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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-04 TranscriptionPage 1 ITEM 2. PROCLAMATIONS ITEM 2a Adoption Month: November Hayek: (reads proclamation) Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is Kara Magnison from Iowa Kids Net. (applause) Hayek: ... welcome! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014. Page 2 ITEM 3. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. Throgmorton: Move adoption. Mims: Second. Hayek: Moved by Throgmorton, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Throgmorton: Matt, I ... I would like to mention that we're setting a ... two public hearings, uh, concerning rezonings for November 18th. One of `em has to do with rezoning approximately 40 acres on Herbert Hoover Highway from Interim Development Residential to about 32 acres of residential, five units per acre and seven acres of residential, multi - family, 12 -units per acre (laughs) Uh, the second public hearing has to do with rezoning about a half an acre on South Riverside Drive from, um, Community Commercial to Riverfront Crossings. Uh, so I mean, I just want people to know that, uh, those public hearings are coming up. Hayek: Thank you, Jim. Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6 -0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014. Page 3 ITEM 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS. (In accordance with the City Attorney's memo of 2/28/07 entitled — Rezonings, Due Process and Ex parte communications 11. Council will discuss at formal meeting) ITEM 5a CARTER ESTATE – RESOLUTION APPROVING PRELIMINARY PLAT (SUB14- 00017) Hayek: Can we get that on the floor? Mims: Move adoption! Payne: Second. Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Mr. Yapp! Yapp: Good evening, uh, John Yapp, Development Services. Uh, this is an application submitted by Carter Holding for a two -lot with one outlot, preliminary plat, located east of Camp Cardinal Road, north of Eagle Place and Meadowlark Drive. Uh, the location map shows the location of the property. This property was originally platted as part of the, uh, Cardinal Ridge subdivision, and was set aside as an outlot for future development. Uh, now after much of the Cardinal Ridge subdivision has built out, uh, we've received an application for a two -lot subdivision here. This, uh, aerial shows the, uh ... the property. It has ... it's very wooded, and also has a lot of slopes, a drainage way, and a pond on the property, uh, which is shown by all the ... the hash markings on ... on this image. Uh, the hash markings represent various slopes, uh, the drainage way, and then you can see the pond near the northwest corner of the property. Uh, what is proposed is two lots, two large lots which would be accessed via a shared driveway, off of Camp Cardinal Road, uh, and two home sites, uh, proposed that would be on the flatter portions of the property, avoiding a majority of the, uh, sensitive areas. The construction limits line, which is shown as the ... the green line on the overhead, uh, shows that the construction is limited to the very north end of the property. Uh, a majority of the property, uh, and sensitive areas will be preserved and will not be disturbed. Uh, staff requested the applicant identify the building sites, uh, for the homes, which are shown as the, uh, rectangular areas, uh, at the end of the shared driveway. Uh, in staff's view, the large lots in this case are appropriate, uh, to allow limited development, while minimizing disturbance to the sensitive areas. Uh, staff recommends approval and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. Hayek: Any questions for John? Dickens: Is that going to be a private drive then? Yapp: It will be a private, shared driveway. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014. Page 4 Dobyns: Where on that is the Coralville /Iowa City border? On the north? Yapp: Uh, let me see if it shows on the aerial. Oh, it does not. Dobyns: Okay (both talking) Yapp: It's ... it's uh ... it's not that much farther north, uh ... I would guess about a quarter mile north is the ... the Coralville /Iowa City border, which is the Clear Creek corridor, in Coralville, which is a preserved, uh, creek, trail, and greenway, uh, owned by the City of Coralville. So there's... there's limited development potential to the north. Dobyns: Okay, but is that property, you can actually see the entry road onto Camp Card... the old Camp Cardinal Road. That's still in Iowa City though. Yapp: Yes it is. Dickens: Is the red line the city limits there then? The red... Yapp: Yes it is. Yes. Dobyns: Thank you. Hayek: Thanks, John! Yapp: Thank you. Hayek: Anyone from the audience? Council discussion? Throgmorton: Well, Matt, I'm gonna vote for this, uh, partly because of the preservation of the sensitive natural areas. Uh, but I ... I would just observe that I personally don't see how this, or similar developments, will help us achieve better socioeconomic balance among our neighborhoods, and therefore, I don't see how it will help the School District achieve better balance in terms of FRI, rates and diversity and so on, with... among its schools. Uh... so, I mean, I can't imagine that these two houses are going to cost, uh, you know, any kind of a ... price I could afford. (laughs) Hayek: Right. Mims: Well I mean I'll ... I'll support it. I think when you look at the terrain, uh, that is there, that this is, you know, the best possible, uh, situation that you could have in terms of not disturbing the trees and the slopes and everything, and you know, to your point, Jim, I mean, every ... we're not going to be in a position at every single development that we look at or every single plat or ... that we look at is going to be This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014. Page 5 able to address, uh... affordable housing or balancing of that, and we're only talking about two houses here. I think it's very ... I think it's pretty irrelevant to that argument, I mean, that's an important one, but... especially for big developments. Throgmorton: For this one development I couldn't agree more. It's just two houses. Dobyns: Jim, there's a, from Borlaug Elementary, um, there's a lot of footprint left over on the new Camp Cardinal Boulevard for opportunities, both in Coralville and Iowa City, for that type of housing. So ... it's not ... there's a ... there's a lot of growth potential in this area that I hope will respond to the School District's letter. Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6 -0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014. Page 6 ITEM 6. RALSTON CREEK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, PHASE 1— APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RALSTON CREEK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT - PHASE 1, 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) Munoz: Good evening, my name is Christopher Munoz. I'm a resident, homeowner at 435 Rundell Street, and um, I have a letter here dated October 30, uh, from our neighborhood outreach coordinator Marcia Bollinger, um, letting us ... letting the neighbors who will be affected by the, uh ... project know of it. Uh, today is the 4tH. I would propose that that is not enough time for residents to, uh, address the, um, construction. Uh, our property in particular, um, experiences a direct hit from a drainage, uh, hole from the Grant Street side, and we are not slated for this project to have any protection added. So I would just, uh, like ... I haven't had a chance to speak with the engineer, if there would be more time for input, um, I guess that's what I'm asking for. Hayek: Thank you. Throgmorton: Could ... could I ask, uh, a question? Yeah ... um ... you say the letter from Marcia Bollinger was dated to ... today? Munoz: No, October 30tH Throgmorton: I misunderstood. So... Munoz: But I ... but I've only become aware of it a couple of days ago, uh, it was passed on to me from another neighbor who also (both talking) Throgmorton: ... you didn't know the project was underway until just a few days ago... Munoz: That is correct. Throgmorton: Yeah, so ... okay. Do you know if, uh, the ... the same kind of situation applies to other neighbors? Munoz: Uh ... I would say yes, because I got the information from someone that Marcia was ... they were lucky enough to get the information from Marcia, and I don't know if we were supposed to just pass it amongst each other. Uh, it didn't come This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014. Page 7 directly from her. It came from another neighbor. So ... we weren't made aware of it specifically, but all ... our property is on the project map. Throgmorton: So ... this is part of what my concern was when I brought this up earlier. Hayek: Okay. Thank you for your comments. Munoz: You're welcome! Throgmorton: Thanks! Hayek: You know, since we've got Jason from the Engineering Department. Do you want ... Jason, do you want to come up and tell us what this is and what this is not? I think that might help! Reichart: Right. Um, Jason Reichart, Special Projects Engineer, uh, for the City. Um, so this is essentially a flood repair project, inn ... we identified sites during the 2013 flash flood event, um, that were damaged from that event. We went around with FEMA representatives and identified sites, two of there ... of those are on this phase, um, of the Ralston Creek improvements project. Everything that we're doing is essentially just repair and maintenance work within the creek right -of- way. We aren't doing anything in, uh, private property and so on. And like I said at the ... the work, uh, work meeting earlier is that with all the other FEMA projects that we've done, um, all the other sites we haven't... because it's a repair project, we haven't had a public meeting prior to so we kinda viewed this as the same. We will have a preconstruction meeting, however. So, um, I mean, if there are issues that ... that we have missed or ... or homeowners would like to address, we can certainly, uh, discuss that at preconstruction. Markus: So why wouldn't he have been notified? Is he in the area that is subject to the improvements? Reichart: I would have to see the plans. I ... I'm not for sure. I don't know off the top of my head. But, like I said, there's nothing on private property. It's just in the right -of- way. Mims: And who will be invited to the preconstruction meeting? Reichart: Uh, the neighborhood and (mumbled) working in. So... Mims: And that would include everybody whose property is adjacent to the work site? Reichart: Uh huh. Payne: So if his is not, that may ... that may be why he did not get, receive a letter from Marcia this time? He may be further away than... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014. Page 8 Reichart: Uh huh. Payne: ...where the project actually... Reichart: Curr ... yeah, currently the ... the limits are Muscatine and Court to Center. Just along Ralston Creek. Markus: Is the work weather sensitive? Are you trying to get this done before bad weather sets in? Reichart: Preferably we'd like to have it finished before spring. Um ... winter would be the ideal time to do it because low flows and ... and, that'd be the best time to get in without, you know, disturbing any wildlife as well, so... Markus: Okay. Hayek: And then as we talked about at our work session, Jason, it's my understanding that, you know, our vote tonight just ... allows staff to put this out for a bid. It's not a decision by the City to in fact do it, and it's not a decision by the Council to award a contract. Reichart: No! Hayek: That would come back before us at a subsequent date. Reichart: Uh huh. Hayek: Um, so... Throgmorton: But what is crucial is that affected property owners be informed about what's being proposed. They have an opportunity to say if they think there would be adversely affected or not, uh, and ... and maybe to influence the project in some way or another. Uh, instead of just having it done full stop. Hayek: Well I agree. I think what we're hearing though is that there will be a construction meeting involving neighbors, or to which neighbors are invited, and then ultimately comes back to us, uh ... for ... for Council deliberation and decision. Throgmorton: So I can see Mr. Munoz, uh, has questions about that (unable to hear audience member, away from mic) Hayek: Come up to the microphone please! Munoz: I just want to be clear ... that because my property is not ... behind my property will not be, um ... will have the construction, that I will be dis- invited from (coughing, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014. Page 9 difficult to hear) next meeting because the map I have does not have any rabble behind our property. That means I'm not part of it, even though it's City right -of- way. Do I still get ... what I'm really wondering is why our property was skipped. That would be helpful in knowing because there are properties on both sides that, uh, are part of the construction, but for some reason ours is not. I ... I guess I'm asking... Hayek: (mumbled) Go ahead. Mims: I was going to say, probably a conversation with Jason might be the best thing in terms of how they delineated where that project was going to occur. Munoz: And... Markus: And you're not dis- invited. Now that you've made aware ... made us aware of this, we'll ask Jason to make sure that you're invited. Munoz: Sure! Sure! Thank you, and I was just, um ... the notice period was short, so that's why... Mims: That's fine. Hayek: And I think, I mean, the points I want to make. Number one, I encourage you to meet with City staff to learn more about what this is and whether it affects your property, etc., and secondly, we're not deciding tonight to in fact do it, do this... the vote tonight is merely to put this out for bid. Munoz: Okay! Hayek: And there's a decision point at a subsequent Council meeting on this issue. Munoz: S ... sure! I just wanted to be part of the process. Hayek: Good! Munoz: Thank you (several talking) Hayek: Thanks for your vigilance! This is still a public hearing. Before I close it, is there anyone else from the audience? All right, public hearing's closed. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014. Page 10 ITEM 13. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION. Hayek: Start down with you, Jim! Throgmorton: Okay, I'd like to mention two things. Uh, first on October 24th I had, uh, the opportunity help Charlie Funk and others at Midwest One Bank celebrate their designation as a Blue Zones' work space. It was really fun to be there and see everybody wearing blue and obviously being very happy about, uh, being able to celebrate that. Charlie gave me a tour upstairs too and it was really fun to do that. Uh, the second thing is, uh, and I think Matt'll probably elaborate, uh ... uh, like many of you I had an op ... the pleasure of attending the Human Rights Award Breakfast on the 29th, and it was really great to see such good people being... receiving praise for all the good work they've been doing over the years. It's terrific to see! Mims: I would just encourage people that you still have an hour and a half to get out and vote if you have not already done so. Um, lot of important issues on the ballot, so ... like I say, if you haven't done it, hope you get out and do it in the next hour and a half. Dickens: I'd just like to congratulate, uh, Matt's Uncle Pete for receiving the, uh, Hayek Award, which was named after Matt's grandfather and that's for military service and service to the community, and it's a very nice to have ... finally have a Hayek win the award! (laughter) Payne: I just want to mention that, uh, starting on November 1St through November 8th, uh, the Iowa City Public Library is having an event called "Remembering our Fallen," which is a traveling photo exhibit honoring Iowans who have died from wounds suffered in a war zone since September 11, 2001. So if you get a ... get a chance, please visit the Iowa City Public Library. It's in the first floor gallery! Dobyns: The City appointed a Senior Service Commission to evaluate senior services here in the City of Iowa City. I'd like to invite all interested members of the public to come and listen to the draft of the Senior Service Commission. It'll be here in Harvat Hall in the City Chambers a week from tomorrow, 3:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday, November 12th Hayek: Thank you! Uh, Jim, I agree, the Human Rights' Breakfast was, uh, very nice and a great way to recognize, uh, a lot of good work occurring in the community. Uh, Terry, thanks for your comments on the award. The ... the Veterans' Day dinner this year, uh, will be held actually ... I think this is a first, not on Veterans Day, but on Sunday the 9th, down at the Riverside Casino. Tickets are still available. Uh, it's a very good event, uh, and then to echo Susan's comments, uh, get to the polls! You still have some time! If you're watching this and you haven't gone, it's not too late and the weather is decent! Encourage people to vote! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014. Page 11 ITEM 14. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF. a) City Manager. Hayek: Tom? Markus: Yes, uh, City Hall and the Senior Center have also been named Blue Zones' work places, as well! Hayek: Great! Fruin: Nothing. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council formal meeting of November 4, 2014.