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ITEM 3. 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 is not on tonight's agenda that you would like to bring to our attention, I
invite you to come forward. We ask that you sign in, also verbally give us your
name, and uh, to keep your comments to five minutes or less.
Gravitt: My name is ... Mary Gravitt, and I'm here about a quality of life, uh, here in Iowa
City. And some ... and about this free bus we're supposed to get Friday. I got on
the bus today and I saw the sign that I ... I use ... I read all the signs that's on the
bus, and when something new was on there ... I noticed it. Now Friday we're
having Customer Appreciation Day, where everybody... where the buses are free.
But my thing is, if we could have a free bus Friday, why do we need a free bus
Friday when we can't get a bus for the 4th of July? It would be better to ... to lose
that money or to spend the money and have a bus for the 4th of July so the people
who don't have cars can get downtown, to ... to enjoy theirselves at 4th of July!
Cause free buses on Friday don't even make sense. Most people have bus passes.
It'd be better if we all had to pay to come downtown to see the 4th of July
celebration. We have free rides on the 3rd. Free rides on the 5th. Nothing on the
4th, and the 4th is truly a national holiday. That's one of two holidays that they
couldn't move. Christmas is always on the 25th. And the 4th of July is always on
the 4th of July. You can switch everything else. Easter from month to month, but
the 4th of July is the 4th of July. And the second thing I want to take up (sneezes)
excuse me, is this term `workforce housing.' I have come down to the City
Council. I have gone to Zoning, protesting that. The only people that ever
needed workforce housing were the slaves. My grandfather was a slave. He had
workforce housing, until General Mitchell came down there on the plantation and
they bought the plantation from the master. They don't have workforce housing.
We ... we need affordable housing. Unless you gonna invent some slaves! Now
see people don't understand what Martin Luther King was about, when he went to
help the garbage men. He said, "If I don't help them, what's going to happen to
me ?" And this is how I feel, and I have to put it in plain language. We don't
need white people thinking that they're slaves. Because it'll spread over to the
rest of the population. It'll spread over to me! And I gave up slavery as an
occupation, and I have to pro ... protect myself, my family, my children. You
don't have workforce housing. Anybody that's in their mind that their part of
some workforce conspiracy by that I% that further wants to take away our rights
from us. And the next thing I want to bring up, a friend of mine who lives in... in
Ecumenical Towers brought up the point that she wanted to go see the ... I think it
was the Weather Girls or some... entertainment for the Art Festival. They were
supposed to come on at 6:00. They came on at 9:00. She said she knew she
couldn't make it up that late. Now you gotta space this entertainment out. The
entertainment's for everybody! So, I ... I think you should make it for everybody.
And I'm still complaining about that shelter. I went down there Saturday. Still
got half a seat and three walls. Now we need a whole bench and another three-
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quarter wall. So, that is my main complaint, and I heard ... I always hear things...
about the meeting for the Ad Hoc Committee for the Center. The people came in,
Transportation and the Recreation Center, but what is our statement of purpose
here? The statement of purpose for the Senior Center is devoted to senior, mature
adults. We don't belong with the Recreation Center! We don't belong with the
main Library. The mission statement for the Public Library is to serve youth.
That's the mission statement. Every type of library has its own mission statement
and purpose. So to try to confuse us and to smoosh us in with other things when
we, as a mature adult, need our own space. And I think that's all of my
complaints, but I still say we need a bus for the 4th of July. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for the comments. Anyone else during community comment? Okay,
we will move on!
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ITEM 4. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
ITEM 4a ANNEXATION HERBERT HOOVER HIGHWAY — ANNEXING
39.96 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 4701 HERBERT HOOVER
HIGHWAY. (ANN14- 00001)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: I'll open the public hearing at this time. (bangs gavel) Uh, and ask for any ex
parte communications. Okay! John!
Yapp: Uh, John Yapp, Development Services. Excuse me while I get the, uh, slide show
set up. Uh, the next two items on the agenda are related. Uh, annexation of
approximately 39.6 acres, uh, from County, and a rezoning of that property from
County Residential to Interim Development Single Family. Uh, the property is
located north of the St. Patrick's Church property. So... south of Herbert Hoover
Highway. This is an aerial view showing the property. Uh, again, north of St.
Patrick's. This is a view of the property, uh, looking east with Herbert Hoover
Highway on the left side of the slide. A view of the property looking north. And
a view of the property looking south, with St. Patrick's Church in the background,
just to give you the ... the lay of the land. Uh, this is a voluntary annexation
request. Uh, the City's Comprehensive Plan states that voluntary annexation
requests should be viewed positively, uh, when the area falls within the adopted
long -range growth boundary, which this property does. Uh, development in the
area will fulfill an identified need without imposing an undue burden. Uh, the
property is planned to be rezoned to Residential at some point in the future. Uh,
the Interim Development designation is due to the lack of utilities to the property,
specifically water and sewer. Uh, and because the property will not be zoned for
development until those utilities are provided, uh, it will not, uh, cause an undue
burden on the City. And finally, uh, control ... when control of the property is in
the City's best interest, uh, the ... the annexations are to be viewed positively. Uh,
staff does feel that the City can provide services to this property, uh, when utilities
are provided. Uh, regarding the rezoning request, uh, the request is for the
Interim Development designation, uh, indicating that utilities are not yet in place
for development. I'd be glad to take any questions.
Hayek: Any questions for John?
Throgmorton: I guess I'd like to ask two questions, John. I think I know in part the answer to
the first one, but will this development be located within a safe walking distance
of an elementary school, a grocery store, neighborhood parks, places of
employment, and other activities?
Yapp: It depends on how you define safe walking distance, but one of the
recommendations, uh, associated with the rezoning is that the developer provide a
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pedestrian, uh, route, either a sidewalk or a trail, uh, to the Old Towne Village
area, which is just to the west.
Throgmorton: Do you know approximately how far that is? I meant to measure it, but I didn't
get around to it.
Yapp: I think without measuring it I'd say about half a mile.
Markus: Can you show it on the map, John?
Yapp: Old Towne Village would be ... let me go to the other map, see if it ... oh, there it
is.
Throgmorton: (mumbled)
Yapp: It's this area here, at the corner of Scott Boulevard and Herbert Hoover Highway.
Uh, the new, uh, elementary school is proposed at American Legion Road. Uh,
probably about three- quarters of a mile to the south of this property.
Throgmorton: Okay. So ... just wanted to kind of try to become a bit more clear about the
walkability basically of this, uh, the new residential neighborhood that would be
developed. So anyhow, the second question has to do with affordable housing.
And again, I think I know the answer to this based on the written material, but...
will the proposed development, once it, um, proceeds from IDRS to I ... uh, to
Residential something or other, will it contain some housing that, uh, people who
have incomes at or below 80% of the median can afford?
Yapp: I cannot answer that at this time. Uh, we have seen some concept plans for the
eventual development that include a mix of housing types, uh, including single -
family, townhouse, and potentially, uh, some multi - family dwellings, as well.
Whether they would be affordable at that income range I cannot answer.
Throgmorton: Okay. Thanks!
Hayek: Thanks, John! This is a public hearing, so if there's anyone else who would like
to address the Council (mumbled) Okay! I'm going to close the public hearing.
(bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Dobyns: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
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Throgmorton: I asked the questions I did, uh, partly because we've had extensive conversation
recently about the walkability of neighborhoods relative to neighborhood schools,
and it...it seems to me in principle, though it's not going to be possible in this
instance, in principle, uh, our... our... the new neighborhoods should be within
walkable distance of...of the elementary schools. I don't think that's possible in
this instance. Um ... but with regard to the affordable housing component, uh, I'd
like to say in principle I don't think it's wise given our, um, concerns about
affordable housing, etc., I don't think it's wise in general to support any
annexations or residential rezonings unless they contain a reasonable amount of
affordable housing. Now in this instance, the proposed rezoning is to IDRS, so
there's time in the future, a moment in the future when this particular topic can be
discussed more thoroughly, but if we are serious about achieving, uh, goals, uh,
contained in the, uh, Fiscal Year Annual Action Plan, which we adopted back in
May, and uh, the other ... what's the other thing called? The, uh ... the Housing
Authority's, uh, 2014 Annual Report, Annual Plan. If we're serious about
achieving the goals specified with regard to affordable housing, then new
developments involving annexations should contain some amount of affordable
housing. So, that ... that's my own view about that. In this particular instance,
given ... uh, the ... the sort of preliminary site plan, and given the, uh ... uh, the...
the IDRS element of the ... of the rezoning, I'd be willing to support the rezoning.
But I'm trying to draw attention to a couple key elements here.
Hayek: Well, Ji ... Jim, I guess what I would say in response is ... I don't think those ... I
think you have two goals here, or they're ... the goal you speak of and ... and the
goal of... of growth and more housing — those don't necessarily have to be, uh,
incompatible with each other. Um, you know, this Council has previously
supported rezonings, and I think you voted with the Council on them in other
areas of the community with ... with similar, uh, you know, largely single - family
residential growth plan for those areas. I'm thinking of one off of Kennedy
Parkway that we did not too long ago, um, I think that is good growth for Iowa
City. It is not the only kind of growth I would want to see, um, but I think this is
an important area for us. It will support the commercial areas. It will go the issue
of balance in the public school system, and we're trying to boost numbers, uh,
on ... on, in this area, which I think will help us with respect to our on -going
challenges with ... with the School District. Um, you know, and that ... that is...
really is not particularly far from a commercial and elementary, uh, facilities, um,
that John, uh, talked about. Um, so I ... I get what you're saying and I understand
you're trying to sort of repeat the ... the message, um, but I'm not ... I ... just am not
sure I share it on ... on a project like this.
Throgmorton: If we don't include some affordable housing in this ... and similar kinds of
annexations, then ... we will not be actually trying to achieve the affordable
housing goals we have said we intend to achieve.
Hayek: But it ... but we have our Comprehensive Plan. It appears to be, uh, somewhat of a
mix of housing (mumbled) although we haven't seen anything yet, I'll grant you
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that. Um, but ... but the...but the Comp Plans that we've gone over in years past
would apply to this and any other development. I mean, we're having a
conversation that may be premature because we don't have the actual rezoning.
It ... it's going into Interim. Anyway, those are my ... those are my thoughts. I'm
supportive of this.
Botchway: So we will be able to discuss it at a time when we do discuss rezoning?
Throgmorton: Well when it ... when it...
Mims: Later!
Botchway: Okay, later. I just wanted to make sure, but I ... I do ... not to your point though,
um, you know, and I guess this is kind of Jim's point, but it's expanding on it a
little bit, I mean, when we talk about the elementary schools, you know, having
that affordable housing I think speaks to, um, the balance and I think the School
District's trying to ... apply as well right now, for the fact that, you know,
affordable housing has been condensed in a certain, um... uh, particular place in
town and, um, you know, I ... I kind of agree. Any time we have any type of new
development, we have to look very closely on how we're going to do it because,
um, I ... again, from what I've ... what people have talked to me about as far as
affordable housing's concerned is really tough to do now that you have, you
know, the different housing markets that are here in Iowa City, and so any new
plans I think are very important as far as what we talk about when we talk about
affordable housing. But I'm willing to have the discussion, you know, when we
talk about it from a rezoning aspect, so...
Dilkes: Well, really that discussion occurs at ... and is going on at the Planning
Department (both talking) It really is not appropriate for a rezoning at this point,
because the rezoning has to be done in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan,
and in accordance with the zoning code. So, that whole conversation, I think, is
occurring at the Planning Department and Planning and Zoning, and is coming
back to you, but you can't look at any particular rezoning application and
decide ... you know, to do whatever.
Botchway: Yeah, that's what ... that's what I was trying to say.
Hayek: So the vote for us is ... is merely the annexation. This is 4a. Is there further
discussion on that? Okay, roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 4b REZONING HERBERT HOOVER HIGHWAY —
CONDITIONALLY REZONING 39.96 ACRES OF LAND FROM
COUNTY RESIDENTIAL (R) ZONE TO INTERIM DEVELOPMENT
SINGLE - FAMILY (ID -RS) ZONE LOCATED AT 4701 HERBERT
HOOVER HIGHWAY. (REZ14- 00002)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Again, are there any
ex parte communications to disclose? Okay. Anyone from the public on the
rezoning? Okay. I'll close the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Dobyns: Move first consideration.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
Throgmorton: Yeah, I'd like to read a quote from the fiscal year 15 Annual Action Plan which
we adopted in early May. Uh, the quote is, proactive selective rezoning of land
within Iowa City by elected officials to expand the location of zoning districts that
permit multi - family housing by right will eliminate the opportunity for (mumbled)
object to development proposals on a case -by -case basis. In other words, if we
don't... require affordable housing to be built into new residential developments
that we bring into the city, then it will be impossible in the future to find locations
for multi - family housing in large parts of the city. So that's my point, you know,
I ... I'm going to vote for this rezoning cause it's to IDRS, but...
Mims: Yeah, what... all I would say is I think... given the point you're trying to make,
Jim, I think you're just premature, because it is Interim, and until we get an actual
rezoning to a final ... to a final zoning so they can build, then I think that's the time
and place that we need to ... to have that more detailed discussion. I think you've
got some valid points, but I think that's when we need to do it.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. First consideration passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 4c ROBERTS DAIRY ADDITION — RESOLUTION APPROVING
FINAL PLAT. (SUB14- 00003)
Mims: Move, uh, to defer this to July 15tH
Throgmorton: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Throgmorton. Discussion? Uh, the pub ... for the
public's, uh, information, the applicant has requested that this final plat, uh, be...
or the resolution approving the final plat be, uh postponed until ... or deferred until
July 15th. That's why we're doing this. Further discussion? All those in favor
say aye. It's kinda weak! All those in favor say aye! (laughter) Opposed...
opposed say nay. Ayes have it, 7 -0!
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ITEM 4d CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, CELL TOWER 420TH STREET/
TAFT AVENUE — MOTION SENDING A LETTER TO THE JOHNSON
COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT RECOMMENDING APPROVAL
OF A CELL TOWER NORTH OF 420TH STREET IN FRINGE AREA B.
(CU14- 00001)
Mims: Move the resolution. (several talking) Move motion.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by ... um, Botchway. Discussion? John!
Yapp: uh, this is an application submitted to the, uh, Johnson County Board of
Supervisors because it's in the fringe area, uh, Iowa City has the opportunity to
send a letter, uh, to the Supervisors regarding this request. Uh, the request is for a
cell phone tower at the corner of 4201h Street and Taft Avenue. Uh, this property
is within the city's growth area, and potentially could be annexed in ... into the city
in the future. Uh, this is an image showing the location of the cell tower. The,
uh, the concern with this proposal was the set -back requirement, uh, for the cell
tower, and making sure it is set back from the property line a distance equal to the
tower's height. Uh, and that's, uh, a requirement, both in Johnson County and in
Iowa City, if it were to be annexed. Uh, the proposed tower location does meet
that setback requirement. Uh, and staff recommends the, uh, letter indicate
support, uh, for this, uh, cell tower request.
Dickens: This is down by the industrial park then?
Yapp: It ... it's just east of the industrial park.
Hayek: Is there anyone from the audience who is here to speak on this item?
Bieniek: Good evening, urn ... I'm the applicant for ... on behalf of SB Communications and
Verizon. Um, just ans ... answer any questions, if you have any. Um, the Johnson
County meeting is tomorrow evening, so just wanted to let you know that.
Hayek: Could you give us your name just so we...
Bieniek: Sure! My name is Mike Bieniek, 10700 Higgins Road, Suite 240, Rosemont,
Illinois.
Hayek: Thank you!
Payne: Can you go back to the aerial view on the pictures, John? Uh ... yeah, that one'll
work.
Dickens: (mumbled) ...railroad track is north of it.
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Payne: So the industrial park is the OPD -11 there, or is that...
Botchway: I think it's I1. (several talking)
Yapp: It's the OPD -I1.
Payne: Okay, yeah, I can't see it from this angle.
Yapp: That's overlay plan development industrial park.
Payne: Okay. So the likelihood of this being annexed into the city, in the relatively near
future, is probably... moderate to high?
Yapp: Uh, possibly! (laughter) Now the ... the (laughter)
Dickens: Well, Taft is kind of our ... outer limits of the city growth right now.
Yapp: It is, and you know, the City has been very positive about entertaining voluntary
annexation requests so it ... part of the answering that question is ... is
understanding the desires of the property owner and if they wish to annex, and I
don't know the answer to that.
Payne: But if...at some point in time we intend Taft to be the major truck traffic route to
get to the industrial park, it would be likely that it would be ... annexed into the
city.
Yapp: Yes.
Payne: Thank you!
Hayek: So to summarize, staff is supportive ... as long as the ... the support includes the
setback proviso, and ... this is adjacent to our industrial park and likely would be
zoned industrial, following annexation, should that occur. Is that a fair recitation?
Yapp: The only thing I would add is that, uh, cell towers like this are a permitted use in
industrial parks.
Hayek: Okay. Thank you! Any further questions? Roll call, please.
Karr: It's a motion.
Hayek: Or, yeah! You're right! All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. I'm going
to count seven voices! (laughter) You guys are so quiet! Motion carries 7 -0 on
4d.
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ITEM 5. DEDICATING RYERSON WOODS AS STATE PRESERVE —
APPROVING THE DEDICATION OF LOT 2 IN RYERSON'S WOODS AS
A STATE PRESERVE AND AUTHORIZING THE DEDICATION.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel)
Horton: My name's Diana Horton and I'm a botanist and I've been investigating the
vegetation of Ryerson's Woods since 2009, uh, ably assisted in the first two years
by an honor student who has now moved on. Um, Sophie Krajewki. Um, I would
just like to explain, uh, why we proposed that Ryerson's should be a State
Preserve, uh, and to give you some idea, if you haven't been out there, of what is
at that site, because it really is not your average city park. Um ... uh, there's I
guess two main things that are notable about Ryerson's Wood — topographic
diversity and uh, the pristine, and it really is for an Iowa woodland, um, in that
condition. Uh, with respect to the topography, this is looking straight down on
the site. A topographic map. And what all those lines tell you is that there's a lot
of elevational change in there. It's 100 feet difference from the flood plain level
where the parking lot is up to the top, uh, the highest area at the south end of the
preserve there. Big change! The main area of the preserve is the part in the
topographic map that's green there, and that is covered by woodland vegetation,
and on the left, this is showing you up on the highest part of it, uh, the right -hand
photo shows the ravine which is one of the really prominent features through the
preserve, uh, and gives you a lot of elevational change throughout. The big thing
about this preserve is the spring flora. That's the element that characterizes
eastern deciduous forest of which this is an example, and it is spectacular at
Ryerson's Woods. I think you'd be hard pressed to see any spring flora as
spectacular as this one, and here it is right on the edge of Iowa City, and so in the
springtime, late April, uh, early May, you just see this profusion of wildflowers. I
mean, it's absolutely incredible. Um, so what are State Preserves? Um, they're
set aside to permanently protect significant natural and cultural features, and
there's various different types of preserves, uh, are recognized depending on
what's being focused on in that one. This one we were looking at it as a
biological preserve, based on the vegetation in particular. I compared it to 10
existing State Preserves that are woodlands, as well, in southeastern Iowa to see
how the vegetation of this site ranks relative to these other preserves, and so the
other preserves are green dots in the various counties and Ryerson's, of course, is
the one dot in, uh, Johnson County. Ryerson's Woods, uh, the graph is on the
left, all the other 10 are to the right of that, and I just want to point out a few
things from these graphs. The bright green bar shows you the number of native
species in each of these sites, and with a couple of exceptions, Ryerson is right up
there among the top sites. So there's good native species diversity. The other
thing is to look at the purple bar there, which shows the number of alien species,
because in many, many Iowa sites, uh, the percentage of alien species of the total
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will be as much as often 20 %. At Ryerson's it's about 10 %, which is very, very
good and speaks to the pristine quality of this site, again. Um, the other thing that
we can do is look at particular groups of plants, and so for example the bright
green bar represents the number of ferns. There's an extraordinary number of
ferns at Ryerson Woods and many, many people know it for that in particular.
The other thing is to look at the pink bar, magenta bar, uh, which shows you the
number of rare or infrequent species, and again, relative to any of these other
preserves, there is an extraordinary number of rare or infrequent species at
Ryerson's. This just shows you five ... five of the species of ferns that are out
there. It's ... the maidenhair fern, in particular, I guess. You see it everywhere
when you go along the path there. Um, and this shows you a few of the rare or
infrequent species that are present there. Um, overall the conclusion about this is
that this is really a high - quality site in terms of the vegetation, um, and the
condition of it, um, relative to these other preserves. It's also unusually well -
documented. As far as I know there's no other State Preserve that is as well -
documented on the basis of preserved specimens as at this site. Um, and the third
thing is that if you look at the map, none of the surrounding tier of counties have a
woodland State Preserve, and there's nothing in Johnson County, except for
Ryerson Woods. This is an exceptional example to preserve something that's of
extraordinary scientific value, and has great educational value, and just very
briefly, the process that we've gone through to get to the point of having it
dedicated as a State Preserve is we first of all submitted a proposal to the State
Preserves Advisory Board. This is a seven - member board that's appointed by the
Governor and advises the Governor, and also the Iowa DNR Plant Ecologist, Dr.
John Pierson, both of them came and visited this site, and then assessed it. We
submitted a management plan as to how we're going to maintain this site, uh, over
time, and they evaluated the management plan and finally on April 291h the
Preserves Advisory Board voted unanimously to dedicate it as a State Preserve.
There's one final step remaining at this point, and that's the Governor's signature
to have it dedicated. So, I would appreciate your support.
Hayek: I have a couple of questions. I ... I think you'll find a ... I'm guessing a supportive
Council on ... on this, but um ... first, why is this a City park when it's in the
County? What's the history on that?
Horton: It was originally owned by the Iowa Land ... Law Foundation. It was ... it was
bequested to them essentially, and as I'm still working on ferreting out the history
exactly of what went on, but it's clear that some people became aware that there
was something really special here and wanted to make sure it was preserved. So
this Law Foundation offered it to the City of Iowa City, uh, at half price, on
condition that they would maintain it as a natural public area, and so, uh, and then
at the point once in 1985, I think the Law Foundation ... uh, acquired it in 1982 or
so, the City acquired it in 1985, and from 1985 to 1995, when it was dedicated as
a City park, there was a lot of interest from scientists at the University, uh, people
from botany and geology, in the site, who recognized that this was really
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something extraordinary and so ... I think people were determined to keep this
alive and having it as a City park was a way to accomplish that.
Hayek: Okay.
Dickens: Were there any old buildings in that area?
Horton: No.
Dickens: Okay.
Horton: There's nothing. It ... it, uh, there, as far as I can tell from the records, there never
was anything there. Um, Ryerson's ... the Ryerson family owned it from about,
uh, 1856 or so, uh, until about 1936 when the last surviving member of the family
died. And then it...it went to other people.
Hayek: And my second question is, um, does ... does State Preserve, um, classification
open up new funding opportunities or.. .
Horton: Yes! I mean, that's... that's a big thing right now. We ... we need to do some
work on the trail system in there, for example, and that trail system was put in by
a REAP grant to Parks and Recreation. Um, which for $63,000 in 1992, I believe,
um, and uh, we need ... it needs just to be ... some fixing up, this sort of thing, uh,
to do that. So that would open up that possibility. Um, there's also a borrow pit
area unfortunately where somebody took a hunk out of the northeast corner of the
park, and this might open up possibilities for getting funding for that too, and I
think is absolutely crucial, uh, for dealing with this use like that. So, and I mean,
it's ... I think in many respects, it's perfect as a City park. I mean it's ... it's what
city parks in many respects could be about is not only educational but enjoyable.
I mean, it's a wonderful place just to go and unwind, as I see many, many people
out there all the time. Um, but it has great educational possibilities. It's used a lot
by the University, uh, the biology department. They have classes going out there
to look at it, and ... and who knows in the long -term.
Hayek: Thank you.
Horton: Thank you.
Hayek: Any other...
Throgmorton: Could I ask Diana...
Horton: Yes!
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Throgmorton: ... um, I know you have very deep knowledge of biota and biological systems and
so on. Can you very briefly give us a sense of why such a high diversity of... of
flora and other plant life is found there?
Horton: I ... I would say, um, from my experience just throughout Iowa that it...it surely is
there still because it's been relatively undisturbed. Um, Lon Drake, if any of you
know him from geology department, uh, he was one of the first people who sort
of got in there and said this is something really special and he said he saw where
they had been taking, uh, logs down the east slope there and so I'm sure it was
selectively logged, but there was never any housing so there has not been a lot of
introduction of alien species, and as soon as you get alien species in there, the
native species are going to plummet, because you get these things that go crazy,
like garlic mustard — I think everybody's heard of now — but ... but that's one
example, and so I ... I think it's the lack of disturbance, and particularly when you
get into the ravine in there, uh, it just ... I mean, it...it almost is pristine, I would
say. It's amazing!
Dobyns: Geologically it's a high point, um, and the river eroded around it...
Horton: Yes!
Dobyns: ...but it's a high point that's not surrounded by the city, so it ... it's bad farmland.
And so...
Horton: Yeah, they couldn't get in there.
Dobyns: It was never developed, why it was left pristine, which is why you don't have any
corrupt species that are in there right now. Um...
Horton: There's a couple of the northwest corner and a little bit along the very extreme
south edge, uh, one was heavily passed through. The other was row cropped, and
there's... there's nothing left in the row cropped area. It's ... it's not good. But,
um, that sure... surely is it. They couldn't get in there to do any significant
farming because of the contours.
Dobyns: And I appreciate you mentioning the fact that it is utilized, but actually that's one
of the issues, is it's really underutilized. Um, you know, a lot of Iowa Citians
don't even know it's there...
Horton: Yeah.
Dobyns: ...because that's not a casual destination. When you're going by it, you're pretty
much in a hurry getting some place else because there are large roads. And a lot
of people just don't realize what's that hill over there about. Um, but the trails are
very accessible. Um, you know, the ... the City has done a nice job of making sure
that the slope access is very gentle.
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Horton: Yes.
Dobyns: Uh, the maintenance and lack of erosion in the area is remarkable! And there's a
lot of built -in areas to sit, some platforms to watch, uh, flora and fauna. It is a
remarkable park, and it's amazing how few people know about it. So I'm really
...I'm excited about this for no other reason than I think it would draw some
attention, um, to an area that needs to be attended.
Horton: Yeah, and it's ... it's very unusual, obviously, to have a State Preserve in a city, I
mean, it would be once ... once it is annexed it would be quite nice.
Hayek: Good. Thank you!
Horton: Thank you.
Walker: I'm Jean Walker. I'm at 335 Lucon Drive, and I've lived here for ... decades and
Ryerson Woods is an absolute jewel in the crown of Iowa City. Um, if you go
there in the spring, as Diana has described, you see not just a plant here and a
plant there. You see carpets of these wildflowers, just flowing down the sides of
the ravine. It's absolutely spectacular. Um, as well as the education that occurs
there with the University students and also, um, grade school children are brought
there, it's also a place where people go to do bird watching, um, because many of
the migratory warblers and other birds, uh, come through, and so it's ... because
it's so undisturbed, it has a lot of birds, as well as all these wonderful plants. Uh,
it ... in my opinion, it absolutely needs to be preserved! A few years ago, I don't
know ... many of you probably remember, mountain bikers wanted to have it as
their recreational area, and Diana, talked with her and she said the sides of those
ravines, it's very fragile and so if you had anything like mountain bikers going
down there, it would just destroy the, uh, flora there. So it's an absolute jewel,
and if it becomes a State Preserve, it's a huge feather in the cap of Iowa City to
have an actual State Preserve in the city! I mean, as you say in Johnson County,
but a ... an Iowa City park! And finally, I just want to say, we are so lucky to have
Diana Horton who has spearheaded this whole thing. She and her student did a
complete inventory of every plant in that park! And she has a huge amount of
passion for the park and is preservation. So, she and her student did the initial
inventory, but Diana has put in countless hours, um ... getting all the facts together
of the topography, as well as all the flora and the history, and ... where else could
you have a ... an emeritus botany professor who has done this for Iowa City just on
a volunteer basis, and so we — the Iowa City and environs — owe a very deep debt
of gratitude to Diana Horton. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you, Jean! Anyone else? Close the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
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Mims: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
Throgmorton: (mumbled)
Mims: (mumbled) Fantastic!
Hayek: Thank you! Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
Karr: Motion to accept PowerPoint.
Mims: So moved.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? All those in favor say aye.
Opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries 7 -0.
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ITEM 6. CITY HALL NORTH COURT HVAC REPLACEMENT PROJECT 2014 -
APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND
ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CITY HALL
NORTH COURT HVAC REPLACEMENT PROJECT 2014,
ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY
EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE TO
BIDDERS, AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) For the public's
information, this regards, uh, a bunch of air conditioning and heating work to be
done down at City Hall. Estimated cost is around $255,000, and will be funded
with general obligation bond proceeds. Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
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ITEM 7. MOSS RIDGE ROAD - APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM
OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE MOSS RIDGE ROAD PROJECT,
ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY
EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE TO
BIDDERS, AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) For the public's
information, this, uh, regards the construction of a street from Highway 1 to the
Moss Ridge campus. Estimated construction cost is $4.21 million and will be
funded with GO, general obligation bond proceeds, tax increment financing, and
RISE grant funds. Anyone for the public hearing? Public hearing is closed.
(bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Mims: Move the resolution.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
Mims: Just happy to see this moving forward. It's been a long process and look forward
to seeing some development in there!
Throgmorton: As you all know, I'm not a big fan of this project, but uh ... given where things are,
I'll vote for it.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
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ITEM 10. ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES. Applicants MUST reside in Iowa
City and be 18 years of age unless specific qualifications are stated.
ITEM 10g Airport Commission
Hayek: We also have another, uh, new vacancy on the Airport Commission. Uh, this is,
uh, this came in just in the last day or so. Um, and the applications for that spot,
again, it's on the Airport Commission, are due by 5:00 on Wednesday, July 23rd
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ITEM 12. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: Why don't we start down with ... the doctor!
Dobyns: We've got some Boy Scouts in the, uh, the audience. What ... what badge you
guys going for? (unable to hear responses; away from mic) Community?
Excellent! Great! Welcome!
Hayek: Thanks for being here.
Dickens: Troop 218, my old troop! (laughter)
Payne: Is that it?
Dobyns: That's it!
Payne: I don't have anything tonight.
Dickens: Uh, I'd just like to thank all the volunteers that worked at the Arts Fest, including
Coralville Mayor Lundell that was working. His wife tricked him into working
(laughter) We know how that goes, but uh ... it was a ... big success, even with the
rain. It was a great event!
Mims: It was a good one. Um, the Iowa City will be hosting the State Garden Club on
Friday. I'll be giving them a welcome on Friday morning at the Sheraton, so
they'll be here in town.
Throgmorton: Two brief ..two, excuse me, two brief things. Paula Swygard was sitting out in
the audience, uh, for the whole meeting. I was hoping she'd still be here at the
very end, but she's not. I just wanted to thank her for sending an email to us
about the Highway 1 bike trail, and about how well things are going with it. The
other thing is, um, when I missed the meeting last week, you know, the special
meeting we had, I was trying to get the rabbit out from under my car (laughter) I
could elaborate, but maybe not right (laughter)
Hayek: Were carrots deployed? (laughter)
Throgmorton: It's a sadder story than (laughter)
Hayek: Well, I won't ask! (laughter)
Botchway: Um, Prime Time League starts, uh, Thursday, uh...
Throgmorton: And what's your position?
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Botchway: Right now, bench! (laughter) But at ... at, it's going to be some pretty good
basketball, UNI's, um, they're back in it so ... um ... come out and enjoy.
Dobyns: Were you drafted or were you a free agent?
Botchway: I was drafted!
Dobyns: Okay. (laughter)
Payne: So where is it at? And...
Botchway: Oh, North Liberty. It's in North Liberty and it starts at 6:30, I think. North
Liberty Community Rec Center. Thank you, Michelle!
Throgmorton: Say hi to Randy Larson former councilman!
Botchway: I will.
Hayek: It's true! And he saved somebody too! Or did he get saved, I forget! Um, I
wanted to ... to thank the volunteers for Arts Fest, as well. That was a fantastic
weekend and the live entertainment was over the top and despite the rain, which
seems to occur with most of our Arts Fest, uh, it was just a great, great thing for
Iowa City. I wanted to welcome the Boy Scout Troop, as well, but the good
doctor, uh, jumped me on that one, and then last thing I want to recognize, our
own Marian Karr! Who has, uh, who has been the City Clerk for 35 years and uh,
I have a Certificate of Recognition that we give out to employees who have been
with us for quite a while, and I want to hand it over to Marian here in a second,
but I want to thank her for what she does for the City. Uh, the City Clerk's office
does an incredible amount of work to keep the trains running on time, to keep us
out of trouble, uh, to keep us in compliance with the various sundry, uh, laws that
apply to governments that operate in the public eye, uh, and to make our jobs
easier. So, Marian, our hats off to you and congratulations on this milestone!
(applause)
Karr: Thank you!
Dobyns: Marian, would you like that sent to you electronically? (laughter)
Markus: Do we have to vote on putting that in the record?
Hayek: Yeah, motion to accept Certificate of Recognition! (laughter) That's it!
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ITEM 13. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
a) City Manager
Hayek: Tom!
Markus: Just congratulations, Marian. If I knew you were in charge of the trains we would
have put you on that Amtrak issue! (laughter)
Hayek: Probably would have gotten it through! (laughter)
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