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ITEM 2. STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS — Horace Mann Elementary
Hayek: Would the students from Horace Mann please come forward! Well how you guys
doing tonight? Did you have a two -hour da... delay today? Man! (laughter)
Must be nice! Uh, I want to welcome you to Iowa City. I'm, uh, Mayor Matt
Hayek and this is the City Council behind you, and these are the people who help
make the decisions for the City of Iowa City and we're really glad you're with us
this evening, and uh ... uh, you may know this but what we do throughout the
school year is invite student leaders from the various elementary schools in Iowa
City to come meet the City Council, and we have a little award for you and it's
our way of recognizing the important things that you're doing at... at Horace
Mann. So, I have an award, but we first want to hear from you, and I see that you
each brought a piece of paper, so that's the first step! That's real good. I can start
with you. Do you want me to hold this for you or do you think you can ... hold
this yourself? (away from mic) Just tell us about yourself!
Brown: Hello, my name is Jesse Hausknecht - Brown. I think that some ways to be a good
citizen are staying focused in class or in other settings. Setting a good example to
people who are younger or look up to you, and doing the correct thing. The
people I voted for were responsible and well - organized students and could have
also earned the prize. Some of the things I have done to so... show good
citizenship at Horace Mann are being on student council and safety patrol. I think
it is important to have good citizenship because you will do better in school and in
life. I believe that good ... I believe that being a good citizen involves being kind,
caring, and helpful. I want to thank my classmates for voting for me. I also want
to thank the City Council for letting us be part of their meeting. (applause)
Hayek: That was fantastic! Sylvia!
Gidal: Hello, my name is Sylvia Gidal. I think that being a good citizen is about lots of
different things put together that make up a good citizen. Things such as
leadership, helpfulness, responsibility, kindness, and teamwork. For instance,
being kind is about involving others, whether they're your friend or not.
Leadership is about putting others' ideas into one idea. Responsibility is about
doing what you should for other people and yourself. In the future, I would like
to use all those things to be the best I can be. I'd like to thank my class for voting
for me and thank you to the City Council for having us. (applause)
Hayek: Well those are really great, and uh, those are among the best we've ever had, I
must say. You know, when you talk about things like student council and safety
patrol, well a lot of the people up here did that when they were in school, and uh,
it's just fantastic that you're doing that, and I'd be remiss if I didn't thank your
parents and the teachers and the other people who ... who, uh, help you every day.
Sylvia, I know your parents and I know they're very proud of you, and we all are,
and uh ... that's why we're giving you a Citizenship Award, and it reads as
follows: For her outstanding qualities of leadership within Horace Mann
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Elementary, as well as the community, and for her sense of responsibility and
helpfulness to others, we recognize you as an outstanding student citizen. Your
community is proud of you. Presented by the Iowa City City Council, January
2014. (away from mic) Let me shake your hands ... and congratulate you. Oops!
I'll get that for you. And you too! You can stick around or go do homework. It's
totally your choice! (laughter and applause)
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ITEM 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
ITEM 5a MAILBOX CLUSTERS — AMENDING TITLE 15: LAND
SUBDIVISIONS, REMOVING MAXIMUM DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE PLACEMENT OF CLUSTERED MAILBOXES IN NEW
SUBDIVISIONS AND ADDING GUIDELINES TO ENSURE
APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT OF LARGE CONCENTRATIONS OF
MAILBOXES.
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 and Community Development. And as the Mayor has
indicated, uh, on your agenda, Item 5a is a, uh ... uh, consideration of a
modification to our subdivision regulations pertaining to mailbox clusters, and the
motivation for this, uh, modification is, uh, basically information from the United
State Postal Service, that they will no longer support what's in the ordinance
currently, uh, which ... in terms of distance requirements, uh, from a mailbox
cluster, uh, the ... the wording in our current subdiv ... division regulations is that
we prefer to have everybody within one block or no more than 600 -feet, uh, from
a mailbox cluster. Uh, obviously for some time now we've had mailbox cluster in
new subdivisions. There hasn't been door -to -door service in new subdivisions for
quite some time, but this is a ... a further change in Postal Service policy related to
the, uh, financial situation that they find themselves in. So that's our ... our main
motivation, and uh, we did ... we did put together, just to familiarize yourself, the
...I mean these are the kinds of things that, uh, we're talking about here. Uh, this
is in Rochester Ridge subdivision, reg ... relatively small box, and you can see it
actually faces a ... a trail, uh, that ... that is along the street. This is a ... a relatively
low - volume street, so there's no problem with that type of design. Here you see,
uh, a larger cluster. Uh, this is in Cardinal Ridge, uh, which you just had a final
plat approved at your last meeting. Uh, here's one that's actually on the backside
of the sidewalk, uh, in front of a fire hydrant, uh, in Rochester Ridge subdivision.
Uh, okay, we start getting a little bit more elaborate designs. This is one in
Idyllwild, and I believe this is the only cluster in Idyllwild, uh, for the entire
subdivision, and you can see that, uh, the homeowner's association... well,
presumably the developer and now controlled by the homeowner's association,
the, uh ... uh, covering over the top ... in an architectural style that mimics the
buildings out there. Uh, here's again Cardinal Ridge. A structure off to the left
there, located in Cardinal Ridge. Uh, in a... in a, you know, very nice brick
masonry, in an architectural style. Um... so just real quickly, in terms of the
ordinance changes, uh, the ... the most significant thing that is being removed is
the 600, uh, foot spacing provision. We also are going to add two things, and I
will highlight those. Uh, one is, unless otherwise approved by the City, mailbox
clusters shall be located in an outlot to be maintained by the homeowner's
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association. Uh, this makes it a little bit more specific as to where these will be
located. Uh, there are some that are on easements on lot lines, and we just are
trying to provide for, you know, if these are going to be of the scope and scale
that the Postal Service has ... has indicated they want them to be, they could be
quite sizeable and so we think an outlot is the ... um, preferred location. Uh, the
other thing that will be added is maintenance shall be carried out... the... the
existing regulation reads, maintenance shall be carried out by the United States
Postal Service, not the City, uh, and what we want to add is, "And/or the
homeowner's association." The ... the Postal Service has told us they are not
going to maintain these. Um, we don't want that to fall to the City, uh, certainly.
The Postal Service may... they... they said they may do some maintenance of the
individual boxes, but certainly the structure, the roof, the plantings around it, they
will not maintain, and so we want that to fall to the homeowner's association.
The remaining standards, uh, that are in the ordinance will remain. We don't
want people to cross heavily traffic, uh, trafficked streets. Uh, we don't want
them closer than 12 -feet from driveways. Um ... uh, a number of things that are
just, you know, designed to make them fit into the subdivision. Uh, if you read
the Planning and Zoning Commission minutes, there was some discussion of the
flexibility. We do feel that this regulation results in flexibility, so we ... we all
know every subdivision is different. We want to deal with them on a case -by-
case basis any subdivision. That will require a certain amount of subjectivity, but
we think that is a positive thing in this instance, because no two subdivisions, um,
are alike. So that is what's proposed. Are there any questions?
Mims: Jeff, do you see, urn ... you know, as we look at the variety up here, you know,
some have, you know, shelters or architectural features to them and some are just
the plain boxes. Um, if... if we have a new development and there are a large
number of the boxes, do you see staff requiring the developer to do some kind of
architectural ... feature with these or be able to let them just take this bank of...
cause there's never been any design requirements previously.
Davidson: No, and... and... and we should be clear, that the regulation you're being asked to
consider will not require the more elaborate, uh, you know for example a structure
like this, or a structure like this. That's not required by the ordinance. Um, staff
would certainly encourage that sort of thing, so you can get out of... out of the
weather, uh, especially with a large number of boxes, but ultimately that will be a
matter of if a... if a developer was to really feel strongly against doing that, that
would then ultimately come to you for ... for approval on a discretionary basis.
It's not required by the ordinance.
Mims: Okay. Thank you.
Dobyns: Just trying to think about the future, is that when we have, uh, developments come
to us, we're going to now have to consider and ask the question, "What about the
clustered mailboxes? What are they going to look like," as far as ... and usually
we look at a plat. We don't look at a mock -up.
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Davidson: Right.
Dobyns: So you sort of have to visualize. I'm trying to think at what point in the
discussion.
Davidson: Yeah, the other thing to ... to remember is that when these are brought to you, they
have been approved by the Postal Service, and the Postal Service has indicated to
us that they are going to require larger and larger, uh, concentrations of these
things. In other words, not 12 or 15 scattered in several places around the
subdivision, but larger, uh, you know, larger concentrations, which hopefully will
lend themselves to the, you know, the roof over the top and ... and plantings
around and that sort of (both talking)
Dobyns: ...to ask.
Davidson: Yeah, and you will have ... the approval by the Postal System when we bring that
to you because we want to make sure you're not being asked to approve
something that the Postal Service won't approve.
Payne: But ... we're not going to approve a design. We're going to approve a plat (both
talking)
Davidson: That's correct.
Payne: ...with an outlot on it.
Davidson: That's correct.
Throgmorton: (several talking) But the staff will be exercising some discretion about ... what that
would look like.
Davidson: Right, but not requiring ... a covering (both talking)
Fruin: If I could just clarify, um, that there is a ... a design review in place. If the
ordinance is on... on page 160 of your packet, and um, section C speaks to, um,
large clusters of mailboxes, and large is undefined. Um, but in that cases, um, the
ordinance reads as follows: In situations where there are large number of
mailboxes, the cluster site should be designed and located as an attractive and
integrative component of the neighborhood. And it goes on. So that'll be staff
discretion during the review phase to ... to determine whether the large number of,
um ... uh, mailbox clusters are well integrated into the neighborhood. As Jeff
mentioned, there are no specific design requirements on what that may be. We'll
evaluate that on a case -by -case basis, but ... there are some ... there is an
opportunity for us to weigh in and ultimately for the Council to determine
whether it is well integrated into the ... the subdivision (both talking)
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Davidson: And... and typically these are one of the first features constructed in the
subdivision, cause from the time the first lot is occupied, you need to have the
area where people can pick up their mail. So, hopefully there's motivation on the
park of developers to make these very attractive and functional so that they're an
asset for the remaining built -out of the subdivision.
Dobyns: But I'm thinking the way it usually comes to us is that we take a look at some,
you know, fairly rough mock -up pictures of the front facades of the building, um,
it really doesn't show to the level of specificity that these things could look like.
Davidson: (both talking) ...right, and ... and that was ... right, and that was a good
clarification by Geoff. That's done at the staff level through the design review
process. What ... I think what you said earlier, Rick, is accurate, and then you'll
be asked to approve the out... outlot (both talking)
Dobyns: Well it'd be I guess ... from now on in your presentations it would be one more
slide to show us what...
Davidson: If...if a developer wants to provide that up front, we would ... we would show you
that, although, uh, I believe... correct me if I'm wrong, Eleanor, they wouldn't
necessarily be tied to that design.
Dilkes: You're... you're going to look at these mailbox clusters in the event staff and the
developer have a disagreement, and that's going to be very ... for the mo ... very
infrequent.
Payne: We're just gonna approve a plat with an outlot on it! (laughs)
Dilkes: (several responding) So and if...if we have an issue, we will show you the cluster
and tell you what the difference of opinion is.
Hayek: Now if you look at the text of the amendment, all of the requirements have the
word `shall,' except this, um ... attractive and integrated component provision,
which is a `should.' Was that by design, and does that go to your position that...
we're ... we're not going ... we ... we can't require something specific, I mean...
Davidson: Yeah, I mean, a `shall' provision with something that's an aesthetic feature is kind
of tough to ... to regulate. Um ... you know, I ... I agree with Eleanor that, you
know, we haven't had a lot of problems. There was one comment at the Planning
and Zoning Commission. We do believe this is a workable ordinance.
Hayek: No, I know but ... you know, whether it's ADA or on a concrete pad or on an
outlot or, you know, the accessibility, those are all `shalls' in here, which makes it
pretty clear to me, but the ... but the attractive and integrated component piece is a
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should, which ... which does leave it loose and as long as there's not a problem,
we're not going to be dealing with a problem, but ... there could be one.
Payne: Well if they don't make it attractive and fit in with their subdivision, it's going to
be harder to sell lots. So they have an incentive.
Hayek: I'm not particularly worried about this, but I do want to point it out, and we may
have to take it up if it becomes a problem, and that's what we do with some things
where, you know (several talking) problem if we're hearing about it (several
responding)
Dilkes: Yeah, if we have an issue, we'll ... we'll bring it to you and...
Dobyns: Like if it's wearing brown shoes with a tuxedo, we'd want to take note of that.
Hayek: You've already made that comment once today and (laughter and several talking)
Throgmorton: I want to bring up a different topic. I ... I'm concerned this might be a back-door-
way ... way by which we would be mandating the creation of homeowner's
associations. Would I be misreading the situation that, uh, basically if you want
to have mail in a new subdivision, you will have to have a homeowner's
association?
Dilkes: That question was asked at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, and...
and I ... I think we'd be hard - pressed to find a subdivision where there was not a
homeowner's association in the last ... I mean, there are ... there are so many
reasons why you have to have a homeowner's association for the maintenance of
common elements, trails, those ... you know those kinds of things. Um, this is just
one more of many requirements that would (both talking)
Davidson: The Postal Service has indicated that in the future ... there will be cluster boxes
everywhere. That they are going to (both talking)
Throgmorton: Makes me wonder about older neighborhoods.
Davidson: Right, and so in an older neighborhood it's a very legitimate question of how
those will be maintained, and I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it
because they're not requiring that yet, but they have put us on notice that at some
point they intend to have cluster... cluster boxes and not door -to -door delivery
throughout the city.
Throgmorton: So they just kind of drive through the ... an older neighborhood and stick down
some cluster boxes?
Davidson: Um, I guess we'll have to see, Jim.
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Dilkes: But that's... that's a different question for a different day.
Davidson: Right!
Dilkes: This ordinance doesn't address that.
Davidson: Yeah.
Throgmorton: Okay.
Davidson: Any other questions about what's before you?
Throgmorton: Yeah, I ... I really like dealing with proposed regulations or rules that are going to
make things better. I don't see how that's ... this is the case, but I don't see how
we can do anything else, other than adopt it.
Hayek: Well we're ... we're in the public hearing. So let's ... if there are any further
questions for staff. Okay. Is there anyone from the audience who would like to
weigh in on this item? Okay. I'm going to close the public hearing at this time.
(bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Mims: Move first consideration.
Dobyns: Second.
Hayek: Moved by, uh, Mims, seconded by Dobyns. Discussion?
Throgmorton: Sorry! I already said what I was going to say.
Hayek: I'm with ya on that! Roll call, please. First consideration passes 6 -0.
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ITEM 5b COUNTY CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - SENDING A
LETTER TO THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
FOR A HOME BUSINESS FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4552 SAND
ROAD SE IN AREA B OF THE IOWA CITY /JOHNSON COUNTY
FRINGE AREA (CU13- 00002).
Hayek: Can we get a motion on the floor?
Mims: Move approval.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Jeffl
Davidson: Uh, just real quickly, the ... um, the Johnson ... the Johnson County... Johnson
County's ordinance, uh, requires, uh, conditional use permits to be taken through
their County Board of Adjustment, and if it is within, uh, the City's growth area
boundary, uh, or excuse me, if it is with the two -mile jurisdiction of the City, uh,
it requires a, uh, majority of...excuse me! It requires City Council concurrence,
and uh .... uh, if there is not concurrence by the City Council on the proposed
action, it requires four ... four-fifths majority of the County Board of Adjustment
to approve it. What we are suggesting ... suggesting with this particular request
which is for a indoor recreational vehicle storage facility at 4552 Sand Road SE,
and here you can see the location. Uh, you can see it is just to the south of Iowa
City. Urn ... the Kicker Soccer Park is right here. Uh, notable is the blue line here,
which is the growth area boundary. It is not in ... it is not within the growth area
boundary of the City of Iowa City, and therefore, in the, uh, foreseeable future we
do not see it being annexed into the City, uh, therefore we do not see the
proposed, uh, request. There you see the aerial photograph, and I guess that's all
we had. Uh, we are suggesting that it ... because it is unlikely it will be annexed
into Iowa City, uh, we do not see it conflicting with future development in Iowa
City, and therefore, recommend a letter be sent concurring with, uh, the requested
application. Are there any questions? Thank you!
Hayek: I ... well I had one, Jeff, and that is the staff recommendation, uh, suggests that the,
um, where is it? That the, uh, that ... that if the County chooses to approve the
conditional use permit, that it be given a time limit to allow for future review.
Davidson: Right, the County has indicated they are going to do that, but after five years they
will reconsider it.
Hayek: Okay, cause it's not in the letter we're sending.
Davidson: Right, it will be in the County's approval, however, we've been notified.
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Hayek: Okay.
Davidson: Any other questions? Thank you.
Hayek: Anyone from the audience on this? Further Council discussion? Roll call, please.
Karr: Motion.
Hayek: Oh, it's a motion.
Throgmorton: Move approval.
Hayek: No, it's already on the floor.
Throgmorton: Oh! (several talking)
Karr: It's a motion to (several talking)
Botchway: And that was the one opportunity I was going to get a second in too so (laughter)
Now I missed it! (laughter)
Hayek: You'll get another chance, I suspect! All those in favor say aye. Opposed say
nay. Motion carries 6 -0.
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ITEM 6. 2014 SEWER REHABILITATION — APPROVING PLANS,
SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2014 SEWER REHABILITATION
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, uh,
for the public's information has to do with, uh, sanitary sewer repairs around the
city, uh, estimated construction cost is, uh, $325,000. Any input from the public?
Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Mims: Move the resolution.
Botchway: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Roll call, please. Passes
6 -0.
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ITEM 7. IOWA CITY GATEWAY PROJECT — ESTABLISHING THE DESIGN
PARAMETERS NECESSARY TO BEGIN DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
DOCUMENTS FOR THE IOWA CITY GATEWAY PROJECT.
Hayek: Jim, do you want to ... put this on the floor?
Throgmorton: Sure, uh, I ... I'd like to move to adopt the resolution with the following
amendment, by substituting 100 -year plus one as the level of protection for
Dubuque Street, and by specifying a through -arch bridge with a low, well, with a
low steel elevation of 200 - plus -one as the structural type.
Payne: Second.
Throgmorton: Is that okay? Yeah.
Hayek: Okay, so the motion, uh, has been moved by Throgmorton, seconded by Payne.
Now we're in the discussion part. For the public's information, I see many faces
out here who were at the work session a couple of hours ago. Uh, we had a good
discussion at the Council level, uh, with the help of staff and our consultants, and
where the Council is leaning right now as indicated at our work session is to go
with a 100 -foot elevation for Dubuque Street, a 200 - foot... or a 100 -year elevation
for Dubuque Street; a 200 -year, uh ... uh, elevation for the bridge; and a through -
arch, uh, bridge type, which are the three, uh, decisions that staff was looking to
us, uh, to decide, uh, this evening. Um, we are going to ask staff to give a brief
presentation, uh, and then we can open it up for community input to the extent
there is any. So ... with that, Rick, if you wouldn't mind ... walking us through
this.
Fosse: Thank you, Mayor! Uh, you've already covered many of the items I ... I was
going to cover, but let me go ahead and dive in and do that. Urn ... (clears throat)
Excuse me! Our objective with tonight's resolution is to establish the primary
design parameters for the Gateway project. And in doing that, we also want to
discuss the next steps in the design process, cause that's important for us, cause
there's additional design elements that ... that need to be, uh, discussed. Uh,
staff's recommendations as outlined in the Council packet, uh, were discussed at
some length at the work session tonight and the parameters that emerged from
that discussion with consensus are as follows here: the level of protection for
Dubuque Street would be the 100 -year event plus one foot; uh, the backwater
reduction goals, that is the elevation of the Park Road bridge, would be, uh, low
steel at...at 200 -year event plus one foot; and the structural type of the bridge
would be a through -arch; and let me share with you some renderings of what that
would look like. Uh, this is a view from approximately Mayflower, looking at the
existing bridge, uh, this is what the through -arch, uh, would look like, roughly,
and ... and you can also see an approximation of the new Hancher Auditorium in
that same rendering there. Here's another view from, uh, approximately the ... the
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boathouse, with the existing bridge, and this shows the through -arch bridge and an
estimation of the ... the retaining wall that would go along that. Now the retaining
wall that goes along with the recommendation that ... that Jim has amended would
be lower, approximately 3 1/2 feet lower than what we're seeing in this rendering
right here. So ... we also need to look out at the next step (coughing, difficult to
hear speaker) design process and if we move forward with some parameters
tonight, uh, we would begin that design process and we can expect to have a pre -
design meeting, uh, with ... with the public, uh, in late February or early March, as
part of that, and that would be a pre- design meeting, similar to we ... to what we
have on our other capital projects, and as always, we welcome input throughout.
It doesn't need to be limited to just, uh, those meetings. Um, in the middle of
March, middle to late March, we would be back to you to discuss some of the
specific design elements of the roadway. Things like, uh, design speed, lane
width, turn lanes, sidewalks, uh, crosswalks, uh, many of those elements that...
that help to form the footprint of that project and the character of the corridor.
Uh, we will be back to you to discuss the specifics of those and lay out some
options that ... that work with the parameters that are approved tonight. On this
schedule that's... that's showing up here, we ... we've inadvertently shown this
during spring break. We of course won't do that. We'll move that out probably
into the following week. Um, also later in the process we'll talk more about the
...the appearance of the project. The character of this corridor is very important
to us and ... and preserving the uniqueness of it is ... is important to us, so as far as
the aesthetic components and landscaping plans, uh, we'll be back to you, uh,
probably in May to talk in more detail about that. Um, with that I'll open it up to
any questions you have, or we can turn it over to public comment.
Hayek: Any questions for Rick? We got a ... a very thorough presentation at the work
session, um... so I think a lot of our questions are answered, which is how we
reached a... a tentative consensus on what to do. Okay. Well, Rick, stick around.
We may have more questions or the audience may have more questions that we
need answered.
Fosse: Thank you!
Hayek: Okay. So, uh, if anyone would like to weigh in, um, follow the same routine.
We'd ask you to sign in and give us your name verbally and ... and limit your
comments to five minutes.
Coulter: I'm Joe Coulter. I reside at 1818 N. Dubuque. Uh, I want to commend the... the
Council on adopting, uh, the, um, the... recommendation that the North Dubuque
Street be raised, uh, to the, uh, 100 -foot plus one flood level, and that, uh, the
design for the Park Road bridge, uh, be, uh, aesthetically, uh, appropriate, uh, to
the site. I also want to, uh, urge the Council, uh, to further the collaboration and
agreement that the Council and uh, the City staff have had with the property
owners affected by this project. Uh, simply providing input is not enough. Uh,
we need to have discussions, uh, consultation, and agreement on the impacts, uh,
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that this will have. Um, in that regard, uh, I have provided, uh, materials, uh, that
were handed out to ... just before the meeting, um, and so I won't reiterate the
concerns that I have, uh, with respect to my property and the impacts of the
Gateway on it. Uh... I am concerned, however, by the failure of the City, the
State Historical Preservation office, and the Iowa Department of Transportation,
and the Iowa Federal Highway Administration to comply with the Section 106
National Historic Preservation Act, and with the National Environmental Policy
Act, which specifies consultation, uh, to develop memorandum of agreements, uh,
with affected property owners, in order to minimize, uh, and mitigate adverse
affects of, uh, the Gateway project. As articulated in the Federal (mumbled)
Advisory Council, uh, and Historic ... the Federal Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation letter of September 13th to Mr. Mike La Pietra of the Federal
Highway Commission, uh, concerning the Gateway project, it ... and I quote the
letter, "We recommend that the Federal Highway Administration, the Department
of Transportation reopen the Section 106 review (clears throat) re- engage the
State Historical Preservation office, invite concerned property owners to the
consulting... to be consulting partners, and to consult to develop a memorandum
of agreement to resolve the adverse affect to historic properties. To date, there
have been no such consultations! Uh, and there have been no memorandum of
agreements developed with affected property owners. The finding of no
significant impact or the fonzi recently provided by Mr. La Pietra regarding the
Dubuque Street/Park Road and Park Road bridge improvements would appear to
be invalid. I have subsequently been in consultation with my attorneys, who have
advised me that the fonzi is deficient in a number of other areas in addition to the
absence of the memorandum of agreement. I must advise you that the action of
the City Council on the Gateway project and the Public Works' recommendations
before you tonight, uh, in the absence of a valid fonzi, may put the City at risk of
legal action. Thank you for your consideration.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Ayadi: Hello, uh, my name is Bruce Ayadi. I, uh, live on North Linn Street, uh, in the
Brown Street Historic District. I wanted to, uh, express my pleasure and the
pleasure of many of my neighbors that the, uh, the tendency to move towards the
100 - plus -one, um, and the uh, the through -arch bridge, I think, is going to be a
...a asset to the City, uh, and uh, help the vibrant ... help maintain the vibrancy of
our, uh, neighborhood. Um, and I ... in support of that I'll make just a few, uh, last
comments. I think, uh, I think it's uniformly the best choice, and ... that means in
particular that the seven days that the 208 -plus option would give you, is not a
complete calculus. It's an incomplete calculus. Meaning that the ... to get those
seven days, you have to engage in many more days worth of construction. So
even if your only interest in maintaining the road opening as much as possible,
you're actually better off with the 100- plus -one than anything else. And on top of
that, as you're well aware, we can save these old - growth trees that are, you know,
so ... so precious in an area that doesn't have a lot of big trees, and ... and heap
...and help with the road noise in the neighborhood. Thank you very much.
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Hayek: Thanks for your comments. Is there anyone else who would like to address the
Council on this? Okay, I'll close it down to Council discussion. I guess I ... I
would say that, um, I'm ... I'm not sure ... it ... well, first of all I think some of our
hardest decisions will be in front of us, and that was discussed a little bit earlier
this evening. Um, and it's great to see the Council reach consensus on these
initial threshold decisions, but there's a lot of...there's a lot ahead of us, um, and
that's where you get into the design considerations and ... and whatnot. I don't
think we can have a process that, urn ... that results in total agreement on all issues,
uh, between the City and all resident stakeholders. I mean, there are people...
there are residents who don't necessary see eye to eye on any number of the
particular design items. So, uh, different people will have different opinions
about that, but I think the process should and will involve, um, public
engagement, uh, public input, um ... transparency, thoughtful deliberation, uh, and
an overall good process, and I'm confident we can, uh, continue that going
forward. And I want to thank the residents for their input over the last few
months, and also thank, uh, City staff and ... and our, uh, consultants working on
this project. It is a huge, huge undertaking for the City, and I see Regenia Bailey
out there. She was part of the Council back in 2008, uh, that ... that started looking
at this with staff and this has been a community objective for five years, five and
a half years!
Mims: I would just add one thing, Matt, and that is ... when we look at the timeline going
forward, um, that we were shown at the work session and shown just a few
minutes earlier here, I think it's really important for people who have an interest
in this project to be paying very close attention, um, especially through the next
few months, because the ... the staff and the consultant will be coming back with
some preliminary, uh, information for us and we will ... we will be making some
more as ... as Matt said, some very crucial and some maybe very difficult
decisions within just the next couple of months potentially on things like the
number of lanes, the lane width, uh, where we have sidewalks and trails, and, uh,
just you know, landscaping and alignment of the road, etc., etc., and as ... as Matt
said, these are going to be, um, potentially much more difficult decisions than the
one that we're making here tonight and ones where I think the, particularly the
neighboring property owners, um, have particular interest and so I think this next
timeframe here, where some of these things are going to be laid out, is critical for
you to stay very engaged, um, in the process.
Dobyns: Rick, can you mention again when those next meetings would be for the public?
Fosse: Sure, let me back up to my visual aids so I can recall them accurately. So the, uh
...uh, the pre- design meeting is preliminary... preliminarily scheduled for late
February. Uh, then the discussion in front of the Council is preliminarily
scheduled for the, uh ... March 24th Council meeting, and then the discussions
regarding aesthetics and planting plan, landscaping would be in early May. So,
you're absolutely right, Susan, this ... this will move fast so stay engaged.
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Mims: Yes.
Hayek: And we'll ... we'll push out the design proposals and the details through the
normal channels — to the email list - serve, through the website, and through the
things we've done thus far.
Fosse: Correct!
Hayek: Okay. All right. Thanks, Rick.
Mims: Thank you.
Fosse: You're welcome.
Throgmorton: So, uh, Matt, uh, I ... this is a really important step and I'm, uh, really happy to see
us making this decision tonight. Uh, it's been a very complicated process, or
project, to try to process from a City Council point of view. There's a huge
amount of, uh, detailed information that we've been required to go through. So,
uh, and we've been doing it for... a year? Uh, something like that, I don't know.
You kind of lose track! I mean, just as ... as us on the Council. (several talking)
Uh, so with all that in mind, I want to praise other Members of the Council for
the ... for the care with which they've looked into this issue. I know we've had
conversations, uh, one -on -one and then, you know, in our work sessions and all
that. Uh, and I've seen, uh, everybody on this Council pay very close attention,
put a lot of effort into it, thinking it through very carefully, and I think we've
come up with a really good decision that's going to be very good for the city. So
I ... I'm just thrilled to be able to vote yes (laughs) you know, occasionally I vote
no. I'm thrilled to vote yes with everybody else!
Karr: Mr. Mayor, I just want to clarify, that meeting is March 25tH
Hayek: March 25tH
Karr: Fifth... Tuesday.
Hayek: They can show up on the 24th (laughter). They'll get a good seat! Okay, thanks
for that, Marian, and thanks for that, Jim. Further discussion? Roll call, please.
Passes 6 -0.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Mims: So moved.
Payne: Second.
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Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries 6 -0.
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ITEM 8. AMENDMENT TO URBAN RENEWAL PLAN - APPROVING
AMENDMENT #1 TO THE HEINZ ROAD URBAN RENEWAL PLAN TO
ADD AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM 9. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT FOR ALPLA, INC. -
APPROVING AN AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE REDEVELOPMENT BY
AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA AND ALPLA, INC.
ITEM 10. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR ALPLA - AUTHORIZING
THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST
COMPANION DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CITY'S
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FOR ALPLA, INC. AS
REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF IOWA FOR JOBS CREATION
FUNDING.
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) I think we
caught Jeff off guard, uh (laughter) He's coming in the door! (laughter)
Dobyns: Welcome back, Jeff! (laughter)
Throgmorton: That's right! You're up, Jeff!
Davidson: Got through that discussion much faster than I thought you would! Excuse me!
(laughter) That's good! Uh, what the Mayor and I thought we would do is Items
8, 9, and 10 all per... all pertain to a, uh, TIF application from, uh, Alpla, uh, and I
thought I would just cover everything at once, and then you will take your votes
individually. Uh, those of you who are, uh, part of the City Council Economic
Development Committee will have some familiarity with this, uh, project. This is
a, uh, request for TIF assistance from Alpla, one of our major employers down in
the industrial park, for an economic development, uh, project to assist in an
expansion of their facilities. Excuse me while I bring... materials up here. Um...
the ... the first item is the, uh, amendment to the urban renewal plan and we have
been through all the statutory requirements, uh, for doing that. We have had the,
uh, consultation meetings with the other taxing entities and uh ... um, neither the
School District nor the County, uh, responded with any specific, uh, comments
and so, uh, the first item for you to consider will be the amendment to the urban
renewal, uh, plan for this area to add the specific project. That is a requirement
that came out of the TIF reform from last year's, uh, TIF legislation. Uh, that is
now required for any TIF project, that it be added specifically to the urban
renewal area. So that is Item 8. Item 9 then is consideration of the specific
project, and we can talk a little bit about that. Uh, Alpla has decided to expand,
uh, their facilities in Iowa City. This was a competitive situation with other Alpla
plants around the, uh, country, of which there are several, and so we are pleased
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that they have decided to make that expansion here in Iowa City. Uh, it is for four
years of TIF rebates, not to exceed a total of $170,000. That would be the total
for the ... the four years, and what Alpla will do is build a 10,000- square foot
addition to their plant and add 37 jobs to their existing 225 jobs. So this is an
expansion of their plant, which is a plastic bottling facility and involves a new
technology that will be expanding here, uh, in Iowa City. Uh, as was mentioned
in your work session, this is actually the third TIF project that we will have done,
uh, with Alpla since they came to Iowa City, and that ... they have been plant
expansions, uh, each time. You'll recall when they actually took over the General
Mills plant that is right next door. That was one of the, uh, projects. The ... the
prior two TIF projects that occurred in 2003 and 2007, uh, those projects are
completed. There are no active TIF projects with Alpla, uh, at this time. Uh, the
project that is under consideration will be a $12.2 million expansion project.
Now, only $1 million of that will be taxable valuations. The ... the remainder will
be in machinery, equipment, and people, which is not taxable, but nonetheless, uh,
we do think it's an excellent project, consistent with our strategic plan goals
regarding economic development in Iowa City, and again, we're delighted to have
it here. The ... the four years of TIF rebates will be generated by this project, not
from the district as a whole, but by this project, uh, consistent with your, uh,
policies and procedures that we have for evaluating these projects. So staff's
recommendation is for approval. Um, and I'd be happy to answer any questions
about the...the projects to the degree that I'm able. Uh, the final project then is
the State. Uh, there's also a ... uh, grant that would be received from the State, uh,
$646,000 from the State — high qualities job, uh, program, and then there ... and
there is a resolution, which is Item 10, uh, associated with the, uh ... requirements
by the State of Iowa for Alpla to receive that funding. So those are the three
items. Uh ... any questions?
Hayek: Thanks, Jeff!
Davidson: Thank you.
Hayek: Appreciate it! Anyone from the audience before I close the public hearing?
Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Mims: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
Throgmorton: So this is about the urban... designating it as part of the urban renewal project,
right?
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Hayek: This is, yes.
Throgmorton: Um, I ... I guess I want to make a comment that may apply partly to the other two
moves, you know, or motions.
Hayek: Yeah.
Throgmorton: (mumbled) I think in principle I'm not inclined to support TIF projects, unless
I'm convinced that they're really good. I ... so, you know, I ... I'm constantly
making judgments about that kind of thing. Uh, in this case part of what I've
done is, uh, think about the cost per job, the tax subsidy per job, or public subsidy
per job, or said differently the, uh, public subsidy per job saved if...to keep the...
Alpla from going to St. Louis or wherever the other place was. So if I understand
correctly, if you add the state tax part in with ... the tax credit part, in with our TIF,
and a little bit of sales tax kind of money, uh, this ... this is going to cost the public
something like $23,000 per job created, but uh, only about $3,700, $3,600 per job
saved. So ... the ... the per job save figure, uh, makes a difference for me. I mean,
maybe I'm miscalculating and all that, but I don't think so. So, that ... I take that
to be a good thing, and then I looked at its website, Alpla's website and tried to
learn more about the company, cause I really don't know too much about the
company. Uh, and I ... I was impressed by what I saw. I ... I was impressed by all
sorts of sustainability features that I think are honorably described in the website.
So that ... that's a big plus. Uh, and I notice also that the proposed agreement
would result in average ... an average hourly wage for the 264...262 full -time
employees after the 35 are added, uh ... um, it would result in an average hourly
wage totaling about $18.09 per hour, plus a competitive benefits package. That
sounds pretty good to me! And I talked to a friend who knows some people
workin' out there. They spoke very highly of the company. So, I'm onboard!
(mumbled)
Hayek: Further discussion?
Payne: It has to be good if Jim's onboard!
Hayek: Yeah (laughter and several talking)
Botchway: I have to agree as well. I think, um, I ... I didn't do as, you know, diligent... Jim
going through some of the numbers, but I think from, uh, basically national
question talking about minimum wage and looking at that as part of the packet,
um, that was, you know, ultra enticing to me as far as seeing that, you know, we'd
be supporting a project, um, that would raise the minimum wage ... not entirely
across the city, but at least for this particular jobs ... or for these particular jobs, uh,
in a way that I think is becoming of what we should do, uh, possibly later on
down the road, but um, I'm just excited for, um, this particular opportunity.
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Hayek: This probably relates to Items 9 or 10 more, but ... but, I mean, I'll ... I'll support
this but, you know, this company is a ... it's a important supply chain, uh ... uh,
producer. They supply Procter and Gamble, a huge institution in our community.
Um, Alpla has a good track record with the city on past agreements. Um, these
are very good jobs as ... as both of you pointed out, and uh, the facility is
remarkable. I was out there couple of years ago with City staff, and uh, it's ...it's
a pretty incredible facility. And anyone who would like to get a tour I'm sure
could ... could do so. So...
Throgmorton: I'd love to do it!
Mims: Yeah, I would too.
Botchway: Are you saying you're going to give a tour, Matt?
Hayek: I'm going to give a tour. (laughter) I've got your safety goggles for ya!
(laughter) Roll call, please. Passes 6 -0.
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ITEM 11. OUTDOOR SERVICE AREAS — AMENDING TITLE 4, "ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES", CHAPTER 3, "OUTDOOR SERVICE AREAS;
SEASONAL, FIVE DAY OR FOURTEEN DAY LICENSES AND
PERMITS", SECTION 4 -3 -1, "OUTDOOR SERVICE AREAS" TO
AMEND RESTRICTED APPLICATION IN THE CC -2 ZONE ALONG
WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL REGULATORY
CONDITIONS.
Mims: Move approval.
Payne: Second. (laughter)
Hayek: Moved by Mims (laughs) seconded by Payne. Don't all... don't everybody (both
talking)
Mims: I know! I feel like I'm doing all the (several talking and laughing) motioning here
tonight! (laughter)
Hayek: Discussion? (laughs)
Mims: I think this is a good change. I mean, we discussed this at the work session, and
obviously, um, it's one of those things we may have to tweak as we go along,
depending upon how many, uh, restaurants fit into this, but I think anything that
we can do to, um, you know, provide our businesses with more opportunities to,
you know, expand their businesses, make more money, um, yet do it in a way that
is acceptable to the surrounding neighborhoods, uh, I think we should give it a
shot, so...
Hayek: I think it's worth trying!
Mims: Yeah, I think it's worth trying.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6 -0.
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ITEM 15. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: Why don't we start down with you, Rick.
Dobyns: Nothing.
Payne: Um, I just want to mention that tomorrow night at the Eastside Recycling Center,
there will be a program on how to reduce your home's energy use that will be
presented, um, it's at 7:00, if anybody's interested in attending.
Hayek: Good to know!
Mims: Just hope everybody, uh, enjoyed celebration of Martin Luther King Day and uh,
everybody's managing to stay warm in this wonderful, uh... (laughs) deep freeze
that we're having again, and uh ... we'll get through it!
Throgmorton: Polar bears are coming! (laughter) My turn?
Mims: Yes!
Throgmorton: Uh, I want to thank Sara Langenberg, Becky Rettus ... Reduc. Reedus, right?
Mims: I'm not sure.
Throgmorton: And others at the 1105 Project for, uh, giving me and I think you...
Mims: Yep, had a tour!
Throgmorton: ... maybe others, a tour of the 1105 Project. Um, it was really outstanding. Matt,
you're going to mention Pastor (both talking)
Hayek: I will!
Throgmorton: Um ... and ... I want to thank Royceanne Porter for making me feel so welcome at
the unity... in the community event at The Spot yesterday, and I'd like to report
that Chinese lunar New Year will be celebrated at the IMU this coming Saturday,
starting at 7:00 P.M. I think you can get tickets in advance if you want to go.
So ... that's what I'm gonna say!
Botchway: I guess for me I ... I kind of want to echo some of Jim's comments, as far as
commending, um, Council just for looking at the 1105 Project and you know
putting more money towards that. I got an opportunity to see it, and you know,
it's one of those things where, um, I can't remember who said it. I think it might
have been Becky, that you know you don't necessarily... especially when you
work in non - profits. You don't think about, uh, not competing, um, in that way
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and collaborating in the way that they're doing, that I think is going to be a, uh,
such a big thing, and I'm hoping that other non - profits kind of see what they're
doing and get onboard, um, because I really think that, um, where money is going
to be tight, um, and uh ... and to fill a lot of gap areas that are consistently in the
discussion when you're talking about needs, especially the community that needs
the most, um, having more collaboration, really talking to folks about what to do,
uh, it's going to be huge, and then the ... and then with Iowa City kind of being the
pinnacle when you're talking about service needs. Figure out ways to branch out,
but not branch out in ways that draws ... and I'm trying to say this in the right way.
Not branch out in ways that bring people here, but branch out in ways that ... help
the other cities serve their community that much more. So they can see where
their need is and then appropriate funds in the way that, you know, they need to,
as well. So I think it's ... there's a lot of different things going on and they seem to
have a really good model, and so I, you know, encourage other non - profits to kind
of get behind them and see what they're doing and ask questions.
Hayek: That's a good point. Thanks! Uh, I want to thank Pastor Boyer from Gospel
Explosion Ministry, uh, for the MLK event on Saturday. Uh, Jim Throgmorton
and I attended and um, it was an excellent event, and it was an honor to be part of
that celebration. Uh, I also want to wish Happy Birthday to my mom! (laughter)
Who, uh, has watched approximately 100% of my Council meetings over the last
six years (laughter) I suspect she's watching, uh, tonight. Happy Birthday, mom!
(several talking and laughing)
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