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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-15 TranscriptionPage I ITEM 3. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA) Hayek: Is there anything anyone from the audience wishes to (mumbled) to Council (mumbled) We have one. So ... (mumbled) we have a sign in sheet? Karr: Yes we do, right here. (both talking) Hayek: There's no podium but we'll try to follow our protocol as much as possible. Karr: And then you will have to come to the table so we can pick you up on the recording. Landry: (unable to hear) Um, Doyle Landry (mumbled) Um, six months ago, you as a body took the lead on ... uh, invoking an honest (mumbled) Karr: I can't hear you. Landry: (unable to hear) Karr: Would you like to sit here, Doyle? (several talking) Hayek: ...picked up on the mic (both talking) Landry: Not a problem! This is better! Karr: You can sit down! (both talking) Landry: Okay, cool! Six months ago, you all as a body took the lead on a (mumbled) on a authentic conversation about where we are about race in Iowa City, and here we are six months later, from an accountability standpoint. (mumbled)h, the Book of Ecclesiastes, for those of you who follow (mumbled) everything there's a time and season, and in the last six months, I'll just say South Carolina. So ... where we on July 15th as it relates to the next two seasons before it gets cold, before we have the conversations about homelessness and people in need, and ... the thought that there are ... about every African American in the city of Iowa City is in need. Um, there have been some very... disturbing emails sent out by professionals here in Iowa City, who are white, that are, um, that have gone beyond disrespectful (mumbled) people have no apology for that I am in receipt of, but don't think it would be wise to distribute because it would embarrass, um, some individuals who thought that what they had to say was within line. So, I put that out there as not a representation of the African American community, but as an individual who is seeking accountability. Where are we six months later with our community conversation about race, because it was ideal six months ago that (mumbled) the January 6th and the January 13d' meeting, um, but since that time, outside of listening posts for journalists, for my fellow colleagues who are right This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal meeting of July 15, 2015. Page 2 across the street and, um, in the city who are observing, who are looking at the minutes from the, uh, Ju ... January 6 and January 130` meeting and wondering, okay, ideal but where are we six months later, and more importantly as we get closer to ... um, the true caucus season for individuals of a certain party who will be ... making some comments that people will consider to be offensive, but it's how they think, because the goal is to win. At the end of the day, are we winning in Iowa City, and we're six months in, and again, for individuals who are looking for progress, where is it documented because your aims are ... your aim is low, but again for the people who think with the left side of their brain, where are we month by month, because... well, accountability and like I said, the emails that I possess, I am withholding simply because I never thought I would see such emails from white professionals in 2015 about what they do for African Americans. For those of you who have seen some of the emails, again, they speak for themselves and for older African Americans who have fought a great fight in Iowa City to be in their 70s and 80s and still be residents, it's just a reminder that some things just haven't changed, despite your good intentions. And those are my comments. Hayek: Thank you. Anyone else (noises in background) community comment? Okay, we'll move on to Item 4, Planning and Zoning Matters. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal meeting of July 15, 2015. Page 3 b. 410 IOWA AVE. - REZONING APPROXIMATELY 12,000 SQUARE FEET OF PROPERTY FROM CENTRAL BUSINESS SERVICE (CB -2) ZONE TO CENTRAL BUSINESS SUPPORT (CB -5) ZONE LOCATED AT 410 IOWA AVE. (REZ15-00010). (SECOND CONSIDERATION) Mims: Are we gonna... collapse all of these then? Karr: It's your option. You may, yes. Mims: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended, that the second consideration and vote be waived, and the ordinance be voted on for final passage at this time. Botchway: Second. Hayek: Motion to collapse from Mims, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Any ex parte from the last reading? Any audience input? Council discussion. We haven't received any ... any new communications from the public. Karr: No! Hayek: (mumbled) that has any controversy to it. Okay. Dobyns: I did have a discussion with, uh, Geoff Fruin, um, as (mumbled) ex parte (mumbled) part of City Council discussion about, uh, you know would this zoning ... (difficult to hear, background noises) Um, so I didn't get the presentation (mumbled) Iowa Avenue, uh, be continued as sort of a wide boulevard promenade as originally was envisioned for the avenue. Geoff and I took a look at some pictures, and the fact that there's that wide median in the middle. Um, I was satisfied that buildings wouldn't ... in this zoning, encroach so much on the road that it would get away from the original intent of Iowa Avenue. Hayek: Okay. Dobyns: I think we'll be okay there. Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6-0. Mims: Move ... that was condensing, right? Hayek: (both talking) Mims: Move final adoption. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal meeting of July 15, 2015. Page 4 Botchway: Second. Hayek: Uh, pass and adopt moved by Mims, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6-0. Karr: I'm sorry, could we accept correspondence under 4a for expedited action. Botchway: So moved. Payne: Second. Karr: Thank you. Hayek: (mumbled) to accept correspondence from Botchway, seconded by Payne. Discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 6-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal meeting of July 15, 2015. Page 5 ITEM 5. WILLOW CREEK/KIWANIS PARK RENOVATION PROJECT — RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WILLOW CREEK/KIWANIS PARK RENOVATION PROJECT. Karr: Mr. Mayor, staff is recommending deferral until the next meeting, July 27h. Hayek: Okay. Payne: So moved to defer. Botchway: Second. Mims: Second. Hayek: Moved by, uh, Payne and seconded by Botchway to defer Item 5 until the July 27th meeting. Further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 6-0 (mumbled) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal meeting of July 15, 2015. Page 6 ITEM 9. ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES - ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 6, ENTITLED "PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY," CHAPTER 10, ENTITLED "SMOKE FREE PLACES," TO PROHIBIT SMOKING ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES IN AREAS WHERE IT IS ILLEGAL TO SMOKE TOBACCO. (SECOND CONSIDERATION) Dobyns: Move approval. Payne: Second (several talking) Karr: It's up to you. It's an option. (several talking) Payne: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended, that the second consideration and vote be waived, and the ordinance be voted on for final passage at this time. Mims: Second. Botchway: Second. Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Anyone from the audience? Council discussion. Dobyns: Doug, you want to make any comments about how this is going (mumbled) jurisdictions (mumbled) Beardsley: Doug Beardsley. Uh... (mumbled) Karr: (mumbled) Beardsley: I don't want to talk too loud, because someone might say I'm yelling at you (laughter) (mumbled) Um, Doug Beardsley, Johnson County Public Health. I'm also a resident here in Iowa City. Uh, I wasn't going to say anything because I was told once, uh, if you see things going your way, just shut up and sit down and get out of the way (laughter) Um, but uh just to ... reiterate, I know there was some correspondence and I actually, uh, correspondence to the City Council Members, and that gentleman did correspond with me and ... and I provided him some background. I think some of the questions that came up, uh, they were unaware of previous presentations and information that we'd shared with the Council. So just briefly, uh, the reason ... we're here is some of the things that we've found is, you know, there are substances in that, uh, in that... electronic cigarette vapor that are of concern to us. Toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Granted, perhaps not in the same concentrations that you'd find in tobacco, uh, smoke, but they are present. Um, some of the ... and ... and also the, uh, the research on the nicotine though is a different question. There ... the research is showing that the absorption This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal meeting of July 15, 2015. Page 7 by bystanders of the nicotine is the same, if not greater, depending which study you're on, but it's similar to tobacco, uh, and nicotine is a harmful substance. Um, so it's protection of the public. That's what brings us here. It's not, uh, because I don't think they're not an approved... well (mumbled) everybody's entitled to their opinion, but you're not entitled to your own facts. The facts are they have not been approved as a .... as a cessation device. There is a concerted effort by the industry to re -normalize smoking behavior. I've got a full book of ads if you want to see some of their advertising. It's kind of startling. I usually don't share things like that in public, because some of them really make your hair stand up. Um, but also in terms of population health when we look at the youth as a population, see the numbers of expanding use there, um ... not taking action, not getting the message out is sending the message that these are less harmful, that it's okay, uh, and they're not. Uh... so ... uh, to answer your question, other jurisdictions — I know the City of Ames was looking at one. I'm not aware of any other jurisdictions in Iowa that have adopted an ordinance similar to this. So ... I know there's always concern about being the ... the pioneers, the first ones out. I think there's, uh, some built up, uh.... some ... some built-up energy and once we open that flood gate, I think we'll see some more. So I think it'll be good for Iowa City to go ahead and ... and be a leader on this. Uh, the Attorney General has, uh, issued an opinion that, uh... uh, municipalities are not preempted for restricting use, uh, of electronic cigarettes. So I think you ... I think Eleanor's mentioned that before. Um... Dilkes: I haven't seen a (both talking) Beardsley: Oh! (both talking) I could email that to you! Dilkes: Yeah! That (both talking) Beardsley: Anyway, um, so anyway I appreciate the Council, uh, taking this up and, uh... I ... I did prepare a, uh, and I can give it to you later, about the bullet points, just kind of summarizing the research. It's four pages long. I don't know if you want it. You know, but uh, just ... if anybody's interested, I've got ... (several talking) Dobyns: It's palatable to me! (laughter and several talking) Hayek: Thank you, Doug! Any other audience input? (mumbled) Council discussion? Payne: We're only voting on the collapse right now. Hayek: Right. Roll call, please. Payne: I move that the ordinance be finally adopted at this time. Dobyns: Second. Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Dobyns. Discussion? Roll call, please. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal meeting of July 15, 2015. Page 8 Payne: Move to adjourn. Karr: ....motion to accept correspondence. Botchway: So moved! Mims: Second. Hayek: Moved by Botchway, seconded by Mims. Discussion? (several talking and laughing) All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 6-0. Payne: (both talking) Motion to adjourn! Botchway: Second. Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Sure you guys want to do this? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carried; we are adjourned! Have a good evening! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal meeting of July 15, 2015.