HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-07 Council minutesr
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MEMORANDUM
Date: January 15, 2014
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, January 7, 2014, 5:00 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall
Council: Botchway, Dickens (5:08), Dobyns, Hayek, Mims, Payne, Throgmorton
UISG: Bramel
Staff: Markus, Fruin, Dilkes, Karr, Adhikari, Fosse, Clark, Davidson, Bockenstedt,
Schaul, Moran, Eidahl
A transcription and power points are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.
QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
1. (Consent Calendar item # 2f(6) — correspondence re Fiberight ( Fiberright ) by contract)
In response to Council Member Throgmorton, City Manager Markus stated Council could
pursue the establishment of a committee of local stakeholders when additional
information and research had been received. Public Works Dir. Fosse indicated staff
was looking at having something back to Council early summer. City Manager Markus
stated the information would include responses to questions raised by Council and the
public, and encouraged anyone with questions to send to the Public Works Director
(Fosse) or himself to include in the information provided this summer.
2. (Consent Calendar item # 2d(1) — City Park Pool and renovations... awarding contract
....) In response to Mayor Pro tem Mims, Parks & Rec. Dir. Moran stated the low bidder
was from California but had a number of Iowa and Iowa City subcontractors. City Atty.
Dilkes stated the Iowa Code provided for a reciprocal preference if the company comes
from a state that gives a preference to in -state bidders; and California does but only a
10% preference and they were about 13% lower.
3. (Consent Calendar item # 2d(4) — Historic US 6 Route ... authorizing signage ...) In
response to Council Member Payne, Public Works Dir. Fosse responded that new signs
would be installed.
4. (Consent Calendar item #\2f(10) —Bob Oppliger .... Walking Friendly Community
Designation) In response to Council Member Throgmorton, staff will follow up on the
designation.
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS [# 71
Airport Commission — no applications; readvertise
Historic Preservation Commission (Longfellow) — Gosia Clore
Historic Preservation Commission — Ben Sandell;
City Clerk will confirm number of terms that Andy Litton has served prior
to appointments being made at the formal meeting later that evening
Public Art Advisory Committee - no applications; readvertise
Telecommunications Commission - no applications; readvertise
Council Work Session
January 7, 2014
Page 2
ANNUAL UPDATE PRESENTATION FROM THE IOWA CITY AREA DEVELOPMENT
GROUP OCAD)
Mark Nolte, Group President, presented a power point.
ACTION: None at this time.
INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION [December 19, January 21
December 19
1. (IP7 — Article ... Why walkable places are preferred) Individual Council Members
expressed their views.
2. (IP8 — Article ... Cedar Falls may ban converting homes to apartments) Individual
Council Members expressed their views. PCD Dir. Davidson present for discussion.
January 2
1. (IP7 — Memo from PCD Dir...... design of General Quarters Subdivision, Part 2...) PCD
Dir. Davidson responded to questions, and presented a power point.
COUNCIL TIME AND MEETING SCHEDULE
1. Mayor Hayek questioned the status of earlier discussion on signage and way finding
signs in the downtown for international students. City Manager Markus reported ongoing
discussions with the University and international community on the issue.
2. UISG Rep. Bramel reported on the cultural / diversity dinner "Building a Better
Community ", and stated he was working with the International Student Legal Services on
an education program to familiarize international students to our laws, including a
standardized lease that could be translated onto different languages. Council Member
Throgmorton reported on a meeting of representatives of the Chinese Student
Association, the University Provost's office, a Human Rights Commission's committee,
and himself regarding a number of similar issues and stated the Human Rights
Commission will pass along ideas to Council.
MEETING SCHEDULE
Council Members agreed to cancel the regular scheduled February 4 meeting due to scheduling
conflicts. The City Clerk will work with the City Assessor to reschedule the City Conference
Board meeting scheduled for that time.
PENDING WORK SESSION TOPICS rIP # 6 of 117 Info Packet]
In response to Council Member Throgmorton, City Manager Markus stated further discussion on
the local option sales tax (LOST) would be brought back to Council in the form of a resolution
establishing the committee after budget adoption.
City Manager Markus distributed a letter from the 1105 Project request for a $100,000
contribution to use as a challenge grant to raise the additional $200,000 for the project; and
requested Council set a special meeting to consider the request. After discussion Council
agreed to meet at 5PM on January 14. More information will be provided in the meeting packet.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS /COUNCIL INVITATIONS
Council Member Throgmorton noted Martin Luther King Day events scheduled January 20tH
Meeting adjourned 6:35 PM.