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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-04 Council minutesr CITY OF IOWA CITY ` 0 74k, MEMORANDUM Date: March 17, 2014 To: Mayor and City Council From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, March 4, 2014, 5:08 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall Council: Botchway, Dickens, Dobyns, Hayek, Mims, Payne, Throgmorton UISG: Bramel, McCarthy Staff: Markus, Fruin, Dulek, Karr, Andrew, Davidson, Bockenstedt, Ford, Fosse, Long, O'Brien, Yapp, Morris. Moran, Rackis, Goodman A transcription and power points are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website. QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS 1. (Consent Calendar item # 4f(8) — Ginalie Swaim, Chair Historic Preservation Commission — noise regulations) In response to Council Member Throgmorton, City Manager Markus indicated he would follow up with Planning staff and report back to Council. 2. (Agenda items # 6a and # 6b — Walden Square... comprehensive plan .... and rezoning ...) Mayor Hayek noted the applicant had requested continuance and deferral of both items to the March 25th meeting and stated he would open the hearings in the event someone was present, and then entertain a motion to continue. 3. (Agenda item # 12 — Revisions to taxi regulations ...) UISG Rep. Bramel questioned the elimination of taxicab stands in the ordinance. City Clerk Karr replied that had been no stands for a number of years and is being eliminated to avoid confusion. Council Member Throgmorton noted the inclusion of the abstract and conclusions of a master's thesis on taxicab regulations in the agenda packet. REVIEW THE DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE PLAN AND DISCUSS THE IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING STRATEGY OP4 of 2/27 Info Packet) Asst. to the City Manager Fruin acknowledged individuals and groups who played an instrumental role in getting the Plan to this point, and introduced representatives from Genus Landscaping Architects Angie Coyier and Brett Douglas who presented a power point. ACTION: Schedule for Council action on March 25th. ( Fruin) INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION (February 20,271 February 20 1. (IP9 — Telecommunications Commission minutes) In response to Council Member Throgmorton, City Manager Markus indicated staff had discussed a possible residential broadband survey regarding customer satisfaction with Mediacom, and noted that staff would be transitioning and those would be worked into the changes as well. Council Work Session March 4, 2014 Page 2 2. (IP8 — Press Release regarding precautionary boil advisory ....) In response to Council Member Payne, City Manager Markus stated that there had been communication with staff regarding use of reverse 911 for future needs. February 27 1. (IP7 — Memo from Finance Director ... Local Option Sales Tax Exploratory Committee) Council Member Throgmorton referenced the memo and stated he felt the decision on how revenues are spent was a political one and not a staff committee plus one Council Member committee, and instead suggested a council committee be formed. Majority agreed that ultimately it was a policy decision but staff research and recommendations were necessary to proceed. Mayor Pro tem Mims will serve as the Council representative. 2. (IP6 — Memo from Asst. to the City Manager ... ICDD "Friends" Program) Mayor Hayek noted the exciting initiative and good feedback received thus far. COUNCIL TIME AND MEETING SCHEDULE 1. Council Member Botchway questioned when there would be additional discussion on the affordable housing issues scheduled. Council Member Throgmorton noted upcoming discussion regarding the subject in the form based Code. Mayor Pro tem Mims noted discussion among MPOJC, and urged Council to work through the current list of pending work session items. 2. Council Member Throgmorton stated he would be reporting on his recent trip to Tacoma, WA at the formal meeting. 3. Mayor Hayek stated he would be doing the KXIC radio show the next day, and reminded Council Members of the new 8:00 AM start time. PENDING WORK SESSION TOPICS [IP # 5 of 02127 Info Packetl 1. Council Member Dickens reported on attending the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa meeting on March 21St, and reported that the City and County were working on the issue. 2. Council Member Dickens stated he was hearing from a number of people regarding the status of the Fiberight project, and questioned when a meeting might be held. Council Member Throgmorton reported he was hearing from a number of stakeholders and suggested a possible meeting on both Fiberight, and recycling in multi - family housing, be scheduled soon. City Manager Markus and Public Works Dir. Fosse reminded Council that it was a new process and the advantages of waiting to see the issues as the City of Marion, Iowa proceeds. Staff will continue to talk with stakeholders as questions arise, and no timeline has been established. UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS /COUNCIL INVITATIONS None Meeting adjourned 6:40 PM.