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ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER.
Throgmorton: So I'd like to let everybody... well first of all I'd like to welcome all of you to, uh,
Iowa City's City Council meeting and to City Hall. It's great to see all of you on
this bitterly cold night. Brave souls all of you! I'd also like to let anybody's
interested in Item 6, the Housing... pertaining to the Housing Choice Voucher.
We're not going to take any action on that item tonight. The item will be
rescheduled for the February 2" d, uh, Council meeting. So, if you're here for that
item then that's all. Please feel free to take offl
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ITEM 2. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED
Throgmorton: So I think ... how do you want me to do this, Marian? We're gonna pull three
items.
Karr: We're gonna have one motion. I believe discussed at your work session — one
motion to adopt the Consent Calendar with separate consideration of 2d(1),
2d(11), and 2d(13).
Mims: So moved.
Botchway: Thought we were okay with 2d(11).
Mims: But he's got changes to the language.
Botchway: Okay! That's ... okay,
Throgmorton: Is there a second?
Thomas: Second.
Throgmorton: So moved by Mims, seconded by Thomas. Discussion? No discussion. Roll call.
Okay, so do we have a motion pertaining to Item 2d(1)?
ITEM 2d(1) PRAIRIE HILL FINAL OPD — RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A DEVELOPER'S
AGREEMENT AND EASEMENT AGREEMENTS, AND ACCEPTING
THE DEDICATION THEREOF, ASSOCIATED WITH THE FINAL
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY (OPD) PLAN FOR PRAIRIE
HILL, IOWA CITY, IOWA.
Mims: So moved.
Botchway: Second.
Throgmorton: Okay, discussion — Item 2d(1). That pertains to ... make sure I have it in front of
me. This pertains to Prairie Hill final, oh ... OPD, um ... uh... overlay plan
developed. I'll just read it. (reads Item 2d(1) Uh, we pulled this because John
Thomas had to recuse himself, having previously participated in processes
pertaining to that development. So, I don't ... let's see, is there a motion on the
(both talking)
Mims: Move approval.
Throgmorton: Yeah, moved, uh (several talking) is there a second?
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Karr: Mims and Botchway is on the (both talking)
Throgmorton: ... already done, so, um ... any discussion about this item? No discussion. Roll call.
Dilkes: I just wanted to make one note that we handed out a new one and the construction
drawings have not yet been approved by the City Engineer, but we're going to go
ahead and approve it, uh, subject to that approval. (several talking)
Throgmorton: So noted. Roll call. Where's John? Come on back in, John! Uh, is there a
motion pertaining to 2d(11)? That's the legis .... 2016 legislative priorities.
ITEM 2d(11) 2016 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES — ESTABLISHING THE
CITY'S 2016 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Thomas: I would like to make a motion to approve, uh, and to adopt, uh, with the following
amendment to the ... last sentence under the, um, heading 'Infra ... increase
infrastructure funding that supports a diverse transportation network.' Uh
(mumbled) last sentence should read (clears throat) uh, 'Diversification measures
include pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit accommodations, as well as
regional passenger rail.'
Throgmorton: Is there a second?
Dickens: Second.
Throgmorton: Seconded, uh... moved by Thomas, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? Hearing
none, roll call. Motion approved 7-0. Okay. Is there a motion pertaining to Item
2d(13)?
ITEM 2d(13) ICDD FUNDRAISING - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
IOWA CITY DOWNTOWN DISTRICT FOR FUNDRAISING EXPENSES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE ART WORK PORTION OF THE NORTH
PEDESTRIAN MALL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT A NOT TO
EXCEED COST OF $50,000
Mims: Move approval.
Botchway: Second.
Throgmorton: Okay, moved by Mims, seconded by Botchway. Let me read the, uh, the res, uh,
the item. I should have done that initially. (reads Item 2d(I3) So, moved by
Mims, seconded by Botchway. Discussion?
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Mims: Well ... we had some discussion about this at the work session, and I made the
comment or suggestion that potentially we could, uh... set this up so that we could
get kind of repaid for this money. Um, in talking with Nancy Bird from the
Downtown District, between the work session and the formal session, um, it's
clear that that really is not a possibility. The ... the way those contracts are written
and with professional fundraisers, you cannot basically ask them to raise money
to pay themselves. Um, so it sounds like the suggestion that I made is not
particularly a viable suggestion. Having said that, urn ... I know there's concern
with the amount of money. Um, I share that concern; however, I think we have to
look really carefully at, you know, a process that was put in place, you know, a
year, year and a half ago or more. Jim, you were an integral part of this process,
of, um, selecting an artist who then, you know, came up with the ... the, uh,
proposed art piece for this area. Um, and so I think ... I think we have to be really
careful about going down a path, asking people to be involved in these processes
and laying things out and ... and doing these things, and then ... kind of at the I I"'
hour saying, oh, time out! We don't want to ... we don't want to continue this
process. Um, and I think we knew going into this that we were asking for, um, a
significant piece of art. We didn't necessarily know an exact dollar amount. We
didn't know the exact amount that it would cause, uh, cost for fundraising, but
certainly this was significant. Um, and given that, and also given in ... in talking
with Nancy, the fact that these contracts can be written so that we don't pay all
this money up front. There can be benchmarks basically in the contract if the ... if
the fundraiser is not successful in raising the money. They don't get all of the
money that ... that is laid out here. Um ... I am going to support this. I think we're
so far down that path, if we pull the plug on this now ... uh, I think that really
questions our commitment in terms of asking people to get involved in processes
with the City in the future.
Botchway: I would concur as well. You know I think, again, I brought that up during the
work session and, uh, it was something that, um, I feel like ... you know, um ... as
we ... it's one of those kind of things that I always talk about in multiple, uh... uh,
resolutions, motions, whatever the case may be, around process and making sure
that we are clear about the process, and I felt like, at least for me, the process was
very clear, um, going forward. And I, I mean, I felt some un ... uncomfortableness
around it when we talked about it, but I even feel more uncomfortable now,
um ... in thinking about it, and obviously hearing some of the conversation during
the work session, um, that, you know ... the process is what it is. I think if, you
know, going forward if we want to have discussions about, you know, how we
can change a process, I'm, you know, interested in doing that, but uh, at this time
I'm supportive of this proposal.
Thomas: Well I, as I mentioned in the work session, uh, you know, I have complete respect
for the process and people who were involved in it. Um, at the same time I would
say that as City Council, our responsibility is to look at the, how these ... these
actions and ... and initiatives that are taken through, in this case a ... a committee to
select an art piece, um, that then has to go through the filter of the budget in terms
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of how we ... how are we going to pay for this. That, you know, that may not have
been ... uh, as ... as significant a consideration of the committee, as it is to City
Council. And I ... I certainly think in part this concern has been brought home to
me because we're in the midst of budget discussions and so I become...
extremely... extremely sensitive to the question of...how does one... improvement
or action that we might take with respect to the budget measure up to another item
that we're considering in terms of the budget, and ... I did spend some time over the
weekend looking at the budget for the downtown streetscape pro ... program, which
I think needs to be looked at holistically, you know, and unfortunately we look at
it as ... the Washington project, the north end of the ped mall project, and so on and
so forth. I view that as one project, the streetscape improvement plan, and what
I'm seeing (clears throat) is ... with the ... the budgets that we see in our five-year
CIP, the ... the estimates for these projects are exceeding what was in the master
plan. And so that's... that's why I'm so concerned with how we ... move forward
on ... on any aspect of the streetscape master plan, that we ... we really need to look
at that holistically in terms of the overall cost of doing those improvements.
Throgmorton: So ... so where does that lead you, John?
Thomas: That leads me to ... to, wanting to defer with ... with the purpose being that, um...
this consideration as it relates to the streetscape master plan needs to be looked at
within that context, uh, specifically.
Throgmorton: Okay. Others?
Cole: Well I'm ... I'm not in favor of this. I think we're being asked to make some very
tough choices. Um, we've received very clear message that we have tough budget
times and I think that requires us to make tough choices. And when I look at this
particular project, I think about wants and needs. It ... it, we all want a beautiful
ped mall, and I'm not commenting on particular about this particular project, the
merits of the lens or not. What I'm talking about is in particular the funding
mechanism. Uh, we're being asked to consider a $50,000 appropriation to
catalyze a $500,000 private fundraising project, which of course I like, but I do
not think it's a good use of public tax dollars to use, um, I don't think that the
public, you know, and the ... the. big sales pitch on this has been that it's ... it's gonna
be 100% privately fandraised. Um, I know that there is a process but this is part
of the process, and I think once we engage in a path, I don't think we have to stay
on that path. Our role is to look at the budget and determine whether we need to
modify. So I'm not in favor and I vote no for this particular project to the extent
we have to make that decision tonight. (mumbled) appropriation.
Taylor: I would go along with John and Rockne on ... on deferring this. Uh, I just ... I ... do
have respect for previous Council and their decision and understand the process
you went through, and especially just....attending a few meetings that I have since
January and being on the Council, understand the thought process that has to go
through the decisions you make, um, but I ... I keep looking at this and wondering
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how ... this fits into the strategic plan that we've been spending so much time in
trying to figure out, uh, what we want the, uh, the City to stand for, and I...just
don't see how it fits in there.
Botchway: Well and ... kind of a quick comment. Um, cause I want to make sure that
we're ... we're talking about the same thing. You know, there was a Council
process initially but I'm more focused on the community process because, I mean,
and Geoff, I don't know if you want to speak to that a little bit since, uh, your
participation or Jim, um, cause I wasn't a part of that, uh, process but ... that's my
concern. Um, I ... I totally agree with looking at different things, maybe from a
Council perspective, um, but as far as there being kind of a community process
and then now saying that, you know, um ... uh, that process didn't necessarily yield
what, um, we wanted it to yield. We'll do something differently. That kind of
gives me pause, but ... (both talking)
Dickens: I guess I'm gonna ... to, uh, follow Susan and support this. I think that, uh, if we do
use the benchmarks and then the contract where it is (mumbled) that we don't put
all the money upfront, that it's based on ... how the fundraising goes, that this was a
project that's, uh, been in the works for ... uh, I think it was 2014 that we did set
something in motion, but it's been in ... been, uh, going on since closer to 2012,
the ... the whole downtown scape, so I'd like to see it continue on the path it's
going.
Throgmorton: Okay well I should express my views. It's true that I, as Susan said, I was ... have
been involved in both the streetscape design committee and the process of
selecting the preferred artist for this particular project. Absolutely true and I've
talked about that publicly. However, I wasn't ... I was not aware until late last
week that we would be asking to commit funds for fundraising. For ... for me that's
new information. Also my sense is that ... in the current news media context, it's
very hard for members of the general public to know that particular topics are
coming up for our consideration, even though ... it's true! We've had a lengthy
process, uh, but there's not been that much coverage about it. And especially on
this particular point, which has to do with providing funds for fundraising.
And ... and lastly, it's my ... my sense is that, uh, there ... I ... I don't feel any strong
sense of urgency to act immediately on this particular proposal. So what I would
prefer to do, what I would recommend, is that we defer action on this for two
weeks, till our next ... or three, I don't know, to our next meeting on February the
2nd, uh, and give people a chance to weigh in if they have particular views,
strongly for the project or strongly against it, and what I would really love to see
is for people to ... if they feel very strongly that the project is ... is ... is a beautiful
project. The proposed project is a beautiful one, deserves support. I wish they
would come and say exactly why they think it's a great project. Be very clear
about its merits, and if somebody's' strongly opposed, to do exactly the same thing
— come in and say why they think it's not a good project, and that goes for the
funding well. You know, why would it be smart for the City to commit $50,000
to help raise funds for the project, or why it's not a good idea, you know? But I
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think we owe it to the general public to give them ... at least another two weeks or
whatever the time period is, uh... to consider what's at hand here and to let us
know what their, uh, opinions are. So, that's what I would recommend is that we
defer to our next meeting and then ... focus on this topic and make a decision. So
I...
Dilkes: Just need a motion if that's what you want to do.
Throgmorton: So ... we already have a motion on the floor.
Dilkes: Motion to defer.
Throgmorton: But there's already a motion on the floor.
Karr: So you can either withdraw the motion, or you could do a motion ... you could vote
this one one way or the other or you could ... do a motion to defer.
Dilkes: It sounds to me like what you're talking about wanting to do is defer it, so
someone needs to move to defer, get a second, and then you can (mumbled)
Throgmorton: Okay, so do I hear a motion to defer?
Thomas: I'll move that, uh, we defer to our next Council meeting on February 2°d
Cole: Second.
Throgmorton: Okay, move to, uh, move to defer, uh... uh, presented by Thomas and seconded by
Cole. Discussion on that motion?
Mims: I'm just concerned that we're ... we're starting down this path ... um ... I am all in favor
of as much public input and everything as we can get. Where I become concerned
is the minute we get something on our agenda that is ... um ... that, it's been publicly
noticed. It ... it is out there, and that Councilors are maybe a little bit
uncomfortable about which way they want to go, we've gotta take more time and
wait for more public input when I think people have had that opportunity.
Um .... the people who maybe are going to know more about it than already knew
about it, or maybe the people in this room, um, the packets are out there. It seems
to me that sometimes it ... it's a case of putting your finger up in the air and seeing
which way the wind is blowing to decide which way Councilors want to make
their decision. Um, and I think ... I think we have to, we've been elected. It's a
representative democracy. Um ... and we have to be willing to make those
decisions. Um, I'm not saying there aren't times that things are worth deferring,
um, but I think we've gotta be very careful that as we go forward we're not simply
always deferring so we can get more public input, more public input, what is
really, uh... a concern about the decisions we are trying to make, and also what
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does that do to the various projects, um, and procedures and timelines, uh, when
you're doing those deferrals.
Cole: You know, to that point, Susan, I think, you know, Jim is really one of the most
detail oriented people that I know, very thorough, enormous amount of trust in
him, and (mumbled) the fact that Jim didn't know I ... I think does give me concern,
and I think that that's something that I think reflects that the ... possibly the public
doesn't know. Um, I don't view this as a process of putting our finger up to the
wind and sort of seeing which way the public, um, is going to vote and then ... and
then reflect accordingly, but I think input is important and my particular concern
is the $50,000 appropriation. So I'm in voting ... I'm in favor of deferring for two
weeks, allow more public input, and we can make our decision at that pi ... at that
time.
Botchway: And see, that's where again I would disagree and agree with Susan, I mean, again,
the process has been laid out. Um, you know ... I ... I guess, you know, from this
standpoint I would disagree with the motion that's on the table and, you know, I
guess then I would bring up that whenever there is a..another situation where we
may have something that we need to, uh, or I feel like there may be something
that we need to vet a little more from a process standpoint, then I think that we're
gonna ... we're gonna get ourselves into a situation where we're continually, you
know, asking for, um, more information when, you know, this ... it's almost been a
year. I mean I don't ... and maybe ... maybe that doesn't mean much for some and
I ... I totally appreciate that, but ... um, and I, again, I understand, Jim, your point
about, you know, not necessarily knowing about this piece of it, but, you know,
the interesting thing is Rockne brought up a good point, I mean, you... basically
said the funding of the particular piece (mumbled) $500,000 from, you know,
private funds, I mean ... that's a substantial cost compared to the $50,000 that we're
going to designate for a fundraiser, and so, you know, your argument actually
helped me kind of feel really comfortable about my kind of moving forward, so,
um, you know, I've kind of made my peace but, you know, I guess we can just
move on.
Throgmorton: Anyone else? Roll call.
Dilkes: It's a motion. All in favor.
Throgmorton: All in favor ... and then the motion is to defer to February 2nd (several talking) All
in favor say aye. All opposed say aye. Who is counting?
Karr: I believe it's 4-3. (several talking)
Throgmorton: Okay, so, uh, the motion to defer, uh, passes 4-3.
Karr: With Mims, Dickens, and Dob ... Mims, Dickens, and Botchway (both talking)
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Botchway: (laughs) Geez!
Karr: Sorry! Mims, Dickens, and Botchway (laughter) in the (both talking)
Throgmorton: Okay, so two week deferral. All right, so ... are we back to the Consent Calendar
or we already passed that?
Karr: Can I have a motion to accept correspondence on 2d(13), please.
Botchway: So moved.
Dickens: Second.
Throgmorton: Motion, uh, by Kingsley Botchway and seconded by Dickens. All in favor say
aye. All opposed. Motion passes. All right, are we movin' on to (both talking)
Karr: Item 3!
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ITEM 3. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA)
Throgmorton: This pertains to any item that's not on the, uh, published agenda, please come
forward and speak. Good evening, how are you tonight?
Salih: (mumbled)
Throgmorton: Please state your name.
Salih: My name is Mazahir Salih. Um, I'm the Vice President of the Center for Worker
Justice and uh, also the Secretary for the Sudanese Women and Children Group.
Uh... today I came just to like to thank all the ... (mumbled) Council Members, uh,
for their previous support and I hope you continue to support the minimum wage
until the end, which is, uh, the first of January, 2017, which is gonna be 10.10 and
I wish you continue to support that. And also we had a coalition of faith -based
leaders sign a petition in support of the minimum wage, and we would like to use
a few minutes of your time so they can read the petitions and to make a few
comments as why the (mumbled) support of (mumbled) and I'm going to
introduce Pastor Allen to come and, you know, read the (mumbled) Thanks!
Throgmorton: Thank you. (both talking)
Allen: I would like to say good evening to the Council, uh, my name is Vincent Allen. I
am the Pastor of the Kingdom Center and I am here, along with a few of my
clergy, uh, friends and portions of our congregation, and we are here to, uh, read
you our inter ... inter -faith statement on the rising... raising of the minimum wage,
which I believe... you may have already have a copy. (clears throat) I'm going to
do this, um, I would like all of those that are here in support of the minimum
wage increase ... I would like for you to stand with me, uh, while I read this letter,
to let you know as a community that we are asking your continued support in this,
uh, measure. All those who are in favor, I know there's some standing in the
back ... as I read this. (reads petition) Thank you!
Throgmorton: Thank you (several responding)
Karr: Motion to accept petition.
Botchway: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Botchway, seconded by Mims. All in favor say aye. Okay.
Smith: Good evening. My name's Ant ... Pastor Anthony Smith. I'm with New Creations
International Church and I too, uh, am here in support of...of the, uh, minimum
wage increase. One ... and I want, first of all I want to thank you all for allowing it
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to ... allowing it to come, uh, to come into effect. Wanted to talk to you just for a
minute about the effects that it has ... that it has had on the faith ... on the faith
community and ... and our community. The ... the, uh, raising the minimum wage
is ... is allowing ... it is helping many of the people that are working two and three,
uh, two and three jobs. Uh, it is helping the quality of life for those people who
are .... who are working. Many of these peop... many of the people that are
working, uh, that are working at minimum wage are working two jobs, and they're
not ... and they're not ... and they don't have time, they don't even have time to spend
time with their children. And... and... and... and once they leave one job, go to
another job, there's no time, there's no quality of life, and so ... with you all keeping
this ... keeping this in effect, you're in ... you're helping the quality of life. You're
also helping to ... to stimulate, uh, the family growth, and this is what's ... what is
very important for us. In the faith community we believe in family. Family's
important. And ... and in order for ... and in order for the families to grow, it takes
mom and it takes dad to be there at the same time. Uh, w ... while they are working
two jobs, they, uh, families are not able to be together and ... and now
this -this ... this will in turn have a .... a lasting effect where our kids get in trouble.
They're not being attended to well. They're not being in school. They're not
getting the help with their homework. But when ... when you're allowing this to
go ... to come to pass, now you're... you're at least giving the parents the opportunity
to be with their ... to be with their children and not working several, uh, several
jobs just to make ends meet. So we thank you. We thank you for keeping this in
effect and ... and we ask you to ... to allow it to go. We know that this is ... this is just
a starting point. Even when we get to the ... to the $10.10 an hour, it really is not
enough. But we thank you for put ... for allowing this to go into process.
Throgmorton: Thank you.
Jameel: Good evening, everyone. My name is Ghada Jameel. Um, I'm (mumbled) from,
uh, CWJ. Uh, I'm working in daycare, uh, I used to have $7.25 by hour. Now
$8.20. I feel happiness now. Is ... is little, but I feel happiness. Before I
(mumbled) but now my check is full from money I can do something better than,
uh, Fused to have. Um ... (mumbled) understand the minimum wage for
(mumbled) uh, what make for them ... make their life happy, um, I keep telling my
friend, uh...we are ready to (mumbled) push our second, uh, minimum wage. Uh,
I'm (mumbled) uh, to very ... uh, I'm waiting for, uh, May to coming very fast to
take the second stage, and I'm not, uh, patient 2000, uh, 2017 to get the $10. I
hope if you change your mind and make it $15. (laughter) Thank you.
Throgmorton: Thank you, Miss Jameel!
Nusser: Good evening. I'm Bill Nusser and I, uh, own Hands Jewelers downtown. I'm the
fourth generation owner, and uh, I am on the board of the Iowa City Downtown
District and (clears throat) excuse me! I've been on the, uh... uh, the selection
committee for the public art. I'm on the Public Art Advisory Committee and I
was on the selection committee for the artist for this particular project on the ped
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mall, and uh, about which we're discussing the ... the possibility of the City
supporting the fundraising effort. And ... there is a general conception, not just up
here but in ... in letters in the paper that ... that, uh, the chance for public input was
not, um ... was something that didn't exist and (clears throat) excuse me! There
have been many chances for public input that have started from the beginning of
the... we start ... from the beginning of the time we started talking about the
downtown streetscape redesign. Um, at that time art was determined to be a
public priority, and was included in that, and um, in the request for ... on the RFQ
for the ... for, uh, finding, uh, landscape architects or urban architects for the street,
to design the ... the changes in the streetscape of downtown, um, it was a ... a
component was included for a consultant, uh, to work directly with the ... the, uh,
designers, and the artists, who, um, for them to coordinate together as part of the
downtown streetscape plan. Um, the ... in fact the ... when Genus which was the
contractor who was selected to design the downtown, when they were selected,
um ... uh, the contract specified that there was money set aside for,
um ... uh... um ... working with the artists as part of the project, making sure that the
artist and the ... and the redesign of the ... the, um..uh, of the ped mall were going to
be, uh, copacetic, so to speak. The Public Art Advisory Committee was
introduced to this... this... the... the initial concept was introduced in 2014, in spring
of 2014. Um, the RFQs that were sent out, uh, were ... um, reviewed by the Public
Art Committee, uh, in July of 2014. Um, the formation of the artist selection
committee was done in September of 2014. Um, and ... and (mumbled) with
which, uh, members representing the general public, the public art committee, the
University of Iowa Museum, the City Council, and local artists, uh, were included
in this committee. Um ... the selection of three final candidates to interview, uh,
was announced, um, in the fall of 2004, and all of these events were ... were
publicized, were ... were put out to the public at that time. They were, um, they
were, uh, they all had press releases associated with them. Uh, the City's social
media included them. Direct contact with the local art committee, um, and uh,
representatives were involved in this; uh, press coverage occurred in all ... for all of
these activities. Uh, as well as all of the streetscape activities were included, a"
public art component for which people were universally favorable. Um, the
artists ... we interviewed artists in November and early December. Those were all
publicized and ... and some of you people actually went to, uh, to some of these.
The selection committee selected Cecil Balmond, um, the design process
occurred, uh, in, uh, and a design which you know as The Lens, uh... uh, happened
and there was ... at that time, when that was presented to the public, public input
was ... was solicited again through major media and through social media. Um,
and ... and, so we've actually entered into a contract or we're in the process of
entering into a contract with Balmond. Um, we ... we've contracted with the ... the
streetscape design people. Uh, we have formed a fundraising committee. Um,
we've actually raised commitments for funds already and ... and um, and it ... it's,
and we became very aware that without a professional assistance, fundraising for
this was ... we, it wasn't the big amounts that were the problem. It was small
amounts and ... and this is something, uh, something that we wanted everybody in
the city to be able to be a part of it. It was important to us the whole time for this
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to be an inclusive, uh, event, an inclusive project, um ... and that everybody be
capable of being informed, and uh, and A ... uh, so I'm ... I'm a little bit of a loss
when... when... when more time is needed to learn about these things and ... because,
when the earlier attention wasn't paid to them, and I ... and I don't know what we
could have done to have made it more clear that this was happening, and ... and
um, and I know you're talking about the lack of knowledge of the $50,000, but I
know that that was included in the ... in a number of the meetings too and it's
possible that ... that the meetings didn't, uh, weren't attended by ... you know, by me
or by you or by whatever, and, uh, but that ... but none of this has been secretive.
None of this has been, uh, there's not been an attempt to hide anything,
and ... and ... and uh, in fact I think we tried to be so inclusive in this and so it's a
little frustrating to sit here and ... and be talking about some fundamental decisions
that have really gone by in two weeks, and so, um, as ... as, uh, one of the people
largely involved with the fundraising for this, my concern is that it....it...time is of
the essence, that we have other, uh, especially arts' fundraising projects coming
up. There's the funding for the, public funding for the ... or private funding for the,
uh, Art Museum, University Art Museum is ... is gearing up right now and ... and uh,
we want to be able to raise the money for this before there are too many other
things going on. The School of Music, Hancher, all of these things, and ... and
uh... uh, we had a good start going and to be sort of thwarted from this effort right
now, urn ... uh, it ... it's feeling like this ... like we're, uh, the commitment from the
Council's being ... that there's a certain amount of reneging going on on this, that
on ... on things that we've only done with your approval so far. So, um, I just
wanted to present that opinion. I appreciate what your discussion is and will be,
um, but I want you to be aware that there has been a tremendous amount of...of,
um, in ... of at least in ... inviting all of you to be part of the public discourse about
this, throughout the whole process and urn ... I ... I hate to reinvent the wheel. So,
with that, welcome to all of you and thanks for letting me talk.
Throgmorton: Thank you, Bill. Eleanor, may I ask you a question, please? Uh, hearing Bill
speak alerts me to the fact that I committed a faux paus by not inviting public
discussion on that particular topic. Uh, I would like to encourage, unless you tell
me this is wrong, uh, I would like to encourage any person, any member of the
public that wants to speak to that particular topic to do so now, along with others
who want to talk about any other topic that's not on the agenda.
Dilkes: I think that's appropriate.
Dieterle: I'm Caroline Dieterle. Uh, Walnut Street, Iowa City. Um, it's been my
experience in what I've seen happen that if you need a professional fundraiser to
raise funds, then the cause for which, uh, funds are being raised is not particularly
popular with the rank and file. So that smaller donors, uh, would prefer to, uh,
contribute to one or the other many good causes and opportunities that there are
for that. Um ... at the beginning when I read about this project, urn ... I was a little
appalled at the price tag of $500,000. Um, because if you sink that amount of
money into something, it makes it particularly difficult then to remove it. If you
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decide later that you don't want it. And the earlier news media, uh, seemed to be
always emphasizing that the City was not going to put any money into this. It
was going to be totally a private fundraising effort. And as much as I didn't really
like the idea ... of probably a few large donors, um, determining what was going to
be a centerpiece in our town by this method, um, at least I consoled myself that
the City wasn't going to be putting any money in it. So when I found out that, uh,
and it was only rather laterally here in the last week or two that it was going to be
on the agenda here, it was in the last few days actually, that you were going to be
voting on whether to spend $50,000 for a fundraising effort for this, that I
thought, 'Well, that's it! I ... I guess I'll have to say something (laughs) else about
this.' Um, I think a lot of people will probably be feeling like me, a little aghast,
uh, at this when we consider ... the amount of time that the Council had to take and
the ... and the Board of Supervisors as well to come up with enough funds for
example the wet shelter, to keep people from freezing to death. Um, and as you
know, the Crisis Center is beleaguered. It doesn't have enough funds. It doesn't
have enough money. The, um, Free Medical Clinic and the Free Dental Clinic are
also overwhelmed with people because the economy is not recovered as we had
all hoped, as much or as fast, and we have more and more people who are needing
more and more. I was very glad that you supported the minimum wage hike. But
as one of the speakers pointed out, uh, it isn't sufficient. I mean, we have a lot of
poor people that are going to be asking for public services and I would rather, the
taxpayer, I would far rather see my money or my portion of that $50,000 going to
anyone of the causes that I mentioned. Thank you.
Throgmorton: Thank you. Would anyone else care to speak?
Nusser: I'd like to just ... make another remark about this, and I ... and I...
Throgmorton: Say your name again, Bill, please.
Nusser: I'm Bill Nusser. Sorry! And, uh, I respect Caroline Dieterle. I ... I appreciate her
voice in this community and um, but I don't think....it'd be nice if we could all tell
people how to spend their money but we can't do that. I mean, there are people
that have projects that ... that they're very interested in and ... and I have to
emphasize that ... that public art was ... was, uh, was a stated priority by the public,
uh, early on and all throughout this project and ... and um, and I don't know
whether it's this particular artist isn't ... is, they don't like this particular artist or
what, but ... but um, it's the public's desire to have a piece of art in this particular
space and uh, and, uh, it's been stated often and ... and ... and, uh, with every
opportunity that people had to make it, so ... thank you.
Throgmorton: Thank you, Bill.
Byler: Name's Peter Byler, um, I apologize because I didn't jump up either when you
were actually doing the Consent agenda, but I came to actually talk about
something you've already passed, but I'll howl into the wind for a second. Um, I
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wanted to talk about Item 2d(9), which was the National Development Council,
uh, agreement that was part of the Consent Calendar, which is an $80,000
expenditure, um ... you know, this is ...this is a contract, uh, that has near complete
opacity, uh, you ... you can't, if you read this contract, uh, the National
Development Council, when they do these, uh, analyses for us, are not required to
give us any part of the analysis. They give us basically a three-page letter, um, so
we're spending $80,000 on something we may use one time during the year. We
may use it 10 times. Um ... you know, at the HCDC meeting on Thursday night
we're going to be divvying up money with a scalpel, and I don't mean to make the
same point that ... that was already made, but ... uh, you know, funding's very tight
and ... and ... and $80,000 could go a long way in some different... different ways.
So my ... my concerns with this, I know it's already done, but first of all just the
amount. For $80,000 we could hire someone, like Dennis could hire someone to
be on staff and do these analyses and do additional work for $80,000. My second,
uh, comment or complaint is just the quality of the analyses and the fact that
they're not released to us. You know, Tom Jackson's a very nice guy. When I ask
him for the analyses, he always says, 'Well the staffll give it to you if they want
you to see it.' But when I ask staff, they say, 'We don't get the numbers. We just
get the letter, the same letter that's in the public record,' uh, which often has
arithmetic and logical errors in it, um, but perhaps the ... the most intriguing thing
is these analyses have consistently been wrong, because you know it's often
bragged about, and I don't want to pick on any particular developers because
I ... you know, Iowa City's booming and that's great, but you know, when these TIF
deals get paid off a decade early, that's great for the City because our exposure is
limited, but that means the initial analysis was wrong. That means the project was
much more profitable than what they thought it was going to be. But, again, we
just re -upped for another year at $80,000, so maybe next year at this time I'll get
up in time, and uh, maybe we can reconsider that. Thanks for your time.
Throgmorton: Thank you, Peter. Anyone else care to speak?
Porter: Hello, everyone.
Throgmorton: Hi there!
Porter: Royceann Porter, 136 Appanoose Court, Iowa City. I wasn't going to say
anything (laughs) but that's unusual.
Throgmorton: Incidentally, great event last... yesterday morning.
Porter: Thank you, sir! That's the one reason I'm up here, that's why I felt that I should
say something. I just wanted to say, uh, thank you for the stride that we are
making here in Iowa City. Um, I just feel like we are ... we have come a long way.
There are things happening in our city for our community and it has been for all
people. Um, the MLK Day of Service yesterday that we celebrated was, um, the
theme was now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. And that was
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from Dr. King's speech in 1963, which was 53 years ago. So, as we stride
forward, I ask that we continue to, um, go forth with the positive things that we
have been doing. I'm really pleased with what has been done. I'm really pleased
with the Board of Supervisor and City Council who stood behind minim...
minimum wage, and um, I just wanted to get up here and say that, uh, I'm very
pleased with what's going on in our community and I just thank god that we're all
able to work together.
Throgmorton: Thank you. Anyone else care to speak? On any topic ... that's not on the formal
meeting agenda. All right, hearing none we'll move on to Item 4, Planning and
Zoning Matters.
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ITEM 4. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS
ITEM 4c CENTRAL BUSINESS SUPPORT (CB -5) CODE AMENDMENT
— ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14, ZONING CODE, SECTION 4B-
4A- 7, TO ALLOW RESIDENTIAL USES ON THE GROUND -LEVEL
FLOOR IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS SUPPORT (CB -5) ZONE IN THE
AREA BOUNDED BY GILBERT STREET, VAN BUREN STREET,
BURLINGTON STREET AND THE MID -BLOCK ALLEY SOUTH OF
JEFFERSON STREET, PROVIDED CERTAIN FORM -BASED ZONING
STANDARDS ARE MET. (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Botchway: Move second consideration.
Dickens: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Botchway, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
Cole: I'd just like to comment. I did vote no last time and I'm going to also likely vote
no tonight as well. Um ... as I said in the previous, uh, meeting that we had, I think
we do need to really re-evaluate, uh, what we're doing on our first floor
commercial development. Um, I'm not sure that completely giving up on
commercial uses as it's currently constituted as the right thing to do. I understand
this is for this particular area, um, but I do think it raises a larger question, and I
think I'm not convinced in this particular area, given its location on Iowa, uh, that
it's the prudent thing to do, at least as it's proposed here.
Throgmorton: Further discussion? Hearing none, roll call. Motion... passes. What, I mean not
passes (mumbled) the motion passes 6-1, right? That's what it was. Thank you.
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ITEM 4d REZONING CITY HALL PARKING AREA — ORDINANCE
CONDITIONALLY REZONING .98 ACRE LOCATED SOUTH OF IOWA
AVENUE BETWEEN GILBERT STREET AND VAN BUREN STREETS
FROM NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC (P-1) TO CENTRAL BUSINESS
SUPPORT (CB -5) (REZ15-00022). (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Mims: Move second consideration.
Botchway: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Botchway. Discussion?
Thomas: I'll (clears throat) I'll just briefly mention. There was a staff, uh, memo regarding
some of the questions I rose ... raised, uh... at our last meeting, and it...it does
appear that we may have a ... an opportunity to shift the sidewalk on Iowa Avenue,
um ... part of the reason for that is the trees along that side of Iowa Avenue are ash
trees so, um (laughs) you know it's unfortunately .... in ... in this sense, um, maybe
it's fortunate in the long run rather than the short run, um, we ... we will be loosing
those ash trees. I ... I would say that what, because that's City property, public
right-of-way, um, I would say that, you know, we have an opportunity really to
very carefully evaluate this as the building begins to be constructed, to determine
precisely where we want that sidewalk to be. So there isn't really any rush. The
building will go first. And then we can assess the, uh, the conditions. I just
wanted to bring it to everyone's attention that I ... I think the relationship of the
sidewalk to the townhouses is very important. Uh, there was a mention
that ... there was a, and I don't recall the dimension at, uh, the ... um, Peninsula
development, which has townhouses, uh, the ... it's, I think it's really important to
remember that that's in the Peninsula district, not on Iowa Avenue next to the
downtown, and that's... that's precisely the ... the issue. You know, we are ... on
the ... on the border in a transition from our downtown, so I think we need to be
very careful in thinking about that setback.
Throgmorton: I'm wondering if, uh, John Yapp might like to address us briefly, uh, Council
Member Thomas just referred to some recommendations that you made in a
recent memo. Could you briefly, concisely summarize the recommendations?
Yapp: Sure. John Yapp, uh, Development Services office. Um, after the Council
meeting a couple weeks ago, uh, I went out on the site with Zach Hall, the, uh,
Superintendent of Parks and Forestry. Uh, the current sidewalk on Iowa Avenue
is 5 -feet wide and there's about 14 -feet in between the sidewalk and the street.
Uh, the larger trees along that frontage are ash trees, uh, which I did not realize
until reviewing the property with, uh, Mr. Hall. Uh, I agree there is an
opportunity to shift the sidewalk a little bit closer to the street to create more
separation, uh, between the sidewalk and the proposed building. Uh, Zach
recommended not shifting it much closer than about 12 -feet to ... to maintain a nice
width for, uh, future street trees, uh, in that location. That said, that is something
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that can be determined ... uh, down the road near the end of any construction
project, uh, on that property. The rezoning you're considering tonight is just on
the parking lot property, not for the public right-of-way.
Throgmorton: Thank you.
Yapp: Thank you.
Throgmorton: Okay, any further discussion? Hearing none, roll call.
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ITEM 4e REZONING 600 BLOCK OF S. DUBUQUE STREET —
ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 1.03
ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC -2)
ZONE TO RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS - CENTRAL CROSSINGS (RFC -
CX) ZONE LOCATED AT 602, 604, 608, 610, 614, 620, 628 SOUTH
DUBUQUE STREET. (REZ15-00020) (PASS AND ADOPT)
Cole: I'm going to recuse myself per the previous conflict.
Throgmorton: Yep!
Mims: Move adoption.
Dickens: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion?
Dickens: Just a good project!
Mims: Yeah, glad to see it going forward. I like the design and the open space between
the buildings.
Throgmorton: Some really fine adjustments were made in the design, which I...1, pleased me.
Any further discussion? Roll call.
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ITEM 4g VACATING AIR RIGHTS OVER ALLEY — ORDINANCE
VACATING AIR RIGHTS ABOVE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY IN
NORTH -SOUTH ALLEY BETWEEN HARRISON AND PRENTISS
STREETS. (VAC15-00005) (PASS AND ADOPT)
Throgmorton: This again is a motion to defer to February the 2nd
Botchway: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims ... uh, moved by Botchway, seconded by Mims, uh... uh, so
uh... discussion? Why are we deferring to February 2nd?
Dilkes: Because we need to let the conveyance catch up to the vacation. Um, we don't
want to vacate it until we've got the, um....we've got the conveyance approved,
and so you set a public hearing on the conveyance on the Consent Calendar
and ... the next time we'll finish up with both, just like we've done today on the
Kum n' Go.
Throgmorton: Right. Okay. Good deal! All right, uh, no further discussion? Roll call.
Karr: Voice vote.
Throgmorton: Voice vote, that's right, cause we're deferring. Uh, all in favor say aye. All
opposed. Motion passes 7-0.
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ITEM 5. 2016 WASHINGTON STREET STREETSCAPE PROJECT, CLINTON
STREET TO LINN STREET — APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS,
FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2016 WASHINGTON STREET
STREETSCAPE PROJECT - CLINTON STREET TO LINN STREET,
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.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Throgmorton: I'm gonna open the public hearing. (bangs gavel) Public hearing is now open.
Who wants to speak first?
Fruin: If...if we could start we'd like to give a staff presentation on the project. Urn ... and
I'll start as the, uh, presentation's being cued up here. You know it's not
uncommon that the items on your agendas, uh, they ... they typically take several
months of behind -the -scenes work before they're ready for your consideration. In
this particular cl... case, it's actually been several years of work that have got us to
this point, so this is a ... a real milestone in terms of, uh, our downtown streetscape
efforts over the last several years. Um, actually the... the... the plan roots back to
the Riverfront Crossings plan. When we did the Riverfront Crossings master plan
and the downtown plan at the same time, one of the recommendations that came
out of that, uh, report was to do a ... a detailed streetscape plan, and so we went
down that path, starting really in late 2012. Um, and as you know, we did the
master plan, uh, in 2013. Council adopted that in 2014. Uh, since that time we've
been working on several different initiatives, uh, but the highest priority initiative
has been Washington Street, and it's been the highest priority, uh, because of
some of the ... the fundamental, um, utility work that needs to be done. If you
recall, in 2013 we had a major water main break on Washington Street and you'll
see some photos of that here in a few minutes to remind you of...of what that
looked like. Um, and that's really what's driving this, but it's not only the water
main. It's private utilities and other utility improvements, as well as when you
look above ground, uh, the ... the condition of sidewalk and uh, light poles and
things of that nature. Um, so tonight we are going to give you an overview of the
project from both a design standpoint and from a construction phasing standpoint.
Um ... although there's been several years of public discussion, um, you know, I
can't sit here in front of you today and tell you there's 100% agreement on the
details. Uh, whether we're talkin' the design details or the, uh, construction
phasing details. I imagine tonight you'll hear, uh, some concerns with ... with
either, or both, of those. Um, but I feel really good about where we stand now. I
think we've ... we've struck a really good balance, uh, both in terms of the .... the
design and the, uh, construction phasing, and so ... here to walk you through that
tonight are two of the members of our design team. We have Angie Coyier from
Genus Landscape Architects and Steve Noack from MMS Engineers, and they've
been workin' on this project for several years. Again, they will, uh, walk you
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through. It's probably going to be about a ... a 10 to 15 -minute presentation, which
is a little longer than usual, but given the ... the size and scope of this project, we
thought that was appropriate.
Throgmorton: Hi, Angie!
Coyier: Good evening and thank you for your time. My name is Angie Coyier. I'm a
landscape architect with Genus Landscape Architects and Project Manager on the
job. I'm going to step you through the planning history and summarize the
design, and then I'll turn it over to our, uh, team civil engineer, Steve Noack, with
MMS Consultants, um, who will step through construction phasing and then open
it up for questions. Um, as a quick reminder, the two block study area is
Washington, of course, from Clinton on the west to Linn on the east. There's
been an extensive outreach effort with this effort as Geoff hinted at. Um, dating
from 2013 when the design team, um, worked on the ... downtown and pedestrian
streetskep ... streetscape plan update. The project benefited from stakeholder input.
We met with the Summer of the Arts folks, Iowa City Downtown District, as well
as the University of Iowa representatives. With that phase we had three public
meetings and asked the public to actually vote on diser ... different design
alternative streetscape layouts, uh, the family of wayfinding identity elements,
um ... and ... and hardscape and site amenities. They, the public was also asked and
afforded the opportunity to provide ongoing feedback via the project web site.
The team came and observed use during, um, the Iowa Arts Festival, as well as
during the busy home football weekend. As Geoff mentioned, the plan was
adopted by the Council in 2014, and then we transitioned into schematic design
phase for Dubuque street, Washington Street, and the pedestrian mall. Again,
reaching out to the public and asking for their review and comment on design
progress, as well as al ... design alternatives. With the current phase design
development and construction documentation in 2015, we kicked off that phase
with a pre -design and information gathering workshop, uh, held another public
open house, offered design progress and updates, and then most recently in
December we had a second open house with the business owners and then mid-
December actually went business -by -business owner down the street, um,
reaching out to them to talk through access and ways to mitigate the construction
impacts. All reflected very carefully within the CD package. Geoff alluded to the
reasons why this project is needed. You can see the slide, the, uh, photographs
from the 2013 12 -inch water main break, which as you know caused major
disruption in the downtown core, with water seeping into a number of different
businesses. The project is also needed, um, to address some of the, uh, required
structural repairs to the ... to the vaults, that extend about 14 -feet into the public
right-of-way. There is a need to replace the vault access doors and also address
pedestrian accessibility. The curb ramps currently do not meet current ADA
standards and there's a ... some heaving of the surfacing and paving. The, um, light
poles and other site amenities are showing signs of corrosion and are in a state of
disrepair. As part of the project in the analysis phase the design team brought on
a certified arborist, Gary Johnson from the University of Minnesota whose, um,
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area of focus is urban tree health and um, preservation of trees during construction
activities. Gary came and evaluated each tree, looking at a number of different
characteristics of the tree and color -coded each tree 'appropriate for preservation,'
'requires more care,' or'should be removed.' Since this, um, overall evaluation
was prepared, Gary has also consulted and offered recommendations on specific
trees that are going to be impacted by the required construction. The
improvements consist of new sustainable LED lighting, um, the design also has
successfully achieved a consistent parking type across the two -block study area,
and increased the number of available spaces in the two -block study area. The
pedestrian realm is enhanced with wider sidewalks, um, and again, bringing those
curb ramps up to current standards. Um, there are utility upgrades, the water
mains, storm s ... sewer, traffic signalization, pedestrian signalization, um, conduit
for future broad... broadband and also a number of private utility upgrades. The
pedestrian travel path has become more consistent with the curbside outdoor
cafes. Um, we're also enlarging all of the planting areas to promote long-term
tree health, and where we do have new trees, we are achieving greater, um, tree
and plant diversity. The electrical system is enhanced and expanded. Each
planting area has a power pedestal and each light pole has also a power receptacle
so Washington Street can better support the events, but also add another layer of
specialty lighting. So in summary, we're increasing parking by eight spaces,
increasing bicycle parking by 12. There are six vaults that will see structural
repair, um, all of the vaults will have new waterproofing membrane and then at
the sidewalk level we're having all new heavy-duty, um, traffic rated access
hatches. Recycling stations will be introduced, um, for a total of six, and again, as
you can see with the summary, we're increasing seating, increasing the number of
trees to provide a consistent strong tree canopy, and then, um, have ... we're
introducing all new paving, concrete sidewalks and concrete streets. As you
know, in a ... in a very affordable, durable, uh, low -maintenance material, but
introducing some design gestures, um, still quite affordable with the intricately
colored concrete bands, which contextually we're pulling from Iowa Avenue and
also establish a nice pedestrian rhythm to the expanse of sidewalk, and then we
heard ... as we heard during the public input meeting, there was a desire to extend
the character and the vocabulary of the pedestrian mall into the surrounding
streetscape, so we're bringing the unit pavers into the streets at the ... at the
crosswalks. There are three, um, wayfinding kiosks pro ... proposed as part of the
project. Um, again, this was the concept that was approved by the public during
master plan in SD phase. Um, it is the metal fabric with welcome translated into
different languages, and the image actually on the far right is from the mock-up
that was fabricated at the end of 2015. Again, for public review and comment
when it was on display at the Senior Center. Um, this slide, uh, depicts the, uh,
proposed site furnishings, um ... durable metal strap benches, recycling, trash, and
then the lower left shows the proposed counter, uh, public seating at the
transformer in west block. Um, the typical streetscape section for the west block,
um, shows I 1 1/2 -foot wide travel lanes, reduced from the existing 13 -feet in
width. Um, 9 -feet parallel parking, um, an increase in the, uh, pedestrian zone of
2 -feet, and then again just as a reminder, what you can see in plan, the,
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um ... sidewalks extend at the intersection, effectively reducing that pedestrian
crossing distance at each of the intersections to 23 -feet. So the west block
summary again. Generous sidewalks, concentrated bicycle parking areas,
enlarged planting areas, minimum size at 10 -feet by 10 -feet, and then public
seating at the transformer west block for those grab and ... grab and go restaurants.
A summary to the typical streetscape section east block. Again, same 11 1/2 -foot
wide travel lane, 9 -foot parallel parking, um, pedestrian zone increases both sides
of the street, um, generous, uh, more generous on the south side of the street
where the small performances and demonstrations at Englert can be supported,
um, for small gathering. Again, enlarged planting areas and concentrated bicycle
parking. So next steps, um ... if the project is approved we go into the five-week
bid period with a tentatively scheduled pi ... pre-bid conference for those
contractors, um, interested in attending, which could in ... include a review of the
vaults requiring structural repair. Um, bid opening last week of February, March
1 approval to let with mobilization in March, um, anticipated construction period
April through October. And with that I'll turn it over to more detailed
construction phasing presentation by Steve.
Noack: Thank you, Angie.
Throgmorton: Welcome, Steve!
Noack: Thank you. Again, my name is Steve Noack. I'm an Engineer with MMS
Consultants here in Iowa City and I'm going to walk through the, uh, phasing,
proposed phasing of the project based on input we received from ... from the public
business owners, uh, discussion amongst the, uh, technical committee that was
formed for this project, and then the direction and choices made by City staff.
What we have, uh, it's divided into two basic phases. Phase one is the 100 or west
block of Washington Street, and includes the Clinton Street intersection and the
Dubuque Street intersection. Um, it's proposed to have an early start date of April
11th, with a substantial completion date of July 23rd. Um ... there's an incentive and
disincentive in the contract documents of $3,000 ... or of $1,000 per day, with a
maximum incentive of $10,000. Um, some of the, uh ... restraints that the
contractor will have is no work on the streetscape on either phase on the Friday
before a football game at 5:00 through the next Monday morning. So that it'll
minimize impact during those important games. Um, phase two is, uh, substantial
completion date is September 30 , with an incentive... and, or disincentive of
$3,000 per day, with a maximum incentive of $4,000 ... or $45,000. Uh, and the
definition of sub... substantially complete for this project would be that, um,
the... it's... it's available for full operation. Parking is available. Sidewalks are
open. Businesses can, uh... operate under normal conditions. Um, possibly
the ... the trees and plantings wouldn't be in yet, but importantly everything's
opened up. Some of the general phasing conditions and guidelines, uh, we want
to maintain, uh, pedestrian access as much as possible and so we've got a ... an 8 -
foot minimum pedestrian access on each side of the street, adjacent to the
buildings, that'll be maintained for as long as possible, up until it's time to tear that
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out and do the sidewalk paving or vault repairs. Um, business and property
owners will be given two notifications, uh, both about a couple weeks before and
then 48 hours before there'll be any disruption, uh, right at their ... at their building,
uh, or place of business. And then, uh, contractor provides access for deliveries
and trash removal, and you'll see in some future slides a little more detail on that.
Uh, we have an accommodation and impact mitigation, uh, scenario for each one
of the addresses, looked at alternate access, um, things like that, that ... that the
contractor can use. Uh, and we looked at various dates that were important to
the ... to the business owners, the City, and the community. Uh, U.S. Olympic
team trials April 8th through 10th, Summer of the Arts, uh, Iowa Jazz ... Iowa City
Jazz Festival, Iowa Soul Festival, um, and ... put mitigation measures in places for
those also. Uh, looked at the University of Iowa calendar, holidays and other
events. (mumbled) Old Capitol Criterium which uses, uh, the Washington Street
route as part of...of their, uh, race. Looking at a little more detail, uh, phase one A
is, uh, would be the ... the work, um, from 8 -feet from the building face on one side
to nominally 8 -feet on the other. Uh, you'll notice that access to the vaults, which
are the ... the square, uh, items on the ... on the, uh, drawing, uh, is maintained.
Again, an April 11 th early start date, and then phase one in its entirety has a
substantial completion date of July 23rd. While phase one is ongoing, phase one B
can be, uh, worked on. Uh, that has a May 2nd early start date and that's to
accommodate the Old Capitol Criterium and they accommodated the project by,
uh, re-routing their race, um, and we accommodated their race by leaving that
intersection open until after the event, and by allowing the, uh... pedestrian, uh,
spectators and such to, uh, to have that full use at the intersection. Um, also
for ... for the Clinton Street intersection, the June 30th through July 6th, the Jazz
Festival, July 4th weekend, uh, it's required that the ... the intersection be open and
full ... fully functionable, um, functioning. Uh, that may mean some temporary
patching or something in place, but uh... all lanes will be open at that time. And
then also it's required that three crosswalks remain open at all times so that people
don't get shunted to one side of the street and not be able to get back and utilize
the ... the businesses along that stretch. While phase one A is ongoing, uh, phase
one C, which uh... wouldn't necessarily have to be done after the Clinton Street
intersection, but it's the Dubuque Street intersection, and it has an April 11th early
start date, and again the ... the July 23rd substantial completion, um ... there ... that
intersection needs to be fully functional, um, during the Iowa Arts Festival ... so
that traffic can go through there. Um, the other... another restriction is ... we don't
want both of those intersections closed at the same time, or lanes shut down, at
the same time. Just to maintain the ... the ability of traffic to flow through the
downtown area. And then phase one D is the, uh, Jefferson Building vault. Uh,
and ... that has an April 4th early start date, and that would be only for any interior
type work, and the Jefferson vault, uh, is going to be a ... a significant project in
and of itself. Um, the condition of it was ... was not as ... as good as perhaps
everyone thought, um, and so that'll be a pretty significant undertaking. Uh,
the ... the consultant that did the structural work on that estimated that to be about
11 weeks total. Um, done in phases, and one of the restrictions on the contractor
is that they ... they can't have both the Washington Street side and the pedestrian
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mall side open and torn up at the same time. And during the ... the work, east -west
pedestrian access has to be maintained on Washington Street on the south side of
the street. If that means a ... a temporary boardwalk out into the ... the phase one
construction area for a while, that ... that's what it means. Uh, they'll also need to
provide bridging or other types of methods to get to the businesses and the access,
uh, provide access to Momma's Deli, Subway, the actual Jefferson Building. And
then the final phase one item is the sidewalk paving, and at that time the ... what
triggers the start of that is, uh, phase one A is complete, all utilities have been
placed, conduit, lighting, um, irrigation system — everything they could possibly
get done while maintaining that minimum 8 -foot side along each side of the street.
Um, at that point the, uh, the contractor will likely work in a stepwise fac... uh,
fashion, uh, tearing out and replacing that last 8 -foot of sidewalk. Um ... the ... the
east -west pedestrian access needs to be maintained at all times on both sides of
the street. And... there... there will be, um ... limited instances of where a business
won't have access. For instance at Mr. Nusser's building, that front door is the
only access and ... at some point concrete needs to cure and so there's been
coordination with Mr. Nusser and others that just have that single point of access
to look at days that they would prefer ... to be, not prefer to be shut down,
but ... oppose less being shut down those days, um, and ... and we would expect
possibly two to three days. Some of it's weather -dependent. Um, move to ... phase
two, uh, what triggers the start of phase two would be the completion of phase
one, and so that would be ... mid to late July, hopefully. Um, again, it starts out
with all the possible work that can be done, uh... between the ... the, uh, out in the
street area with the utilities, um, having that done. You'll notice the, uh... area in
front of the Englert, for a stretch either side, uh, is bumped out. That's bumped
out approximately 25 -feet and that line corresponds with the existing back of curb
of the angle parking so that sidewalk cafes, space in front of the Englert Theater
can be maintained for as long as possible during this phase of construction. And
we have a September 30th substantial completion date in the contract documents
for this section. Phase two B would be the south sidewalk, um ... there are I
believe three businesses on the ... the north side, and the bank. Um, and so we...
after discussion with City staff and others, we put in the constraint that the south
side sidewalk needs to be completed first, and so the ... the south side would be
phase two B. The completion of that would, uh, trigger phase two C, which
would be the north side sidewalk. And then finally, phase two D would be the
Linn Street intersection area. And the final completion date is set at October 21St
and that would be final cleanup, plantings, punchlist items, things like that, but
from that September 30th date through that three week period everything would b
up and running. Mostly normal! And I think... Angie... couple more (mumbled)
Coyier: (mumbled) ...end of the presentation.
Throgmorton: Thanks to both of you. Uh, Geoff, do you have anything you want to add?
Fruin: No. We're able to answer any questions that you may have.
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Throgmorton: Yeah, okay, so, uh... questions from the Council for Angie and Steve?
Botchway: Quick question. Marian, this is going to be in, uh, correspondence, it's going to
be part of our (both talking)
Karr: Yes, we'll archive the Power Point.
Botchway: Um, there was just a quick typo, um, I believe when you started talking, um, sir
...Steve! I just wanted to make sure cause I wasn't sure (laughs) when you said it.
Um ... it says, uh... if you go back to your slide, when you first started. I think it
says 2106 and you know ... (several talking) Yeah. (laughter) So just want to
make sure cause you know people might not necessarily have seen the meeting
and, you know ... (both talking)
Noack: We'll get that fixed! (laughter and several talking)
Botchway: Um, the other question I have, I guess, is, um, I know you talked about
consideration for the Iowa home football games. Um, but in ... that's three days for
each game, correct?
Noack: Well the ... in general the contractor won't be working on Sundays.
Botchway: Okay!
Noack: And ... so the Saturday there would be no operations, and then to preserve the
evening dining hours for people coming in to town that evening, we selected 5:00.
Botchway: Okay.
Fruin: That was a pretty... pretty loud and clear from the business community, at least
many of the businesses, that those ... those games are really important for them and
really set the tone for the, um, you know, for the entire year perhaps for them, so
um, we're ... we tried to make some accommodations to, um ... uh... you
know ... provide the best atmosphere we can, given the nature of the construction
that'll be going on.
Thomas: I that, um, Cedar Rapids in their downtown plan has ... is, um, evaluating (clears
throat) whether it's possible to remove traffic signals in certain intersections. And
so I just wanted to ask if at ... Dubuque and Washington, and Linn and
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Washington, uh... yeah, Linn and Washington if Af that was ever considered or
looked at or evaluated.
Noack: The Dubuque and Washington intersection was considered more than the ... the
Linn and Washington intersection, and it was discussed, uh, at least once, maybe
twice, at our technical committee meetings, and ... uh... it was brought up that, uh, I
believe the traffic, uh... JCCOG (several talking) yeah, um, had looked at that a
few years ago and ... and there wasn't a lot of support for a ... for a four-way or
three-way stop at that time. People wanted the ... the signalization there.
Throgmorton: I ... I'd like to ask you a question, Steve. Uh, when you were speaking about the
Jefferson Hotel vaults, my ears ... sort of started getting a little bit warm, you
know, cause ... with major projects there's always the risk of significant over -runs
because unexpected stuff is found, right? So I'm hoping and expecting that y'all
have looked at that very carefully and you have a pretty clear ... good clear sense
about what the risk of that are, and I'm kind of hoping that the risk are not
significant. Of...of significant cost over -runs, kind of manifesting themselves.
Noack: Um, I believe that the ... the actual costs, expect for, uh, the ... the, um, half of the
waterproofing membrane and .... half of a vault access door, which the Jefferson
Building does not have, um, is participated with ... by the City, whereas the cost of
any structural repairs inside, is the responsibility of the building owner, and I
think that's according to all the, uh... um, vault agreements that ... that the City
entered into with the vault owners several ... late 90s I believe.
Fruin: That's correct. Um, really that serves a private benefit, those vaults do. Um, and
uh, so we've ... we've put that cost onto the, uh, property owners, um, with the
exception, as Steve mentioned, for the waterproofing and the vault doors. Um,
which were ... we've agreed to split 50/50. So ... there very well may be cost over-
runs on that vault, but that would be the, University of Iowa's responsibility.
Throgmorton: Okay. Any other questions? I think I need to ask another one. Uh... I've heard
some people basically wonder whether there are ways in which the total cost of
this project could be ... um, reduced. I don't know, like 10% or whatever, some...
some ... some number. And I ... I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but uh...
do either of you, or you Geoff, see any opportunities for ... modest, um ... I don't
know, changes in the project that would reduce its costs by some reasonable
amount? I know it's a general question, but I think you get the gist of it.
Fruin: Well I would say it's ... it's of the utmost importance to take care of that
foundational work, as I like to call it, so I wouldn't skimp on the utility side of
things. Um, traffic signals that sort of thing. Um, I think if you wanted to ... to cut
costs you look at some of the above -ground treatments and ... and you could go as
small as the trash cans and look at we're putting in the ... the solar compactors, the
big bellies that you see out in the pedestrian mall that we piloted this year. Um,
you know, those recycling trash units are ... are, I don't know, $5,000, $6,000 a
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piece. They're expensive, and they have a lot of benefits to them. They ... they
save on maintenance costs and, uh, all ... there's a number of benefits, but we could
buy a traditional trash can like you see out there on Washington Street for ... I don't
know, $750 or so. Um, so you can get down to that level of detail if you wanted,
but the other things that, you know, we've looked at over the course of this project
are the... the... the use of uni-pavers, for example. At one point we had the
pedestrian mall bleeding out into the entire intersection, so the entire Dubuque
and Washington intersection was all brick and that's one that we eventually said,
no, let's ... let's cut there and let's leave the ... the brick intersections and ... but you
know you could take the brick intersections out and save a ... a ... a nominal amount
of money there. Um ... but 1, you know, I characterize this as a fairly minimalistic
type of streetscape and that's kind of what we were going for. There's a lot of
money in the ... you know, in the planting areas and the tree canopy. We feel that's
really important, but when you get down into the details of the cost opinion,
you're really looking at paving is what's driving it. Underground utilities and
paving. So that's my perspective. Angie and Steve may have some other
thoughts.
Coyier: I really agree with you, Geoff. It is a fairly minimalistic approach, you know,
we're looking at, um, concrete sidewalks and concrete street, and only using uni-
pavers at the cross... crosswalks to make a safer pedestrian environment. We're
doing a ... a pretty basic bench, um ... you know, our tree sizes aren't going in overly
oversized. They're pretty typical streetscape size. You know, sized to be healthy
at planting and, um, survive in an urban core environment. So we haven't, um ... I
feel like we've kept it pretty basic, and yet a very strong design. We feel really
good about the design, as well.
Fruin: John, uh, you mentioned before the difference from the master plan cost opinion
to ... to where we're at now and I don't recall what the master plan opinion was, but
the ... you know, one of the primary reasons that this project has ... has grown is
because we've increased the scope. Uh, at the master plan phase we did not plan
on doing the Clinton intersection or the Linn intersection. We ... we were literally
going to stop where the sidewalk ends on both, and then after we got into the
details and looked at the utilities and the traffic signalization, we decided to ... to
take in those two intersections, which added quite a bit. So, um ... you know, that's
certainly something we could look at or cutting those out, but we really felt that,
you know, if you've got the contractor mobilized, if you look at the condition of
the pavement and, um, the ... the traffic signals, it's best just to get in and do it all.
Thomas: Well actually, Geoff, on that matter the ... in looking at the master plan, the
estimate was, um ... for both blocks $4.5 million. So, you know, if you deduct the
vault work and um ... you do have some alternates already in there, my estimate
was you're around $243,000 over and maybe there was a change in the ... the actual
area. So, yeah, in terms of consistency with the master plan, I think this is a
pretty good project.
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Cole: There's a lot that I like about this project, but I was wondering, Geoff, if you
could comment on the difference in price if we were just to do the utility repair on
the water main, um, the utility upgrades, and then the full renovation. I mean I
agree that there's a certain logic to going and doing the full street renovation, but
w ... what would it cost if we were just to repair the, um ... utilities, the water main?
Fruin: I ... I really couldn't give you that answer. What ... what I could tell you is when you
get in and you go the utilities and you think about the individual connections into
each business, and in some cases multiple connections into each business. So, uh,
for example, uh, a business may have a ... a water line for the commercial use, a
water line for fire suppression, and then maybe another one for ... for residential
uses above. When you start to look at that and you think of the individual
properties and how narrow they really are, um, what you'll find is ... (laughs) when
you have to make that connection into the buildings, you're tearing up the bulk of
the sidewalk anyway, so (both talking)
Cole: ...gonna have to do the (both talking)
Fruin: ...patchwork sidewalk and a patchwork street at the end of the day, um, I really
don't think that there is a good (both talking)
Cole: Okay, that's what I want to know.
Throgmorton: Okay! Angie, Steve, thank you very much. Would any member of the public
care to address this topic? (mumbled)
Bird: I'm Nancy Bird with the Iowa City Downtown District. Um, first I'd like to
publicly congratulate Mayor Throgmorton, and uh, welcome new City Council
Members and thank Council Members who've served Iowa City well for recent...
in recent years. We've always enjoyed a really good relationship with Council
and with staff, and we certainly appreciate your time on this project. Um, I
thought the presentation was good and that it demonstrates the complexity of all
the things that are going on downtown. Um, I also like to ... one of the things that
isn't really brought up here, but.the importance of the buildings that are downtown
and the older buildings, especially, how these kinds of projects encourage and
incentivize property owners to upgrade, which is always challenging. A ... a good
example is a property that was purchased by Mark Gingsberg. He found out he
was ... he thought he was buying four walls. He really was only buying three
(laughter) You know? So these kinds of things are really, really, um, they deter
others from ... touching the walls and they need to be upgraded for fiber and other
things that are coming through, so ... um, thank you to staff and ... and Genus
Landscape who have done a phenomenal job with the ... with the planning, and I do
agree that it is a minimalist approach. Uh, an expensive project today is going to
be more expensive tomorrow, and those are the times that we're in. Um, so while
I want to make sure and, um, let you know that we're absolutely in support of this
major and significant investment downtown, it's been 18 years since this type of
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investment has occurred downtown. Um, you will be hearing, for the new ... new
Council Members, the number of people that come to Council every week to talk
about tripping hazards, how it's not ADA -accessible — these are challenges,
they're not wrong, they're right, and it's time to make these, um, these
investments. So, uh, the Downtown District is very supportive and ... and
thanks... thanks the City. Um, but at the same time we also feel like there's a few
costs even though these... I know we're talking about, you know, being careful
with the budget. There's a few costs that we feel like have been left out, and it
really deals with the construction mitigation. And, you know, we've talked to
staff quite a bit about this, these are challenging. They're trying very hard to keep
costs at a ... at something that's uh... that they can, they have an estimate right now.
They don't know what these bids'll come back to. At the same time, we really feel
like mitigation for the construction impacts is ... is as critical as the investment
itself. These businesses, some of them, are looking at 50% decrease of revenue
next year. So what if someone came to you and said, you know, I'm sorry your
income next year is 50%. I mean what are you going to tell your merchants?
Your employees? You know, where do you reduce your inventory. It's a major
shift. So there's a little bit of panic and ... and concern out there, and I'm sure a
number of them are here and they'll talk to you about that. So in that vein, I'd like
to ... to speak to a few,.um, what we feel are very reasonable mitigation measures
that we'd like you to consider as part of the project costs, irregardless of what the
bids come back to be. Um ... uh, and also to ... I want to list off the precedents that
we have. In other communities that also ask, not ask for these mitigation
measures but they're included in the project costs. So excuse the long list of other
communities, but this gets to my point. Um, Alexandria, Austin, Boise, Cedar
Rapids, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Des Moines, Eau Claire, Fort Worth,
Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Kansas City, Lincoln, Madison, Marshfield,
Minneapolis, Minona, Monroe, Osceola, uh, Portland, Princeton, Raleigh,
Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Seattle, Stevens Point, Toledo, Trinton, and
on and on, um, that we can point to where other communities have included these
costs. So right now just to get to the point, there are four, um, there are four
points we'd like to make. Um, we submitted a proposal on construction
mitigation we thought that would be helpful. Um, many of them were denied and
they think in large part because of the concern for costs, but we still think it's
something that ... that this is your decision to make. Number one, community
messaging and construng ... construction fencing support. Nobody wants a
chainlink fence in front of the business when this occurring on Washington Street,
and an artful, um ... uh, fencing program is something we think is important. If
not, you know, it's critical. The community messaging that goes with this. This is
the advertising that goes out to say, hey, downtown is still open for business.
There's a real fear that when, um, the ... patrons of these businesses change their
habits, like oh, it's such a mess downtown. We're gonna change where we go.
That those behaviors stick and they don't come back. So that communication,
messaging and incentivizing them through business, what they'll do, to encourage
their patrons to continue to come downtown. It's really important. So we're
advocating, and we priced out, um, cost associated with that, which are roughly
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$18,000, and we're working with Tom Sagrin, whom many of you may know,
that's done some really amazing, uh..um, public art murals, to help support that
public fencing piece. We would also like the City to commit to a dedicated, um,
City staff with decision-making authority and strong interpersonal skills, um, to
the project, uh, to be on ... on hand, on the street, to be the go-between, the general
contractor of businesses. So that there's always someone there that can really help
with that. I think that communication piece is vital for people who are .... who
may be frustrated. It'll be a great way to ... to break down any issues and relieve
stress on the businesses. So the ... that's the second piece. The third is parking.
We feel it's really important that within the bid that we instruct the construction
employees to park, uh, personal vehicles off-site, not on hooded street meters, and
this happens sometimes. You may not hear about it, but our businesses are
constantly saying, hey, this employee of the general contractor's been sitting on
this spot for a long time and we want to make sure that the general contractor
knows that their employees need to park off-site and not downtown and other
little places. Um ... the other is that we would like assistance with parking. Um,
parking is already a perception that there's a big challenge with it downtown. We
want to make sure that the ... that the businesses on the front line, so to speak, on
Washington Street have an opportunity to buy discounted 50% parking chips, that
they can give to their ... to their, um. ... uh, patrons so they can continue to keep
coming back to those stores, and we ... we agree. We talked about this beforehand
with, um, staff that the ... the merchants have to have some skin to the game and
help provide that parking cost, but at the same time, a break would be really
helpful. Um ... and then last, direct assistance by way of grants or some sort of
relief. There is precedence for this, whether a grant or loans, where there's a
merchant that is in trouble with their rent because their revenue expectations are
so off, that there is a method, um, that they can go to the City and ask for direct
assistance to get them through the construction impact period. We, um, initially
when we looked at this we thought about $35,000 for the entire street. That
affords, um, if needed, um, and the bids are ... come in where we think they might
that a couple thousand dollars, um, as a ... as a loan or a grant even to these
businesses, to help them through this construction season, where we're like in the
survive modes that we can thrive later, but I think it's really important. So we
estimated about $35,000 on ... on that direct assistance and I ... I want to bring up
that I've heard mostly that ... you know, one of the reasons that cities ... or cities in
general shouldn't do this is because of the precedence that it sets. And I really, I
have a fundamental problem with that, where there have been businesses that
have been impacted in the past in Iowa City by construction im... um, projects on
First. Um, the Sueppel's Flowers and you've heard of other businesses probably,
but that we don't make decisions based on what has happened in the past, but like
was that the right ... it's the right thing to do to help and assist these businesses get
through, not say we can't do it for the precedence it sets, but to make a better
precedent moving forward, and these costs are not ... they're not huge in the, you
know, overall, um, package of the project itself. Um, but they go a long way
when it comes to the actual businesses staying put, because as soon as these
businesses start turning over, that's your gentrification element. Those are the
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things that ... so if you care about these things now, it makes a big impact later.
Um, so with that, I think that's all I've got, but I really appreciate your support.
Um, I also appreciate all the work staff has done. I think it's a phenomenal
project. We just want to mot ... move through it and ... and, um, you'll hear from
other businesses here specific impacts of their businesses. It's very important. So
thank you very much.
Throgmorton: Thank you, Nancy.
Etre: My name is George Etre. I own Takanami Restaurant. I own Formosa
Restaurant. I own Giovanni's Restaurant, and I'm one of the owners of the Iowa
Chop House, which is white ... right on Washington Street. Um, first off I want to
let you know that I think this is a great project and I think that it's ... it's needed.
Um, a couple of points that ... that kind of got me riled up was the ... the public
opinion that staff has been taking, um, I don't feel like our voices have been
heard. I think the District put together a letter to send to the City staff with
nine ... asks or, um ... things that they could do, and ... and all nine were denied.
So ... it's always great when people listen to you, but if they're not doing anything
about it, it ... it's kind of pointless. Um, so ... the ... the biggest question I have is I
know this project needs to be done, uh, I know every business has different times
they want to be open. For us, and I'm mostly speaking for the Iowa Chophouse as
a restaurant, it's the fall, and it's football season. I would say we make probably
40% of our ... of our sales for the whole year during football season. We're coming
off ...it might not be a pretty Rose Bowl, but we're coming off a Rose Bowl team
and a top ... Top 10 team and that momentum carries into the season. The schedule
is ... is ... is well laid out, and not having a patio or ... or access like that is ... is ... it's
death to businesses, and ... and Nancy mentioned something about businesses
dropping 50%. We can't drop 5%. You know, the restaurant business is ... it's
paper -thin as it begins ... as ... as you get going. Now our taxes aren't going to drop
50%. Our landlord's income isn't going to drop 50%. But our sales are going to
go down 50%. So that means we have to lay people off. We have to shuffle
people around, and it ... it's a dramatic effect on the businesses. The
questions... that I always ask, and I haven't really gotten quite an answer yet is ... if
we did the whole ... right now it's phased into two sections. If we did the whole
section at once, because I do believe it ... a lot of this work does need to get done,
how much money is saved and how much time is saved? I assume it probably
costs more to lay twice as much, to lay concrete and then stop and then three
months later lay more concrete and do all those things. If the whole street was
shut down, kind of like a bandaid. You kind of rip it off and the pain is shorter ... it
might be more of a pain, but at least it's shorter in that window and so the summer
time, I think towards the end of summer, is where everybody's probably a little
slower, no matter what kind of business you have. So ... no one ever really
answered me that or ... or got into that, about how much money would be saved,
how much time would be saved if we condense it into ... into one project and just
knocked it out as quickly as possible. Um ... the other potential thing, and I know
we can't go on what -ifs, but there is some momentum with Jefferson ... um, historic
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building, hotel gettin' sold and... redeveloped. And if we finish with all this, and
businesses slowly, slowly get back on their feet, well then we have another huge
development coming and we have to shut down and ... and knock the street down
for it. So ... I agree that this stuff needs to be done, but... sometimes with these City
projects, you know, I kind of call it the 95-5. The first 95% of this thing goes at
5 -miles -per -hour. You know, I've been at every single one of these meetings and
they have great pictures, but they don't ... we don't know the budget, we don't know
the timelines, and then the last 5% of the project goes at 95 -miles -an -hour, and
then that's when everybody has to start making decisions, but ... I haven't gotten
a ... any kind of presentation on marketing or things that, you know, with our patio,
that we can do with the construction, or any ideas the City has for us to help
increase ... not increase business, but just keep business, and ... this stuffs gonna
happen in three, four months. I mean, we do our social media posts six months
out. (mumbled) for anything let alone, uh, huge momentum shift of business and
we dealt at Takanami, we dealt with Bruegger's being burnt down and I can tell
ya, when people change the way they walk and they change... they're creatures of
habit, what they look at, it takes years and years to get them back. It's not just a
thing where you kind of just say, oh we're open and everybody kind of beats
down the door. So it's not just the ... effect of the construction. It's the after-effect
that we're gonna deal with, and for us as a restaurant it's probably going to lead
into November, December which are slowest times anyways. So we're gettin' our
busiest times taken away and then we're opening and dealing with the hardship of
coming back through our slowest times. So if there is any potential of combining
the project and trying to get it all done as quickly as possible, I would love to see
those options. And ... thank you for your time!
Throgmorton: Thank you, George.
Cronbaugh: Thank you, everyone. My name is Tara Cronbaugh, I'm the Java House and the
Heirloom Salad, and I'm also the owner of the Paul Helen Building, which is on
the east Washington Street. I want to say thank you to Nancy. I know she's been
working diligently as well as the ... the team, and they've all heard my bark. I have
also been at all of the meetings and I would like to second George. I'm not quite
sure that, um, they have all listened to our comments. Um ... l, uh, want to throw a
couple numbers at you. Um, after 23 years I've never been to a Council meeting,
so ... believe it or not I don't actually bark all too much, but ... urn ... (clears throat) on
George's note, um, 37,143 was the number in August. That was the number of
patrons that we served. Um, 47,831 is the number we served in October. So, as
you can tell, that's a 22% difference on the number of guests that we serve in the
month of October. I didn't even give you the number in September, but it's
somewhere in the middle. Um, I only share these with you to demonstrate the
extreme difference in our guest counts. Um, I'm fairly fortunate because I have
eight other locations to help sustain me. Um, Chop House, Quinton's, India Cafe,
in addition to Java House, Heirloom Salad are all on east Washington Street. I'm
gonna presume, I can't guarantee, that October is also some of their busiest
months of the year. We just pulled the calendar. There's four home football
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games in September. And um, we're at the University of Iowa, we're in a
downtown community at the University. We all opened our companies in a
university community, banked on the University schedule. So I just to reiterate
that our block is three-quarters restaurants. We are food -dependent. We're on a
University schedule for income. We're not retail. Yes we have a couple of retail
stores, but we're also not shopping. We're not dependent on December. I'm not
here to marvel over my guest counts. Don't really care about that anymore, but I
wanted to help any..understand that September and October are our most two
crucial months of the year. They are the livelihood for all of us here. So as the
football seasons come upon this, I want to remind you that we use those two
months to help sustain our crappy August and our horrible January, and I know
the other companies do that as well. So we depend on those two months. So...
might I ask you to consider that. Is it prudent for the u ... for you all to consider
that as we consider our schedule for this construction project? June, July ... I'm all
for this construction project. I'm not gonna disagree with renovating downtown
Iowa City. But I ask you to consider the month of construction. While I realize
October's not necessarily considered in this construction project, I fear the
construction timeline is going to go over. I've done five University projects.
They all go over, and this one is outside. So let me reiterate. I'm in support of the
project. We all are. All of us will support it. I just have you consider three items.
First and foremost, is there a consideration to consider doing east and west at two
different times? For example, if we see that the project is going t be delayed, can
we set something that says, hey, if we're delayed, we're gonna consider doing the
west or the east, dependent... well, right now it's east, maybe that gets postponed to
2017 if we're not at a substantial proportion. Say ... July 1 Sc we're not where we
want, we all know we flood. We all know there's tornadoes. Something could
happen, and we know there's going to be penalties that will be released because of
unforeseen events, because I guarantee it's going to be our block that's going to
pay the price of these unforeseen events. It's gonna get pushed into October and
then we're really doomed. So is there consideration to doing east and west ... 2016
and 2017? And the reason I ask that is, we could easily go in year 2017, not be
rushed. Weather's unpredictable. Too many scenarios of 'what if.' Water lines
can break. I guarantee you when they get underneath the ground, they're gonna
find many unforeseen things down there, and with the construction industry,
they're gonna have products, materials that they're not gonna be able to find. Oop,
we're waitin' on this; we're waitin' on this. I've seen it with every University
location I've been in. Contractors are waitin' on this to come from Minnesota.
Last but not least you mentioned that they're gonna have penalties. Those
contractors, I guarantee, are going to build those penalties into their budget, and if
they get a little extra money in the end, that'll be kudos for them. Something to
consider. Second of all, the staging areas — I think Nancy mentioned it, for
parking. Just to consider an extra incentive to consider the different ends of the
blocks to get in a lane open and give the contractors incentives to open up say one
lane of traffic. Could that be an incentive to the contractors to ... have a reward or
incentive to open up one lane of traffic early, rather than the whole street. Our
particular block doesn't have as many vaults. So maybe there's the possibility of
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having an incentives that way. We have different needs than the say the west end
of Washington Street. Um, again, maybe one lane can open up ... 45 days into the
project, rather than the full two months or three months. So ... second
consideration, um, one of the things to think about when I consider that is we
have a lot of quick -in, quick -out and my ... my average consumer comes five days
a week. So the parking situation will be very, very crucial for us. We've got, in
the morning, right across the street, all of our parking and I don't have just a lunch
person that comes. Heirloom Salad Company will probably not be affected nearly
as much as Java House. A majority of my guests come every day of the week, or
five, six days a week, and they do. Many of them park, um, I don't have the
luxury of having an illegal parking lot that my competition does around the...
around the corner, and having quick -in and quick -out. So therefore we're gonna
be losing parking and the access to park for the entire time. So the parking's
going to be big for people like myself for quick -in, quick -out.
Throgmorton: Tara, excuse me. You ... we normally limit, um ... (both talking) discussion to five
minutes and you're already over seven minutes.
Cronbaugh: Okay! I have 30 second?
Throgmorton: Sure!
Cronbaugh: Okay. Thank you. All right! Last, um ... my last request is not related to the
construction itself, but the plans for parking, um, for the renovation itself. Just a
consideration. Um, Pancheros, Jimmy John's, Coldstone, Java House, Heirloom
are all companies that potentially don't sit down. Is there a consideration for
doing meters that are I0 -minutes, that restart? Um, none of our parking plans
have that. There's a lot of, um, businesses in downtown Iowa City that people
want to get out of their car, go in, and go back to their car. Our particular block,
we are losing our parking. The additional... the additional is the other end of the
street. So is there a consideration to have similar to IMU, where you park your
vehicle. The meters restart and there's no consideration for ... there's many of us in
that... Pan... Pancheros, they all park there, across the street, and would there be
some consideration for that? So, I apologize for overtaking the time. All right,
that's it! (both talking) Thank you very much!
Throgmorton: ... important topic. Thank you.
Cronbaugh: Yep!
Throgmorton: Anybody else?
Rorris: Hi, guys! I'm Brian Rorris. I'm here on behalf of Quinton's. Uh, I just wanted to
go on record, uh, ask for you guys to consider as well potentially doing the phase
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all at once. Um, we feel there might be money to be saved if we were to shorten
the time of construction and ... we're in the same boat as George, Tara —
September, October is absolutely crucial to our business. We need it. Having
some... blocking it (mumbled) traffic we rely on it completely. I just want to be
on -board.
Throgmorton: Could you say your name again, please?
Rorris: My name is Brian Rorris (both talking) and I severely hate public speaking.
(laughter)
Neades: Good evening, my name's Rebecca Neades. I'm VP of Public Policy at the Iowa
City Area Chamber of Commerce, and I just want to, um, thank you for your
commitment to downtown into this project. I know that ... I've been here a few
years, and I've seen, um, your commitment to Towncrest, to the Eastside Market
Place, to Pepperwood Plaza, and, um, I can't tell you how many people come
downtown Iowa City. Um, we show it off to visiting professors and people we're
trying to recruit to companies, and just to people visiting the community, and I
think it's important that we ... we reinvest in this wonderful asset that we have.
Um, I want to reiterate a couple things that Nancy Bird mentioned from the
Downtown District and that is, um, this is a scary time for small businesses, who
invest their livelihoods in, um, trying to provide a service or a ... a business. Um,
and community messaging is ... is something that you could do that would go a
long way. Um, you could do that through PSAs, through, um, advertising, the
fencing idea is a great idea, um .... we also really like the idea of a dedicated staff
person or a point person at the City that is up to speed with the project. So if
there's a concern or something going on between the contractor and the business
owner, they have someone that they can call, instead of calling 10 different staff
people. The person they know. - Maybe someone that's always up to speed. Um,
and lastly, parking. Um, it's something that we receive calls on and I'm sure you
do from time to time. Um, and we're blessed to have a lot of people coming
downtown, but it is critical that we encourage, um, construction and the
contractors, um, and some of the service their employees to park elsewhere. So
whether that we're ... we're directing them to ramps or wherever you decide to have
a staging area, um, I think those things are all important, but ... again, thank you for
your time and effort and energy, um ... to this project.
Throgmorton: Thank you, Rebecca.
Kubby: Evening, nice to see you all up there! Um, my name is Karen Kubby and I own a
business at 220 E. Washington Street, Beadology Iowa, and of course it's panic
time so there's a lot of us thinking just about our future, but uh, I don't know that I
could articulate any better what the ... four points that Nancy asked you to think
about, and I guess I wanted to come up here to specifically ask you to direct staff,
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uh, towards those four points and to have that discussion tonight before you vote
on the contract. Thanks!
Throgmorton: Thank you, Karen. Anybody else? Okay, seeing none I guess I'll close the public
hearing. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Mims: Move the resolution.
Botchway: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Botchway. Discussion?
Cole: (mumbled) (clears throat) ...this mitigation issue, Eleanor, is that something we
can take up tonight or would that be required for a separate meeting? Um, it
seems to me to be two separate issues. I would say my initial impression is is that
I am supportive of the mitigation efforts. Is that something we can discuss
tonight?
Dilkes: I think you can discuss it.
Cole: Okay. Okay, well I guess I ... the two things that really jumped out at me were the
parking and the ... the financial mitigation. Um, I do think that this is a public
project, but I think it's really important that we look at how the City can, um,
compensate for some of the losses, and I am supportive of that. Um, I do think
that we should look at it as a precedent for when we do these sorts of projects and
that we need to basically build that cost that we may be, um, assisting the
businesses with into the ... the bidding process and our cost estimates. So I'm
supportive of that.
Botchway: I have a couple of questions for, um ... the groups associated with the project and
maybe for Geoff as well. Um, there....kind of a couple of questions, um,
mentioned by George. I think it ... yeah, George. Um, around um ... how much
money would be saved to do it all at once. I mean, that's ... I was initially, you
know, I guess I wasn't paying too much attention, unfortunately, to the overall,
um, completion of the project, and I was trying to do quick math as far as the
amount of home games that would be affected and um ... I'm assuming that there
was some consideration of that, and so I guess I just, for me, would kind of want
to a ... a explanation.
Noack: Again I'm Steve Noack with MMS here in Iowa City, and we did take into
consideration the ... the football games, um, against what time would be necessary
to do the work, and if you noticed the September 30th is before the, um, I believe
it's Northwestern homecoming... home, Big 10 opener. Um, there ... then there's,
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going backwards in time, I believe there's a week and an away game, and then it's,
uh, backwards again to North Dakota State University, backwards I think Iowa
State on the 10th, and then the ... uh, first game a week before. Urn ... I think it
would be difficult to push back much farther. I think it...it takes into
consideration that ... that two week gap there where there is not a Saturday game
here in town. Um, it sets that completion date before the ... the home game on
October 1 St. Um, that was the ... the thinking behind that, whether or not that ... that
can be changed, certainly it...it can be changed.
Botchway: Well, yeah, that's one part but I guess the other part is the entire project of being
done all at once (both talking)
Noack: ...all at once. Urn ... what, uh... uh, Tara had said about the, uh, being able to take a
look at how things are going, there are a lot of unknowns. There are old utilities.
The records on where water services are are from ... some from the 20s, um, there
is the ... the ... a good chance that we're going to run into things that we don't know
are out there. By doing it in two phases, if things are not going well, we don't
have everything torn up and I believe we could pause then and if it is into
August ... early September with the first phase, be able to postpone construction
then. Um, if we go in and start demolition and everything's torn up, I believe
we're ... we're more committed at that point to continuing. So...
Fruin: And just to ... to expound on that a little bit, the ... we ... when we looked at closing
the two -block area down and ... and um, we ... we ... we gave that some consideration,
but you ... you're closing the Dubuque intersection down too the entire time.
The ... the two-phase approach allows you to keep Dubuque open, uh, for the
balance... for the most, uh, the balance of the project. When you close that
Dubuque down, you've really extended the project closure all the way to Iowa
Avenue from a vehicular standpoint, because you've got a deadend street now and
so we thought the overall impact to the business community, um, was ... was much
more significant than doing it in this two-phase approach. Generally speaking,
urn ... if you close the ... the entire project area down and you give it to the
contractor, it'll get done quicker and it'll get done cheaper. Um, but ... there's a...
there's a larger cost that we consider too when we look at phasing, and that goes
with every project. I mean, we ... we look at the First Avenue grade separation or
you look at gateway project, some of the larger projects, we could give that entire
project area to the ... to the contractor and route people a number of different ways
through our community, but it ... it's a balance that you have to strike and we, as a
staff, we feel good about this balance. Obviously you... you're hearing concerns,
very valid concerns too, urn ... um, it's a ... it's a tough ... it's a tough balance.
Throgmorton: Geoff, could you say somethin' uh... uh, in response to the question about doing
half of it in one summer and the other half (both talking)
Cole: ...ask that.
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Throgmorton: ... in the second summer.
Fruin: Um ... (clears throat) I don't know if we put a number, a cost number to that, um,
but ... but there's mobilization costs, um, that ... that you incur. Um, and so when
a ... when a contractor's able to knock it out in a ... in one construction season, um,
it's going to be, um, it's going to be somewhat cheaper, um, but uh, Steve or
Angie, I don't know did you ... (mumbled) ever put any numbers to that? In terms
of doin' a phase, one in 16 and two in 17?
Noack: Um, we didn't put specific numbers to that. Uh, there was a discussion about
having disruption over two construction seasons versus just one, also that -that
came into play with deciding to have the ... the project specification, plans and
specifications, um, designed for one full construction season.
Botchway: My only, uh, kind of not necessarily issue but I guess what I'm thinking about is,
you know, if you run into that situation where you see some unknowns, um, that
was kind of discussed from a concern as well, and then you're, you know, you're
running up against September, um, where you kind of overrun where you're
supposed to be done already with phase one and on to phase two, um, you know,
I ... I feel like that's a plan B situation, where, you know, we kind of need to know
those numbers, just in case it doesn't happen, um, where if we do have that
consideration from a timeline perspective, um, we kind of know ahead of time. If
that makes sense.
Fruin: Well that's, I mean, if. ... if we're gonna change course mid ... mid (mumbled) so for
example, I think you're saying a phase one, if there's some uncer ... unforeseen
problems with phase one and it bleeds into August and it looks like, you know,
we're not going to get to the east block until September, October, November, can
we say timeout at that point and delay. I think that's a discussion we have with
the contractor at the time, and ... and see what those implications are. It's not too
uncommon to have to delay portions of a project to another construction season.
Dickens: Would that be in the negotiation stage with the contractor or in the bid (both
talking)
Fruin: Yeah, I might ask for some backup, from Public Works on this, on how that
would typically work if we were runnin' ,um, runnin' late on a ... a particular phase.
Knoche: (laughter) I ... I think, you know, typically the way that that would be
handled ... Ron Knoche, Public Works Director. Um, the ... the way that that would
be handled would be through change order, uh, with the contractor to determine,
you know, what impacts there would be to their work and the timeframe, uh, you
know, of their contract, uh, and then also what the timing of the materials that
they've purchased. So I..I think that we would, you know, be looking at a change
order situation, um, by having to delay their work, um, from one season to
another. Um ... some of that may be mitigated, you know, if...if they're the cause
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of that, um, you know, that ... there may be a little bit more negotiating power
there, um, but if it's ... just that we're gettin' cold feet, that we ... we wouldn't have
very good negotiating power at that point.
Botchway: My other question for consideration is, um, and maybe this was discussed is
flipping the phases of the project. How that...
Throgmorton: West, east you mean?
Botchway: Yeah.
Fruin: Yeah, we ... we went through that, um ... scenario as well. As ... as you can imagine,
I think you could go down business by business on all these blocks and they'd
have a different preference on ... on when the construction would take place in
front of -in front of their property. So, I think from just the technical standpoint,
it made much more sense to work in ... in what we've laid out here. Um, can it be
done the other way? Yes it can be, but um ... again, you're going to ... that's going
to, I think, make some businesses happy if you flipped it, and others are going to
be in front of ya, you know, at the next meeting saying, you know, that ... that's not
in our best interest. So...
Cole: If we authorize this tonight, does this require us to agree upon the phase one or
phase two, or is that something we can decide at a later time?
Fruin: Well, this is just putting the project up to bid.
Cole: Okay.
Fruin: So the ... this isn't even the final approval. We'll come back to you with the bids
and you'll have to accept or reject the bids. Um, there is always, you know,
the ... the possibility that the contractor's going to come with a different phasing
idea and (both talking) say, hey, we could ... we could approach this a little
differently or ... um ... you know, we think we can save some dollars or some time
by doing X, Y, and Z differently. So there is some of that negotiation that takes
place.
Dilkes: I ... I don't ... I'd like Ron to comment (both talking)
Knoche: Yeah, I mean, if...if we're gonna be looking at changing the ... the phasing and we
want the phasing changed, then I think that it all has to be addressed by an
addendum before the contractor bids on the project. Anything that's done after
the contract's awarded is ... is a change order situation. Um, you know, so ... so at
that point you ... you lose your negotiating power. You know, the ... they have to
competitively bid that and... and.... then we know what, you know, basically what
we're doing right now is we're telling them the project that we want built and how
we want it built, and they're gonna tell us what the cost is. Then we can award to
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the lowest responsible bidder and ... and move forward. Um, you know, and if they
want to come back to us at that point and say, you know what, hey, we ... we've
value engineered this and we feel that we can do it better, and we can do it at a
lesser value, then we do a change order at that point, and we move forward with
the project. But I think (both talking)
Dilkes: That's because of the public bidding (several talking) You say this is what we
want you to bid on, everybody bids on the same thing and ... they give us a bid.
We can't then say ... well no, we change our mind. We want this (several talking)
Fruin: No, I'm suggesting that the contractor may have different ideas on how to
approach it, and that would be ... for us to negotiate.
Dilkes: Right, but then we don't have any negotiating power (several talking)
Knoche: Tonight if...if we move forward with the plans and specs, as they are ... as they
have been developed, and ... and we feel that we need to change something, we
can ... we can do an addendum, prior to the bids being accepted, and you know, so
I mean we ... if we ... if we approve the plans and specs as they are ... have been
prepared, we still have the ability to do an addendum. And ... and change the
phasing, if that's the power of the Council (both talking)
Cole: ...complicated to do alternate bids or is that just too complicated? Like you wold
do a ... a bid for phase one, phase two all at the same time, and a bid phase one,
phase two and ... and, in 016, 017. Is that too complicated or...
Knoche: I ... I think that that would be too complicated.
Cole: Okay.
Dilkes: As ... right now, the bids that you were asking ... or the ... the project specifications
we're asking you to approve are on file in the Clerk's office. If we want to make
significant changes to those, then ... we need to change those before you send it out
to bid.
Cole: Okay.
Dickens: I guess I think that ... part that was brought up about communication's very
important, having a strong lead person on there, and....having everyone on the,
that two -block area, know who they can go to and who they can talk to or ... that
they can work as a team. I think everyone needs... everyone agrees this is going to
be a great project for downtown. Uh... parking is ... is a very big concern. I don't
know if we've talked to Chris O'Brien at all about this, you know, the half-price
parking. I know the first hour is free and how that would impact the City budget.
I ... I think that's a concern there. Uh, keeping the alleys open during this time, I
think it's very important. Uh, being on the Paratransit Committee, I think getting
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people to where they need to be and not having those blocked, whether you go to
a one-way so everybody's going the same way and they can park to one side, so
you're not having traffic coming at each other, that uh.. just a consideration. I
don't know that alleys have been considered, but....uh, getting people that need to
get closer to certain areas, I think, should be a concern. Um ... and bus and shop,
maybe push the bus and shop a little more too because we haven't really
considered with all the parking that's going to be torn up with more construction
people if they can park off-site or in the ramps, having more people come by bus.
Uh, I was showing, uh, Kingsley. This is a paper from 1985 and it was mainly
(several talking) new shopping center planned in Coral Ridge. Iowa City area
growth tops in the state again. But there's an ad in here ... that was kind of
interesting and it took place right behind us here. It says , 'Good grief! They
closed the street,' and it's right behind us here when ... when they closed, uh, Van
Buren Street between the Civic Center and New Pioneer, and the Salvation Army
was actually located in that building at that time, and it was just a little ad that's
telling people you can still get to us. So you know ... we can all do that ourselves.
We can have the City help us, uh, social media, uh... my store's going to be
affected. I'm ... I'm on that, and I checked with, uh, our City Attorney. You know,
we're looking at privately doing some advertising ourself to try to help everybody
else on the block and ... and that's what we all have to do. We're gonna all have to
pitch in. It's not going to be easy. I don't know that personally we can cut
anybody for expenses, uh, we're .... we're as small as we've ever been in our
probably 60 -some year history of the store, so, uh... we're gonna do the best we
can with the amount of money we have and ... and hopefully make it through it.
Throgmorton: (both talking) ...comments.
Thomas: I have, um, a couple of things. Uh (clears throat) as I ... I think I mentioned, when
we're going through the budget procedure, you know, and ... and looking at slides
for the various projects, uh, this one came up (clears throat) and I had some
comment about ... how, um ... you know, with each project, how can we value
engineer the project to ... maximize the benefit and ... and keep the cost at a
minimum. And the, um, the sidewalks in that slide were something that came to
mind as one ... one element where that would ... would apply. Um ... one ... one
thought I have is I'm ... I'm sympathetic to a number of the mitigation proposals, as
well. Uh (clears throat) so one ... one thought I'm having is, okay, um ... we come
up with a strategy to reduce the project costs, such as, um ... delete the pavers in the
crosswalks and just ... standard concrete as they are now, uh, and any other changes
where we feel we're keeping the ... the content of the project while... reducing the
scope, reducing possibly the duration of the project, keep it simple, um .... because
that clearly seems to be the other issue, is the schedule on this thing. We don't
want it (laughs) and ... and the fact that we have a schedule that has to fit with
the ... the ebb and flow of the life of the downtown, and I am concerned working in
a historic area. It's like working on a old house. Things can ... can go south on
you. And so I was ... I was very receptive to the idea of perhaps we phase this in
two projects, uh, so that we're not committing ourselves to two full blocks of what
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is my favorite street in the downtown, and I could ... it could cause some ... some
long-term damage. So, so one thought I was having was, you know, if we can
reduce the ... the capital costs and take those savings and apply them to the
mitigations, uh, with a scope to be determined, but I ... I would start with the
crosswalks, um ... that ... that would be one strategy I would propose to ... to try to
keep the project within the budget that we've established, more or less, while still
trying to address the mitigations and schedule.
Throgmorton: Other comments?
Mims: Well I think this, you know, would agree with the business owners and staff that I
think this is, you know, a really ... a really good project and a lot of aspects of it are
desperately needed in terms of the infrastructure. Um, we've talked and saw
pictures of the water main break, um, two or three years ago and how much that
shut down businesses and ... and slowed things down on that street. So there's a lot
there that needs to be done and ... you know, as we've talked, it makes sense to do,
you know, all your sidewalks and all your streets and all your stuff at the same
time in terms of efficiencies and cost, etc. Um, I'm really concerned and I ... I
guess because of the timing and, you know, we're in Iowa. We only have a
certain limited of time for construction season, um ... again, of the businesses that
are going to be more directly impacted by phase two and as you've said, you
know ... the University schedule. Students come back at the end of August, you
know, football games, etc. Um, having said that, I ... and how far we are down this
path, I'm not ready to say spread it over two years because we're so far down, but
what I think we have to work really, really hard to do is ... to help all of the
businesses, but maybe even more so those in the second phasing area who may
have the bigger impact because of the timing and the calendar and etc., and higher
percentage maybe of, uh, restaurants... to really work with them on the requests in
terms of mitigation. Urn ... in terms of communication, social market... social
media, and marketing, urn .... making those areas more attractive, urn ... I don't
know what we can do, I mean, I think all we can do if we get to that point of
things getting pushed back is we have to try to work with the contractor and see if
we can push it to the second year. I realize that at that point, we don't have any
negotiating power. And that really concerns me, because ... it really concerns me
as to how detrimental that could be to those businesses in that area. Um...
Taylor: And that's my concern. Nancy quoted the figure of like it could be a 50%
reduction in ... in revenue for some of these businesses and that's very alarming,
and we certainly don't want to lose any of them downtown. We want to keep
them there. So, and ... and then the figure she quoted ... it's a drop in the bucket
compared to the major cost of the project, like $18,000 for messaging and
$35,000 perhaps for direct assistance or ... or grant relief, and that certainly doesn't
seem like a lot, uh, to help these businesses out. I ... I think that would be a really
important part of the project.
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Mims: Eleanor, from a legal standpoint, and I'm not ready to make any kind of specific
proposal at this point. From a legal standpoint, what ... and maybe a combination
of Geoff and Eleanor, what kind of restrictions do we have on, um, financial
assistance to individual businesses? I mean, what... what... what kind of
justification, what kind of steps would we have to go through ... um...
Dilkes: I think you have the discretion to do that. Um ... it ... it, just like we do, you know,
economic development grants and grants for if...if you would chose to, that this
would be an appropriate situation to provide assistance to the businesses, I think
that's within your discretion to do.
Mims: Okay.
Dilkes: Um ... I do ... I do have a concern when it comes to negotiating... property
acquisitions on other projects, what kind of precedence that sets, and I think you
just need to go into that with your eyes open that ... you may receive more requests
for that kind of assistance, and ... and likely it would be justified by this, if you
choose to do that. But I think you have the authority to do it.
Mims: Okay.
Fruin: One of the things ... if you go down that path, we have to consider, um, well, a
couple .... I ... I think you are really trying to direct policy for not just this project
but a lot of things going forward, and ... and maybe some that are ongoing now. At
least you're going to get those requests. So I mean this has much, much greater
implications than just this project here tonight. Um, if you want to get into the
point where you're doing grants or ... or, um ... you know, rebates, whatever you
want to call 'em, to ... to ... to businesses or property owners that's affected, it ... sure
it can be done. Um, it may be fairly complicated when you look at is it a business
that rents? Is it a business that owns the building? Um, what's the ownership
structure? Um, how ... how is that all, you know, are we going to base it on who
pays the property taxes, are we going to base it on, um ... uh, you know, a ... a loss
of income that's proven to us. There's... there's just a myriad of different ways that
we could .... we could explore that. Um ... personally, um ... what I feel is ... is more,
a more appropriate role for the City to take if you're looking at the mitigation, um,
requests would be the other three, um, the fencing and the communications
and ... and frankly for us, uh, I think it's better that you ... you give those dollars to
the business district itself and let it determine how best to use it — if it's art on the
fence that's great. If it's advertisements in the local, um, media, that's fine too.
Um, parking — um, the ... the parking. I ... I'm not personally supportive of giving
additional hours of free parking, uh, to the businesses because I think that, uh,
that ... there's lots of opportunity for, uh, abuse and ... and the City ends up paying
for that. If those, uh... um, free validations are, um ... uh, used. They're passed
along to other businesses; they're not used in the way you're intending them to
use, but if the ... but if a business wants to have some skin in the game and split
that 50150, can our parking fund handle it? Yes, uh, we'd have to think about, you
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know, do we put a cap on the number of validations or, um, you know, are we just
willing to take that on. In the grand scheme of the parking budget, it's not going
to be a whole lot. It wouldn't set us back. It wouldn't necessarily, uh, delay a
project or anything like that. It'd be fairly small. So, that, uh... uh, that would be
another one. The communications, um, you know, we know that this project is
gonna require great... greater communications than most of our ... our Public Works
efforts and uh, we have some ideas on how that may be done. Um, it may not be
done through a dedicated staff person, um, but if you, you know, want to instruct
us to go down that route, that can be done either with a contract employee or an
existing employee or a ... or a new temporary hire, something of that nature. So,
uh, all those things, um, I think are ... in the... are... are probably better suited for a
role that the City can play than a ... than a tax rebate or direct financial assistance
because I...I just see that as being incredibly complex and, um, it'll complicate a
lot of future projects (both talking)
Cole: ...decide that tonight, do we? I mean in terms of the mitigation. We can vote on
this project and then a subsequent time address those, cause I ... it strikes me as a
very thoughtful targeted approach that we can consider at a later time.
Throgmorton: So on that point, I ... I'd like to (clears throat) say a few words about this. I ... I'm
fully prepared to support this, uh, project and support the motion that's on the
floor. Uh, but I do believe, and it's ... the evidence I think is pretty clear that we
need to provide some assistance to affected property owner ... or affected business
owners, uh, but we can't do it all at once, or I can't ... we can't do everything that,
uh, folks want. Uh, partly because there's significant positive externalities
associated with this project, for the businesses. I mean, it's being done for a
reason, right? So over the longer run, two, three, four, five years, uh, we should
expect to see benefits accruing to the businesses along Washington Street. That's
certainly part of the hope, isn't it? And for downtown as a whole. So anyhow,
what I would suggest, uh, you know, what I'd recommend is that we ... we vote on
the motion, uh... but also, um ... uh, after we do that, instruct the, uh, staff to, uh,
come back to us with a set of recommendations that move in the direction that the
business owners are recommending, uh, but don't go all the way. You know ... I'd
sort of prioritize things is what I'm saying. So like the community marketing
thing seems to me to be a clearly good thing to do and wouldn't not ... would not be
terribly expensive. Uh, and there, so, you know, what's the sequence? It's the
biggest bang for the buck kind of measures. So that's what I would suggest. So,
you know, we have a motion on the floor. If everybody's... spoken enough we
could vote on the motion and then see ... go from there.
Thomas: I guess, you know, in the conversation here, some of these ... some of these issues
could affect the, you know, the plans and specifications. Are you suggesting that,
um, in other words say the phasing or the ... creating of additional bid
alter... alternates to ... (several talking)
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Throgmorton: I think, uh, Geoff has addressed those, uh, topics and I think, you know, part of
what I'm trying to say here is I have a great deal of faith in Geoff s abilities
and ... and I know he's been honchoing this project for what, two years, Geoff? So
he knows it inside out (both talking) and I know he's worked very carefully with
Genus Landscapes, because.... partly because I've been on the streetscape design
committee, uh, or was back when it was (mumbled) So I want to kind of express
that, uh, trust, uh, in a man ... clearly manifest way, while also responding to the
concerns that the business owners have expressed.
Botchway: Okay, one last question and I guess statement to, um, what you proposed. Um, is
there any reason why it's April 11m.
Fruin: Olympic trials and on the 10`" and, uh.... when we did that four years ago, we had
the A-6 Van Fest on Washington Street, so we ... we closed down Washington for
a ... a two or three-day weekend festival, and we imagine that they'll want to do the
same. So we wanted to accommodate that and then get started. We ... we
originally, before ... um, not to get too far off track, but um, in December when we
approached the businesses, we originally, um, had a May 16`h start date, after
commencement, and then because of a lot of the same concerns you heard tonight,
we ended up dialing that back a month so that we ... we can hopefully preserve, uh,
the month of October for them.
Botchway: So it was a pushback from, you know, November up to October?
Fruin: Yeah (both talking) We ... after that meeting we changed the phasing to start a
month earlier and hopefully complete a month earlier.
Throgmorton: Okay, there's a motion on the floor.
Botchway: Last point to (mumbled) My only issue is also with the, um, you know, the
direction of staff as far as looking at these recommendations, I mean, um, the
marketing costs as well, um, as we think about the process and what you're going
to come back to us with, you know, thinking about the ramifications, um, of
people, you know, on First Avenue asking the same questions, as far as whether
or not we'd help with marketing and some other things, and so I ... I guess I just
think of that as a precedent thing as well.
Throgmorton: Okay. Roll call. Motion carries 7-0. Thank you!
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ITEM 10. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION
Throgmorton: So we had discussed the possibility of returning to our work session items, to
clean that up, at this moment, so ... seems like a reasonable thing to do. So if I
remember rightly we were ... where were we? We were at ... Joint Meeting Agenda
Items.
Joint Meeting Agenda Items:
Throgmorton: So that ... friends, that's what we're going to do right now is return to the work
session that we were unable to finish, but we're continuing... we're still in the
formal meeting.
Karr: Okay we're not going ... we're not going to adjourn to work session. We're going to
(both talking)
Throgmorton: We're just gonna (both talking)
Karr: ...under Council Time we're going to discuss the other items.
Throgmorton: Yes. Thank you. All right, so ... does anybody have any particular ideas about
items that could be included in ... in what, next Monday's joint cities meeting?
Karr: And just to call attention to ... to, uh, Tracy in North Liberty, uh, sent a draft
agenda that's in your hard copy late handouts tonight of what she has thus far.
You might want to take a look at that, see what's on there, and then we can revise
it to include items we may want to add. It was a hard copy this evening. (several
talking) That's it! Joint meeting and it's labeled draft.
Throgmorton: Okay, got it. Thanks.
Mims: I think there's plenty there already.
Throgmorton: Yeah, looks to me like there's plenty there. My sense is we don't need to add
anything. Anybody disagree?
Thomas: No, I don't.
Mims: Not if we want to get done!
Karr: No additions? Okay!
Throgmorton: All right, so, uh, moving on ... Information Packet discussion, January 7t` packet.
Botchway: Oh, on the strategic plan work session document, my name's misspelled.
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Throgmorton: Oh, oh!
Botchway: On the front page it says...
Karr: I'm sorry, which one, Kingsley?
Botchway: ...the front page of the strategic planning report. It says Botchaway.
Mims: Close enough! (laughter)
Botchway: ...lot of different iterations! (laughter)
Throgmorton: Had my name spelled about a hundred different ways over the years. Anything
else on, uh, the January 7 Info Packet?
Mims: There's just a lot of really interesting stuff in here, I mean (laughs) the STAR
community rating system. I think, you know, if people have an interest in the
sustainability and this goes well beyond what a lot of people think of in terms of
sustainability. Um ... so there's a lot of information, I mean, their whole... there's
130 pages here, um, on that, which I think is really interesting. I think the,
um ... article from the City Manager from diversity programs and how they tend to
fail, um ... so I think .... I just always encourage people to ... kind of sign up for the
emails that things are ... that have been posted and it's pretty easy to download
these things, if you use a computer at all, and with the way the outline is set up in
these, you can just flip through what the major topics are and decide if there's
something that you really want to read, and it's a great way to kind of keep
informed about some of the things that we're doing, but also just some of the
information that we're getting.
Botchway: Well and the phone too, I mean, it's ... it's pretty, I mean, it's pretty good
(mumbled) The one thing I want to bring up, cause Susan mentioned it around
some of the articles. IP 12, um, some of the discussion around IP 12.
Throgmorton: And what's that topic?
Botchway: It's the, uh, just an article, Branstad open to collecting data on police stops.
Throgmorton: Yeah.
Botchway: We already do some of that and so the one point that I wanted to bring up was
kind of the rhetoric that we use or language we use, um, around uh.... our police
force. I believe that there's change kind of talked about in here that they're
moving more towards a guardian model, um, in training. I just hope that we, um,
change (mumbled) the only reason I mention that from (mumbled) standpoint is
that I know a couple times we've talked about the strategic planning session, um,
para -military, and I know that ... you know, technically our police are, but as we
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move forward, you know, kind of thinking about how we can not maybe use that
language, cause it has... some... some negative connotation to it. (mumbled)
Mims: Well, I think related to that ... they hired a new director of the Police Academy in
the State of Iowa, and I think she is very much ... (both talking) aware and
changing some of that messaging, of getting back to the real protect and serve
(both talking)
Botchway: Exactly!
Mims: ...emphasis in the training. (several talking)
Throgmorton: On IP 15, quarterly financial summary for the period ending September 30, 2015 —
uh, when I read that I thought, you know, I'd really like to see the punchline at the
start of those reports. So that I don't have to read the whole thing (laughter) you
know, frankly there's a lot there! It's important, I understand that, but I ... I want to
know, you know, an abstract, basically. What's important. Is there any important
trend or event or whatever, uh, that has occurred in that quarter that we really
need to know about. I want it really clear, in boldface if you will. Otherwise I
want to know things are going just fine!
Mims: Then maybe just go to the conclusion! (laughter)
Throgmorton: Well, could be (several talking and laughing) at the start so I don't (several
talking)
Mims: Then you just go to the next one and you back up one page and there's (several
talking and laughing)
Botchway: Couple quick comments about IP 13 and 14. IP 13, um, you know, really good
event. Um, at multiple locations. Um .... you know, I think Orville and
(mumbled) a phenomenal job and it sounded like they're ... they weren't prepared
(laughs) to do it, so that was actually, uh, very interesting as well. And then the
Black Workers Conference, um, I'll be honest with ya; I didn't, um, I guess think
too much about it, um, but going there and ... I was a little bit late, um, I got ... I got
to hear from Professor (mumbled) about employment law and some other things,
and I think it was just a great... great (several talking)
Cole: I agree, it was really well done. (both talking) Really well done!
Throgmorton: Okay, anything else on January 7t'9
Botchway: Oh, last one (mumbled) sorry! IP20. I appreciate, uh, Susan putting that in the
packet. (mumbled)
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Throgmorton: Okay, uh, January 14th Info Packet. While you all are looking I want to draw
attention to IP11, the Council listening posts. Uh, we got a January 13`" memo
from Stefanie Bowers and Marian, Marian Karr, uh, identifying several possible
locations for listening posts. I think they're really good suggestions, so ... um, at
some point I guess we'll have to figure out which ones to do next, but I ... I
appreciate (both talking)
Karr: We'd like to begin to advertise and get back in a cycle again.
Throgmorton: Yep.
Karr: So perhaps the next work session we could put it on and (both talking)
Throgmorton: Yeah.
Karr: ...talk about it and get ... okay?
Throgmorton: Good idea! Okay. Others?
Mims: Just lots of good reading! (laughs)
Taylor: It was a lot of reading.
Throgmorton: All right. I don't hear anything. So, next topic, Council time. I guess we could
start with Rockne.
Council Time:
Cole: Um, oh, the only thing that I wanted to bring up is I can't make KXIC meeting on
February I Oa' because (mumbled) oral argument for that date. So, um, can I
switch with anyone (both talking)
Dickens: ...February I0''. (both talking) Wednesday?
Cole: Uh, yeah, I believe so. It's ... (several talking)
Dickens: I don't need to switch. I'll just do ... (both talking)
Cole: ...February 10th at 8:00, I think. For KXIC.
Karr: February 10`", okay.
Cole: Thanks, Terry!
Karr: And ... okay. There's no switch. It's just a sub.
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Dickens: I'll just do it.
Throgmorton: Terry:
Dickens: Oh, uh... uh, I ran into, uh, Councilman Rockne Cole on Saturday night after work,
uh, we took advantage of, uh, Iowa City's newest, and only, brew pub (laughter)
in Iowa City and I just want to welcome him (both talking)
Cole: Well I went there because of you, you know (both talking and laughing)
Dickens: Well just to welcome him to the neighborhood, uh, it's a father/son that's opening
it up. It's, uh, it's well worth people just walking over and saying (several talking)
A grand opening's coming up. They have four brews right now and they're
hoping to have seven by the end of next week, so ... it's very nice to (several
talking) It is on the corner of Washington and Van Buren, right behind us
(laughter) That's it!
Throgmorton: Kingsley?
Botchway: For me,' just to reiterate that I though ... that like a lot of the MLK Day activities
were fun, engaging; got a chance to, uh, hear Dr. Michael Hill at the last
engagement, um, it was very inspiring. I was, uh, very impressed by his
presentation, um, around ... uh, the events in Memphis, leading up to Dr. King's
death, and so I don't know if it's taped, if you get an opportunity... or just to talk to
him, um, again, it was one of my rare opportunities to meet the man. It was really
interesting. One of the other concerns, one of the other things I wanted to bring
up is just a concern around the minimum wage increase. Um, I know that we
were supportive and you know to go through, but I just kind of get ... I'm gettin'
some information about people not necessarily being aware of all of the effects. I
don't know who that falls on. You know, I know that the County initially
proposed the wage increase, but I guess since we are in, you know, agreement of
going forward, I just want to make sure if there's any additional information,
maybe in water bills or other correspondence that we can give out about not only,
um, the, um, the fact of when the dates are for the minimum wage increase, but
then who to complain to, um, about, um, that issue, because like I said, I've
received a couple comments around, again, some folks not necessarily thinking
that it affects them, if, uh, they're a church or some other things and I just want to
make sure we're clear on the matter.
Dilkes: I think the complaints should be directed, if there are any, to the County Attorney.
Botchway: The County Attorney, okay. (both talking) Okay. So some type of
communication, I don't know how. I just wanted to kind of throw that out there.
Throgmorton: Susan?
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Mims: Just, uh, encourage people to stay safe in this cold weather. I guess we've had a
little bit of a heat wave here in the last day or two, uh, not sure how long it's going
to last. Um, we still have a number of meetings coming up to finish our strategic
planning and budgeting, and encourage people to, um ... you know, pay attention to
those and take part and give us some feedback, and just related to the cold
weather, uh, sometimes things that people don't think about is make sure they
keep their pets safe and ... hopefully have them inside.
Throgmorton: John?
Thomas: Nothing for me.
Taylor: I heard on the news, um, we all know that there's an iconic John's Grocery in Iowa
City. I'd like to congratulate them. I heard that they, uh, did ... really a large job
of, uh, remodeling and they're having a ... their grand re -opening this Thursday, so
I would encourage folks to continue to patronize them and see what they've done
inside.
Botchway: Give a time?
Taylor: Uh, 4:00 P.M. We have a meeting that evening, but ... (several talking)
Thomas: Guess I will add on the matter of restaurants. While I regret for Oxford's sake
(several talking) pretty excited about that! (laughter and several talking)
Throgmorton: Okay, folks, my turn! First of all I'd like to welcome Pauline to her first official
formal meeting and work session. It's great to see you here. (several talking)
... these ... these meetings and ... I look forward to seeing many more. I also want to
agree with Kingsley's comments about, uh, Dr. King's, uh, Day, yesterday, and the
events that you and I both went to, and you went to others, but ... the two we went
to were just terrific. Uh, I also want to report that I had a very good meeting with
Mayor Corbett of Cedar Rapids, uh, several days ago. Uh, he was here, you
know, kind of talking about ... things that are on his mind and ... but it was pleasing
to meet him and talk through some of that. Lastly, I want to make a suggestion
with regard to Council time at work sessions in the future. Uh, all ... all of us are
members of various committee of some kind or another, so this would ... the
Council time would be a good moment to report back... anything, you know, just
say, you know, I went to a meeting of the City of Literature, or whatever,
and ... they did one important thing, whatever it might be. Just to give us a sense of
how things are going in these other outfits, or other committees, that we're a part
of. Okay! That's it for me. So now, boy, I know we have a couple other topics to
address, but maybe we could hear from Geoff and...
Fruin: Nothing from me.
Meeting Schedule:
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Throgmorton: And Eleanor and Marian. Okay. All right, so uh, I know we got the sequence a
little... unusual pattern here, but ... how bout our meeting schedule. I want to bring
up one point that Marian and I talked to this morning. I'm wondering if we can
push our March 15th meeting back one week to March the 22nd because March
15th is in the middle of spring break for the K through 12 schools and for the
University. And some of us probably won't ... don't wanna be here ... that week.
So ... does that work? March 22nd instead of the 15th? (several talking)
Karr: I'm sorry?
Botchway: (mumbled)
Mims: Kingsley can't make it, because of the School Board.
Botchway: ...School Board meeting.
Throgmorton: Well maybe there's another time. All ... I ... I should be more explicit. My wife and
I have already made plans to be out of town, because I wasn't really keyed into the
fact that March the 15th was in the middle of the spring break. So ... but it ... but
beyond me (both talking)
Karr: Are you going to be gone Monday the 21St, as well, or you're gone the week?
Throgmorton: Yeah, the week.
Karr: Okay (both talking) Monday the 21St (both talking)
Throgmorton: Well I'll be gone the week of the ... the 15th (both talking)
Karr: ...but I'm saying Kingsley... can you do the 21St if Tuesday's the School Board. Do
we want our ... our formal meeting of the 15th, which is a Tuesday, to go to
Monday the 21 st?
Botchway: Thought you said you couldn't do that.
Karr: No, my question was misleading. He's gone the spring break week, which is the
14 ... the week of the 14th
Throgmorton: That's a great idea but I ... I know of a complication, uh, with Tom's assistance and
the University, some people over there, I've invited a speaker to be here and to be
speaking, uh... in public that evening. (several talking) Yeah, on the 21St. It's
already kind of set up.
Karr: So the 23`d? (several talking)
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Throgmorton: 23rd works for me.
Karr: So should we tentatively... we'll take a look at it, um, we can discuss it at staff
(several talking) Okay I'll do that tonight, and then I'll ... we'll talk about it at staff
tomorrow. So we're looking now at...at rescheduling Tuesday the 15th, regular
formal, to Wednesday the 23rd, special formal.
Dickens: That doesn't affect any, um ... final budget...
Karr: No, we'd have to be done by then. For ... for the budget.
Dickens: (several talking) ...March (mumbled)
Karr: It will affect the, uh, public hearing on the City Assessor's budget you just set.
Mims: That's what I was just going to ask, if (mumbled) public hearings.
Karr: The public hearing on the City Assessor's budget you just set tonight for the 16th.
I can get a hold of Brad but ... I don't know how that... you... you would not have to
be here, but Council would have...
Dilkes: (mumbled) Kingsley couldn't...
Karr: The Council would have to come twice is what I'm saying (several talking)
Throgmorton: Well see if that is the other alternative. Where I'm just not here and, Kingsley,
you're running (several talking)
Karr: And not move it at all ... because of the Conference Board you'd hold your regular
formal meeting the same evening. (several talking)
Botchway: Well and if we ... and if we don't change it, we'd have to reconvene the Conference
Board?
Karr: I don't know, I'd have to check with Brad, but I would... presumably so.
Dilkes: I think that's...
Karr: You set it for that, tonight (several talking)
Mims: ...the 15th, right?
Karr: 15th, sorry, yeah. (several talking)
Throgmorton: Well I certainly trust Kingsley to be able to...
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Karr: ...do the conference and the regular, so ... keep, retain the regular formal on that, on
the 16th (several talking) On the 15th as well?
Botchway: Wait a minute, I thought that we just talked about doing the ... that on the 23rd and
then doing (both talking)
Karr: That was the question, then when we remembered that we had the Conference
Board anyway, we have to come to do the Conference Board public hearing and
approving the budget ... that night. So the question then came up, I believe, as long
as you're coming ... and there's six of you, do you wish to do the formal that night
as well.
Throgmorton: So another possibility ... is ... is to do the Conference Board meeting with me not
being present...
Karr: Yes.
Throgmorton: .... and to do the 20 ... the meeting on the 23rd...
Karr: Yes.
Throgmorton: ... I think we're doin' it right now.
Karr: So now ... okay, so we are back to the Conference Board on the 15th and ... the
special formal on the 23rd. Yes.
Pending Work Session Topics:
Throgmorton: Yeah. So let's see if that ... yeah. (several talking) Works for me! (several
talking) All right. We have, uh, two quick, uh, other items. One is pending work
session topics, and ... I want to make a suggestion. Let's see ... uh, Geoff, uh... um,
well, I don't know Geoff. We're gonna have to schedule a work session, uh, to
discuss how to proceed with regard to a search for a City Manager, and ... other
steps associated with that. Uh... I don't know who should be in charge of setting
(both talking)
Karr: I will.
Throgmorton:... we need to do it.
Karr: I'll do it. But I also think we're waiting for a memo. Tom ... um, had ... is, I know
Tom is working, got a memo as well. Um ... so we might want to take a look at
that memo and do some research as well. To get ... right, were you planning on
doing that at ... when did you wish to do that?
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Throgmorton: Well I don't have a date in mind, but uh, just backing up from that (mumbled) you
gave me in relation to the previous search that we did that resulted in Tom being
appointed, uh, we'd like to, you know, get this accomplished by ... October...
November the I" at the latest, or something like that! We haven't talked about it.
We gotta figure it out jointly.
Karr: Right. Okay.
Dilkes: I think we can pull the material together and be in touch.
Throgmorton: Okay. Good deal. Okay, anything else with regard to pending work session
topics?
Thomas: Uh, one ... one potential topic would be having a, uh, discussion of the ... the
downtown streetscape plan, in terms of, you know, looking at that with respect to
its ... the schedule for it, the pieces, kind of a ... in part a reporting on where we are
and where things will be going, as well as, um ... discussions of, you know, design
standards and ... and things of that sort.
Throgmorton: Wonder if I could ... state that a little bit differently, John?
Thomas: Okay.
Throgmorton: Um, three ... three of us are new to the Council, and haven't really gone through
that whole process having to do with ... with the development of the streetscape
plan and its components and all that. Maybe we could have a briefing that
focuses on that, and in particular questions could be asked, pertaining to it, if...if
needed.
Cole: That sounds good.
Botchway: Only quick question I have is you aren't saying like (mumbled) next work session
or something like that. You're saying it can be further out? Cause I know we
talked about, um ... I know we talked about some things as far as being something
that we wanted to get back from our priorities standpoint right away.
Thomas: I guess the only ... my only re ... my response to that in part would be, um ... you
know, the ... I don't know what the status is on certain projects that are ... uh... you
know, earlier on in the ... in the, um, five-year plan, so in terms of...having an
opportunity to discuss those and ... and understand where they are at this particular
time, and having, you know, like tonight we talked a lot about a project which
was basically ready to go out to bid. You know, if we have an opportunity to
discuss projects when they're still in design development, it's a lot easier to ... you
know, initiate that change without affecting the schedule or having to backtrack
and... we consider how the, you know, the projects have been scoped
and ... phased and what have you. So...
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Cole: Is this for our Thursday night discussion?
Thomas: No. The, you know, an item that, uh, for future work sessions.
Fruin: I could certainly provide an overview of the plan itself and really there's,
um .... two major projects, other than the one we talked about today, that are at
somewhat advanced design stages and that's the pedestrian mall, uh, and Dubuque
Street. Um, of those two, only one are in your proposed CIP. We ... Dubuque
Street is not in your five-year CIP that ... that you're still considering. The ped
mall, as you know, is.
Thomas: What about Burlington? Those inter...
Fruin: There are no funds for Burlington in there. I think that was a high priority street,
but has not made it into the priority of the capital plan.
Throgmorton: You referring to the intersection?
Thomas: There were intersections, correct?
Fruin: Oh, okay! I'm sorry. I thought you were talking about the larger streetscape.
Yes, the ... the Burlington intersections at Madison and at Clinton are (both talking)
Thomas: Because those will tie in eventually to the...
Fruin: Correct, but it's not a ... it's not a linear corridor type of project. It's just a ... the
intersections themselves.
Upcoming Community Events / Council Invitations:
Throgmorton: Okay, uh, last item, upcoming community events, Council invitations. I'll
announce one thing, I guess. Uh, Thursday night we will be discussing the last
elements of our strategic plan and then relating them to the budget. I'm looking
forward to ... okay! That should be it!
Mims: Move to adjourn.
Thomas: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Thomas. Discussion? Hearing none...
Karr: All those in favor.
Throgmorton: All those in favor say aye. Opposed. We're closed! (bangs gavel) Thank you!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
regular formal meeting of January 19, 2016.