HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-28 MinutesJoint Cities Meeting
Tiffin City Hall, 300 Railroad ,Street
Monday, July 28, 2014
City Administrator Jackson (Tiffin) called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.
Attendance: Louise Froin(University Heights), Ryan Heiar (North Liberty), Gerry Kuhl (North
Liberty), Coleen Chipman (North Liberty), Terry Donahue (North Liberty), Ellen Habel
(Coralville), John Lundell (Coralville), Tom Gill (Coralville), Ellen HabeI (Coralville), Tom
Markus (Iowa City), Matt Hayek (Iowa City, Susan Mims (Iowa City), Kingsley Botchway II
(Iowa City), Rick Dobyns (Iowa City), Jim Thorgmorton (Iowa City), Geoff Fruin (Iowa City),
Sam Hargadine (Iowa City Police Department), Misha Goodman (Iowa City), Janelle Rettig
(Johnson County Board of Supervisor), Pat Harney (Johnson County Board of Supervisor), John
Etheredge (Johnson County Board of Supervisor), Rod Sullivan (Johnson County Board of
Supervisor), Terrence Neuzil (Johnson County Board of Supervisor), Attorney Janet Lynes
(Johnson County), Auditor Travis Weipert (Johnson County), State Representative Mary
Masclrer, Chris Lynch (Iowa City Community School District), Tim Kuehl (CCA School
District), Tracey Achenbach (Housing Trust Fund), Kent Ralston (MPO), Steve Berner (Tiffin),
Michon Jackson (Tiffin), Jim Bartels (Tiffin), Joann Kahler (Tiffin).
LOST discussion: Presentation by Susan Mims about Iowa Cities decision to apply for LOST
funding which included: creation of a committee, ballot language, property tax reform
legislation, impacting revenues, valuations of residential vs. commercial, multi- residential class
impacts (FY17), creation of exemption for telecommunication companies, slows taxable growth,
lowers taxable values, treats multi- residential property as residential, strategies: revenue
diversification, emergency funding, controlled spending. Property tax comparisons per cities,
hotel/motel tax revenues, utility franchise rate, comparisons for utility rates, some other cities
can get casino revenues, voting procedures: the contiguous cities count as a block— bigger cities
are on own voting, feasibility: based on population (75 %) & property taxes collected (25 %),
estimated LOST distribution of funds to each city, should pursue LOST county -wide, cities
requesting a 10 year sunset, will be on general election in November. Kingsley Botchway:
(informally requested) 10% of LOST go to affordable housing and & senior population. Johnson
County Board of Supervisors collectively requested 10% of LOST to go to the Courthouse. The
Johnson County Housing Trust Fund discussed affordable housing and Low to Moderate Income
housing ( "LMI ").
Johnson co courthouse annex: Terrence Neuzil discussed the bond referendum and that the
courthouse is a community problem, not just Johnson county. County is asking for support from
the cities of 10% of LOST funds. Education needs to happen so people know what they are
voting for. Board of Supervisors at this time is unsure of the sunset for the LOST. Ballot
language from all cities to the Auditor by August 27"' Travis Weipert indicated all cities need to
support this initiative to make this work. Cities requesting 10 year sunset on LOST. Johnson
County is going to hold a public hearing on August 101 on this topic.
Iowa City Animal Shelter Presentation: The groundbreaking had a good turnout. The project was
bid twice because first run pricing was too high. Second bid for the 11,370 sq. ft. (expandable)
building that will be completed by 08/31/15 is around $3.2 Million. It will have several areas:
evaluation, sick, surgery, etc. The Foundation has raised around $975,000.
Iowa City School District construction projects: Penn Elementary renovation and addition
started, Hoover Elementary adding HVAC and security items, Alexander Elementary
groundbreaking a few weeks ago (by Sycamore area), West High athletic improvements (turf &
track renovations), both high schools will get modulars to handle enrollment. The new school
can hold 1,000 students. Twain and Van Allen will be rebid to reduce costs. Next year:
Coralville renovation, Hills renovation and another floor to City High.
Clear Creek Amana School District construction projects: Amana School is getting air
conditioning, The new Tiffin Elementary has most of the grading completed and planning on
pouring footings next week, the middle school will have a pre - construction meeting soon as well.
There is a committee working on redoing boundaries. High School enrolment is around 570 and
the capacity max is 600 students. The High School is expandable to adapt to 900 kids.
Flood recovery projects /updates: Terrence Neuzil indicated starting to reduce river outflow in
Iowa City today. Working on creating a forum on how to handle the levels at the reservoir.
Ireland Avenue (Tiffin): Mayor Berner stated the IA DOT opened bids, pricing came in
$800,000 more- around $3.2 million. Will be awarded in August by Council.
Affordable housing: Rod Sullivan and Kingsley Botchway both indicated this is a high priority
issue in Johnson County. Kent Ralston with Metropolitan Planning Organization ( "MPO ") of
Johnson provided a brief presentation about updating the Affordable Housing Plan from 2007 by
September.
The next Joint Cities meeting will be on Monday, October 27`E' at 4:30 p.m. (reception at 4:00
p.m. in North Liberty.
Adjourn at 6:12 p.m.
Michon Jackson, City Administrator/Clerk
Cily of Tfffin