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ITEM 2. STATE OF THE CITY.
Hayek: So the audience understands, Item 17 regards, uh, the Senior Services Committee
that's on the agenda, uh, this evening, and I think many of you in the audience are
here to address the Council regarding that. We indicated during our work session,
we're going to try to move that up, uh, on the agenda. Uh, it's Item 17, but once
we get out of the Planning and Zoning items, um, which I think are Item 7, um,
we will take up a motion to move the Senior Services vote, uh, up, uh, just after 7
and prior to 8, and we will, uh, provide an opportunity for audience input.
Wanted you to be aware of that! Um, well the first, uh, or the second item is the
State of the City address, which is a .... something that the Mayor reads every, uh,
every year and you guys are fortunate, uh, enough, or not, to be here, uh, for that,
and I want to read it at this time, but before I do I want to give special thanks to
Simon Andrew, uh, and Geoff Fruin on the City staff who were, uh, instrumental,
especially Simon, in ... in preparing the draft of these remarks that we worked
with. (reads State of the City address) Thank you! (applause)
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ITEM 3. STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS — Robert Lucas Elementary
Hayek: Uh, we have a student from Lucas. Would you please come forward!
Karr: Mr. Mayor, one of the students from Lucas is unable to join us tonight and we
will reschedule, but Julia is here.
Hayek: Are you Julia? Hi, welcome! I'm Mayor Matt Hayek and this is the City Council
behind ya! So what do you think of all these, uh, snow delays? And
cancellations? Are you guys pretty excited about that at Lucas?
Veit: Somewhat, but then like it adds to the end of the year. (laughter)
Hayek: That's true, it does get into summertime a little bit! I bet your parents aren't real
thrilled with these snow delays! (laughter) Well I want to welcome you to, uh,
City Hall and we're excited to have you here for Lucas Elementary. It's a great
elementary, and uh, this is part of what we do throughout the school year. We
invite students who are nominated by their elementary schools here in Iowa City
to come down and tell us a little about themselves. I know your classmate Alex
can't be here tonight, but we'll get him on another night, and the first order of
business is to make sure you brought a little piece of paper to read, and see that's
done, so you can check that off. Um, what I'd like to do, I can give you the
microphone and you can read your ... your piece, and then I've got an award to
give you. So go ahead, Julia!
Veit: Hello, my name is Julia, and I would like to thank my classmates, teachers, Lucas
School administrators, and the (mumbled) ... ah, and the Iowa City Council for the
Citizenship Award. To me citizenship means being kind to people, helping
around the community, and volunteering. In the Lucas community I am a
crossing guard and I help the little kids cross the road safely. I also participate in
the church choir where we sing for the people at the services. This summer I'm
looking forward to leadership camp (mumbled) and continuing to be an active
member of my community. (applause)
Hayek: Well that was fantastic and you're clearly a busy young woman! I did, uh ... uh,
safety patrol way back in the day, and that was ... that was a great thing, and you
know what? Keep that kind of stuff up and you know, maybe you'll join the City
Council some day! Uh, I want to thank you for being here. I also want to, uh,
express appreciation to your parents and ... and teaches and anyone else who might
be here because there are clearly a lot of people who are helping you and... and
that's wonderful and you're a great example for... for Lucas and for the whole
school district. So I have a Citizenship Award and ... and I want to read it, and it
says: For her outstanding qualities of leadership within Lucas Elementary, as
well as the community, and for her sense of responsibility and helpfulness to
others, we recognize you as a ... as an Outstanding Student Citizen. Your
community is proud of you. Presented by the Iowa City City Council, February
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2014. So, Julia, let me hand this to you and shake your hand. Congratulations!
(applause) Let her go home and do some homework. Thank you!
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ITEM 4. PROCLAMATIONS.
ITEM 4b Old Capitol Chorus Week, March 1 -7
Hayek: (reads proclamation)
Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is David Keeley and Tom Schulein. (applause)
Hayek: Congratulations! Thanks for being here! (both talking) Thank you! Thank you!
Here you go. Appreciate it! (both talking)
Keeley: On behalf of the Old Capitol Chorus, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to the
City for this proclamation, um, for acknowledging our 50 years and um, it's a
proud tradition we're keeping on with... as Mayor mentioned, uh, approximately
450, uh, men from this community have been a part of our ... our chorus. Um,
now and then people ask when ... when and where we're performing, and it just so
happens that, uh, we have an upcoming show at the Englert, so you all know how
to learn about that! Thank you very much!
Hayek: Appreciate it! (applause)
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ITEM 4. PROCLAMATIONS.
ITEM 4a Sertoma's Freedom Week, February 17 -21
Hayek: (reads proclamation)
Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is Ted Halm. (applause)
Halm: On behalf of Iowa City Sertoma, we would like to thank Mayor Hayek and City
Council for this award, and we also want you to know that this Thursday, weather
permitting, we'll have the, uh, essay contest read at Athletic Club, but like the
little girl said, we don't want to add to the school day, so we'd just as soon have
school on Thursday (laughter) Thank you!
Hayek: Thanks, Ed! (applause)
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ITEM 5. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
Mims: Move adoption.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
Throgmorton: Yeah, I want to mention, uh, the fact that we're going to be holding, uh, we're
going to be setting dates for public hearings on four significant topics. On
Morch ... March 4t" we'll be holding hearings, public hearings, concerning the new
Animal Shelter; changing the Comprehensive Plan designation and zoning for
Walden Square; and adopting the fiscal year 2015 budget and related material;
and then on April 15` ", uh, we'll be holding a public hearing on the Housing
Authority's Annual Plan for fiscal year 2015, I guess. So ... these important topics
— I hope interested people will show up.
Hayek: Thank you, Jim! Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 6. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA).
Hayek: This is the opportunity at e ... at each City Council meeting for members of the
audience 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. Uh, we ask that you sign in and also
verbally give us your name ... your name, and um, also to keep your comments to
five minutes or less!
Fox: I'm Karen Fox. 37 Colwyn Court, and I would like to request that you place
consideration of the ... the community I.D. program on the agenda for next month.
Many members of our community, I'm ... I'm an ally of the Center for Worker
Justice. Many members of our community lack an official locally recognized
identification card. It's a serious barrier that contributes to an array of related
problems. Victims and witnesses of crime are reluctant to call police because
without an I.D., reten ... routine interaction can escalate into arrest and
deportations. Residents without I.D.s are excluded from local services and
economic activity. Banks require specific forms of I.D. Drug stores require I.D.
forms to ... to purchase certain behind - the - counter pharmacy products. Credit card
application requires an I.D. Can't cash a check without an I.D. There are many,
many times in our daily lives when we need an official I.D. Immigrants are often
reluctant to produce foreign I.D.s for fear of discrimination or, uh, discrim...
discriminatory, uh, treatment. We believe that the program will directly improve
the lives of thousands of members of our community who lack local ... locally
recognized I.D.s and create a ... and it will create a safer and more inclusive
community for all of our residents. Based on analysis, we have some
recommendations. They are that form... formally recognized... that the I.D. will
be formally recognized by law enforcement as a valid form of I.D. That it can be
used to access public facilities and services like libraries and recreation center
programs, visi ... visitors at the County jail. It includes an educational and
outreach plan to encourage local banks and retailers in our community to honor it.
That it be secure and accessible, requiring enough proof of identity and residency
to protect the integrity of the program without being too restrictive. That it
protects cardholder information. This information should remain limited ... uh, the
information on file should remain limited and not include immigration
information. And we ask that it promote access — not create new barriers. The
Center for Worker Justice opposes efforts to require I.D.s in local schools or
recreation facilities because those will inevitably exclude some parents and youths
from participation in activities. So we recommend the establishment of the local
government issued I.D. as a very important component for membership in our
community, and that the I.D. is broadly accepted as an official form of
identification that maximizes access to community services. We feel the City
Council should issue that I.D. or that the County should, and that it would be per
...be preferable that it be a government (coughing, unable to hear speaker) rather
than a private entity. A valid form of I.D. is a crucial part of our lives. When an
individual needs to open an account, as I said, or cash a check, they have to have
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some kind ... to sign a lease even, they have to have some kind of I.D.
Additionally, people... significant numbers of individuals lack identification forms
and can't even apply for the DOT non - driver, um, identification because of the
number of forms of identification required. People who are homeless, old, poor,
mentally ill, have survived natural disasters, are transgender, or have escaped a
domestic violence situation are often without those forms of I.D. As a result of
any of these circumstances, they can't do any of the activities that I spoke of
earlier. Therefore, I request that the City Council place the community I.D.
discussion on the agenda for your next work session. Thank you.
Hayek: Karen, I ... and I see others here to address us on this topic which is perfectly fine.
I just want you to know if you weren't here at our work session, uh, we have
received a report from City staff and I believe it's our intention to send it to the
Human Rights Commission for, uh, analysis and ... and then their insights, which
means that ... the topic will come back to the City Council. Yes, ma'am!
Jennifer Xie: (difficult to understand) Hi, my name's (mumbled) and I living in 2410 Mulberry
St (C). Um, community I.D. program (mumbled) Thank you. Immigrant to live
more normal live in our community. I work with many people from Chinese
community and I know they many Chinese (mumbled) for the paperwork before
they able to get, um, government I.D. Many student doesn't have a driver license
and therefore, the only I.D. they has is the student I.D. And some of the people
they come in here even doesn't have a student I.D. and other people (mumbled)
I.D. In fact I know a woman who just got a baby born but was unable to get her
name for and the baby's, uh ... the birth certificate because she doesn't have, um, a
photo I.D. So a community I.D. issued by local government could (mumbled)
people to open bank account, sign apartment lease... library card and (mumbled)
go to see the doctor and has the prescription. So otherwise they (mumbled) photo
I.D. So please add discussion of the community I.D. program to your next work
(mumbled) Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you.
Ritz: Hi, my name is Roberta Till -Ritz. I live at 21...I just moved. I was at (laughs)
the flood displaced me! (laughs) (mumbled) and I can never remember my
address. Wait, 206 College Court! Um, I'd like to thank the Iowa City Human
Rights Commission and the Ad Hoc Diversity Commiss ... Committee, am I got
that right? For commissioning the University of Iowa Law School to do a report
that I just read in all of its 80 -plus pages, uh, that I found extremely interesting on
Iowa City possibly issuing a community I.D. program. I'm an Iowa senior, uh,
citizen. I've lived here for 46 years, have retired here, and I'm an active member
of the Senior Center where I have many friends. It was illuminating for me to
read and share the results of this study with many of my friends, especially senior
citizens who have shown an interest that when they don't want to drive anymore,
and I'm pretty close to that actually myself, uh, and I don't want to renew a
driver's license, I think that this community I.D. program would be a great idea
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for sen... seniors. I looked up on the DOT web site how you get a, uh, DOT non-
driver's license I.D. and I found it very confusing in ... and intimidating. You
need six sep ... separate documents to get it, two of which I have no idea where
mine are — my birth certificate and well, my marriage certificate. When you've
been married 51 years, you forget some things. Um, of where they are at least!
Um ... so I think this would be an ideal way for elderly people to participate more
fully in the life of our community, especially those low- income people and elderly
people who are homeless. We use the Library a lot and think that would help
people get more access to the Library. I read in the 80 -plus page report the
benefits to communities from New Haven to San Francisco where this has been
tried. I see that New York's, uh, Mayor De Blasio wants New York City to adopt
a community I.D. program and the New York Times recently endorsed that. I
became more convinced it would be very well served here in Iowa City. By such
an innovation we could probably become the first in Iowa, probably in the
Midwest to do this. So I too request that you put this on your March agenda and
work with the County perhaps to help make this great idea a reality for more of us
who live in this area. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments. (light applause)
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: (translating for Maria Cachua) Good evening, my name is Maria Cachua and I
live in the trailer park, uh, Modern Manor. I'm Misty Rebik. I'll be serving as,
uh, translator. (both talking)
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: Thank you for the opportunity to talk tonight and also thank you for your
attention.
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: It's really important that we have an I.D. Um, it's important to have a way to say
who we are using our real names and who we really are.
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: It's important to be able to say who we are and who we really are so that we don't
have to hide who we are. We know that there's many ... we know that there's
thousands of people in our community who do not have a way to currently
identify themselves.
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: This is important because it would help, uh, lower delinquency rates.
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Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: It's also important because it would raise the local economy in our city.
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: It's also important because it would help, um, have access to public services.
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: Like hospitals.
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: And banks in order to exchange our check.
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: And to be able to pay with a credit card or debit card, um, in a grocery store.
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: And also it's important if there's an accident, um, because many people don't
have an I.D. and so if you're in a car accident you can't identify who you are.
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: It's important because even in schools they're beginning to require I.D.s to be
able to pick up your own children.
Cachua: (unable to understand language)
Rebik: For this reason, it's really important that you put this on your agenda in March.
Cachua: Thank you.
Hayek: Muchas gracias! (light applause)
Dusterhoft: My name is Mary Dusterhoft and I live at 1421 Franklin, Iowa City. And I've
lived in Johnson County my entire life, and in... on Franklin Street since... early
70s. I'm here to express my thanks to you for the Senior Center that we have and
how you support it. It gives us a place to learn. Also so keep active. There ... we
have a wonderful exercise rooms, both cardio and, um ... weights. Uh, we have all
kinds of classes for health reasons; exercise, chair exercises for, uh, people who
cannot stand and other things. We have classes that keep our minds active. I'm
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taking an algebra class. Now that is funny. That is really, really funny because
algebra is not one of the things I ever understood, but I have the opportunity to
look into it and to ... and to expand my knowledge! Urn ... I teach Tai Chi at the
Senior Center. It gives me the opportunity to share what I have done, what I have
learned, and get feedback from different people that I work with. I know more
people that I never would have met them had I not went to the Senior Center!
Um, I just want to thank you for that opportunity and hope that it can continue to
be one of the best Senior Centers in the country, and that is true! And it is what
draws people to retire here. It's one of the ... plus our wonderful health care, and
the wonderful City of Iowa City that ... I can't imagine living anywhere else!
Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments. (light applause)
Tharp: Good evening. I'm Mike Tharp. I'm the Airport Operations Specialist, and in
your Information Packet over the weekend was our Annual Report, uh, that the
Airport Commission would like to submit. Um, you've actually had a great deal
of it, uh, presented to you as part of my budget presentation last month, so I won't
go into too much detail other than, uh, to highlight a couple of things. Coming up
in June we have a pretty major event — Fly Iowa, uh, is coming back to Iowa City.
Last time it was in Iowa City we drew 10,000 people to the Airport and we're
hoping to duplicate that effort. Um, also in June the Air Race Classic'll be
coming back to Iowa City, and the Air Race Classic is a, uh, group of, uh, women
aviators and they fly a cross - country route. This year they're flying, I believe,
from, uh, California to Pennsylvania and we are about a halfway point stop for
them and, uh, they will be visiting us once again. Uh, in 2011 we were a start site
for the Air Race and had everybody here for a... a wonderful weekend of activity.
Um ... I'm here with Howard Horan our current Chair. He ... his term is actually
expiring at the end of the month and Howard has been on the Commission for a
number of years and dedicated a lot of time to the Airport, and I just wanted to
give him a little bit of a acknowledgment and... and say thanks to him and... and
thanks to the Council for appointing him and turn it over to him for any
comments.
Hayek: Thanks, Michael!
Horan: Thank you very much. Um, do you folks have any questions about the Annual
Report? I would, uh, I would, uh, share this, uh, when I got on the Commission —
I was appointed in 1992, uh, our... our disbursement from the General Fund was
$180,000, which is ... I guess we're making progress, right? (laughter) It's been
fantastic! I'm proud of every, uh, every minute, every meeting that I went to —
good or bad. It's, uh, wonderful to make a contribution. Thank you.
Hayek: Well, Howard, we ... we thank you. You've been on the Commission for quite a
while and you've been part of some exciting changes there and you've really, uh,
been part of the ... the progress we've seen over the last five, ten years
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operationally and in terms of, uh ... uh, of facilities and whatnot, and so we
applaud you for your service and you've done a great... great thing for your
community.
Horan: Thank you very much.
Throgmorton: I want to know what you're gonna do now that you're retired from the
Commission! (laughter)
Horan: Urn ... I'll be moving into, uh, the County, I think, and urn ... uh, maybe there's an
opportunity there. I don't know! (laughter) We'll find something to do, believe
me! We will! (laughter) Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks, Howard. Thanks again for your service (applause)
Pretorius: Good evening! My name is Amy Pretorius. I'm the Project Manager with the
Peninsula Development Company, located 1188 Foster Road. I'm here tonight as
a reminder of the need for emergency access to Iowa City area that's located west
end of Foster Road. The same area that was evacuated five years ago during the
flood of 2008. A group of residents from the healthy neighborhood in which I
build homes and neighboring subdivisions have asked for our help to make their
plea heard. The Peninsula Development Company fully supports (mumbled)
comments here tonight, I will ask for the support of the Greater Iowa City Area
Homebuilders Association tomorrow during their council meeting, as well. When
Foster Road floods again, it will not only compromise residents, but commercial
business and local builders. Whether it is the raising of Foster Road or a road that
connects Mackinaw to Laura Drive, or other, we trust the City Council to make
the appropriate decision. The only stipulation is that we ask that it be done as
soon as possible. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you, Amy. (light applause)
Carberry: Good evening, uh, Council. Uh, Mike Carberry here. 2029 Friendship Street.
Long -time resident of, uh, Iowa City and even longer, uh, term, uh... sustainability
advocate. Um, it was really nice to hear that the state of the City is strong, Mayor
Hayek, and also very nice to hear that the City is, uh, really, uh, through their
strategic planning processes, address sustainability as a core tenant of those, uh
...uh (clears throat) things that the City looks at, uh, look everything in the eye of
sustainability and to me that means sustainability is two things, both economic
and environmental. I'm here just to talk a little bit about, uh, Fiberight, uh, the
Fiberight process. I've had the pleasure of meeting with most of the Council
(coughing, difficult to hear speaker) last couple weeks and staff as well. I would
just, uh, encourage you, uh, to continue to take a look at that. There's, uh, a lot of
questions that need to be answered. There's, uh ... I have just been only looking at
this thing for, uh, two months and when I addressed you on December 17th, I had
a series of questions. I've come up with a lot more. I think that the more we look
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at this the more questions need to be asked about the sustainability of this process,
considering, uh, where we are with property tax reform and the ... a need for $50
million over the next 10 years, I would really emphasize looking at the economic
sustainability of...of such a process and then also of course there's the
environmental impacts, impacts on jobs, and many other questions that should be
answered up front, and so I would ask the City Council to, uh, please at one of
your next, uh, work sessions to please consider, uh, an Ad Hoc Committee, uh, to,
uh, to look into the Fiberight, uh, process and negotiations. Thank you very
much.
Hayek: Mike ... (light applause)
Wisdom: Hello, my name is Wisdom. Um, I came a couple months ago, uh, I know you
guys see a lot of people so you may not remember me. Uh, I'm a current board
member of Faith Academy. It is a private Christian school in the southeast side of
Iowa City on Broadway and Cross Park, and um, I came here pretty much just to
thank you guys. Uh, we came asking for zoning approval, or for rezoning
approval, so that we could start the school and um, we started in August and uh,
it's still going on currently. We're in the process of hiring a third teacher and
we're also in the process of acquiring more space so uh, we have a kindergarten
and we have a first grade right now, and the school is going great. I want to thank
you guys. I also brought two charts and a video. I was told I cannot play the
video today, um, at the meeting, so if you do want to check the video out, I will
upload it at, uh, FaithAcademy.org, no, FaithAcademyIowa.org. Um, it is a
private Christian school, um, that, urn ... we attend to low - income families in Iowa
City. The cost of tuition's about $7,200 per student, but we do have a lot of
sponsors in the community, as well as athletes as well as church members,
community members, and parents have to pay $50 per student, per month. Um,
that payment is optional. They can volunteer and serve. We have parents who
come and serve lunch, who clean the building, who escort us on field trips, and
those hours get counted towards their payment. So ideally some parents don't pay
for their school to receive this private school education. Um ... I ... we do two
tests, and especially in Iowa City. These are the same tests that the Iowa City, uh,
Schools... public schools use and uh, if I could make that ... (mumbled) ... there we
go. Um ... due to student confidentiality I had to, uh, hide their names, but at the
beginning of the school year, you can see that this is where the students were at,
uh, their assessment. Now the DRA test, what that is is the, uh, the amount of
words a student can read in the certain amount of time. So at the beginning we
had some students below, we had some students above, and some students where
they should be at first grade. And at the middle, and these tests were
taking ... were taken, sorry, uh, after Christmas break. So it was about two weeks
after the break. It should have been taken before, but um, two weeks and they
still were able to retain everything. Most of our students are above where they
should be, with the exception of one. Um, we do have 13 current students. Six
first graders and seven kindergartners, and um (clears throat) for the dibels test,
which is a, um, another test that Iowa City also does, and the dibels test is more so
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for skills and language. (mumbled) ...too big. There we go! Skills and language
in terms of letter recognition and sound recognition. Um, most of the students
were below where they should have been, and at this point they are either above
and we have ... with the exception of one student. So it's been a great challenge,
uh, with these 13 students. I'm not an educator, but I do work with the school to
the best of my ability, and it's been a great challenge, and we just want to thank
you guys for approving this school, for making this dream a reality, and um, feel
free to stop by any time, um, and thank you so much!
Hayek: Thank you. You, uh, you oughta send these slides to the ... either to the City Clerk
or to the Council as a whole.
Karr: We've loaded `em on the ... and (both talking) archive with the meeting.
Hayek: Okay. And maybe even a link that goes out in the packet, so that people
could ... if they want, link through (both talking)
Karr: We could ... yeah, we talked about that (both talking)
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Wisdom: Thank you. Do you have any questions, sir? Don't know what I'm doing here. I
have an Apple (laughter) so ... (mumbled) Thank you! (laughter) (light applause)
Knight: Hi, my name is Roger Knight. I remembered! Um, I just wanted to voice about
kind of snow again. Um, like by US Bank on the sidewalks, they don't even try
really anymore. Um ... down here on, uh ... Linn or whatever that street is. They
don't even really try, and that's... really hard on me in a wheelchair.
I ... sometimes like speed, but I don't like to (mumbled) white knuckle across a
sidewalk. Uh, worrying about flipping or whatever. Um, the bricks on, um,
Clinton, they've gotten really beat up, uh, on the walkway and uh, you know, I
mean you can only do so much for snow on a street when tires are dumping snow
on the ground as they drive along, but it's really hard to figure out ... where to go
to miss the potholes, and the potholes are gettin' deeper than what they used to be.
And I just kind of wanted to voice that and another thing about ... I know Lucas
Center, or ... uh ... the Rec Center, um ... they're going to what they call a `wellness
center.' Well, they're just making it super - confusing and really unuseful for
everybody. Like for today, I mean, I know they're switching over, but for today
pretty much if you wanted to swim, cool. If you wanted to play basketball, cool.
If you wanted to do anything else, oh, sorry. And um ... I kind of voiced it before,
but they put to a, uh, a card that you're supposed to check in with. Okay, that
might be helping with things but ... you know, you could use that card to check out
equipment because there's people that have walked away with balls or whatever
for like pool balls or whatever, and um ... know when you get that happening, all
that's gonna do is kind of mess ya up. You know, you're trying to get things
going, get couple pool tables going and then somebody takes a ball. And you
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can't just go to Walmart and get another 2 ball or something. You have to buy
another set from what I've seen. So maybe somebody can check into that. That
was my two big things I wanted to bring up. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you, Roger. Is there anyone else for community comment?
Bramel: Shortness of time we've got five minutes left it seems, uh, Mayor Hayek, City
Council Members, Alec Bramel, uh, City Council Liaison. Um, I just want to
introduce Kevin McCarthy who is the new, uh, Vice City Council Liaison. Uh,
my alternate, uh, earlier in February, UISG nominated and appointed him and also
City Council at our last, uh, work session, you appointed him also, so I appreciate
that very much. I'm very excited to bring Evan on. The learning curve's going to
be a bit steep, um, as uh, he'll be transferring into my position, uh, here in May,
um, but uh, we'll make it all work out, so very excited to bring on ... bring him on.
I'll let him, uh, introduce himself. Thank you!
Hayek: Thanks, Alec!
McCarthy: Hi, like Alec said, I'm Evan McCarthy. I'm a sophomore at the University of
Iowa, Political Science major, and I'm actually from Iowa City. I've lived here
all my life. So I'm looking forward to being able to work with all of you and get
involved in the process a little bit. (several responding)
Hayek: Alec, you show him the ropes, okay? (laughter) All right. Move out of
community comment into, uh, Planning and Zoning items.
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ITEM 7. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
ITEM 7a. MAILBOX CLUSTERS — ORDINANCE 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. (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Mims: Move second consideration.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Anyone from the audience on
this? Further Council discussion?
Payne: I just want to, just a quick note. I was in Lincoln, Nebraska, a few weeks ago and
they have these mailbox clusters on all their streets, even the old streets, and I was
going to stop and take a picture so I could show it to you and I forgot. So next
time I'm there I'll show ... I'll get a picture within an old neighborhood what it
looks like because I think people have asked questions about that, so ... not just
new neighborhoods but (several talking)
Hayek: Be good to see, and this does not affect existing subdivisions.
Payne: Good point! (laughter)
Botchway: Yet, right? It could.
Throgmorton: Not this, but (both talking)
Botchway: Yeah, correct.
Throgmorton: ... Postal Service might do something.
Botchway: Right.
Hayek: Okay, roll call, please. Uh, second consideration passes 7 -0.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Throgmorton: So moved.
Dobyns: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Throgmorton, seconded by Dobyns. Discussion? Those in favor say
aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries.
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ITEM 7c. LINDEMANN SUBDIVISION PARTS 4B, 6, & 7 —
RESOLUTION APPROVING PRELIMINARY PLAT (SUB13- 00024)
Hayek: We'll need a motion to get it on the floor.
Dobyns: So moved.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
Davidson: Good evening, Mr. Mayor, and Members of the City Council. I'm Jeff Davidson,
the Director of Planning and Community Development. Uh, the plat that you
have before you, uh, is a request from Southgate Development, uh, for the, uh,
prelim... preliminary plat approval of an 85 -lot residential subdivision, located
north of Camden Road on 25 ... approximately 25 acres, and you see the location
here, uh, just to orient you ... uh, Court Street is down at the bottom here. Uh, the
existing Lindemann subdivision here, uh, the parts that are under consideration
tonight, and you can see it's split into, um, this is a replatting of Parts 6 and 7, and
then also Part 4b that you see here, and I'll show you the plat in a second. Uh,
and then at the top of the, uh, map here is Lower West Branch Road, just to orient
you. Um ... these ... this property was originally annexed in 2001. Uh, it was part
of a 95 -acre, uh, annexation that, uh, established Lindemann Subdivision. A
portion of the area, which you see there to the south, has, uh, been developed, uh,
into platted lots. The preliminary plat for Parts 6 and 7 have expired. Uh, the
applicant is now requesting approval of a new preliminary plat for Parts 6 and 7,
and a replatting of Part 4, and those are the three that you see there. Uh, here is an
aerial, and again, you can see Camden Road there, the extension of Camden Road
to the south, uh ... here. Uh, the existing greenway corridor that's been established
through the earlier, uh, the earlier plats which will provide open space, uh, for the
residential neighborhood. You can also see a series of, uh, existing streets that
will be ... that the subdivision that you see here, uh, before you will connect into.
Urn ... couple of other things, uh, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, um,
there have been some coding, uh, subdivision design standards that have changed
since the original plats, and the way we handle those ... I think you're familiar is
that if...if the, uh, builder is tying into existing sidewalks and streets that were
established with the old, uh, requirements, we allow those to be continued so that
we have consistency in the street and sidewalks, but if...if it's past an intersection
where it would be newly established, then they're required to use the new
subdivision regulations, and basically it's a difference between 50 -foot wide
right -of -way for streets and 4 -foot sidewalks to the new ... the new standard being
60 -foot rights -of -way and um ... for local streets, and 5 -foot sidewalks. Urn ... so
that'll be consistent throughout what is, uh, proposed here. Uh, I mentioned the
interconnected streets. Uh, the environmentally sensitive areas are being handled,
um, consistent with the previous plat, and in accordance with our regulations.
One thing I did want to notice since you've had so much discussion lately is
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there's an outlot right ... there where the mailbox cluster will be located, and it's
been worked out with the developer how that will be handled. It will be accepted,
uh, by the City at the point at which, uh, the, uh ... um, the ... the design of the
landscaping around it has been accepted by the homeowner's association. So
that'll all be settled by the time we, uh, accept it. Uh, this is part then of a larger
outlot that you can see here. It's kind of oddly shaped, but is essentially the
stream corridor that will be dedicated to the City then, uh, the mailbox clusters
carved out of that, but ... but that'll continue the greenway, uh, to the north. If
you've been out there, very nice, uh, enhancement for the neighborhoods in the
area. Um ... the deficiencies and discrepancies that were in the Planning and
Zoning, uh, report have all been addressed. Uh ... I think that was ... yes, I believe
that was any... everything. Do you have any, uh, questions about anything? Oh,
there's a ... there's a, um, photograph of the area to be platted.
Payne: So all three of those subdivisions will have their mailboxes in that cluster?
Davidson: Yes.
Payne: How many is that?
Davidson: Is that 85 lots, Glenn? 85 lots. The existing portion of Lindemann has curbside
mailboxes.
Payne: So ... theoretically how many cars could back up there waiting to get their mail?
Davidson: Um... (both talking) hard to say.
Payne: 85!
Davidson: I certainly wouldn't... hopefully not all 85 at once. We do feel like it's a local
street. If it was an arterial or something like that we would feel much differently
about it. It's a local street and ... we believe it's a manageable situation. There
was much discussion at the Planning and Zoning Commission if you happen to
see those minutes. (laughter)
Hayek: Knowing Michelle, she probably did! (laughter)
Davidson: Any other questions for me before you continue your hearing? (both talking)
Hayek: Yeah, Jeff, there was a letter from a resident regarding a century -old oak tree.
Davidson: Right.
Hayek: Could you address that?
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Davidson: Uh, we did ask the City Forester to address that and it was the City Forester's
opinion that the development of the lot where the tree is located in a previous
subdivision had damaged the tree to the point where, um...it...it was not anything
that ... that we should go to extraordinary measures to salvage. That was the City
Forester's opinion.
Hayek: Okay.
Davidson: Any other questions? Thank you!
Hayek: Okay, anyone from the audience? Close it down for City Council consideration.
Throgmorton: I was going to ask the same question so...
Hayek: Okay. Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Pro... approved, uh, 7 to 0.
Okay, so, uh, at this time if we can get a motion to move Item 17 up to be
considered in front of Item 8.
Mims: Move that we, uh, take up Item 17 now, prior to going to Item #8.
Payne: Second.
Throgmorton: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay.
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ITEM 17. AD HOC SENIOR SERVICES COMMITTEE - RESOLUTION
ESTABLISHING AN AD HOC SENIOR SERVICES COMMITTEE TO
REVIEW THE VISION, MISSION, AND PROGRAMMING OF CITY
SPONSORED SENIOR SERVICES IN RELATION TO THE OVERALL
NEEDS OF SENIORS IN THE COMMUNITY.
Mims: So moved.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Can I get a show of hands,
uh, how many people from the audience intend to address the Council? Okay.
That's about a half dozen or so. All right, that's fine, and now ... now's the
appropriate time to step forward, um ... we'll stick with the five - minute rule, but I
strongly encourage you to use less ... fewer than five minutes, and to, uh, also to
provide new information to the extent you're able so we're not getting repeat of
what we've already heard.
Honohan: Mayor and City Council, my name is Jay Honohan. I live at 1510 Somerset Lane
and I'm a Member of the Senior Center Commission. And, uh ... we are here to
talk about this, uh, Ad Hoc Committee. Um, I'll start out by saying, Honohan,
how can you argue against something like this, but I'm a lawyer and I can argue
against anything! (laughter) Uh ... we're very concerned about the ... the timing of
the Ad Hoc Committee. I'd like to correct one thing, Michelle. Our request is for
a community -wide survey, not ... we ... we had the, uh, sort of survey of the Senior
Center done earlier by Linda and an intern without professional help, and... and
we understand that, but we really desire a communitywide survey and ... and find
out what the community wants, what the community thinks, and what they would
like. And ... and we feel kind of like, uh, Kingsley and Jim said on the thing, why
wouldn't the Ad Hoc Committee want information from the people that are going
to be affected? Because we feel very strongly that ... that, uh, our ... our survey
was sent out to the participants, not to the community at wide, and... and we need
to know ... well, of course we think that the Senior Center, and by the way, I think
the tenor of paragraph A does seem a little negative towards the Senior Center.
And as a result and the concerns, we have a lot of people that are going to talk
about that, uh, following my short presentation here. Um ... we ... we are very
concerned. I'm also concerned about having people outside of Iowa City on the
Ad Hoc Committee. It seems to me it's an Iowa City, uh, proposition and it
should be Iowa City people on it and not, uh, somebody from outside the city in
Coralville who do not contribute to the (mumbled) The ... the City of Iowa City
contributes the bulk and then some of our grants and participant fees and that
contribute the rest. We get very little from the County, and we get nothing... we
have requested but never get anything from Coralville or North Liberty. So I
think it should be an Iowa City, uh, committee and not have people from Johnson
County. Uh, I ... I guess we are concerned, as I said earlier, we need to know what
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the community wants of not only the Senior Center, but the other agencies, and...
and for some reason we seem to be the only one that is serving seniors, and of
course that's not true. There are dozens of agencies in this community serving
seniors. Elder Services being the major one ... that serves outside of the Center,
although they do serve with us because the dining program, which comes out of
the Senior Center, they ... all the meals that are forwarded, and the Meals on
Wheels done by the kitchen in the Senior Center. So, I know it's probably a
losing battle, but I've fought windmills before, but uh ... I urge you not to adopt
this resolution tonight and ... have a survey done throughout the city before the Ad
Hoc Committee is formed. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you.
Mitchell: Good evening. My name is Kathy Mitchell. Thank you, Jay. My name is Kathy
Mitchell. I reside at 722 Iowa Avenue. I am a Senior Commissioner. I am also
on the Seniors Outreach Committee and currently I am the Chair of the Steering
Council, which is our elected body, and I am the Commission's liaison to that...
to that Council. I am also the Manager of the Library with four to five assistants
under me. I work for SCTV, which is our television station. I am part of the
"Reading Aloud" pro... performance group. I am part of a pilot project to create
life stories. I am an ESL tutor and facilitator, and I am the founder of our Banana
Gram group that meets once a month. The reason I'm telling you this because I
am here to address participation levels at the Center. For 33 years the Senior
Center has had a spectacular relationship with its members. There are many, at
present 32 members who are in leadership positions, not just the Commission, but
also sitting on the Steering Committee and members of the Membership,
Outreach, and Program Committees. These leaders address general concerns.
They work to increase membership. They promote the positive image of aging,
and they create exciting and interesting programs for the Center, and the
community at large. We have over 600 volunteers last year doing things from
teaching classes to keeping the building open on off hours and weekends. We
have a broad partnership with our community, including the University of Iowa,
Kirkwood Community College, the Iowa City Public Library, the Iowa City
Recreation Center, the Visiting Nurses Association, four law firms, AARP, Elder
Services, and other institutions, organizations, and businesses. Last year we were
accredited. Our evaluation was spectacular. We are one of only 200 senior
centers in the United States that have accreditation. If we are not one of the best,
we are certainly the best. Most of us feel that we are the best senior center in the
country. Although we do serve various levels of seniors, our overall mission is
optimum wellness to ensure that this growing number of seniors in our
community does not become frail before its time. It is the reason that so many
seniors retire to Iowa City. It is one of the key reasons that I stayed in Iowa City
when I retired. Now, can we do better? Well we think so. As we just said, we
had an internal survey that told us that we ... we're under - serving certain minority
populations and low- income populations in the Iowa City area. We have been
working hard to try to remedy this. We are looking at such things as putting some
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of our important documents, such as "Honoring Your Wishes," and some of our
important signage in a bilingual format. We continue to promote our superb
scholarship program. We are looking at ways of going out into the community to
meet individuals within the minority communities and low- income communities
in order to serve them better with classes and events, programs that will be of
interest to them and bring them in the Center. As you know, we've requested two
things on our budget. One was a community -wide survey, and the other was to
ask for a half -time hourly employee who would go out as an outreach facilitator,
to go into the low- income and minority areas of Iowa City, in terms of nutrition
and wellness, in conjunction with our Blue Zone, and other areas as needed. We
know that there were budget constraints and we did not get those, but we want
you to be aware that we had the vision to ask for these in order to create a more
inclusive Center. Now, at this point I would like to make a request of you. You
appointed me to be a Commissioner. You felt that I was intelligent enough,
capable enough, and compassionate enough to be a Senior Commissioner, to work
on the policies and procedures that meet the needs of our Center. I agree with our
Chair, Jay Honohan. It is premature to create this Ad Hoc Committee right now.
Please, let us do this general community, big tent survey, and I ask you that you
let your Commissioners do their job. I thank you very much for your time.
Hayek: Thank you. (applause)
Holbrook: Hello, I'm Dr. Mark Holbrook. Uh, I live at 317 Fairview Avenue. I teach the
`Biology of Aging' course at the University of Iowa. I'm a member of the Aging
Studies Program in the Biology Department. Um, I'm a member of the Johnson
County Livable Communities Visibility Action Team, and I'm a Senior Center
Commissioner. I believe a major stimulus for the proposed Ad Hoc Committee
was the issue of diversity, or lack thereof, at the Senior Center. I'd like to very
briefly speak about our efforts as a Commission, and the efforts of the staff of the
Center to address the needs of the aging LGBT community, an often under -
recognized minority. The Center is in the process of becoming a SAGE affiliate.
That's Services and Advocacy... Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgender Elders. The Center has made a point of being deliberately inclusive
of GLBT elders in their use of language, as well as in their programming. The
same cannot be said for many other service agencies in the community, not
necessarily on purpose, but just because the, uh ... failure to recognize the need.
Uh, the Center has a weekly film series on, uh, GLBT films, and the Center, along
with the Visibility Action Team, Johnson County Public Health, and several other
community organizations sponsored an undercover aging program this last, uh,
September in association with National HIV /Aids and Aging Awareness Day.
Uh, this informative event had materials on HIV, HPV, and other sexually
transmitted diseases, gambling addiction, and other topics that often are not
presented to the elderly, and seven individuals were tested that afternoon for HIV.
Elderly GLBT are often marginalized and many have little to no family for social
supports. They've been isolated from their family when they came out. Uh, it's
definitely a different world now, but for many of them, they still bear the scars of
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when they grew up. I am proud that the Center has recognized their needs. It is
my hope that the Council recognizes the efforts the Center and the Commission
has made to make the Center more inclusive and diverse. I believe we are making
some progress, but we are far from done. I do not agree that a separate committee
is necessary to address these and other concerns, at least not at this time. The
Commission has been appointed by you to serve as an advocacy role with regards
to the needs of the senior citizens. That's in the original document that set up the
appointment of this Commission. And we would love to work with you in
determining the best way to deliver services to the elders of this community. We
certainly don't have all the answers, solutions, or a complete perspective. That's
why we want to do the county, or the citywide survey, but we do want to hear
your concerns, as well as the concerns of others. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you.
Dean: My name is Bryson Dean. I live at 310 Scott Court. I'm not on the Senior
Commission. I retired here in 08 because I had family here and so I virtually
came not knowing anybody but my family who are as families are, very busy.
Immediately joined the Senior Center and I got active in the Senior Center, and
it's meant a world of difference to me. I am extremely impressed with the Center
and as I got more involved, I became involved as a volunteer and I'm part of a
group called the Ambassadors, and we are part of the Outreach Committee. We
go out and we talk to people. We've been invited to talk to, um, companies that
are having retirement events. We go out to various other events. We go to places
like Regency Heights and talk to people. Recently we worked together with
SHIP, which is housed at the Senior Center, which explains (mumbled) been very
helpful. There are different options when we're on Medicare, and we can join
different Medicare Advantage, and we can look at the differences and they help us
make those decisions so we ... we paired with them and went out to talk to a group
and had a ... it was a ... it was a very nice, urn ... co- presentation. And what is just
amazing that I found is as a Member and as an active Ambassador, is how few
people really know how much we do! It's incredible! I ... I always start out by
telling people ... it took me, you know, a full day to go through this catalog. So I
finally figured out a method, and this is what I show people, and they are amazed
that we have clubs, we have service organizations, we reach out, we have so many
things that are open to the public so we're truly inter - generational. So it just goes
on and on, and not to mention, I always, uh, I think the staff is wonderful, but part
of the staff that I don't think we give enough credit to is our maintenance. We are
blessed to live in a beau ... or to be housed in a beautiful historic building, and our
maintenance crew are fabulous. That building is kept in wonderful shape. But, so
I was a bit surprised to find out that ... that when we have a commission and
everything seems to be going so well, all of a sudden why are you doing this? So
I ... I looked it over and quite frankly I don't ... I think you need to go back to the
drawing board and clarify. You're talking about you're' going to do this on the
basis of our mission, and our in -house survey, and then you come down and you
talk about the needs of seniors? Well, that isn't enough. You need a survey. I
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got to thinking, you ... what to really assess the growing demographics of the
seniors in the economic environment, and all of the aspects, it would be a good
Ph.D. thesis. I would suggest that you partner, as we do, with the University, find
someone in aging studies, and have them do a Ph.D. thesis. There are so many
agencies... agencies that meet the needs of seniors, as well as the rest of the
population, like the Food Bank or the Crisis Center. There are other agencies that
are limited by different ages, and the cutoffs are different. I don't think that ... we
have enough information to have what looks like about seven meetings to make
such a decision? So I would urge you to think a little more in detail, and I would
also invite all of you if you haven't to come to the Senior Center, to go over a, uh,
a program guide with us, to have a thorough tour. I know Kathy gives some of
the best tours, so make sure you ask for her when you come. Thank you!
Hayek: Thank you. (light applause)
Hanson: I'm also on the Commission. My name is Rose Hanson. I lived in northwest
Iowa in a ghost town of about 12 people, and my son was in Iowa City and I'd
retired and he said, "Mom, why don't you come to Iowa City ?" And my
daughter -in -law said there is a chorus at the Senior Center. That was 21 years
ago. So I became a member of the chorus, and then there were so many other
things to become involved in. There's over 96 classes listed in our spring ... spring
catalog, and they're reaching out to low - income people, and other races, and I
don't know, I think maybe it would behoove, um, behoove us to maybe have a
bus pass for low- income people. Transportation is a big problem with a lot of the
people who would like to come to the Center. I feel so fortunate to be in HUD
housing and live next door to the Center. I can be there every day. But for some
people it does present a problem. So if there was a ... a bus pass maybe for low -
income people, and if there was a stop close to the Center where they could get
off and be able to take part in some of the activities. And why it's called a senior
center I don't know because you can become a member at age 50! That includes
you, doesn't it (laughter)
Hayek: My gray hair's growing in, isn't it? (laughter) I got a few years, but uh, I'm
knocking on that door! (laughter)
Hanson: Thank you very much! (several talking and laughing)
Hayek: Yeah, I'm an old soul! (light applause) Thank you for the comments. Especially
the last one (laughs) (several talking and laughing)
Felling: My name's Chuck Felling. I live at 825 S. 7th Avenue in Iowa City. And I ... I'd
like to second Rose's invitation. All of...any of you are welcome to come to the
Senior Center, sit in on the Commission meetings, sit in on the Steering
Commission meetings, come to, I mean, we have plenty of meetings and I know
you guys are always looking for meetings (laughter) and ... I'm not going to say
anything more about the Center, other than Rose and ... and Mary and the people
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who have talked with you are just a few of the very enthusiastic 1,600 folks who
belong to the Senior Center. The Senior Center is a place for ... a chance to find
out who you are now that you're grown up (laughter) You can be a teacher. You
can lead a group of people writing their life stories. You can devise mathematics
and ... programs to teach old dogs new tricks. I mean, it's ... it's a fantastic place,
and these things are essential to being able to grow old, to be ... spirited as you...
mentally as well as physically. Um, I never thought I would do zumba, but I do!
(laughter) I'm in the ... I was in the ... chair zumba class till my bad hip got to me.
Now I don't do zumba anymore! (laughs) But we have recliner bikes that you
can ride. We have classes. That's a great place! So, come on over and see us,
and thank you for listening to our ... our pleas.
Hayek: Thank you. (light applause) Okay, I will shut it down for Council discussion.
Payne: I guess one of the things I want to say is when I read this resolution, I didn't read
it as what I'm hearing as a ... attack on the Senior Center! I looked at it more as...
that we have an aging population, and how can the City help serve them best. So
I ... I didn't ever look at this like it was something... there was something wrong
with the Center. Um, I know Jay comes here a lot and tells us all the wonderful
things that are going there and we get the ... your catalog and I read through it all
the time and think, gosh, I wish I was 50 so I could go! (laughs) So I ... I guess I
didn't ever think that ... that that was the intent of this. I just looked at it as a way
to, you know, what are we going to do for all our... our aging, the aging people in
our community. We want to be on the forefront, not the back ... the back end,
so ... I'm glad you came and talked, but I never looked at it that way (laughs)
Dickens: I guess I'm still a firm believer that we need to do a survey first before we even
look at this Ad Hoc Committee. I think we should defer it until we do that. Um,
it is a citywide, and as Jay said, I did bring up the point that we shouldn't have
people outside. Originally it was written outside even Iowa City, and even
outside the County. We narrowed it down in the County. The ... the, since we're
talking about all the citizens of Iowa City, I think we should keep it to the ... the
citizens of Iowa City, but I still think we need to do a survey before we ... we go
ahead. I don't have a problem with an Ad Hoc Committee, but not at this time.
Dobyns: My recommendation if the Council decides to have an Ad Hoc Committee, I think
it should be the purview of that, uh, Committee to take a look and define what it
wants to look at in terms of senior services, because that is the committee, if we
form it, to go ahead and take a look, and I think that committee should be, uh, the
ones to define the range, um, and content of the survey. So I would support it as
written.
Mims: Yeah, I think I would support it, um, as written as well. I think ... I think having
the Committee look at what information they need and... and what kind of a
survey they may or may not feel they need. Um, I think there's a lot of flexibility
within this. Um, and again, I did not read this as any kind of an attack, um, you
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know, on the Senior Center or anything negative, but we ... I mean, we are a
retirement destination, as many of you have attested to, and um, we need to, you
know, stay on the forefront in terms of providing those services, um, as best we
can to all of our, uh, aging citizens regardless of, uh, demographics, in terms of
ethnicity or financial status, etc., and ... I don't see this as, you know, a result
of...of the Senior Center's, uh, own survey or, you know, internal survey and
some of the shortcomings that you found within that. I think that's admirable that
you did that and see, okay, there's ways we need to improve and... and you're
trying to do that, but this looks at a bigger picture. Um, and it looks at some of
the things within the Senior Center, as well, but that whole bigger picture, and I
think, uh, my one concern with it would be, um, the December 1St ending. I ... I
wouldn't be surprised if the Committee came back and said, more needs to be
done. We either need to extend this date or we need to appoint a second
committee to take the next step, because I think ... I think there's a lot here and I
think to get this appointed now, and have it done in December, um... could be a
very, very ambitious (several talking) very ambitious goal, but ... but I'm willing
to start with this, with the idea that, you know, we might need to do more. We
probably will need to do more.
Hayek: I mean I...1, and I want to echo your ... your comments and ... and Michelle's. I ... I
have great admiration for the Senior Center and I think it's gne of our strongest
suits, um ... my ... my mother participates. I know personally through that, uh, you
know, how ... how the Center functions and ... and you know, what a role it plays
in our community. I... and I... and I know from so many others, uh, the kinds of
things it does, uh, in the ... in the community. Um ... but I'm not afraid to take a
look at how we provide services, uh, and get some recommendations on ... on what
we can do to improve that. It is a growing population. It is, uh, a driver of, uh,
our local economy. Iowa City is recognized as a destination for people who want
to age in a place that provides, uh, the sort of arts and culture and... and health and
...and all of the other things that are factors to people who are making decisions
about where to live. Um, and ... and you know, this ... this item does not create a
committee that has a particular... charge in terms of coming up with a binding
plan or something that we will do. All it does is ... is create an opportunity for a
process to look at how we provide seniors, uh, services in the community, and
make some recommendations, which may or may not hold any, uh, water, uh, to
the Council when ... when they come back to us. Um ... uh, and ... and I think that's
an important distinction. I ... the issue of a ... a survey should be, I would ... I
assume it will be discussed, if this committee is appointed, and... and that may be
one of, you know, the very first recommendations, uh, from the Committee and
that would require some additional resources from the City, which, um, you
know, we'll have to take up. Um, and I ... I agree it may not be something that can
be accomplished by December 1, uh, but the Senior Center is a ... it's a big chunk
of our operation, it's ... it's, uh, you know, it's a substantial undertaking that the
...that the City has committed to, and ... and rightly so. Um, I ... I'm not, uh, afraid
of looking at it. There was an issue which we resolved at the work session. I
think it was more, uh, confusing than anything else. I don't think the intention
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was to open up the, uh, membership on the committee to people who were outside
of Johnson County. Uh, I agree the way it was written you could certainly read it
that way, but they've... that's been changed, uh ... uh, in terms of this vote. Um,
but it allows up to one or two people outside of Iowa City, but within Johnson
County, um, to ... to serve on it, if there's an expertise those individuals offer that
we're not seeing in the applications we're getting from Iowa City residents, which
I think is reasonable, and... and uh, it is a... a sore spot for me to note that the...
that ... that Iowa City is far and away the biggest funder of this service and ... and
fair share funding from our, uh, partner, uh, jurisdictions here in Johnson County
is an issue and we've talked about that and ... and it's not fair that Iowa City has
to, uh, bear the brunt of...of a service that is enjoyed by people beyond Iowa City,
but the fact is there is participation by non -Iowa Citians, who are residents of
Johnson County, um, and so I think it's appropriate to at least have the potential
for, um, a portion of this committee to, uh, consist of people, um, who are
Johnson County residents but ... but not in Iowa City. Um, so ... uh, I ... I'm ... I'm
okay with this, and... and, uh, I view it as creating an opportunity for a committee
to go through a deliberate process. Um, and in our experience, you know, that
involves, uh, a lot of engagement with the public and a lot of, uh, input from...
from ... from the stakeholders and ... and some discussion, and it...at best comes up
with a set of recommendations that comes to us for consideration.
Throgmorton: I'd like to echo a lot of what's already been said so I won't repeat it literally. I'd
just like to make it clear for the record, I do not see this Ad Hoc Committee as
evaluating the Senior Center Commission. That's not its purpose, as I understand
it. Instead the purpose is to look at changes in the senior population. You know,
there are more people getting older, I mean, who are above 65 like yours truly,
and uh, the senior population is much more diverse. There's a whole range of
agencies providing services to senior in one way or another out there. I think it's
timely for us to appoint a committee that would be looking at that sort of
ensemble of things in... in... in light of the changes that have been taking place.
And just also for the record, just because we're appointing a committee, uh, does
not mean I'm committing myself to agreeing with whatever the committee comes
up with in the way of recommendations. I've gotta see what it is, you know, and
I'm sure that, uh, the Senior Center, uh, Commissioners who have been ably
represented tonight will have a lot to say to the Ad Hoc Committee, assuming we
do vote to create it. Uh, and provide a lot of insight about ways in which, uh, we
could better, uh, respond to the needs of seniors in our city.
Botchway: I kind of echo everybody's comments as well. Um, I actually had a recent tour. I
think the Senior Center's awesome! Uh, I was actually (mumbled) couple times
to play pool with a couple of the members and from that I will now be practicing
at the Iowa City Rec Center (several talking and laughing) Yeah, yeah, it's going
to be (laughs) shouldn't even open my mouth! (laughs) But um ... and I guess I'm
...I'm torn on this issue as well. Uh, I ... I applaud, you know, what the ... the
Committee has done. Um ... from hearing some of the other comments ... I would
like to see a committee come together just because I would want to see it
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encompass all the different services that really affect the elder population, and
know whether or not they're doing the best of their abilities, as well. Um, one
thing that I am in disagreement with and obviously this was talked about during
the work session, I ... I still do not think we should have at least one Council
Member on there. I ... I don't think it should be a will. Now whether or not based
on what Eleanor told me, um, during the work session, um, since it's not prohib
...prohibitive and Council can, I mean, Council can apply to any commission
which is ... there's an appointment, then let that be the case and we make our
decision at that point, but I think the fact that we have to have it in there, I don't...
I don't think it should be in there. I don't think it should be. I think the language
is at least ... at least one Member of the City Council should be taken off. And
again, he could... and again, you could still apply, a City Council Member could
still apply, but ... um ... it wouldn't be a requirement. I'd feel more comfortable.
Throgmorton: Are you likely to make a motion on that?
Karr: Jim, do you have your mic?
Throgmorton: (both talking)
Botchway: Oh yeah, um ... motion to remove... haven't made a motion before, Jim! So thanks
for putting me on the spot! (laughs) Motion to remove or amend, excuse me, uh,
the language that says... members... membership shall include at least one
Member of the City Council.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Okay, so there's a motion from Botchway, seconded by Dickens, to uh ... remove
that language. Uh, discussion?
Throgmorton: Yeah, we had a lengthy discussion about this in the work session and I indicated
that I thought it would be inappropriate to have, uh, a City Council Member
appointed, uh, de facto, uh, to the committee, for a variety of reasons that I ... I
don't want to go through them again right now, but I'll be supporting the motion.
Mims: I won't.
Dobyns: And to be clear with the group is that, um, I practice geriatrics at the University
and I've also served in multiple organizations, not - for - profits in the community,
so um, if this does go forward, it is my intention to apply for this commission as
the one Council Member, um. I recognize some of the issues with that, but then
as an individual, I felt that my particular professional interests, and my interest in
the community, I felt that I needed to (mumbled) express my interest to the
Council. Um ... and it's for the entire Council to deliberate on this matter, but just
for transparency, um, it would be my intent to apply, should this commission go
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forward as written. Um, and even if, um, it wasn't a requirement, um, I still
would make an application.
Hayek: Go ahead!
Mims: I won't support the amendment. I don't think there's anything wrong with the
Council, um, setting aside a position on an Ad Hoc Committee, uh, for one
Council Member. Um, you know, we ... we talked earlier in the work session
about different kinds of committees that we have and subcommittees, etc., and
some where we do and some where we don't, and I don't see a problem, and I
think with part of the role of this committee, um, involving the Senior Center, as
well as a broader set of things, um, and the financial, uh, impact in terms of the
City with the Senior Center, I don't have a problem, uh, saying that we will put
one of the Councilors on there. So I will not support the amendment.
Botchway: And I guess for me, you know, just to be clear, it just seems ... again, like I mean
we're running into a situation where, um ... I mean, and assuming... oh, yeah, you
would be on there! Um, that ... it would just be, I mean, you're already advocating
for that position as a City Council Member, and I guess I'm trying to understand
why, and it doesn't matter I guess for my reasons or your reasons why, but uh, for
my reasons it's you're then again advocating in a position you already hold as a
City Council Member. I just don't see ... I don't understand why you're doing it
twice. Um ... but, you know, uh ... that's just my, I mean, that's my humble
opinion, I guess, and so we move forward accordingly, but ... um...
Dickens: I just don't like the requirement of having that, and I think it sets a precedence for
other Ad Hoc Committee. We ... I just know we ... we've only had two. This is
the second one that we've had since I've been on the Council, and we didn't have
anybody... any Council Member's more than welcome to go to that. I think Rick
would be very good and if he applies I would be more than happy to put him on
the committee because I think he's got the expertise, but I'd put him on as a
citizen and not as a ... as a Councilor. So, I think we're setting a precedence here
as far as Ad Hoc.
Hayek: You know although ... I, you know, we haven't had... we've... we've had very few
Ad Hoc Committees. The last one we had, I think we had a ... we had two Council
liaisons to that, um ... which may be a distinction without a difference. I ... I don't
know, uh, I'm ... I'm just ... I'm not bothered by it. I certainly wouldn't want more
than ... than one, um, but ... but one is one of six or seven. Um ... I, you know, and I
appreciate the transparency, Rick, I mean the disclosure. I think that's... that's
appropriate. Um ... I'm ... I'm just not bothered by this. (several talking) ...weigh
in, Eleanor?
Dilkes: I ... I just want to be careful about this whole idea of City Council Members
applying to serve on boards and commissions. Um ... the resolution that we have,
and have had for years, says ... that, um, spouses and other family members of
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Council Members will not be eligible to serve. Um, it doesn't say Council
Members will not be eligible to serve, but my guess is that's because it didn't
even come to anybody's mind that ... that there would be applications by Council
Members who would then be appointing people to these commissions.
Dobyns: No one would be so foolish to (laughs)
Dilkes: You know, so I ... I don't think we want to get down a path where we're gonna not
include it in the resolution that there's going to be a Council Member and then say
they're going to apply. Uh, I ... I don't think that's what has been the intention
over the years. If the City Council thinks that there should be a Council Member
on this commission, then you want to say so in the resolution.
Payne: And then is it more of an appointment than what like we (both talking)
Dilkes: You just say ... we want one of us, and again, as I said at the ... the work session, I
don't think there is any legal problem with that at all. You certainly can chose to
have one of your own sitting on, um, the Ad Hoc Committee, but ... but that
should be by saying that in the resolution, not by leaving it open for Council
Members to apply. I don't...
Botchway: Will we have... sorry, I didn't mean to cut you off! Do we still have like the
same, uh, I know for the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee you were there, Marian
was there, Tom was there ... I mean, is that going to be the same type of model,
where there would be help from the same departments?
Dilkes: The way ... the way the resolution reads is it'll be staffed by a member of the City
Manager's office and the City Clerk. We didn't include on this one the City
Attorney, because unlike the Diversity Committee, there aren't a lot of just
immediately apparent legal issues.
Hayek: You know, to ... by way of example, I mean I'm ... I'm assigned by the City
Council to the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and you know, from time to time
they take up action that ... that we then take up, and a good recent example is the...
the CVB recently voted to fund a study of, uh, hotel saturation in ... in the county,
and is going to chip in some money. Well that's going to come back before us, as
well, um, to ... to participate and I ... I ... I get the ... the concern about it. I guess I
just don't share it, um...
Throgmorton: But, Matt, that's... that's not a reasonable analogy, because we're not appointing
all the members to the Convention and Visitors Bureau, one of whom would be a
Council Member. In that instance, we're appointing one person from the Council
to represent the City of Iowa City on the board.
Payne: The Council appoints all three people to be on the Economic Development
Committee.
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Throgmorton: Which provides just committee advice to the Council as a whole. That's
different! It's ... it's not the same as having a separate committee created for a
particular purpose... that, you know, provides advice on some particular topic, uh,
on a temporary basis. It's different!
Payne: It's the same but different. Or it's different but the same! (laughs) One of the
two! (laughs) It's still an appointment.
Hayek: Well, we should probably just vote on this (several talking)
Payne: Do we need to vote on the (several talking)
Karr: (mumbled)
Mims: I'm calling the question, on the amendment.
Hayek: Yep, so ... um ... let's take a vote (several talking)
Karr: Is there a second to calling the question?
Payne: Oh, I'll second the (several talking) question.
Hayek: Do we need to do that? Why don't I just ... we'll just stop the discussion. It looks
like everybody's said their piece on this motion. Uh, all those in favor say aye.
No, no, no, no! This is Kingsley's motion (several talking) to amend the language
to remove the City Councilor. (several talking)
Botchway: Wait a minute, did I get some ayes on that that I (several talking and laughing)
Dilkes: They can be changed until the Mayor announces (several talking and laughing)
Botchway: Oh my gosh! (laughs)
Hayek: Kingsley, this is your motion! This has been seconded. All those in favor of
Kingsley's motion say aye. I hear three. All those opposed say nay. Uh, so the
ayes are 3, the nays are 4. The motion fails. So now we're back to, uh,
discussion of the pending, uh, item, Item 17.
Mims: Call the question.
Payne: second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay.
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Botchway: Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute!
Hayek: Yeah, this is ... this is...
Karr: We're calling the question, which means debate ceases and you take a vote
(several talking)
Hayek: Let's ... let's slow down. Eleanor!
Karr: They just did it again!
Dobyns: They did it (both talking)
Karr: ... no, that was a separate motion.
Dilkes: There was a motion to (several talking) call the motion, there was a second, and
now we're voting on that motion.
Karr: That's correct.
Dilkes: Which you just did! (several talking) So there, okay ... now we're going to vote,
without debate, on the resolution. (several talking) So I will read the roll call
(laughter)
Hayek: Great idea!
Botchway: I'm confused! (several talking) Oh!
Dilkes: This is the resolution...
Botchway: Oh, yes!
Dilkes: ...without your amendment, uh ... establishing the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee.
Botchway: Without my amendment.
Mims: Ad Hoc Senior Committee.
Dilkes: (mumbled) (laughs)
Dobyns: As written! As written! (laughter)
Dilkes: As written.
Karr: it'd be amended with the residence requirement.
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Botchway: Amended with the what?
Karr: The resident requirement that you directed staff to make it.
Botchway: So it wouldn't be amended without reduce ... but taking out that part.
Karr: No that...
Dilkes: Well, cause your amendment failed, so therefore we're back to the original
resolution.
Throgmorton: So you gotta vote up or down.
Dilkes: So you are voting ... yes or not to that resolution... which includes a Council
Member.
Botchway: No.
Dilkes: Okay. (continues roll call)
Botchway: Sorry for the ... (both talking)
Hayek: No, that's-that's fine (several talking) So ... so, uh, I see a 5 to 2 vote? In favor of
this. Okay, so the item passes 5 -2. I do want to say before we move on, I mean,
you know, this issue is a little more hot than I think it should otherwise be
because of this issue of, uh, of...of the membership of the committee. Um, but I
want us to get past this. I think once the committee is formed, and I encourage
everyone in this room to apply for that commission, and those watching, uh, out
in television land, as well. Um, this commission will succeed or not based on the
applications we receive, and we'll go through the normal process of advertising
for it, as we do for all commissions, and the goal is to get great applications, and
then we'll take those up and uh, appoint the commission, or the committee, and
uh, let them look into these important issues.
Payne: And it does include one member of the Senior Center Commission also.
Hayek: Yes it does.
Payne: So, those people that are on the Senior Center Commission should apply also.
Hayek: Okay! All right! Thank you for your comments, uh, this evening. How we doing
here? Do we need to take a break, or should we keep going?
Throgmorton: Oh (several talking) lively! (laughter) We're lively!
Hayek: Okay! (laughter) (unable to hear person responding from audience) Yes, sir!
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Throgmorton: Thank you, Jay!
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ITEM 8. PURCHASE OF LOT 9 NORTH AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT —
APPROVING A PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
IOWA CITY AND WRY DEVELOPERS, INC. FOR LOT 9 OF THE
NORTH AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISION, AUTHORIZING
CONVEYANCE IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH, AND RESCINDING
RESOLUTION NO. 13 -257.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) For the
public's information, uh, the City, uh, this regards approval of a Purchase
Agreement for Lot 9 with Gary J. Harapat for $228,500 ... and the, uh, agreement
will be assigned to, uh, Wry Developers, Inc. Anyone from the public? Okay!
I'm going to close the hearing. (bangs gavel)
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ITEM 9. PURCHASE OF LOT 8 NORTH AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT -
APPROVING A PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
IOWA CITY AND WRY DEVELOPERS, INC. FOR LOT 8 OF THE
NORTH AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISION AND
AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Uh, same
parties involves. This is, uh, Lot 8 and the purchase price is $230,000. Anyone
from the public? Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
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ITEM 10. CITY HALL POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT HVAC
REPLACEMENT 2014 - APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS,
FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE CITY HALL POLICE AND FIRE
DEPARTMENT HVAC REPLACEMENT PROJECT 2014,
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, the
estimated cost is $147,000 and will be funded with General Obligation Bond
proceeds. Is there anyone from the audience? Public hearing is closed. (bangs
gavel)
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ITEM 11. APPEAL OF DENIAL PUBLIC ASSEMBLY PERMIT - APPEAL OF
DENIAL OF APPLICATION FOR PARADE/PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
PERMIT TO CONDUCT THE IOWA CITY FOOD TRUCK AND CART
FEST IN CITY PLAZA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014.
a. CONDUCT HEARING
Hayek: Um, this involves an application from Anthony Browne and Hillery's BBQ, uh,
for a public assembly permit, um, and the application was denied by the City
Manager's office, and in accordance with City Code, uh, Mr. Browne appealed
the decision to us, uh, those materials are in our packet. I see Mr. Browne is here,
and so at this time we would conduct a hearing. Uh, and (mumbled) that affords
you, Mr. Browne, an opportunity to talk to the Council about the denial.
Browne: Good evening, Council. My name's Anthony Browne and I'm here for the denial
of the permit. I'm asking that ... I'm here to appeal the denial by the City Manager
of the public assembly permit, um ... we want to have the Iowa City, uh, Food Cart
and Truck Festival, April 19th, and uh, the permit for public assembly was denied
by the City Manager's office. Uh, but more specifically, the permit included, uh,
a request for an exception to sell goods, and to meet the exception to sell goods,
you have to meet the requirement ... I forgot the actual statute, but uh, essentially it
has a 500 - person rule, but that 500 - person rule doesn't, uh, count if you occupy a
substantial area of downtown, and the City Attorney can answer that question.
That was the principle reason that it was denied. The City Manager said that, uh,
500 people would not show up to the event because the people that would show
up would show up for the existing food carts. So that was the main reason they
denied the permit, but that rule doesn't apply since we are in City Plaza, and we
had this issue before when, uh, I applied for the Brooklyn Park permit. The
reason it applied there is because that was not in City Plaza. It was in Brooklyn
Park. So it did apply there, but it doesn't apply to the downtown, and you can ask
the City Manager about the ... or the City Attorney about that. Also they said that
our event wasn't a community -wide event. Our food truck festival, uh, is an
event and we're ... we are inviting the entire community, so therefore under
common dictionary, uh, definitions, that would be a community -wide event. Uh,
also, they... said something to the effect of, uh, we wanted to invite vendors and
there was a problem because we didn't have the vendors committed before the
event; uh, just like the Jazz Fest, the Art Fest, and the Soul Fest, they ... their
vendors don't commit before the event happens. They have an application
process and they actually charge $625 for a 13 by 15 space and $1,225 for a 13 by
25 space. So just like them, we want the right to invite people due to availability
and more time to get vendors to commit. So that was the first point. The second
point was... electricity. Uh, we put clearly in the application that we would use
nothing but generators, if necessary, but we did want to use the City's electricity.
The food trucks themselves are completely self - contained and don't need
electricity. The only people that would need electricity are the existing food carts,
which we are inviting, and they would need the City's electricity. Um ... and so
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the third and fourth points are pretty much the same thing. Uh... it says that the
event was not compatible (clears throat) with the existing food cart permits and
uh ... just like I said, with the Jazz and Soul Fest, uh, those events in the past have
been determined not to interfere and be compatible with the existing food
vendors, the existing food carts who have permits. Um ... also, we already got
Extravagant Breakfast to commit to be in the event. They're an existing food cart
and they have a permit. They said this wouldn't, uh, interfere with their operation
and it would be compatible with their operation, and they want to participate. Uh,
we contacted J &P Ventures LLC, and they didn't commit one way or another, but
they said they were interested and they needed more time to think about it. Uh,
we contacted Corn Rock and Pop's Italian Beef, but their phone numbers were
disconnected and we never heard back. So we didn't hear one way or another
from them. But uh ... so, we also have, uh, I contacted personally Micha Chonna
who has a Mexican food truck. You might have seen it on Highway 6. It's been
parked there for quite some time because currently the Iowa City ordinance
doesn't let him set up anywhere, so it basically just sits there. He agreed to come.
He said he'd be out of the states though and he couldn't, uh, guarantee that he'd
come, but he said he would try to come. We also got Local Burrito here who said
he would, uh, participate. Local Burrito is an existing Farmers Market vendor.
And A ... we also have Box Lunch, a food truck that operates in Iowa City,
Coralville, and North Liberty on private property. And ... we'd also like to, uh,
invite others if we can find `em. Now Local Burrito would like to talk about is
participation in it, and he's talked to some of the other Farmers Market vendors
who would also like to participate. So I'd ask that you let ... Kyle from Local
Burrito speak about that.
Kyle Sieck: Good evening, uh, thank you for your time. Uh, I went to school here and I've
been living in Iowa City for 10 years. Uh, my business is called Local Burrito. I
use local and organic ingredients, all my... everything I sell supports the local
economy. I employ local students. Um ... I just want to talk a little bit of...of the
spirit of why we want to have this festival. Um, I was one of the first vendors, uh,
on the street vendors at the Farmers Market cooking food. This year will be my
sixth year. It's been really successful. It's been a great opportunity for me to
grow as an entrepreneur, and um, I... in the last year I invested in a mobile food
truck. Um, the reason why I did that, any progressive city in this country, be it
Portland, Madison, Minneapolis, L.A., New York, Chicago, there's a mobile food
culture and it... if... if planned correctly and worked together with existing
businesses and laws, it can really enhance the spirit of the city, and the reason
why we want to have this ... this, uh, festival is to kind of, uh, a chance to gain and
uh, increase public ... give our ... a critical mass to show that we ... that we exist.
Uh, at the moment there's only two existing food trucks, Box Lunch and I, in
Iowa City, besides Jose, Micha Ochanna, and ... there would be more trucks
potentially if there was existing policy and um, I just wanted to say that I'm
interested in working with the City and the Manager and the Planning Department
to come up with creative ideas and solutions to work with existing businesses.
Um, and I've talked with other Farmers Market vendors that would participate in
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this event, and I, uh, just echo Tony's comments on the denial, uh, points. You
know, I ... I believe we could attract 500 or more people, uh, it's a mobile food
vending festival, so the fact that organizing would be detrimental to the existing
cart vendors seems ... uh, not to exactly line up, and uh, I myself, it's self -
contained with electricity with a quiet Honda generator and we can rent more
generators that are quiet and address the electrical issue. So, just in general ... you
know, the creative spirit of entrepreneurial ship, support local food, civic
engagement, you know, active downtown culture is what we're trying to create
and willing to work with you. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you.
Browne: And also in support thereof we also have Rockne Cole who's been helping us
work on this. He'd like to say a few words about this also, if he may.
Cole: Rockne Cole, 1607 E. Court Street. I'll keep it really short. This is going to be an
enormous opportunity for the city. Mobile vending is something that is catching
on throughout the United States, in towns like Madison, Portland, L.A.,
Columbus, throughout the Midwest, and I think this is a good opportunity to show
what the combination of arts, culture, entertainment will actually look like in
practice. I know not everyone's really ready to ... to adopt or ... or recommend
a ... an expansion of mobile vending but what better way to sort of show whether
it'll work or not than to have essentially a pilot project, an actual festival designed
to show what it can look like in the public sphere. So I think this'll be an
enormous opportunity for the city, and I encourage the City to allow
entrepreneurial access and that new voices be heard in the downtown area, and
that they also have an opportunity to share in access to the ped mall in terms of
what ... uh, what it has to offer. So for those reasons we'd ask that the court
reverse the district court ... I'm sorry! District court (laughter) I'm not for the Stn
Circuit, am I? (laughter) Um, the Manager ... I ask that you reverse the Manager,
with instructions that the, uh, permit shall be granted. Thank you very much.
Frank: I'll try to be real brief. I'm a new resident to Iowa City. I've been here about two
years ago. I knew back in the late, uh, 60s I'd more here some day. It's a place
I'd wanted to move to for years. In the meantime, I've been a gardener all my
life. I've been a, uh, a nurse for 15 years and a pastor for 15 years, concurrently,
but one of my passions has been safe food. I took a perma - culture class from the
guy in the green shirt back there in Fairfield. I have an avid, uh, passionate, uh,
group of people in Madison, Wisconsin, that are into safe food, and um, I can
second the thing about, uh, that Rockne just said about the growing culture of safe
food and local food, and one of the deep benefits of that that I see is, uh,
and ... and I'm ... I know I'm ignorant on some of this, but you know, the deep
benefit I see is local food on the economy and on the wellness of, uh, people here
as a ... as a whole, and um, I'm just putting in my, uh, second for, um, maybe
reversing this, and um, maybe a character witness for Kyle because he's a, uh,
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great gardener and uh, he ... I know how long and hard he works at making those
burritos, and I hope you all get one! (laughter)
Karr: Sir, I'm sorry. Could I have your name for the record? Sorry!
Frank: I thought I said it but I guess I didn't. Blair Frank, 431 Elm Ridge Avenue, and I
do have two gardens in town, uh, one is a whole acre and one is in the front yard
and in our backyard!
Karr: Thank you.
Hayek: Mr .... Mr. Browne, are you ... we need to limit this to your application, so I just
want to make sure that the (both talking) people you're bringing forward are
speaking to the denial of your application.
Browne: One of the issues in the application was he said 500 people wouldn't show up,
even (both talking)
Hayek: Okay.
Browne: ...though that's not an issue I want to prove that the community supports this and
so he would like to make a few brief comments, as well, if that's allowed.
Hayek: Well if... you're ... you're bringing `em, so as long as it's directed to ... to the
denial of your application, I think ... I think that'd be fine.
Holt: Eric Holt, 602 S. Dubuque Street and I also wasn't entirely sure sort of what this
process was like so thanks for the brief opportunity. Um, the ... uh, the not
complete way that I understand it, it sounded like, um, the requirements to the
permit, it sounds like there's some different interpretations, so uh ... the rejection
of the permit seemed like there might be... if the required attendance, um,
appeared to not be met, it seems like there remains an argument that the required
attendance could be met, and then there was some other ... uh, this is kind of just
reading off of the paper, that, um ... it was said that some of the people that would
attend, some of the food carts that would attend, would already be there during
that time, um, but it sounds like those food carts that would already be there,
actually show up later in the day so it would be exceptional that some of these
food carts, um, would be adding to that, and there wouldn't be redundancy as far
as, um, them ... them typically being there. Uh, I guess I ... I could certainly
second the ... the spirit of the movement too. That's been done. Uh, I guess I will
second it, but that's all I have to share.
Hayek: Thank you.
Browne: And following his point, so the other issue is this. The existing food carts don't
come out during the day, so the hours that we proposed to do the event, they don't
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normally come out during those hours, which are lunch and dinner. They come
out only late- nights. They're only out there after 11:00, and so they normally
wouldn't even be there. So in conclusion I just close and ask that you vote to
reverse the City Manager's denial of our permit. Thank you.
Hayek: Can you clarify the hours issue, Eleanor, or someone? As I recall there are...
Markus: Mr. Andrew (several talking)
Hayek: Okay. Simon!
Andrew: Good evening, Simon Andrew, Administrative Analyst. Um, we'll follow up
with the Housing and Inspection Services Department. They're the one that
handle the mobile vending program. Um, but I do believe that the hours extend
fairly early in the day. Um, I know that Moe's Extravaganza is out there fairly
early. The market they were trying to corner was more of a breakfast crowd. So,
um, I don't know that it is only late- nights, but we can certainly follow up with
more details of when carts are actually out there. They certainly are permitted for,
um, most of the day. It's not a permit that only (both talking)
Mims: I've seen `em out there at lunchtime.
Hayek: Yeah.
Andrew: Uh huh.
Dilkes: And my understanding is that ... that we've always been ... I think it came, the
hours came out of the ordinance, but I think they went back in the rules, and my
...my recollection of discussions is that we wanted to require... require hours
other than just late- night, cause we didn't want `em (both talking)
Hayek: Yeah, I thought that was a requirement, that if you have a permit you commit to
certain hours.
Andrew: Right.
Dilkes: I think that's right.
Andrew: That's how ... that's my recollection of it.
Botchway: (mumbled) ...last Friday, um, well, now I'm telling my story, but I went to the
hot dog, now please don't judge me. (laughter) I went to the hot dog (mumbled)
for Valentine's Day. Thanks! (laughter)
Hayek: You're a real romantic! (laughter)
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Botchway: Shouldn't have started with that, but they weren't out until 8:00 P.M. I mean I
know that because I went out at 8:00 P.M., or I think it was like 8:30 and they
didn't start serving until like 8:30, cause I wanted grilled cheese and (mumbled)
(laughter) and so that's why I went to the hot dog joint, and so I don't know, is it
...if it's set hours or is it how many is it, like 20 or 30 hours per week, I guess I'm
asking, or can it fluctuate, depending on... or it has to be a certain time?
Dilkes: I don't recall what the actual rules say.
Botchway: Okay.
Andrew: Right, yeah, I'd have to follow up on that.
Payne: All I can say is when I go downtown like on Saturday, they're ... it seems like
they're there in the afternoon on Saturdays, but maybe not during the week. I
don't, you know, I don't typically go downtown during the day during the week
so I don't know.
Andrew: At the very least it's something that the City would encourage and it's not against
the ordinance for them to be out there during the day. That's not ... the nighttime
isn't what they're permitted for. Um, I did want to mention one other thing from
the, uh, letter that came with the denial. Um, as to the last two points, uh, it being
compatible with permits already issued on the, uh, City Plaza, and with the
normal use of City Plaza. It's hard to envision how the mobile vendor program
continues if, um, this type of public assembly is permitted. It's ... it's hard to
envision how, um, we regulate the number of vendors that are on City Plaza and
still require the fee that covers staff expenses for the permitting process, if we set
the precedent that this type of event is permitted. Um, it seems as though this is
opening up for discussion, uh, the entire mobile vending program, and right now
the ordinance reads that if it interferes with a, uh, currently valid permit that that's
not something that we would permit going forward.
Markus: How many assembly permits could you give? How many could he apply for?
Andrew: Oh, every day!
Hayek: Thank you.
Andrew: And we did have, um, one email. I don't know if that was distributed late with,
uh, Council information. Um, from a currently permitted mobile vendor that is
not associated with this event.
Hayek: Okay. (unable to hear person away from mic) Yeah.
Browne: As he pointed out, he can't even tell you if they come out late night or not, and
he's the City Manager. I can tell you for sure they only come out late- nights.
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You won't see `em out there during the day. As he mentioned, you will see Most
Extravagant Breakfast out there because he has eggs and he does come out during
the day. He's the only one. And he's a new vendor! The rest of `em, don't
normally come out during the day, and you can't get a grilled cheese during the
day. And ... and if you said you got one, you probably... yeah, you didn't get one!
Cause they don't come out during the day. I can certify that they don't come out
during the day and ... you know, but they all, like I said, we want to invite them to
be there. We want them to come out during the day. We want to invite them. So,
this won't be ... this won't interfere with their operation and it will be compatible
with their operation, which is what the ordinance asks for. Thank you.
Sieck: One quick comment, I mean, the vision is not to hold a daily festival in the... in
the pedestrian mall. It's a one -time consciousness, you know, raising event. My
vision is to operate ... I didn't mention this when I was last up here. I can't operate
on City streets. As a food truck vendor I can only operate on pub ... or private
property, and that's the main hindrance to operating this business and so
discussing ways, like mobile vending corridors, not directly in the ped mall or in
the downtown district, is what needs to occur. Thanks!
Hayek: Thank you. Okay, I'm going to close the hearing at this time. Um, Item 1 lb is
we ... we need a motion to affirm, reverse, or modify the decision to get it on the
floor.
b. CONSIDER A MOTION (TO AFFIRM, REVERSE, OR MODIFY
THE CITY MANAGER'S DECISION)
Payne: I'll move to affirm.
Throgmorton: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Throgmorton. So the ... so the motion, which is
now on the floor, is to affirm the denial, a yes vote would be affirming the denial.
Let's, uh, engage in some ... Council discussion. I ... I can go first. I ... I, so I look
at this... first... first of all, um, I think we need to separate the decision before us
this evening, which is application of a current ordinance to a set of facts and ... and
an application that has been denied by the City's Manager's office. Separate that
from ... policy, and ... and, because our ... our policy is, we ... we have a particular
policy with respect to, um, mobile vendors in the pedestrian ... in ... in City Plaza.
Um, and so I spent some time last night and was thinking about it today, you
know, reading our ordinance and ... and looking at the, um, the appeal and the...
and the City explanation, and ... and uh ... what ... what our ordinance says is that,
you know, a ... a public assembly permittee can sell goods and services in City
Plaza, only if, uh, it's an event that expects to draw more than 500 people, or
occupy a substantial area within the City Plaza, or a similar area downtown.
That's... that's the first prong. And what the applicant hangs his hat on is ... is, uh,
the suggestion that the ... this festival would occupy a substantial area within City
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Plaza. Heh, I think that's a, uh, it's not very well defined in our ordinance and...
and I think you could argue that ... that setting up a handful of...of vendors and
even assume half of.. of who you invites show, you know, half of those vendors
show up. You know I think you could make the argument that that occupies a
substantial portion of City Plaza. Um, but it's the second prong that he also has to
meet, where I think, uh, this application comes up short, and that is ... is it a
community -wide attraction that ... that supports economic vitality of downtown,
and I don't ... I don't think that ... that this application really falls within, uh, within
that, either the ... the spirit or ... or the law. Um, the fact is, we ... we regulate
vendors in our ... in our City Plaza. We do that because, um, we ... we want to
ensure that the products are safe and that there aren't too many people and that
it's an activity that doesn't... that... that benefits the downtown and doesn't... and
doesn't cause problems. This is a policy that came together over, I assume, a
period of years. I think it was in place when I joined six years ago. Um, but we
do have a policy. We limit the number of vendors and we've had discussions as a
Council about how many vendors, uh, is enough, too much, etc., in that limited
space. We require them to pay a fee. It's highly regulated, etc., and as the
ordinance looks to what the normal activity of the City Plaza area is, I would... I
would say that our... our vendors that we regulate in this fashion, you know, their
presence under those, um, regulations constitutes the normal activity that ... that
our ordinance is .... is talking about and I ... I think this is an attempt ... I know there
is unhappiness on the part of the applicant with that policy, and I think this is a...
an attempt to get around it, which I understand, um, but I think really the
argument, and frankly from some of the comments I'm hearing, suggest that, you
know, there may be an issue with our policy, that maybe our policy, uh, should be
looked at again. I'm not sure I'm in favor of that, but ... those arguments lead me
to believe that the real discussion here is whether our regulation of...of mobile
vendors and how we do it and ... and what, uh, requirements we ... we impose,
make sense ... um, and that ... that is something that the Council could take up with
the assistance of staff and the input of the community. Um, I, you know, I love
our festivals, and... and I want to promote a vibrant downtown, um, but we do
have this policy, which I think makes this case, uh ... uh, different. Um, so, again,
um, maybe we want to talk about our vendor policy at some point, but tonight our
decision tonight is to apply what's on the books, our current ordinance, to the
denial itself, and um, for those reasons, I think it comes up short and I think ... and
I know I'm going to support the decision of the Manager's office.
Dobyns: And, Matt, I appreciate the lawyerly distinction that you gave us. That makes
sense to me (laughs) um, even to me. But it's um ... and I, again, I would, uh, you
know, deny the ... the concern from the applicant, but it does suggest that, I mean,
what ... how did the Jazz Festival start? Back in its day when it was nascent, and
just beginning. It probably would not of met criteria for this, and so we've got
some great Summer of the Arts programs, but is there ... is there room for
innovation? For small nascent opportunities that would be vital to the city.
You're right, this sort of, um, makes it very difficult for that to happen. It could
happen in another part of the city (coughing, unable to hear speaker) and then
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move to the downtown district, I suppose, once it met mettle. Urn ... but I'm
concerned that we're, um, you know and again I will, uh, you know, vote to deny
the appeal, but I would support looking at, um, providing incentives for
innovative projects to perhaps grow into what has become many of the Summer
of the Arts programs.
Throgmorton: I would too. I think that's a ... a pretty terrific idea, Rick. I ... I think ... I don't see
sufficient grounds to ... to overturn the Manager's denial in this instance, but I
admit the energy and creativity that Anthony's bringing to this topic, and I don't
want to stifle it. I want to encourage it and support it. So it makes me wonder
whether there might be other parts of the city, e ... even close to downtown, but...
empty parking lots, ah, Sycamore Mall maybe. The parking lot there. Spaces that
could be used to support this kind of activity, uh, especially as a one -time venture
to get it going, see how it works. I ... I'd love to see that happen! But on this deni
... on this I would not support overturning the denial.
Botchway: I ... I just need to understand something. You know, for the ... for the Latino Arts
Festival and some of the festivals that started, kind of what you mentioned, Rick,
how did those come about, I mean, through the same application process I'm
assuming?
Andrew: (several talking) Most of our downtown events don't, um, involve as much
commercial activity. That's what the crux of the matter, I think, is when, um,
these events are just starting out. Once they become that community -wide event,
that's when, um, the exception threshold is met for the commercial activity. But
typically those concerts are free, um ... you know, the activities that go on aren't a
commercial endeavor in and of themselves.
Botchway: Okay.
Markus: Are you clear what he's ... he's responding?
Botchway: Yes! I mean, cause it's ... to me that makes sense because that means ... makes it
separate, but I just wanted to get that clarification cause I wasn't sure, and Rick
brought up that point, but, um, I just wanted to make sure. Thanks!
Dickens: Is there some agreement that we would like to look at the policy sometime in the
future, because ... I mean, this kind of event ... I love to eat (laughter) and (several
talking) 9:20 and I didn't eat lunch or supper, so I... if you have one of your carts
right outside (several talking and laughing) love to go out there, but I ... I ... I
understand that we have to go based on what our policy is, and I will vote to
affirm it, but I would really like to look into it as a ... I'm, I watch the Food
Channel way too much and... and... food carts and ... and mobile food is kind of
the wave of the future (laughter) and it's ... it's gotta come here, and I ... I would
look forward to ... to exploring it a little more.
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Dobyns: I'm really hungry! (laughs)
Hayek: You know, and there's... there was an email in our late packet...
Andrew: Right.
Hayek: ...from one of the vendors ... you know, they were disassociating themselves from
this application, um, and wanting us to understand that ... that they're not part of it,
but that's not to say they wouldn't want to participate in a conversation, you
know, but we're going to run into an issue of ..well, there are plenty of, you
know, uh ... uh, challenges to ... to doing something like this, but I'm not opposed
to looking at it as a matter of policy. (several responding)
Botchway: Is that saying that we can put it on a work session?
Dilkes: (mumbled) ...they're talking about.
Karr: Pending list, yes.
Botchway: Okay. That's all ... I'm just making sure!
Hayek: Okay. Any further discussion on the motion? It's a voice vote, right, Marian?
(several talking) All ... to affirm the denial (several talking) All those in favor say
aye. Opposed say nay. Okay. The motion...
Karr: Motion... motion to accept correspondence.
Payne: So moved.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Okay, the motion carries, and the ... the appeal is affirmed, but
we will take this up at a future, uh, work session. Keep going? Okay!
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ITEM 12. MERGER OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND
HOUSING AND INSPECTIONS SERVICES DEPARTMENT —
ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 1, "ADMINISTRATION ", CHAPTER
8, "ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ", SECTION 1 -8 -1,
"ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ORGANIZED" TO
UPDATE THE TITLES OF DEPARTMENTS AND THE HEADS
THEREOF AND TO EXTEND THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE
FORMER POSITIONS TO THE REVISED POSITIONS. (FIRST
CONSIDERATION)
Mims: Move first consideration.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
Throgmorton: M ... Maybe somebody could briefly explain what ... what this really entails. It...
Markus: This is a combination of the Planning Department, the HIS, uh, Department into
the Neighborhood and Development Services Department. Uh, basically a
streamlining.
Throgmorton: And it would involve creating a few new positions. (both talking)
Markus: Yes, but you'll deal with those at a subsequent meeting.
Throgmorton: No layoffs, right?
Markus: No layoffs. That's right.
Throgmorton: So, uh, couple people would get a, uh, promoted into a couple of those positions, I
guess, and then ... but in two other positions you might hire from outside. I'm
not ... wasn't clear about that.
Markus: I think it's mainly internal. And some promotions will occur.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 13. REVISIONS TO TAXI REGULATIONS — ORDINANCE AMENDING
TITLE 5, ENTITLED "BUSINESS AND LICENSE REGULATIONS,"
CHAPTER 1, ENTITLED "GENERAL LICENSING PROVISIONS," AND
CHAPTER 2, ENTITLED "TAXICABS," AND TITLE 9, ENTITLED
"MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC," CHAPTER 4, ENTITLED
"PARKING REGULATIONS," TO REQUIRE DRIVERS TO MAINTAIN
MANIFEST LOGS, TO REQUIRE SOME UNIFORMITY OF RATE
CARDS, TO REQUIRE NOTIFICATION WHEN A LICENSE PLATE
NUMBER IS CHANGED, TO ELIMINATE TAXI STANDS, TO ALLOW
TAXIS TO BE PARKED ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS, AND TO
AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO SUSPEND A LICENSE. (FIRST
CONSIDERATION)
Payne: Move first consideration.
Dobyns: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Dobyns. Discussion? Is there anyone from the
audience who wishes to address us?
Throgmorton: As ... as I said rather clumsily, I'm sorry (both talking)
Hayek: Yeah, we'll close it down for Council discussion. Go ahead, Jim!
Throgmorton: As I said rather clumsily during the work session, um, I ... I ... I see reason to, uh,
vote against this, and I will vote against it, and I'm going to lay out three reasons.
Uh, one is, the proposal, uh, the revisions to the regulations were drafted entirely
in consultation with, uh, the companies, the taxi companies, right? Or owners of
the companies. And City staff, and it seems to me that whenever a regulation is
being proposed, or revision and regulations, affected people should be involved
in ... in the, um, the ... the development of those regulations. That's one thing. A
second is that there are large ... there are big transformations in the taxi ... in taxi
regulation around the country. Uh, I know this from reading a master's thesis that
a fellow named Michael Saponaro just produced, uh, and it involved consultations
with various taxi drivers, taxi company owners here in town, City staff. Uh,
Marian was very helpful on ... on that. Uh, and ... the changes that we're
recomm ... that are being recommended, I think don't really acknowledge any of
those transformations. And the third reason is, it seems to me that (laughs) what
we really need to do is think, look at ways to link the taxi, the regulation of taxis,
with SEATS, with Cambus, with the City Transit, uh, public transit, uh, with...
the provision of public transit. That's a big thing; I recognize that, uh, but I'm
going to vote against this because I ... I ... for the reasons I just laid out. Three
different reasons.
Hayek: Further discussion?
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Mims: I'm was just going to say, I'm going to support it, and I appreciate what you're
saying, Jim, about, you know, input from the public, and I think we try to do a lot
of that, but one of the things that we do get, you know, I think with the taxis is,
you know, people do file complaints. Probably not as often as they should
sometimes. Um, and I think ... I think there's a ... there sometimes there's a limit
to, you know ... to how much you can get, you know, from the public, and if... and
if they're not forthcoming with questions or issues. Um, I think you're making it
apparent that, um, there's some new research out there, I think is very helpful, but
I... and I think we should maybe be looking at that, but I don't see it as something
to stop making these improvements, um, that ... that the staff and the companies
have come to agreement on, and certainly staff is looking at, you know, some of
the input that they're getting from the public. Um, you know, your third one on
combining of this with public transit, um, I guess I would just agree that's a huge
one, because you're... you're talking just such totally different regulations in
terms of federal regulations and federal funding and, um ... that'd be an interesting
but very complex discussion of how you could ever... coordinate those.
Hayek: I would echo Susan's comments. I don't ... I ... those are interesting policy
considerations. I don't know that they're germane to this particular item, and you
know the fact is that the little ... that the items that are ... that are on the list of
revisions are as far as I can tell not controversial, and um ... uh, you know, they're
more clean-up in nature and that's why our discussion didn't go into the specific
revisions about manifest logs and this, that, and the other, and I think we've done
a pretty good job as a city of...of regulating a very important aspect of our service
delivery, uh ... uh, landscape, namely taxicabs, and there's always a tension, you
know, between the more established firms and the ... and the start-ups. I think
we've had discussions over the years in terms of balancing the... the... the needs,
or the desires of the more established firms with ... with the hopes of the ... of the,
you know, newer firms, the smaller firms, uh, and we want to ensure that there's
good service out in the community and ... and an ample supply of high quality, uh,
cab service. Um, and... and I think we do, and I think you see that in the, um,
growing number of... of cab companies who provide service to, uh, to Iowa City,
and ... and it's great. You can get a cab in downtown Iowa City. You can't say
that about communities our size, or even larger communities in ... in many places
in Iowa, um, but ... but these specific revisions just don't strike me as ... as
problematic. So I'll ... I'll support it for that reason, but I would ... I would
welcome, Jim, your, uh, your research.
Throgmorton: Uh, I'd be happy to, uh, have, uh ... the author of that master's thesis, uh, send a
summary to the Council...
Mims: Definitely a summary!
Throgmorton: Yeah, it's a, you know, 150 -page, uh, thesis, you know, so it's pretty thorough!
Uh, but I ... I connected with the professor who guided his thesis and ... you know,
we know how to get it to you. I'll ... I guess one thing I'd say though is, I doubt
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that there are more than five people in this city who have a clue that we're even
considering these regulations. So, other than maybe the owners of the ... of the
cab companies. So, how could we possibly know ... whether anybody supports
`em, disagrees with `em, whatever. How could we know? Anyhow...
Hayek: But you can say that about any number of issues and you know, for example,
we've got a UISG representatives here, and they represent a demographic that
probably uses cabs, at least as much and probably more, than the rest of the
population, and they're aware, uh, of...of, uh, this agenda item and ... and
certainly have an opportunity to discuss it, if they want, with ... with their, uh,
elected body. I mean, there are ... are ways to, there are plenty of ways to provide
input, um ... and I think it would be ... you know, who's your target audience
exactly, and how do you incorporate exactly the right mix of that into a
discussion? It's never easy, and these taxi issues are perennial challenges.
Payne: That's why the agenda's pub ... public information. Anybody can come and talk
about it if they want to (laughs)
Hayek: Any further... anyway! Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Item passes,
first consideration passes 6 -1, Throgmorton in the negative.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Payne: So moved.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by, uh, Payne, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? All those in favor say
aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
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ITEM 16. METACOMMUNICATIONS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT -
RESOLUTION APPROVING A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN METACOMMUNICATIONS INC. AND THE CITY OF IOWA
CITY FOR AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT NOT TO
EXCEED $58,000 FOR OFFICE BUILDOUT AND AN AGREEMENT FOR
PARKING PERMITS AND A LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR FIBER
OPTICS TO ENSURE THE RELOCATION OF THE HEADQUARTERS
OFFICE TO DOWNTOWN IOWA CITY.
Mims: Move the resolution.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
Throgmorton: Yeah, uh, I ... you know, I was hoping to be able to talk about this during the work
session...
Hayek: Yeah.
Throgmorton: ... we had too much to do and we're all tired and all that, so ... uh, hate to bring up
these things, and poor Jeff, he had to stay here, uh, till now, but I need to direct
some questions I think you're the guy, Jeff! Uh, and the questions I'm going to
ask are, I think, are ... are many people out in the community are asking
(mumbled) on the table and get an answer on the table so that ... people will know
that, uh, they're being heard. Uh, so I have one general question and four specific
questions. So the general question applies to pretty much any request for
financial assistance from the City. Okay? So the general question is, what's the
process by which perspective or existing businesses, uh, are notified of the
opportunity to apply for City financial support? How do they learn that they can
ask for and possibly receive some financial assistance?
Davidson: Yeah, I think the notion of municipalities providing that kind of assistance is
getting to be more and more common everywhere. So we ... we get requests from
people who have very little knowledge of our own local means of dealing with
that, just as sort of a general question that you asked about a development project
when you're approaching a, you know, a substantial project for the City of Iowa
City, and in fact some of `em aren't all that substantial. And so we clarify that
when the request is made. Uh, we obviously on our web site have that
information available. Um...it...it tends, Jim, to be part of the very first
discussion we have about any substantial projects, certainly, and we always make
sure that we clarify the way it's done in Iowa City. It is not similar to certainly
some of our, uh, neighboring communities, uh, but we try and make sure right up
front that people understand what our expectations are as the City of Iowa City.
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Throgmorton: Thanks, that's helpful. I understand that larger firms have no problem whatsoever
knowing who to contact and what to ask for. I'm more interested in the smaller
firms. Real small, startups, whatever.
Davidson: Uh huh.
Throgmorton: Uh, and you know, so ... who do they contact?
Davidson: Well, they typically come to the Planning Department and then depending on
exactly what, you know, we have a specific staff person who for example deals
with the CDBG economic development program. We have a parallel program
that, uh, Tom has discretionary authority over, and so you know, there are a
number of us, um, Steve Long, Tracy Hightshoe, Wendy, and myself — principally
— are the ones that anyone can come to and get that information from.
Throgmorton: Okay, good.
Markus: And it does depend on the, you know, the type of program that you're talking
about. We do a lot of promotion, for example, uh, on the fagade program that we
ran, uh, that we used, uh, tax funds for, as well. So, you know, there's certain
programs that we'll get out there and ... and promote so the, a number of smaller
businesses would have a better idea of what's going on with them, but a lot of
businesses come in here with the idea looking for that kind of incentive to begin
with, so they're ... most of these businesses are thinking that way already.
Davidson: And I assure you, Jim, the range is tremendous between a start-up firm that's one
person with a dream or an idea, all the way up to a Fortune 500 company, and
everything in between.
Throgmorton: Okay!
Payne: And if they went to, urn ... the Chamber, or something like that, to find out things
to do, the Chamber would direct `em here, to you.
Markus: (several talking) ICAD would do the same thing.
Davidson: ICAD is a very standard referral for us.
Throgmorton: Okay. Uh, that's helpful. So, now four specific questions. So the first is going to
sound a little bit technical, uh, but I mean it won't be a problem for you, but it'll
...it'll sound technical. The memo, uh, that we got on this topic from Steve. It
was from Steve, wasn't it? Steve Long?
Davidson: Yes.
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Throgmorton: Yeah. Uh, says the companies, uh, Metacommunications, average wage is nearly
double the median wage for the county.
Davidson: That's correct.
Throgmorton: Now when I look at that, I ... I ... I can interpret it in the following way. They have
one or two employees that earn a lot of money, so that skews the average up.
Davidson: Right.
Throgmorton: But the median might be much lower than the average, cause the median means
half above, half below.
Davidson: Right. And I will clarify that we have seen the complete roster of every position
in this company. It's not a huge company. So it's very easy to see. It basically
fits on one page. And, uh, and we do have a company representative here in case
I miss represent something, but ... um, my guess would be that 70 to 80% of the
jobs were above that median, and then some of the lower, uh, clerical type
positions and less skilled type positions, uh, were below, uh, the county median,
but that substantially they were very high quality jobs throughout the company,
the kind of employer that we're trying to attract.
Throgmorton: 70% of their jobs are above the county median, right? That's what you said?
Davidson: Right.
Throgmorton: Well that's interesting!
Davidson: That's ... and that's just an estimate based on my recollection, Jim.
Throgmorton: Uh huh. Thank you. Uh ... the ... the next question, uh, will all of the new and
existing jobs be located, physically located in Iowa City?
Davidson: I'm going to turn to the applicant's representative (both talking) I believe the
answer is yes. He is nodding yes.
Throgmorton: Okay. Good deal. (unable to hear person away from mic)
Hayek: You'll have to come up to the mic.
Markus: You have to come up to the mic.
Davidson: If you want to speak and you're welcome to, why don't you just come forward to
the podium here for the purpose of recording your comments. This is Dan Cilek.
Cilek: I'm Dan Cilek with Meta. Uh, to answer your question, that would be yes. So...
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Throgmorton: Excellent! Good. I ... I knew some people were asking that question (laughter)
Hayek: Thank you.
Throgmorton: You're more succinct than I am. Thank you (laughs) Okay, let's see, next one.
Uh, this is a little bit harder, but it's clearly something that people are wondering
about. What is the rationale for having the City subsidize a firm that would, um,
now where did I ... I'm sorry. Um ... um ... that explicitly says it would benefit
from being located downtown? You know, it's already in Metacommunications'
self - interest to be located downtown.
Davidson: Right.
Throgmorton: So what's the rationale for us ... supporting that?
Davidson: Yeah, Meta made it clear from us ... clear to us from the very beginning that they
desired to be downtown, but they also made it very clear to us that it was a more
expensive proposition for them to come to downtown Iowa City, and that's where
our assistance was requested. We subjected their, uh, request to the standard
financial gap analysis, uh, the National Development Council performed that from
us, which did show a gap of between... depending on your assumptions, $50,000
and $150,000 in terms of the, uh, ask that they had made. Uh, you ... what's
before you this evening is $58,000, uh, which did fit into that gap analysis. Um,
when ... when we are dealing with employers that, uh, desire to be downtown, it is
pretty standard for them to be comparing a competitive proposal with one of our
neighboring communities. That was the case, uh, here, that uh, is less expensive
for them in terms of their, uh, expenses of...of business. And so ... what we try
and do is take those factors into consideration. Parking is almost always, uh, a
difference between being downtown and being anywhere else, even in a suburban
location in Iowa City. We all know that there's a cost to parking wherever you
are, but the out -of- pocket cost to the company, uh, is different downtown, and
again, the proposals before you would ... would try and even that, uh, playing field
for us a little bit.
Throgmorton: Okay.
Markus: And ... and, Jim, I think you need to remember not too long ago we had Connect 5
in here and Connect 5 wanted to be downtown too. Trying to find a place that
was competitive in terms of what they could do in neighboring Coralville, we
weren't successful in finding that place. So where are they today? They're in
Coralville. Because Coralville had the space available. Uh, I would guess that
there was probably some build -out, uh, provisions there, as well. So those things
happen.
Davidson: And I... and I (both talking)
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Markus: We're in a very competitive environment in trying to not only bring new
development here, but retain the development we already have here.
Davidson: And I will say, Jim, that ... because you've raised it already, the high quality jobs
aspect of this proposal was a very important consideration, uh, for us. This is the
type of employer we're trying to attract to downtown.
Throgmorton: Uh huh. Thank you. Huh, here's the last question. Uh, and again, this is ... is
even harder, you know, so what's the rationale for having the City provide
roughly $260,000 over 10 years in subsidy, uh, to subsidize the use of space that
is already been subsidized in recognition of this somewhat speculative nature of
investing in class A office space downtown?
Davidson: Yeah, very good question. Uh, our initial support of this project was through the
development agreement with the developer who built the building, and it was
approximately somewhere between... roughly $2.5 million, uh, with a total project
cost of somewhere between $11 and 12 million. It went a little bit above what
was anticipated. So we were roughly in that 23 to 25 %, uh, of we provided the
financing for the project, and through a TIF, uh, project, we will be paying
ourselves back over the next 14 to 15 years. We actually think it will go, uh,
faster than that. So, to the ... the principle goal there was to establish the spec
office space and to establish the increase in property value, which will be roughly
the ... the property that was there prior to the Park at 201 building was paying
about $23,000 a year in property taxes. The new building pays about $250,000 in
property taxes. So that's one of our principle economic development goals is to
increase the, uh, the property taxes generated from the site. A second goal of ours
is to attract high - quality employers to downtown, and you know, I will say, Jim,
that we are going to scrutinize the exact issue that you are getting at, in the future,
because we anticipate more projects like this, where the City is expected to
participate financially in establishing the project, and then possibly in incenting a
specific employer into the project, and that's something we haven't had a lot of
experience in. Because of the specific circumstances of the Park at 201 building
was not going to be built without the City's financial assistance, we felt our initial
investment was appropriate because of the high - quality jobs aspect of this
employer coming to us. We feel our secondary involvement is appropriate as
well, but that is scrutinized on a case -by -case basis.
Markus: I ... I think too, to add to thank, you know, when they approached us, we had the
same kind of reaction that I think you just expressed, but what's happening is in
these three floors, this particular developer's buying these three floors, but they're
buying three floors of property that have not had any finish done to `em. So now
they're coming in and they're making an additional investment, and I can tell you
the negotiation was pretty serious about how much we would actually contribute,
and we pushed back to the developer to cause the developer to participate in the
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build -out, as well. So that was a part of this negotiation. I ... that's the $58,000
portion of this.
Davidson: We're providing $58,000 of approximately $300,000 in build -out expense. That
remaining amount beyond our $58,000 is being split between the developer and
the applicant.
Markus: The bigger part, I think, of the ... the total dollar amount is the provision of parking
spaces in the deck, and that's on a declining basis.
Throgmorton: Yeah, that's like $200,000 but it...
Markus: But it's, yeah, and it's over a period of time, so the present value of that is
significantly less than that, and as you recall, we have done that in the past for
other businesses that were bringing business into the downtown. Um, in fact I
think we did it for the Press - Citizen when they came into town, as well. So...
Payne: One way that I guess ... I kind of thought about it as we were sitting here was they
have 33 ... that's $26,000 per year for the 10 years. They have 33 employees. If
each one of those 33 employees went out to lunch half of the days they were
working downtown and spent $10, they're going to spend way more than that
$26,000 in businesses downtown, which is a benefit in the end to the city. So I
think it's going to be ... we're ... we're going to see more benefit than we're going
to spend over the 10 years. Not directly, but the ... but the businesses will see that,
which ... which benefits the city. Are you following my logic?
Throgmorton: I definitely follow the logic, and I'm not persuaded. I mean, I'm persuaded by
the ... the potential loss of business, but I'm not persuaded by what you just said
because right now they're located about 13 blocks south of where they'll be
moving to, and employees have to eat somewhere. (both talking)
Payne: But they are going to have more employees now too, so there is ... there is that...
even if you just took the difference in how many employees they have now, and
... and did the same thing, you know, how many ... how much money would they
spend if they only spent $10 day, half of the days that they work downtown.
There is a benefit.
Markus: But, Jim, they're probably more likely to eat downtown if they're located in
downtown Iowa City versus Coralville.
Throgmorton: Ya think? (laughs)
Davidson: (several talking and laughing) ... staying in their existing space was not an option.
They are a growing company and they needed to get out of that space (both
talking)
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Throgmorton: Yeah, I get that. Do we know who's going to move into that space?
Davidson: Uh, there are some ... there are some prospects for that space which would also be
great employers. Uh, but nothing that's been firmed up yet.
Throgmorton: Thanks!
Botchway: I ... quick couple ques ... one question, two comments. Um, do we currently do this
for any other businesses?
Davidson: Uh, we have provided financial assistance similar to this, yes, to several.
Botchway: Okay. Um ... I ... I don't want to get on a soapbox so I'll be quick. Um, you know
the parking permits and moving downtown, I understand that it, um, promotes a
particular type of business, promotes a particular type of individual coming to
Iowa City. Uh, to me it speaks of more traffic downtown, uh, that we haven't
addressed, and again, that kind of hits upon our sustainability problem and...
Mims: Actually... (several talking) ... actually, they said a lot of their employees ride their
bikes.
Botchway: Oh, well then even better!
Mims: But ... but, even if they didn't ... okay, what do you want? A ghost town
downtown, I mean, if you're going to have people living downtown, if you're
going to have people working downtown, so they can shop downtown and eat
downtown, some people are going to ride bikes, some people are going to ride
public transportation, and some people are going to drive cars. So to not bring a
business downtown because their employees might drive ... is ... there's ... there's
no logic to that from my perspective.
Botchway: Well ... you actually gave me a segue but to go back ... you make a good point. I
guess I'm just trying to highlight again, we haven't really figured out or talked
about, you know, if we consistently bring businesses downtown that's still going
to continue the ... the high amount of traffic that we're promoting downtown, and
again I ... I'm still not as persuaded that ... I understand that downtown is a very
vital and important part, but I think that we need to look at the other areas. I
mean, we're ... I don't know if we discussed or even talked about the Sycamore
Mall and what businesses and (both talking)
Davidson: Certainly!
Botchway: ...to that area, I mean, I think that was a question I asked Steve as far as, you
know, why not, um, why not Sycamore Mall area because that seems to be some
space that could be provided. I understand that from, uh, the employees'
standpoint in wanting to be downtown. I mean, younger employees are attracting
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that type of market that downtown is better, but I just don't want to lose sight of
the other areas of the community that we don't have the same, or it looks like, the
perspective is you don't have the same type of push to get that type of business to
that place. The other issue I do want to bring up, and I'm not sure. Maybe I'll
ask the people that are hired. Where will they be living? I mean, if they're going
to be living, the new hires, will they be living, you know, out more in suburban
areas of Iowa City. This kind of again brings up that affordable housing question,
um, that we still need to kind of talk about, um, because it'd be great if they lived
in the same building. I mean, that would be wonderful. Not to ... not to say where
they need to live, but um ... we still haven't talked about affordable housing as
it ... as it, you know, speaks to downtown, and think that's ... I appreciate, you
know, the fact that of this is a great business is coming into the area, but I think
we need to also look at the fact that, you know, affordable housing is important
thing, as well, and we're not ... we're talking about employees coming in, but
we're not talking about, you know, them possibly living downtown and working
with that sustainability element as well, and I just would ... I just would like to
move on that discussion, based on the fact that we're, you know, supporting a
business that is, you know (mumbled) downtown and wants to get some
employees there.
Payne: Doesn't one of the (both talking)
Markus: The CEOs living (several talking and laughing)
Botchway: I wasn't going to bring that up. I remembered that and I wasn't going to bring
that up (laughter) I'm sure that living in that building would be substantial cost
but ... um, I'm talking about for the possible employees that are going to be hired.
Markus: I think ... I think the other, I think you hit on some good points and I... and I know
we don't want to carry this on forever, but ... one of the ... one of the, I think, goals
for our downtown, and for our strategic plan, is a strong commercial core. And
part of that means, in my opinion, having a diversified balance of uses, uh, in the
downtown. You can't just have restaurants and ... and bars. It has to be more than
that. It has to be retail. It has to be office. Because you create a constant use.
You create foot traffic on the street the whole time, and I'm convinced with good
high - quality offices and jobs in that downtown area, those... they're going to place
demands on our ... on our close -in neighborhoods for housing opportunities. I
think that will happen! So, I think we're pretty strategic on what we invest in, in
terms of incentives, and I think it goes to the, you know, the long -term goal of
diversifying the downtown. So...
Throgmorton: You know, I ... to echo that a little bit, Tom, I ... if I were young, and I really can't
remember when that was, if... if I were young, I ... and I had an opportunity to
work in a business like this downtown, I would eagerly want to live within
walking distance. Course I live within walking distance now, personally, but I'd
want to live within walking distance, or within an easy biking distance, of that
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place, and I'd be pretty excited about being all sorts of stuff in the downtown
area. I get it.
Mims: I would just say when this came before the Economic Development Committee,
um, you know, we got to look at it in great detail and ask a lot of questions
and ... and hear them talk, and again, I would just, you know, to Tom's point,
the ... the diversity of businesses and enterprises downtown I think is ... is
critical ... but we're not neglecting the rest of the city either. And..and I know
sometimes maybe from people looking at the out ... from the outside maybe it
looks like that but we've invested a lot of money in Towncrest and Sycamore over
the years, and... and various areas, and... and we'll get back to a lot of those again,
but again, I think that core of the city is so critically important because it is what
so many people living here and/or thinking about living here, or companies
thinking about locating here, that's what they look at and evaluate, because it... it
has to do with a... a big part of the quality of life. Whether they live down there
or are located down there, it still is where people go for a lot of the entertainment
and the vibrancy, and so ... and to the other point of the competitiveness, um, you
know, we talk about this a lot. Sometimes you feel like it's a race to the bottom in
terms of giving money away. But it is the world in which we live. It ... those are
the circumstances and so to be competitive, to keep high - quality companies and
jobs like this in town, we, um, we have to be competitive, and that means, um,
some money and ... I'm happy to see `em staying (coughing, unable to hear
speaker) community and moving downtown and having all of `em ride their bikes
to work! (laughs)
Throgmorton: Good point, Susan. I ... I wanted to see if I can clarify one thing. The total
subsidy is somewhere around $260,000, but if I understand correctly, the parking
part of it really is foregone revenues, money we're not going to get from them,
but instead we will be providing the space and they ... they won't have to be
paying for it?
Markus: They will not have to pay for it. What we will do is make a payment out of the
General Fund for that, so it's not a TIF, uh, income that's being used in that
regard. So the other jurisdictions aren't, you know, are paying through the TIF
process on that.
Throgmorton: Right, right. Right. (several talking)
Davidson: And ... and just to clarify, if they do not meet their employment goals that we've
established in the Development Agreement...
Throgmorton: Right, I understand.
Davidson: ...basically 20 additional jobs, then it would be about $60,000 less than that.
Throgmorton: Right, got it.
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Markus: And it's a weaning process...
Throgmorton: Right.
Markus: ...as well. But on Sycamore, if you were to talk to John or R'lottie who's the
manager of Core, um, Properties, he would tell you we've had the very
conversation you're asking about... in terms of Sycamore. His challenge is to find
someone that's the right fit for that center to go in there and make it happen. And
so far, you know, they've reached out to a lot of people. They just haven't made
the connection at this point. But ... I'll guarantee you they'll be back asking for
some sort of assistance. Just as ... other businesses downtown will be. So...
Hayek: I sit on the Economic Development Council so I, uh, I uh ... or Committee, uh,
with ... with Michelle and Susan, um, and I'll just say this, uh, this application, uh,
went through a staggering amount of vetting, um, on... on the part of City staff.
Um, from the City Manager's office down. And, uh, involved a lot of, uh, expert
eyes looking at this, and involved our outside consultant, National Development
Council, which is a firm we keep on retainer. They're experts in this area. They
vetted it. Um, so I'm very satisfied with ... with the product. I think this is, uh, a
... a real victory for Iowa City, uh, exactly the kind of thing we want to promote
downtown. So...
Dickens: (both talking) to downtown and it's one of the reasons that when that building was
built that we got some other businesses that came downtown, Running Wild for
one of `em, talking to the owner. That was one of the reasons they opened a new
store in downtown was because of that new building being built, and the potential
for people to be coming downtown and living downtown, walking, driving,
riding, whatever, so ... it's a catalyst.
Hayek: Okay.
Mims: Thank you to the two of you for staying so long tonight (laughs) (several talking
and laughing)
Hayek: Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0. I've already gone through Item 17 (both talking)
Karr: Mr. Mayor, I'm sorry, would you accept correspondence on 17. My fault.
Hayek: Yeah!
Payne: So moved.
Botchway: Second. (several talking)
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Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by ... Botchway I believe. Okay. Discussion? All
those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries.
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ITEM 21. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: Start down with you, Kingsley, if you have anything.
Botchway: Nothing.
Throgmorton: Nothing.
Mims: I would just, um, don't know if anybody saw the article in the Des Moines
Register earlier this week on the finances in the City of Dubuque. Um, and just...
it, I bring it up not as a criticism of the City of Dubuque, but just the importance
of staying on top of our finances, and having a good plan and a good staff. They
are projecting, um, somewhere in the ballpark of a $1.4 million shortfall in their
general operation fund for fiscal year 2014, and somewhere in that same ballpark
in their capital improvement fund, uh, for 2014, so they're having to do budget
adjustments and they are ... talking about the shortfall coming from their reliance
on casino, track, and also their local, uh, sales tax, and again ... wish all of the
cities in the state to do well financially, but um, Dubuque has been one that has
been doing very well and has been touted for a lot of their, uh, innovative projects
and that sort of thing, and it just goes to show how easily, uh, things can change,
and we know how they're going to change here for us with, uh, the property tax
changes at the state level, and so I just want to, you know, commend City staff for
their diligence in, uh, helping us stay on track, um, not only in the past but as we
go forward.
Markus: I didn't feel any more pressure (laughter)
Mims: We don't have a casino or a racetrack so we don't have to worry! (laughs) Or a
local option sales tax ... uh, sales tax at the moment.
Dickens: Just want to announce we have a new resident of Iowa City. I had a grandson, uh,
January 30th while I was stuck in Savannah, Georgia, during the huge quarter -of-
an-inch of ice that Savannah got and shut the city down for four days. So when I
got back I ... I, uh, found Rick Fosse and ... and Chris O'Brien and anybody that
worked for the City, gave `em a hug and what a good job they do at cleaning our
streets (laughs) because ... it closes a city down there and.. and we just deal with it,
and I think we do a good job with it.
Payne: I don't have anything.
Dobyns: I want to give a shout out to Eric Sowinski. Eric is, uh, you talked about Running
Wild downtown Iowa City, Terry. He works there. He's a recent University of
Iowa graduate and, um, early in February at Boston he, uh, broke the world record
in the 4 by 800 meter runner, and he's currently the American record holder in the
600 meters. So, look for an Iowa Citian in Brazil in about two years at the
Olympics.
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Hayek: Awesome!
Mims: Great 800 runner.
Payne: Wow!
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formal meeting of February 18, 2014.
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ITEM 22. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
a) City Manager.
Hayek: City Manager?
Markus: I would just echo, I think our crews have done a great job on the roads this year
and ... water main breaks and everything else! So...
Hayek: How are we on salt?
Markus: We're paying a lot more for salt right now! (laughter) We had to get another
load, so ... double the price. (several responding)
Hayek: I bet!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of February 18, 2014.