HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-04 Council minutesr
CITY OF IOWA CITY
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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.