relationships. I'd like to thank the City
Council for this award, Miss Grigsby, and my family for supporting me. Thank
you. (applause)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 2
Hayek: Those are all really well read and you're clearly doing a lot of things at school,
and I remember when I was your age I did the safety patrol and then some of
those things, and you know, you learn a lot of lessons when you do those kinds of
things, and you help people out and you develop into young adults and uh, you're
all doing such great things and you know, one of the reasons we do this is so that
the community can see the things you do and the leadership you provide in your
school, um, so that others can ... can learn from that, and we can see how great our
schools are doing and... and how our young people are coming up in this world,
and I would be remiss if I ... if I didn't thank your parents and ... and your teachers
and the other people in the crowd here, um, who uh .... who play a huge role in
your lives, um, and have them to thank for ... for that as well. So, uh, I want to
read this Citizenship Award, um ... and we call it a Citizenship Award because
that's who you are — you're citizens just like the rest of us of this community.
Um, for his or her outstanding qualities of leadership within Grant Wood
Elementary, as well as the community, and for his or her sense of responsibility
and helpfulness to others, we recognize you as an Outstanding Student Citizen.
Your community is proud of you. Presented by the Iowa City City Council,
February, 2013. Will, here's yours! Karina! Cora! I'm going to shake your
hands and congratulate you, and now you're welcome to stick around (laughter)
or go home and do homework. It's your call! (laughter) Thanks a lot and
congratulations! (applause)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 3
ITEM 2. STATE OF THE CITY
Hayek: Okay. Now is the time of year when we read the State of the City address. Got
my Marco Rubio water here. (laughter) See if we can get going! (mumbled)
give these folks a chance to exit the room here. (reads State of the City address)
(applause) Thanks, and I would be remiss to, uh, if I didn't, uh, thank Adam
Bentley and other members of staff who, uh, shouldered the bulk of this, uh,
preparation work. Thank you, Adam!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 4
ITEM 4. PROCLAMATIONS
c. Sertoma's Freedom Week — Week of February 24
Hayek: I believe we only have one to read tonight, um ... (mumbled) in the audience and
that, uh, has to do with Sertoma's Freedom Week, and I'll read it. It's a City of
Iowa proclamation: (reads proclamation)
Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is Ted Halm. (applause)
Halm: Just briefly, I'd like to thank the City Council and Mayor Hayek for this award,
and I'd like to let you know that the topic for this year's Freedom Week was
`What does the United States flag mean to meT And you might imagine that
some of the eighth graders who answered that question answered it in ... very
different ways! And uh, we had five participa ... participants in Johnson County
and for the first time we had someone who has home - schooled who wrote one of
the essays. So, thank you again to the Council for this award.
Hayek: Thanks for your volunteer work, Ted!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 5
ITEM 6. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA)
Hayek: This is the opportunity at each City Council meeting for members of the public to
address the Council on items that are not on the agenda. So if there's something
that's not on the agenda you'd like to talk to us about, we invite you to step
forward, please sign in and give us your name verbally, also, uh, and then we ask
that you keep your comments to five minutes.
Gravitt: My name's Mary Gravitt, and um, I enjoyed your State of the City and you kept
emphasizing on neighborhoods. My problem is that the neighborhood that
adjoins, uh, Gilbert and College, they don't want a 22 -story building there. And, I
feel like Don Quixote, just always talking about this, but at the last meeting, you
gave the impression that Chauncey was a done -deal. But somehow you neglected
to go to Zoning. So I know you don't answer questions here, but I asked...
Zoning answers questions. They said it had never come before them. So if it's a
done -deal, I want to know why hasn't the property been rezoned. And,
furthermore, you talked about businesses and flood plains. Now there's one
business here that's been here for years. Services the community, gives to
charity, pays a living wage which (mumbled) which the President was talking
about. It pays a living wage, and it gives benefits. They're located on a flood
plain, and it's a shame to have a city bound on the north side by a river and right
downtown here at, uh, Van Buren Street, it's a flood plain. Now the business
wants to get up and out of there. Now the 22 -story building, I ... I don't have
anything against skyscrapers, except the only place the skyscrapers are popular is
in the third world, and you know, and it ... it's just not feasible to me, but I was
thinking as I came over here. The only way that 22 -story building would work, if
you went up to Linn Street tearing everything down on the right -hand side and
gave them some 22 -story buildings, and as for neighborhoods, that ... that's a
viable neighborhood, and people need affordable housing here. I'm not talking
about poor people who are at ... who can get Section 8. I'm talking about that
middle class making $45,000 to $60,000. You can't get anything. You can't
even get free lunch for your children. And they need affordable housing. They
can live down there, on ... on Gilbert Street. What's wrong with affordable
housing and a viable business that has proved it's viable! Why can't it have room
instead of a 22 -story monstrosity when all the other buildings are low rise —
seven, eight stories. That's enough! But you know you talk about tax, they pay
taxes. You lost two tax build... taxable buildings up on the corner of Burlington
and Clinton when the University decided they were going to have a music
building. Right across the street would be perfect for a 22 -story building. I've
brought that up before. But I just couldn't get over the fact that Chauncey is a
done -deal and not zoned. Where I come from you get the zoning, then it's a
done -deal! But it's not fair and that's what ... money going to the community... I
was here, I don't know whether it was this year or last year, community for the
summer programs got $15,000 and Moen got $2.5 million. Now it's disgraceful!
Towncrest was supposed to get trees, although I'm not a tree person cause I don't
clean up no leaves, and my landlord doesn't either! But what happened to our
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 6
trees? So ... here we need a living wage. We got plenty of jobs. You need two
and three jobs at the rate that these ... that the people get paid, and excuses — oh
those are students. They're only getting' drunk, but it's some people with
families trying to live off minimum wage, and ... and I'm very disappointed, and
I'm ... and I'm statin' it. Now, the state of the City might be in very good shape,
but the state of the people aren't. And I've been reading the City Charter. And
I'm going to continue to read it. It may be long. The ... the code book is long and
boring, but it's very interesting, and the preamble to the Charter, it always
mentions the people, the people, the people, but the people can't get anything
except some answers that they don't want to hear, because they want to keep the
integrity of their neighborhood. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Knight: Hi, my name is Roger Knight. I've came and talked to you guys a couple times
and kind of seems to be like a little kid. In one ear, out the other. And that is ... I
bring up a couple of issues and I have yet to see anything. Like, uh, you said the
state of the union's so great, of the City, and ... I'm glad, but you guys can't even
take care of snow. I flipped this thing on a snow, because the plows come
through and do a very good job of cleaning the street, but the ramps off the
sidewalks, nobody touches; and you call the City, you guys do a very good job of
pointing to the, well, this business should take care of it or ... or maybe it's this
home. Oh we'll fi ... no, no, no, no! Get your butt out here and fix it, because
when somebody's life is in trouble, cause I went into the street! Where was the
City then? You guys did a really good job of pointing the finger on that one!
And it's just things like ... you know, are we really Iowa City anymore? We're
getting' really close to be ... actually we're Moen -City. Everything for Moen!
What about for us, the poor people? The other people who actually live here.
He's one guy. Let's stop scratchin' his back and do what is right for this city.
And let's stop listening to him. He only cares about his bank, you know, his bank
account. He wants these big buildings. Okay, cool! They're not even good
lookin'! I'm sorry, but ... the one that he has completed (laughs) I think it's an
eyesore. You know ... and things like downtown ... we still have plenty of bars.
Okay, cool, whatever! But at nighttime, we got drunks ... we got people, you
know, throwing bottles and trash. You guys do a pretty good job of cleaning up
the trash in the morning. But you still see when people get sick on the sidewalk.
That's real beautiful! How you're going to get a business to come in and look at
that? I live on 320 E. Washington. They built not a too bad lookin' building next
door with four stories of apartments above a business. Nobody wants to move in!
That should be saying somethin' about this city. Not the little report that you just
read. That says something about our city! The, another thing is, I called the
Police Department about how this bus for a bar, that was going to play, how they
were using foul language, they were playing real loud, they didn't care anything
about what we had to say because they were in the alleyway, which is okay. They
had the pass, they had all that. I called the Police Department about it, just to,
hey, can you tell them to quiet down a little bit? The officer saw 320, called in
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 7
and said that's a mega bus. You just tell `em to knock it off. Basically. He didn't
even see what street it was! 320 S. Dubuque is Capitol House. That is where
mega bus is. I'm on 320 E. Washington. Now if that was a gunfight or
something, I would have been dead, and ... no one from the City would have been
there to help me. Think about that! When you start coming through and votin'
for what Moen wants, how `bout votin' for what the city wants? Thank you!
Hayek: Thank you for your comments. Anyone else before I close community comment?
Okay! We'll move on to Item 7, Planning and Zoning matters.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 8
ITEM 7b ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS PERTAINING TO QUICK VEHICLE
SERVICING USES IN TOWNCREST AND RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS -
MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 5 ON AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 14 -411-12 AND TABLE 2C -1 OF
THE ZONING CODE TO INCLUDE NEW STANDARDS FOR QUICK
VEHICLE SERVICING USES IF LOCATED IN THE TOWNCREST
DESIGN REVIEW DISTRICT OR THE RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS
DISTRICT.
Mims: Move to set the public hearing.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? All those in (both talking)
Champion: (mumbled) What is a quick vehicle servicing use?
Mims: We'll find out more! That was my thought too! (several talking and laughing)
Champion: Okay! (laughs)
Dobyns: Stay tuned!
Hayek: Well, uh, all those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 9
ITEM 7c CITY INITIATED REZONING NORTHSIDE — ORDINANCE REZONING
APPROXIMATELY 0.47 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 906 N.
DODGE STREET FROM MULTI - FAMILY (R311) ZONE TO HIGH
DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS -12) ZONE AND
APPROXIMATELY 1.15 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 911 N.
GOVERNOR STREET FROM COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO -1) ZONE TO
HIGH DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS -12) ZONE AND
APPROXIMATELY 1.78 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 902 AND 906
N. DODGE STREET FROM MULTI - FAMILY (R311) ZONE TO MEDIUM
DENSITY MULTI - FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RM -20) ZONE. (REZ12-
000016,18 & 19) (SECOND CONSIDERATION) [Discussion only at formal
meeting]
Hayek: Before anyone makes a motion, I'm, uh, going to read a statement. I've decided
to recuse myself, uh, from the second and third readings on ... on this, uh, zoning
item, but I want to briefly explain why before I head into the other room. (reads
statement; left room after) So, I'll step out now. Mayor Pro tem!
Champion: Move second consideration.
Payne: Second.
Mims: Moved by Champion, seconded by Payne. Anybody from the public who wants
to address the Council on this item?
Barkalow: Hi, my name's Tracy Barkalow. I'm actually the President of the company TSB
Holdings that owns the majority of the property before you tonight, um, on this
rezoning matter. I would like to ask that the City Council defer a vote this
evening. Uh, our company yesterday late, uh, filed a, uh, District Court motion or
lawsuit against the City, uh, on this matter, and we are asking that the, um,
District Court, uh, enforce the court order on the property and allow us to build
apartments on the property at the R313 zoning in effect on May 30, 1978. Uh, we
would like the City Council to take time and look at the lawsuit, uh, before they
make a second or third, uh, reading or vote on this. Therefore, we ask that you
defer it or vote no tonight. Uh, thank you for your time.
Mims: Sue, did you want to address for the Council please the ... what you mentioned to
me earlier in terms of legalities in moving forward.
Dulek: Yeah, the lawsuit has no impact on your ability to vote. You certainly can vote,
uh, this evening.
Mims: Any discussion by Council?
Throgmorton: Susan, before we proceed I need to disclose a conversation I had with another
person about this. Uh, Tracy phoned me, I don't know, maybe four or five days
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 10
ago. We had a conversation on the phone that lasted about ten minutes. During
that conversation, he articulated his views about this particular rezoning, uh,
proposal, uh, I didn't hear anything significantly new, other than him telling me
that he expected to, uh, file the, uh, the court suit on Monday. Um, and that was
it. I mean, I didn't, you know, make any statements on my own behalf or
anything like that. I just listened to him.
Mims: We need to ask for ex... ex parte. Anybody else?
Dobyns: I had a similar discussion with Mr. Barkalow that, uh, Jim did, and a short
discussion with, uh, Mayor Hayek about his recusal decision.
Mims: Anybody else?
Payne: I also talked to Matt about his recusal.
Mims: (several talking) As did I. (mumbled) Any further discussion? Roll call, please.
Vote is in the affirmative 6 -0, with, uh, Hayek recusing himself.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Champion: So moved.
Dickens: Second.
Mims: Moved by Champion, second by Dickens. All those in favor say aye. Opposed?
Pass 6 -0.
Hayek: (returns) Thank you, Susan.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Statement from Mayor Hayek re # 7c:
As I disclosed at the last meeting the City Attorney's office examined this rezoning matter in advance
of the first reading and concluded that there is no conflict precluding me from participating in the
discussion and voting but last week we received an email to the council alleging some things and
suggesting that I am conflicted as it relates to this rezoning item. The email contains some factual
inaccuracies that I am not going to bother to address but it also contains a suggestion of impropriety
on my part and I take that very seriously as a city councilor and as an attorney so the city attorney's
office and l revisited the issue a second time and the City Attorney's office confirmed its professional
opinion namely that it is not a conflict for me as a councilor or as an attorney in town to participate
and vote on this item and my own law firm and I concur with that opinion. But sometimes perception
and reality are not one in the same and I simply have to make a judgment call as to the potential
risks to my firm and in this case I just don't think it's worth it and so for those reasons I'm going to
recluse myself this evening and assuming it goes forward for the third reading.
Page 11
ITEM 7d CONDITIONALLY REZONING ROBERTS DAIRY / HY -VEE GROCERY
- ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 7.79
ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE
INTERSECTION OF NORTH DODGE STREET AND PRAIRIE DU
CHIEN ROAD FROM MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY (RS -8),
NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC (P -1) AND HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL (CH-
1) TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY COMMUNITY
COMMERCIAL (OPD- CC -2). (REZ12- 00026) (PASS AND ADOPT)
[Discussion only at formal meeting]
ITEM 7e VACATING THE RIGHT -OF -WAY ROBERTS DAIRY / HY -VEE
GROCERY - ORDINANCE VACATING THE RIGHT -OF -WAY FOR A
PORTION OF ST. CLEMENT STREET (VAC12- 00005). (PASS AND
ADOPT) [Discussion only at formal meeting]
ITEM 7f PRELIMINARY PLAT ROBERTS DAIRY / HY -VEE - RESOLUTION
APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF ROBERTS DAIRY
ADDITION, IOWA CITY, IOWA. (SUB12- 00012)
Mims: Make a motion that we defer Items 7d, e, and f until March 5'n
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Uh, motion from Mims, seconded by Payne. Uh, discussion? These concern
the ... the HyVee rezoning, um, and right -of -way and preliminary plat items.
Further discussion? Those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7-
0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 12
ITEM 7g MACKINAW VILLAGE — RESOLUTION APPROVING THE
PRELIMINARY PLAT OF MACKINAW VILLAGE — PART FIVE, IOWA
CITY, IOWA. (SUB12- 00015)
Mims: Move the resolution.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? Staff is here if we need
more information. (mumbled) to present but uh... (mumbled) Any further
discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 13
ITEM 8. CDBG AMENDMENT FOR FACADE IMPROVEMENTS — APPROVING
AN AMENDMENT TO IOWA CITY'S FY13 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN,
THAT IS A SUB -PART OF IOWA CITY'S 2011 -2015 CONSOLIDATED
PLAN (a.k.a. CITY STEPS).
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Champion: Move the resolution.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, seconded by ... Dickens. Discussion?
Mims: (several talking) explain to the public what it is?
Hayek: Yep! Uh, so, the ... proposal which, uh, I believe went through Economic
Development Committee, is to use some of our, uh, CDB ... CDBG funds, which
are funds we get from the federal government that can be used for a variety of
purposes, um, to supplement, uh, and ... and encourage fagade improvements, uh,
to certain commercial buildings in the, uh, City/University Urban Renewal Area.
Uh, we think it's an exciting opportunity to help spruce up, uh, some of our
downtown business landscape and ... and promote downtown generally. Any
further discussion on this? Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 14
ITEM 9. LANDFILL FY09 CELL RECONSTRUCTION - RESOLUTION
AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN
AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF THE LANDFILL FY09 CELL RECONSTRUCTION
PROJECT.
Mims: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims; seconded by Payne. Uh, discussion? Um, go ahead.
Payne: I just wanted to, I mean, in the item on the agenda it doesn't talk very much about
how we're going to reconstruct it. Were you going to talk about that a little bit?
Hayek: No, but I see a guy who might, um ... (laughter) Another guy who might too
(laughter) That was the fastest (several talking and laughing)
Payne: How it's going to be reconstructed; you know we had three different things to
pick from and thought maybe the public would be interested in what we're going
to do.
Markus: Dan can tell ya!
Scott: Okay, sure. My name's Dan Scott. I'm a Project Engineer. I'm involved in this
project so, um ... yes, we're ready to rebuild the landfill cell that was damaged by
the fire. We ... feel that we've got a, uh, a very good design with a number of, uh,
fire risk control features. So, um, we've, uh, we've ... we've really looked at that,
and uh, tried to come up with something that's... that's much safer. We've got,
uh, it's basically a smaller cell so there's less of the tire- derived aggregate. We're
using a thinner layer of the tire aggregate. Uh, we've got special permission from
the DNR to do that. And, um ... the way we're doing it this time is it ... um, the
waste will be more compartmentalized and separated by, uh... well, basically fire
walls of ..of a stone material so that, um ... we don't think there'll be another fire,
but even if there is, it'll be much more contained. So we've, um ... uh, we've also
increased the amount of insurance this time, both uh ... the ... the amount of
coverage and the length of coverage. So we've uh, we've taken a number of steps
to ... to address the risk. Um, also as, uh, as part of the bidding process, we ... we
included a number of alternates. We looked at ... um ... uh ... the sand material
instead of the tire aggregate. We looked at a crushed stone material instead of the
tire aggregate. Urn ... based on the recommendation of our design engineer and
their evaluation, it's, uh ... just wasn't necessary to ... to ... to go with that extra cost,
that the safety features that we've got, uh, we ... we feel very comfortable with.
So...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 15
Payne: And wasn't there, if I remember Rick right when he was explaining it before, one
of the things that they've done at the landfill is they have a different process for
filling the cells so the waste doesn't go directly into the cell. It goes someplace
else first. So the chances of something being hot (both talking) and going in the
cell are greatly reduced?
Scott: Yes. Yes, thank you, that's another big part of our (coughing, unable to hear
speaker). We're also, um ... um, separating out waste and stockpiling it as we're
constructing the new cell, so that as we place these tires, we can immediately
cover them with this, uh, special waste that ... that we know is safe, that we know
there's no fire and ... and um, in addition to that, we ... we urn ... have special
permission from the DNR to ... um ... put in an acre of tires and then immediately
cover it with the waste. So we're... building it more like an assembly line. We're
building a small portion of it, covering it with tires, and then building the next
portion and then covering that with tires. So that'll be a much safer process, as
well.
Markus: One of the things we wanted to make sure of is that didn't have a repeat (several
commenting) incident and Rick and I and Ron and Dan talked about that... ad
nauseam to make sure that that didn't happen. We all talked about our early
retirements if in fact it did happen again (laughter) so the Fire Chief, um, did
review all these things and uh, we vetted the different ideas about how we would
operate a safe landfill, and he's comfortable with those, uh, provisions. The other
thing I'd point out is that this tire liner actually acts as a better filter fabric than
the other alternatives, so ... that's one of the reasons we went that direction.
Hayek: Well, and this kind of event is essentially unprecedented in the industry, um,
that's one of the things we talked about.
Mims: Right!
Hayek: And ... I noticed fortunately we came in with a ... a successful bid, about $350,000
under our estimate.
Scott: Right.
Hayek: Do ... you attribute that to anything in particular? Just a favorable environment or,
uh...
Scott: Uh, right. This is a very good time of year to be putting bids out there, um,
contractors are just now lining up work for the entire year so ... this is a good
window of opportunity.
Markus: the other thing I'd point out about that is the estimate, if you look at the estimate
that the engineers prepared, it's right in the middle. Uh, there's three below it and
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 16
there's four above what the engineers' estimate was so ... that's a pretty good sign
that the engineers had a pretty good tag on these numbers.
Hayek: Yeah!
Champion: The question that I found interesting is how many ... how many bidders there
were. (several responding) I would think it would be very specialized in going
landfill operations but I ... I guess not, but I think that's pretty amazing!
Scott: Uh, well it is ... it is rather specialized but this was a very attractive project. So
we ... we uh ... we had bidders from all over (both talking)
Champion: Sure did! (several talking)
Markus: And I think the other thing too is to get out in front of the construction season, far
enough so that people are trying to line up work, so I think their timing, uh, was
fortuitous in terms of getting some good bids.
Hayek: Nice work! (several commenting) Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item
passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 17
ITEM 10. ENTERTAINMENT VENUE AMENDMENTS - ORDINANCE
AMENDING TITLE 4, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, CHAPTER 5,
PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, SECTION 8, PERSONS UNDER
THE LEGAL AGE IN LICENSED OR PERMITTED ESTABLISHMENTS,
SUBSECTION B, TO MODIFY THE TIPS TRAINING TO
ACCOMMODATE THE NEW STATE I -PACT PROGRAM; AND TITLE
4, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, CHAPTER 5, PROHIBITIONS AND
RESTRICTIONS, SECTION 8, PERSONS UNDER THE LEGAL AGE IN
LICENSED OR PERMITTED ESTABLISHMENTS, SUBSECTION C TO
ALLOW THOSE NINETEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO REMAIN
IN ENTERTAINMENT VENUES UNTIL CLOSING. (PASS AND ADOPT)
Champion: Pass and adopt. I mean move adoption (laughs)
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
Champion: (mumbled)
Hayek: You know, the Daily Iowan endorsed this.
Champion: Yes!
Hayek: ... few weeks ago.
Champion: I think the Press - Citizen did too and I think it's because these entertainment
venues have done a very good job of controlling what's going on in their
establishment. And I give them credit that we can do this!
Dobyns: As someone who worked with, um, a lot of these efforts over the last, uh, 10 or 15
years I think, a lot of, uh, members of the community have come up to me,
concerned that we're `de- constructing' some of the efforts that a lot of people
have worked at, and as someone who started at the beginning, the 21- ordinance
was only one of many, uh, sort of tasks that we had to do. The Partnership for
Alcohol Safety, between the City of Iowa City and the University continues to go
on. Um, some of the things the City Council has done in terms of, uh, making
enforcement of the noise ordinance a lot easier is another aspect of this. Um,
providing this, providing non - alcoholic opportunities for students, um, this has
everything to do with that. This is not just, uh, rewarding the good guys. But
want to remind everyone that we're still trying to punish the bad guys, the people
who don't quite, um, keep up, uh, with alcohol enforcement. And so we still have
increased, uh, police activity, um, checking for underage, uh, alcohol and uh, you
know, those, uh, nobody likes police, um, in their bars and so this is a
punishment, it's a negative incentive, um, for that as well. So, we're still doing
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 18
all the other things, uh, we're not just, uh, de- constructing, um, the 21. I think
we're emboldening it.
Champion: I'd just like to comment, um, that not all people under 21 are students.
Dobyns: Uh -huh. Thank you. (laughter)
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 19
ITEM 11. RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE CONTAINER STORAGE - ORDINANCE
AMENDING TITLE 16, ENTITLED "PUBLIC WORKS," CHAPTER 3,
ENTITLED "CITY UTILITIES," AND TITLE 17, ENTITLED
"BUILDING AND HOUSING," CHAPTER 5, ENTITLED, "HOUSING
CODE," TO REQUIRE THAT WASTE CONTAINERS BE STORED
BEHIND THE BUILDING LINE OF RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES.
(FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Champion: Move first consideration.
Hayek: Moved ... well, are we going to discuss ... we gotta get it on the floor to have the
discussion so ... moved by Champion...
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Seconded by Dickens. Thank you! My lifeline! Discussion, and I think we're...
we had some discussion at our ... at our work session, some concerns raised, um,
so I think it'd be appropriate to hear from City staff and Mr. Boothroy!
Boothroy: Good evening. Uh, I'm Doug Boothroy, Director of Housing Inspection Services,
and uh, as you mentioned before you is a ... an amendment to the Public Works
chapter, as well as the Housing Code, to deal with the location of the trash storage
carts, the, uh, the green trash court ... storage carts that we see, uh, in residential
areas and uh, this ordinance came out of a meeting that I held with a
neighborhood association, the Northside Neighborhood Association in particular,
uh ... uh, last year and this was a priority for them because of the, uh, growing
problem, uh, in their neighborhood about these particular containers being left,
uh, continuously in the front yard and... and problems that that creates for the
neighborhood. Uh, the current ordinance, as I indicated in the memorandum, uh,
encourages, uh, trash containers to be, uh, located, uh, and they use the standard,
"reasonably near the side or rear." Uh, but that ... is not a ... enforceable standard.
Uh, that's... that's maybe, you know, what you can try to convince somebody to
do, but it doesn't require them to be removed. So what this does is it...it looks at
that, uh, and it says that it shall be located out of that area, and if it can't
practically be located out of that area, such like on a corner lot or someplace
where it's just very difficult to find a location, then the City can approve it to be
located, uh ... uh, somewhere else on the lot, possibly in front of the building, as
long as it's screened. Um ... there is also, um ... uh, a letter that you should have
got a copy of from the Northside Neighborhood, um ... uh, supporting the change
and then before I take any questions, uh, I did make a couple, uh, amendments to
the ordinance. I don't know if that was mentioned at the informal meeting or not,
uh, very minor changes to make sure that it was clear that we were talking about,
uh, the entire front wall of the building, uh, and... and uh, and that's, the intent is
still the same, uh, it's just changes that language a little bit to make it clear.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 20
Dulek: Right, it's a non - substantive change. It inserts the word "all" for the, for example
(mumbled) just to clarify.
Boothroy: So ... so on a front wall of a building, most of them are irregular, and so I didn't
want them to take the closest front wall necessarily. I wanted it to be regulating
the entire frontage of, along that irregular fagade. I understand there were some
questions, uh, so ... I'm ready! (laughter)
Payne: My first question is you keep saying "building, building, building." What about
house? Is a house, I mean...
Boothroy: I think the ordinance says residential structure.
Payne: Okay.
Boothroy: So it's not a garage necessarily.
Payne: So we're talking about all houses, buildings in the entire city.
Boothroy: Yes, it applies to both, uh, rental property as well as owner- occupied. It's in the
Housing Code, uh, the way the Housing Code is enforced, uh, is that the Housing
Code applies to all properties, owner- occupied and rental, all the standards do for
the most part. Um, but with owner- occupied property, the Housing Code's only
enforced on a complaint basis, whereas on rental property it's on a systematic
basis. So when this situation, uh, these standards would be, uh, enforced, uh,
through the rental inspection, uh, process, which is every two years, uh, whereas
with regard to owner- occupied property, it would only be on a complaint basis, as
is the way it's been for the rest of the Housing Code. I just wanted to make sure
(both talking)
Hayek: (mumbled)
Boothroy: ...understood that dynamic before you...
Payne: Did you consider any other options?
Boothroy: For example? I mean, did you have another one in mind or...
Payne: That it's not for... residential properties; it's only for rental units or something like
that.
Boothroy: You mean not owner- occupied (both talking)
Payne: Well non -owner occupied.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 21
Boothroy: Um, I... yes, but, um, in my mind it... if it's an issue in, uh, single - family or
duplex rental properties, which is where we see this for the most part, it could also
be an issue, uh, with owner- occupied properties. Uh, the biggest difference is
that, uh, as you probably know, the Housing Code doesn't get en ... enforced on
owner- occupied properties very often, unless the problem, um, grows to such an
extent that, uh, that we get, uh, complaints about that, but uh ... uh ... typically, uh,
with regard to enforcement of the Housing code with owner- occupied properties
...if we do one a year, that's... that's, uh, that's an exception. Uh, most of the
time, well, it's always all rental.
Payne: I guess I have (both talking)
Boothroy: That's not to say it wouldn't happen. I'm just saying that ... that we don't
typically get a lot of complaints on owner- occupied property, and doing a, and
Michelle, doing a drive - around, uh, looking at, uh, the northside area, which has
more rental properties and looking at other neighborhoods, uh ... uh ... it doesn't
seem to be as common a problem in owner- occupied neighborhoods as it is on the
Northside, and the College Hill area.
Payne: I guess I have two concerns, and one of them is ... you have the corner of a house.
Let's just say it's like this and the best place to sit their trashcan is right here, and
it happens between, be between the house and the street. But they can move it
right here around the corner, and it's no longer between the house and the street.
It's behind the front property line, but they moved it three feet. If they're going to
...if they're going to be a slob with it up here, they're going to be a slob with it
over here (laughs) Did it really fix the problem?
Boothroy: Well, I think it's broad... it's a broader question than that. What ... what you see
driving around the Northside is not that three -foot deviation. It's ... it's that, uh,
property after property in certain areas on certain streets have the trashcans, uh,
right by the, uh, front steps or out near, uh, the street, uh, in the front yard. It's
not just right at the corner like you're suggesting. Now I'm not saying that
doesn't ... can't happen or doesn't occur from time to time, but ... but that's not the
typical situation that we're looking at. It's usually much greater. Moving it
around the side of the house, and I did think ... I did think about what you're
suggesting is whether or not they should always be screened. Uh, some
communities require screening ... in the side yard, as well, from both the street, as
well as from public view, and I thought that was too, um, too great a step to take
at this time. Uh, I thought that just getting them out of the front yard, uh, was a...
a good first positive step, and if that ... if that cleans up the neighborhood and
makes it function and ... and meets their needs, then we should start there.
Hayek: What's the um ... the process if...if there's a complaint, as to a rental property?
Um ... a ... about, you pass this; there's a complaint about a rental property and...
and garbage can in the front, etc. Does that ultimately go to the permit? Does it
go to the renter? Uh...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 22
Boothroy: Um...
Hayek: What's the recourse?
Boothroy: (both talking) ...let me understand... if... if somebody calls in and says a neighbor
calls in and says that their trashcans are, uh, in front of the property and they
should be lo ... located around the side, uh, who gets, uh, contacted? Uh, typically
we would conta ... we would do a knock and talk tyk ... type of thing. We'd go up
to the door and talk to the tenants. If...if that doesn't, uh, succeed in ... and that's
the way we do it now. Most of the time we require, or we ask them to move it to
the side, although they don't have to. Uh ... uh, if that doesn't work, uh, then we
contact the landlord and uh, ask the landlord to make sure that ... that the
property's in compliance with the Code, and ... and uh, if...if that can't happen,
then ... then it could result in a municipal infraction or something of that nature,
but uh ... we usually go out and talk to the occupants first, ask them to move their
cans, uh, and if they don't then we ... we deal with the landlord and try to, uh...
um, look at it that way. Right now in our, in our information disclosure form, uh,
we have a provision in there that says that they're supposed to comply with the
section of the code that deals with storage of trash and location of trash
containers, uh, so ... uh, it's part of that, uh, process by when they lease up they...
they understand that there are boundaries. They can't leave their trash containers,
for example, at the curb all the time. They have to bring `em in and things like
that.
Hayek: But ... so if you get to the point of issuing a municipal infraction (both talking)
who does that go against?
Boothroy: It would go against the property owner.
Hayek: The property owner, okay.
Boothroy: Right.
Dobyns: Doug, if a house is on a corner lot, which side of the house is the front?
Boothroy: The front's on both st ... both streets.
Dobyns: Okay.
Boothroy: So, in some situations, and I can think of a couple properties in particular that I'm
familiar with, uh, they're going to ... they're not going to be able to effect...
because of the parking spaces, they're probably not going to be able to find a
good place to put those trash containers so they're probably going to need
to ... have `em screened. When you have a lot that's 50 X 50, and a house and a
couple parking spaces on it, it gets very difficult to find anywhere to ... to put
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 23
these, uh, large containers. Uh, which, you know, I think the reason they've
become more of an issue now is that ... is their size and uh, and they're, uh,
certainly much more obvious than ... than the other types of containers that were
previously used.
Dobyns: If someone is older or it's tough to move around those big ones, um ... and they
have to move it around the side, can they trade in for a smaller one or.. .
Boothroy: (laughs) Yeah, I ... no, I think the City requires a certain size. I...
Dobyns: Okay.
Boothroy: Yeah.
Dobyns: All right.
Boothroy: So they can grab `em, dump `em (both talking)
Dobyns: Yeah.
Champion: The City (several talking)
Dobyns: Okay. Sure, cause it fits the truck.
Boothroy: Yeah.
Champion: Well the City does make some allotment for people who can't move those heavy
trashcans.
Dobyns: Yeah, I thought there was (both talking)
Champion: ... actually move them for them.
Dobyns: Okay.
Boothroy: Yeah, but I think they still have to use the same green containers.
Champion: Oh right, yeah. Right.
Boothroy: That's what I was trying to say.
Dobyns: Okay, so there's that ... option. Okay.
Mims: As you looked at the screening requirement, did anybody put any kind of numbers
to paper of, you know, I mean ... what kind of screening you're cau ... you're
talking about, what ... that's acceptable, and what it might cost?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 24
Boothroy: Um...
Mims: ...to do that.
Boothroy: ... for example you can buy them already preconstruc... a pre -fab, snap- together
type of things, uh, from Menard's, uh, I looked at that, uh, and I think they were,
you know, it's ... it's been a few months since I looked at those numbers, but less
than $200. Some place in the $100 range.
Champion: Tall enough for those trashcans?
Boothroy: Yeah, yeah.
Mims: That's... that's a significant amount of money for a lot of people.
Payne: (both talking) might be just as unsightly, you know.
Boothroy: Well and I... and I think in... in the situation here the reason we have the City
approving design standards in historic districts where that ... that's much more of
an issue, uh, that would not be an appropriate screening mechanism. We'd want
to try to get that more, uh, consistent with the, uh, the look of the house so it's not
obvious, but keep in mind, this is an exception to the rule. So I don't expect it to
happen very often that ... that, uh, people would be scr ... providing that trash
container in the front yard, but it could happen, yes.
Mims: When you have something like a trash can that is moved very frequently, it would
seem to me the enforcement on this becomes a real issue. Uh...
Boothroy: And?
Mims: You know, so they put their trash out on Tuesday morning and the City comes by
and picks it up. And ... they don't put it back or it gets halfway back to the house
and a day later, whatever, the neighbors call. City goes out, checks on it, they
move it back. You know, next week the same thing happens. You know, every
second or third week it doesn't quite make it back beyond, you know, the front
line of the house. What ... I mean, how many times do we get called out before...
you know, if...if they comply every time you go out and go, you know, a knock
and talk, at what point is ... is municipal infraction issued, um, you know, how
does that work?
Boothroy: If we're not getting consistent compliance, I think at some point we have to make
a call as to whether or not, uh, we have to either issue an infraction because it's a
con ... an on -going problem, uh, or, uh, there may be, uh, working with the
landlord to find a spot where they can put it, place it, and if it has, um, screening,
like a, you know, dumpster enclosure, uh, then there's a spot that is designed for
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 25
those containers. We may have to get to that, where you have, uh, repeated
problems. Um ... you know, what ... what we see is that, uh, you ... we get the
complaints on those left at the curb a couple days later, uh, and then we ... and
we ... and we work with the landlord to try to make sure that the tenants
understand what the ru ... obligations are, um, but those that we can't get around
the side of the yard or something like that, if they're still sitting out by the front
porch and the lids over, I mean, I ... just a week ago I drove down and there was a
couple houses, the lid was over, trash was overflowing, and it was all over the
front yard. We'll contact `em but we're trying to get that ... we're trying to get
some control over that look because it doesn't ... it does impact the quality of the
neighborhood, uh, it's sort of, you know, the broken window syndrome and uh,
when you have trash in the front yards, it... it's... it has an impact.
Payne: My (both talking)
Boothroy: You know, I don't know that this is perfect. I ... I would agree but ... but we're
trying to get there. It certainly isn't perfect now and we're still struggling with
this exact same issue.
Payne: I ... I just think it's penalizing people that keep their yards picked up, but that's the
best place to put their can because a few renters can't pick up their garbage.
Boothroy: Well, on the Northside it's more than just a few renters, but...
Payne: But if you looked at all the houses in town, I ... I understand that they have an
issue and that we ... we really need to do something about it, but it's like we're
penalizing everybody because a few people are ... not following neighborhood
...neighborhoodly rules.
Champion: I can't think of anybody I know who keeps their trashcan in their front yard.
Payne: Well you know me!
Champion: I know you now! (laughter)
Throgmorton: You know, it ha ... it certainly happens in the Northside. I ... I'd like to ask you a
couple questions about process, Doug. I mean, I see really good reasons to
propose the ... the revisions but, uh, one question I have concerns, uh, the meeting
we had with, uh, the Northside neighbors, uh, usually these take place in Horace
Mann. Is this...
Boothroy: Yes.
Throgmorton: ... is this where you meant, I don't know, 10 people there? Uh...15?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 26
Boothroy: That would probably be about right! I mean, I don't remember exact number but
...it's a handful.
Throgmorton: Yeah, and ... and you hear ... you heard clear, uh, consistent support for this
particular (both talking)
Boothroy: It's definitely a priority. There was two things that we're talking, or more than
two things, but there ... these were two ... there were two things that were discussed
at the meeting. It's laid out in the letter. One was the trash carts, uh, and the
other was, urn .... uh, screening of, uh, dumpsters, uh, in the, uh, in the ... in the
neighborhood. That's a much more complicated and expensive proposition and
it's not mixed in with this particular issue at this time. But that was the other
priority they have.
Throgmorton: Right... so... so ... I ... I think I get that, uh, very clearly. But it does make me
wonder, uh ... uh, you know, whether there're, uh, buildings on the Northside that
could not reasonably comply, you know, because of their size, lot size, uh, layout
of the building on the lot, stuff like that.
Boothroy: That's what the screening requirements are for.
Throgmorton: Well I, yeah, I mean ... even given that, but I ... but I, so I understand you to say not
to worry about that, Jim, just, you know, the alternative is the screening...
Boothroy: Well the alternative to ... I mean, that is the ... that is the ... the safety valve on these
regulations, uh, I ... I don't ... I would not recommend these regulations with an
alter ... with this type of safety valve, which allows people to find, uh, a location,
uh, that works, uh, when it's not practical to put `em any place else. Uh, and uh...
uh, cause then I think it's too ... too restrictive.
Throgmorton: Okay. So the ... the other process question I have actually connects to something
Michelle has said ... A ... I ... I get it that, uh, people I know on the Northside
advocate this, but it's only one neighborhood in the city. So I'm wondering
whether other neighborhood associations have been contacted, whether they have
any views about this particular ordinance that we ought to be taking into account.
Uh ... you know whether they would have concerns about it that we're not...
maybe not fully aware of yet.
Hayek: You know, I...
Boothroy: I think the difference between this neighborhood and some of the ... the east side
neighborhoods, for example, is the ... housing makeup. The Northside is ... is
mostly rental.
Throgmorton: Right.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 27
Boothroy: Uh ... uh, Windsor Ridge is mostly owner- occupied. Maybe all owner- occupied,
and so, uh, if you drive around that neighborhood or the neighborhood I live in up
by Shimek, uh, you're hard- pressed to find one of these green containers in the
front yard. Uh, so it's not an issue.
Payne: And many of those even have ordinances they can't even have it outside. They
have to have it in their garage. Covenants, sorry, you're right. Wrong word (both
talking)
Boothroy: That's where I keep mine!
Payne: So ... (laughter)
Hayek: Let me ... let me throw out an idea and ... and we had talked about deferring this...
this item at our work session. It's apparent from the Northside Neighborhood's
letter that they'd still like a chance to review this particular language. They really
want us to focus on the multi -unit, uh, dumpsters. You know, we got this
neighborhood stabilization strategic plan and periodically we take a looksy at
what we've done and what we want to do next. We've had discussions
periodically about whether there is more we can do, especially in these, uh, more
rental- dominated areas where the nuisance issues seem to be greater. Um, what
else we can do, what, you know, what are we missing, what can we take up and
maybe we ought to defer this, you know, schedule a dedicated work session and
...and take up a number of these items, um, and I know we're rolling out this
application for... for smart phones to make complaints, and we could all wrap it
up into something. It doesn't seem ... there's clearly a, at a minimum a split,
maybe the majority that aren't really comfortable pursuing this tonight. Doesn't
seem like something we should be ... we need to be divided on.
Throgmorton: If...if we defer though, let's not defer indefinitely.
Hayek: Oh I ... yeah, and listen, this is one of the things that drives me nuts about, um,
and ... and it's mostly rental. I'm sure it's some owner - occupied, but I could ... I...
in 15 minutes I could take, you know, 15 pictures of, uh, sort of example, uh,
dwellings, residential units, that I ... I don't think we're doing enough to ... enforce.
Throgmorton: Uh -huh.
Hayek: In a number of areas in town. And um ... so, I don't know. Just throw that out
there.
Payne: Well I ... I think ... I agree we need to do something. We can't just leave them
hanging there. So it shouldn't be a very long deferral, but I ... I just ... would like
to hash it out ... more.
Mims: I would agree.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 28
Hayek: Okay, why don't we ... why don't we defer... probably indefinitely just so we can
have staff do its part ... look into it, but ... but...
Markus: We'll check with some of the other associations too. I ... I think the point is that,
uh, those with homeowner's associations probably do have covenant restrictions,
to some degree, uh, on placement of garbage receptacles. So...
Mims: But those covenants expire, and most neighborhood associations do not renew
them, so ... a lot of our neighborhoods may think they have covenants that they
don't.
Throgmorton: Sometimes they don't expire. (several talking)
Dulek: No, they all expire by law. Twenty -one years.
Throgmorton: (mumbled)
Champion: I've never lived anywhere but where I'm at now, and they don't (several talking)
Dulek: You can renew `em, it's just a very difficult thing to do (several talking) Yes.
Mims: Most of `em don't! (laughs)
Hayek: I ... but I think the problem's the ... this, uh, measure is intended to address our
(several talking) and um ... I would lump them into a category with ... with a
number of other things that ... that I think we could do a better job of.
Markus: You'll probably get some communication, plus minus on it, after this discussion
too.
Hayek: All right, so...
Markus: You'll hear from the citizenry on it.
Mims: Well and I would just echo what Matt is saying. Nothing that I'm hearing from
the Council says that we don't support, cause I know we do as a group, support
improving the appearance and livability of our neighborhoods. And the
neighborhood stabilization that we, you know, agreed on as a... as one of our
strategic goals. I think it's more ... the details of this approach that there's some
nuances too that we feel we need a little more time to look at so ... the support is
there. We just need a little time to ... (several talking)
Dobyns: How much more time ... I ... I've heard a couple different things, so I just want...
looking for clarity, um ... we want to wait until we can bundle some things
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 29
together, but then we don't also want to wait forever to have this come back.
So ... what is this, maybe ... (several talking)
Hayek: I ... I think ... I think Tom and Geoff and (both talking)
Markus: We can try and get it back in March sometime. Maybe the first part of April
(mumbled)
Hayek: I'm comfortable with that. And (several talking) just have ... it, you know, stuff
could be half - cooked and still thrown out for... for discussion.
Markus: For a work session?
Hayek: (several talking) At a work session.
Markus: Got it! All right.
Hayek: So, why don't we have a motion to defer...
Karr: Motion to defer indefinitely.
Mims: Move to defer.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Motion from Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? And this is to defer
indefinitely until we come back at ... when staff's ready. Uh, all those in favor say
aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Payne: So moved.
Dobyns: Second!
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by ... Dobyns. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 30
ITEM 15. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: Start down with you, Jim!
Throgmorton: Nothing.
Champion: Nothing.
Mims: Nothing.
Dickens: I just had a meeting with, uh, HR Green, uh, a proposal to use the landfill as a
potential greenhouse, using the methane gas that the University was no longer
interested in, in making a four -acre greenhouse. Growing organic tomatoes. It's
already been done in Lake Mills, uh, I turned it over to staff to look into it as
another option for our landfill.
Hayek: (mumbled)
Payne: Nothing for me.
Dobyns: Jim asked me to call attention to the fact that Jim and myself and uh, City
Manager Markus were all in the Detroit area, um, visiting friends and family, and
we were just sort of wondering where the rest of you were! (laughter and several
talking) Uh, you know we were just sort of in the same area. (several talking and
laughing) Purely coincidental!
Hayek: Three Amigos and uh ... (several talking)
Champion: Well that's really good news! (laughter)
Hayek: I think it's ... I think it's great to see, uh, these housing starts. Um, a lot of in -fill
development; we approved a couple tonight. We've had others in recent months.
It's nice to see the market rebound and people making those investments. So...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.
Page 31
ITEM 16. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
a) City Manager.
Hayek: City Manager?
Markus: Yeah, if we can get the cameras to, uh, turn and kind of point at this gentleman
sitting here in the front row, this is ... this is our new Finance Director, Dennis
Bockenstedt, and uh, Dennis, uh, comes tows most recently from Hutchinson,
Kansas, but he has previous experience in Ankeny and Burlington, Iowa. He is a,
uh, Iowa native, and uh, was really happy to come back. He's a big Hawkeye fan
so he's (laughter) he's back in the right part of the country and ... and um, he's
already purchased a house here in town and his family, uh, is I think relocated
already. He has a child in, uh, our public school system already so he's ... kind of
gone for the full emersion right away and we're really happy to have `em on staff.
So welcome, Dennis! (several talking)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 19, 2013.