HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-15 TranscriptionPage 1
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER.
Hayek: Before we move on to Item 2, I want to, uh, use this as an opportunity to express
the City's condolences on the passing of, uh, Paul Hofineyer and Dr. Stacy Lynn
Thompson who, uh, passed this weekend very suddenly and very tragically. Uh,
Paul Hofrneyer was a Member of our, uh, Airport Commission, um, and I know,
uh, there are a lot of heavy hearts in the community, including down here at City
Hall and uh, we give our condolences to the family. Having said that, let's move
on to Item 2, uh, a happier, uh .... uh, item, and that is the Student Citizenship
Awards.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 2
ITEM 2. STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS — Grant Wood Elementary
Hayek: I would ask the Grant Wood students to come forward at this time please!
Karr: Right up here!
Hayek: Well how you guys doing tonight? Good! All right! Well welcome to City Hall!
I'm Mayor Matt Hayek and this is the City Council behind you, and uh, we're
excited to have you! Just so you can kind of get a feel for how things work.
What we do during the school year is invite, uh, the leaders from the various
elementary schools in Iowa City down to City Hall. Uh, we know you're
nominated by your schools and you're here representing your schools. It's opp
... an opportunity for us to get to know you, hear a little bit about you, and uh, and
give you some congratulations. So the first step is to see whether you've got a
little piece of paper to read and I see that you do, so that's good! Um, what I
think I'll do is just hand the microphone over to you and if you wouldn't mind
telling us (noises on mic) a little bit about yourself!
Bell: Hi, my name's Gabrielle Bell. I'm a sixth grader in Miss Brock's class. I think
Miss Brock ... I thank Miss Brock for nominating me for this award. I believe I
was nominated because I'm very involved in my community. I play clarinet and
violin. I'm on safety patrol, where I bring students to the bus safely. I'm a part of
student council where I represent my class. I'm a classroom team leader and
banker, where I have other responsibilities. Outside of school, I play sports, like
softball, volleyball, and soccer. I also babysit. I'm starting a drive with student
council to help get donations for the Crisis Center. Again, I thank the Iowa City
Council and Miss Brock for this award. (applause)
Becker: My name is Emma Becker, a sixth grader from Mr. Glen's class at Grant Wood
Elementary School. Thank you to my teacher Mr. Glen for nominating me for
this award. At school I have jobs, such as (mumbled) where I take little kids to
the bus, a kindergarten helper, and a classroom banker. I am currently in the top
reading and math class at school. I am also very busy with gymnastics. I practice
20 hours a week, so I have to use my time wisely by getting my homework done.
I also never miss an assignment. In gymnastics I'm on the Junior Olympic team
at the Iowa Gym Nest. Finally, thank you to the Iowa City Council and Mr. Glen
for this award. (applause)
Abdallah: Hello, my name is Sam Abdallah. I'm a sixth grade student who goes to Grant
Wood Elementary. I am in Miss Grigsby's class. I would like to thank the City
Council and my teacher, Miss Grigsby, for giving me this award. At my school,
whenever somebody does something good, they earn a ticket. In Miss Grigsby's
class I am in charge of counting my classes' tickets. I'm also involved in safety
patrol. My responsibility in safety patrol is to make sure that the little kids make
it to the bus safely. After school I participate in band. I play the saxophone. I
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 3
but I play on one soccer team. Once again I would like to thank the City Council
and Miss Grigsby for this award. (applause)
Hayek: Well that was fantastic! You guys sound like maybe the busiest sixth graders
we've heard of in a long time! Uh, what you're doing at school is absolutely
great, and some of the things you describe are I'm sure things that ... that the
people up here on the City Council did when they were in school. I know I was in
safety patrol way back in the day and keep up all this good work and some day
maybe you could sit up here and help your community and ... and you know, the
entire community, but for now you're doing your job, which is to do well in
school and work hard and ... and represent Grant Wood. And, uh, I also want to
thank your teachers and your parents and the people who play such an important
role in your lives, uh, obviously they have a lot to do with that, and we're really
proud of you, and what we have is a Citizenship Award, and it reads as follows,
and I have one for each of you. It says for his or her outstanding qualities of
leadership within Grant Wood Elementary, as well as the community, and for his
or her sense of responsibility and helpfulness to others, we recognize you as an
Outstanding Student Citizen. Your community is proud of you. Presented by the
Iowa City City Council, April 2014. Gabrielle, let me give you yours. And
Emma, here's yours, and Sam, here's yours. Let me shake your hands and
congratulate you! Job well done! Thanks so much! Take care! (applause) So,
I'm going to stay up here for the next one.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 4
ITEM 3. PROCLAMATIONS.
ITEM 3a Fair Housing Month — April
Hayek: We have a couple of proclamations this evening, and one is for the Fair Housing
Month. It reads as follows. (reads proclamation)
Karr: Here to accept the proclamation representing the Fair Housing Ambassadors are
Tracey Reiten, Fran Jensen, Christa Harrington, and Association President, Dave
Biancuzzo. (applause)
Hayek: (unable to hear, away from mic) Hi! Thank you so much! Who should I hand
this to? (laughs) All right! (laughter) Keep your jay d ... day job, Allen!
(laughter) We all want to welcome you and I'm glad you guys are here with us!
(laughter)
Biancuzzo: My name is Dave Biancuzzo, President of the Iowa City Area Association of
Realtors. On behalf of the Association, we'd like to thank Mayor Hayek and the
Council, uh, for the proclamation this evening. Uh, as you know, realtors are the,
uh, biggest supporters of the dream of home ow ... homeownership, uh, not just in
America, but worldwide, and fair housing is an important part of that dream. Uh,
so we're pr ... uh, proud to partner with the City in recognition of Fair Housing
Month this month. Thank you very much!
Hayek: Well it's an important issue to us and we appreciate all the work you do in the
community, both as professionals and as volunteers. Thanks for coming down!
(applause)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 5
ITEM 3. PROCLAMATIONS.
ITEM 3b Arbor Day — April 25
Hayek: (reads proclamation)
Karr: And here representing the City Forestry Department is Mike Kaiser.
Mims: Doesn't look like Mike! (several talking and laughing) (applause)
Hayek: How you doing? Good to see you! Thanks so much!
Kaiser: As a representative of the Forestry Divi ... Division, I'd just like to take a short
note and say thank you to Mayor Hayek and the City Council for your continued
support of the Forestry Division. Uh, with the signing of this Arbor Day
proclamation, we move into our 35th year as being recognized as a city ... the City
of Iowa City being recognized as a Tree City USA. Thank you.
Hayek: That's great! Thank you! (applause)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 6
ITEM 5. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA).
Hayek: This is the opportunity at each City Council meeting for members of the public 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 come forward. We ask that you sign in and (coughing, unable to
hear speaker) verbally give us your name, uh, and to limit your comments to five
minutes please.
Pretorius: Hello, my name is Amy Pretorius. I'm the Assistant Project Manager at the
Peninsula Development Company, and a resident of the Peninsula neighborhood
at 670 Walker Circle. In case you missed the paper on Friday, I'm here tonight to
ask for your help in obtaining an amendment that restricts the outdoor service of
alcohol in residential zones. Uh ... our unique community, though residential,
does host a variety of mixed -use businesses, including commercial. Currently the
code specifies that outdoor service of alcohol, or OSA, is prohibited when
residential's within a hundred feet, and in the Peninsula neighborhood, we are
luck ... lucky to have 10 feet often in between buildings. We are welcoming our
first truly commercial venture in the Peninsula — a restaurant and wine bar, and
this business includes 150- square foot courtyard, which we are proposing to be
allowed to have service of alcohol, especially wine and beer. The residents within
a hundred feet of this outdoor space have expressed to me, and soon to you, their
favor of not only the restaurant, but of the OSA. I hope you will consider an
amendment to this code and help save our restaurant, cause surely this is not a
viable product without this amendment. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you.
Gravitt: My name is Mary Gravitt, and I live here in Iowa City in Towncrest. I'm here about
that ... the bus shelter that was supposed to go up near the new Aldi's. The bus
shelter's not there, but the new s ... the new Aldi's is open and it has grass to the
curb, so that when the automatic snow plows plow up, they plow up the sod, and
all you have is a hill, and you can hardly .... if you ... if you have a cart like I
always take my box to take my groceries home, you can hardly get... get to catch
the bus. Now the problem is, it was promised here in City Council that it was
going to be a bus shelter, and the second thing I ... I'm here about is the
proclamations. Why don't you make a proclamation for the Senior Citizens?
Give us May! Give us June! Give us anything, but if everybody else can have
one, we can have one too! And I ... and I think we need an Ad Hoc Committee on
SEATS! Cause Terrence Neuzil came to talk to us at the Senior Center, it's still
our building, and it ... and one, uh, member, she got incensed. She said he was
lying, but what I got from his speech it was a tit - for -tat thing over this Animal
Shelter! Now, disabled human beings is better to me than any animal. I mean,
people love animals, but this was a tit - for -tat thing! And if SEATS has to be
financed, why can't we take that tax that's on the electric company. Mine's is 25-
cents a month, and just put it on the ballot. Do the people want to switch it over?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 7
They don't want any more taxes on their real estate, cause Iowa City real estate
tax is outrageous, or so I heard. And I want to know about ... who's in charge of
that alley, that service alley that goes right below the Library, and then there's a...
a store or so on and so forth. Everybody, the businesses will shovel, but then
when you get to that alley, it's never shoveled, and one time somebody had the
nerve to pile the snow up so you got a little path to go across. It's always full of
ice. Those 18- wheelers go up there and service that ... the merchants that live
there. In the summer, it stinks to high heaven. Now, I know you can't do nothing
about the smell of the garbage on Monday morning, but you can do something
about the ice that's in that alley and the cracked sidewalks! Now, you gotta find
out who's in charge, and I want to know if the Senior Center is part of that new
Blue Zone. I got that postcard about it. I don't even know what it's about, but
it's something else to harass you about. Now the Senior Center has two gyms.
And the Senior Center will be useful to be included. But if you're not gonna
include it and try to take our building, that's another thing. Cause we intend to be
there just like the Alamo! So if you gonna get rid of us, let us know! And, that's
only thing ... and I, urn ... that's only thing I'm complaining about tonight, but I
really am here specifically for that bus shelter. When it rains, snows, or whatever,
and not everybody should be driving. I don't drive. I help keep the world safe!
That's why I don't drive. So I use transportation. Thank you. Public
transportation that is!
Hayek: Tom!
Markus: Yeah, the bus shelter is scheduled to go in. I think quite frankly the, um ... the frost
conditions that were delayed this year slowed it, but uh, in talking with our
Transportation Director, we have every intention of putting the pad in and the
shelter in there. It will go in!
Gravitt: Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for your comments!
Shaeffer: Hello, my name is Joshua Shaeffer. I work here in Iowa City, and I'm an
environmental advocate, um, here in the neighborhood. Mr. Mayor and Members
of Council, I come to you today with an important issue that affects us all. The
Iowa City wastewater treatment plant has not had a permit to operate since 2006.
2006! This plant has been cited by the EPA as most recently as February! And
they've been cited multiple times before that! They have been polluting our river.
They are putting more than 700% of the allotted amount of chlorine into our river!
This is disgusting, and we must fix it now! We must act now! To this day there
is a sign in front of the plant that says that there were $5.5 million allotted for its
repair. The sign has the previous Governor's name on it! That means it's at least
three years old! Mr. Mayor and Members of Council, where has the money gone?
I'll wait for an answer!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 8
Hayek: We're not set up for a back and forth. This is a community comment (both talking)
Shaeffer: Fair enough. Fair enough. (both talking) Well listen, this issue affects us all. We
all drink the water, and it doesn't just affect people in Iowa City, or even in Iowa!
The pollutants in the water flow throughout the United States! They flow down
into the Mississippi and into the ocean! And because it affects us all, I am going
to fight and I will not stop fighting until the water is clean and until we have a
permit! I will get together people! We will go door to door, and we will talk to
our neighbors and we will talk to our friends and we will not stop until the
pollution stops! The water here in Iowa City is disgusting! Our river is being
polluted! How are we going to stop this, and why haven't we already done it?
Mr. Mayor and Member... Members of Council, the time has come to clean up our
water! The time has come to clean up our river, and the time has come to clean
up our act! Thank you!
Hayek: Thank you for your comments! Anyone else during community comment?
Laurian: Thank you for having me here. Um, I'd like to make a comment about the riverside,
um, Riverfront Crossings, sorry (mumbled) I live on the east side. I'm Lucie
Laurian, resident. (both talking)
Hayek: Hi, and actually we're ... that comes up a little later (both talking)
Laurian: ...we will have opportunities for ... (both talking)
Hayek/ ... yes, there's a public hearing for that (both talking)
Laurian: Perfect! Thank you so much.
Hayek: ... stick around and... and we'd like to hear from you! Anyone else during
community comment? Alec? Okay (laughter)
Remish: Good evening. My name is Madeline Remish, and I'm a student here at University
of Iowa and I'm the new liaison for Fraternity and Sorority Greek Life. I'm
representing all four of the counsels regarding Fraternity and Sorority Greek Life.
I will be here taking notes and relaying them back to the counsels and I look
forward to meeting all of you. Thank you!
Hayek: Glad you're here!
Mims: Welcome!
Bramel: Mayor Hayek, Members of the City Council, Alec Bramel, City Council Liaison.
It's been, uh, a good year and a half, almost two years now, uh, that I've served in
the position I, uh, am in currently, um, and I will be relinquishing that to Evan
come May I St, but I wanted to say that, uh, thank you for the fun ride. It has been
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 9
an absolute pleasure to work with all of you. Um, I've learned a lot in this
position. Um, my knowledge of municipal governments has gone from (laughs)
almost nothing to, um, quite a bit! Um, I can answer questions now from students
just about on anything, or I know where to look to find the answer. It's been quite
an experience! Um, thank you very much for all that you've done for this
community. Um, from what I've seen over the last two years, the progressiveness
and the outreach that you do, and that your staff does, urn ... for this community, is
unbelievable compared to what I've seen in other municipalities. Um ... it's been
a ... it's been a pleasure, and uh, I look forward to Evan sitting, uh, in this position,
and he will be getting a vice here soon, but uh, I wanted to say thank you very
much, farewell. I will be here in May. You won't be getting rid of me that easily.
I'll be ... I won't be the liaison any more, but I will be coming in as a civilian, as it
were, so...
Hayek: Civilian (laughs)
Bramel: So thank you very much! It's been a pleasure.
Hayek: Alec, uh, we've got a certificate we want to ... I'm going to read for you here in a
second, but I ... I just want to say, you've been absolutely fantastic, uh, you've
been very effective the last year and a half, two years...
Bramel: Thank you.
Hayek: ...um, you're poised, you're professional, uh, you ... you learn the information. You
made yourself informed on... on the variety of issues you brought to our attention
and pushed us on, and I think your demeanor and your approach to ... to this very
unique situation that being a... a student representative having a seat at the table,
uh, which is very uncommon, uh .... uh, and almost unheard of I think throughout
the rest of the state, you've made the most of it, and ... and uh, the results show
and I think you've earn ... earned the respect of City Hall, both the people up here
and... and staff, and so we're really appreciative of your good work and I think
your student body should be as well. Um, I do want to read a Certificate of
Appreciation that we have (both talking) and it says, uh, for his dedicated service
as the U of I Student Government Student Liaison to the City Council of Iowa
City, to identify issues of common concern to students and the city, and for his
commitment to improve communication between UISG and the City, we present
this Certificate of Appreciation to Alec Bramel on April 15, 2014. So, Alec, why
don't you come forward and let me give this to you.
Bramel: Thank you very much. (applause)
Hayek: This is kind of a roast, so feel free to, uh... (laughter)
Mims: Thanks, Alec, it's been fun!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 10
Botchway: Figured you'd do like a selfie ... like you and Matt (laughter and several talking)
Hayek: Sponsored by Samsung! (laughter) Alec, what are your plans?
Bramel: You know, um, I graduate on May ... 17th, and I leave for Europe on the 19th. Uh, I'll
be spending three and a half weeks there, then I'll be coming back here to Iowa
City to do some work, um, and then, uh, hopefully the Peace Corps will take me
and I'll be, uh, shipping out in, uh, February. So, I'm excited for that! So...
Hayek: Fantastic!
Bramel: Time to live a little ... time to live life a little bit so...
Mims: Congratulations and good luck!
Hayek: Yeah, and Evan, welcome! We're glad to have you on board and look forward to
working with you! Anyone else on community comment? Okay, let's move on
to Planning and Zoning Items.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 11
ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
ITEM 6a RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS FORM -BASED CODE —
ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14: ZONING, ADDING ARTICLE 14-
2G, RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS FORM -BASED DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS, AND AMENDING OTHER ASSOCIATED PARTS OF
TITLE 14 TO INTEGRATE THE FORM -BASED CODE.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Want to mention,
we're going to hear a presentation from staff on this proposed code, um, and
we're going to leave the public hearing open for anyone who'd like to provide
input this evening, uh, but our plan is to not close it, but ... once we've exhausted
the comments this evening, to continue the public hearing, uh, to the next City
Council meeting, which will provide another opportunity for members of the
public to weigh in, and we won't take any Council action until after that resumed,
A ... uh, public hearing on, uh, May 6` ". So with that I'll turn it over to staff!
Howard: Good evening. My name's Karen Howard. I'm with the Department of
Neighborhood and Development Services, and I'd like to give a little overview.
This is a large piece of legislation, um, that would affect a large part of, uh, of the
city, the center part of the city. Um, so we're going to take a little time tonight to
run through this, um, new form -based zoning standards for Riverfront Crossings.
Um, just to step back and remind everyone that this, um, the Riverfront Crossings
district and, um, there's a lot of ways that we can implement this ... this plan. Um,
we've already adopted an Urban Renewal District and there's planned
improvements to the infrastructure and public amenities in this area. A new park
is planned along the Iowa River. So this is just one tool, the adoption of a form -
based zoning code, that will help facilitate development over time, um, in this
whole area. There are elements to a form -based code. It's a little bit different
than, um, a regular zoning code. Um, it has certain elements, and I'd like to run
through each one of those, uh, quickly tonight. Uh, the regulating plan is a map
basically of the entire, uh, district. It includes the definitions of various sub -
districts in Riverfront Crossings. It has those boundaries. It also has... indicates
which streets are the primary streets, meaning which streets the buildings will
face and be oriented toward and how development will occur. That includes open
space and any specific conditions or requirements that are in this, uh, entire
district of the city. Just to give some idea for the ... for the audience, um, to the
north is downtown, to get you oriented. This is the Iowa River. The Riverfront
Crossings district, uh, spans both sides of...of, uh, the Iowa River. So the west
Riverfront district is here, and then, uh, there's a large portion of the district's on
the east side of the Iowa River, over to Gilbert Street on the east. The plan also
includes a building height diagram that shows what's possible then if the
properties are rezoned to this zoning designation. Um, this gives an idea in the
different sub - districts. They have... each have their own character. The district
closest to downtown would allow taller buildings, eight- stories maximum. Um,
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 12
and, uh, we'd allow eight - stories potentially along the Iowa River on the west side
and then lower -scale buildings, mid -rise buildings in the central part and the east
side of Riverfront Crossings district. Um, there's also minimum height
designated in some of the more urban parts and that's in order to create a street
wall that makes it very comfortable for pedestrians and I'll describe that in a
moment. There's also a requirement for upper -floor step- backs. It's a little bit
different than what we have in our current zoning code, and then ... as part of this
code, these are listed as the rights to have a certain building height, um, in the
code, but there are provisions in this code that allow bonus provisions that you
can increase the height of buildings, um, if you provide elements of public
benefit. So a developer could come in and propose affordable housing or perhaps
they could dedicate land for park space, um, and transfer those development rights
to another portion of their property and ... and through this code, we would be
allowed to then, um, grant them additional bonus height, and I'll go into that
toward the end of the presentation. I'll have another map that shows the
maximum height that someone could achieve through those bonus provisions, just
so ... to make that clear. So when we talk about street walls and step- backs, those
are terms that we don't... haven't used in the past, um, just to give an illustration
here of what we're talking about, when you create an urban environment, um, you
want the buildings to form sort of walls of a room. The streets, the floor and the
buildings are walls, and that's what creates the comfortable spaces for
pedestrians, and in this photograph you can see it's a three -story street wall that
makes it fairly comfortable to walk along this street, and the idea of an upper -
floor step -back, they faded the photograph here, but you can see that this building
was much taller and those ... those floors are stepped back from the lower floors.
So it creates a more pleasant space along the street. The taller buildings then have
a sense they're not looming over the top of people. It allows ... the step -backs
allow sunlight to get to the ... to the sidewalk, um, and this is an illustration then of
what a step -back would be, and each one of the sub - districts has a step -back
requirement as the buildings get taller. Uh ... the land uses that will be allowed in
the Riverfront Crossing zones are based on the broad range of uses that are
allowed in our Central Business 5 zone. Um, so lots of different uses allowed,
um ... and the thing that's different about Riverfront Crossings is you can mix, uh,
uses, both vertically in a building, um, you can have commercial on the ground
floor and residential above, like we have downtown, or you can mix buildings
horizontally. So you could have a multi - family building right next to a
commercial building, right next to a mixed -use building. So ... that is a little bit
different than a lot of our zones where we try to separate residential buildings
from commercial buildings. And then there's other special standards to keep
auto - oriented uses such as gas stations and drive - through facilities to help... to
allow them to occur in certain places, but to do it in a more urban fashion so we
keep that pedestrian- oriented street that we're looking for. As a part of the
adoption of this form -based code, um, we wanted to look more holistically at our
parking policies downtown. This was a good opportunity to do that. We've had a
number of changes to our parking policies downtown as things have become more
urban in Iowa City, um, and they were a bit of a patchwork, and didn't make a lot
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 13
of sense together. So this was our opportunity to clean that up, um, and make
sure that they call made sense and work together. So for the downtown area, and
for Riverfront Crossings, we've established, uh, we're suggesting, um ... uh,
parking requirements for Riverfront Crossings and then minimum requirements
for multi- family so that they are consistent across similar zones in this downtown
area, and then we're proposing to delete the near southside parking impact fee
district that has become obsolete, and in its place we would establish a new
downtown and Riverfront Crossings parking district that would provide some
flexibility to reduce parking requirements for projects that are designed, um, to
achieve public goals, um, and in lieu of providing the parking on -site, the
developer would pay a fee in lieu of providing that parking to compensate the
City for the cost associated with providing, uh, public parf...parking to satisfy
that parking demand. Uh, we would also delete the option to satisfy private
parking requirements within public parking facilities, uh, without compensation to
the City. Um, that's something that was adopted, I think, in 2009 and um, has
kind of created a problem, um, that we would like to remedy with this ordinance.
Here's a little, uh, table that shows, um, what we were trying to do. Similar zones
have zimil... similar parking requirements for multi - family then, um, with the idea
that this is a downtown location, so these parking requirements are a bit lower
than what you'd expect on the edges of town. Um, the Central Business 10, CB -5
zone, and the south downtown Riverfront Crossings would be...be the same, and
um ... areas a little bit further out, the CB -2 zone and other Riverfront Crossings
sub - districts, the parking requirement would be a little bit higher, but still lower
than the rest of...rest of the city. Then moving on to, um, the various sub - districts
of Riverfront Crossings, each sub - district has a set of standards, um, that apply.
Uh ... the south downtown sub - district is our most urban sub - district. There's
opportunities for hotels, apartments, condominiums, and commercial businesses
close to downtown and campus. Um, there's also opportunities for high - quality
student housing, apartments, uh, private dormitories, sororities, fraternities,
particularly in the western portion of the sub - district, um, directly adjacent to, um,
the Univer ... University of Iowa campus. This is a very urban district. Minimum
setback is two feet from the public sidewalk, basically. Um, maximum setback is
eight feet. So buildings would front right on the street. Um ... the building heights
maximum eight stories, minimum two stories. Um, there is possibility, again, for
bonus height that would go up to 15 stories maximum. Um, that step -back that I
talked about would happen above the fifth story to try to keep that pedestrian-
oriented streetscape and allow some light to the sidewalk. Um ... um, and then the
idea with the fagade continuity standard is that, um, most of the frontage of each
lot would be covered by buildings so that you would have, uh, a continuous line
of buildings along the street to make it a ... a real pleasant place to ... to walk. Uh,
moving on to three other sub - districts that we have similar standards. The
University sub - district course is mostly owned by the University of Iowa. Those
properties, um, and our zoning doesn't ... they don't need to comply with our
zoning, but if...if any property in that district were ever acquired by a private
property owner, then these sub ... these standards would apply. Uh, the Park
District is the land that's going to be adjacent to the new Riverfront Park. And
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 14
the south Gilbert district is along Gilbert Street, um, and also will interface with
Ralston Creek in the new park. So these ... these standards are set up to also be
quite urban with a minimum setback of two feet, maximum setback of buildings
of eight feet, and then we have the ... the building heights would be maximum six
stories, um, with also then potential bonus height up to 15 stories, with the idea
that there is some potential in, particularly along the park edge, of... of attracting,
um, higher density housing that would overlook the river and the new park. In all
these sub - districts, the buildings front on the street. It's a common theme, with
the parking located, um, behind or in structures behind the buildings. Um,
moving on the central Crossings district, which is in the center of the district, and
this includes the area that ... where the historic rail depot is and the two rail lines
cross in this area. Um, this area we anticipate would be largely residential in
character, so the setbacks are a little bit more extensive, to allow those residential
stoops to occur. Um, building height maximum four stories, um, with a potential
for transfer development rights and bonus height up to eight stories. Um ... the
facade continuity is still pretty extensive, so it's still very urban in character. Uh,
the Gilbert district, which is on the far east side of the district, that interfaces with
the lower, um, scale neighborhoods to the east, north of the railroad tracks — these
are largely student housing, um, apartments at the moment and south of the
railroad tracks it's a mix of...of, uh, businesses, um, and ... but this code will bring
in new opportunities for housing to move into this area, along ... and interface with
...with the eclectic mis ... mix of businesses in that area. This is a little lower
scale neighborhood to interface with that lower -scale neighborhood to the east.
So three stories maximum, um, bonus height would not be allowed along the
edge, the eastern boundary of that, as it interfaces with the single - family
neighborhood to the east, but in other areas it could go up to five stories. In the
west Riverfront, so the only sub - district in the ... in the district that's on the west
side of the Iowa River that is bisected by Riverside Drive, um, is currently a fairly
auto - oriented area that the hope is that ... that these standards would then allow,
um, some mix of residential to move into this area. It would allow more urban
fab ... fabric and allow us to improve the area, uh, to make it more pedestrian -
friendly, but acknowledging that it is going to continue to carry a lot of traffic
along Riverside Drive. Um, four stories maximum on this area. Uh ... for most of
the district. However, um, right along ... if you have property that's right along the
Iowa River bank, um, and you want to develop it, the ... the standards would allow
the buildings to be up to eight stories tall, and that's to allow the idea that people
may want to live along the Iowa River and have use ... cross to the Riverfront Park
into downtown. So taller buildings may be appropriate in that location. Uh, the
next element of a ... of a form -based code is the frontage conti ... condition, and
this is really one of the most important parts of a form -based code is this idea that
most people experience cities by how buildings meet the street and the sidewalk.
As you're walking along the streets and so this really strongly influences the
quality and character of our public streets and spaces. So when we talk about
frontage conditions, we're talking about that transition from public to private
space, from indoor to outdoor at the main entrance to buildings. The design
treatment at that first story building facade and the configuration of the facade
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 15
projections over the right -of -way, and the disposition of any improvements,
meaning public improvements, private improvements, uh, within those setbacks
of the building. So the space between the building and the street, basically, is
very important. So there are certain standards, strict standards about how
different building types can meet the street, um, and there are standards and ... and
illustrations for each one of these frontage types. So this is the storefront. We're
all familiar with this ki ... kind of frontage type because that's what we have
downtown. Uh, open facades, welcoming to businesses, welcoming to
restaurants, um ... uh, urban flex is also a commercial frontage type that allows
offices. It's a little lower, uh, number of windows, but still very pedestrian-
friendly. Uh, a forecourt frontage means that a portion of the ... the building is set
back from the street to create a front courtyard, and that provides opportunities,
uh, for some private space for a residential property or a public space and... and
the illu ... the photograph on the left, um, shows a ... a ... a mixed -use building with
some public art and a public fountain in that forecourt area. A stoop frontage is
just what it ... what it sounds like. It's basically step and an entrance into the
building. Um, this is appropriate for, um, residential uses. And ... the portico
frontage is appropriate for larger - scale, multi - family buildings. So the idea that
the entrances are scaled to the scale of the building. A terrace frontage, um, is
quite an attractive frontage for residential. It allows this... the... there to be some
private or semi - private space on the front. Um, so you can have a little outdoor
seating area, uh, in your home ... that's separated from the public space along the
sidewalk. And then the porch frontage is ... is appropriate for lower - scale, um,
duplexes and uh, cottages. The code also includes buildings types then and then
there's an interface between the building types and the different frontage types.
So cottage homes, the appropriate frontage types would be stoops or porches, and
so on. Um, so the code would dictate the build... if you want to build a multi-
family building, these are the frontage types that you would be allowed to use.
Um, so there's different building blocks that are included in this code that have to
be put together then, um, to make the whole building. Um, just a few of the
different, uh, building types. They're illustrated in the code and then there's also
a description of...of how they have to meet the street and what the basic elements
...where the parking is located, etc. This is a townhouse idea here, um, the
buildings are close to the street. This is what we call a parking muse behind here
so there's no rear, uh, yard, but the parking is tucked behind the buildings. Uh,
we have an example right here up the street on Washington Street. This would be
considered... those would be considered townhouses with street - facing stoops, and
then with the parking tucked in behi ... in the buildings behind them. A new type
of, uh, building type that we don't have really in Iowa City is this idea of live -
work units. Um, this is a live -work townhouse where, uh, the living space is
incorporated and there's also opportunities for somebody to have a small business
on the ground floor. There might even be a separate entrance for that business.
Um, there'd be a lot of different ways you could do this. This is a townhouse
form. You could also do live -work units inside of a ... of a mixed -use building, as
well. So, this code will allow that mixing of residential and commercial on the
ground floor, which is something we don't have right now. We have a lot of
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 16
multi - dwelling buildings, so this is exactly what ... what it appears to be. There's
some standards of where the parking can be and... and the types of courtyards and
that sort of thing that would be allowed, um, for the open space. Um, mixed -use
buildings are buildings that have... generally have commercial on the ground floor
and residential above, or sometimes there's offices on the upper floors. Most of
the time the ... the first floor is suitable for restaurants and retail, um, so there's
lots of different ways you can mix the uses in these mixed -use buildings. Uh, co
...commercial building is just what it sounds like. There's, um, commercial uses
in al ... in the entire building. And then this is a new, also a new building type, uh,
it's called a liner building, and we have ... as we get more urban, we're going to
have to build more parking structures. The idea that the ... they need to get the
cars off the street, but ... but, uh, not have a lot of surface parking lots taking up a
lot of space in our urban environment. So the parking structure reserves space
for ... for urban development, um, this makes parking structures hi ... hides
basically the parking structure behind, um, either a residential or a commercial or
a mixed -use building. Here is a photograph of a liner building. The parking
structure's behind this liner building. It looks like they even have a green roof on
top of the parking structure. Um, here's a... a drawing of a proposed, uh, liner
building that would line a City parking facility in Riverfront Crossings, um, at the
corner of Dubuque and Harrison. The code, uh, the next section of the code is the
general requirements wh ... which covers lots of ground, but I'll go through each
one of these, uh, quickly. Um ... it has ... the form -based code once again talks a
lot about how the buildings meet the street and so this section of the code talks
about what happens in the public space, urn ... and here's the private space, here's
the setback of the buildings, and the frontage condition of the private space, as it
interfaces with ... then with the public sidewalk and street trees along the street,
and here's, of course, the roadway. This is, uh, a more ... non-residential frontage,
where you might have an outdoor seating area for a restaurant and once again,
you might have more, what we call street furniture in the landscaping, um, in the
street tree zone here. The idea and the basic, uh, goals of the ... of this type of a
code is to...to take what is unfriendly and uncomfortable for pedestrians, and to
build buildings that create that environment where people would like to live, do
business, and work, and... so you have both the private, the standards for the
private buildings, that create those frontage conditions, and then you also have,
um, what happens in the public street right -of -way with the street trees and all
those elements put together make it an environment that's comfortable for
pedestrians. Another a... couple elements that do make it comfortable for
pedestrians are this idea of a pedestrian passageway, uh, if all the buil ... if all the
parking is located behind the buildings, urn ... and the buildings are fronting on the
streets, people need to have ways to get from the parking to ... to the street
frontage, and so, um, this is idea of a pedestrian passageway and this is the idea of
a street, uh, screen that would screen the spaces between buildings, or screen
parking from ... from the, uh, pedestrian walkway along the street. The code, um,
includes standards for what we call pedestrian streets. This would be similar to
what we have in City Plaza. It would be considered a pedestrian street. Um... so
this code would allow ... City Plaza -like pedestrian streets in other parts of the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 17
city, in parts of Riverfront Crossings. Now they could be public, uh, pedestrian
streets, which are ten... a little bit wider and usually provide, um, access and
pedestrian access, uh, through the block, um, to destina ... important destinations,
or they could be private pedestrian streets that just really serve access to
individual dwelling units along the street, and those tend to be a little narrower. It
does provide, um, the opportunity for more development potential for very deep
lots, um... and so it also creates opportunities to create really unique and attractive
pedestrian - friendly, um, areas for people to live along these pedestrian streets.
Uh, here's an illustration from the Riverfront Crossings' plan. This is south
Gilbert Street. This is the new park, and this is the idea of what a pedestrian street
could look like, if you would walk from Gilbert Street along the pedestrian street,
over to the new Riverfront Park. So this ... putting the pedestrian street here
allows these buildings to occur, and allows you to put front doors along that
pedestrian street. Whereas most of the time in the deep blocks, you wouldn't be
able to do that if you didn't have some sort of a frontage condition there, um, that
would ... would allow you to move through that big block. Uh, Ralston Creek, our
big urban creek that runs through the city runs through Riverfront Crossings, so
we've created a Ralston Creek frontage that would allow buildings to front onto
the creek, and have their front doors facing the creek and we ... we're hoping to
create the situation where we could possibly have a trail all along river, uh, along
Ralston Creek in the Riverfront Crossings district, um, which, uh, in the past if
you go down to Riverfront Crossings now, a lot of the buildings turn their backs
to the ... to Ralston Creek, and we're hoping to sort of change that over time. Um,
and make it more of an amenity for the neighborhood. The code contains quite a
few building design standards, which are breaking up building frontages, um, how
building entranceways are treated. There's a whole list of quality building
materials that can be used, uh, mix -and- matched for the buildings; uh, guidance
on roof design and signage standards for these more urban buildings. And then
there's also a usable open space requirement. There's a concern that we have had
a lot of, particularly multi - family buildings built without a lot of space for
residents, amenity space for residents, whether it be outdoor space, um,
courtyards, spaces for people to get outdoors to do some bar -b- cueing or
something. Um, also in ... (mumbled) could take the shape of an indoor amenity
space, uh, a common room for example. So there'd be a lot of ways to meet this
requirement, but this will be a new requirement for multi, uh, for buildings that
have residential apartments in them. It's 10- square feet per bedroom and it can be
done in a number of different ways, and if it's a really small building or a site
where it's difficult to meet that standard, we would allow the option to pay a fee
in lieu of that, and that ... those fees would then be used for, um .... uh, public open
space in the district. Uh, finally moving on the bonus provisions that I talked
about earlier, that will allow projects, um, to move forward, potentially that create
the incentive for projects that had elements of public benefit, and so these are the
kinds of things that are listed in the code, that are goals for Riverfront Crossings
and for ... economic goals for our downtown areas, um, so if someone were to
dedicate land for... for the parks, the Riverfront Park, or for trails, or in some
areas we're going to need more street right -of -way in order to make those
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 18
pedestrian- friendly streets. So if that land is dedicated, we al ... allow that land,
the development potential on that piece of land to transfer to another portion of
the property, or another property in the area, and allow the buildings to be taller.
Urn ... this... bonus height available for class A office space; for hotel
development; if someone provides, uh, for affordable housing, workforce housing
or elderly housing; uh, for high - quality student housing. There's certain standards
they'd have to meet, but they would be able to get bonus height if they met those
high standards. Um... for green development, um, that means LEED - certified, or
maybe it's storm ... the way they treat storm water, um, there'd be an opportunity
to create that incentive for people to do those green building... green buildings in
Riverfront Crossings, and then contributions for public art for the area. And here
is the height diagram and the district map, showing the maximum possible that
someone could achieve, potentially, um... if you, uh, if they included some of
these bene ... uh, elements of public benefit, um, keeping in mind that of course
every site is constrained by how much can be parked on the site, the shape of the
lot, the topography of the lot, so it's not anticipated that every build ... every
property would have bonus provisions that would apply. Um, also it's very
expensive and costly to build taller buildings, um, that require steel construction.
So, some of those constraints will constrain, um, what actually ends up occurring
on the ground, um, but this shows the maximum possible that could occur. Um,
the way this would be administered is through a design review process. Um, so
up to two stories could be granted, uh, administratively through a staff design
review committee. Um, if someone's requesting more than three stories of
building height, that would have to be approved through a ... what we call the level
2 design review, which would require, um, City Council approval at a public
hearing. Finally, uh, there's special provisions at the end of the ... the form -based
code to credit... create flexibility for unusual situations. So if buildings are in a
flood plain and can't meet the standards, urn ... we have setbacks that are very...
very shallow in Riverfront Crossings, so if there's something that needed
adjusting for ADA- accessibility, um, steeply - sloping lots, lots along the creek
where we need to raise it ... the buildings up above the flood plain, all these things,
um, we can adjust those fairly easily without much process, um, through this code
and ... and create that, you know, a .... a fairly efficient development process for
people wishing to redevelop their properties. And finally just like to leave with a
few thoughts about why we're doing this and what the benefits are of...we're
hoping the benefits are of this form -based code. Um, the idea here that a lot of
this land in Riverfront Crossings is currently zoned, uh, low- density commercial,
intensive commercial, uh, only allows three -story buildings, doesn't allow a lot of
flexibility for the different types of uses. This ... if this zoning's applied to
properties in Riverfront Crossings, it would allow considerably higher residential
densities, um, while ensuring those higher quality living environments. Um, it
also allows a greater mix of uses possible, um, that can respond more quickly to
the market conditions, and it will hopefully cr ... reduce vehicle miles traveled in
the community by creating a neighborhood that it's easy to serve with transit,
pleasant for walking and biking. Um, we're hoping to continue to lower the
parking requirements as people don't need their cars as much, and then also this
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 19
idea that it's lower risk for investors and for long -term residents, um, to invest in
Riverfront Crossings if we know that there are standards in place that will ensure
a high quality living environment. So we're hoping that all of this increases the
property values, increases the tax base, um, and we're trying to create a high
quality development that creates a sense of place that ensures long -term value in
the community, um, with the idea that great places are attractive to new residents,
businesses, and n ... and new employers for Iowa City. Happy to answer any
questions!
Hayek: Thank you, Karen. Well there may be questions but there may be people from the
audience as well, so this is a public hearing. If anyone would like to address the
Council on this item, now would be a good opportunity to come forward.
Laurian: Lucie Laurian, I'm on the east side, so I don't live in that ... this district. Um, I'll also
on the faculty in Urban Regional Planning. Um, I... first, thank you for
developing this. I think it's a wonderful tool and I ... I've been waiting for the
City to finally come (mumbled) design issues that we have. So I think it's a
wonderful tool and I hope you'll adopt it. Um, I have a couple of, um, small
comments and a big one at the end. One is, our main target seems to be student
housing in terms of development, so I'm not sure student housing should be
enough to deserve a bonus, as a... as a topic. Others... other bonus reasons I can
see; the student housing I'm not so sure. Um, what I'm seeing a gap on is green
building, sustainable development, high energy- efficiency. There's not much on
that that I can see. Little bit on the ... on the park, obviously we're going to have a
park, but um ... I ... I'm not saying every building should be LEED, but we could
say every building should be efficient... in some way. Maybe not all green roof,
but maybe a flat roof that could hold green roofs in the future. Urn ... maybe we
should discourage building in a flood plain rather than allow more building in a
flood plain, um... so I...I'm missing a bit of the sustainable features, other than
the park, and these ... these pedestrian avenues I think, or ... or crossings, are really
wonderful, but I ... I think maybe you can think more about the greenness of that
plan, in addition to design. Um, and the main comment I really have is that when
it ... when I look at the map it starts just south of Burlington. And you borrowed
the idea of a ... a joint parking plan, obviously that's connected to downtown, and
you're parking is with the downtown in this whole area, right, so the connection is
natural. What I'm hoping is that you'll discuss whether we can actually use the
same plan, maybe the same as the ... just south of Burlington, and apply that to
downtown, and where I'm coming from for this is downtown is developing very
quickly. We have very height ... high buildings coming on line, probably more
very fast, so that might be a way to address a fast growth in height, uh, in our
downtown, if we start applying the same rules, or ... or some modifications of
these, to the Downtown District, and think about it a bit more globally. So that
...that's really my main point is can you think about ... can we use this and make it
go to downtown also, um, I think we need it. Downtown's changing very fast
right now. So that ... that's my main, uh, request from you, that you discuss
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 20
maybe how far can we apply that, how applicable would that be to downtown.
Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for those comments.
Hemrick: Hi, my name is Jenna Hemrick and I'm from rural Iowa City. Um, I'm here to
encourage you to reserve height bonuses for new construction in the Riverfront
Crot ... Crossings district only for developers who earn Platinum, the highest
LEED - certification, for five quick reasons. The first is, from what I've read, the
lower levels of LEED - certification are relatively easy for developers to attain,
with easy points given for the installation of bike racks, parking for hybrids,
potted plants, educational posters. Platinum is an accomplishment, and that's why
it makes the news. Number two, it's a really great opportunity for Iowa City to
embody its progressive principles and market itself as a leader on environmental
issues. Riverfront Crossings is a high - profile initiative. A lot of people are
paying attention, including the media, and we can really make a statement by
committing to the highest standards here. The third, especially since there are
only five LEED - platinum buildings in Iowa, we need to look at this. Um, only
one of these LEED - platinum buildings in Iowa, the ACT operations center, is in
this area. Um, Minnesota has 15, Wisconsin has 16, Minnesota... or, Missouri has
14, Michigan has 26... of states with similar populations to Iowa. Connecticut has
eight, Utah 10, Kansas eight, and I think we need to catch up! Another reason is
that buildings become a little less efficient when they exceed seven stories. To
offset this inefficiency we should mandate the developers earn height bonuses
only when they meet the highest LEED standards. Another reason, um, such a
commitment would also help to retrain and ata ... attract young professionals who
value sustainability, and who are willing to pay more for it. And the last reason, I
really think it would be irresponsible not to pursue this relatively easy way to
mitigate climate change, which really should be every city's first priority.
Hayek: Thank you!
Johnson: Hi, my name's Eric Johnson. I live in rural Iowa City, as well. Um, my angle on
this is, um, similar to hers, which is that Iowa City is one of the, if not the
smartest city in the country, and um, for us to not give bonuses based on LEED,
uh, platinum or some sort of scale like that would be ... unthinkable. I mean, the
world's scientists, uh, are... humanities like knowledge centers would, if they
were here, they would demand all the buildings be LEED- certified because of the
grave the ... threat of climate change. So ... I would encourage the bonuses to be
heavily weighted on LEED- certification. They could maybe be on a gra ... a
graded scale like you get the most bonus floors for LEED platinum and maybe
fewer floors for... for a lesser standards, but something like that needs to be here
or else we'll be sorry we didn't do it in the future. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for the comments.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 21
Welsh: My name is Bob Welsh. I've been a resident of, uh, Iowa City since 1965. Uh, I
think I've ... this is the first time I've appeared before this Council with
Kingsley's, uh, presence. Urn ... I ... I was going to ... let me ask you a question, do
you all have access on your computers to Karen's presentation?
Throgmorton: Not right at the moment. But we ... it'll be online, right, uh, Marian?
Welsh: Uh ... couple things. In 1965, urban renewal was the thing, and ... but since that time,
I don't think there has been a Council that has the opportunities that you all have.
Uh, this is a large area that will impact the life of this community far beyond the
life of any of you. Uh, it won't even be completed in my lifetime. But, you
know, this is a magnificent opportunity. I want you to look at those pictures that
Karen showed. Because when I had read the plans, what had hit me and they did
make a change, on page 38, you'll see that there are... accessible ways to enter.
As ... as you review the minutes, you'll note that all that's proposed is minimum
meeting ADA- standards. I think you all have an opportunity to make this area
accessible to all people. When Karen was showing the pictures, what struck me
was over and over again, I saw barriers. I saw steps, steps, steps! Steps, steps,
steps, steps, steps, steps. Now the ADA requires you to have one accessible
entrance. According to that, those are going to be backdoor entrances. In ... in
this community, you have an increasing number of people, like myself, who are
"older Iowans," or elderly. Uh, steps become a barrier. We have a lot of disabled
people in this community. Steps are a barrier. We have a lot of returning
veterans. Steps are a barrier. Uh, steps are even a barrier for young families with
small children. So I guess my request is, look at those pictures that you just saw
and see if you saw what I saw tonight. I saw barrier, barrier, barrier, barrier. And
my request is, that as you come and formalize your plans, that you will decide
hey, let's make all units accessible, let's not settle and say, well, those who are
disabled or elderly can be backdoor citizens. Make them front -door citizens! So
again, my request is, look at those beautiful pictures and see if you see what I
saw. I saw barriers, barriers, barriers, and barriers. And you have a real
opportunity, you know, I have stayed in this community because I think this is the
greatest place, at least in the United States, to live. Uh ... I think this is a very
livable community. You have an opportunity to make it even more livable, and to
make a statement that we want all persons to be front -door citizens. And so,
please look at those and then when you come to a final vote (mumbled) ask your
staff to make the revision that says all of the facilities in this area will be front -
door accessible. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for the comments.
Siders: Hi, my name's Glenn Siders. Business person in Iowa City. I think this is an
opportunity, uh, an exciting time. It's an opportunity for the Council to really
capitalize on something. And, I will be honest, I have not, uh, dissected this, uh,
ordinance page -by -page, section -by- section. I've seen numerous, uh... service -
oriented presentations, Planning and Zoning presentations; had a fair idea of what
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 22
it's about; and every time I see and hear these and what I have read in the
ordinance, there's a ... there's a, about three things that ... that pop out that concern
me. Uh, that I want you to look at with open eyes when you finally, uh, pass on
this ordinance. One of those is, if you look at all the walkways and everything,
the way a development puts in infrastructure, your sanitary sewer, your water line,
your gas lines, your fiber optic cables, uh, ga ... electric, all that sort of thing, um,
when you set two feet off the property line or eight feet off the property line, have
nice walks and bricks and pavement and everything, main... maintenance of those
utilities is going to be very expensive to do, and some places it's going to be very
difficult to acc ... access some of those, and none of those pictures, you see the
beautiful green transformer sitting out there, the pedestal, the uh, the
telecommunications pedestals, fiber optic boxes, Siamese fire connections, all that
sort of thing — these have to do someplace in place, and routinely in a norm...
normal development, those are outside the right -of -way. So now you're gonna
cram everything inside the right -of -way, and you're going to pave over the top of
the surface, and you're going to plant trees and landscape it. I'm not saying that's
improper thing to do, but you need to walk into that with an open mind on how
you're going to maintain that. Uh, and it will require maintenance. Uh, another
thing I hear over and over is LEED - certified. I have nothing against LEED -
certified. You need to be aware there are other levels of energy - efficiency and
economic friendliness that you can achieve. Doesn't have to ... necessarily be
LEED. LEED is like Chevrolet, and then there's Ford, and then there's, you
know, others. There are various ways that you can achieve what you're trying to
achieve, but everybody mentions LEED, and I don't want that to be the only
hang -up, because personally, LEED can be very expensive. You can achieve the
same goal using other methods ... for a lesser amount of money. So you need to be
a ... uh, conscious there's just not LEED. It's a very common term, uh, but that's
not the only, uh, fish in the pond, and then thirdly, I very much share Rev.
Welsh's concerns about accessibility. (clears throat) When you shove the
parking to the rears of the buildings or on top of the buildings and everything,
accessibility becomes an issue, and I know I've heard time and time again that
there are allowances for accessibility, but like Bob said, all you see in the pictures
is steps and barriers, and everything, and a lot of times to meet your accessibility
standards, the ... uh, the maximum slope of a ramp, you have to have a fairly
lengthy ramp, um, you need to make sure that those are provided for and allowed
for in this ordinance. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you, Glenn. Anyone else? Okay. Um ... Council won't be discussing this at
this time, um ... I think at this point probably would entertain a motion to ... to
continue the public hearing. I do want the public to know that there are questions
from certain Councilors, uh, and there may be more that we haven't talked about
yet, um, regarding the ... the form -based code proposal, and what we're going to
do is have the Councilors get those in to City staff and written answers will be
provided by staff to Council, and those will all be public as part of our
Information Packets that come out every week. Um, and so we encourage the
public to keep a lookout for those and we'll, uh, have answers to those questions
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 23
in advance of the May 6th meeting, um, and have a good discussion. So ... those
are very good comments and we appreciate the input. This is an important, uh,
juncture for Iowa City and there's a lot of opportunity, uh, before us.
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Throgmorton: So I move we continue the public hearing to May 61n
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: And I'm going to interpret that as a ... also a deferral of first consideration til May 61h
Throgmorton: Yes.
Hayek: Moved by Throgmorton, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? All those in favor say
aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries. So we will open up the ... reopen the
public hearing, uh, on May 6th, and we, uh, encourage the ... the public to pay
attention to this important issue.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Payne: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Mims. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Motion carries.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 24
ITEM 7. UNIVERCITY SALE, 430 SOUTH LUCAS - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
CONVEYANCE OF A SINGLE FAMILY HOME LOCATED AT 430
SOUTH LUCAS STREET.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) This is another,
uh, victory, uh, for the community. This is the sale of a home through the
UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership Program. Anyone from the audience?
Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Payne: Move resolution.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 25
ITEM 9. GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS — INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TO
TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO
EXCEED $3,200,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2014.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Should we (both
talking)
Mims: I ... I would just have the question, if Dennis could come forward, cause we've got
about (both talking) six or seven of these, all for different amounts, and could you
just explain for our benefit, Dennis, as well as the public's, why these are all
divided up the way they are. Not necessarily what every single one is but (both
talking)
Bockenstedt: Each one applies to a different part of the State code.
Mims: Okay.
Bockenstedt: And so for each of those that applies to a different part of the State code, it
requires a separate public hearing. And that's why there's so many separate
public hearings on this particular bond issue.
Mims: Okay.
Hayek: So ... also just for the public's benefit, these next... seven or so items, uh, relate to
bonds that we will sell to raise capital for various projects (both talking)
Bockenstedt: That's correct. There'll be a sale of General Obligation bonds on May 6th, which
...at that time we'll take bids, and we'll open those bids and evaluate them and
that evening we'll award those bids to ... to whoever, uh, puts in the lowest bid on
those bonds.
Hayek: And these are for projects that we as a Council have already (both talking)
Bockenstedt: ...these are, I'm sorry, yeah, these are for projects that were approved, um, for
General Obligation bond funding in the Capital Improvement Program process
that occurred this past winter.
Hayek: Great!
Bockenstedt: Okay.
Mims: Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 26
Throgmorton: Dennis, I sent you an email around 3:30 this afternoon. I don't know if you had a
chance to see it.
Bockenstedt: You know I ... I don't know that ... the email came through. It ... it mentioned this
item number, but it did not have any text. I ... I tried to email you back. I don't
know if... (both talking)
Throgmorton: Weird!
Bockenstedt: Did you have a particular question?
Throgmorton: Uh, well ... yeah, um ... um, when ... when I looked at the text of the memo, and
added the total for the, uh, what are they called? Essential public purpose bonds.
The total differed from what was in the chart, that accompanied (both talking)
Bockenstedt: Yeah, the (both talking)
Throgmorton:... so I was puzzled by that.
Bockenstedt: The ... the City's bond attorney, they put kind of a ... a contingency amount in
those resolutions. Um, when they do the sale, when they take those bids and
whether there was additional cost or they adjust the amount of their bonds, uh,
they kind of leave some... some room in there to vary the amount of the bond
issue and ... and so they kind of keep those resolutions at kind of a contingent
level. Now, uh, they're at a level that ... that is, they usually set that a little high
just in case there's something that happens during that bond sale, but... generally
spe... speaking, we expect those bonds to come in lower than that resolution
amount. It's a kind of a `not to exceed' amount.
Throgmorton: Okay. So it was just something I wasn't fully aware of, but ... (both talking)
Bockenstedt: Yeah, it's to cover the bond issuance costs, which are somewhat contingent, and
so we expect there'd be bond issue costs, so they set that resolution high just to
ensure that ... that any amounts are covered.
Throgmorton: Okay. Good deal! So one other simple question. Uh, the ... the Moss Ridge
Road, um ... part of all this, which item is it a part of?
Bockenstedt: That would have been in the first one, the Urban Renewal.
Throgmorton: The first one!
Bockenstedt: The first one. Yeah.
Hayek: Thanks, Dennis!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 27
Bockenstedt: Okay!
Hayek: Anyone else during this public hearing? Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Payne: (mumbled) resolution.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Mims. Discussion?
Throgmorton: I asked the question I did because, uh, as you all know from all sorts of prior
meetings that we held in our executive session. I opposed the Moss Ridge Road
project, pretty much all along the way. But, I'm not going to oppose it here
because it's already been approved and, you know, I just want to state sort of
for ... for the record, for good or for bad, that I oppose that particular project.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 28
ITEM 16. REFUSE COLLECTION FEES — AMENDING TITLE 3, ENTITLED
"FINANCES, TAXATION & FEES," CHAPTER 4 ENTITLED
"SCHEDULE OF FEES, RATES, CHARGES, BONDS, FINES AND
PENALTIES," SECTION 5 ENTITLED "SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL," OF
THE CITY CODE TO INCREASE OR CHANGE RESIDENTIAL SOLID
WASTE COLLECTION FEES.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel)
Welsh: Bob Welsh, 84 Penfro. Um, I didn't come to speak on this issue, but let me ask you
a question, and I don't know whether this is to you or to the City Manager. Um...
as there ever been any consideration of exempting increases for those very low
income people? Uh ... you know, I ... I'm retired. Uh, I'm very comfortable. This
will not negatively impact me, okay. I'm just raising the question with you, is
there a way that you cannot negatively impact those who are very low income.
And I don't know the answer to that question.
Markus: I think there is a program in place, uh, can you speak to it, Rick?
Fosse: Well, like you I recall that there is a program in place, but I ... I don't have the details
on the tip of my tongue here. But we ... it does, uh, cover water and sewer and
solid waste, and recycling.
Welsh: So how do they ... they need to do what to (mumbled)
Fosse: I think we've got some information on our web site about that. And I don't recall
what it is tonight.
Throgmorton: I have a suggestion. Next, uh, at our next meeting we're going to have, uh, you
know, a second reading or...
Mims: Second consideration (several talking)
Throgmorton: Second consideration. Perhaps you could report back to us, and state publicly for
people who watch on television and so on, what the program is and how they can
access it.
Fosse: We'll do that! Thanks!
Throgmorton: Good deal!
Welsh: Thank you very much!
Mims: Thank you!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 29
Hayek: Any other comments from the audience?
Markus: It applies to the next agenda item, as well.
Hayek: Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Mims: Move first consideration.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? Roll call, please. First
consideration passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 30
ITEM 17. WATER RATE FEES - AMENDING TITLE 3, "CITY FINANCES,
TAXATION & FEES," CHAPTER 4 "SCHEDULE OF FEES, RATES,
CHARGES, BONDS, FINES AND PENALTIES," SECTION 3 ENTITLED
"POTABLE WATER USE AND SERVICE," OF THE CITY CODE, TO
INCREASE OR CHANGE WATER SERVICE CHARGES AND FEES IN
IOWA CITY, IOWA.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) And for the
public's, uh, benefit, this proposed ordinance will increase residential water use...
user charges by 5% on July 1St of this year and another 5% on July 1St of next
year.
Throgmorton: Matt, I wonder if we could ask, uh, Rick or someone else on staff to explain why
tot ... a total of 10% increases are required for the next two years.
Markus: I think either of, uh, the Finance Director or the Public Works Director can come
forward. I would indicate that we had originally proposed ... I don't know, five
years ago, um, some rate increases and those did not get implemented. And the
primary purpose for these increases at this point is I think our, uh, infrastructure's
starting to suffer and we need to create some more revenue for that purpose.
But...
Bockenstedt: Yeah, there is a cost of, um ... cost of service study done, a rate study done back in
2009 that proposed a 5% rate increase in 2010 and uh, 3% in the years 2011
through 2017, and that, uh, plan was never implemented. Um, since that time,
um, our fund balance has decreased about 52% in the last four or five years,
primarily for the replacement of underground infrastructure. Um, the intent of
these rate increases is really to ... to try and bring that fund back into balance, uh,
primarily for the funding of the depreciation and the replacement of the
deteriorating infrastructure, uh, that's underground and ... and that is quite aged,
and so this is kind of our attempt to ... to try and get that water fund back into
balance. Um, now at...at this point we're not implementing the ... the service or
the rate study that was done in 2009 because we're basically already four or five
years behind, uh, of what that initial, uh, program proposed. Um, so rather than
trying retroactively implement that program, we're gonna, uh ... we're asking that
a 5% rate increase be instituted, uh, in the next two years, at which time we would
re- evaluate the financial health of the water fund and determine what would need
to be done at that point going forward. Um, if the ... if the fund, uh, was self -
funding and funding (mumbled) depreciation and its replacement schedules at that
time, um, then we may not have to do anything, but, uh, that's currently what
we're looking at doing, uh, with this particular ordinance.
Hayek: And, Dennis, you know, in addition to the ... the capital needs, our ... our water system
and the pipes and all the infrastructure that ... that we have to take care of, and you
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 31
know, this... and... and this fund is intended to pay for those things. Is this is the
kind of thing that outside credit rating agencies look at?
Bockenstedt: We do have water revenue bonds, and we do have coverage requirements that
need to be met, and the water fund is an enterprise fund, which is intended to be a
self - funding entity, which means its user fees are intended to cover all of the costs
associated with the operation of the utility. Um, and so at this time, um, there's
an imbalance between the revenues that are being collected and the expenses that
are outflowing. Um, in particular, you know, with like the water main break
activity, and the replacement of infrastructure activities, um, but it does cover all
the costs that are associated with operating that utility. There's no property tax
subsidy, uh, for the water fund utility.
Hayek: Okay.
Markus: Dennis, maybe you could comment as well, there's a lot of fixed costs associated
with running utilities, so ... it's a bit counterintuitive, but as you get more
conservative in your water use, and you draw it, you know, you reduce the
demand, there's still that fixed cost, which causes the rates to go up, as well.
So ... you have to be concerned about the elasticity of demand in situations like
this, because if you get it too high and it drops the demand on the water system, it
actually forces just the opposite to occur and that's a rate increase again, so...
Hayek: Yeah. Okay, thank you, Dennis. Anyone else from the audience? Public hearing is
closed.
b. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Payne: Move first consideration.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 32
ITEM 18. LOWER WEST BRANCH ROAD SPEED LIMIT - ORDINANCE
AMENDING TITLE 9, ENTITLED "MOTOR VEHICLES AND
TRAFFIC," CHAPTER 3, ENTITLED "RULES OF THE ROAD,"
SECTION 6, ENTITLED "SPEED RESTRICTIONS," SUBSECTION B,
ENTITLED "EXCEPTIONS ". (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Mims: Move second consideration.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
Dickens: Uh, I just want to know if... did ... did our City people talk to the neighborhood, cause
I've gotten a few calls from people in that neighborhood and just want to know
what their reaction, cause some of `em said that they're... they're not for it.
Nagle -Gamm: Yes, we've heard from, uh, folks that are both for and against, um, the proposed
change. Um, we've posted signs actually on the street. We sent lat ... letters to the
adjacent households, um, on Lower West Branch Road, and we also got in contact
with the Neighborhood Association. So we have heard from both sides, um, the
folks that are against, um, the increase in speed limit are afraid that they'll see
another 10- miles - per -hour speed. Um, the folks that are for it say that it just...
they don't believe it's reasonable to expect people to drive 25- miles - per -hour,
based on the development conditions. It's ... the wide -open feel, um, the fact
there's no parking. So yes, we have heard from ... from both sides.
Dickens: Okay. Thank you.
Hayek: Thanks! All right. Any further discussion?
Throgmorton: Yeah, I'm gonna vote against it, as I did last time.
Hayek: Okay. Roll call, please. Passes 5 -2, uh, Throgmorton and Payne in the negative.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 33
ITEM 20. VICE -CHAIR SENIOR SERVICES COMMITTEE — MOTION NAMING A
VICE -CHAIR TO THE AD HOCK SENIOR SERVICES COMMITTEE.
Hayek: Is there a motion to appoint Jane Dohrmann?
Mims: So moved.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? This is just a clean -up item. We
forgot to appoint a Chair when we, uh, created this (both talking)
Mims: Vice - Chair!
Hayek: ...or a Vice -Chair when we, thank you, when we appointed this committee. Uh, at
our work session the Council agreed to appoint Jane Dohrmann as the Vice -Chair
of that committee. Further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say
nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 34
ITEM 21. ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES. Applicants MUST reside in Iowa
City and be 18 years of age unless specific qualifications are stated. [Staff will
not publish additional notices after a period of six publications; but will
continue to advertise vacancies with postings and on the Council agenda.
However, no additional publication costs will be incurred.]
Hayek: We have one new announcement, and that is that there is a vacancy on the Human
Rights Commission. Applications must be received for that position by 5:00 on
Wednesday May 28th. Previously announced, uh, and I'll announce it again this
evening. There is one vacancy on the Airport Commission. Two vacancies on
the Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment. One vacancy on the Board of Appeals.
One vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission for a Jefferson Street
representative. Apphlications for these spots must be received by 5:00 on
Wednesday May 7t , and we encourage the public to apply!
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Payne: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Mims. Discussion? All those in favor say aye. All
opposed say nay. Motion carries 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 35
ITEM 23. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: Let's start down with the good Dr.!
Dobyns: Nothing!
Payne: Nothing for me!
Dickens: Hope everybody enjoyed spring on Saturday! (laughter)
Throgmorton: It was great! Yeah! I remember it.
Mims: Nothing! (laughs)
Throgmorton: Wow, all right, I'll break the mold or whatever. So the last What If event, or I'm
sorry, the first What If event took place last Tuesday, and the most interesting fact
I learned is that the cost of gasoline already exceeds $10 per gallon once negative
externalities like the BP oil spill in the Gulf, like the damages of climate change,
like ... rail spills associated with tar sands, um, up ... up in Alberta are included.
So, I learned that fact, uh, the other night. The second event took place tonight.
And it focused on the question `What if we moved to a sustainable economy
society,' so I'm pretty curious to hear what, you know, what people said. The
third one's going to take place next Tuesday night, and I think it's going to focus
on health insurance. So it's a `what if question associated, what if everybody had
a health insurance. The forums take place in Room A of the Public Library from
7:00 to 8:30 P.M. The only other thing I wanted to mention is I understand Bob
Hardy's retiring. And I ... I first worked with Bob in the mid -1990s when I was
sitting right here, and you know, farewell, Bob. He's ... he's a great guy and, uh, I
wish him well!
Botchway: I was at the What If event as well. I didn't stay the entire time, um, that Jim did for
uh ... one of the things that I thought was interesting, I can't remember his name,
the Director of Transportation for the University. Should know it.
Mims: Dave Ricketts (several responding)
Botchway: Dave Ricketts. Don't tell Dave I did that cause I used to work for him (laughter)
But um, but basically...
Mims: On TV, it's immortalized (laughter)
Botchway: (several talking and laughing)
Throgmorton: Pay no attention to that, Dave! (laughter)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 36
Botchway: Uh, basically one of the things that I thought was interesting was the fact that we
have so much parking in the area. I mean, that was a huge point and... stuck with
me, um, you know, long after I left, because I was just thinking about it. I was
driving out and seeing all the parking. Um, the other thing is mentioning Ceiling
Day, uh, again it's April ... 25' . The applications are due April 22" d, but I'm
assuming, you know, we only have about a couple of inquiries and so ... the
application deadline will probably extend a little bit. Um, and then there's a
Dream Center award ceremony on May 3rd, um, I'll have to give a timeframe later
on or maybe I'll put that in the packet, but uh, if you... it's a great organization.
It's an opportunity to see what they're doing, and they're doing wonderful things,
not only with kids but also with young fathers, helping them kind of, um ... you
know, get molded into being parents and, uh, learning about their job duties and
stuff like that, so...
Hayek: Have to give a shout -out to the City High Little Hawk online newspaper...
Mims: Yes!
Hayek: ...which, uh ... uh, was, uh, awarded a Pacemaker Award this week, which is, uh, a
remarkable achievement in student high school journalism, uh, only 14, uh, award
winners nationwide, and the, uh, online edition of the Little Hawk was one of
those 14. It's ... it's the Gold Standard, um, and 1, uh ... uh, was on the Little Hawk
staff way back in the day, and high school journalism was one of the most
formative experiences of my high school years, and I'm really proud of `em!
(several responding)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 37
ITEM 24. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
a) City Manager.
Hayek: City Manager?
Markus: Where's Simon? You have `em?
Andrew: What's that?
Markus: You have the, uh...
Andrew: Oh, the uh...
Markus: Oh, yeah! (laughter)
Andrew: I'll be right back! (laughter)
Markus: We have this all staged, obviously! (laughter) Um, the 1105 Project was a success.
They raised the, uh, $200,000, based on our match. Uh, so they've reached their
goal. I think they're over the $1.25 million. Um ... you know, this started with
Johnson County, so I think we need to give them a big (several responding) shout -
out for the work they did in pulling this all together. Um ... Coralville, uh, North
Liberty, Solon, Scheels, United Way, Johnson County, um... Community
Foundation, uh, the Illig family, uh, Community Impact, uh, grant all supported
this project, so it's a big success I think and um ... (laughter)
Hayek: Keep talking! (laughter)
Markus: And ... and, uh, you're all now members of the 1105 Club as a result of, uh, your
support for this and creating the matching grant, so, congratulations to yourself!
Throgmorton: Oh...
Mims: There he comes!
Hayek: There he comes! (laughter)
Markus: We'll ... we'll get you the, urn ... (several talking and laughing; speaking away from
mic) No, you're ... these are decals that you can put in your window to show your
support for the 1105 Project! Um, the other thing I wanted to mention is Bob
Hardy's, uh, retirement, and I think, uh ... uh, Jim did a nice job indicating, you
know, his years of service. One thing I wanted to mention is that ... you know, I
don't think a lot of people know this that Bob was a big Public, uh, Access TV
supporter, and when their funding was challenged here recently, uh, Bob was the
guy that went to bat and secured their funding. So ... the folks at Public Access
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.
Page 38
...uh, debt of gratitude for making sure that that funding was secured and that
they continue. I'm not sure that it's going to continue forever and we've given
them some advice on some approaches they should ... they should take to make
sure the Public Access TV continues. So ... uh, we wish Bob a lot of success in his
retirement, and he's going to spend his time, uh, in photography, which is his real
passion in life. So, congratulations to Bob! Thanks!
Hayek: That's great! Geoff, anything?
Fruin: Nothing!
Hayek: City Attorney? City Clerk?
Mims: I ... interject one thing before we have a motion to adjourn.
Hayek: Sure! Sure!
Mims: Um, I'd forgotten to mention this. We also have another retirement, uh, Rick Wyss
from the, uh, Police Department. Wyss, um, and so his ... going away party or
whatever, reception, this Friday. So ... congratulations to him!
Markus: Thanks for remembering.
Mims: Pardon?
Markus: Thanks!
Hayek: Consummate professional!
Mims: Yep, great guy!
Payne: Motion to adjourn.
Botchway: Second. (several talking)
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. We are adjourned and have a good evening! (bangs gavel)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of April 15, 2014.