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ITEM 3. 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 tonight's agenda that you would like to bring to our attention, we
invite you to step forward. Ask that you, uh, sign in and give us your name
verbally, and please keep your comments to five minutes or less.
Gravitt: My name is Mary Gravitt, and I'm here about a quality of life situation. Last
week it snowed, and it seems like it snows every week, so the Mayor has
suggested that when I have problems about people not shoveling their ramps
down to the street, to call. So I called in. Someone came ... about the ramp. That
was on Linn and Burlington. So I called in and the person came out. I don't
know when the person came out, but when the person came out, they cleared the
ramp and put the snow on the bus stop, cause that's a ... you can request a ... that
bus stop during the down hours, between 9:00 and uh ... 3:30. So they shoveled it
...removed the snow and put it on the stop, so the bus driver had to go out into the
intersection to let me off the bus the next day. And then the same thing is
happening down on Dubuque Street, right at the Sheraton. The ... first the snow
was banked up. Then they take ... then they removed the snow. They put it on the
bus stop. So that causes more problems. The bus stop still has to go out into the
intersection. And then ... up on the corner at Linn and Washington, nobody ever
shovels the bus stop. So that the passengers have to make their way to the bus,
and they make ... they clear the snow away, by having ice there from walking back
and forth, and ... and some, the drivers for me because they know I have bad
knees, they'll let the ramp down so that I can get on the bus. Okay. Even the bus
stop right here at, uh ... right across the street here from City Hall, never shoveled.
So that when I go out at night to take the bus, I stand out in the street and wave
the bus down, because it's not shoveled and it should be shoveled, and then the
restaurant up on the corner of Linn Street and Washington. And from where I
come from, if you're on the corner, you're responsible for the street, to clean the
sidewalk in front of your building and the side of your building. Front is clean
and the side is ice. Now ... someone should tell that person that they're
responsible for the Washington side of the building! And my second point, I was
very disappointed in the story that I read in the Little Village about how the
building plan for The Chauncey was settled. It didn't sound quite legal. It
sounded like we finally hit the big time, maybe we are New York and Chicago
and all those other big towns, because that sounded too much and read too much
like machine politics. I know it said that, uh, in the paper that it isn't quite settled.
It's not quite settled in my mind. It's not quite settled in... in a lot of citizens'
mind. Now I have no dog in that fight. I'm not going to move down there, but I
see ... people complain to me and I feel sorry for `em because like I like Iowa City.
I didn't think you had big time machine politics, but I see it's possible anywhere.
Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you, Miss Gravitt.
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Achenbach: Hello! I know some of you, most of you, um, I'm Tracy Achenbach. I'm the
Executive Director of the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County. I also happen
to be a resident of Iowa City. You had information in your packets — I know our
annual report and then also a memo to go with that. Um, I'm really here tonight
to thank you for your support of us because it's important to us, um, and also I
wanted to give you an update. Um ... for those of you who don't know us very
well, we were ... the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County was established in
2004. We're one of 25 housing trust funds in the state. Um ... we receive state
funding, if we're lucky, uh... (laughs) and that state funding requires a local
match, a 25% local match, and we rely on folks like you to, uh, give us, to help
us, with some of that local match. Um, that allows us to ask for four times that
amount. I have an 18- member board, um, Kirsten Frye is one of my board
members, and also I want to say thanks because, um, Steve Long is also a board
member of mine, City staff person, and thanks, Jeff, for allowing him the time to
also be my board member. Urn ... but your money helps us to be able to apply for
state funding. It's very important to us. Um, my board actually at this point looks
at how much funding we have, what our cash flow is, what we might need in the
coming months, but four times a year we put it all right back out there in Johnson
County for housing providers or agencies or developers to apply for us for
funding. So your funding is put with the state funding that we get, and we just put
it right back out there in a revolving loan fund and make it available for
everybody to apply to us. Um, most of the time we offer loans, so we've been
able to build up the money that we have, and as I say on the memo, since 2004,
we have actually, um, awarded $2.7 million in awards to housing, developers, and
providers in Johnson County. The other thing that I wanted to say is that, um...
housing trust funds are certified by the Iowa Finance Authority. So we are the
only entity in Johnson County that can apply for those funds. So if the legislature
appropriates us funds every year, we are the only entity that can bring those
dollars back to Johnson County. So your funds that you give us to help us be able
to apply for the state funds is really important.
Frye: On behalf of the Board of Directors, I also wanted to just second Tracy's
comments and thanks to the Iowa City commun... community for its support of
the Housing Trust Fund. I think it really is important to understand that without
your local match, those state dollars would not be available to this community,
and I think that this community would be missing out on a lot of opportunities
available to it, and so I'd like to thank you, uh, for that support. If you have any
questions, please let us know.
Achenbach: Yeah, don't hesitate to call me!
Hayek: Thank you (several responding)
Achenbach: And it's really difficult to stay under five minutes on that (laughter and several
talking) Might be the only folks that's gotten me to do that! (laughter)
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Hayek: Anyone else? Okay. We will move on to Item 4, Planning and Zoning matters.
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ITEM 4d AMENDING FOR WOODLAND BUFFERS - MOTION SETTING A
PUBLIC HEARING FOR APRIL 9 ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
TITLE 4 OF THE ZONING CODE TO MODIFY THE PROCESS FOR
DELINEATING WOODLAND BUFFERS AND COUNTING PRESERVED
TREES AND WOODLANDS TOWARD ANY TREE REPLACEMENT OR
MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS.
Payne: Move to set the public hearing.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
Throgmorton: Matt, I ... yeah, I'd like to say something. We've just ... this is the fourth in ... in a
series of, um, actions setting public hearings having to do with Planning and
Zoning matters, and I just want the public to know that, uh, in our Consent
Calendar we just, uh, approved a resolution that would eliminate this particular
action. We no longer will be having separate agenda items setting public hearings
having to do with Planning and Zoning matters. They will instead appear in the
Consent Calendar whenever we're going to have a forthcoming Planning and
Zoning hearing, but if there's any important, um, matter coming up, uh, I'm sure
any one of us will, uh, ask to have that particular item pulled out of the Consent
Calendar so that we can draw attention to it and make sure the public knows that
in fact there's going to be a public hearing coming up on that particular item.
Hayek: Yep! Thanks, Jim. Any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed
say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
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ITEM 4e ZONING CODE AMENDMENT FOR HISTORIC LANDMARKS - TO
AMEND SUBSECTION 14-4114A, PARAGRAPH 7, TO ALLOW MULTI-
FAMILY DWELLING UNITS TO BE LOCATED ON OR BELOW THE
STREET LEVEL FLOOR OF A BUILDING BY SPECIAL EXCEPTION
IN THE CB -5 ZONE FOR BUILDINGS DESIGNATED AS AN IOWA
CITY HISTORIC LANDMARK.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. 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, the, uh, code amendment that you have
before you in Item 4e, uh, will allow ground floor residential uses, um, for
buildings that are declared historic landmarks in the CB -5 zone. Uh, this is
currently already allowed in the CB -10 zone. In 2001 the zoning code was
amended to, uh, allow residential uses, um, on the first floor of a building that is a
historic landmark. This was done for the Carnegie Library, uh, property, which
was converted to a, uh, resi ... uh, residential building, and the Carnegie Library's
a good example of a building that wasn't constructed to ever be a retail building.
It doesn't really lend itself to being a retail building. Our zoning code prior to
that time required, urn ... uh, first floor commercial, uh, uses, uh, in the CB -10
zone, the downtown zone, which is a good idea for almost all buildings, but when
you have a historic building that, uh, doesn't lend itself to that, in an effort to
provide an incentive for preserving the building, uh, the code was changed in the
CB -10 zone. Uh, this would extend that, uh, provision to the CB -5, uh, zone as
well, and what I thought I would do is your ... your next agenda item, you will
consider these separately, but I just thought I'd very quickly run through the
motivation for, uh, the action being taken for the CB -5 zone. Uh, it is for the
property at 5, uh, 29 Gilbert Street, the Vine building. You see it here. Uh, this
was constructed as an industrial building, uh, in the early 201h century, and you
can see. Perfect example. There's not really storefront windows or a storefront
entrance to this building. Uh, the property owner, uh, has taken action to have it
declared a historic landmark, and would like it to be, uh, the ... the first floor that
you see here on Gilbert Street, allowed to be residential uses. The ... my
understanding is the Vine will stay as a commercial use on the, uh, side of the
building that, uh, faces Prentiss Street. Uh, the Historic Preservation Commission
has reviewed this, uh, and recommends approval. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has also, um, reviewed it and recommends approval. As I
mentioned, landmark status has been, uh, requested for the building. The State
will make that, uh, designation. Also wanted to point out that, uh, this building is
identified in the Riverfront Crossing's Master Plan as one of the few historic
buildings in the area that is, uh, definitely worth preserving, and so that should
provide additional motivation, and you ... you can see the building from the... the
picture here, the building's already being gutted, urn ... for renovation. There's
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another view of it. Uh, the Close Mansion there is another, uh, another property
that would, this would be applicable too. Uh, any questions on either items, uh,
4e or 4f? Thank you!
Hayek: Thanks, Jeff. This is a public hearing. Anyone from the audience is invited to
speak to us. Okay. Close the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Dobyns: Move first consideration.
Hayek: Oh, you know what! I need to take temperature, uh, of everybody before. I think
I know what the temperature is but before I close the public hearing is there any
indication that we will not support this? (several responding) Okay. Now I will
close the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
Dobyns: Move first consideration.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by, uh, Dobyns, seconded by Dickens. (both talking)
Throgmorton: It was pretty fascinating reading the history of ..of the Vine (several talking)
Yeah, of the building and all the activities that have taken place in it, yeah!
Champion: I have a couch from the Whipple House that was up there.
Hayek: Yeah. I ... I, it's remarkable the degree to which you can unearth that degree of
history, uh, that (both talking)
Champion: It's pretty interesting.
Throgmorton: Yeah, yeah!
Hayek: So ... I think this is a ... this is a good move. Any further discussion? Roll call,
please. Uh, 4e, first consideration passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 4f HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION FOR 529 S. GILBERT ST.
(THE VINE TAVERN BUILDING) - REZONING APPROXIMATELY
4,000 SQUARE FEET OF LAND LOCATED AT 529 S. GILBERT STREET
AS AN IOWA CITY HISTORIC LANDMARK (REZ13- 00008) [Discussion
only at formal meeting]
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: We will hold the public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Any
ex parte communications by Council prior to this meeting? (several responding)
Okay. Public hearing is closed.
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Champion: Move first consideration.
Throgmorton: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, seconded by Throgmorton. Discussion? Roll call, please.
First consideration passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 4i CITY INITIATED REZONING NORTHSIDE — ORDINANCE REZONING
APPROXIMATELY 0.47 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 906 N.
DODGE STREET FROM MULTI - FAMILY (R3B) 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 (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 4i, I will recuse myself from as I have on prior readings
Mims: (reads Item 4i)
Champion: Move adoption.
Dobyns: Second.
Mims: Moved by Champion, second by Dobyns. Discussion? Roll call, please. Item
passes 6 -0, Hayek abstaining.
Hayek: Thank you, Susan.
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ITEM 4j COUNTY REZONING AND COUNTY SUBDIVISION - SENDING A
LETTER TO THE JOHNSON COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A REZONING
FROM COUNTY AGRICULTURAL (A) ZONE TO COUNTY LIGHT
INDUSTRIAL (ML) [Discussion only at formal meeting]
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF THE SANDLOT, A
1 -LOT, 16.68 -ACRE SUBDIVISION LOCATED SOUTH OF 4059 IZAAK
WALTON ROAD SE, JOHNSON COUNTY. (SUB13- 00003)
Dickens: Move the resolution.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Dickens, seconded by Payne, er uh, by Mims. Discussion?
Davidson: I just thought I'd real quickly review this with you. It did get some discussion at
the Planning and Zoning Commission. Uh, as mentioned, this is actually
authorizing athe Mayor to send a letter concurring, uh, with the, both the rezoning
and the platting, uh, this is a provision that is allowed in the extra - territorial
review area that we have. Uh, this is not an area that is, uh, in the City's growth
area. It's south of the sewage treatment plant, so we do not anticipate it becoming
part of Iowa City. Uh, here you see the location, uh, just to orient you — Izaak
Walton League Road is here, uh, Oakcrest Hill Road is here, the interchange 218
with uh ... uh, Old Highway 218, County Fairgrounds, well, Ryerson's Woods you
see there also would orient you. Uh, you see the proposed lot 1 there. Um, again,
uh, the ... the ... and here's an aerial view and ... and you can see that there's an
existing asphalt, uh, excuse me, concrete and asphalt recycling plant, uh, that is
operated in conjunction with the, uh, sand extraction, uh, operation in the area.
So you know, it... as a general principle, we've encouraged the recycling of these
kinds of materials and... and reusing them in the production of new, uh, new
concrete materials. Um, this ... this, in the existing agricultural zone, this requires
a temporary use permit periodically. The rezoning will allow it to be established
as a ... a permanent use. Uh, because this is in actually the flood way, of the Iowa
River, there was some discussion at the Planning and Zoning Commission, and it
was determined that anything that might be perceived as a... a hazardous type
material or anything that we would have adequate time if we knew a flood was
coming to get that up out of the... basically removed from the area so that
wouldn't cause any kind of an environmental, uh, issue and so that it would be
acceptable, uh, on that basis. And because it's in the flood way, even though it's
zoned, uh, light industrial now, we don't anticipate any other use would be
established because it's in the flood way. So, any, uh, questions about this before
you vote? Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks, Jeff! Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 5. CITY PARK SHELTER SIX - PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF
CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THE CITY PARK SHELTER SIX REPLACEMENT PROJECT,
DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE OF SAID HEARING,
AND DIRECTING THE CITY ENGINEER TO PLACE SAID PLANS ON
FILE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) For the
public's information, uh, again this is, uh, the construction of a ... an open outdoor
park shelter in lower City Park. Um ... all told, estimated to be about $135,000,
which we will fund through the annual parks, uh, improvement account, funded
by GO bonds.
Gravitt: My name is Mary Gravitt, and you're making zoning changes. Only thing that
I'm concerned about is that when these changes are made, they're not sent over to
the Library, because I read the zoning code books, and I have been told that
there's been changes made to this, this, and that zone, but it's not in the book. I
called the City Hall about trying to read the code online. So they told me to go to
the left of the screen and click on code, and I got a blank screen.
Hayek: Mary, if I could interrupt you, this item's about construction of a ... of a shelter
down at City Park.
Gravitt: Okay. Now I ... I'm with that.
Hayek: Okay.
Gravitt: But when you make all these changes, please send copies to the Library because
what happens it doesn't show up on the computer, and that's confusing, and
people have very little confidence in the City Council, and they want to know
what's going on. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you. Public hearing, would anyone else like to weigh in with the Council?
I'll close the public hearing at this time. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING
Mims: Move the resolution.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Dis... (both talking)
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Throgmorton: Like to ... I'd like to ask Mike a question.
Hayek: Sure!
Throgmorton: Our Director of Parks and Recreation! Our esteemed Director!
Moran: Thank you.
Throgmorton: Uh, I ... I should remember, but I don't, Mike. Is this the, uh, the shelter that City
has routinely held its, uh, labor ... Labor Day picnics?
Moran: Correct. It's the largest shelter in City Park (both talking)
Throgmorton: That ... I thought that's the one it was but I wasn't absolutely certain. So... what
will the new one look like?
Moran: Uh, it'll be almost identical to that, except it'll move closer to the river, uh, a little
bit towards the east. It'll be L- shaped and uh, the pillars on it, it won't have a rail
like the old one does right now. It'll just have pillars in it, and those'll be stone
encased.
Throgmorton: Okay. Good!
Moran: And a metal roof.
Throgmorton: Wanted to have an image of it and ... know where, which one it was.
Moran: Sure!
Throgmorton: Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks, Mike! Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 6. APPEAL MOBILE VENDING CART - APPEAL OF DENIAL OF
APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO OPERATE A MOBILE VENDING
CART ON CITY PLAZA OR IOWA AVENUE
a. CONDUCT HEARING
Hayek: This is a hearing. Uh, we'll conduct it at this time. Um, is the, uh, is the
applicant, uh, here? Jann, do you see the applicant? Okay. Um, Jann, do you
want to get up and just reiterate the... staff position on this item.
Ream: I'm Jann Ream. I'm the Code Enforcement Assistant in Housing and Inspection
Services. Urn ... what I was planning to do was kind of give you just a really brief
overview of the changes that have been made in the application process this past
year. So, um, you're kind of aware of how it's being handled now, and I was
going to address the specifics of this particular applicant. Um, he's not here so
(laughs) but just to give you an overview, um, the application process used to be
handled through the City Manager's office. Um, during this past year we've been
transitioning that to Housing and Inspection Services, uh, simply because, uh... it,
I think we have better tools in that department to document issues, to, um, inspect
the carts on a more regular basis and to ... have a better overview of what's going
on... on the Plaza with the carts. As you're aware, we rewrote the administrative
rules to eliminate seniority as the, um, main application criteria. So in other
words, if you've been approved as a vendor the year before, you'll be ... you're
automatically approved for a vendor if you applied again. And ... what that didn't
allow for was some diversity. It didn't make allowance for maybe new vendors to
come in, um, so we tried to balance... protecting our consistently good vendors
and having the opportunity to bring in new vendors that could bring a lot more
energy and diversity to City Plaza. Um, so the criteria are a little different. We...
we look at a lot of different things, other than seniority. Obviously if you've been
a good vendor, consistent presence on the mall, we don't have problems, um,
when we review your application it ... urn, generally will allow us to renew the
permit. The other thing we changed, um, the permit is now good for three years
instead of one year. Um, it does allow us to revoke a permit if there's real...
really serious issues for the vendor. But, again, this allows a vendor who has a
permit, it gives them some, um... sort o£ .. idea that they have three years to make
money and to make this go and ... and they're not going to get the rug pulled out
from under `em. Um, so ... I think it'll be a good system. I think we'll be able to
better review, inspect, and document what the vendors are doing. And hopefully
we'll get vendors with some daytime presence on the Plaza, which has been
missing.
Hayek: Any questions for Jann?
Throgmorton: Yeah. The ... the person who made the appeal introduced some, what appeared to
be new facts. You know, disagreeing with the decision and... and stating why, uh,
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he thought the decision was misinformed or misguided, one ... one or the other.
What do you think of the facts that he presents in his appeal?
Ream: Well, um, I was un ... I contacted, urn ... the people in Parks and Maintenance. It's
actually people in Streets who handle the electrical problems, um, and
unfortunately I didn't hear back from them about whether it really was a problem
with the outlet. I had contacted these people earlier and they indicated to me that
there had been an ongoing problem with this particular cart blowing circuits. Um,
the specific question about that specific outlet, I don't have the answer to. Um...
the other issue with this cart is there's kind of been this revolving, um, transition
of new owners. Same cart, but new owners getting percentages of interest. So
over the past five years, there's maybe been five or six different people who've
had ownership of this cart, and this has made it difficult for us to keep track of
that. When there are problems and we call, we find numbers disconnected or the
person says I don't have anything to do with that cart anymore. So kind of trying
to track these things down without a good way ... to really get the facts into a
database that we can refer back to and document, um, it's sometimes hard to
address those issues.
Throgmorton: Uh huh.
Ream: Um, and the other thing to keep in mind is that by ordinance, only six permits are
allowed. We had nine applications this year. So ... three people had to be denied
and urn ... that's not to say that we aren't getting good applications. It's just a
decision has to be made. So...
Dobyns: Did the other two applicants who didn't get permits, did they make any calls to
the City asking why, not so much to complain but to just check in?
Ream: No.
Dobyns: Okay.
Hayek: Jann, you and I spoke earlier today. I think it would be helpful just to confirm
that ... that you had a conversation with the applicant. The applicant was aware of
the hearing this evening.
Ream: Right, and he had... expressed to me that there may be a conflict with him being
able to come tonight. He had a friend pass away and he was making
arrangements. I asked him ... I told him specifically we ... we could defer if he was
not able to come and to please contact me if that wasn't the case and we would
defer the appeal. I did not hear from him.
Hayek: Any other questions for Jann? Okay. Thank you! I will close the hearing at this
time and ... uh, I guess entertain a motion to ... I assume affirm the decision of the
code enforcement assistant.
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b. MOTION (TO AFFIRM, REVERSE, OR MODIFY THE DECISION
OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANT)
Champion: Move to affirm.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Champion, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Roll call, please. Passes
7 -0. Thanks, Jann!
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ITEM 7. AMPLIFIED SOUND IN CITY PARKS - ORDINANCE AMENDING
TITLE 10 OF THE CITY CODE, ENTITLED "PUBLIC WAYS AND
PROPERTY," CHAPTER 1, ENTITLED "PARADES AND PUBLIC
ASSEMBLIES," TO ALLOW STAFF TO APPROVE AMPLIFIED SOUND
IN CITY PARKS. (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Mims: Move first consideration.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
Throgmorton: We received an email in our special packet, uh, or we saw a copy of an email in
our special packet this afternoon, uh, from a ... woman, uh, who complained about
...prior instances of amplified sound being used out in Mercer Park, uh, and she
expressed all sorts of concerns. But I ... if I understand this proposed ordinance,
uh, correctly, the Director of Parks and, uh, Recreation, Mike, uh, would uh,
would have to approve applications and... and have to follow certain
administrative rules, uh, with regard to that. Mike, do you want to explain briefly
what those rules might be for ... the use of amplified sound?
Moran: All people would have to apply for a parade and special assembly permit, like
they do now currently, and that's so ... that's for larger, uh, crowds, and so we
have their contact information with them. The administrative rules would be such
that they'd follow the ... the opening, uh, hours of the park, opening and closing
hours of the park. Uh, so depending on the park that they were at, that could be
anywhere from 10:00 to 10:30 to 11:00, uh, for that. Uh, and then the other
administrative rules would be just an application process, so that we have
information on file as to who they are.
Throgmorton: Okay. Thanks. That's helpful.
Hayek: Any further discussion? Roll call, please. First consideration passes 7 -0.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Champion: Did I vote twice? (laughs)
Mims: So moved.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
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formal meeting of March 19, 2013.
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ITEM 11. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: Why don't we start down with you, uh, Jim.
Throgmorton: Last meeting I mentioned that I was going to, had the opportunity to greet six
visitors from Baghdad as part of the City of Literature. I did, uh, I gave `em a key
to the City. It was great fun, as I promised it would be and ... so I think I sent a
photograph of it to ... to the City and uh, and others. So that was fun. I also, uh,
have to note with, uh, real sadness the passing of, uh, Keith Dempster.
Champion: Oh, right!
Throgmorton: Uh, who I ... I did not know Keith really well, though I had lots of connections
with him, uh, years back, because he was ... for like 40 years or so the owner of
The Mill, and uh, I used to know his wife, Pam, better than Keith, but Keith and
Pam were, and The Mill and the music scene, were ... were major fixtures in the
culture of Iowa City, as I'm sure many of you really know, and ... and uh, it makes
me sad that he passed.
Champion: That... that... I'm glad you remembered to bring that up because he was an
incredible instrument in the music scene in Iowa City, plus he really also loved
motorcycles. (laughs) And has many of them!
Throgmorton: Indeed! I ... wanted to mention one other thing, uh, which I did in the work
session but for members of the public, this coming Friday morning at 8:30, from
8:30 till 10:00 in the morning, I'll be holding a listening post at Panera's, in
Sycamore Mall. So if anybody wants to come talk ... I'll be there!
Hayek: (mumbled) (unable to hear response) Susan?
Mims: Nothing. (several talking)
Payne: I did want to mention that next week, uh, March 25th through March 29th is severe
weather awareness week in Iowa, and as part of that, um, Johnson County will be
doing their, a tornado drill on Wednesday, March 27th instead of the first week in
April. So next Wednesday there will be a tornado drill that will take the place of
the April tornado drill.
Hayek: Good to know.
Dobyns: The only thing I can think of more powerful than a tornado drill (laughter) is the
West High boys' basketball team. Congratulations to them on their second
consecutive State win. I think what's really notable about Steve Bergman's team
is he has a remarkable record, but I think what's amazing is that, number one in
Iowa, but what do you think they rank in the country? 18, and I think that's
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of March 19, 2013.
Page 17
amazing that they're the 18th ranked boys' basketball team in the United States of
America. Um, and I think that really, um, is amazing, and I just want to shout out
to them.
Throgmorton: Yeah (several talking)
Hayek: ...I saw them ranked as high as 7th...
Dobyns: Uh huh.
Hayek: ... in some other poll. (several talking)
Dobyns: No, it's impressive!
Hayek: Uh, I have, uh, several items to ... to note. Um, also appropo West High,
congratulations to Asya Bergal of West High who received a very prestigious
Siemens Foundation, uh, scholarship for her, uh, for high scores on the AP
Science and Math, uh, competition. So congratulations to her. Uh, second, uh,
reminder to the public, Mission Creek Music Festival is coming up April 2nd
through the 7th. It's a fantastic, uh, independent music fest. Brings in 10,000 -plus
people and ... and dozens of bands over multiple venues. Uh, and Iris Dement,
among others, will be there and encourage people to get tickets. You can go to
MissionFreak.com to find your tickets. I will be there! Uh, third I want to, uh, I
guess pat the City on the shoulder a little bit for, um, recognition that was out, and
I got a little press coverage, uh, there are two cities in Iowa who have been, uh,
identified by a national non - profit government transparency, uh, group for
openness, and uh, those are Iowa City and Davenport, which, uh, received A+
ratings and I think, uh, that's a testament to ... to staff largely, and of course to the
Councils over the years, but, uh, it's the staff that, uh, keeps our operations
transparent, keeps the public apprised of our budget process, and all the
information that comes from City Hall and comes to City Hall, uh, out there for
the public's benefit. So, uh, good job, Iowa City! Lastly on a ... a sad note, um,
Ann Bovbj erg, uh, passed, uh, away this weekend unexpectedly and ... and, uh,
was a resident of this city for ... I would guess 50 years. A close friend of my
family's for 45, uh, years, and she was a ... a stalwart volunteer, wore many hats in
the community, um, was on Planning and Zoning, uh, had a major influence there.
Helped, uh, in the early days of the cable TV, uh, program here at the City, and
throughout her life, up until the very end, uh, was ... was an active volunteer, and
she was actually scheduled to go to Des Moines, uh, for an ACLU meeting over
the weekend when ... when she passed. Uh, so we will all miss her, and it's a
terrible loss for the community.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of March 19, 2013.