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ITEM 2. PROCLAMATIONS
b. Women's History Month — March
Hayek: (reads proclamation)
Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is Human Rights Commissioner Joe Dan Coulter.
(applause)
Hayek: Thanks, Joe Dan. There you go. Thank you!
Coulter: I want to thank the, uh, Iowa City City Council, uh, Mayor Hayek and all the
Council Members, uh, for this excellent proclamation that recognizes all the
women in our community, uh, and the contributions that they make. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you (several responding) Thanks for your service!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
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ITEM 2. PROCLAMATIONS
a. Special Olympics Month — March
Hayek: Would our Special Olympians come forward and I'll meet you in the middle! Hi
everyone, how are ya? (several responding) I'm Mayor Hayek and this is the
City Council behind you, and I think some of you have been here before!
Throgmorton: Yep! (several responding)
Hayek: But we have a very special proclamation, uh, to read in your honor and it's ... it's
just so great to have you here, and we just want ... want you to know that, and I'm
going to read it, uh, it reads as follows. (reads proclamation) (applause)
Rossi: Sergeant Eunice Shriver started Special Olympics in 1968 with a hundred people
in their first competition. The State of Iowa has been ... has had Special Olympics
for 45 years, and we provide competition for over 13,000 athletes. This weekend
will be the mid - winter tournament where these ... most of these guys are all
competing, either in basketball, basketball skills, cheerleading, gymnastics, and
power lifting. Um, once the athletes arrive in Iowa City, a lot are from Iowa City,
but they're from across the state also, and we take pride in Iowa City through all
of our fundraising efforts, ours is the only competition that once the athlete arrives
in Iowa City they have no more costs. We do enough fundraising that we're able
to bear all those costs. We have a banquet on Friday night, and our theme this
year is "Harry Potter." We'll have our competition then on Saturday. Our
fundraising events are a "Sponsor an Athlete" campaign which is going on right
now and is from our area businesses in Iowa City that help us do the funds so that
we provide hotel rooms and the banquet and the competition. We also have a
special, uh, polar plunge at the Reservoir on April 13th. If any of you would like
to join us, you're more than welcome. Marian knows how to get a hold of me!
And then we also have a golf tournament, uh, will be ... July 12th this year. It's
Friday, and uh ... the Iowa football program, basketball program helps us out with
that. Um, I just want to really give the Iowa City Council a special thanks for
giving our athletes their (laughs) their due diligence, and I would like to read off
who's present this evening. Breann McFarland, Eliana Friedman, Charles Lee,
Sherry McKee, Jennifer Foster, Kelly Petersen, Geof Hacker, Mallory Earnest,
Jill Michalek, Sara Rugg, Justin Conklin, Mary Kay Eckerman, Morgan Vaughn,
and two of their coaches are Colby Moore and Amanda Delgado, and thank you
so much for having us. (applause) There's one more thing ... (applause) (unable
to hear) ...the Special Olympics oath with us, and the Special Olympics' oath is:
let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Thank you so
much!
Hayek: Thank you! You guys are not only (applause) athletes but ... but, and polar bears,
apparently (laughter) but you're ambassadors for Iowa City because you're
hosting these people from around the state and ... and we really, uh, appreciate that
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role you play because you give them an impression of Iowa City and uh, you're
going to take care of `em, uh, for ... for us, and so it's a great thing to be hosting
this. I want to thank everyone who's competing and everybody who helps them
compete. It's a wonderful program and we wish you the best of luck! Thanks a
lot! (applause)
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ITEM 5d REZONING ON JEFFERSON STREET - MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC
HEARING FOR APRIL 9 ON AN ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY
REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.465 ACRES OF LAND FROM
COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO -1) ZONE TO HIGH DENSITY
MULTIFAMILY (RM -44) ZONE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 821 E.
JEFFERSON STREET. [Discussion only at formal meeting]
Dickens: Move the public hearing.
Throgmorton: Second.
Hayek: Moved by uh, Dickens, uh, seconded by Throgmorton. Discussion? (mumbled)
anyone who intends to vote against this motion?
Payne: This is just to set the public hearing, right?
Hayek: Yeah, but...I'm following the comment. I think I need to take the pulse before
we vote. Okay. All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7-
0.
Payne: Can I make a comment, even though we already voted?
Hayek: Sure!
Payne: I ... I mean, we didn't have any discussion about it, so how can we actually take
the pulse on how we would vote if we haven't had any discussion?
Hayek: That's a good question!
Payne: Okay.
Hayek: And maybe I don't need to do it. I ... I'm following the cues here but... I'll... I'll
talk to the, uh, to staff about that. (goes on to Item 5e)
Dilkes: That ... that probably should not be in this comment. It probably doesn't make
sense.
Hayek: Okay.
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ITEM 5e ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS PERTAINING TO NONCONFORMING
DEVELOPMENT - AMENDING SECTION 14 -4E -8 OF THE ZONING
CODE TO MODIFY HOW NONCONFORMING DEVELOPMENT IS
REGULATED.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel)
Davidson: Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Members of the City Council. I'm Jeff Davidson,
the Director of Planning for the City. Uh, nonconforming situations are created,
uh, as we make changes to the, uh, zoning code. Uh, very frequently these are in
the form of, uh, things that are outside — loading zones, outdoor lighting,
landscaping, screening of parking lots, uh, and signage. Those are the most...
most common ones, and what ... what happens is that over time, of course, we
want to see that things are brought into compliance with what we now have as the
current way that we want to see things done, and there was a provision in the code
that was modified a couple of years ago. We found ourselves in a situation where
there would be a change of use in a commercial area and uh, some minor interior
remodeling, which then generated the need to upgrade all these exterior standards,
and that was determined by the City Council to be excessive, and so you basically
at that time put a cap, okay, on the amount of exterior improvements that would
be required to try and at least start bringing things into conformance with ... with
what was the current code. We have still found ourselves in situations and ... and
the, uh, amendment that's before you this evening would rectify that, where
interior remodeling projects, 100% interior remodeling projects related to a
change of use, uh, basically a contractor who negotiates a price with the person
they're doing the work for. They come in for a building permit and all of a
sudden discover that there are these exterior improvements of several thousand
dollars that they're required to do to bring property into compliance, uh, or at least
starting... start getting it towards compliance, um, that is not part of what they've
negotiated with the person they're doing the work for. So the amendment that
you have for ... uh, before you tonight would basically, um, establish that only for,
um ... urn ... what are required, it would only require, uh, structural alterations, and
the definition of structural alteration is, uh, anything that would increase the
occupancy or size of a building. Um, and I think they're listed here — number of
bedrooms, number of dwelling units, uh, that would increase the residential
occupancy, uh, of a building would trigger the need for the ... up to 10% of the
costs of those improvements, uh, to, uh, be put into place to try and ... and start
bringing them into conformance. So interior remodeling projects would no longer
be required to do that. And there was some discussion at the City Council that,
you know, are we going too far with this, and that is something you may wish
among the seven of you to debate. You may get comments during your hearing.
Uh, it was determined by the Planning and Zoning Commission after a discussion
that they did approve with going then with the structural alterations being what
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would trigger the need to bring things further into compliance. So, have I
explained that okay?
Hayek: Yes!
Davidson: Okay. Thank you!
Hayek: Are there any questions for Jeff? Okay. This is a public hearing. Uh, if anyone
wishes to address us on this item, I invite you to step forward. Okay. Public
hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Mims: Move first consideration.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
Throgmorton: Matt, I'd like to express a ... a procedural concern that applies to this particular...
uh, amendment to the ordinance, to the zoning ordinance, plus anything else that
comes to us from the Planning and Zoning Commission. My concern is, and
maybe I'm wrong about this so if...if I'm wrong I need to be corrected, but my
concern is that we don't always see the ... the minutes from the Planning and
Zoning Commission meeting that directly applies to the topic being discussed
before we do our first vote! So, uh, if that's true, uh, what I would like to do is
make sure that we always see, have an opportunity to see and read the minutes of
the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, wherein they decide at...at the
moment they decide, uh, to approve or whatever, uh, a particular proposal, and
in ... it would be very helpful for the uh ... uh ... the description, the comment
description under the ... each item to identify where that can be found. I ... I hope
you're tracking me about this.
Karr: Yeah. We ... we are working on this very issue right now, and that is an
agreement that you will not be acting on anything without the minutes. The
preliminary minutes of the February 7th meeting are in your Information Packet.
Throgmorton: Well I know they are frequently, but I ... my ... my sense is that they aren't always
and that ... that's what concerns me.
Karr: That ... and that ... that is an understanding that staff does have, that you would not
be acting until you have at least the preliminary, if not the final minutes.
Sometimes the finals are not possible because of the scheduling issues, but
certainly the preliminary, and we are working to incorporate it, uh, your request
into the item and comment where they can be found. The preliminary of the
February 7th are in the February 21" packet.
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Throgmorton: Excellent! Thanks.
Hayek: So is it the idea that we get the formal by the time of the third reading? Or...
Karr: We ... well certainly the draft minutes, there'll always be the draft minutes. Our
goal is to have the ... before the final. Uh, it just depends on the scheduling to get
the approval of the board or commission, depending on the item. I think generally
speaking that would be possible, yes.
Hayek: Yeah, and I think one of the things we've struggle with with the software is
hyperlinking and things of that nature.
Karr: What we ... what we're looking at is simply indicating where it can be found, so
the February 7th preliminary minutes are located in your Information Packet, and
then changing that to reflect that if the final is included on the Consent Calendar
that you would know ... that would be updated.
Hayek: Okay. Thanks, Marian!
Dobyns: (several talking) ...future under like Item 5e, Marian, it would just say, `At its
February 7th meeting, which you would find in the February 21" Information...'
Karr: I understand! Okay.
Hayek: (several talking) Okay. Further discussion? Is there anyone who intends to vote
in the negative? Okay. Roll call, please. First consideration passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 5f ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS PERTAINING TO QUICK VEHICLE
SERVICING USES IN TOWNCREST AND RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS -
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.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. Public hearing is open. (bangs gavel)
Davidson: Uh, Council is familiar with both the Towncrest, uh, and Riverfront Crossings,
uh, district plans, which have been established with specific design standards, uh,
and I think the most, um, significant characteristic of those design standards is
trying to create walkable neighborhoods in both of those districts. Uh, we are in
the process right now of producing the, um, code requirements for those two
neighborhoods. That is a... an enormous undertaking, uh, which will be brought
to you later this year. We have been apprised, uh, that there are some quick
vehicle servicing uses which are considering, uh, locating in Riverfront Crossings
and so we decided to bring those, uh, code standards to you ahead of time. What
we are suggesting is that the code standards for quick vehicle servicing usage —
these are things such as, um, gas pumps associated with a convenience store or a
quick lube places, uh, that the ... the standards that are already in place for the CB-
2 and C13-5 zones be incorporated into those two districts, Towncrest and
Riverfront Crossings, and again, it will just help us, uh, be able to deal with, uh,
standards for a couple of uses that may be locating ahead of you getting the full,
uh, code requirements, and I think, uh, I apologize for the caption on this, but this
is actually the common vernacular, uh, for service stations that have the building
located to the (laughter) uh, front along the street and the gas pumps to the rear,
which you see here, um, and this ... I just wanted to show you this as an example
of the type of standards that we would, uh, be hopefully be able to use in
Riverfront Crossings and Towncrest. Any questions? (laughter)
Hayek: Thanks, Jeff!
Throgmorton: Actually, Jeff, I ... I do have a question.
Davidson: Okay.
Throgmorton: A skeptic might say all neighborhoods are already walkable. So could you please
clarify what you mean by walkable neighborhood?
Davidson: Well, certainly, Jim, if we had some slides of...of Riverside Drive, um, which is
one of the areas for Riverfront Crossings that is under consideration for these
types of uses, uh, they are very, uh, pedestrian unfriendly. That would be...at
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least be my characterization. Um, they're basically designed to serve people in
automobiles. And they should still serve people in automobiles, but they need to
do that in a manner that also allows for safe pedestrian, bicycle, people using
public transit be incorporated as well, and that ... those are the types of standards
we're talking about.
Throgmorton: So it'd be very appealing for a person on foot to be walking along the sidewalk
instead of being threatened by vehicles or whatever.
Davidson: That is the goal. Right.
Throgmorton: Thanks!
Hayek: Thanks, Jeff! This is a public hearing. Is there anyone else to address the
Council? Okay. Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Mims: Move first consideration.
Throgmorton: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Throgmorton. Discussion? Again, does anybody
intend to vote in the negative?
Throgmorton: Nope!
Hayek: Okay! Any further discussion? Roll call, please. First consideration passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 5g CITY INITIATED REZONING NORTHSIDE — ORDINANCE REZONING
APPROXIMATELY 0.47 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 906 N.
DODGE STREET FROM MULTI - FAMILY (11311) 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 MULTIFAMILY (R3B) ZONE TO MEDIUM
DENSITY MULTI - FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RM -20) ZONE. (REZ12-
000016,18 & 19) (PASS AND ADOPT) [Discussion only at formal meeting]
Hayek: Item 5g, I am recusing myself on as I did at the last reading, and I will hand the
gavel over to the Mayor Pro Tem.
Mims: (reads Item 5g) There is a request, um, from the owner of the properties for a
deferral.
Dobyns: I move to defer to March 19tH
Dickens: Second.
Mims: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by Dickens for a deferral of this item until March
19th. Um, is there a representative of TSB who would like to address the Council?
Larson: Yes, uh, Honor... Honorable Mayor and City Council Members, my name is Keith
Larson and I represent TSB Holdings and, uh, 911 North Governor LLC, and I'm
just here to represent tonight to you that in consideration for the deferral we are
going to move tomorrow to continue our hearing on the petition for declaratory
judgment and uh, temporary injunction to a date certain beyond March 19th so that
we can try and use the next two weeks to try and work out a mutually agreeable
solution.
Mims: Thank you very much! Okay. Uh, the only thing I would add is the deferral on
this to March 19th, uh, still keeps us within the 60 day moratorium.
Throgmorton: Uh huh.
Mims: So we have that opportunity. Okay. Roll call, please.
Karr: Motion.
Mims: Or I'm sorry, motion. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Passes 6 -0. Thank
you.
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Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Dobyns: So moved.
Dickens: Second.
Mims: Moved by, uh, Dobyns, seconded by Dickens. All those in favor say aye.
Opposed? Passes 6 -0.
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ITEM 5h 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 (OPDCC -2). (REZ12- 00026) (PASS AND ADOPT)
[Discussion only at formal meeting]
ITEM 5i 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 5j PRELIMINARY PLAT ROBERTS DAIRY / HY -VEE - RESOLUTION
APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF ROBERTS DAIRY
ADDITION, IOWA CITY, IOWA. (SUB12- 00012)
Hayek: Items 5h, 5i, and 5j, urn ... uh, need to be lumped together. We need to, uh, we've
been requested to, uh, defer these three items indefinitely. This ... these are the
HyVee related items off of north Dodge Street. So if we could get a motion to
defer indefinitely.
Payne: Motion to defer, uh, 5g ... (several talking) h, i, j. (laughs)
Mims: Second.
Throgmorton: It's an alphabet thing!
Payne: Thanks!
Hayek: Motion from Payne, uh, to defer 5h, 5i, 5j indefinitely; seconded by ... Mims.
Discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
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ITEM 6. NEW URBAN RENEWAL AREA - DETERMINING AN AREA OF THE
CITY TO BE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA; DESIGNATING
SUCH AREA AS APPROPRIATE FOR AN URBAN RENEWAL
PROJECT; AND ADOPTING THE CAMP CARDINAL URBAN
RENEWAL PLAN THEREFORE.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel)
Siders: Yeah, Council Members, my name is Glenn Siders. I'm with Southgate
Development Services. This is our property that you're having the public hearing
on. I, uh, thought the City was going to give a little presentation. I'm not
prepared to give a presentation but I am available for questions if you have any.
Hayek: Thank you, Glenn. Any questions for Glenn before we ... let him move away from
the podium? (laughter) Too late!
Champion: Gone! He's already gone home!
Hayek: Does anyone else wish to address the Council on the Camp Cardinal urban
renewal plan ... as proposed? Okay. Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Dobyns: Move the resolution.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by Mims. Discussion?
Throgmorton: I ... I want to repeat something I said last meeting, I guess, uh ... I ... I don't see any
good reason to create an urban renewal area there. The only good reason I can
see to use instruments like urban renewal and TIF, which would be ... would
follow on from this, is to provide incentives for private market to do something it
would not otherwise do, absent the incentives. If a piece of property is zoned
properly and in a suitable location, like this one is, then the market will recognize
it's a good location and respond accordingly. The only way I'd support this is ... is
if it promoted features that I greatly value and ... I ... I don't see it in this particular,
um, proposal. So I'm going to vote no.
Hayek: Okay. Fair enough! Further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 6 -1,
Throgmorton in the negative.
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ITEM 7. UNIVERCITY SALE — 301 DOUGLASS STREET - CONVEYANCE OF A
SINGLE FAMILY HOME LOCATED AT 301 DOUGLASS STREET.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Uh, for the
public's, uh, information, this has to do with the UniverCity Neighborhood
Partnership program, through which we have, uh, fixed up and flipped a number
of properties in... in some of our fragile neighborhoods, and this is the latest, uh,
project. Anyone like to address us during the public hearing? Public hearing is
closed. (bangs gavel)
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ITEM 8. FY2014 ASPHALT RESURFACING - PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM
OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FY2014 ASPHALT RESURFACING
PROJECT, ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO
ACCOMPANY EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH
NOTICE TO BIDDERS, AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT
OF BIDS.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) This is ... this
is an annual project, uh, that the City takes on for the resurfacing of, uh, of
various streets throughout the city. It also includes expansion of a parking lot
area at Wetherby Park. Estimated cost is about $586,000, and it'll be funded
through a variety of sources. Does anyone wish to address the Council? The
public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
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ITEM 9. WEST SIDE LEVEE - PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF
CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THE WEST SIDE LEVEE PROJECT, ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF
BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY
CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE TO BIDDERS, AND FIXING TIME AND
PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Uh, this is...
this regards a, uh, a levee that will, uh, extend roughly, uh, 3,000 feet, uh, along
the western bank of the Iowa River, from the Crandic Railroad bridge to
McCollister Boulevard, and various, uh ... uh., improvements associated with it.
Estimated cost is about $5.5 million and will be funded with Community
Development Block Grants. Is there anyone from the public?
Martin: I don't know how to talk too good so you guys gotta overlook me!
Hayek: Let's do ... one thing here, sir, if you could give us your name.
Martin: Well my name is Joe Martin.
Hayek: Okay, and could you ... would you mind writing it in. Is there a pen up there?
Martin: Oh yeah! Question is, I wanted to know you going to take all them trees out? On
both sides? Huh? No?
Markus: We have a staffer here who that answer the question if you'd like.
Martin: Huh?
Hayek: We'll have ... yeah, why don't ... how many questions do you have, sir?
Martin: Well I wanted to know if I could get the trees, some of that wood? That's what
I'm after.
Champion: (laughs)
Hayek: Oh!
Martin: That's all I wanted to know!
Hayek: Okay, well...
Martin: (away from mic)
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Hayek: Why don't you, uh... yeah, go ahead.
Reickardt: Mayor Hayek, uh, Members of the Council. My name's Jason Reickhardt. I'm
the Special Projects Engineer. Um, we are working on an early clearing contract,
so we're hoping to get started, uh, here shortly. The trees do need to be down, uh,
by April 15th to environmental, uh, requirements. Um, the wood ... the
removal of the trees will be, uh, the responsibility of the contractor, uh, taking
it... doing the clearing.
Martin: Well they put `em up there (away from mic)
Hayek: Hold on, sir, we gotta be careful cause we gotta have people standing at
microphones so we can record these meetings. So...
Martin: (away from mic)
Hayek: That's okay! You did a great job, but we just need to let this guy finish what he
was saying here.
Reickardt: Uh, yeah, the removal of the cleared trees will be the responsibility of the
contractor that we hire, um ... I guess I don't know where the waste will be taken
but it could be worked out that ... I don't know. It's ... it's up to a contractor really.
Hayek: What' s the process for hiring the contractor?
Reickardt: Uh, informal competitive quotation.
Hayek: Okay.
Reickardt: So ... it had to meet ... we had to make sure that we meet all the CDBG
requirements as well for procurement so...
Markus: And typically the contractor'd be responsible for disposal of the wood. What I
would suggest is that the individual citizen, when he sees the trees being removed,
approaches the contractor and discusses it with the contractor at that point.
Hayek: Okay. Will ... will the identity of the contractor be public before the work?
Reickardt: Uh, yeah (mumbled)
Hayek: Okay, so that ... this individual in the audience or anyone else could contact the
City and find out who that is and contact them directly. That'd be another route.
Reickardt: (several talking)
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Markus: Jason, give the individual your number and your information as you leave and...
so that he has the information to contact you.
Reickardt: And we were going to send out notifications prior to the work being done
so .... they know and they're aware that people will be on -site performing the
clearing... so...
Hayek: Okay. Thanks, Jason (several talking)
Throgmorton: Jason ... Jason, are ... are all the trees close to the river going to be removed?
Reickardt: Um ... I think so for the most part. Um, it's up to the design consultant, uh, we
will be there to mark `em, but um, yeah, anything that will interfere with the... the
levee itself or the, uh, riverbank stabilization will need to be removed so the
contractor can get in there. Um, the trees, we can't really have any roots in the
levee system itself, uh, due to structural issues caused by the trees, the tree roots,
so yeah.
Throgmorton: And ... thanks. And ... you did hold a meeting with, uh, affected residents of the
trailer park, right, so that they know what's being proposed and...
Reickardt: Yes, we have had one, um, and then we will have another one, a pre - construction
meeting when we have the, uh, contractor for construction of the actual levee
itself, urn ... (mumbled) more of that so, we'll set up a pre - construction meeting
with everybody.
Throgmorton: Okay. Thanks.
Reickardt: Yep.
Hayek: Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the Council on this item? Okay.
Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
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ITEM 10. BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2013, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2014, THE
PROPOSED THREE -YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN FOR FY2014 — 2016, AND
ALSO THE MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2017.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel)
Bockenstedt: Good evening, this is Dennis Bockenstedt. I'm the Director of Finance for the
City. Uh, tonight is the public hearing for the fiscal year 2014 budget. Uh,
preparation of the 2014 budget was guided by clear financial goals. Uh, the first
of those goals was to enhance the City's economic competitiveness through the
reduction of the property tax rate. The second goal was to maintain the City's
triple -A bond rating. Uh, the third goal was to enhance the usefulness and
availability of financial information, and the fourth was to once again earn the
(mumbled) for financial reporting and budget presentation. Uh, the fiscal year
2014 proposed property tax rate is $16.81 per $1,000 of taxable value. Uh, this
represents a 2.7% decline from the fiscal year 2013 budget, and a 5.8% decline
from fiscal year 2012. As you can see by the chart above you, uh, that the fiscal
year proposed property tax rate is the lowest, uh, City property tax rate in over ten
years. Uh, the fiscal year 2014 budget continues to emphasize low debt levels and
controlled spending. Uh, the City's general obligation debt as a (mumbled) of its
legal debt limit, uh, has been declining since fiscal year 2007 and is expected to
decline into the future. Uh, the budget also seeks operational efficiencies through
staff reductions. Uh, this has been primarily accomplished through attrition. The
full -time equivalents budgeted in the 2014 budget is slightly over 615 FTEs. Uh,
that is a decrease from 2013 which was over 623 full -time equivalents. Uh, we
also expect health insurance rates to be favorable in 2014, primarily due to health
care plan restructuring. Um, the 2014 budget also includes funding for new
financial and human resource software. Uh, this is expected to improve the
quality and usefulness of financial information. Uh, in addition the 2014 budget
will be submitted to the GFOA for the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award,
which was awarded the City for the first time in 2013. City will also continue to
participate in the GFOA Certificate of Achievement program. The City has
received this award for 27 consecutive years. In addition to the financial goals,
uh, the City's budget was prepared in accordance with its Strategic Plan. Uh,
Strategic Plan goals include, uh, neighborhood stabilization, economic and
community development, development of downtown and near - downtown areas,
uh, to continue a strong and sustainable financial foundation, and to coordinate
communication and customer service orientation. Uh, the budget continues
investments in the residential housing stock, including the continuation of the
UniverCity program and GRIP programs. Uh, the budget also continues
investments in neighborhood parks, trails, and events, including the Fair
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Meadows splash pad, the City Park Master Plan, intra -city bike trails, uh, and
program for im ... improving neighborhood grants, (mumbled) also call it PIN
grants, and community event grants. Uh, the bud ... the budget also includes
investments in economic and community development, including the Moss Ridge
road development, Towncrest area redevelopment, and then the continued, uh,
investment in ICAD co -lab. Uh, budget also has investments in the downtown
and near - downtown development, uh, including the Riverfront Crossings
redevelopment, the central business district streetscape enhancements, and the
parking rate structure changes, including the first -hour -free program, and also
public space remodeling at the Library. Um, the budget, uh, strives to maintain a
strong and stable financial foundation. Uh, the budget attempts to sustain strong
fund balances, including all, uh, stabilization of all major fund balances. Uh, it
also projects debt service payments to be reduced by 33.3% from 2013. This has
primarily been accomplished through debt restructuring and early bond retirement
strategies. In addition, cash balances are used to finance capital projects and they
will bond to debt whenever possible. Uh, the 2014 budget also includes revenue
enhancements in the Parks and Rec programs, uh, storm water fees, and landfill
and refuse collection specialty services. Uh, the budget also has investments in
financial and document processing software to hopefully (mumbled) complete
customer transactions and improve internal and external communications. So the
2014 budget, by the numbers, uh, the expenditures for all funds, uh, appropriated
for next year at $169,012,660. Uh, this breaks down into governmental funds of
$93,512,133 which are primarily supported by tax, grant, and debt revenues. And
the proprietary funds of $75,500,527 which is primarily supported through user
fees. Uh, the general fund budget, which is the City's primary operating fund, uh,
has appropriated budget of $51,481,923. To summarize, uh, the 2014 proposed
budget was guided by clear financial goals. Its priorities were det ... determined
by the City's Strategic Plan. Uh, total 2014 budget expenditures for all funds is
$169,012,660 and the proposed property tax rate is $16.81 per $1,000 of taxable
value, which represents the second consecutive decrease for the City. And that
concludes my presentation.
Hayek: Thank you, Dennis!
Champion: Thank you!
Hayek: Any questions for Dennis? Okay. Uh, this is a public hearing, and ... and I want
to remind folks, uh ... uh, the public hearing occurs under Item 10. Item 11 is... is
actually for the adoption of the three -year financial plan and the ... and the five -
year capital improvements program. If you have comments about those, or the
proposed operating budget, anything related to either ... to ... to any of the three or
all three of these items, now's the time to bring them to our attention. This is the
public hearing, and we invite ... the public to step forward!
Fairchild: Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. My name is Cynthia
Fairchild and I am here on behalf of some of the neighbors in the Northside
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Neighborhood, also with the support of the Historic Preservation Commission, in
regards to asking you to consider for part of the street improvement plan that's
specifically related to the brick roads. We have four remaining brick sidewalks in
Iowa City that are situated within the Northside Neighborhood. We would like
you to consider including those in that road maintenance line item for the brick
roads that we would also allow for some maintenance of the sidewalks. They're
charming. They're approximately 100 years old, and they are in need of some
maintenance, uh ... as homeowners, we have costed out the replacement costs and
it is prohibitive. And unfortunately feel that it might go to cement if that were the
case. So ... we're here to ask you to consider that as part of that maintenance
project.
Hayek: Okay. Thank you.
Lewis: Council, Mayor, my name is, uh, Jason Lewis. I am ... the former ... Jason Lewis
(mumbled)
Hayek: Thanks!
Lewis: I'm here to talk to you today about a project that speaks to several of the items on
your strategic plan. Um ... this ... looks at the area around Mark Twain School and
the green space that exists in that area, as well as the Mark Twain neighborhood
in general. Um ... so as ... as the, uh, PTO President of Twain, I've become really
familiar with the school. I've also, um, I'm also really familiar with the school
because it's in my backyard. So I've been talking with Councilman Throgmorton
and some other people, like John Thomas, who's going to come up and speak to
you, as well, about uh .... about this project. So I just want to go through some
PowerPoint ... talk about challenges that the neighborhood has seen. Uh, several
challenges over the last couple of decades including an older housing stock that is
in need of repair and renovation. Uh, Twain Elementary School, while it's had
some upgrades over the years, is also in need of some consideration and upgrades.
Uh, lack of pedestrian connectivity speaks to the walkability issue that we've
heard some about today. Uh, as well as the potential decline of Sycamore Mall as
retailers are moving out, and the neighborhood has difficulty accessing that area
in terms of walking to and from. So we've talked about some solutions, uh,
improve housing stocks, selective in -fill and rehabilitation, retool and re- imagine
Mark Twain School as a potential magnet school, um ... focus on Iowa City's
liter... literary heritage, uh, and also school yard renovation, uh, as an outdoor
learning setting and a neighborhood park. Also, improving connectivity between
Sycamore Mall and the area south of Highway 6. And also the re ... revitalization
of Sycamore Mall area. I want to talk to you a little bit about James Allen
McPherson who's someone who's, uh, been a staunch member of the Iowa City
community. He's, um. ... he's taught at the University of Iowa's Writers
Workshop for many years. Uh, that's Jim right there. Nice man! Uh, he was
born in Savannah, Georgia. As I said, a long -time member of the faculty at the
Writers Workshop. He's the 1978 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for the book
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Elbow Room, and he was the first African American to receive the Pulitzer Prize
in fiction. He's also a recipient of the McArthur Genius Grant. He's been an
educator of hundreds of writers, and as I thought about this project and the literary
heritage of Iowa City, I thought Jim was a great ... a great example, not just for
what we might do for this area, but also for what we might do for the children
who go to school at Mark Twain. As many of you probably know, Mark Twain is
a ... is a school in need of assistance, has a free and reduced lunch number of about
79 %. A lot of minority students pass through those doors every day, and it would
be great to see those people have someone like Jim McPherson to look up to, to
say that guy is ... is like me. You know, that guy struggled and had a lot ... a lot of
opportunities to do great things, and I can do it as well. So I just want to show
you first a ... a ... a bird's eye view of the existing space at Twain School. That's
the school there in the top portion, and then the green space all through there. It's
sort of an athletic field area. The playgrounds are ... are relatively new. They're
five or six years old, but you can see all that green space. So ... here's what
...here's what we've talked about in terms of reimagining the green space —
walking paths and promenade, art enrichments through a monument park that
would showcase some of the writers who have either gone to school here or
taught here, at the Writers Workshop and elsewhere. Uh, an edible garden that
we could use as a teaching tool for the students. Renovate the athletic fields on
the west side so that they're more definable and recognizable. Playground
renovations and improvements, as well as landscape improvements; perennial
plantings; streetscape; and enhancement on Deforest Street, the frontage of Mark
Twain School. Uh, also maybe an arch ... an architecture feature like a pavilion or
a gazebo to entice people to, uh, gather in the area. So here's something that John
came up with as a ... a potential future. You can see in this ... you can see the ... the
promenade that walks straight down to where the basketball courts are. On the
east side you have a village green area and a perimeter path that goes along with
the gazebo. A multi -use field and then more plantings along the front and the
sides, and the edible garden up there in the northwest ... the northwest corner. So,
in conclusion, net gain for the area is really ... it hits almost all of the strategic plan
goals that you have. Instant revitalization for the area surrounding Twain school.
Connectivity between the Twain neighborhood and out ... and the surround retail
spaces. Flow- through that draws people in from the outside of the area, and
makes the neighborhood attractive. Uh, and also beginning to really define that
area as sort of an arts village, where people can, um, people can look at it as a
place where they can go, and they can enjoy both ... an area close to town, but also
something that has a lot of amenities to itself. And make it more attractive,
potential to ... potential residents who value arts and community. That's what I
have. Thank you very much.
Hayek: Thank you. (several responding) Would you, uh, I assume you're going to do
this, but I invite you, uh, to ... to supply that to the Clerk and (mumbled)
Lewis: Yeah, I have handouts here. Uh ... (several talking)
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Hayek: Why don't you just give `em to her and then we'll ... we'll make sure that it's in
the Info Packet. Thank you, Jason.
Throgmorton: Uh, could I ask a question?
Hayek: Yeah!
Throgmorton: Jason, you skipped over the, uh, the second drawing, uh, of the Twain
neighborhood.
Lewis: Oh, sorry, sorry! I did!
Throgmorton: I wonder if you could go back to that and give us a sense of what's on it.
Lewis: Yes! Um ... this is the Twain neighborhood, uh, the asterisked area there is Twain
School, and you see there Highway 6 to the south. Uh, we've discussed the idea
of a on -demand activated signal at the corner of Deforest and Sycamore Street.
Right now there's no walk ... walking access to cross from that area over to the
Sycamore Mall area. And so, really coming straight down Deforest to that corner,
if you had a demand activated signal, people could cross over and then more
easily access the Sycamore Mall retail spaces, and also the pedestrianibike
crossings that we've ... we've put over Highway 6, the one to the west is, uh, right
at the end of the existing bicycle path that stops at Broadway. And the problem
is, uh, once you stop at Broadway, you have to wait for the traffic signal that
gives you about five seconds to get across Highway 6, and then go up Brookwood
Drive, which runs right behind Twain School. So, and then over there on, uh, on
Sycamore, there's been a ... there's just recently been a lot of work finished, but
still ongoing in that area. If...if we're talking about walkability in Iowa City,
really that's... that's what we're talking about. Letting people who live on the
south side or who want to bike from downtown, to be able to access this area and
pass through, and so that's what we're looking at there. Walking, in terms of the
man - activated signal, and also the bike paths, uh, and the ... and the crossings over
Highway 6 at those two points would really open up that area to a lot more access
both in and out. Does that answer your question, Jim?
Throgmorton: yeah.
Hayek: Thank you!
Champion: Jason, are you presenting this to the School District?
Lewis: Uh... (away from mic)
Hayek: You're going to have to stand in front of the microphone. Sorry!
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Lewis: You guy ... I'm ... I'm presenting it to you folks first and then, uh, I hope to be able
to talk to the School District about it, as well.
Champion: Well, you need to!
Lewis: I will!
Champion: Okay! Please! Thank you!
Lewis: No problem.
Throgmorton: If...if I understood correctly, you... the... the plan, the park part of it...
Lewis: Yes!
Throgmorton: ... would have to be some kind of negotiated agreement with the School District,
uh, a 28E agreement. I mean, you didn't mention that but it would probably need
to be something like that.
Lewis: Yeah ... I ... I know that, um, in terms of, uh ... at Grant Wood, there's been
something and then I think John can also speak to the North Market project that
he worked on as ... as a way to partner between the City and the schools.
Champion: And there's been some partnering with Longfellow playground too.
Lewis: Yes, exactly!
Champion: Some of our older neighborhoods don't have a lot of park space.
Lewis: Yeah. Yeah, this ... this neighborhood doesn't have any. So ... we'd love to have
it!
Hayek: Thank you.
Lewis: Thank you!
Thomas: (mumbled) John Thomas. Um, I'll just follow up on Jason's presentation. Um,
you know, I have in my hand here a draft copy of the, uh, Iowa City 2030, the
Comprehensive Plan Update. And um, it will be coming to Planning and Zoning
this week, and it speaks, uh, precisely to this issue of developing collaborations,
uh, with School District and other public agencies, um, and notes specifically the
idea of neighborhood schools as an opportunity. Um, neighborhoods need
centers. They need places where people can gather together and uh, I don't know
if any of you know, um, which park is in the Twain neighborhood. Highland
Park, I mean, that's it. Urn ... I think Twain School would be a much better center.
I think it would tie, uh, very effectively with the diversity policy that the School
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District adopted. That could be brought into the development of the site, uh, we
have seen, uh, great success at North Market Square. That's a different
arrangement because it's ... City property is the park. The school is the, um, the
School District's, but it's essentially the same concept and it's worked very well
there. In fact I think that's a model concept, rather than having separate
neighborhood parks and separate schools where the neighborhood parks tend to
be underutilized during the week, uh, why not combine them? Um ... Twain is a
9.5 acre site. So it's .... a fabulous opportunity. You know, the sketch was just
developed very quickly without any neighborhood input, but I ... I think you can
see the purpose of it in my mind was to say there's a real opportunity here. And
that ... that opportunity could be further developed through, uh, you know,
planning process. So, you know, Comp Plan calls for it. I think it's a great
opportunity, uh, and now's the time. So, thank you.
Hayek: Thanks, John. Public hearing is still open. Does anyone, uh, wish to address the
Council?
Johnson: Hi! Um, my name's Eric Johnson, and I also live in the Twain neighborhood, and
I just wanted briefly to say that, uh ... um, as a resident of that ... of uh, the Mark
Twain area, and a resident of that neighborhood, I would be tremendously excited
to, uh, to see something like this come together that would bring in the ... we have
...we have residences, and we have a school. We have commercial space, a
commercial center... but... the way the neighborhood is currently set up, they
don't connect with each other necessarily to, uh, synergistically bring about the
possibilities, and I'd love to see it, and I think that, uh, we actually could see
large -scale support for this in our neighborhood.
Hayek: Thank you.
Olmstead: My name's Harry Olmstead. I live at 1951 Hannah Jo Court. And uh, I'm here
tonight regarding SEATS and the proposed budget. We'd like to know if the ...if
staff recommendations about elimination of Sunday service and elimination of
half fares is being ... is in the budget to eliminate.
Hayek: I think I can answer that and the answer is no, um ... uh, until we know what the
...what the budget parameters are relative to the County, and ... and the funding
issues and the budget issues that I know you're aware of, Harry, my
understanding is that we're not going to be making any decisions, uh, regarding
the size of Iowa City's budget or the ... or the operational, uh, parameters of how
....how we maintain and operate SEATS currently. So, um ... this budget does not
have any changes in it, in terms of what the ... the level of service the ... the
community gets now.
Olmstead: Okay, thank you.
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Markus: But that ... that does not mean that there will be a discussion later to discuss
potential changes, but that would be in a public hearing setting or a public
meeting setting.
Hayek: And ... and the reason is that until we know what our budget outlook is, what the
parameters of the ... of the ... of the budget contributions of the various partners to
this program, uh, are, we really can't get into what the operational alternatives
might be or might have to be. We need to know that first part first before we can
get into the other part, but we'll do so in a public fashion and there will be a lot of
opportunity for input.
Olmstead: Thank you.
Hayek: This is a public hearing. Is there anyone else who would like to address the
Council on the budget? Okay. I'll close it at this time. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING
Dobyns: Move the resolution to adopt the budget.
Payne: Second. Wait...
Champion: Um ... (several talking) that's okay! (several talking and laughing)
Hayek: Remember?
Champion: I'd like to make an amendment to your motion. (several talking)
Hayek: Why don't you just withdraw it, and you want to make yours?
Dobyns: I'll withdraw the motion.
Champion: Oh, okay! Um, I'd like to move adoption of the, uh, the budget (laughs) minus
the Aid to Agencies funding recommendations. Uh, I have some displeasure with
some of the, uh, funding recommendations and ... but I'd like to leave the money
in the budget, but I'd like to reserve the, uh, funding of that money to a later time
when we have some time to discuss it.
Payne: Second.
Dobyns: I'll move the resolution as amended.
Hayek: Motion from, uh (both talking)
Dobyns: I'll move the resolution as amended.
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Champion: Did I make that clear?
Markus: Well, for the record to be clear, what you're doing is leaving the total funding in
for Aid to Agencies, but you're deferring or delaying the decision as to the
specific allocations of the funds that you're allocating.
Champion: I thought that's exactly what I said! (laughter) Thank you.
Markus: I'm just trying to verify what you said (laughter)
Hayek: (several talking and laughing)
Throgmorton: Deferring to any particular date, like two weeks from now or ... or do we have to
say that?
Dilkes: It's not a ... no. Uh huh.
Markus: We'll get it back.
Hayek: Okay. I'm treating this as a motion from Champion, seconded by Mims.
(laughter) Sorry to freeze you out there!
Dobyns: That's okay. That removes it.
Hayek: Okay. Is there, uh, further discussion? I ... I would say that, uh, as it relates to
some of the comments we've, uh, received, um, as to the Northside request and
brick sidewalks, I ... an email came in that we just got in the last couple of days.
Uh, I assume we'll look at that and ... and maybe take it up, or you know, lump it
in with some other things at our next neighborhood stabilization.
Markus: I ... I think we can ... we can begin to address it there. There's collaboration
opportunities with the recent school, uh, election and where the school is going.
We find ourselves meeting with School District officials on a more frequent basis,
talking about these very issues. So ... I think the other, you know, element that we
have to involve is these neighborhoods into those discussions as we move forward
with these things and then start to develop a future year budgets to implement
some of these ideas.
Hayek: And I ... I would say... this... this particular neighborhood has, um, interested me
for some time, uh, it's ... we've given a lot of support to ... to the Northside and
Goosetown neighborhoods and the areas around Longfellow, which was entirely
appropriate, and we've had a lot of success in those areas. This area has been, I
would say, somewhat overlooked, um, and more than somewhat in terms of our
attention as a city, um, and I think there are so many opportunities there that were
present in these other places, um, and this will clearly become something we can
talk about as we pursue our strategic goals. I mean, this hits directly on
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neighborhood stabilization, hits directly on economic, uh, development, um, we
have partnered with the School District before and I know that ... that, and I am
sure our partnerships will be stronger going forward, given... given the funding,
etc., and so, uh, I look forward to a conversation about this.
Markus: And the communications with the School District have already begun, and so
we're heading down this path anyway and getting the neighborhoods engaged is
the ... is the other, the third leg of the stool that we need to have to develop this.
Throgmorton: Matt, I ... I'd like to reinforce some of what you and Tom have already said.
Twain's a very solid neighborhood that really meets the needs of middle income
and working class, uh, people. The homes are really affordable. It needs to be
marketed as a... as a tremendous asset that Iowa City provides, and what we could
do with this combination of initiatives, once they're really massaged and tweaked
over time, is really strengthen that neighborhood by building in connectivity,
strengthening a few of the... a little bit of the housing there, uh, strengthening
Sycamore Mall and especially the connection between the Twain neighborhood
and Sycamore Mall, and the area south of, uh, Highway 6. So that the whole
neighborhood really becomes in its own way a ... a jewel for this, another jewel in
the City's (both talking)
Dickens: ...produce great ... great leaders too. Regenia Bailey went to grade school there
and I went there!
Throgmorton: There you go! (laughter)
Hayek: (several talking and laughing) ... exception to the rule!
Champion: I also think it's a strong neighborhood. Most of us don't think of it as being a
strong neighborhood, but I saw this neighborhood get together and ... and raise
money with corporations and grants for new, uh, playground equipment at...at
Mark Twain School, and they did a fabulous job. It took a lot of work, but they
got ... they got the job done. So ... it is a strong neighborhood and we do need to
support it.
Hayek: And a lot of the changes we saw in these other historic neighborhoods, you know,
started organically through neighborhood organization and ... and collaboration
that followed and ... and, so I see the, uh ... that that process is nascent here and I
think that's important... important way for us to, uh, to improve the community.
Um, I would be remiss if I didn't ... the, we're passing about a $170 million worth
of funding here, and I would be remiss if I didn't congratulate staff on, uh, an
incredible job of putting the budget together this year. Um, this is the best
process I've been a part of in five years. Uh, and ... and staff should be
commended for that. Starts at the City Manager's office, but it spreads
throughout the organization and I (mumbled) a really good process and we have a
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strong outcome and ... Dennis, your presentation shows, uh, that the proof is in the
pudding.
Mims: Especially since they had to (several talking)
Hayek: Yeah! (laughter) Yep! So, thank you! Further discussion on Item 10? Roll call,
please. Item passes 7 -0.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Mims: So moved.
Payne: Second.
Champion: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
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ITEM 12. COMMUNITY EVENTS FUNDING - RESOLUTION ALLOCATING THE
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAM FUNDING FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2014.
Payne: Move resolution.
Hayek: Moved by Payne.
Mims: Second.
Throgmorton: Second.
Hayek: Seconded by Mims. Discussion?
Dobyns: I did take a look at the, uh, instrument that the, uh, group used, um, and I thought
it was very good. It was ten elements that I wish we had had when we deliberated
on this last year, um, I appreciate the group, what they did, and I thought they did
a good job with a good instrument.
Hayek: Good, and thank you staff for taking on that ... task. Further discussion? Roll call,
please. Item passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 13. ASSESSMENT - RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN ASSESSMENT
SCHEDULE OF UNPAID MOWING, CLEAN -UP OF PROPERTY, SNOW
REMOVAL, SIDEWALK REPAIR, AND STOP BOX REPAIR CHARGES
AND DIRECTING THE CLERK TO CERTIFY THE SAME TO THE
JOHNSON COUNTY TREASURER FOR COLLECTION IN THE SAME
MANNER AS PROPERTY TAXES.
Mims: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Is there anyone here in the
audience, uh ... uh, who is on the list who is here to contest the, uh, assessment?
Okay. Any discussion by Council? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 16. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: We'll start down with you, Rick.
Dobyns: No thanks.
Payne: Nothing from me either.
Dickens: Uh, I was lucky enough to go to the Sertoma, uh, essay contest on Thursday,
filling in for Matt. He was busy. One I got out for lunch, and two, I heard some
great essays on the American flag. I was very impressed with all the kids that
spoke on that. Secondly I hope my grandkids are watching me tonight instead of
the Iowa game (laughter) (mumbled)
Hayek: Susan?
Mims: Um, yeah, we ... at the work session had an opportunity to talk about upcoming
events and I had wanted to wait and do that here at the formal meeting. I would
like to make, uh, the Council and staff, as well as the public, aware of, um, an
event in Iowa City on April 2nd. This is a banquet and fundraiser for Children of
Promise, which is an organization that is ... it's funded by the Sixth Judicial
District out of Cedar Rapids. It covers Johnson County, Linn County, and a
number of other areas. This is a program that provides mentoring and support for
children in need, and particularly children who, um, are in a family with a parent
who has ... who is within the justice system, who is incarcerated. And they do an
absolutely fantastic job of mentoring and working with these youth and it's ... it's
interesting I had a meeting, uh, a couple weeks ago with, uh, an individual to try
and help get some of the publicity out on this and she said to me, she said now
don't laugh. She said, the keynote speaker at this event is going to be Miss
America. And Miss America this year is from Wisconsin and this was her
platform in the Miss America contest. She was raised in a family, uh, with a
parent who was incarcerated. So this is obviously very near and dear to her heart,
and she has gone on obviously to accomplish great things and so she is going to
be the keynote speaker. Um, it is also an event where they, uh, give out a
coaches' award for someone, a coach in the area, um, who does a great job in
terms of mentoring youth and that will be presented by, um, Iowa Football Coach
Kirk Ferentz. So as I have, um... indicated my support for the event, I have added
all of your names to the guest list (laughs) for, um, April 2"d, so you will be
getting an invitation and to those in the public, um, would certainly encourage
your support of a great event. And just one other last, uh, quick thing. We've
talked a lot about budget tonight and um, my ... my home originally, um, is in
Vermont, a little town of Jericho, and the first Tuesday of March every year is
"town meeting day" and so what they were doing in Jericho, Vermont, today was
having two meetings, where all of the citizens of the coun ... of the town could
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of March 5, 2013.
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come, uh, and they vote on a number of things, including the town budget. So it
is not (laughs) Tom ... as Tom chokes on that one.
Hayek: Add that to a pending work session list! (several talking and laughing)
Mims: Yeah! It's not voted on. What they have is a select board. They don't have a city
council. It's a three- person select board that runs the town. Um, but every citizen
in town comes to, can ... come to that meeting, and vote, not only on the town
budget but also the school district budget. And so it is, uh, certainly a ... an old
and unique form of government that still exists in many of the smaller, rural
communities in the northeast. So, um, we do it very differently here today, and
the larger cities in the northeast do it different, as well, but ... uh, I remember as a
kid, my parents always went to "town meeting day" so that was today in Jericho,
Vermont!
Champion: Wow, that's great! We don't have a meeting hall big enough! (laughter)
Mims: They don't have quite as many people! (laughter)
Hayek: Kinnick!
Mims: (laughs) Kinnick!
Champion: Nothing!
Throgmorton: Like to mention two things. Next Monday I have the pleasure of stepping into
Matt's shoes and greeting six visitors from Bagadad, Iraq, and giving them the
key to the city. Um, I'm really looking forward to that. I think it'll be a lot of
fun. Uh, and secondly, I thought somebody else might mention it before now, but
anyhow, I want to direct some praise to West High's Ally Disterhoft and City
High's Haley Lorenzen and Mickey Hansche, for being named to Class A/5A All -
State Basketball team. And, especially to Disterhoft for being named Miss
Basketball in Iowa. That's great! And praise to all of you!
Hayek: Yeah! Um, I want to commend, uh ... uh, downtown business owners, the
Downtown District, and uh, City staff on snow removal. We've had a lot of snow
lately, um, I'm downtown six, sometimes seven days a week. I think it has gone
quite well t his year and we've been aggressive about it and it makes a difference
to retailers and restaurants, um, and as much as the City does its part, I think the
business owners, uh, and ... and the collaborations they've worked on through the
Downtown District have made a real impact as well, so... if you're part of that,
congratulations!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of March 5, 2013.
Page 34
ITEM 17. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
a) City Manager.
Hayek: City Manager?
Markus: Uh, just one item. I'm going to have a report coming to you on sequestration and
its impact in Iowa so that'll be in your next Information Packet.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of March 5, 2013.