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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-19 TranscriptionAugust 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 1 Council Present: Dickens, Dobyns, Hayek, Mims, Payne, Throgmorton Council Absent: Botchway Staff Present: Markus, Fruin, Reichart, Ralston, Bockenstedt, Dilkes, Karr, Davidson, Rummel, Hargadine, Hart, Yapp, Dulek, O'Brien, Moran, Hightshoe, Frank, Rackis, Boothroy, Long, Andrew Others Present: Asenda Items• McCarthy (UISG) Council Appointments: Police Taxi Recommendations (IP3 of 8/14 Info Pkt): (recording starts here, mid - sentence) Hargadine/ ...they sign for it, so that we know that they've all gotten the same information. We have met with representatives of Student Government, um, and the University Administration and both are supportive of these measures. If I may paraphrase one of `em, um, they assumed for safety reasons that we were doing all of these measures anyway. Would that be accurate? Okay! We've also met with a few of the minority - owned cab companies. They are in favor of the proposals, but were most outspoken towards requiring different paint schemes. One suggestion was that the City should assist with the financial burden. I got that one out, so ... um, it ... to sum it up, we are asking for, um ... uh, a few changes that we believe would assist us in future investigations. Also assist cab owners maintain and, um, run their companies with, urn ... good sound policies. Presently with independents, there's no ... if a particular owner has a policy in place, uh, if there's an independent employee, there's no way to really manage what that person does, even though they have that brand on that particular taxi. Questions? Hayek/ Okay ... let ... I think ... let me set a little more context here, and that is that I think what staff wants to know as a threshold matter is in light of the Police Department's experience with this ... with this alleged crime and the difficulties in doing a ... detective work, urn ... do we as a Council want to interchange... entertain, um, a series of... requested recommended changes, um... so that future such... situations, uh, don't lead us on wild goose chases. Um, I ... I ... I think what we have is a ... is a series of recommendations, um, and I think we can ... we can drill into them a little bit if we want, um ... uh ... but I think the ... the bigger question, the first question is, do we have the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 2 appetite, you know, to ... to look at this, in ... in ways that could be fairly substantial for the taxi industry, but you know have certainly been, uh ... an issue brought to our attention through this recent experience. So, if we do have that appetite, uh, I think that's the most important thing to communicate back, maybe even more important than our particular feelings about a... individual recommendation here or there, because I think staff would need more time to develop, uh ... you know, some ... some meat on these bones. So... Mims/ I ... I'm in favor of looking at this in more detail and looking at some of these changes. Payne/ I would agree with Susan. Hayek/ Okay. Throgmorton/ Yeah, I've, uh, a fairly strong point of view about this. I ... I think safety of riders is absolutely crucial, and I can see the merit in several, maybe all of the changes proposed, but I really strongly believe that we should never act without consulting all the affected stakeholders. There are certain kinds of drivers, uh, other owner- operators, other, uh, you know, range of riders, uh, they should be involved in the process of sorting through, uh, the proposals. So that, uh, we can come up with something that we can feel comfortable with, rather than just kind of, you know, we're gonna do this full stop. Hayek/ Well and I ... and I ... I think that is anticipated by staff. I think this memo was brought to us and it was set up under a work session scenario to get ... to ... to get this general feedback from us. Do we have an interest in looking at these things and ... and if the answer's yes, then I'm confident that the process will go forward and involve input from the stakeholders, as it has on this issue time and again, o ... over the years. Payne/ That doesn't necessarily mean that every stakeholder is going to agree with the proposed recommendations. Throgmorton/ No, of course not. Uh, but the key thing ... we live in a democracy, right? So the key thing is that they have an opportunity to influence, to the extent they can, to influence the decision that comes out of the process. Dobyns/ And you know, Sam, when the stakeholders call us and meet with us, which they've done before and they'll do again, it'd be nice when I ask them have you met with the relevant City staff they'll say yes. I didn't agree with `em but ... yes, and that ... that's what I'm looking for. Payne/ Yeah. Hargadine/ Right. And I think if we ... if there's consensus, this would come back to you in the form of a ... of a proposal, an ordinance proposal, and at that point they would have the ability to comment on it, uh, as well. Throgmorton/ I think we need more than that (both talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 3 Hargadine/ ... and I agree (both talking) Throgmorton/ ... speaking for myself. I ... I would not like to see a draft ordinance come to us and... and a public hearing on the draft ordinance, which we would then vote on. I ... I think that would be misguided. If we ... if we can have a draft ordinance developed in consultation with the range of stakeholders that I just mentioned, then the draft ordinance that comes to us can have, you know, we can have a public hearing and, you know, kind of know, uh, have a good idea of how we want to proceed. Hayek/ Yeah, I guess that depends on what your definition of `in consultation' means, because especially with this, uh, sector of our economy, there... there's not a monolithic taxicab point of view. Um, I think we've seen by ... through past experience that within that ...within that group, within that demographic, there is ... there are a wide range of, uh, of opinions... Throgmorton/ Sure! Hayek/ Small guys versus the established firms, the newcomers versus the, you know... Throgmorton/ Right! Hayek/ ... and... and so, uh, I think it's one thing to get input from them, uh, but I think at the end of the day, what I would want, is what our staff thinks is best, given the (both talking) Throgmorton/ Yeah, I'm just saying, input before we receive a draft ordinance, not after we receive it. Dobyns/ I think in this case, Jim, just the bullet points that Sam and other staff have out are fairly ... are ... are, you know, cause we've been around this one before. Hayek/ Yeah! Dobyns/ Um, and there are five bullet points. So I don't think it's going to be a great surprise to any of us, or to the stakeholders, what may come out in terms of, I mean, I think if I was a stakeholder and I disagreed with these elements, I can look at this and I know what to go after. So in that case, I agree with you, uh, I would want the stakeholders to be able to go after some fairly specific, um, content. Um... and I... and I think they'll get... and I think they'll get that here. So I think that they'll have that opportunity. Just because, um, this isn't a new policy formation. I mean, and what's articulated here in print, I think, is sufficiently specific, that if they meet down and go over them, um, you know, for instance I'm thinking about when I meet with the stakeholders. Uh, did you meet with City staff? Yes. And if they go to me, well, I didn't have a chance to look at these problems before, and I'm going, are you kidding? You know, back in August we had these elements here for you to take a specific look at. So I ... for myself, I think there's been in this ... in this specific, uh, policy issue, there's been sufficient specificity. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 4 Hargadine/ Point taken, and ... and we will meet with `em. Hargadine/ Great. Hayek/ Do ... do you want us to discuss some of these specific recommendations this evening? Hargadine/ Is there something totally off the table or ... I guess if we were proceed, are all five... final? Mims/ For me ... for me personally I would like to see an alternative to hiring drivers. Um, I certainly understand the need and desire for accountability of who's out there and when and what the routes are, but I think the, um, the additional cost of actually putting people on payroll can be prohibitive. I think there's ... I think there's a letter in here even from the largest cab company saying that they're concerned about that. Um... so if there's another way to get at that, uh, it was interesting in ... I ... I really like the idea of the City - issued I.D.s and I think if people using taxis get used to the idea that they should always be seeing that big placard and they don't see it that hopefully that draws their attention that something is going on. Um, also in some of the ... the late handouts, looking at things that maybe hadn't been considered with GPS and GPS tracking, if that ... I don't know if that is feasible with, I mean, somebody proposed it ... from the cab companies. I don't know if it's possible, and then the other thing that they were talking about, I think... which potentially should be looked at is ... controlling or outlawing or whatever some of these apps that are looking to hire people without really a company behind it. Um... that could cause even more problems. So I ... I think in some of the stuff that was in our late handouts, maybe ... add some more issues that might want to be added to... Hargadine/ That is a trend we've talked about. Mims/ Yeah. So... Payne/ I ... I agree with you, Susan. That's the one that I had a ... an issue with, because I think that it's going to put people out of work, not ... I don't think it's reasonable to assume that all these companies will ex ... hire all of their existing contractors. So those people'll be out of work. So I think the assumption that ... having benefits and stuff like that, yes it's true that that would be a benefit, but it's probably not very likely to happen. Hargadine/ (mumbled) Payne/ If even many! You know? Um, so I ... I think the City hires contractors. You know where they're working. I mean, we keep track of `em! There has to be a way to keep track of who works where. I mean, all... companies hire contractors and know where they're at! But there has to be some other way to keep track! Hayek/ Yeah, I ... I ... I think I could concur on the issue of...of employment. I mean there are a lot of reasons why a company would want independent contractors versus employees, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 5 um ... and vice versa! Why ... why employees would want to go that route, um, and I think there's a lot of hopping between companies. Um, I ... I just ... I have to think there's a way to track, um, and ... and as I understand it, the decal is what goes ... through the company to the driver. Karr/ To the vehicle. Hayek/ To the vehicle! Because the driver could drive different vehicles, um ... but it's the... it's the decal associated with the vehicle. In any event, the ... I would ... I just have to think there's a way to ... to track this better. Dilkes/ That may be a fine line to draw because the more controls the cab company puts on the contractors, the closer they get to being, you know, characterized as an employee, regardless of what they're called. (several talking) Hayek/ Yeah, but I don't know if...that's a good question (mumbled) in legal settings, but I don't know if tracking and decal for public safety purposes goes to that scope of employer control. It might! It might. Dilkes/ Yeah, I think it's going to have to be more than tracking, than ... than having the customer being able to real... recognize the decal, because that's the problem. It's going to be a tracking by the company. I ... I'm ... we don't need to talk about it in detail now. I just don't think it's going to be necessarily an easy solution. Throgmorton/ So ... but you all have definitely pointed out something it needs to be looked at more carefully. Hayek/ Um ... okay. Well, we're not giving you a lot of feedback other than we're... Hargadine/ Well you have! What ... any potential issues with the other four? Hayek/ The ... the dispatch issue, as I understand it we do require dispatch from an office, except for midnight to ... dawn or something like that (both talking) Um ... so we're mostly doing that already. I ... and I don't know if, you know, anymore technology is such that ... with smart phones and everything else, you know, is it realistic for us to ... to impose, to expect that, and do we really get (both talking) Hargadine/ Most of the independents, they're... they're being dispatched by their cell phone right with `em. That ... that goes back to part of the problem. That no one knows really who's out there, uh, they're flying a company name, but nobody really knows... Throgmorton/ May ... maybe we could get good advice from those independent owner- operators, and that ... that's kind of what I meant by consulting with a range of stakeholders. Mims/ Some of the compelling reasons for them to come up with, to help come up with some solutions is that if they can't, we may be right back here adopting some of these that we This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 6 don't necessarily even like and they're going to like even less if we can't find some way to address the concerns. That's ... kind of what I would communicate to them. That we... we've got to be able to address these concerns. If you don't like the ideas we've laid out, then help us come up with some others that are more palatable. Dobyns/ Sam, I had an occurrence where a, uh ... um, obscure taxicab did hit a, uh, one of my family cars. That happens a lot in my house. Um (laughter) and... and the person went away and no one could figure out who this person was. He made calls to the company; the company had no idea what was going on. So I'm listening, and ... I think some of our deliberations have caused me concern that ... that solution might not be solved, and the original intent with the assault concern, um, and I guess I just want to give voice to that, something personal. I mean, it's like this person got away scot -free and we could not figure out, you know, I mean, others get blamed when they smash into cars but ... this person got away scot -free and I'm ... I guess ... I personally have concerns about, you know, us still allowing that to happen. Hargadine/ You know, back to the sexual assault investigation, for us to get to the one person that did it, we bothered a lot of people. Um, there were a lot of people that ... are uneasy with the police, um, coming to their house or, um, tracking them down. We didn't have any other choice. Whereas if we were to tighten down, uh, the requirements to know who's on at any given time, who's in ... who's in an exact vehicle. It's not any different than having a patrol car out there. Uh, we can go back a year and tell you who was driving a particular car and that's what we want taxis to be able to do. Hayek/ Well, bottom line is there are over 300 drivers, uh, in the area, and those are the ones we're aware of. We regulate this industry and ... uh ... we've had a recent experience, uh, it's causing us to look at the safety, uh, issues with more scrutiny, and I think it's appropriate. Hargadine/ I think we have some marching orders, so... Hayek/ Okay. Hargadine/ Thank you. Agenda Items (continued): Hayek/ Thanks, Chief. Before we move on, let me go back to the agenda. I missed a couple of things that came in real late today. ITEM 13. MIDAMERICAN ENERGY CO. REQUEST FOR INDEMNIFICATION PRIOR TO ITS RELEASE OF FLASH -ARC CALCULATIONS TO THE CITY, WHICH ARE NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF THE FLOOD PUMP STATION NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION WITH THE ROCKY SHORE LIFT STATION This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 7 Hayek/ Um, one is ... a, uh ... an addition to the agenda. Um, Item 12b. This came in late, um, and it's a request from MidAmerican Energy Company for indemnification regarding a flash -arc calculation. Dilkes/ Um, Tom had some... Hayek/ Arc -flash, I was corrected here, but I ... I just read what I was given! I'm no expert! (laughter) Dilkes/ Tom had some conversation today with the representative of...of MidAm, not ... not Michelle. Um (laughter) and uh... and they're in the process of revising that agreement that they had sent to us, we're told, and so really I think what would be best at this point if you simply just pass a motion giving the ... the City Manager the authority the sign... sign it upon, um ... uh ... uh, approval of the City Attorney or something... such as that. Hayek/ Okay. Markus/ We're led to believe that the agreement will be out in about two weeks, and the new agreement would be ... uh, more acceptable to the City operations. I think they're going to have city agreements and then they're going to have industrial agreements, and the city agreement at least should be more palatable to the City. Dilkes/ And the engineers are telling us that that two week delay should not be a problem. Markus/ Shouldn't be a problem. Hayek/ Okay. Payne/ And just FYI, I did talk to Eleanor about this and since I'm a `gas' employee and this is an electric thing, I can ... I'm not in conflict here ... by voting on it. Hayek/ Is it kind of a Hatfield and McCoy thing over there? Payne/ Yeah! (laughter) Hayek/ All right! Markus/ But you could tell us all about arcing, couldn't you? Payne/ I used to be in the electric department, so yes. I could tell you much about it (laughs) Hayek/ Okay. So we'll get a ... we'll need a motion from somebody on 12b. Mims/ Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 8 ITEM 13. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS Hayek/ And the other thing is, stop the press, we have a application for a Jefferson Street representative on Historic Preservation Commission. Payne/ But he doesn't live in the district (several talking) Hayek/ Oh! Karr/ No we don't. This is the same one. There was an error ... error made. We should have given it to you, but it is the same individual who does not qualify. So we just wanted you to know that is the only app (several talking and laughing) Throgmorton/ Nice try, Matt! Hayek/ I say we vacate Jefferson Street and we won't have this problem anymore! (laughter) Dilkes/ Just call it something else! (laughter) Hayek/ I got so excited when I saw it at 4:45 P.M. (laughter) Oh well! All right. I think that's it. Uh, so now we can move on to, uh, local option sales tax. Local Option Sales Tax (LOST): ITEM 12. LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX (LOST) - RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BALLOT LANGUAGE REGARDING THE USES TO WHICH THE REVENUES FROM THE LOCAL SALES AND SERVICES TAX WILL BE ALLOCATED. Mims/ Okay. Hayek/ You want to take this up? Mims/ Sure! I'll take this. Um, in ... I got ... I think it's in the packet this afternoon, uh, if everybody has seen it. Um, there is a ... a proposal, uh, I think I've talked to everybody just briefly to let you ... be ... let you be aware of what I was going to, uh, recommend tonight, and that is, uh, an adjustment to the third bullet with the 10% that goes to affordable housing. And this came up as a result of discussion with folks from the Affordable Housing Coalition and their concern about how that money would be utilized and wanting to make sure that it actually is utilized for, uh, the neediest within the community. And so one of the questions that was asked when I was meeting with them, and actually I was meeting with the Homeless, uh, Coalition at the time that was asked was, could we, um, add language to that that would... basically specify a minimum amount of that 10% that would go to people that are at or below the 10... at or below the 80% area median income. And so ... I've kind of run that up the flag with all of you just to let you know that I would be, uh, bringing that up tonight. I talked to staff and so This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 9 knowing that we have a short timeline to make any adjustments to our ballot language and, uh, with summer schedules, maybe the reluctance of having to do a special meeting, uh, we asked Eleanor to go ahead and draft a resolution so that if we decided we could actually act upon it tonight and not have to do a special meeting. So if you've seen that, basically it says that, um, in much better legalize than what I will say (laughs) that 10% goes to affordable housing projects, initiatives with at least X percent being directed to projects, initiatives that benefit those that are at or below 80% of the area median income. I would propose that that percentage that goes in there is somewhere in the 75 to 80% range. That would still leave us with 20 to 25% that could go to projects that would benefit people over the 80% median income. Dickens/ Does that affect grants and ... cause I know that they were looking at using this money to help get other grants. Mims/ Right. Actually... most of what they do or maybe all of what they do, is for people that are at or below the 80 %. So, it would not, um, certainly they were very, very supportive of this idea. Uh, they feel it's important to be able to, uh, be able to come out and support the LOST and maintain the integrity of their organizations, in supporting it, that they're not supporting something that's not actually going to help their organizations. Um, one of the things I did ask Tom, and I ... I think they said Steve and Steve are going to be here to maybe help us in terms of what programs we use and funding sources that are for 80% and below, and those that are above. So if that would be helpful to anybody, we've got staff here that could answer those questions. So... Hayek/ (mumbled) (both talking) Mims/ ...that's my proposal. Throgmorton/ Uh, I think it's a completely reasonable proposal. Uh, but ... 75 or 80 %, I don't know that it really matters too much. I don't know how many dollars that is over a 10- year period, but ... um... Mims/ Well, we're looking at 700 to a million a year, uh, depending on ... that ... that 10% is 700 to a million a year, right? (several talking) 700,000 to a million. Throgmorton/ (both talking) ...750,000 to 800,000, so 50,000 per year difference, but ... (several talking) Markus/ Potential. Mims/ Potential (both talking) Throgmorton/ Potential. I'm sorry, yes, potentially. Mims/ So... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 10 Throgmorton/ Um... Hayek/ I think it's a ... uh, an acceptable, uh, change. The ... the only concern I have and it has nothing to do with the policy. It's just how the ballot reads. Uh, and I don't know that there's any way around it, um ... uh ... you know, but ... but you go from, you know, property tax relief, which is a four - line... four -word category to a... four -line description, which is more complex, and I always think about what does it look like to the person walking into the booth. So, you know, but we can only boil that down so much and comply with the law. Mims/ Uh huh. Hayek/ And ... and... Dilkes/ Yeah, I tried to take out as many needless words (laughter) as possible! Throgmorton/ Yeah. Well, I'd suggest three- quarters. Dickens/ Sounds good! Payne/ I ... I mean, I'm good with... Hayek/ Okay! Mims/ 75% then? Payne/ 75, yeah! Dobyns/ I think it'll look busy on the ballot, even before this. It just is incrementally busier, so ... I think it's okay. Dickens/ If it's spaced properly. (laughter) Hayek/ You know, and ... and we were briefly considering a fourth (several responding) category, uh, which ... we aren't at this point. Mims/ Right! Throgmorton/ If...if we're finished with this particular point, I'd like to bring up something else. Hayek/ Uh, on LOST or on... Throgmorton/ Yeah, about LOST. Yeah. Hayek/ Well we probably are but (several talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 11 Throgmorton/ Yeah, I mean I don't want to deflect away from (both talking) Mims/ No, it sounds like everybody's... gets what we're asking for, so ... (several talking) we'll have that on the... Throgmorton/ Yeah, so, uh, again we have to think through the politics of this thing and about the, uh, likelihood that, uh, voters will approve, uh, the referendum. Uh, my sense is that there's very little support among progressive voters, self - styled progressive voters in this city, as both you and Matt and Tom know from conversations and ... and uh ... uh ... an email I sent both of you. My sense is that there's very little support among progressives for the proposed LOST, especially given our proposed allocation of funds. Uh, the voters I'm thinking of are strongly (mumbled) strongly inclined to vote against the ... the local option sales tax, primarily because they see it as taxation of the poor in order to reduce taxes, well not poor... of working people in order to reduce taxes for wealthy property owners. We might disagree with that, but that ... that sense is definitely out there, and it's only exacerbated by the sense that we are giving tax increment financing assistance to wealthy property owners. So we, again, we may disagree with that, but the sense is definitely out there and it is inclining lots of people to say they won't support this, uh, proposed referendum. So ... my sense is, uh, the only way, uh, they might be persuaded to vote for the sales tax is if we clearly allocate more of the funds in a more progressive direction. I don't know if there's any sentiment for even thinking about this at all, but it's my sense, uh, the politics of the deal, uh, so ... what that would mean is somehow find some way to benefit more people in the lower half of the income bracket. So, could 10% be allocated in that direction, somehow? I don't know exactly how. I ... I mentioned some possibilities last time when we discussed this on the 30th or wherever that was. Uh, and you know, the decision was not to move in that direction. But ... if we think through the politics of winning this referendum ... I believe we need to think in terms of making an adjustment that results in what voters will see as a more progressive direction. Payne/ Or is it education that property tax relief doesn't ... can also equate to not cutting of services? Throgmorton/ I don't think that will work. I mean, I'll make that argument as well in public, you know, uh ... but I don't believe it will persuade the people I know! Payne/ Then I guess we'll have to cut services and they'll figure it out! Dobyns/ Yeah (laughter) what I think, Jim, is ... I mean, Jim is not discussing (mumbled) agreement or disagreement (both talking) Payne/ I understand! Dobyns/ ...I think he's (both talking) Payne/ ...how to get it passed! (both talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 12 Dobyns/ How to get it passed — do I understand this (both talking) yeah, and I ... I get that. I get that, Jim! Yeah. Mims/ I would entertain, um, I don't know if everybody saw Kingsley's email. This was in the late one. Urn ... and he was ... because we're not going to do the 10% for the County Courthouse cause the County withdrew that request, he was proposing an additional 10% for the affordable housing, which we've discussed before and decided we were not inclined to do that. He went on to say, however, if the Council does not feel inclined to give the 10% to affordable housing, then at least consider giving the 10% to roads and transportation ... instead of to the property tax relief, and I think this goes... somewhat to the argument that Jim is making and which I have heard already from some people out there in terms of, uh, this argument about the property tax relief. I could ... I could be... I could be agreeable to changing our 40/50 and going 40% on the property tax relief and 50 on the roads and streets. Payne/ I guess my question is, is will it ... would it make a difference to those people? Mims/ I think it may. Hayek/ It might. Payne/ Because I mean I ... the people that I talk to ... are flat out not going to vote for it cause it has 10% for affordable housing anyway. So... Mims/ Then tell them ... (laughter)... 100% of what you want. We all have to compromise (laughs) (several talking and laughing) Payne/ Exactly! Dobyns/ I actually agree with what, uh ... I ... I was wondering if that, uh, if it's 50% for traffic, that isn't paratransit. That's a different pot of money. Mims/ Right. This is roads, streets, trails (several talking) Dobyns/ I think that's fine, and the fact that (mumbled) Michelle describes it, you know, the fact the two competing entities on either side have similar problems with it I think means it's perfectly placed. In the center. Mims/ So go 50 on the roads? Dobyns/ Yeah, 50 on the roads, 40 on tax relief because that's some mollification of the regressive nature perception. Throgmorton/ Yeah, I think ... I believe that would help, but ... but I ... I also, my gut instincts tell me a lot rides on what we mean and what people understand we mean by investing in roads and ... roadway infrastructure. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 13 Payne/ I thought we defined that pretty well. Throgmorton/ Well, we talked about it some, but it ... but it .... I don't, at this moment, I don't believe it's remotely clear to ... to people who will vote (several talking) Mims/ ...that's where we have a lot of information... dissemination to do (both talking) Um... Dickens/ Have to get the wording for the ballot and then you can (both talking) Mims/ Right, we gotta get the wording for the ballot and then I know our internal committee's going to meet again, and a lot of that is going to be on what's the ... once all the ballot language is done, what's the information packet that needs to put together, cause keep in mind that the City can inform. They cannot advocate for the ... for the LOST. So the City can put together informational packets, can put information on the web site, etc., so we'll be talking about that. A group outside of City staff, um, including myself, will be working on... actually advocating, um, but City staff can do the informational stuff and we need to get ... and ... I think you've made some very valid points, Jim. Peo ... we've gotta make sure people understand what this does, um, just like when I've talked with the people from the Affording Housing Coalition, some of the things they've talked about, you know, doing from their perspective is explaining who some of the people are who use their assistance. You know? They are people who work and live in our communities and for whatever reason have fallen maybe on some hard times, or are just in jobs that don't pay ... enough for them to ... to be able to get by without some assistance, and so ... um, it's going to be a lot of information that needs to be done. Dobyns/ Yeah. Throgmorton/ Yeah, I think what would not work is if the public, or at least the public I know best (laughs) would ... think that what we would do with that 50% for roadways is build new roads. Mims/ Gotcha! I... Throgmorton/ That wouldn't work! Mims/ ...and I ... I think we can certainly argue that that's not ... while there may be some of that, we can certainly argue strongly we have a lot of deferred maintenance that the road use tax has not kept up and we've got a lot of (both talking) Payne/ Maintenance and new don't equal each other. Mims/ Right. Payne/ I mean, to me that's ... a given! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 14 Mims/ ... so. Hayek/ Well I ... I've been thinking about the 50/40, you know, the property tax, roads and for a while, and ... and I ... I ... I could be swayed to ... to flip it, um ... so that's 50 roads, 40 property tax. I think if we do so, we'd want to flip them in their order of appearance, so that you start with your biggest percentage and you work downward, but whatever we do I think it's important that this group be unanimous. We were the first round. I think that sent a very strong message to the public. And I would really hope that we could accomplish that again tonight. Payne/ So, are you going to twist my arm? Hayek/ Give me your arm! (laughter) Mims/ Well you ... you would prefer see more to go to roads wouldn't you than property tax relief? Payne/ No! I wouldn't (both talking) No, I wouldn't, but if it ... if it means that's what it's going to take to get people ... that Jim talks to, I would ... yeah! I ... I will ... go with that. Mims/ Thank you. Hayek/ Tom, Geoff, anybody? Markus/ I ... you know, I don't think it ... when you start to talk about the impact in terms of taxes, it goes really to the issue that Michelle talked about and it's on the service end. When property tax reform gets into full impact, you need an alternative revenue to maintain the same service level. So ... if you're not shifting property taxes over to roads, you have the potential to ... to fund other things that you're currently providing, so ... I ... I think, um, I think you have to be careful not to get the story that it's just money being deferred to, you know, commercial, more commercial and ... and high, you know, valued residential properties... cause that won't sell. I agree. So I think you have a lot of messaging to do in that regard, but I don't think, you know, sending it to roads and right -of -way improvement, um, detracts from that. So... Dilkes/ Just one comment on the flipping it. We can submit it to the ... to the Auditor that way. I don't know if they will do it, because ... the way the Secretary of State's ballot forms read, you know, property tax relief is the only one that you have to say what the percentage is, even if it's zero. So ... I ... that's their call. We can (several talking) we'll submit it, um... you know (both talking) Mims/ 50/40/10. Dilkes/ ...50/40/10, but I ... I can't (several talking) Hayek/ Understood! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 15 Mims/ Okay. Dobyns/ Are we unanimous? Hayek/ We okay? Mims/ Okay. Dickens/ Yep. Mims/ All right! Thank you, everybody, on that one. Hayek/ Okay, I'm going to move on before ... this changes. (laughter) Um ... (several talking and laughing) Okay, we've got... seventeen Info Packets to get through (laughter) uh... first one is... Information Packets: Dickens/ Some of `em were really short! Hayek/ July 17th Dobyns/ Terry, have you heard from any .... issues about ... on Gilbert Court from ... cause I know you were involved in that, um... Dickens/ It's ... been moving along quite a bit better. Dobyns/ So no concerns... okay. All right. Dickens/ I've talked to some of the business people down there. Uh, I know some of `em have had ... put security systems in. But ... but the lighting has gotten better. The ... it's cleaned up the neighborhood. They haven't had issues with the, uh, with the opening of the ... the free lunch program. There really hasn't been any increase of problems in the area, so far. We'll see as it gets closer to winter, but so far so good! Hayek/ All right. July 24th. (mumbled) Dobyns/ (mumbled) take a look at ... I mean, we've alluded this before, is that there's going to be a lot of internet -based commerce in Iowa City. Um, you know, uh ... Air B &B, talking about taxis, I mean, this is ... Geoff and I talked about it for a while in terms of...not only on a city level but statewide and national as people start to get on the internet and do commerce, and we have no real control over that, um... Hayek/ You're referring to IP5, which is the article from the (both talking) New York Times. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 16 Dobyns/ (both talking) ...yes. So (mumbled) (laughter) Stay tuned, you all (both talking) Hayek/ Well you know it's... Dobyns/ ...brave new world coming! Hayek/ The Convention and Visitors Bureau, you know, which consists by and large of hoteliers and moteliers in the area are very concerned about this because the hotel /motel tax is generally a... avoided by these, um (both talking) Dobyns/ Yeah, they get out scot -free. Hayek/ You know, homeowners or condo owners who ... who, uh, who rent their places. But I think the point of this, and I think there was another article, as well, is if you can't beat `em, join them and ... and if, uh, if this is the future, if there's a way to harness that and regulate it so that there is a fair playing field and that the guy renting his house out for the weekend pays a hotel /motel tax along with the Sheraton Hotel... Dobyns/ Yeah. Dickens/ Make sure your kids tell the parents if they're renting their house out (laughter) I ... l talked to somebody that their kid went online and was renting their parent's house out, and their parents didn't know that he was going to be doing this so (laughter) Throgmorton/ Sounds like risky business to me! Hayek/ (both talking) ... uh... (several talking) Markus/ ...because that's their source of revenue, but ... but I think the point of the editorial, and Friedman is kinda my favorite editorialist, but... Hayek/ A Detroit guy once upon a time! Markus/ Yeah (laughs) and he, uh, I think his whole point is, where we're headed in terms of...of sharing, and that there's a lot more opportunity, you know, for these different uses to be shared going forward and it's kind of ironic that we're talking about further regulation of taxicabs when you have this thing ... occ ... occurring out there on the internet that's moving in an entirely different direction, so ... I have a ... I have a problem with (several talking) if in fact we go to the Air B &B system, trying to set up some sort of network where we try and capture revenue off of that. I ... that just doesn't ... I don't know, that doesn't really sit real well with me. But, um ... and ... and the, what do they call it, the uber, uh... um, you know ride - sharing program seems to be a program that it kind of self - regulates itself and monitors itself to a large degree too, so ... there's a ... it's a whole different direction that we're movin' towards. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 17 Payne/ It's kind of interesting, I had read this packet and my daughter had sent me an email ... a text message that said that a friend of hers were ... was staying at a VRBO, and I'm like what is a VRBO? And she said it's a ... vacation rental by owner, and it had ... I had just read that article and ... just thought it was ... so, people definitely, uh, obviously do it. I mean you can go online and look and you ... it says, you know, Big Ten towns, you can rent your house for thousands of dollars during game weekends and... Throgmorton/ Yeah, and then what happens? (laughter) Payne/ Yeah (laughs) Dobyns/ Self- regulating (several talking and laughing) Hayek/ ...the other 80% of what you made. Throgmorton/ Yeah, it's a big deal I think. Markus/ It's something to watch. Throgmorton/ Yeah. Hayek/ All right. July 31 st. All right. August 7th Throgmorton/ Oh, Rick! Rick say it ain't so! Dobyns/ What? Throgmorton/ Rick Fosse. (several talking) Markus/ Say it ain't so, Rick! (laughs) Dobyns/ It's terrible, Rick Fosse is retiring. I think this is terrible, as a fellow Rick! (laughter) Dickens/ Did you accept? Markus/ Yes we did! (laughter) Dickens / Why? (laughter) Markus/ He's, you know, this is something that he's wanted to do (several talking) Hayek/ ...the stakeholders were not consulted on (laughter) Markus/ You know where he is right now? He's in a little ... a little convertible, um, circumnavigating Lake Superior with his spouse right now, so (several talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 18 Throgmorton/ I just missed him (both talking) Markus/ You know, if you know Rick, Rick is pretty organized in what his future plans are. This has been in his plans probably for 20 years, so (laughter) I mean, there isn't any turning this about at this point, and that's why you know you give `em a lot of credit because he gave us really great early notice on this thing which really helps us to make the transition smoother, so... Mims/ Uh huh. Markus/ And he's done a great job in grooming some people within the operation to make sure that, you know, that that succession planning all works. So ... you'll have lots of opportunities to tell Rick what you think of him (laughter) Dickens/ So do we have to do an ordinance or a resolution to not accept his resignation (laughter) Dobyns/ (both talking) Markus/ ...more than that! You have to amend the Council /Manager Plan! (laughter) Throgmorton/ IP #6. Hayek/ On August 7? Throgmorton/ Yeah, it's ... it's about a ... a July 31St Press - Citizen article about Iowa's largest solar firm being unveiled in Johnson County, about the farm that had the ... the solar array. So, Tom, uh, I'm wondering if staff has ... begun seriously investigating the possibility of installing PV panels on City -owned facilities, given the incentives that currently are available, and given recent court decision. Markus/ Well, what I'd say to you is, you know, we moved the sustainability coordinator, Brenda Nations, into the Neighborhood Planning Services Department, and I think you'll ...you'll see some things evolving as a result of that move, so, um, whether we're ... we're on that right now specifically I can't really say, but I know she's... she's working in a lot of new areas than she had before, so ... I wouldn't be surprised to see something come back on that. Throgmorton/ Okay. Hayek/ All right. August 14tH Dobyns/ I want to go back to August 7th, IP10. Kudos to Chris and, uh, the ... Iowa City getting named as number 11 rank urban area for efficiency of transit. Hayek/ Yeah. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 19 Dickens/ We expect top 10 next year (laughter) Dobyns/ Exactly! Chris! O'Brien/ Something to shoot for! Dobyns/ Sorry about that (mumbled) Hayek/ August 14th Info Packet. KX ... KXIC radio show. Throgmorton/ Oh, are ... are you jumping past August whatever? Hayek/ Uh... Throgmorton/ 141H . Hayek/ No, that is ... that's on it. I'm sorry, Jim. Throgmorton/ Oh, sorry, go ahead! Hayek/ Uh... and I never know (several talking) Dickens/ I'll do the 27th since I haven't been on for ... five or six weeks. Hayek/ Hey you know what, could I grab that one then you guys could (both talking) Dickens/ Then give me whatever's after that the next ... I just have to be on sometime ... as soon as the baseball season's over. Cause we have our Chicago Cubs /White Sox bet (laughter) Whoever has the worst record has to wear the other guy's hat. Payne/ During the show? Dickens/ On radio! (laughter) Mims/ I'll take the 3rd Dickens/ He's gonna put it on (several talking and laughing) Payne/ I can do September 10tH Dickens/ I'll do the 3rd; I'll be in town. Mims/ I said 3rd already, unless (both talking) Dickens/ 17th This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 20 Payne/ That's Rick. Mims/ Dobyns. Dickens/ 20t11 Payne/ 24th (several talking) Dobyns/ Back off! Dickens/ Whenever! Throgmorton/ Sounds like an auction! Dickens/ Keeps getting' pushed farther back. Hayek/ Just like the Cubs! (laughter) Mims/ You got somebody for the l Otnq Karr/ 10th is Michelle. Mims/ Okay! So we're full; got that done. Okay. Hayek/ How about the rest of the Info Packet on the (both talking) Throgmorton/ Yeah, IP #5, the ... the Corp of Engineers' question and answer session about its reservoir operational plan, and it's being scheduled for... tentatively scheduled for Monday evening the... September the 15th. So anyhow I'm really glad to see that. So, uh, I don't know, I think Rick was coordinating that, but thanks for arranging that tentatively. Uh, I definitely hope that the Corp has been asked to tell us how they ... they responded to day -to -day events, rather than just tell us what their operational plan is. Because it...it matters. It ... uh, the difference matters. Markus/ We don't have (both talking) Throgmorton/ ...and for 2013 and 2014 both, because... Markus/ We can convey their, you know, what the interests of the Council are in having that, but (both talking) you may have to pursue it through questioning (both talking) Hayek/ Yeah, but I suspect they're going to know. They know where their levels were, five or eight days before the, you know, the floods here and what was going on down in... Columbus Junction or Wapello or someplace like that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 21 Dickens/ Bugtussle. Hayek/ It'll be an interesting meeting. Anything else on the 14th there? Okay. Council time. Council Time: Karr/ Mr. Mayor, could I just go back one second. I did not list the Corp of Engineers as a work session because I wasn't sure if a majority of Council were going to attend and participate, or simply listen. So ... um ... as it gets closer and as you look at that, if we need to post it we should be aware of that. Dobyns/ I did send out an invitation to you all for, um, the Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce event at Billion Dollar Auto on September the 18th, Thursday, at uh ... 5:30. Uh, Jim brought up, you know, reminding us of the issue, and I think Eleanor answered is, what do we do if there's four of us in there? Does Marian have to run around with a tape recorder. I guess as long as we don't really talk to each other about substantive City issues ... it's okay? Payne/ At the same time. Dilkes/ It's the ... J. Patrick White stump rule. Dobyns/ Ah, okay! Very good! Hayek/ I would ... I can't. I would love ... you introduced me to the (both talking) Dobyns/ Yes, yes (both talking) Hayek/ ...few months ago. I would normally go but I've ... I've got an obligation, uh, so I will not be there. Mims/ I'm planning to go. I've RSVP'd. Throgmorton/ Yeah, I hope to go too. (several talking) So I ... I ... I could mention one ... are you done with that, Rick? Dobyns/ Yes, thanks, Jim. Throgmorton/ I can mention one topic. On July 19th, Tom, and Rick, uh, Sam Hargadine and Linda Kopping and I went to the Iowa City Mosque and had a ... a really interesting and informative and valuable visit with them. So I just ... like to, you know, for what it's worth, publicly thank them, but also just acknowledge that ... that we did that. Dilkes/ You know, backing up for a minute to the, urn ... one at Billion Auto. I think the answer to that one was that was a social event. Yeah, not ... not that there was a (several talking) Yeah. Right. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 22 Hayek/ Tire kicking! (laughter) Dobyns/ Um, yeah, Jim, I was, um ... I was going to mention there was a Pheasant Ridge, uh, where the, uh, a neighborhood group and uh, our Police Department, uh, threw ... helped throw a party at Pheasant Ridge and um... Sam and his, uh, Police staff attended and Tom and I went, as well. I was going to mention that at public today at the end, so ... I don't know if you were going to mention the Ramadan thing at public? Okay, unless you had something else to talk about, so... Meeting Schedule: Hayek/ Okay! Meeting schedule. Mims/ Back to (both talking and laughing) Hayek/ Three a month I think in October! Mims/ At least we won't have five packets to read in between (laughs) To review before the meeting again! Pending Work Session Topics: Hayek/ Pending work session items. Throgmorton/ Uh, I'm wondering about the, uh ... the ... the topic that's been at the top of the list for quite a while, the ... the black leadership to promote black male ... no, City leadership to promote black male achievement topic. Um, why don't we do that? Markus/ Pardon? Throgmorton/ Why don't we ... do that topic (laughs) Markus/ Stefanie, I think, is drafting a cover memo on that, and that will be circulated along with the annual, um ... report, um, that we were required to do as part of the Ad Hoc Committee. So that'll be coming out... Fruin/ 28th. Markus/ 28th. (several responding) Throgmorton/ Great! Glad to hear (both talking) Markus/ As well as some other issues, and that might result, after you've had a chance to review those reports, as I recall, Marian indicated you're going to have a fairly significant packet with that information. So it may take you some time, you know, to get through it and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014. August 19, 2014 Iowa City City Council Work Session Page 23 then decide whether you want to have further discussion, but we'll be glad to accommodate that. Throgmorton/ Excellent. Glad to hear it! Thanks! Hayek/ So also on the pending list is, uh, to discuss recycling opportunities for multi - family housing, but we've indicated we'll take it up after we make Fiberight decisions... Markus/ Right. Hayek/ ...but given the timing on that ... should we in fact wait? Markus/ We're ... we're still having these discussions. We just had an update, uh, from Fiberight about what's going on, uh, in Marion in ... and the Blairstown plant, and so I think it's probably still prudent to wait on taking that, um, going down that path at this point. Jen Jordan sat in, Dave Elias, uh, Rick Fosse, so ... I think it's still premature. Upcoming Events / Council Invitations: Hayek/ Okay! Okay, upcoming events. Throgmorton/ Well, Matt, I know tonight... tonight you're going to make a proclamation about the Great March for Climate Action. So, as you all surely know they're, uh, in Coralville tonight and tomorrow morning they're going to meet at New Pioneer Co -Op in Coralville and march from there to the ped mall downtown, and at noon they're going to have a rally downtown, uh ... uh, to celebrate the fact they've walked something like 2,000 miles. Pretty amazing, uh ... uh, adventure for them and on a really important topic. I've been invited to speak at the rally and I intend to do that, so ... I wanted to let you know. Hayek/ Good! Okay! Got a little bit of a break here. See you back at 7:00! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of August 19, 2014.