HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-16 Bd Comm minutesm7'
February 16, 2017 4b(1)
Page 1
MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 16, 2017 — 6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Julie Bockenstedt, Minnetta Gardinier, Robert Libby, A. Jacob Odgaard,
Chris Ogren
Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Eric Goers
Others Present: Matt Wolford, David Hughes
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action):
None.
DETERMINE QUORUM:
Chairperson Odgaard called the meeting to order at 6:03 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes from the January 19 meeting were reviewed. Ogren noted a typo on the second
page, the long paragraph beginning with "members," where it says "Gardinier suggested that
they put..." She noted it should say "this." Ogren also questioned the attendance record
portion, and whether the end dates for their terms were going to be changed. Tharp will take
care of this. Gardinier moved to accept the minutes of the January 19, 2017, meeting as
amended. Ogren seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
a. FAA/]DOT Projects: AECOM / David Hughes
I. Obstruction Mitigation — Hughes spoke to Members concerning the
AECOM projects. He noted that the proposal he mentioned at the last
meeting has been received and that there are a couple of items they need
to check with the FAA on, as to whether these are required items or not.
Hughes hopes to have this on next month's agenda then.
ii. South Taxiway Extension — Hughes stated that plans and specs are
ready for this project. He shared a copy of the estimate for the project
with Members. This should be about a 45 -calendar day project. Tharp
and Hughes then responded to Member questions concerning this
project.
February 16, 2017
Page 2
1. Consider a resolution setting a public hearing on the plans,
specifications, and form of contract for the South Taxiway
Extension — Gardinier moved to accept Resolution #A17-01
setting a public hearing on the plans, specifications, and form
of contract for the South Taxiway Extension. Ogren
seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
iii. North T -Hangar Restroom — Hughes noted that Members have two
handouts regarding this item. One is a draft of a variance request for the
City. The other is a summary of weather during the period of observation.
Hughes further explained what this process entailed and what they hoped
to achieve. Ogren spoke to the wording in the first line of the fourth
paragraph, where it states: '...the Commission feels that the occupant
load...' She suggested replacing 'feels' with something more positive, like
'has evidence,' for example. Gardinier agreed with Ogren's suggestion,
as did the other Members.
Gardinier then spoke to the first paragraph, second to the last sentence.
She stated that it does not make sense the way it is currently written.
Members reviewed this and agreed with her suggestion of: '...small
aircraft that typically carry four or fewer people.' She also spoke to
'square feet' versus 'square foot,' where it is used in the document.
Hughes stated that he will check on this wording. He then tried to clarify
what 'occupancy load' refers to and how it is calculated. Wording was
reviewed here, as well, with Members agreeing it should say: '...this
results in.' Gardinier pointed out the use of 'occupancy load' and
'occupant load' and asked why this is not consistent throughout the
document. Bockenstedt then asked for clarification on page two, first
paragraph. She suggested the use of 'substantially' instead of
'significantly.' She then questioned what the next sentence means.
Hughes further explained what they are trying to convey here. Members
continued to discuss the wording of this document and where changes
may help their argument. Goers also helped to clarify what the document
is meant to do.
b. Airport Operations
i. Strategic Plan — Implementation — Tharp stated that the RFP did go
out. There have already been some proposals come in and he has been
responding to questions regarding the RFP, as well. Continuing, Tharp
stated that what he needs tonight are volunteers for an Evaluation
Committee, which would review the RFPs and create a finalists' list.
Libby and Gardinier volunteered for this committee.
1. Request for proposals for Strategic Plan —
ii. Budget — Regarding the budget, Tharp stated that unless there are
questions from Members, he does not have much. He added that they
are currently at about the half -way mark on the budget and that things are
looking good.
iii. Management — None.
C. FBO / Flight Training Reports
L Jet Air — Matt Wolford stated that he does not have the reports printed
yet for this month, but Members asked him to go ahead with his verbal
February 16, 2017
Page 3
report. He stated that today they were working in the front office in the
terminal building, replacing the countertops in that area. As for the usual
maintenance, Wolford stated that they haven't had to deal much with
snow removal, but have been replacing light bulbs, picking up trash, and
performing other standard maintenance items. Gardinier noted that the
light bulb in the beacon had to be replaced. Continuing, Wolford noted
that the shop office door and the back door on Jet Air's building had to
have hinge replacements as the closures were worn out.
As for Jet Air business, Wolford stated that they have been very busy. He
added that he is going to be gone on vacation the next few weeks.
Continuing, Wolford stated that plane sales have been going quite well for
them. The shop has been busy with annual maintenance work, but
Wolford noted that this typically slows down as summer approaches. He
also spoke about sending Jet Air employees over to Italy to handle a
plane deal. Wolford noted the progress on their new hangar. The roof is
done, as are two side walls. Currently they are working on the back wall,
and he stated that the actual building itself should be done by the middle
of next week, as long as the weather cooperates.
d. Commission Members' Reports — Gardinier stated that she has had her plane
in for its annual maintenance. Libby noted that the ambulance service and the
Fire Department are getting anxious for the upcoming disaster drill. Members
briefly discussed the importance of having such a drill and that perhaps it should
take place every three years or so. The date for this year's drill is May 20.
e. Staff Report — Tharp first spoke about the Iowa Airports Conference, noting that
this year it is in Cedar Rapids. He gave Members a copy of the agenda and
stated that anyone who wishes to attend should let him know. Next he stated
that he has recently been in Des Moines as part of the Public Airports
Association. The association is pushing a funding bill to increase the grant
program allocations that the airports receive. The hope is to increase this pot of
money from $750,000 to $3 million. Tharp then responded to Member questions
regarding this effort. Tharp then noted that he will be out of the office March 3
through March 10 for his personal vacation time.
100 Year Anniversary Committee — Ogren stated that the committee has met
and has arranged to meet this coming Wednesday with the people at FUEL up in
Hiawatha. They did the program for Fly Iowa. Tharp added that they are starting
to develop the concept they have in mind, and that once this is done they will
share it with the full Commission. Tentative dates being looked at include the
second weekend in June, which is also the Young Eagles aviation day. Tharp
stated that he did speak with the City Manager's office regarding banners for the
event.
g. Consider a motion to adjourn to executive session to evaluate the
professional competency of individuals whose appointment, hiring,
performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent
needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation and those
individuals requested a closed session — Deferred to next month.
February 16, 2017
Page 4
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR:
The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2017,
at 6:00 P.M. in the Airport Terminal Building. Odgaard noted that the next meeting is scheduled
during spring break, and he will therefore have a conflict with this date. Members briefly
discussed if they should go ahead and have the meeting, which they decided they would due to
the scheduled public hearing.
ADJOURN:
Ogren moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 P.M. Bockenstedt seconded the motion.
The motion carried 5-0.
CHAIRPERSON
DATE
February 16, 2017
Page 5
Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2017
Kev:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time
TERM
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07/01/19
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/
X
X
X
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Chris Ogren
07/01/18
O
O
/
I
X
X
E
X
X
X
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A.Jacob
07/01/18
O
Odgaard
/
O/
X
X
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
E
Julie
07/01/17
O
O
O
Bockenstedt
I
I
l
X
E
X
X
X
E
X
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
Robert Libby
07/01/20
O
N
I
tE
M
X
X
X
X
E
X
X
O
O
X
X
X
Kev:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time
March 16, 2017
Page 1
MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
MARCH 16, 2017 — 6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Julie Bockenstedt, Minnetta Gardinier (arrived 6:15 P.M.), Robert Libby,
Chris Ogren
Members Absent: A. Jacob Odgaard
Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Eric Goers
Others Present: Matt Wolford, David Hughes, Carl Byers, Laura Routh, Caroline Dieterle
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action):
None.
DETERMINE QUORUM:
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 P.M. by Acting Chair Libby. Ogren nominated
Bockenstedt to be the Temporary Secretary for this meeting. Libby seconded the
motion. The motion carried 2-0, Bockenstedt abstaining; Gardinier and Odgaard absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
M=Tri'r-
4b(2)
Minutes from the February 16 meeting were reviewed. Ogren moved to accept the minutes
of the February 16, 2017, meeting as presented. Bockenstedt seconded the motion. The
motion carried 3-0, Gardinier and Odgaard absent.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
Caroline Dieterle asked for clarification of the strategic plan that was in recent minutes, to which
Tharp responded. He noted that he may have attached the Airport's strategic plan to recent
minutes, as the Commission is currently looking to contract with someone to lead their strategic
planning process. Dieterle continued speaking to this topic, more specifically the difference
between a strategic plan and a master plan. Tharp responded, giving examples of what each
plan does basically.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
a. Strategic Plan — Tharp stated that the subcommittee is currently still evaluating
proposals and that he would like to request they defer this to next month's
meeting for discussion. Dieterle asked if Tharp could share the names of those
who submitted bids and he declined to do so at this time.
1. Finalist interviews (if necessary)
March 16, 2017
Page 2
2. Consider a resolution approving a contract for strategic
planning services -
b. FAA/[DOT Projects: AECOM / David Hughes
L Obstruction Mitigation — Hughes stated that they heard back from the
FAA on some of the items they were awaiting responses to. Task Order
#6 will allow AECOM to move forward with the environmental assessment
portion. Dieterle asked what would be involved in this assessment and
Hughes responded.
1. Consider a resolution approving task order with AECOM for an
Environmental Assessment — Ogren moved to approve
Resolution #A17-02, approving Task Order #6 with AECOM
for an Environmental Assessment. Libby seconded the
motion. The motion carried 3-0, Gardinier and Odgaard
absent.
ii. South Taxiway Extension — Hughes then spoke to this project, noting
that they are ready to move forward with the public hearing portion so
they can start the advertising.
1. Public Hearing — Libby opened the public hearing. Laura Routh
spoke to this project, noting that she reviewed the documents
related to this project. She asked questions of the Commission,
one being what was driving this project. Tharp noted that demand
is the main driver. Questions were also asked of how this project
would be financed, to which Tharp responded. Routh noted that
she also has several budget -related questions. First she spoke to
the master plan and the dates of when certain items are expected
to take place. Libby then closed the public hearing.
2. Consider a resolution approving plans, specifications, and form of
contract for the South Taxiway Extension — Gardinier moved to
approve Resolution #A17-03, approving plans, specifications,
and form of contract for the South Taxiway Extension. Ogren
seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0, Odgaard
absent.
iii. North T -Hangar Restroom — Hughes stated that the variance was
granted from the City and therefore a unisex bathroom can be built.
1. Consider a resolution approving task order with AECOM for
design, bid, construction related services — Ogren moved to
approve Resolution #A17-04, approving Task Order #7 with
AECOM for design, bid, construction related services.
Bockenstedt seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0,
Odgaard absent.
C. Airport Operations
L Budget — Tharp stated that there is one major project left in this budget
year, the underground fuel monitoring system for the University's hangar.
He noted that if need be there will be something on next month's agenda.
ii. Management — Tharp spoke to what projects might be pushed forward
for the DOT's grant program. Some of the projects that might be doable
under this program are: increasing parking by the terminal building;
pushing a Wi-Fi signal into the hangar areas; retrofitting of doors in
hangar A.
March 16, 2017
Page 3
d. FBO / Flight Training Reports
I. Jet Air — Matt Wolford with Jet Air spoke to Members next. He shared
the monthly maintenance reports for all of February and the first part of
March. He spoke to some of the highlights in these reports and
responded to Member questions. He noted that the Jet Air self-service
pump needed a new motherboard.
In regards to Jet Air, Wolford stated that they have been keeping busy
with sales and maintenance, etc. They will be picking up a plane in Italy
and bringing it back to the shop. Wolford then responded to questions
from Members and the audience in regards to Jet Air's business. One
area under question was fuel sales and who gets a cut from the sales.
e. Commission Members' Reports — Gardinier stated that they got their plane
back from Spencer and everything is a 'go' for them. Libby noted that the
disaster drill is set for Wednesday, May 17, from 5:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. He
further explained what this drill will entail.
f. Staff Report — Tharp shared that he took a trip to the Johnson Space Center
while on his vacation.
g. 100 Year Anniversary Committee — Ogren filled Members in on what the
committee has done so far. Tharp stated that they are moving forward and he
noted a survey that they are doing in their planning process. Members briefly
discussed how they would like to handle this survey. It was decided that each
Member would work on the survey and then bring it to the next meeting for
review.
h. Consider a motion to adjourn to executive session to evaluate the
professional competency of individuals whose appointment, hiring,
performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent
needless and irreparable injury to that individuals' reputations and those
individuals requested a closed session — Tharp stated that he is not sure
where Odgaard is with this process and he asked Members if they would like to
defer to next month. All those present agreed to do this.
Evaluation of Airport Operations Specialist — (see above, Item h)
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR:
The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday. April 20, 2017.
at 6:00 P.M. in the Airport Terminal Building. Gardinier noted that she will not be in attendance
for this meeting.
ADJOURN:
Bockenstedt moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:56 P.M. Gardinier seconded the motion.
The motion carried 4-0, Odgaard absent.
March 16, 2017
Page 4
CHAIRPERSON
DATE
March 16, 2017
Page 5
Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2017
Key:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time
TERM
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Minnetta
07/01/19
O
Gardinier
/
X
X
X
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Chris Ogren
07/01/18
O
O
X
X
E
X
X
X
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A.Jacob
07/01/18
O
Odgaard
/
O/
X
X
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
E
Julie
07/01/17
O
O
O
Bockenstedt
X
E
X
X
X
E
X
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Robert Libby
07/01/20
O
O
N
I
l
M
X
X
X
X
E
X
X
O
O
E
X
X
X
X
Key:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time
FINAL/APPRO\
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD 4
MINUTES — March 14, 2017
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Joseph Treloar called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Monique Green, Donald King, Orville Townsend
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mazahir Salih
STAFF PRESENT: Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk Chris Guidry
STAFF ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
Legal Counsel Pat Ford
None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by King, seconded by Townsend, to adopt the consent calendar as presented or amended.
• Minutes of the meeting on 02/14/17
Motion carried, 4/0, Salih absent.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
Community Forum Discussion — Treloar stated he had directed Fruehling to contact the Police Chief
regarding the community forum to see if he would attend, give some background information on himself
and his philosophy on policing (5-10min). The Chief agreed and staff will add to the forum notice. The
Board decided against having another topic for a presentation so there would be ample time for
community questions.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
None.
BOARD INFORMATION
Townsend questioned some wording in the draft minutes regarding the by-law changes where "the
Chairperson" was to be changed to "the Board". Fruehling confirmed that it was changed and was
correct in the draft minutes included in the packet.
Fruehling informed the Board that the Rules Committee meeting to review the recommended by-law
changes was Thursday, March 16.
STAFF INFORMATION
Fruehling introduced the new City Clerk, Chris Guidry.
TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE and FUTURE AGENDAS (subject to change)
*April 11, 2017, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm
•April 12, 2017, 6:00 PM, IC Public Library, Room A — Community Forum
•May 9, 2017, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm
*June 13, 2017, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm
Cl-ff3
March 14, 2017
Page 2
ADJOURNMENT
Motion for adjournment by Green, seconded by Townsend.
Motion carried, 4/0, Salih absent.
Meeting adjourned at 5:43 P.M.
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2016-2017
(Meeting Date)
KEY: X =
TERM
4/12
4/26
5/18
5/23
6/7
8/17
9/13
10/11
11/7
11/15
12/1
1/10
2/14
3/14
NAME
EXP.
5
Joseph
7/1/17
NM
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Treloar
Mazahir
7/1/17
NM
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
O
X
O
X
X
X
O/E
Salih
Donald
7/1/19
NM
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
O/E
O/E
O/E
O/E
O/E
X
King
Monique
7/1/20
—
--
—
—
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Green
Orville
7/1/20
—
—
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Townsend
Melissa
9/1/16
NM
X
X
X
X
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
Jensen
Royceann
9/1/16
NM
X
X
X
O
—
--
—
--
—
--
—
—
Porter
KEY: X =
Present
O =
Absent
O/E =
Absent/Excused
NM =
No meeting
--- =
Not a Member
FINAL/APPROVE4[
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
COMMUNITY FORUM
April 12, 2016, 6:00 P.M.
IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
123 South Linn Street, IC
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Joseph Treloar called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Orville Townsend, Mazahir Salih, Monique Green, Donald King
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Legal Counsel Patrick Ford and Staff Kellie Fruehling
INTRODUCTION OF THE BOARD
CONSIDER MOTION TO ACCEPT CORRESPONDENCE AND/OR DOCUMENTS
Treloar read the correspondence received into the record. Motion by King, seconded by
Green to accept correspondence and/or documents. Motion carried, 5/0.
MEET THE NEW POLICE CHIEF, JODY MATHERLY
Chief Matherly gave some background information about himself personally and
professionally. He also spoke about the department, other City departments, and the
community working together. The Chief feels that the CPRB is a positive thing for the
community. He also reported on number of officers, average calls for service and
number of arrests per year.
PUBLIC
DISCUSSION The following individuals appeared before the CPRB:
Mary Gravitt
2714 Wayne Ave #6, Iowa City
Maria Conzemius
2833 Sterling Dr, Iowa City
Roger Goedken
Lone Tree
Harry Olmstead
1255 Shannon Dr, Iowa City
Jackie Reger
1215 Santa Fe Dr, Iowa City
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:48 P.M.
(Forum Summary and transcriptions are attached)
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2016-2017
(Meeting Date)
KEY: X =
TERM
4/26
5/18
5/23
6/7
8/17
9/13
10/11
11/7
11/15
12/15
1/10
2/14
3/14
4/12
NAME
EXP.
Joseph
7/1/17
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Treloar
Mazahir
7/1/17
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
O
X
O
X
X
X
O/E
X
Salih
Donald
7/1/19
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
O/E
O/E
O/E
O/E
O/E
X
X
King
Monique
7/1/20
--
---
---
---
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Green
Orville
7/1/20
---
---
---
—
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Townsend
Melissa
9/1/16
X
X
X
X
---
---
---
--
--
---
---
---
--
—
Jensen
Royceann
9/1/16
X
X
X
O
---
---
---
--
—
---
---
---
---
---
Porter
KEY: X =
Present
O
= Absent
O/E
= Absent(Excused
NM =
No meeting
---
= Not a Member
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240-1826
(319)356-5041
May 9, 2017
Iowa City City Council
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington St
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Re: Community Police Review Board Annual Community Forum
The Iowa City Community Police Review Board (CPRE) held the annual Community Forum, Wednesday,
April 12, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Members at the forum were Joseph Treloar (Chair), Orville Townsend (Vice
Chair), Mazahir Salih, Monique Green, and Donald King. Legal counsel Pat Ford was also present.
The forum opened with a roll call vote and an introduction of members. Correspondence received prior
to the forum was read and accepted. Treloar read a brief summary of Board duties and responsibilities.
Treloar then introduced and welcomed Iowa City Police Chief Jody Matherly.
Chief Matherly gave some background information about himself personally and professionally. He also
spoke about the department, other City departments, and the community working together. The Chief
feels that the CPRB is a positive thing for the community. He also reported on number of officers,
average calls for service and number of arrests per year.
Following the above, Treloar opened up the forum for public discussion. The following people spoke
during public discussion: Mary Gravitt regarding traffic on Clinton/Madison and proposed gun
legislation, Maria Conzemius regarding the noise ordinance and barking dogs, Roger Goedken regarding
mental illness, Harry Olmstead regarding an upcoming legislative forum on mental illness and Chief
Matherly, and Jackie Regeron the types of complaints received since the start of the commission.
Board members spokebriefly about complaint forms, the Johnson County Citizens Police Academy, and
having good relationships/communications between residents and the Police Department.
At the conclusion of comments from the public, the Board thanked the audience for their input. Treloar
called for the meeting to be adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
Joseph Treloar, Chair
Community Police Review Board
(Transcriptions of the forum are available on the City website.)
Page 1 Community Police Review Board Community Forum
Members Present: Joe Treloar (Chair), Don King, Orville Townsend (Vice Chair), Monique
Green, Mazahir Salih
Staff Present: Pat Ford (legal counsel), Jody Matherly (Police Chiet)
Call to Order & Roll Call:
Introduction of Board:
Treloar/ ...to order. Um, we'll do an introduction and roll call vote at the same time.
Um ... Monique Green.
Green/ Present.
Treloar/ Donald King.
King/ Present.
Treloar/ Uh, Mazahir Salih.
Salih/ Yes.
Treloar/ Orville Townsend.
Townsend/ Here.
Treloar/ And I'm Joseph Treloar and I'm present.
Consider Motion to Accent Correspondence and/or Documents:
Treloar/ I'll go ahead .... why don't I go ahead and read correspondence first, but .... so, um, we
received two questions. (person speaking from audience) Oh! Okay! (person speaking
from audience) (noises in background) Is this one workin' or is that .... (talking in
background) All right! How bout that? Okay! All right. (talking in background)
Um... (several talking, noises on mic) We'll wait till we make sure we have everything
workin'! (testing of microphone) (several talking) All right, well we'll go ahead
(coughing, unable to hear speaker) Um, we had two questions from Harry Olmstead, uh,
the first.... and these were responded to by Chief Matherly. Um, why are police officers
allowed to watch their body cam video while writing their report? This seems somewhat
bias and can influence their answer. Um ... much has been written on the pros and cons of
officers viewing body camera video prior to writing the reports. While body cameras are
a new concept in the past few years, in -car video has been used for over, um, two decades
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and officers viewing the in -car footage has never been an issue. This and other related
video issues will undoubtedly continue to be discussed as body camera implementation
and research on their effectiveness develops. Uh, second question is why is it that when
policies for body cameras were written up there wasn't any input from citizens of Iowa
City? Answer, there is not a mechanism in place in our policy... police agency to get
community feedback on police policy, although it is generally recommended to do so by
many groups. The Iowa City Police Department is looking at such a procedure.
Actually, um .... there is a policy in place. Uh, the Community Police Review Board did
review those policies and is open to input from the community, and we actually did
receive some input... from the community. It was after the policy was in place,
but .... yeah, the mechanism's there. That's part of what we do. So .... uh, the motion to
accept correspondence and/or documents. (several talking)
Green/ Second.
Treloar/ All in favor. All opposed same sign. Okay. It's accepted. All right .... just read a little
brief introduction as to who we are, what we do, kind of what we're all about. The
CPRB reviews reports prepared after investigation of complaints about alleged Iowa City
police misconduct. (mumbled) It then issues its own written reports that contain detailed
findings of fact and conclusions that explain why and the extent to which complaints
should be sustained or not sustained. The CPRB maintains a central registry of
complaints against sworn officers and prepares annual reports to the City Council. The
CPRB reviews police policies, procedures, and practices, and may recommend
modifications to them. The Board shall hold at least one community forum each year for
the purpose of hearing views on the policies, practices, and procedures of the Iowa City
Police Department. The CPRB only has limited civil review powers and has no power or
authority over criminal matters or police discipline. It is not a court of law and is not
intended to substitute for any form of legal action against the Police Department or the
City. Um, the Iowa City Community Police Review Board is the only board of its kind in
the state of Iowa. I am personally proud to live in a community that has gone the extra
mile to develop an active process with a goal of constantly enhancing the professionalism
of its police department. We're often reminded of the important role police offi... police
have in our community. In Iowa City, just knowing that role is not enough. We have
become actively engaged in a process of providing feedback from the community to the
police to assist them in their goal of being the best they can be. At tonight's annual.
forum we're very happy to have with us our new Police Chief, Jody Matherly. This is an
opportunity to get to know Chief Matherly and for him to better know you. After Chief
Matherly speaks, we'll open up for discussion. We would ask that you limit your
cont ... uh, comments to five minutes so that everybody has an opportunity to speak.
And ... with that being said, no further ado, I'll open the floor up to Chief Matherly.
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Meet the New Police Chief, Jody Matherly:
Matherly/ Thank you very much! Good evening! As he said my name's Jody Matherly. Uh,
I've been a police officer for 34 years. Uh, from... as a matter of sequence I was actually
born in Grinnell but when I was five -years -old we moved to Michigan, so I was raised in
Flint, Michigan and was a police officer there, uh, for 20 years, after getting my .... my
undergraduate degree in criminal justice and my master in, um, technology, with an
emphasis in police administration. Uh, after that amount of time in Flint I was looking
for a chief's job and to and behold Grinnell opened up. And being from there and
wanting to move back to Iowa, I applied and got the job and was there for nine years.
Um, at that time, Altoona opened up. Then I was looking to move back towards the
metro area, little larger department, so I applied there and landed that job. Uh, and I
wasn't lookin' to leave. I'd found my home and ... and thought that that's where I was
gonna retire and then Sam Hargadine decided to retire and I had, uh, thought about
applying in Iowa City back in 2003 when I applied for the Grinnell job. Sam came right
after me, about 2004, and I didn't. I just started Grinnell. I wasn't going to make the
change. So when this opportunity arose, uh, I .... I jumped at it. Um, I've been here since
January and I'm havin' a blast. It's a great town. Uh, I'm gettin' to know a lot of folks.
What I'm finding is, for every challenge we have solutions, uh, and the folks here, uh, are
part of that solution. I just was over at the Rec Center, uh, introducing myself to the Park
Board at 5:00 tonight. Uh, and I told `em I said, you know, no matter what piece of the
puzzle you're involved in in Iowa City, the .... the Parks Department, the Rec Department
is just as important as the Police Department, as important as the Community Police
Review Board, all the pieces of the puzzle fit together, uh, and the end result is to .... to
make this a really dynamic, safe, and .... and, uh, fruitful community, um,
that.... especially with the rec programs that brings our youth up as .... as mature adults
and makes them, um, you know, uh, contributing members of society. Without these
pieces together, the Police Department gets really busy, and the Police Department
doesn't succeed without all these pieces of the puzzle. So, I'm enjoying that aspect of
Iowa City. There's a lot of support here. There's a lot of constructive criticism, which
we're open to. Um, he mentioned this is the only, uh, police review board in the state.
Um, there's a lot of pride with that. I've had chiefs call me, `Whatdaya think?' I said,
`It's a great mechanism for us.' Uh, folks are sometimes more comfortable approaching
the ... the Police Review Board than they are, um, the Police Department itself, uh, and for
the right reasons! Um, if they've had problems, we sometimes are the last people they
want to talk to. So, this is a nice segue into the system to find out if we're doin' things
properly when there's questions. He mentioned that they do review policy and that's
another mechanism that's very important, to make sure that ... that, um .... that we're, you
know, doing things according to Hoyle, if you will, according to best standards, and
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really according to what's acceptable to the local community. What may be good in
Grinnell or Flint or Altoona may not be right for Iowa City. So we need those checks and
balances, and this is a great panel to .... to do that. So ... um .... I have three children. I have
a wife named Laura. She hasn't.... she's a nurse, but she hasn't decided to go back to
work. I think she's in retirement mode, uh, which is fine too (laughs) So, uh, but ... but
we're settled in and we're lovin' the community, so.... That's it about me! Let me add
this.
Treloar/ Sure!
Matherly/ It's always about me! Uh, the Police Department, let me tell you a little bit about the
Police Department itself. How many officers do you think the Police Department has?
Sworn police officers in uniforms, how ... how many do you think we have? (unable to
hear response from audience) Good guess. No, the Rec Board just guessed 50 so.... We
have 83, uh, sworn officers right now. That's from the Chief down to .... we have four in
the Academy right now. They're graduating this Friday. I'm excited to go see that, but,
um, there's 83 of us. Uh, we also have about 30 civilian staff, from animal control, um,
shelter, the Animal Shelter, to our clerical staff, records, and .... and community outreach,
Henri Harper and the CSO's, they're called Community Service Officers. They do help
with towing vehicles or parking tickets or, uh, running support for us. So, um, we've got
a staff of over 120 folks down at the Police Department, so it's good size. So, you know
our staffing, so how many calls for service do you think that we run each year annually
on average? That is someone's ringin' the bell and sayin' I need the police. How many
times? Anybody? Ten thousand? Eighty thousand? We average 65,000 calls for service
per year, and so with 82 officers that keeps us really busy. These guys don't have time
to, uh, sit around (laughs) very often. Um ... we .... we run around 6,000 arrests per year as
well. So, uh, we stay busy. But .... I wanted to say just a little bit about the Police
Department itself, so....
Public Discussion With Community Police Review Board:
Treloar/ Yes, um, we'll open it up for questions or comments. We ask you to come up, sign in so
we can correspond with ya later. There was a lady right behind ya just getting up. If you
(unable to hear person from audience) (laughter) It's important that you come up here
and speak into the mic because like I said, this is gonna be viewed on local access TV
and, uh.... yes, please!
Gravitt/ I have a complaint. I've been complainin' about this for about three years, or more.
You can come up from Madison to Clinton. That's legal for a car to come up. But it's
illegal to go from Clinton to Madison, but yet ... and still cars still go down there, and
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that's very dangerous, especially for the Chinese students cause they're always texting
and never looking up. And as ... and you know and ... it can be unexpected, cause cars are
not .... there's a sign on the corner, cars are not supposed to go down from Clinton to
Madison. Now I used to go to City Council and I complained and complained. Didn't do
any good, so I haven't been down there since, oh, it was maybe .... oh, six or seven
months. Cars are still goin' down.... from Clinton Street to Madison, and one day we're
gonna have a horrible accident down there, and it's gonna be one of the foreign students
is gonna get hit, and it's gonna be just like it was in 91. You're gonna have all this
massacre and all this stuff and nobody seems to care. And another question I wanna ask,
how many police cars do we have? If it was the police .... uh, just, you know, for a few
months, a police presence on that corner, givin' out tickets. And that's why I'm in favor
of givin' out tickets there because it's so blatant that a per ... that they feel that they can go
down that way when they know that you shouldn't go that way. So that's my only
complaint now. Thank you.
Matherly/ Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I haven't heard that complaint. Uh, I do
drive by there quite often, uh, and haven't seen a violation. However, I'm sure they do
occur. Um, what we'll do, ma'am, I'll get with the University Police as well, uh, Chief
Beckner over there, and we'll talk about extra enforcement in that area and see if we
can't slow that down a little bit. We have 22 marked police cars. That doesn't mean
they're all out at once. We have anywhere between seven and 10 officers per shift out at
any given time, and then the University also has their personnel out. So what we do is
target enforcement in those areas where it's known traffic violations. Uh, we certainly
don't want to see accidents, uh, and so with strict enforcement, and not necessarily
tickets, but at least stopping and reminding them ... they may, you know, the officers have
discretion to write tickets, but at least visibility and increased enforcement, and that'll
usually slow things down. It's certainly marked well. So, either folks aren't paying
attention or ... they're seeing the, uh, sign and disregarding it, which makes it even worse.
Uh, but we ... we will focus on that. I appreciate you let ... letting me know about that.
Gravitt/ Okay. Thank you.
Treloar/ Thank you! Yes, ma'am!
Conzemius/ I'm concerned... as Chief Matherly knows I'm Maria Conzemius, about the noise
ordinance and the enforcement of the noise ordinance. We have a whole lot of dogs in
our neighborhood and I just listened to a dog bark for three straight hours today. I called
Animal Control three times after the first hour of the dog barking. Uh, they said they'd
come out. Well, actually they said an officer was on another call and would come out,
and I listened to it bark for another hour and I called again and she said, `Oh, I'll be out
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right away." And ... the dog barked for another hour and so the dog barked for three solid
hours and, um .... if anybody came out I'm not aware of it. If they did and the person
wasn't home, then there's nothing they can do. They can't impound the dog if nobody's
home. So basically we're in a situation where there is a noise ordinance. A dog is not
supposed to bark more than 20 minutes during the day, and at no time after 10:00 P.M.,
um, but we've got neighbors with, um, two pure bred dogs who wait until our lights are
off at night and then throw their dogs outside. Now the one common theme in all these
neighbors is that they don't walk their dogs. They just throw `em out in the yard to bark.
And .... the dog, the neighbors who do walk their dogs, we don't have that problem with.
So I would walk the dogs myself if they would let me, but I doubt that they would. My
husband has to get up to go to work — he's a City bus driver — at 4:15 in the morning. He
rides his bike to work, but he gets up at that time whether he drives or rides his bike to
work. So we go to bed fairly early, and it really is noise pollution. Now when I left New
York state in 1974, I had the right to the peaceful enjoyment of my premises. We have a
yard. We have a garden, and I can't go out there and work because I can't enjoy myself
in my own yard because I've got all these dogs barking at me, and it's.... it's really a
problem. It's been a problem ever since we've lived there. We used to have five dogs
living next door to us and those people finally moved, but a nice family moved in with
one dog and that's not really a problem, but it gets loose and comes to our deck and eats
all our cat food for the stray dogs. Not really a problem, but the people behind us and the
people over there and the people over there all have dogs, and uh, they throw `em out in
the yard and let `em bark and I'm not sure if Animal Control ever shows up. It's hard to
tell.
Matherly/ The Director of Animal Control, Liz Ford, I know she emailed you back when you
asked the process, when you had emailed me, mmmm, three weeks ago I think it was.
Um....
Conzemius/ I don't remember getting that. An email back (both talking) I got one from you.
Matherly/ Okay, maybe I forwarded hers. Did you get the information on hers? Showing the
process?
Conzemius/ I got .... I got one from you. I didn't get one from her.
Matherly/ Okay. What time did you call today?
Conzemius/ Today I called at, um ... well the dogs started barking at 11:00. I called at 12:00.
Matherly/ Okay.
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Conzemius/ And then I called again at 1:00. I called three times in call.
Matherly/ Here .... here's what we'll do. Um .... there's a couple options. When there's a barking
dog and if nobody's home, we can still follow up. Doesn't mean we're going to go on
premise and like you said take the dog. We can document that it's occurring. We've got
a valid complaint. We'll go back when the homeowners... homeowners are there, the
residents, and um, and deal with the ... the issue then. You certainly have a right to be free
from three hours of barking. You know, dogs are dogs; however, when it's as consistent
as yous... you've mentioned and this isn't a ... just a week, but it's been many times and
you're getting very frustrated. We need to give that some attention. I'll contact Liz.
Have her contact you, and let's look at something a little more strategic, little more long-
term than ... than just, uh, saying, `Well, it's a one-time thing.' So, uh, we need to talk to
those homeowners, um, and let `em know that it's not acceptable and they need to do
somethin' about it. Uh, if that means putting the dogs inside while they're gone at work,
then so be it. Um, but they need to do something.
Conzemius/ Can I say who it is?
Matherly/ Well, we'll follow up with you.
Conzemius/ Okay, cause one time I talked to Animal Control and complained about another
neighbor who lives right next door to Frankie and, um, they said, `Oh we haven't been
out there in years,' and I've called for many, many times about those two dogs.
Matherly/ And just so everybody knows the process, when Animal Control's not available, then
our police officers will respond. So it's not like you have to call Monday through Friday.
If at 3:00 A.M. you've heard three hours of barking and you're thinkin' `I'm just not
gettin' to sleep,' give us a call! We'll respond and, uh, usually when we tell a resident
that calms it down, but if it's ongoing like this, we need to think of something.... we need
to look at the bigger picture. Um, so we'll work with you on that.
Conzemius/ Thank you so much.
Matherly/ You bet!
Conzemius/ Thank you.
Treloar/ Ma'am, unfortunately I can attest to the ... the police does act on these things. We have a
little Shih Tzu and they're an alarm dog, and it lets us know every time that evil postal
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worker's attacking our house (laughter) and he's so proud of himself when he's chased
that evil postal worker away (laughter) so, you know, anybody who comes by, he lets us
know. Evidently one day when we were gone, I don't know if they were working in the
street or what but something must have been out in front of our house and he barked and
we received a notice from the City that we needed to keep our dog under control. You
know, a neighbor had complained, which they should of, but uh, yeah. They .... they do
take action (laughs)
Conzemius/ Well I've been told that the police have been told before Chief Matherly came on
board that the police were not to deal with my problems with my barking dogs, that only
Animal Control could, but if Animal Control doesn't, then I'm out of luck. Now that
Chief Matherly is on board, so I hope that policy will change.
Treloar/ Yeah, this was before Chief Matherly came on board, but yeah.
Conzemius/ Yeah.
Treloar/ It was embarrassing! (laughter)
Conzemius/ Well we used to have a dog but he didn't bark unless somebody came to the door.
He was a good boy. But....
Treloar/ Thank you so much for your. comments.
Conzemius/ Thank you.
Goedken/ Hi, my name is Roger Goedken. I'm the Director of Successful Living, which is a
human service agency in town here. Um, first I want to offer appreciation for the people
who are on the board. I appreciate your time, um, and your expertise, and welcome, uh,
Chief Matherly, um, to Iowa City. And I'm glad you're having a great time here and
hopefully this, uh, board and everything works out great. So I guess my .... my questions
are more .... more broad and general. I ... working at a human service agency I wanted to
have an idea of what your thoughts are, perspectives are, goals maybe even with, um, the
mentally ill population in the Iowa City area. Um, we ... our agency has had a, more than
it's fair share of experience with the Police Department. Not all .... not bad in fact. A lot
of it very positive. Um, but I just was curious where .... what direction you kind of were
heading with ... with that or (mumbled) broader goals with, you know, what do you see the
...the larger issues and how you're planning to address those things.
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Matherly/ Well that's a good question and .... and to be honest with you, that's probably one of
the top five issues in every city in the nation, unfortunately. Uh, as resources have been
cut in the social services side and human services, that has increased enforcement
and ... and problem... dealing with problems on the police side. So they're telling our
officers... get out of the police academy; you've got a side arm; you've got .... taser;
you've got a baton; you've got a badge and a uniform; and go deal with every problem
that there is, that nobody else wants to deal with. And unfortunately folks that have
mental illness that have no place in prison, uh, wouldn't be there if we could get help on
the front end of it, and uh, you know, they're.... they're left to fend for themselves.
Families are frustrated. They're fending for themselves. And they're.... they're doing
everything they can within their resources, but at the end of the day, we end up, um,
putting these folks in jail or in prison, because there's nowhere else for `em. It's a
nationwide problem. With that being said, I will tell you that, uh, Iowa City, Johnson
County, is .... and Linn County, are taking the lead on training our officers, uh, better, and
working with social services in, uh, crisis intervention training. And we're teaching the
officers, uh, how to identify, um, mental health issues. (several talking) Um, how to
identify mental health issues, recognize that that's.... that's the root of the issue here. It's
not somebody upset. It's somebody that ... that's having difficulty and is in crisis mode,
um, so identify what it is, and then identify how to handle that in a safe and ... and patient
and prudent manner, uh, and get the person the help they need. Um, it takes more time to
do that. Uh, the officers said, `Chief, you understand if we do this .... what would have
been a 20 -minute arrest, you know, last month is now a three-hour process to .... to get
help.' I said, 'But ... but it's the right thing to do!' At the end of the day, there's less
resources on the criminal justice side if we get help appropriately. Um .... and that
program is going to continue to expand, uh, and I don't know if anybody's ever heard of
the prora... program, but the ... the crisis intervention training comes from a bigger piece of
the puzzle, and I'm sure you've heard of this, but uh... we went down to San Antonio. I
say `we' — the Police Department and Johnson County and....and some of the, uh, I think
some of the Councilpersons as well, and urn... they've got a very holistic look at this,
including from the initial intervention to a referral service, where there's, um, kind of a
stepping stones for these individuals, uh, to get help, and, you know, they have a facility
to handle that. That's really where we need to be to help these folks and get `em back on
their feet and make sure that they're.... that they're functioning good in society and not
hurting themselves or others. Um, so it is a problem. We are part of the solution, uh,
within our resources. I think there's enough need and .... and I think the .... the, uh,
County and the City and ... and the surrounding cities are saying `Let's prioritize this the
best we can.' Uh, I hope the solutions continue. But for now, we're training the officers,
you know, at least take `em to the emergency room, at least try to get referrals there and
see if we can't find a bed, um, and see if we can't keep `em out of the jails and out of the
prisons, um, and do the right thing. So ... does that answer your question?
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Goedken/ That pretty much does, and I guess I'm curious where you kind of want to see things
in a few years. I know there's the training and then there's other resources that, you
know, we have more locally, I guess (both talking)
Matherly/ You know from everything I've studied and read, uh, it...it would be to have a facility
to ... to deal with these folks and put `em in the right place. That's where I'd like to be in a
few years, and um, and get `em the help they need. Uh, our .... I've been doin' this 34
years and I can't tell ya the number of times where I'm frustrated goin..... I have nowhere
to put this person but jail, and unfortunately the families are .... are doin' the best they can,
but their hands are tied.
Goedken/ Right.
Matherly/ It's a bad situation for everybody. It's unfortunate. Um, but society .... not just us....
Goedken/ Yeah.
Matherly/ ...this nation needs to .... to take a better look at our mental health services and, uh, we
need to put more emphasis on that. We have failed in that area, in my opinion. And I say
we the nation.
Goedken/ Right. Right. Yeah, and I commend the training that .... oh, I'm sorry (both talking)
Go ahead!
Townsend/ I had a question. Uh, we ... we have Henri and the service officers. Will they be
working in the schools, and if so, I think they'll be able to help with this area too because
they can identify, you know, students — mentally ill and, uh, especially students that
basically are vulnerable. So hopefully we can kinda get some assistance from that area.
Matherly/ Sure, and you know, the folks in the school are well trained in this area too. Um, and I
can't speak for the school system, but, uh, that collaboration, that partnership, when we
get called there for an out -of -control student, we need to make sure to work together, um,
you know, and not have it be a pipeline to jail for this student and see if there's
alternatives. We have some juvenile programs, diversion programs, in place, like
Ladders, and .... and some things like that where if a .... it's a disorderly conduct charge.
Let's see if we can't get that student, that juvenile some .... some help, uh, as opposed to
just puttin' `em in the juvenile criminal justice system. So, that's a good point. I'm glad
you brought that up because I ... I think that's a, for the youth, it's a ... even, uh, more
important.
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Goedken/ Yeah. I like (mumbled) approach there, so ... if you don't mind I'll give ya a card (both
talking) be in touch.
Matherly/ Absolutely! We'll trade. Thank you very much!
Goedken/ Thank you!
Olmstead/ As way of the (mumbled) Uh, this Saturday in Linn County at Mercy Hospital the
League of Women Voters are putting on a legislative forum and the topic is (mumbled)
so ... it'd be good for some of us (mumbled)
Matherly/ What is the topic? I'm sorry.
Olmstead/ Mental illness.
Matherly/ Oh, gotcha. Okay.
Olmstead/ Which has become quite a topic in our state because we've had three cases of
mentally ill children that killed family members, and in one case a whole family. My
name's Harry Olmstead and urn .... (mumbled) started talking about this (mumbled) talk
further but I'd like to see, uh, the Police Review Board get involved, and that is that we
have a (mumbled). It's a law in probably every state in the nation, but we don't enforce
it. And that is jaywalking. I say if we're gonna have it on the books, enforce it or get it
off the books! Because what's sort of message, particularly to college students are we
sending? You know, we won't bust `em for jaywalking, but we will bust `em for
underage drinking or smokin' marijuana or whatever else it may be. So that's a concern.
Green/ (mumbled) ...forum, um, you said it was Saturday at Mercy?
Olmstead/ Saturday, Mercy, 10:00 (both talking) ...11:45 (mumbled) (several talking)
Gravitt/ (speaking away from mic, unable to hear)
Treloar/ Would you mind comin' up to the mic though so the people that watch this on TV can
hear ya? (laughs) I know it's (mumbled) but it's....
Gravitt/ (speaking away from mic, unable to hear) (laughter) What I'm really concerned about
is that new law that the Governor's thinking about signing — 14 -year-olds packing guns —
and, uh, you know, when you're 14 you .... your hormones are working and you know,
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this 14 -year-old with a gun is not gonna go over well, because like we talked about, you
know, the families that.... families are bein' wiped out ... by teenagers, underage people.
So the Governor's thinking about signing this thing. But is there anything that can be
done about that ... to .... to show him that we're not in the wild, wild west any more! I'm
from Philadelphia, and what is known as crime out here to me is a joke because, um...
nothing is .... is, crime out here is more of a nuisance. People annoying each other. But
real ... when you ... in a real situation, even in Philadelphia, nobody's thinkin' about packin'
a gun! You know there's guns there but nobody .... any reasonable person, they don't
want that, and I don't ... I live in Iowa City. I don't want that for Iowa, because .... I came
out here and it's peaceful. So why give a child a gun? That's all. Thank you. (several
talking)
Matherly/ Uh, the best I can speak on that, I haven't the final product, but I did follow the bill as
it was .... having, uh, amendments put on. The 14 -year-old provision was not to, um, give
`em a .... a concealed carry permit, uh, a license to cant', but to have access to the gun
through weapon's training and ... and urn .... you know, be able to, uh, shoot the gun and
handle the gun, uh, with some parental guide, but not .... not to walk the streets with it, so
the law wasn't intended for that. Um, just for clarification.
Gravitt/ But it's unintentional! If...if your child knows where a gun is, the child knows where the
gun is. Guns are for policemen.
Matherly/ Sure! Um....
Gravitt/ ...and not for children!
Matherly/ Yeah, and it's .... that's.....you know, I can't speak for the legislators or the lobbyists
or the, you know, the interpretation of Second Amin ... of Second Amendment of the
Constitution for right to bear arms but um ... that's .... that's my understanding of it, so....
um, that's the best I can tell you. Thank you.
Reger/ Hi there, my question.... and I'm not sure if you're able to answer this, but what kind of
issues are people coming to you with? Like in the past year.
Treloar/ What kind of complaints?
Reger/ Yeah! Uh huh.
Treloar/ Oh.....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Community Police Review
Board Community Forum of April 12, 2017.
Page 13 Community Police Review Board Community Forum
Reger/ And I was wondering if...if several of you have been on this for several years, if you've
seen a change in the kind of complaints you're getting from people.
Treloar/ In the past year we've had, uh.... urn, allegations about questionable interview and
interrogation techniques, um, unlawful seizure of cell phones, uh, unlawful entry into
residence, unnecessary use of force, failure to activate body cameras, urn ... pretty much
anything you can imagine. You know, people get upset and.... they.... they make a
complaint. It's pretty much everything you can imagine somebody would complain
about, so .... um, I .... I can .... there are a few more if you want me to keep goin' or....
Reger/ No. I was just wondering if (both talking) Change (several talking)
Treloar/ Oh! Okay! Um....
Reger/ (mumbled) ...if things have ... I don't know, have you been all on this committee for a
while or....
Green/ My name's Monique Green. I've been on the board since August, so I (both talking) like
a lot of scope and scale yet, but I'm still, you know, kind of learning what type of cases
that we (mumbled)
Treloar/ Um, people complaining that their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech or, um,
improper detention or arrest, (mumbled) or verbal identification, um .... failure to inform
reason for arrest, uh, improper search after arrest, improper handcuffing, use of profanity,
fabricated probable cause, and you know, bear in mind, that's a list of complaints. That
doesn't mean that those complaints were all founded and sustained, but that's the
complaints that have been made. Um....
King/ It hasn't changed much over the years.
Treloar/ No.
King/ I've been on the board, uh.... oh, probably six years, um, I was on the board and then I was
off and then I came back on. Um, but the complaints.... basically follow the same thing.
Um ... a lot of `em are, urn .... well, some of `em that we look at like the body cams, that's
an internal police policy that when an officer responds he's supposed to have his body
camera on. Um .... maybe during an incident he didn't have it on, and that was, uh,
sustained complaint. There was no film or .... video to .... look at, because the officer
didn't have it on. That's a department policy. Urn .... but other complaints, like I said, it
ranges, urn .... a lot of `em are, you know, excessive use of force or things like that, so...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Community Police Review
Board Community Forum of April 12, 2017.
Page 14 Community Police Review Board Community Forum
Townsend/ I've been on the board a short period of time but during that time what I've realized
is that, you know, we've gotta look at the whole picture, you know. There are many,
many views. You got the view of the are ... officer tryin' to do a job. If it's a situation
where a family member's involved, you know, emotions run real high, and basically I
think, you know, it's good that we have our group because we can look at it and we can
kind of separate that, but uh, personally I feel that our officers do a very good job under
those circumstances, and a lot of times the people feel that they were bein' treated
unfairly, but that's mainly because they really don't understand the law.
Treloar/ The body cams have really helped.... really, really helped with our investigations, cause,
you know, people do .... it's a highly emotional situation and sometimes.... your
perception of how things are going ... is kind of based on your emotional state. I mean,
when you look at the camera you can see that the person's upset and might see something
a certain way, but sometimes it's not that way! (laughs) So, I really appreciate the body
cameras and it's my understanding that with officers not having body cameras on, um,
primarily older officers. That's not their first thought when they're going into a tense
situation — is my body camera on? You know, they were trained a different way. Newer
officers, they grew up with that. That's... that's usually not a problem for them (laughs)
but .... so .... I mean....
Reger/ And how do people find you, to complain, like do they call the police office and (several
talking) I mean I've seen the, yeah, what's the process?
Treloar/ Um .... we have these brochures at the Police Department, and I believe we have some
here at the Library. There are several places around town. Um .... you can contact the
Police Department to make a complaint. Contact us directly to make a complaint.
Contact the Police Department to make a complaint, you know, find out how to make a
complaint through us. Uh, we meet every month at .... over here at City Hall, and we have
our agendas posted and our meetings posted. Those are all open meetings. We welcome,
you know, the citizens to come and, um, give their input or complaints. There's literature
on the back desk there too that spells out, uh, the complaint process on the ... in that
literature. This is how it appears online, so if you want to access it online, and it's even
online in Spanish. So....
Reger/ Si!
Treloar/ (laughter) Yes! I mean .... we're, like I said, we're the only .... we're the only review
board in the state of Iowa, and .... we really try and work hard to make sure the people
utilize us and use us because... it just makes things better for everybody!
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Board Community Forum of April 12, 2017.
Page 15 Community Police Review Board Community Forum
Reger/ So are there... these boards in other states?
Treloar/ Some—yes! Some states have boards like this, um .... um .... there're just none other in
Iowa!
Reger/ Yeah.
Treloar/ You know.....
Reger/ Thank you.
Treloar/ I .... I, like I say, I'm proud that Iowa City is a community where people want the best,
and they work for the best, and they make sure that they have process in place, so if
there's a problem, they can get a result, and get the best of whatever they can get. Yes,
sir!
Olmstead/ (speaking away from mic, unable to hear) I think we owe a big round of thanks to the
City Manager and the City Council for approving the hiring of Jody. Jody has been out
there. He's very visible ... at neighborhood meetings and all around. We really.....I.....I
(mumbled) and I'm sure everyone else does. (applause) (several talking and laughing)
Townsend/ Harry, I'd just like to add to that that, um, you know, sort of like ... like forming. You
know, the first thing you gotta do is you gotta identify the (mumbled) then you gotta
plant it, and later on it will yield. Well I think we're at that point where we're beginnin'
to get the benefits of the yield because, you know, uh, the City is hirin' minority officers,
uh, a lot of programs. The Mayor has got a monthly, uh, roundtable where, you know,
people come and express. Human Rights is doin' a heck of a job, so .... you know ... five
years ago, I have to be honest, five years ago, Iowa City was no place close to bein' in..in
the, to where we are now, but a lot of work, people workin' together. I think we're at a
point where we can really take off and make some good things happen.
Olmstead/ (speaking away from mic, unable to hear)
Townsend/ Oh, well I .... I won't go that far! (laughter)
Green/ And I'd like to add that a wonderful thing that, um, Iowa City has is the, uh, Johnson
County Citizens Police Academy. I'm taking that currently. I know Mazahir took that
previously and so it really gives you some insight into what the, uh, Johnson County
Sheriff s Department does, um, the, uh, University Police, and then Coralville, North
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Community Police Review
Board Community Forum of April 12, 2017.
Page, 16 Community Police Review Board Community Forum
Liberty, and um, Iowa City. So (mumbled) attendance as well, so (laughs) I really
enjoyed that!
Salih/ (mumbled) ....for like, this is my last year, but I be like almost four years, uh, but most of
the complaints that I saw were excessive use of force, and if you (mumbled) exactly why
(mumbled) and you will say like .... then using it like the right time, yeah.
Treloar/ I served in law enforcement and other agencies and years ago a sheriff told me that the
way you solve .... you solve more crimes over a cup of coffee than any other way. You
know, the meaning in that was it's the citizens that let ya know what's goin' on, what's
goin' on right, what's goin' on wrong. And if you don't have that relationship where you
can sit down with your citizens over a cup of coffee, have a good conversation, you're
not gonna be as effective as you can be. And I'm really .... I'm really glad that we're
moving in that direction of, you know, communicating with our citizens and .... feeling
like we can come together and talk and share our concerns. (unable to hear person
speaking from audience) (laughter)
Salih/ (unable to understand) good thing about somebody, maybe (unable to understand) like he
met yesterday with our members at the Center for Worker Justice and so they have like a
lot of questions that they need to be answered, and it was a very good meeting, and uh, I
guess Chief made promise to have this kind of meeting with the community and I
encourage like all the community and Iowa City residents (unable to understand) help of
the community and support of the Chief (unable to understand) have like, uh, I mean like
(unable to understand) an issue about the policing in this community, and I think (unable
to understand) we need to support our new Chief so we can have really good
communications between the residents and the Police Department.
Treloar/ Any other input, concerns, questions? Well I'd really like to thank you all for coming.
Um .... like I said, we meet every month. We're your board! Please use us! Um ... we're
there, um, contact us. We're all in this together to .... for the same end. We want the best
police department we can possibly have! So .... thank you again for coming and .... I'll,
uh.... I need a motion to adjourn.
Adjournment:
King/ So moved.
Townsend/ Second.
Treloar/ Moved and seconded. We are adjourned! Thank you so much.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Community Police Review
Board Community Forum of April 12, 2017.
CITY OF IOWA CITY 4b(5)
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 5, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Bob Miklo, Historic Preservation Commission
Re: Recommendations from Historic Preservation Commission
At their April 13, 2017 meeting the Historic Preservation Commission approved the March 9
minutes with the following recommendation to the City Council:
The Commission recommended by a vote of 9-0 (Agran and Baker absent) the
Commissioned endorsed the plans submitted by the Public Works Department for the
Davenport Street Brick Renovation.
Additional action (check one)
No further action needed
Board or Commission is requesting Council direction
_X_ Agenda item will be prepared by staff for Council action - Done
MINUTES APPROVED
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MARCH 9, 2017
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kevin Boyd, Zach Builta, Gosia Clore, Sharon DeGraw, Cecile
Kuenzli, Andrew Litton, Pam Michaud, Ginalie Swaim, Frank
Wagner
MEMBERS ABSENT: Thomas Agran, Esther Baker
STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow, Bob Miklo, Dave Panos
OTHERS PRESENT: Alicia Trimble
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: By a vote of 9-0 (Agran and Baker absent) the
Commissioned endorsed the plans submitted by the Public Works Department for the
Davenport Street Brick Renovation.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Swaim called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Trimble said that the Parade of Historic Homes is being planned for the Manville Heights
Neighborhood this year. She said that she is working with a lot of mid-century modern homes,
which are small, so the more the better.
Trimble asked Commission members to inform her if they know anyone who might be interested
in having his/her home on the Parade this year. She provided her contact information. Trimble
said the focus is on Henry Fisk houses but is not limited to those homes.
REVIEW OF PLANS FOR DAVENPORT STREET BRICK RECONSTRUCTION:
Panos stated that he is with the City of Iowa City Public Works Department. He referred to the
distributed memo providing information about the introduction, history, and background.
Panos referred to handouts that he had provided and said that he would have a slide
presentation. He said this refers to the two blocks of Davenport Street from Linn Street to
Clinton Street. Panos said that a portion of that is in the Gilbert/Linn Historic District.
Panos said that the brick here is in really bad shape. He said that the brick underlying surface
is likely sand and gravel, and the base is just gone. Panos said it is deteriorated enough that
there is the waviness of the brick. He stated that water gets down through the brick surface and
stays there so that over time there is the wave action on the top.
Panos discussed the condition of the curb and gutter. He said there is some concrete curb and
gutter there but also some stone curb and gutter. Panos said the main goal with the project is to
fix the brick, replace the brick, and to replace the curb section as well.
Panos presented information on the cross section of the right-of-way on Davenport Street. He
said it is 85 feet wide, which gives a lot of room to work between the sidewalks and the street
section.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 9, 2017
Page 2 of 7
Kuenzli asked about the abbreviations HMA and PCC. Panos said that PCC stands for portland
concrete cement.
Panos said the intention is to remove the brick surface and replace the sub -grade with a twelve -
inch compaction preparation, which solidifies the base. He said that a six-inch, modified sub-
base will be put in, along with some sub -grade lines to provide for a drainable base layer under
the road.
Panos said that on top of the drainable base, a seven-inch PCC slab will be installed. He said
that on top of the concrete slab, a one -inch HMA, (hot mix asphalt) which is an asphalt setting
bed, will be installed. Panos said that helps to seat the brick, which is installed directly on top of
that.
Panos said what is left is a seven-inch concrete street and then the brick veneer on the top. He
said they will be removing the existing brick and then resetting the brick.
Wagner asked what is done with the old limestone curbs. Panos answered that they can be
stockpiled. Panos said that they can then be used on other projects.
Panos said that all of the brick is not in the best shape. He said it will need to be supplemented
with brick that is on hand or purchased.
Michaud asked if it is possible to have any rain drain into the soil for run-off mitigation. Panos
replied that, with this project, with the sub -drain lines, they are providing a new storm sewer
system on each block. He said the intent is that the water drains through the surface, gets into
the crushed rock, and then drains out to the sub -drain or the storm sewer system. Panos said
the idea is to get the water away from the road.
Panos said that at the Clinton Street intersection, they will be removing and replacing the curb
ramps at each quadrant of the intersection. He said the project will include curb ramp removal
and replacement at the three intersections.
Panos said the project will probably require a slight adjustment in the profile - a matter of
difference between the crown of the road now and what will be installed. He said the driveway
aprons for the properties along here will likely have to be removed, and there will be some
sidewalk removal.
Panos said the block will include removal and replacement of the water main. He said that any
time there is a new street construction project, they like to replace the utilities that are there to
prevent having to go in later for repair.
Panos said the plans are in the preliminary stages, but he thinks it will move fairly quickly. He
said the plan is to replace sidewalk as needed and where the driveway approaches need to be
replaced as needed to match back into the existing driveways.
Panos showed the Dubuque to Linn Street block. He said this will include installation of new
storm sewer piping on the north side of the road, which will help with the drainage in that area.
Panos said that some of the driveway aprons will be replaced. He said that at Linn and
Davenport, it will be in the best interest to replace that intersection as well. Panos said the
condition of the brick within that intersection is fair to marginal, so it would make sense to
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 9, 2017
Page 3 of 7
possibly redo that intersection when the contractor is there. Panos said there will be curb ramps
and utility replacement in that block also.
Panos said that McClure Engineering has been hired for this project to complete the plan and
development. Panos said his role is to review the plans and take care of contract
administration. He said they will develop the plan, send it out to bid, and then his department
will administer the project.
Panos said the plans are preliminary, to mid -phase. He thought the final plans would be
completed mid-March to April, with a bid -letting date in May and construction summer to fall.
Referring to the picture of the area going from Clinton to Linn Street, Kuenzli said that north and
south of the street it looks as though it is just one rental property after another. She said that
new storm sewers are being installed. Kuenzli asked if there is some plan to raze the old
houses there and put up mega -structures for rental again. Panos responded that he is not
aware of any plans out there to install anything different.
Miklo said that nothing like that is associated with this project. Kuenzli said that in a way it is,
because of the storm sewer issue. She asked if the storm sewers are being enlarged to
accommodate structures to come. Miklo said they are not.
Panos said there will be discussion with the property owners as to whether they would like to
replace their pipes as well, since it would make sense to do it at this time. He said it would be
more so for the west block from Clinton to Dubuque Street, where the water main is being
replaced.
Swaim said the City has continued to maintain the brick streets for several years. She thanked
the City and City Council for the commitment and investment to this work.
MOTION: Kuenzli moved to endorse the City's project for the Davenport Street Brick
Renovation. Michaud seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Agran
and Baker absent).
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS:
1519 Muscatine Avenue
Bristow said this house is on the north end of the Dearborn Street Conservation District. She
said the survey discusses it being a Moffitt and Blakely house, although she did not know if that
is a fact.
Bristow said that it does have some historic character. She said it has its original historic
windows, and the siding has interesting details.
Bristow said the project is to install a basement egress window. She said the owners are
finishing the basement, and the bedroom is in the front corner next to the adjacent property.
Bristow said the house almost faces into the corner of the adjacent property, and the location of
the egress window would be on the front of the house.
Bristow said her staff report discusses making an exception for the location of the egress
window. She said that a location right around the corner is not available because of a deck all
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 9, 2017
Page 4 of 7
along that side. Bristow said that because of this kind of siting, the neighbor has a fence that
comes up almost into that corner, and the street is lower than the property, staff finds that an
exception could be made for the location of the egress window on this particular house.
Bristow said this would have a concrete window well. She stated that the house has a rock -face
block foundation. Bristow said there would be a top course of that on the window well.
Bristow said the window would be a casement window for egress. She said that at this point, it
is a metal -clad wood that would have muntin bars to make it look like a double hung window.
Bristow said the basement windows are all three -light windows, although there is a replacement
window on the back that has no divided lights, and it seems to stand out. She said that, on the
house, one can see that the second floor windows are all two over two but are all horizontally
divided, which is a little bit unusual and unique.
Bristow said staff is considering recommending something that is three divided in the top and a
single on the bottom type of look. She said that may match the other windows better.
Bristow stated that the material for the windows meets the guidelines. She said it is just a
matter of making an exception for the location, which staff does recommend in this case.
Swaim said that Howard Moffitt did build a lot of non -stone, less ornate houses. She said that
there is a sort of informal inventory of houses that are attributed to Moffitt at the State Historical
Society.
MOTION: Boyd moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 1519
Muscatine Avenue as presented in the application with the exception that the new
window may be located on the primary elevation due to the room location and site
situations with the following conditions: window product information to be submitted for
staff approval. Michaud seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 8-0
(Aaran and Baker absent. Wagner abstainino).
t�li73�Ye1�[y�:i11�[N_\��y6�Y�1��:]'Ly7GU:L1►1��1y
Certificate of No Material Effect - Chair and Staff Review.
737 South 7th Avenue
Bristow said this property is the second house north of Sheridan and is in the Dearborn Street
Conservation District. She said the front step is being rebuilt. Bristow said the owners are
basically reusing the stringer; there were some gaps. She said the owners are also replacing
the unfinished aluminum storm door with a metal -clad wood core door that will fit a little bit
better.
328 Brown Street
Bristow referred to a photograph showing that there is a little bit of a plain picket fence and a
little bit of a picket with spaces attached to each other that is totally overgrown with vines. She
said the owners will be replacing this with a six-foot plain fence with a foot of lattice on the top.
Bristow said this had to come to the City, because the fence is one foot taller it requires a
building permit. She said the owners will be using steel posts hidden by wooden pieces put
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 9, 2017
Page 5 of 7
over them. Bristow said it will basically look like any other wood picket with fence but will have
steel posts instead.
Minor Review - Staff Review
629 Oakland Avenue
Bristow said this house is a small bungalow with very tight, two-inch lap siding. She said the
garage is covered in steel siding. Bristow said the owners plan to remove the steel siding and
replace it with cement board. She said this is kind of a compromise in that the owners are going
with a four -inch lap. Bristow said it is a little step down in the formality for the garage. She said
the owners plan to add in corner boards to match the house and frieze board at the top of the
wall
1230 East Burlinaton Street
Bristow said that at one time, the Commission allowed the owners of this house to put on vinyl
siding. She stated that this house is considered non-contributing, because it is a 1940s house
in a district of older houses. Bristow said the owners also replaced some of the windows at that
time.
Bristow said the owners now intend to replace all of the rest of the windows except for the front
four on the first floor. She said this house does have its original windows. Bristow said that,
because the house was built in the 1940s, the windows are not quite in the condition in which
staff would like to see them maintained.
Bristow said that because of that, because of its non-contributing status, and because of the fact
that this house has a mixture of window types and vinyl siding, the owners have been allowed to
replace the windows except for the front windows.
DISCUSS HISTORIC PRESERVATION WORK PLAN FOR 2017.
Bristow said the Commission usually meets once a year to discuss the work plan for the year to
decide what to work on. She said she then sends a memo to the City Manager.
Bristow said that over the past couple of years, the Commission has been working on the
landmark properties. She said there is a pretty extensive list of individual landmark properties
that were earmarked in 2015. Bristow said they are still on the list and will probably move
forward very soon.
Bristow said there have also been some successful grant requests, such as the City Park cabin
roof rehabilitation. She said there have not been bids for that, but the City will be re -bidding it
and working on the schedule and other qualifications for the contractors to get some bids to
come through on that.
Bristow said there has also been a civil rights grant that came through for the signage,
educational materials, and National Register nomination for the two homes for African-American
students at The University of Iowa.
Bristow said there has been work done on the Facebook page, and there have been some
speakers.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 9, 2017
Page 6 of 7
Bristow said that currently, the local landmarks are being worked on. She said that the civil
rights grants will have to be implemented. Bristow said the City Council has directed that the
downtown survey be redone, and a consultant will need to be hired for that. Bristow said the
cabin grant is continuing. She said the Manville Heights residents have approached the staff
about meeting and discussing a district.
Bristow said the City Council has approved beginning an historic preservation fund, which will
be rolled out and implemented. She said that this will be a fund that will go out to homeowners
and landlords, and the specifics to help them, either in the form of loans or grants to help them
maintain, rehabilitate, and repair historic homes will need to be worked out.
Bristow said this money will only be for homes in districts or for landmarks, and it will not be for
non -historic homes. She said that non-contributing homes would still be eligible, because they
might be made contributing. Bristow said staff really wants to see work that removes synthetic
siding, opens up an enclosed porch, or takes away the things that detract from the historic
character but also maintains some of the historic details. She said this will be funded by the
City. Bristow said that there may be some matching requirements.
Bristow stated that for all of the work that the Commission has going on, staff recommends that
the current workload be focused on and new projects not be introduced.
Boyd asked what role staff would like the Commission members to play in terms of
implementing these projects. Bristow said that she believes that this will come up as things will
move along. She said that for some of these things, the expertise of individuals will be involved
Miklo said that there will have to be a series of meetings with the owners of potential landmarks
He said there is a need for Commissioners to present proposals to encourage property owners
to agree with making their properties landmarks. Miklo said those will be set up over the next
few months, and one or two Commission members attending those meetings would be helpful.
MOTION: Boyd moved that the Historic Preservation Work Plan for 2017 move forward
as presented. Builta seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Auran
and Baker absent).
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 12,2017:
MOTION: Kuenzli moved to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's
February 9, 2017 meeting, as written. Builta seconded the motion. The motion carried on a
vote of 9-0 (Aoran and Baker absent).
COMMISSION INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION
Bristow said that since the agenda for the meeting was distributed, staff received the revised
drawings for the Longfellow School, which the City signed off on. She showed the plans to the
Commission: the site plan, the views from all directions, the existing building, the new glass
entry, and the addition. Bristow also showed an aerial view.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2016-2017
NAME
TERM
EXP.
3112
4/14
5/12
6/9
7/14
8/11
9/8
10/13
11/10
12/8
1/12
2/9
319
AGRAN, THOMAS
7/1/17
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
BAKER, ESTHER
7/1/18
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
BOYD, KEVIN
7/1/17
—
—
—
—
--
—
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
BUILTA, ZACH
7/1/19
—
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
CLORE, GOSIA
7/1/17
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
0/E
X
DEGRAW, SHARON
7/1/19
—
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
KUENZLI, CECILE
7/1/19
—
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
0/E
X
X
LITTON, ANDREW
7/1/17
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
0/E
X
X
X
MICHAUD, PAM
7/1/18
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
SANDELL, BEN
7/1/17
X
X
X
X
SWAIM, GINALIE
7/1/18
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
WAGNER, FRANK
7/1/18
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
— = Not a Member
4b(6)
APPROVED Minutes
Human Rights Commission
Helling Conference Room, City Hall
March 14, 2017
Members Present:
Eliza Willis, Jeff Falk, Shams Ghoneim, Adil Adams, Kim Hanrahan, Barbara Kutzko, Andrea
Cohen.
Members Absent:
Joe Coulter.
Staff Present:
Stefanie Bowers.
Others Present:
Micah Ariel James, Jacob Yarrow, RaQuishia Harrington.
Recommendations to City Council: No.
Call to Order:
Hanrahan called the meeting to order at 5:32PM.
Approval of February 21, 2017 Minutes:
Ghoneim moved to approve the minutes; the motion was seconded by Kutzko. A vote was taken
and the motion passed 7-0.
Hancher Programming Opportunity:
Hancher over the next year and a half will be offering specific programming that focuses on
Muslim identity and culture. The programming will be funded by a grant Hancher received to
increase cross-cultural knowledge and understanding through arts and culture. Commissioners
Cohen, Falk, and Kutzko will meet to discuss ways to collaborate.
Collaborating with Community Organizations:
Hanrahan asked for this item to be placed on the April meeting agenda.
Funding Request Andre' Wright:
The request to assist in bringing Dr. Jason Sole back to Iowa City for further programming was
approved 7-0 for $100 to cover travel expenses. Moved by Willis seconded by Ghoneim.
Funding Request from Recreation Division:
The request to assist with All About Girls Summit was approved for $100 to offset the airline
ticket to Orlando, Florida. Moved by Ghoneim seconded by Falk.
Vendor Request Iowa City Pride:
The Commission will participate in this annual event. Staff will process the payment and
registration.
Report from the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights:
Ghoneim attended Toward a Legal Definition of Islamophobia held February 27. The next
quarterly meeting is May 1.
Announcements:
Cohen reported on the Iowa United Nations Association's Bride's March on March 8. Hike for
Refugees will be held on April 29.
Willis reported on the success of the Know Your Rights program held on March 11.
Falk mentioned that he and his wife recently became a host family to a young man from
Afghanistan who is a student at Scattergood Friends School in West Branch.
Adams reported on the Know Your Rights program and looks forward to holding the event again
in the near future.
Kutzko serves on the Juneteenth Planning Committee. The event will be on June 24 at Mercer
Park Aquatic Center. She is overseeing the health fair for the annual event.
Ghoneim helped plan a potluck for Jewish and Muslim youth. The event was well received by
those who attended. She will also meet with visitors from Italy on April 3 to discuss Community
IDs.
Staff:
The strategic planning meeting for the Social Justice Racial Equity Grant is set for July 11 from
5:15 — 7:15PM at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center.
Next meeting date April 25, 2017 at 5:30PM.
Adjournment: 7:11 PM.
2
Human Rights Commission
Attendance Record
Key
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
R = Resigned
TERM
April
May
June
July
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
NAME
EXP.
is,
17,
21,
7,
19,
16,
20,
is,
15,
20,
17,
21,
14,
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2017
2017
2017
Barbara
I/]/
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
X
X
X
X
X
X
Kutzko
2020
Jeff Falk
1/1/202
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
X
X
X
0
D'Angelo
1/1/202
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
X
X
O/E
R
R
R
Bailey
0
Joe Coulter
I/l/201
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
9
Adil Adams
1/1/201
O
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
9
Eliza Jane
1/1/201
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Willis
9
Andrea
1/1/201
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
Cohen
8
Kim
1/1/201
X
X
X
X
X
O
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Hanrahan
8
Shams
1/1/201
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
Ghoneim
8
Key
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
R = Resigned
4b(7)
IOWA CITY
f� PUBLIC LIBRARY
123 S. Linn St. •Iowa City, IA 52240
v Suf.n44q�w.r 3191563}W �... )i9.356H93�ww.vkd w9
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
March 23, 2017
FINAL APPROVED
Members Present: John Beasley (in at 5:07 pm), Janet Freeman, Adam Ingersoll, Tom Martin, Robin
Paetzold, Meredith Rich -Chappell, Jay Semel, Monique Washington.
Members Absent: Diane Baker.
Staff Present: Maeve Clark, Susan Craig, Kara Logsden, Anne Mangano, Patty McCarthy, Elyse Miller,
Brent Palmer, Angela Pilkington.
Guests Present: Terri Byers, Alex Chappell.
Call Meeting to Order. President Semel called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
Public Discussion. None.
Approval of Minutes.
The minutes of the February 23, 2017 Library Board of Trustees meeting were reviewed. A motion to
approve the Minutes was made by Martin and seconded by Freeman. Motion carried 7/0.
Committee to review spaces for possible art gallery. Semel and Craig discussed and Beasley and
Washington volunteered to serve on a committee at the February Board meeting. In addition, Candice
Smith, Librarian and Art Advisory Committee staff person and Thomas Agran, a member of the Art
Advisory Committee, will also serve. Craig said the current Display Policy and information about the Art
Advisory Committee was included in the packet. Craig said she will arrange a meeting. Semel said he
was going tojoin the committee, Freeman would like to attend the meeting also.
Policy Review: 702: Library Programming Policy. This is a regularly scheduled policy review. No
significant changes were suggested; primarily an acknowledgment of STEAM initiatives and activities.
Ingersoll was glad to see the Adobe Creative Suite classes. Craig said we were able to purchase this
expensive software at an educational rate which finally made it affordable for us to offer to the public.
Semel talked about more targeted programming for the public, particularly since the election. Craig
said libraries are often called "the People's University", and she said we plan much of our programming
injust this way. Craig said before early childhood literacy was a "thing", children's librarians were always
concentrating on early reading and literacy and preparing children to be better students. Clark said ICPL
is hosting all day programming about the book, 1984. She said pairing films with books and panel
discussions is under discussion for autumn. A motion to approve the policy as amended by staff was
made by Ingersoll and seconded by Washington. Motion carried 8/0.
Policy Review: 703: Cable Television Programming Policy. This is a regularly scheduled policy review.
Craig said the City's franchise with Mediacom is up in 2018 and the future of the Library Channel is
uncertain but we have multiple ways of sharing content with the public. We will deal with changes when
they happen. A motion to approve the policy as amended by staff was made by Freeman and seconded
by Rich -Chappell. Motion carried 8/0.
Request for additional open hours on June 24, 2017. Craig made a request for the building to stay open
on Saturday, 6/24/17, to participate in a community event. She believes staying open from 6:00 pm to
10:00 pm shows support for Iowa City. The Iowa City Downtown District has planned a large community
event from 5:00 pm to 11:00 that evening and showing our support for the event underscores ICPL's
integral role in the life of the downtown and the community. Craig said the calendar was approved last
month and this request is separate. Semel asked if Byers wished to speak about this.
Byers said staff were not aware of the request for additional hours as it had not been approved by the
Board yet. She believes this is a special event, like a holiday, and should not rotate with our regular
scheduling. Byers said this shift needs to be routed separately with the option of time and a half pay or
time off. Byers said there is a safety concern on Saturday nights because Transit does not run that night
and many people will need to find another way home or park far away. Also, staff would have
appreciated a heads up from Craig that this request was coming. Craig said we have a complicated
scheduling system for nights and weekends. The process starts well before the schedule goes into
effect. This is a four hour shift, the same as other Saturday shifts. Craig said including this one shift with
the regular schedule routing seemed the easiest way to determine who was available to work that
evening. Washington asked if there are people who are already willing to work. Craig said the process
calls for people to indicate which weekends they cannot work. Assignments are made based on
whoever is available to work. Craig said in one sense, it gets assigned to people who say they can work.
Ingersoll asked if we need 9 people to work when we are open. Craig said 14 people need to work when
we are open, not all of them permanent staff. Craig said this would be library hours as usual. Holidays
and overtime pay are detailed in the union contract. She said we have people who work these hours
regularly, and we have people who work on Sundays and there is no bus service on Sundays.
Ingersoll believes this is an exceptional event and is a priority and thinks it behooves the library to stay
open, while recognizing safety and staff work considerations. He believes it is Craig's decision to decide
scheduling and it is not the Board's job to determine extra pay. Paetzold said it is Craig's job to
determine the personnel issues here. Semel said he talked with Craig earlier about whether the Board
should be involved in compensation issues. Craig said compensation issues are resolved when the
Board approves the AFSCME contract, which defines holidays and overtime, which we follow strictly.
Managers and hourly staff do not receive overtime, and this is clearly defined in the contract. Ingersoll
asked if an event like this would have the library be more of a public restroom and if is a need for more
security. Craig said there will be police downtown and we have intoxicated people in the library all the
time. Ingersoll believes this event is geared toward a different demographic than the customary
Saturday night crowd. Videogamers are not the frat boys said Ingersoll. Washington asked if there
could be a special compensation for staff who work, like a meal. Craig said no. Beasley asked if the
library can block off areas of the library main entry from the lobby area. Craig said yes. We have special
programs after we close for teens, but we are not open to the public for those events. This request is for
the library to be open to the public for those specific hours. Beasley asked about whether people who
attend these events use the library. Craig said the Friday night concert series brings many people
downtown for music and Friday is our busiest night. Beasley is concerned we might just be a public
restroom. Craig believes this is an important community function and the building was designed this
way, specifically for restrooms to be available to the public. Ingersoll thinks this might not be a big
circulation night and asked if there is another way to see how well used the library is that night. Craig
said we have door counters. Craig stated there will be no special children's programming that evening.
A motion to approve the extra Saturday hours was made by Paetzold and seconded by Rich -Chappell.
Motion carried 8/0.
Staff Reports.
Director's Report. A copy of the memo from the State Librarian about the distribution of direct state aid
funds was included in the packet which is a heads up that the state budget cut affects what we receive
from the state. Craig also included the Enrich Iowa Agreement, which permits Open Access, reciprocal
borrowing. Coralville and North Liberty are our biggest reciprocal libraries. Craig reminded the Board
that the Mission Creek Festival begins 4/4 and the library will host several events. She said there are
more free events this year, and this is always a condition of our participating in Mission Creek. Craig
sent the Board information about security camera legislation. She shared her concerns with the
governmental affairs person and the ILA President, ILA lobbyists, and our state legislators. Craig believes
the legislation moved out of the Senate Subcommittee and no action is scheduled on it so far. There is
no companion bill filed in the House yet which Mary Mascher says is a good sign. Semel was concerned
that the coverage of this issue did not include the original intent of the library's implementing security
cameras which was a child molestation in a bathroom in the Des Moines Public Library. Semel asked
members if the Board can offer counsel on whether the Board should be involved. Freeman,
Washington, and Martin agreed it was an omission for the articles to not discuss the original impetus
for the cameras. Craig said many years ago a 4 year old boy was taken from the old Children's Room. A
man took the boy into the men's room and another man stopped him. Beasley mentioned the current
gun legislation; Craig said if this were to happen, we will have guns in the library and no security
cameras. Martin believes a letter about the seriousness of what can happen in the bathrooms should be
sent to as many people as possible. Freeman said the more precise the letter is about the incidents in
bathrooms, the more visual it should be for readers. Semel will write a letter and will seek editing help.
Craig said there are 3 officers and all are elected for one year terms. Craig said the Bylaws do not
address the number of terms an officer can serve and many officers have served more than one term.
Martin said in the years he has been on the Board this has been true. The Nominating Committee is
Baker, Martin, and Rich -Chappell.
Departmental Reports.
Adult Services. No comments.
Community & Access Services. The bookmobile (BKM) graphics wrapping is expected to begin on
March 30. More bookmobile staff have their learner's permit and a few staff will take the driving test on
4/13. Materials for the bookmobile are coming in; kudos to Mangano who has done great work coding
bookmobile materials for handling. Ingersoll confirmed that anyone can access the BKM at any stop.
Logsden said yes. It looks like the Oaknoll stop will capture University Heights patrons. Logsden
attended the City Manager's Roundtable, and the group made stop suggestions. Sycamore Mall is
excited for us to be there but is concerned about safety because they are remodeling. Logsden said the
bookmobile will stop near Petland. Ingersoll was happy the BKM will stop on the west side of the river
every day. Logsden said the host sites are excited. Ingersoll asked if there will be signs for host stops;
Logsden said there are and will be like realtor signs. Washington asked about the Farmer's Market on
Saturday. Logsden said it will be there in May and June. The near east side is walkable to the library
which is why there isn't a stop there, in response to a comment by Ingersoll. Stops will be longer in
duration at locations closer to neighborhood centers. Ingersoll asked if there could be signs in the
community directing people to BKM locations. Craig said if the Board has popup sites location
suggestions for May that are not on the regular schedule, to let Logsden or Craig know. Ingersoll asked
about kids sporting events locations, like Iowa Soccer Club or Kickers Soccer Park. Washington asked
about Parkview Church. The BKM will be outside of the Library during the Saturday of Arts Fest all day.
Beasley thinks the BKM should be outside the library for the 6/24 event.
Rich -Chappell out at 5:47 pm.
Development Office Report. McCarthy apologized for an incorrect name in the Friends Foundation
calendar in her Board report. Staff are immersed in hand addressing invitations and excited that Mama's
Deli is doing a fundraiser; every Saturday in April, 10% of Mama's Deli's profits will go to the library.
Craig said there was a big turnout at Hudson's for our first "Eat Out and Dine," fundraiser. Martin
mentioned a new restaurant that charged $5 for a meal and donated profits to the schools.
Spotlight on the Collection. No comments.
Miscellaneous. No comments.
President's Report.
Appoint Committee to Evaluate the Director. This committee is responsible for Craig's annual
performance review. Traditionally, three people serve on the committee. Semel would like one of the
prior committee members to be on the committee this year. Paetzold said she would serve again;
Freeman and Beasley will also serve.
Board recruitment. Semel asked which Board members have terms expiring. Craig responded that
Paetzold, Martin, and Rich -Chappell are completing their terms. Craig said the last time there were
Board openings was the first time we "advertised" the Board openings. We will post notices on the
website and in other places for everyone to see. Gender balance is required by law, in response to a
question from Semel.
Announcements from Members.
Freeman thought Board members would be interested in an article in American Scholorjournal called
"The cloistered books of Peru," by Helen Hazen. Miller will copy and email to members. Beasley asked
how many little bookmobiles we have, referring to the tiny 3-D paper replicas each Board member
received at the meeting. Craig said we are getting some of these printed; the ones they received were
individually created by our Graphics Specialist. Beasley said he thought when he saw it would be filled
with crackers, like the cookie box for animal crackers. Others also had the same thought. Craig said we
could think about doing something like this. Ingersoll thinks the brochure is great but does not believe
it will appear well on the webpage. He wondered if there will be a meme ora more friendly
representation for patrons to see. Logsden said the webpage is under construction.
Paetzold out at 6:07 pm.
4
Committee Reports.
Foundation Members. Ingersoll said there wasn't a Board member at the last meeting. Three current
members of the Friends Foundation Board agreed to serve again. Great fundraising planning is
underway. The FFB will move to quarterly meetings to free up more time for committee meetings. There
was a reminder about the Looking Forward event on Sunday, April 23`d. McCarthy said it is a challenging
time for fundraising.
Freeman out at 6:13 pm.
Communications. None.
Disbursements.
The MasterCard expenditures for February, 2017 were reviewed. A motion to approve the
disbursements for February, 2017 was made by Martin and seconded by Washington.
Motion carried 5/0.
Set Agenda Order for April Meeting.
Meet as Corporate Members of the Foundation Board.
President appoints to Foundation Board.
Policy 501: Statement of Authority.
Policy 502: Personnel.
Policy 503: Administrative/Confidential Benefits.
Adjournment. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ingersoll and seconded by Martin.
Motion carried 5/0. President Semel closed the meeting at 6:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elyse Miller
Board or Commission: ICPL Board of Trustees
ATTENDANCE RECORD
12 Month
KEY:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
MeetingDate
Name
Term
Expiration
5/26/16
6/23/16
7/28/16
8/25/16
9/22/16
10/27/16
11/17/16
12/15/16
1/26/17
2/23/17
3/23/17
04/27/17
Diane Baker
6/30/19
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
O/E
O/E
John Beasley
6/30/21
O/E
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Janet Freeman
6/30/19
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
Adam Ingersoll
6/30/21
X
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
Tom Martin
6/30/17
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
Robin Paetzold
6/30/17
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Meredith
Rich -Chappell
6/30/17
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Jay Semel
6/30/19
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Monique
Washington
6/30/21
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
KEY:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
r �f
Shp`? CITY OF IOWA CITY 4b(8)■
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 5, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Bob Miklo, Planning & Zoning Commission
Re: Recommendations from Planning & Zoning Commission
At their April 20, 2017 meeting the Planning & Zoning Commission approved the April 6 minutes
with the following recommendation to the City Council:
1. By a vote of 6-0 (Freerks absent) the Commission recommends setting a public hearing
for April 20 for discussion of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to address
mitigating impact of redevelopment on existing tenants of multi -family buildings (CPA17-
00001).
2. By a vote of 6-0 (Freerks absent) the Commission recommends approval of an
application submitted by Kevin Hanick for a rezoning of approximately 10.26 acres from
Low Density Multifamily Residential (RM -12) to Planned Development Overlay/Low
Density Multifamily Residential (OPD/RM-12) zone and a preliminary sensitive areas
development plan and plat of Larson Subdivision, a 2 -lot, 12.28 -acre residential
subdivision located north of Scott Boulevard between Hickory Heights Lane and First
Avenue (REZ16-00008/SUB16-00012).
3. By a vote of 6-0 (Freerks absent) the Commission recommends approval to add the
new zoning standards for the Orchard Subdistrict amending Title 14, Article 2G,
Riverfront Crossings and Eastside Mixed Use District Form -based Development
Standards.
4. By a vote of 6-0 (Freerks absent) the Commission recommends approval of REZ17-
00003 a proposal to rezone approximately 0.705 acres of property at 619 and 627
Orchard Court from Planned Development Overlay - Low Density Single Family (OPD -5)
Zone to Riverfront Crossings -Orchard (RFC -0) Zone, subject to a conditional zoning
agreement requiring dedication of land along the Orchard Court frontage to widen the
pedestrian area within the public right-of-way to a minimum of 15 feet measured
between the street curb and the new front property line.
5. By a vote of 5-1 (Dyer voting no, Freerks absent) the Commission recommends approval
of REZ17-00004, a request for a rezoning from CB -2, Central Business Services Zone,
to CB -5, Central Business Support Zone subject to design review.
Additional action (check
No further action needed
Board or Commission is requesting Council direction
_X_ Agenda item will be prepared by staff for Council action — Done
MINUTES APPROVED
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
APRIL 6, 2017 — 7:00 PM — FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carolyn Dyer, Mike Hensch, Phoebe Martin, Max Parsons, Mark
Signs, Jodie Theobald
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ann Freerks
STAFF PRESENT: Sara Hektoen, Karen Howard, Bob Miklo, Sarah Walz
OTHERS PRESENT: Paula Swygard, Mark Seabold, Ross (William) Nusser, Nick
Lindsey
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL:
By a vote of 6-0 (Freerks absent) the Commission recommends setting a public hearing for April
20 for discussion of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to address mitigating impact of
redevelopment on existing tenants of multi -family buildings (CPA17-00001).
By a vote of 6-0 (Freerks absent) the Commission recommends approval of an application
submitted by Kevin Hanick for a rezoning of approximately 10.26 acres from Low Density
Multifamily Residential (RM -12) to Planned Development Overlay/Low Density Multifamily
Residential (OPD/RM-12) zone and a preliminary sensitive areas development plan and plat of
Larson Subdivision, a 2 -lot, 12.28 -acre residential subdivision located north of Scott Boulevard
between Hickory Heights Lane and First Avenue (REZ1 6-00008/SUB1 6-00012).
By a vote of 6-0 (Freerks absent) the Commission recommends approval to add the new
zoning standards for the Orchard Subdistrict amending Title 14, Article 2G, Riverfront Crossings
and Eastside Mixed Use District Form -based Development Standards.
By a vote of 6-0 (Freerks absent) the Commission recommends approval of REZ17-00003 a
proposal to rezone approximately 0.705 acres of property at 619 and 627 Orchard Court from
Planned Development Overlay - Low Density Single Family (OPD -5) Zone to Riverfront
Crossings -Orchard (RFC -O) Zone, subject to a conditional zoning agreement requiring
dedication of land along the Orchard Court frontage to widen the pedestrian area within the
public right-of-way to a minimum of 15 feet measured between the street curb and the new front
property line.
By a vote of 5-1 (Dyer voting no, Freerks absent) the Commission recommends approval of
REZ17-00004, a request for a rezoning from CB -2, Central Business Services Zone, to CB -5,
Central Business Support Zone subject to design review.
Hensch called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
There were none
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 2 of 17
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ITEM (CPA17-00001):
Consider a motion setting a public hearing for April 20 for discussion of an amendment to the
Comprehensive Plan to address mitigating impact of redevelopment on existing tenants of multi-
family buildings.
Miklo explained this item is a formality to set a date for community input and the Staff report
regarding this item will be delivered at the April 20, 2017 meeting.
Theobald moved to set a public hearing for April 20 for discussion of an amendment to
the Comprehensive Plan to address mitigating impact of redevelopment on existing
tenants of multi -family buildings (CPA17-00001).
Martin seconded the motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0 (Freerks absent).
REZONING/DEVELOPMENT ITEM (REZ16-00008/SUB16-00011
Discussion of an application submitted by Kevin Hanick for a rezoning of approximately 10.26
acres from Low Density Multifamily Residential (RM -12) to Planned Development Overlay/Low
Density Multifamily Residential (OPD/RM-12) zone and a preliminary plat of Larson Subdivision,
a 2 -lot, 12.28 -acre residential subdivision located north of Scott Boulevard between Hickory
Heights Lane and First Avenue.
Miklo noted that this property was reviewed by the Commission earlier this year for a rezoning
to Low Density Multifamily (RM -12) and the Commission recommended approval and the
Council has since approved. The Applicant then submitted a subdivision application for a
preliminary plat to create two lots, a larger lot for the multi -family development and a smaller lot
for a single family home. During the review of the subdivision Staff determined there was
development activity proposed in the protective slope buffer for the stormwater management
basin and that requires a Planned Development Overlay, which is beyond what Staff can
approve with regards to sensitive areas. Therefore this item is a rezoning as well as a
preliminary plat application.
Both proposed lots conform to the underlying zoning and conform to the subdivision
requirements. The subdivision standards typically require street connectivity to adjacent
properties. However in this case due to steep ravines Staff is not recommending a street
connection and rather a private lane or driveway serve the multi -family development and then
the existing single family home will be served by Dubuque Road.
Miklo stated there will some disturbance to the environmentally sensitive areas, the ravines, in
order to allow the installation of a stormwater management facility. The plan does show a
grading limit line which generally coincides with the edge of the woodland with the exception of
the area for the stormwater basin. The ordinance does allow for reduction of buffers if done in a
design that is sensitive and minimizes the damage to slopes and woodlands. Staff has
reviewed this plan and the recommendations approval of the buffer reduction.
Signs mentioned the issue of connectivity to another street, and in the future if this area is
further developed is there a proposal to put another street in the area. Miklo said because of
the ravines that run through the area, Staff would not recommend that they be disturbed for a
street.
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April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
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Hensch opened the public hearing
Seeing no one Hensch closed the public hearing
Signs moved to approve an application submitted by Kevin Hanick for a rezoning of
approximately 10.26 acres from Low Density Multifamily Residential (RM -12) to Planned
Development Overlay/Low Density Multifamily Residential (OPD/RM-12) zone and a
preliminary sensitive areas development plan and plat of Larson Subdivision, a 2 -lot,
12.28 -acre residential subdivision located north of Scott Boulevard between Hickory
Heights Lane and First Avenue (REZ16-00008/SUB16-00012).
Dyer seconded the motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0 (Freerks absent).
CODE AMENDMENT:
Discussion of amendments to Title 14, Article 2G, Riverfront Crossings and Eastside Mixed Use
Districts Form Based Development Standards, to add zoning standards for the new Orchard
Subdistrict within the Riverfront Crossings District located north of Benton Street and west of
Orchard Street.
Howard reminded the Commission that last year they recommended amending the City's
Riverfront Crossings Master Plan to include a new subdistrict on the west side of Riverfront
Crossings north of Benton Street and west of Orchard Street. Based on the Commission's
recommendation, the City Council amended the master plan to expand the boundary of the
district to include a new Orchard Subdistrict. Several new pages were added to the plan
describing the desired character of this new subdistrict and the goals of objectives for
redevelopment of the area. In order to facilitate implementation of these goals, the form -based
code for Riverfront Crossings needs to be amended to include zoning standards for the Orchard
District. Howard stated that the area is currently fully developed under the current zoning with a
mix of duplexes, multi -family buildings and a few single family dwellings. She noted that the
existing development creates an unpleasant environment for walking and biking. The duplexes
along Orchard Street have auto -oriented frontages with large garages and driveways that
interrupt the sidewalk, there is front yard parking and few street trees. Several of the single
family dwellings are located with no street frontage or pedestrian access and can only be
accessed from a narrow gravel drive. There is also an abrupt change from the scale of the
single family neighborhood to the west and the higher intensity mixed use and commercial
development planned along Riverside Drive. The existing zoning is low density single family
and medium density single family (RS -5 & RS -8), which doesn't create any incentive for
redevelopment. Adopting a new form -based zoning district will help achieve the goals of the
Master Plan while at the same time create an incentive for redevelopment.
Howard showed some photos of the area. Next she showed some images of the area from the
Master Plan of redevelopment concepts that would be complementary in mass and scale to the
adjacent single family neighborhood, create a transition from the larger scale mixed-use and
commercial buildings along Riverside Drive to the single family neighborhood to the west,
improve the design quality of development and create a better and more visible street access.
The development character and scale of buildings should be appropriate for transition from the
larger scale mixed-use to the adjacent single family. Buildings should front tree -lined streets,
parking should be located behind or within buildings with minimal surface parking lots, using
rear or side yard setbacks, upper floor setbacks and landscaping to create that transition to the
single family neighborhood to the west, and a development program that limits the types of
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April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
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buildings to cottage homes, row houses, townhouses, live/work townhouses, and two to three
story multi -dwelling buildings with upper floor stepbacks. The master plan calls for a high level
of design in exchange for the higher level of density.
Howard stated that Staff looked at the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and from that guidance
created form -based zoning standards for the new Orchard subdistrict. These new standards
would be incorporated into the Riverfront Crossings form -based code, so that properties within
the area can be rezoned and redeveloped according to the new standards. Similar to the rest of
the Form Based Code there is a regulating plan, standards that apply to just this subdistrict, and
frontage type, building type and parking type standards. The larger regulating plan for
Riverfront Crossings has been amended to add the Orchard Subdistrict and designates the
primary streets. Orchard Street and the cul-de-sac bulb (Orchard Court) will become primary
streets. The regulating plan also shows the location of a proposed pedestrian street that would
run parallel to Orchard Street and provide an opportunity for additional buildings frontages
opening toward this new green space. As the area redevelops, this regulating plan will provide
guidance to location of new street frontages and street alignments that will provide the
opportunity for redevelopment according to the plan. This new street pattern would be created
through a subdivision process. Howard next showed the amended building height diagram for
Riverfront Crossings with the Orchard Subdistrict added. It will have the same three story
limitation as is on the far east side of Riverfront Crossings, and will require an upper floor
stepback above the 2ntl story. Since this area is so close to low -scale single family residential,
no bonus height will be allowed. Howard discussed the building placement. Setbacks along
street frontages is 6' minimum, 12' maximum, side setback is 10' minimum, rear setback is 10'
minimum or 5' minimum if along an alley and the setback from RS -8 zone boundary is 30'
minimum. The RS -8 zone setback was included to allow for a larger buffer between this district
and the single family neighborhood to the west. Howard noted that in addition to this zoning
setback there is a natural wooded drainageway along the western boundary of the district that
will provide additional buffer.
Howard noted that the code also includes parking placement standards that restrict parking
areas to locations behind or within buildings and screened from street frontages.
Since the Orchard Subdistrict is primarily intended for residential uses, commercial and mixed
use building types are not allowed. The only residential building types that would allow small
commercial spaces would be live -work townhouses, which would only be allowed along the
Orchard Street frontage.
Howard stated that residential densities will be controlled by the limit on building height, required
setbacks and the amount of parking required. The number of three bedroom units could not
exceed 20% of the total number of units within a building. Building design standards would be
the same as other subdistricts in Riverfront Crossings (fagade composition, building articulation,
windows, entries, building materials, etc.) Howard noted that the minimum parking
requirements will need to be added to the applicable parking table in the parking chapter of the
zoning ordinance. Parking would be required at the same ratios as the West Riverfront
Subdistrict. This will be included in the ordinance amendments forwarded to Council. Usable
open space would be required as it is in the rest of Riverfront Crossings (10 square feet per
bedroom).
Howard concluded describing a couple of additional minor amendments proposed to the
Riverfront Crossings Form -Based Code, including a reduction in the required parking setback
for buildings with ground level residential uses from 30' min. to 20' min. This situation has come
up a number of times with residential liner buildings, such as the Sabin Townhomes where the
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April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
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current 30' minimum is difficult to comply with. While Staff does have the ability to adjust the
setback for these situations, it is likely to be a regularly requested adjustment, so staff
recommends that the code be amended. Staff also recommends making several changes to
Table 2G-5, Permitted Frontage Types. For Apartment Buildings and Multi -Dwelling Buildings
that have ground floor units with individual entries, terrace frontages would be an attractive and
appropriate choice. Staff recommends adding this frontage type to the table for these building
types.
Hensch asked about the live -work townhomes and what type of businesses might choose that
type of building. Howard stated that they haven't had any built in Iowa City yet so it is just a
possibility. A live -work townhouse is designed with ground level flex space in an open floor plan
that can be used for a small business combined with living quarters that extend onto a loft space
or upper floor. The living area can be accessed directly from the commercial space, so may be
ideal for someone that wants to live and work in their home.
Hensch opened the public hearing
Paula Swygard (426 Douglass Street) shared with the Commission a bigger picture of the
neighborhood and drew their attention to the greater area known as the Miller Orchard
Neighborhood. She also pointed out there is no other traffic outlet for this new district (Orchard
Subdistrict) other than Orchard Street, which flows onto Benton Street which is a busy street
and people will (and do) use Hudson Avenue and Miller Avenue to cut through to the
commercial areas along Highway 1. It is so busy now that she can no longer in the mornings
access Benton Street from Orchard Street due to traffic. Swygard next showed photos of the
neighborhood, the new Kum & Go with the duplexes behind. When discussing a transitional
neighborhood, everything is at the same height and there is no need for transition behind it. If
the duplexes are redeveloped into a three-story building it will be a step up from Riverside Drive,
and then a step back down to the residential area to the west. The next photo was of the
Riverside West Building and she commented on how nice that the bottom three stories were
darker in color and the top areas lighter. There is no transition from the height of the Riverside
West Building and the Kum & Go. She showed a picture of the backside of the Riverside West
Building and pointed out that they nicely stepped down the dark area two stories so it draws the
eye almost level with the current housing. The next picture was of the house that is immediately
to the west of the proposed three-story building the Commission has seen designs for. Some
call it a two-story house but it is really a one and a half story so the size of the homes are not
compatible with a three-story building even with a pedestrian walkway in between. Swygard
also showed images of the proposed three-story building and the length of it, noting the mass of
the building. It will also result in a large increase in the number of units and people along one
street. Riverside West has 96 units, the proposed building on the corner has 36 units, and then
another building of 21 units. There is also another proposed rezoning that would result in an
additional 45 units in that area. So that will total 198 units along Orchard Street. That includes
81 one bedroom units. The neighborhood looks at that area, realizing it will be redeveloped, it is
disappointing to see all the one bedroom units that will encourage student housing so close to
campus. This area is part of the University Impact Area which was established to help stabilize
areas next to the University. The neighborhood is eligible for efforts to preserve affordable
housing in the area and with these proposed buildings it will be reducing the area available for
affordable housing. Swygard noted that if this is intended to be a lower density residential
development why are there so many one bedroom units proposed. If anything, what can the
Form -Based Code do to mitigate. Moving forward, looking at the Form Based Zoning Code, she
asked for the Commission to keep in mind it is an affordable area close to the University which
is rare. Swygard has a few suggestions, there is the three-story building but could there be a
transition to two-story buildings, or to encourage more traditional residential style rather than the
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 6 of 17
urban design on Riverside Drive. Swygard noted that when Staff mentioned a low wall and S-2
screening she would like to see a requirement added for fencing because even with the best
efforts to put in sidewalks and pathways are not always honored by pedestrians. Because the
area is so close to commercial, people cut through residential areas to get to the commercial.
She would also like to see RS -8 and RS -5 privacy protected with higher screening standards
than just S-2. Swygard finished by showing options of more residential for the area and asked if
the purpose was to blend in with the neighborhood or with Riverside Drive.
Mark Seabold (Shive-Hattery) talked about the process they have been going through with the
City since the Comprehensive Plan Amendment was approved through the Commission and
Council. He stated that City Staff has done a great job of keeping the neighborhood and
transitions and scale in the forefront of the discussions and have been very mindful. He noted
there are a lot of things with the Orchard Subdistrict that are very nice including the pedestrian
walkway and the plan for how future streets will be laid out. With regards to scale of units, the
market right now for units is smaller, the trends show people want a small affordable place that
allows them to use their money more wisely and live a little more sustainably. So the one
bedroom and efficiency units are very desirable right now. It is not just from a student stand
point but young professionals and people just starting out choosing to live in these units.
Hensch closed the public hearing.
Martin moved to add the new zoning standards for the Orchard Subdistrict amending
Title 14, Article 2G, Riverfront Crossings and Eastside Mixed Use District Form -based
Development Standards, as described in April 6, 2017 packet.
Parsons seconded the motion.
Hensch agreed with the traffic congestion in the area and asked whether there would be a street
connection in the future to the west to Michael Street. Howard showed the aerial photo and
noted that anytime there is increased development there needs to be the streets available to
support the added density. It is during the rezoning and subdivision process that streets and
access are looked at and added to support the increased density. She noted there is a ravine
and drainage way along the western boundary of the new district that causes a natural buffer
from those single family houses to the Orchard Subdistrict. She noted that there are no plans to
create a new street connection west to Michael Street for several reasons. Such a street
connection would add traffic from this higher density area into the lower density area to the
west. In addition, the topography and natural drainageway would make it difficult and costly to
create this connection, not to mention that there is currently a house that would have to be
demolished in order to create the connection. While a new street would need to be extend to
support additional development it would dead end with a turn -around or cul-de-sac on the
western edge of the district. Howard acknowledged that would mean that all traffic from the
Orchard District would flow from Orchard Street out to Benton Street.
Signs asked about the plan to create the pedestrian tunnel on the west side of Riverside Drive.
Howard said they are working on the plans for that now and believes it is in the budget for the
next construction season.
Signs asked if there were any plans to put a signal at the Orchard Street/Benton Street
intersection. Howard explained that unfortunately it is so close to the signalized intersection of
Benton Street/Riverside Drive that it is not possible from a traffic control standpoint. There may
be a possibility for a left turn lane to be added, which will have to be taken into account during
any future rezoning and subdivision process for property at the northwest corner of that
intersection.
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April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
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Hensch asked what the elevation change was form the ravine to the houses. Howard believes it
is between 5' and 10' elevation change, but is uncertain.
Signs noted that through the Comprehensive Plan change the Commission has already
authorized this district and the activity discussed tonight is primarily to set the criteria for
development in line with the rest of the Riverfront Crossings District and the comprehensive
plan. Howard confirmed that was the case, the idea behind the Form -Based Code is supposed
to be specifically designed for what the goals were expressed in the Comprehensive Plan
Amendment that was made last year. So with regard to building height, scale, frontage
conditions, etc. are done through building articulation standards, building design standards,
building height and upper floor stepback requirements.
Hensch asked what the process would be if this were approved to get the traffic engineer to
study this area. The traffic issues with redevelopment are a valid concern. Howard stated that
once the City gets applications for rezoning and subdivision of property at the intersection, it
would be appropriate to study the traffic implications to see if any improvements are needed.
Signs agreed that one of the biggest concerns is the traffic in the area. Even now with just
adding the Kum & Go on the corner, the ability to turn left onto Benton Street from Orchard
Street is very difficult. Adding new development, and the fact that the Riverside West Building
isn't at full capacity yet, it is apparent there will be a traffic problem down the road. Signs stated
in response to the first speaker (Swygard) he is afraid that ship has already sailed when the
Comprehensive Plan was amended. Signs reiterated he voted against that amendment but will
be voting in favor of this code amendment because he feels it is a step that has to be taken to
allow for developments to even be considered. The next opportunity for review of specific
issues is at rezoning and site plan approvals.
Theobald noted that she sees now why Signs did not want to approve the Comprehensive Plan
Amendment, unfortunately now too late. She stated Swygard did a good job showing how much
increased housing would be allowable in one spot. When the Commission saw a plan for just
part of it, there wasn't just one long building but two with a walkway. She added that she drives
down Benton Street every day and it does seem to be just one long building after another and
this will just add to that feeling and it will be a big transition from those single family houses to a
building of this size.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0 (Freerks absent).
REZONING ITEMS:
1. (REZ17-00003): Discussion of an application submitted by M&W Properties for a rezoning
from Planned Development Overlay - Low Density Single Family (OPD -RS -5) zone to
Riverfront Crossings- Orchard Zone (RFC -O) for approximately 0.705 acres of property
located at 619 and 627 Orchard Court.
Howard stated that the owners of the property along the cul-de-sac bulb of Orchard Court
have indicated they would like to redevelop the properties with a new 3 -story multi -dwelling
building designed according to the Riverfront Crossings Form -Based Code once the
Orchard District standards are approved by the City Council. The properties right now are
zoned OPD -RS -5 through a Planned Development Overlay which is why multi -family
buildings were allowed in a single family zone. The properties along Orchard Street are
zoned RS -8 and then to the east is the Riverfront Crossings West Subdistrict. Howard
noted that the property currently contains a four-plex, a single family house and a front
surface parking lot. The proposed concept is for a three-story multi dwelling building. On the
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April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
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side facing the cul-de-sac it would step back after the first story and along the south side the
building would step back above the second story. It will contain approximately 45 efficiency
units. There will be a structured parking within the building behind ground level dwelling
units. There would be shared open space on the second floor terrace. The applicants are
considering a green roof system facing on the terrace facing west. The applicants have
received a resolution of support from the City Council for workforce housing tax credits. As
discussed earlier, the largest issue is traffic and pedestrian circulation. Of course as the
area exists today it is not ideal, all the units along Orchard Street have street facing
garages/driveways that interrupt the sidewalks. The redevelopment will result in a higher
density but Staff believes it will create a better condition along the street for pedestrians.
While there will be an increase in traffic, the only way to encourage redevelopment in this
area is to allow for greater density. Howard noted that Orchard Street has a right-of-way of
60' and Orchard Court only has a 50' right-of-way width so Staff is recommending an
increase to 60' along the edge of the property until it reaches the cul-de-sac bulb so there is
at least 15' between the edge of the curb and the property line to allow for a 5' sidewalk.
The applicant has agreed to dedicate this additional right-of-way with this rezoning. If there
were any additional development in the Orchard District, it is likely that a subdivision would
be necessary in order to create adequate street infrastructure.
Staff recommends approval of REZ17-00003, a proposal to rezone approximately 0.705
acres of property at 619 and 627 Orchard Court from Planned Development Overlay - Low
Density Single Family (OPD -5) Zone to Riverfront Crossings -Orchard (RFC -0) Zone,
subject to a conditional zoning agreement requiring dedication of land along the Orchard
Court frontage to widen the pedestrian area within the public right-of-way to a minimum of
15 feet measured between the street curb and the new front property line.
Hensch asked if in the concept plan submitted it was all efficiency units. Howard confirmed
that was correct. Hensch asked then if the target audience would be individuals that work at
The University of Iowa or UIHC and is there a way to encourage those to be pedestrians or
bicyclists to get to and from work. That may be a way to help with the traffic congestion.
Howard noted that the parking requirements are lower in Riverfront Crossings so not
everyone in this building will have a parking spot and be able to have a car. Therefore
constraining the parking in the area may encourage residents to use alternative
transportation. Howard said the requirement is 0.75 parking spaces per bedroom.
Dyer asked if there were any provisions for bicycle parking in the parking area. Howard
stated that there is a bicycle parking requirement in Riverfront Crossings of one space per
unit. Howard said the City has only received a concept for the building, so it is unclear
where they would put the bicycle parking, but perhaps the applicants could address the
question.
Signs asked if in the Riverfront Crossings District there is a 10% affordable housing
requirement and there is City input (i.e. City Workforce Zoning) would that trigger 15%
affordable housing. Howard said the Workforce tax credit is a State tax credit program that
the developer can apply for. They would also be required to comply with the Riverfront
Crossings affordable housing requirement of 10%. Hektoen stated that the 15% is triggered
when a developer requests Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and that is not the case in this
application as of this point. Signs noted that the state tax credit places a cap on the cost of
construction of the units, not a cap on the rent of the units.
Dyer asked if there was any intention to provide affordable units. Hektoen replied that they
have to provide at least 10% of the units as affordable per Riverfront Crossings Code.
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 9 of 17
Hensch opened the public hearing
Mark Seabold (Shive Hattery) has been working with the applicants throughout the
Comprehensive Plan Amendment process as well as this rezoning request. He reiterated
that they have been working closely with City Staff and the design of this concept works
within the zoning. Everything they are planning for this property is directly related to the
Code Amendment item the Commission just approved. Seabold stated that all the parking
will be within the building so they will be eliminating all the surface parking and increasing
the frontage to be more walkable and pedestrian friendly. Additionally above each parking
spot will be a bicycle hanging rack as well as other bicycle parking around the building. The
linear structure of the building will provide for a green space on the second story and a
potential green roof. The first story will all have patios at grade level so while they will be
smaller units there are lots of opportunities for open spaces and large windows for lots of
light in the units. Seabold noted that the Riverfront Crossings area is exciting and makes for
lots of opportunities.
Dyer asked if there would be sidewalk access to the other development on Riverside Drive.
Seabold said that has not been discussed and he is unsure of what their pedestrian access
is through their property. From the images it appears there is a sidewalk they can connect
to that would lead right up to their building.
Signs stated he encourages them to do whatever they can to cool the environment around
Orchard Court, right now it feels like a concrete jungle, so adding the green roof and more
green space is a plus. Additionally to encourage tenants to be pedestrians and bicyclists
will be important as the traffic circulation in that area is a real concern.
Dyer shared a concern that this development would eliminate the affordable housing that is
in that area now. Seabold stated these units are being designed to be affordable, and will
be much nicer. Dyer noted a concern about the people being displaced and Seabold said
the rents should be comparable so they will have options.
Dyer also noted that there would not be a sidewalk that would take pedestrians to the
proposed tunnel, for those walking to UIHC or the law school, one would have to walk all the
way around. Seabold noted that the railroad tracks on the north side of this property is very
steep and not conducive to a sidewalk.
Howard clarified with regards to the affordability issue and student housing, she noted that
when there are larger units, students can typically outbid a family or a single person. So,
even many of the older, lower quality large units around campus are renting for $1500-
$2500 per month, which prices out singles or families, whereas students can live together
and pool their funds to afford the higher rents for the larger units. In recent years the City
has been encouraging development of smaller, more affordable units to create an
opportunity for more permanent residents to afford to live in areas near downtown and
campus.
Paula Swvaard (426 Douglass Street) commented that once they put the tunnel in under the
railroad the sidewalk there will end at Myrtle Street because across from there is University
property. One can go up Myrtle Street and access UIHC that way.
Howard noted at the same time they are doing the tunnel they will be installing a signalized
crossing at Myrtle Street and Riverside Drive. So pedestrians will be able to cross there and
travel along the trail on the east side toward downtown.
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
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Swygard noted that currently one could cross at Benton Street and Riverside Drive and take
the biketwalking path to downtown. However she would not recommend riding a bicycle on
Benton Street. She noted there is also a well-known path to UIHC that is a loosely kept
secret in the neighborhood. Swygard stated she would prefer a development that looked
more residential but understands the look of Riverfront Crossings is more an urban look.
Where this particular development will be built it won't matter as much, but as development
happens closer to the residential area she hopes developers and City Staff will keep that in
mind. Swygard added that the ravine area is a mess and hopefully it will get cleaned up.
With regards to the concept of people wanting to live close to downtown and this will be
workers at the University, she has her doubts. The pedestrians in the area now are
students.
Hensch closed the public hearing
Parsons moved to approve REZ17-00003 a proposal to rezone approximately 0.705
acres of property at 619 and 627 Orchard Court from Planned Development Overlay -
Low Density Single Family (OPD -5) Zone to Riverfront Crossings -Orchard (RFC -O)
Zone, subject to a conditional zoning agreement requiring dedication of land along
the Orchard Court frontage to widen the pedestrian area within the public right-of-way
to a minimum of 15 feet measured between the street curb and the new front property
line.
Martin seconded the motion.
Signs commented that students do have an amazing ability to find the shortest path
between any two points. Based on everything else that's been done in this area, he
believes this is a natural addition that seems to make sense. He has seen the similar
structure built over by the Dental School and likes it, so based on the visuals the
Commission has seen for this development he likes what he is seeing and hopes it is
developed that way. Signs believes there is a market for smaller units, and yes there will
likely be students in some of them, but there is a market for young professionals and
graduate students that want to live in a building like this.
Martin agreed and is very excited to see some development in this area, it is a good
revitalization. She praised City Staff on working so close with the developers, architects,
designers to put together a nice development for this area.
Theobald stated she likes the proposed development a lot and has been in one of the units
that this development will replace and it will be a good thing to have that unit gone. She
added she hopes the green roof concept works, it would be wonderful to have that.
Parsons agreed that it is nice to see this area take shape and this development will be a
nice addition.
Hensch stated this is a good opportunity to show how to do this right and hopes it moves
forward with the concepts of a more cool environment with a green roof and promotion of
pedestrian and bicycle traffic rather than cars. He empathized with the concerns of students
moving into the units and hopes that will not be the case, there needs to be a place for
young professionals that work at UIHC. It would help individuals to be able to live in Iowa
City and not have to commute in from other areas of Johnson County.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0 (Freerks absent)
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 11 of 17
2. (REZ17-00004): Discussion of an application submitted by William Nusser for a rezoning
from Central Business Service (CB -2) zone to Central Business Support (CB -5) zone for
approximately 4,550 square feet of property located at 202 North Linn Street (Corridor State
Bank property).
Walz presented the staff report and stated the applicant, William Nusser, is seeking a
rezoning for the property widely known as the Pearson's Pharmacy and more recently the
home of Corridor State Bank. It is located at the corner of Market and Linn Streets, and the
other three corner properties at this intersection are all zoned CB -5. The lot includes a non-
conforming surface parking area with 5 parking spaces located between the building and the
Market Street right-of-way. In this zone the parking is meant to be at the rear of the building,
not in front. It is meant to be a pedestrian oriented zone. Additionally the zone calls for
street facing windows, which this building lacks along its fagade. Walz stated this property is
appropriate for development and part of the reasons for seeking the rezoning is the change
in parking.
The Comprehensive Plan, Central District Plan, contains a discussion of the Northside
Marketplace, which includes this property and notes a desire to preserve the "distinct
identity and scale" of the commercial district as different from the Downtown. Many describe
this area as "Old Iowa City" and attracts more long-term residents, there is less of the hustle
and bustle of downtown and less of a student orientation. The Central District plan identifies
the historic character of the Northside Marketplace as one of its greatest assets. It is known
for an area that has a lot of unique, locally owned businesses so when the Central Business
Plan was created there was a concern that too much redevelopment or development at too
large a scale or density may diminish the traditional main street character of the
neighborhood.
The Plan encourages development that is sensitive to the neighborhood's history and
architectural elements. The subject property is not considered a historically significant
structure and does not currently contribute to other goals of the Northside Marketplace. The
goals of the Northside Marketplace are to preserve and promote the unique aspects of the
Northside Marketplace and establish policies and regulations that will preserve the existing
scale and main street commercial character of the Northside Marketplace. Walz explained
that the Downtown District to the south is more intensive commercial and is separated from
the Northside Market Place by University buildings.
This area takes a step down, although there are taller buildings on the corners but are still
limited in height to three or four stories. Then as one travels north the neighborhood steps
back further to one story or two story buildings. There are some three story buildings, but
they have set backs at the upper level. It is a transitional area between the higher intensity
downtown to the lower density residential area. Another goal was to adopt zoning
regulations to ensure that new development is consistent with the existing mainstreet
character of the area and encourage mixed-use buildings with 1 • to 3- bedroom apartments
above commercial storefronts. Additionally the Plan encourages the improvement of the
environment for pedestrian safety.
Walz explained that a number of these goals have shaped recent zoning decisions. In 2012
a rezoning of the comer property at 221-225 North Linn Street from a RNS-12 to CB- 2
included requirements for design review approval, a maximum number of dwelling units, and
a limit on the height of the building to 3 stories with a step -back at the third story. In 2013 the
Board of Adjustment granted a variance from the parking requirements to allow
redevelopment of property at 211 North Linn Street within the CB -2 zone. (The property had
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 12 of 17
no alley access and was too narrow to provide vehicle access from the street.) The new
building was required to secure design review approval and was limited to three stories with
a step back at the third story. In 2014 the City approved the rezoning of 203 North Linn
Street (the former Northside and Haunted Bookshop), a 4,000 sq. foot property directly to
the west of the subject property, from CB -2 to CB -5 with a historic landmark designation.
The rezoning was requested by the owner specifically to alleviate the commercial parking
requirements for the commercial floor of the building based on the concerns of preserving a
historic building. Developers were required to make updates such as a sprinkler system and
also a conditional zoning agreement put on the property that if it were ever to be destroyed
by fire or a disaster; the building height would be limited. Other corner properties at the
intersection, which are all zoned (CB -5), include the two story, historic Brewery Square
building on the southwest corner of Market and Linn Streets and the recently developed
Writers Block, a four story building on the southeast corner.
Walz stated the application property is currently zoned CB -2 and explained the differences
between the CB -2 and the CB -5. The CB -5 allows a greater residential density than is
permitted in the CB -2 zone. There was a chart in the Commissioners packet to show the
density differences. The CB -5 zone also allows a taller building than would be permitted in
the CB -2 zone which gives greater redevelopment potential. The building height is based
on a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) and in CB -2 a maximum of two square of floor area for
each one square foot of lot area. Through bonus provisions, the FAR of building may be
increased to three. The maximum building height in the CB -5 zone is 75 feet with a FAR of
three. Similar to the CB -2 zone, bonus provisions may allow an increase the FAR up to five.
Walz listed the applicable bonus provisions in the Staff report. The logical ones that may be
applied to this property would be the architectural elements such as masonry, provision of
pedestrian activity areas, or usable open space for passive recreational uses of residents
(i.e. balconies, terraces, and rooftop gardens designed and improved for outdoor activities).
An additional FAR bonus provision may be granted for the provision of funds for all street
furniture, lighting and landscaping improvements along the adjacent street right-of-way in
accordance with any adopted streetscape plan approved by the City, however an approved
streetscape plan has already been installed for this area and so this provision would not
apply.
Walz explained the biggest difference in creating development potential here in the CB -5 is
the reduction in parking. CB -5 has a lower parking requirement for both commercial and
residential uses. For commercial uses in the CB -5 zone there is no parking requirement.
The differences in the parking requirements for the residential uses are outlined in the Staff
report. In a CB -2 zone the minimum parking requirement for a one bedroom or efficiency is
0.75 parking space per unit, and in the CB -5 that is reduced to 0.50 parking space per unit.
Walz noted there is a parking benefit for elder housing (a permanent designation) of one
space for every two units but this parking benefit is only realized with two bedroom elder
units.
Walz stated on such a small lot as the applicant property, the ability to provide parking is
quite limited. Staff had suggested to the applicant to make use of the service alley but the
applicant is probably not going to pursue that opportunity because they would like to provide
underground parking with a ramp directly off Market Street. Walz did acknowledge that
parking is somewhat of a delicate issue in the Northside Marketplace. There are a number
of surface lots: one is a public, city -owned, lot but the other is private and could be
developed. Parking in this area is scarce at peak hours, the closest public parking garage,
the Clock Tower Place facility located on Iowa Avenue, two blocks to the south.
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 13 of 17
Walz summarized that the lower parking standards required for the CB -5 zone along with
the additional density and FAR would greatly enhance the development potential of this
somewhat small corner lot and would anchor that corner in a way that is more pedestrian
friendly.
Staff recommends that REZ17-00004, a request for a rezoning from CB -2, Central Business
Services Zone, to CB -5, Central Business Support Zone, be approved subject to design
review. The applicant has submitted a concept to City Staff in the last 24 hours and will
show that to the Commission this evening. He has also conducted two neighborhood
meetings, and Walz distributed an email received from one neighbor (Patrick Gilpin) that
speaks to the issue of parking as well as a letter from Joseph Holland expressing concerns
about parking.
Hensch asked about the service alley and if that was public owned alley. Walz stated it is
public owned but is not a right-of-way so it functions a bit differently. Most of the businesses
along the alley use it for trash and recycling services. A car can pass through, but it is tight.
Hensch commented upon a quick review of the email from Gilpin is that his opposition is that
there is not a minimum of one parking place per unit, but that is not consistent for either a
CB -5 or CB -2 zone.
Parsons asked if the City has ever considered turning that public service parking lot into a
small ramp. Walz said that has not been explored in detail, it is a rather small area but not
out of the realm of possibilities. Miklo added the cost versus the amount of spaces achieved
was not reasonable when looked at several years ago.
Dyer asked when the bank building was built. Miklo replied in the late 1950's. Dyer asked if
the building could be considered historical as an example of Mid-century architecture. Miklo
said it could likely have been prior to the remodel, but would no longer be eligible because
of the significant changes to the exterior.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Ross (William) Nusser (13 Briar Ridge) thanked the Commission for considering the request
before them and for City Staff for working with him on this application. This property is not
easy to work with, it is a small parcel and has many challenges in designing a concept. He
will share a concept with them on what the building could be, but wanted to stress it is just a
concept. He would like to continue to hold neighborhood meetings to get better feedback on
design, noting that this rezoning will also be subject to design and site review.
The CB -2 zoning in the Northside, which is what his property is currently zoned, is very
prohibitive to any use, commercial or residential. The parking requirement, especially for a
lot that is 65' by 75' prohibits some uses. For example, if a restaurant wanted to build on
that spot there would need to be 36 parking spots, retail is significantly lower.
He said that parking in Iowa City has always been a problem, and he feels there are two
options. One is to require more parking on spaces throughout downtown, but that would
stunt the growth of the city. The other is to deal with parking as the city grows and be
thoughtful on how to deal with it. Other cities of the same size are dealing with the exact
same problem.
Nusser said that the Northside today looks nothing like it did 25 years ago. The restaurants
are excellent and the streetscapes have been improved dramatically and the neighborhood
has developed in a very pleasing way. 25 years ago the neighborhood looked very different,
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 14 of 17
where Bluebird is was once a paint store and Bluebird was able to tie in the history of that.
Tying in the history of the neighborhood is very important. Nusser just wants to add to this
neighborhood, enhance the pedestrian experience, add an element of housing that is more
inclusive to all, and to provide if possible a public experience for this property. Many folks
remember Pearson's and that was a phenomenal place where people gathered. Nusser
would like to keep with that history and provide a new development. The new development
will not look anything like the old Pearson building but there are ways to incorporate the
Northside atmosphere into the new development. Nusser stressed again that the concept
plan is just a concept and he is 100% open to changing, it is just an idea of what could be
there.
Nusser shared the concept plan and stated it is an example of what the maximum concept
for the lot could be. As previously mentioned there were Good Neighbor meetings held, one
with the general public, one with the Downtown District, and one with the Northside
Business owners. One of the key items was they wanted to tie in the existing streetscape as
well as the lines of the buildings so that is what they tried to achieve with the differential of
materials proposed. The glass above as well as the balconies keep it less intrusive to the
surrounding buildings. The rooftop area is undecided but could either serve the residents of
the building or be a public space, but if it were to be a public space that would be a separate
proposal.
Nusser said that another point that was brought up at the Good Neighbor meetings was the
importance of a variety of businesses, so they are showing perhaps a restaurant and a retail
experience. Nusser noted that in the current zoning this would not be possible regardless
because of the residential above. With regards to the composition of units, especially
residential, it is also undecided. He has had conversations with TRAIL (Tools and
Resources for Active, Independent Living) regarding senior living as that is scarce in Iowa
City and he is exploring that as an option. Additionally the first level above the commercial
space is undecided if it will be office or residential space, and there are different parking
requirements for each.
In closing Nusser reiterated that this site is underutilized and redevelopment is truly
appropriate. When it was Pearson's it was great, the bank has been phenomenal in the
redevelopment process, but the site is currently not serving the neighborhood in a way that it
could potentially do.
Hensch asked how he envisions handling what parking they will have to provide. Nusser
said there would be an entrance off Market Street near George's to a parking garage under
the building and that would allow for seven spaces. Walz added they would need to either
obtain a new curb cut on the property or widen the existing one.
Hensch asked if the top story was a bonus height story. Nusser said it was not, it will just be
an open area, and he respects the neighborhood and will not seek a bonus provision.
Hensch asked how close this concept was to Nusser's actual vision of the property. Nusser
said it was very close, the things he is amendable to is how the building will impact
surrounding areas as with building materials, etc. but is open to feedback and wants to be a
good partner with the City and community.
Parsons asked how much underground parking is possible for a 4500 foot building. Nusser
replied it is seven spaces, there needs to be space for a stairway and an elevator.
Dyer asked about bicycle parking. Nusser replied there will be bicycle parking.
Signs asked the vision for number of units and how many bedrooms per unit. Nusser stated
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 15 of 17
he cannot speak directly to the number of units at this time as that has not been figured out.
If it is to be senior housing it will likely be two bedroom units, for any other type of housing
they will be one bedroom.
Dyer asked why senior housing would be two bedrooms. Nusser stated that when he met
with TRAIL it was mentioned that as people downsize they are downsizing from large
houses with four or five bedrooms and it is important to them to have a guest bedroom or
space for a home office. Dyer noted there are other seniors that may come from smaller
houses and Nusser acknowledged that is correct.
Walz clarified that the FAR would allow for three stories where the build -out wall is to the
property line and to get the additional two stories bonus requirements would have to be met.
If upper stories were stepped back it could be different.
Nick Lindsey (Architect, Neumann Monson) stated the intent would be to provide bicycle
parking for every resident in the building both below ground and above ground. They are a
big proponent of encouraging sustainable transportation.
Hensch closed the public hearing.
Parsons moved to approve REZ17-00004, a request for a rezoning from CB -2, Central
Business Services Zone, to CB -5, Central Business Support Zone be approved
subject to design review.
Martin seconded the motion.
Dyer commented that she believes the project is premature, there needs to be a clearer
concept of what it will be so they can better judge the impact on parking. Since parking is so
limited in this area, there needs to be more information on how many units there will be.
Dyer noted it is often impossible to find parking in this neighborhood and often forgoes
patronizing the businesses in the neighborhood because she cannot find parking.
Signs stated that he has never had trouble finding parking in that neighborhood, but did
admit he is probably not there on evenings and weekends as much. Signs noted he loves
the concept and is pleased that the applicant has been reaching out to the community and
getting input. He likes the change of building materials on the two floors to acclimate to the
neighboring buildings and does think a taller building on this corner makes sense and fits in
with a lot of the concepts they discuss in the downtown. He understands Dyer's concern
about not seeing a more solid concept but his feeling is based on the presentation there is a
good idea of a concept and are taking a lot of important things into consideration.
Hensch noted it appears it will be a pedestrian oriented building which he is completely in
favor of in the Northside Neighborhood. Parking is an issue, but noted similar to Signs he
has never had an issue parking there but is often there midday and not evenings or
weekends.
Dyer noted another parking problem in that area is the churches and in the daytime funerals
cause parking issues in that neighborhood. Hensch agreed and often wondered why the
churches haven't banned together and tried to come up with a parking solution. Parsons
said there is on street parking allowed all along the streets on Sundays so that helps out and
special funeral signs are placed to add parking as well.
Signs also commented on the issue of the two bedroom units, and sees it as part of the
thought process and proof that it is well thought out, if the idea is the next level from the
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 16 of 17
family home but not yet to an assisted living situation, based on his experience with his
customers they want more than one bedroom. As for the parking issue, he believes as a
community there needs to be a bigger conversation about parking in the downtown and near
downtown areas. There needs to be a larger vision.
Martin agreed, she has never had a parking issue there and she is there evenings. What
she likes about zoning this to CB -5 regardless of what goes there, the Downtown Master
Plan denotes the corner lots as the "bookends" and this concept fits that very well.
Conceptually she likes the vision.
Theobald added she has had numerous parking issues in this neighborhood, but the parking
problem already exists and while this will add to it, the issue is already there. The idea of
senior housing is good and is needed. It would be an area that would be popular.
Martin asked if this is rezoned to CB -5 now, will the Commission ever see the concept plan
again. Miklo said it would not come before the Commission. Martin asked if this were to be
senior specific housing, could it only be senior housing or could it be mixed. Walz said it
could be mixed and once something is senior housing it must always be senior housing, due
to the parking benefit.
Parsons noted that the area is underutilized and seeing that the other properties at this
intersection are CB -5 it would tie that intersection in together.
Hensch stated he was originally concerned about approving this application, but after
hearing concept from the applicant and trusting they will follow through with their concepts
he is in support.
Dyer reiterated it is still premature as they don't know if it will be a three story or five story
building and they will not see the final plans. They won't know what benefits will be applied
for, whether there will be a setback, and although the other buildings on the corners are CB -
5 one is because of a historic designation exemption. If this building were to be five stories
it would be higher than any other buildings in the area. A five story building in this area
would not comply with the step down envisioned in the Comprehensive Plan.
Martin asked the process if this was approved. Walz said the rezoning would go to City
Council, if approved the site review would come before Staff and design review. Martin said
that she liked the materials shown in the concept with brick on the lower floors to tie into the
existing buildings. Miklo noted that the drawing showed corten steel, not brick. Nusser said
it could be brick.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-1 (Dyer voting no, Freerks absent).
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: MARCH 2 AND MARCH 16, 2017
Signs moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 2 and March 16, 2017.
Theobald seconded the motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0.
PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Signs moved to adjourn.
Martin seconded.
A vote was taken and motion carried 6-0.
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4
MINUTES APPROVED
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
APRIL 20, 2017 — 6:30 PM — WORK SESSION
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carolyn Dyer, Ann Freerks, Mike Hensch, Max Parsons, Mark
Signs, Jodie Theobald
MEMBERS ABSENT: Phoebe Martin
STAFF PRESENT: Sara Hektoen, Bob Miklo, Chris O'Brien, John Yapp
OTHERS PRESENT: None
CALL TO ORDER:
Freerks called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM
DISCUSSION OF IOWA CITY'S PARKING DIVISION'S OPERATONS AND POLICIES:
Yapp introduced O'Brien (Director of Transportation and Resource Management) who has been with the
City for over 20 years working both with the Transit and Parking Division and now the Resource
Management Division.
O'Brien began by stating he would not talk about the Resource Management part of his job this evening
unless the Commission has questions regarding it. O'Brien stated he started as an Operations
Supervisor with Transit back in 1997 and became the Parking Manager in 2001 and since that time has
been directly involved with the parking operations downtown. His unit manages on streettoff street
parking in all of downtown Iowa City. They do get into the fringe areas and enforce some of the calendar
controlled parking in the higher density areas just off downtown. Over the last 10 years they have had
dramatic change in their operations in terms of parking, they are an enterprise fund meaning they are
responsible for maintaining their operations, a business type activity. To the extent that they can, they
operate as a business, all the revenues generated by the parking systems stay in the parking system in
order to maintain the operations. Operations include construction, maintenance, staffing and operation
needs. There are 1175 on street meters and just under 3700 off street spaces including the new 600
space facility just opened at the corner of Harrison and Dubuque Streets. O'Brien noted that facility was
one of the first built to encourage growth into an area, rather than try to catch up with an overgrown area.
With regards to regulation of parking, Iowa City is unique with a shared downtown and campus
atmosphere and there needs to be a balance of campus needs and business needs all in the same area.
O'Brien stated there are certain numbers they try to hit to balance the needs, and that number is 80-90%
of spaces that turnover so there is access for everyone while also maintaining revenues necessary to
keep the operations afloat.
O'Brien stated the misconceptions regarding parking is that there is no parking, and also that it is just a
big money maker. What the department nets per year is substantially less than people think because
they are not understanding the costs of maintenance and construction. The department is doing half a
million dollars per year in construction to maintain the facilities they already have. People don't realize
that when they think about parking citations, hourly revenues, etc. Some changes the City has made in
the past 10 years include expired meter citations, the first time is free but can keep track of habitual
violators and have the costs escalate with the amount of citations. They write about 30,000 to 45,000 of
the zero dollar citations per year. Another big change was to automate all facilities, make sure all lanes
are open at all times, and to also make the first hour free in all facilities to encourage activity downtown
and also because the on street parking was full 98% of the time which discourage people from visiting
downtown.
O'Brien stated that it is a balance of the on street and off street parking systems. On street is meant to be
for short-term parking and parking garages for long-term and therefore should not be the same rate. Up
until 2015 there wasn't much of a separation in cost between the two, but that was the point where it went
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 20, 2017 —Work Session
Page 2 of 4
to $1.50/hour on the street and $1.00 in the facilities, after the first hour free (to entice people to use the
garage facilities). The average stay in the garage facilities is about three hours, so with the first hour free
that reduced the possible revenues by one-third. To balance that loss they had to make some tweaks
elsewhere in their system. They have given away 3.4 million hours of parking over the last three years,
but the average stay has crept up to about four hours per stay and close to 400,000 additional vehicles
through the facilities in that time. It also created more spaces open on the streets so more people came
to downtown because they could find parking.
When new developments come online, they treat is like a system. While something may be going on in
one location, they may do something at another location in an effort to push people one way or another.
By issuing permits to a certain location to address needs for example. The good thing when there is a
new development, there is usually two to three years of time to plan and accommodate the impact and
adjust permits for various facilities. For example with the new Harrison Street facility, there is not a lot of
activity around that area currently so the City will issue about 450-500 permits in that 600 spot facility and
free up some permit spots in the Chauncey Swan or Court Street facilities for greater hourly uses.
When O'Brien first became Director of Parking in 2001 there were three facilities, and since that time the
City has built three more. About every five years, depending on development, there is a need for another
facility.
Theobald asked about the permits and with the new ramp will there be a shift of permits from other ramps
or will it be new permits. O'Brien explained that some of it is people who want to move their permit to that
new ramp (MidWestOne Bank employees) so that will create spaces where there previous permits were.
So then the City will then look at the old space and decide if it is best to refill those spaces with new
permits, or leave them available for hourly visitors. There will also be permits issued in the new facility for
people that have maybe been on waiting lists for parking permits. The City tries not to force permits to
shift facilities but could if there were a massive growth somewhere.
O'Brien stressed that one of the goals of the parking division is to not be the reason a development
project is denied, they will work with developers and City Staff to find parking solutions.
Freerks asked how they measure the need as more apartments and housing goes up on the immediate
fringe of the downtown, and the trickle of people moving cars to neighborhood parking. O'Brien
discussed the concept of neighborhood permitting but that is not something the City currently does, they
don't believe people are moving their cars to the neighborhoods due to lack of capacity in City facilities,
it's more because they want free parking. O'Brien said the City has currently hired a consultant to look at
the Northside Neighborhood and if the impact is perception or reality.
Hensch asked where O'Brien thinks the next parking facility might be located. O'Brien said that in some
areas where there are currently surface lots they will start to build up. However a lot of the spaces that
could be used for parking structures are starting to have infill with development, and those developments
provide a substantial portion of their own development to parking. The next two areas they will keep
watching are the Northside Neighborhood and perhaps another facility south of Burlington Street as
Riverfront Crossings continues to develop.
Hensch asked if there are any innovative things being studied in the area of parking. O'Brien stated that
definitely autonomous vehicles will change the parking landscape, the creation of a bike share system in
the downtown area, the use of Zip Cars, and the fact that downtown is being occupied by more young
professionals who would rather bike or moped around. O'Brien noted that the downtown area is served
by four transit systems (Iowa City, Coralville, Campus and Johnson County) so that also decreases the
need for individual vehicles. Technology and the use of Uber and Lyft will also continue to change the
transportation landscape.
Signs stated that one of the things that prompted the Commission to ask for this discussion was because
they are seeing more and more developers asking for parking waivers and those requests are getting
bigger and bigger. The concern the Commission has is if the City is preparing for that. O'Brien stated that
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 20, 2017 — Work Session
Page 3 of 4
when there is a good mix of options in a downtown core (grocery, restaurants, retail, etc.) and a good
transportation hub, then there is that ability to allow parking restrictions to drop a bit. It is happening all
across the country, people aren't utilizing as many cars, and there are other modes of transportation.
The technology of real-time transportation updates, rather than just a printed bus schedule that may or
may not be on time, eliminates the stress of public transportation and entices people to rely on mass
transit more. O'Brien added that they have seen a drop in the amount of people on the waiting lists for
facilities and more available on street spaces as well.
Signs asked about campus needs and noted there seems to be a lot of competition in the downtown core
and Northside for commuter students looking for daily parking and the University doesn't seem to be
reacting, they are not building any new facilities. Does the City ever discuss parking with the University?
O'Brien noted that the University actually utilizes a lot of the City parking permits for University staff, but
they have also moved some of their operations to the Oakdale campus which caused a drop in hourly
usage and transit usage. The two entities do have a good working relationship and communicate often
about parking needs.
Theobald requested another session to discuss transit and the vision for changes in that system. O'Brien
stated he would be happy to return to discuss that with the Commission in the future.
Parsons asked if any of the current ramps were capable of adding additional height. O'Brien stated they
were not, they are all built to their capacity. They have seen in the Capital Street Ramp (the most
popular, 875 spaces) people get frustrated after driving around the fourth or fifth level, so building higher
won't actually mean people will use the spaces.
Freerks and the Commission thanked O'Brien for coming and talking with them.
ADJOURNMENT
Hensch moved to adjourn.
Parsons seconded.
Motion carried.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2016-2017
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a Member
612
7/7
7121
814
9/1
1016
10/20
11117
1211
12115
1/19
2/2
3/2
3116
4/6
(W.S.)
4/20 4/20
DYER, CAROLYN
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FREERKS, ANN
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HENSCH, MIKE
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MARTIN, PHOEBE
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PARSONS, MAX
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SIGNS, MARK
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THEOBALD, JO
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KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a Member
i r
h
CITY OF IOWA CITY 4b
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 5, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Bob Miklo, Planning & Zoning Commission
Re: Recommendations from Planning & Zoning Commission
At their May 4, 2017 meeting the Planning & Zoning Commission approved the April 20 minutes
with the following recommendation to the City Council:
By a vote of 6-0 (Martin absent) the Commission recommends approval of amendments
to the Comprehensive Plan to address mitigating impact of redevelopment on existing
tenants of multi -family buildings. (CPA17-00001)
2. By a vote of 6-0 (Martin absent) the Commission recommends approval of REZ17-00006
the rezoning from Low Density Single Family Residential with Historic District Overlay
(RS-5/OHD) zone to Neighborhood Commercial with Historic District Overlay (CN-
1/OHD) zone for approximately 3,440 square feet of property located 812 S. Summit
Street subject to a Conditional Zoning Agreement restricting hours that the business is
open to the public to between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm, and prohibiting the sale of alcohol
and tobacco.
3. By a vote of 6-0 (Martin absent) the Commission recommends approval of SUB16-
00009/SUB16-00010 a preliminary and final plat of Westcott Second Addition, a 9.96 -
acre, 4 -lot residential subdivision located 3055 Prairie du Chien Road NE.
Additional action
No further action needed
Board or Commission is requesting Council direction
_X_ Agenda item will be prepared by staff for Council action — #1 & #3 Done
MINUTES APPROVED
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
APRIL 20, 2017 — 7:00 PM — FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carolyn Dyer, Ann Freerks, Mike Hensch, Max Parsons, Mark
Signs, Jodie Theobald
MEMBERS ABSENT: Phoebe Martin
STAFF PRESENT: Sara Hektoen, Bob Miklo, John Yapp
OTHERS PRESENT: Thomas Agran, Charlie Eastham, Sally Scott, Jamie Powers,
Edward Agran
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL:
By a vote of 6-0 (Martin absent) the Commission recommends approval of amendments to the
Comprehensive Plan to address mitigating impact of redevelopment on existing tenants of multi-
family buildings. (CPA17-00001)
By a vote of 6-0 (Martin absent) the Commission recommends approval of REZ17-00006 the
rezoning from Low Density Single Family Residential with Historic District Overlay (RS-5/OHD)
zone to Neighborhood Commercial with Historic District Overlay (CN -1/011D) zone for
approximately 3,440 square feet of property located 812 S. Summit Street subject to a
Conditional Zoning Agreement restricting hours that the business is open to the public to
between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm, and prohibiting the sale of alcohol and tobacco.
By a vote of 6-0 (Martin absent) the Commission recommends approval of SUB16-
00009/SUB16-00010 a preliminary and final plat of Westcott Second Addition, a 9.96 -acre, 4 -lot
residential subdivision located 3055 Prairie du Chien Road NE.
CALL TO ORDER:
Freerks called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Thomas Agran (512 North Van Buren Street) came forward this evening after seeing on the
agenda the application for rezoning the Deluxe Bakery. That is not the topic of his concern
however, but as he was walking to his parents' house the other day and saw the sign outside
the Bakery noting the rezoning application. Agran noted he had the time and the interest level
at that moment to call the number on the sign and get more information about the project, but it
strikes him that when a business or property owner is asking for rezoning they are asking for
something special, an exception from what the community has generally agreed right for that
area. He feels the signage for such an important topic is so small and puts the burden of
discovering what is going to happen on the citizen. Agran believes there is a lot of precedent in
this community that big changes happen (rezoning's, development, demolitions) and just a small
sign is acceptable for such a big change. Therefore most citizens don't know what is going on
until it's too late. This has caused a lot of strife within the community. It can also be upset for
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 20, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 2 of 10
the property owners, they go through the whole process and then at the end are met with public
outcry. Agran believes the signage should be bigger, include images of what is being proposed,
and information about what is being proposed. It should be accessible and easy for the public
to obtain. He brings this up to the Commission as a way to get the conversation started and ask
if it is a conversation that has come up in the past.
Hektoen noted that part of the Comprehensive Plan conversation on today's agenda talks about
the good neighbor policies.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ITEM (CPA17-00001
A public hearing for the discussion of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to address
mitigating impact of redevelopment on existing tenants of multi -family buildings.
Yapp stated that the proposed amendments being discussed this evening grew out of the
affordable housing action plan that was adopted by the City Council. Specifically one of the
actions called for in the plan is to amend local ordinances to address the impact of tenant
displacement associated with major site plans. This grew out of discussions related to the
redevelopment of Rose Oaks, formally Lakeside Apartments, and the concern that tenants in
that complex, with very short notice, did not have their leases renewed and were faced with
having to find alternative housing in a short timeframe. Yapp noted that the Commission
frequently hears requests for rezoning and subdivisions, but approval of a site plan, in contrast,
is an administrative process conducted by staff. If the site plan meets all the City Codes and
Regulations Staff is obligated to approve it. In the case of redevelopment projects where there
are residents affected, the City currently has no mechanism to require greater transparency with
those residents about what the construction project is, what the time frame is, how it will be
phased, etc. So Staff is proposing to amend the site review process to codify requirements for
notification to residents, more transparency to residents about proposed construction, the
creation of a transition plan (for any major site plan, 12 units or more). The site plans will
include a transition plan and will be reviewed by the City Council. While site plans will not be
reviewed by the Commission, Yapp wanted to make the Commission aware of that change as
context for the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
The proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment provides the policy basis for the amendments
to the Site Plan chapter and any other future amendments that are associated. Staff is
recommending the Comprehensive Plan be amended to address this issue.
The first amendment is to add a goal to the housing section stating "mitigating the impact of
redevelopment on occupants of proposed projects involving the remodeling or reconstruction of
existing multi -family residential dwellings by fostering communication between property owners
and occupants through sufficient notice requirements, and encouraging the developer to create
thoughtful transition plans that seek to accommodate the relocation needs of current
occupants."
The second amendment is to add a goal to the Community Vision statement fostering
communication among owners, redevelopers, and occupants to mitigate the impact of
redeveloping existing residential properties.
The third amendment is to add a statement in the Background section to refer to many of the
existing affordable housing reports and studies the City has. Yapp noted those more detailed
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 20, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 3 of 10
studies and reports really investigate housing and housing issues, so it is appropriate to have a
reference to those in the Comprehensive Plan.
Yapp stated that regarding the Good Neighbor Policy, the current Good Neighbor Policy
recommends that developers hold a meeting with interested members of the public (including
property owners, residents, business, etc.). Those within 300 feet of any rezoning or
subdivision are notified of the Good Neighbor meeting, are given the opportunity to come to the
meeting, and discuss with the developer the proposed project. That process has not been
encouraged for site plans, so as an administrative change, the City will encourage or require
developers to have a Good Neighbor meeting with the residents of the project when it is a
project where residents will be displaced. No Planning and Zoning action is required to update
the Good Neighbor Policy, but staff wanted to make the Commission aware of the proposed
changes.
Hensch asked about the Good Neighbor Policy and noted that the language is "recommends" or
"encourages" so can a developer state they don't want to hold a meeting. Yapp confirmed that
is correct, but it would be noted in the staff report that the developer declined holding a Good
Neighbor meeting.
Freerks suggested that perhaps this is a time when Staff could pull out the Good Neighbor
meeting as required when a transition plan is needed. There needs to be communication
between the developer and the people that are affected and neighbors or the other
amendments cannot occur.
Signs asked if there has been any discussion of making the Good Neighbor meetings
mandatory in general. Freerks stated there was a reason the meetings were not made
mandatory but couldn't recall why. Miklo stated in 2005 when the City rewrote the Zoning Code
it was proposed to make the Good Neighbor meetings mandatory under certain circumstances.
The Homebuilders Association suggested that the meetings be encouraged rather than
mandatory and that is what Council approved. Yapp concurred and stated that for simple
projects it seemed unnecessary to require a meeting. Freerks agreed but feels for transition
projects, it should be mandatory. Yapp agreed.
Freeks questioned the statement of "Mitigate impact of large-scale residential redevelopment"
and then in the next paragraph is states "encouraging the developer to create thoughtful
transition plans that seek to accommodate the relocation needs of current occupants" and
wanted clarification on what that phrase means "to accommodate'. Does it mean to require
payment? In the introduction it discusses increasing notice and fostering communication but it
is not stated that developers need to put money towards transitions.
Hensch agreed and feels it should not be the City's cost but rather the developer's costs if
relocation assistance is warranted. Yapp stated it was not the intent of the statement "to
accommodate" to imply payment of any sort.
Hektoen explained that this language is in the context of the Comprehensive Plan and then
there will be changes to the site plan review process. The Comprehensive Plan should be
written in a broader tone and allow for flexibility. It would not be good to have the language say
every transition plan must have XY&Z because every situation is different.
Freerks noted there is a lot of ambiguity in the language, and is not stating that is a bad thing,
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 20, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 4 of 10
however the public needs to know what "seek to accommodate the relocation needs' means. Is
it money, moving trucks, etc. Hektoen stated it could mean all of the above or something else.
There are certain programs that require by federal law relocation assistance funds. It will be
noted in the transition plans how the developer will be satisfying the obligations they have. In
the example of Rose Oaks, they did provide financial assistance to those residents. Freerks
asked if the transition plan would be discussed at a Council meeting and therefore allowing for
public input and Hektoen confirmed that would happen.
Dyer noted that something similar to this might be appropriate for small businesses. For
example the situation along South Dubuque Street where small businesses were made to
relocate due to redevelopment.
Parsons asked if will be on the developers to foster the communication. Yapp confirmed it
would fall on the developer but would be overseen by Staff.
Signs asked if Staff was typically present at community meetings. Yapp confirmed that Staff is
present.
Freerks opened the public hearing
Charlie Eastham (953 Canton Street) voiced a couple comments, first being expanding the
Good Neighbor meeting as a requirement, a presence in the situation these amendments are
directed at. Those meetings help a lot for residents and developers to sit down and talk with
each other. Developers sometimes clear up confusion, sometimes it causes confusion, not
deliberately but in the way they present the information. In terms of accommodating relocation
needs, these amendments as he understands them gives the Council eventual authority, or
ability, to require financial assistance or to provide money from the City for financial assistance if
developers are not able to do so themselves. Eastham feels the question of whether or not
developers can be required to provide financial assistance for relocation in development that is
just under site plan development of the Code perhaps is still up for discussion. Eastham hopes
the Commission will act favorably upon these amendments.
Sally Scott (Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition) said the Coalition Board did endorse
the recommendation of the Staff to amend the Comprehensive Plan in this way. She feels it is a
really valuable shift for the City to make, people are vulnerable when they are in these
developments, especially folks of lower incomes. Making the Good Neighbor meeting more of
the process, making sure people have proper notice, and making sure there is a transition plan
are excellent steps. Scott noted they did advocate during the creation of the Affordable
Housing Action Plan for developers to provide payments to folks below a certain income level.
That is not part of the amendment tonight, but should be discussed more in the future.
Signs noted that he is currently serving as the President of the Board of the Affordable Housing
Coalition and both the previous two speakers are very familiar to him. He has recused himself
from all conversations at that Board regarding this proposal and doesn't believe anything they
have said is going to impact his ability to make a fair decision this evening.
Freerks closed the public hearing.
Hensch moved for approval of the three amendments to the IC2030 Comprehensive Plan
to address mitigating impact of redevelopment on existing tenants of multi -family
buildings as written in the Staff report.
Theobald seconded the motion.
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 20, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 5 of 10
Hensch asked if these amendments will have any effect on the Good Neighbor Policy. Freerks
said no, no Commission action is required for that Policy. Yapp confirmed that was the case,
but the Commission's comments will be reflected in the minutes which are read by City Council.
Freerks stated she feels this is a wonderful plan but has some pause with some of the little
details. "Seek accommodations' still resonates as a concern for her and feels it should be fair,
consistent and predictable for all (developers and the community). She would prefer to have
more detail written to draw out the expectations.
Signs asked what the next step will be. If there Commission were to want to specify some
things that should happen. Yapp stated that the exact shape, size and detail of a transition plan
will be codified in the site plan chapter. The Comprehensive Plan statement is meant to be
broad language. The Commission does have the ability to amend the language on the floor if
they so choose.
Theobald stated she does not have a problem with the proposed language, and sees the benefit
to both parties to having it vague in the Comprehensive Plan because each case is different.
Perhaps setting a minimum standard would work.
Freerks noted she just wanted the conversation to happen and have it as part of the minutes.
Hensch agreed, this is a good first step and if in the future this first step isn't enough then it can
be revisited to tighten the language up.
Theobald also agrees with Dyer's comments regarding small businesses and questions when
that conversation would be appropriate.
Signs agreed and said the Dubuque Street incident was a fiasco, and wondered if they could
include commercial properties in this language.
Hektoen said that would be beyond the scope of what Staff has addressed in their proposed
amendments this evening, so the Commission would want consider that at another time. She
also noted that site reviews differ in many contexts.
Parsons noted it is a fact of life that every structure has to get renovated or upgraded at some
point and every situation is so unique and he is okay with the more vague language as a first
step. It can be revisited and tightened up if problems do arise.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0 (Martin absent).
REZONING ITEM (REZ17-00006):
Discussion of an application submitted by Deluxe Bakery / Jamie Powers for a rezoning from
Low Density Single Family Residential with Historic District Overlay (RS-5/OHD) zone to
Neighborhood Commercial with Historic District Overlay (CN-1/OHD) zone for approximately
3,440 square feet of property located 812 S. Summit Street.
Miklo stated the property is located on Summit Street in a residential neighborhood. The
building was likely built around 1900 and converted to a grocery store about 1910. The City first
adopted zoning in the 1920's and this property was zoned residential at that time, but because
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 20, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 6 of 10
the business was already established it was grandfathered in as a legal non -conforming use
and allowed to continue. The property has continued to be used for commercial purposes in
some form of retail since that time, so it is perfectly legal to have a retail use in this location.
However the non -conforming provisions of the Ordinance do not allow an expansion of a non-
conforming use and therefore the business can continue as is but cannot make significant or
even minor changes in its footprint.
The applicant is requesting that the property be rezoned to Neighborhood Commercial (CN -1) in
order to allow an addition to the property. Miklo showed some photographs of the building and
surroundings. The proposal is to add a new stair -tower entranceway to provide access to the
apartment on the second floor. The remodeling of the interior stairway would create additional
space for the bakery. Miklo also stated that any changes to the exterior of this building will also
require approval from the Historic Preservation Commission.
Staff met with the applicant and determined that the only way to allow the expansion was to do
a rezoning. Based upon the policies of the Comprehensive Plan, Staff feels the Plan does
support rezoning to a Neighborhood Commercial. Miklo noted that prior to 2005 the
neighborhood commercial zones had to be a minimum of 3 acres in size but that size restriction
was taken off when the zoning code was rewritten recognizing that there were some historic
small commercial areas like this that proved to be beneficial to a residential neighborhood.
Miklo stated there is also very specific language in the Comprehensive Plan about
neighborhood commercial uses and how they can enhance a neighborhood, but there is also
some specific requirements in terms of design and parking placement to help assure that they
do not detract from the surrounding neighborhood. Staff feels this existing use and site
development does conform to those policies of the Comprehensive Plan. There are also some
other policies in the Plan regarding small local businesses that Staff feel support the rezoning.
Miklo noted there are some uses that could not occur in this location even if the rezoning is
approved because of the parking limitations on this property. There are two, maybe three,
parking spaces to the back of the property and that would not be sufficient for some uses (such
as restaurants or bars). Therefore that would keep more intense CN -1 uses from being allowed
on this property.
Staff is recommending approval of the rezoning with a couple of conditions placed on the
rezoning given its close proximity to residential. Those conditions would be restricting hours
that the business is open to the public to between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm, and prohibiting the sale
of alcohol and tobacco.
Hensch asked about the order of procedure, when the Historic Preservation Commission review
the application. Miklo stated that would happen before the building permit is issued. The
Historic Preservation Commission doesn't look at the zoning question, they just look at the
design of the building.
Freerks asked if there was an event that would keep the business open past 9:00 pm would that
then require a special exception permit. Miklo stated that since the condition states the hours of
the business is open to the public, any private event could surpass those hours.
Dyer asked what qualifies as a restaurant, there are chairs and tables at the bakery. Miklo
stated the business is considered a retail bakery which allows for the accessory use of serving
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 20, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 7 of 10
what is baked. It is not the primary use, the primary use is the sale of bake goods that are
removed from the premises.
Parsons asked if the driveway to the south of the building as considered a shared driveway or
an alley. Miklo confirmed that was a public alley.
Freerks disclosed that she frequents this bakery.
Dyer asked if there was a concept drawing for the remodel. Miklo said there has been a
drawing submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission. He apologized that a copy was nto
included in the agenda packet.
Freerks opened the public discussion.
Jamie Powers (812 South Summit Street) has owned Deluxe Bakery for 15 years and stressed
that the process that would seem to move a lot smoother if this property were commercial is for
her to provide a handicap lift at the south driveway/alley. They have investigated about doing a
ramp around the back and a ramp around the front but a lift would be preferable.
Miklo noted that there is an exception that could be used for non -conforming properties that
allows for providing a ramp for persons with disabilities, that is not considered an expansion.
Freerks asked if the conditions of the hours open to the public would be acceptable. Powers
stated it is fine. She said they have had a few private events when guests may have stayed
passed 9:00. She also noted that her business is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Dyer asked where on the building the addition would be built. Powers said it would be on the
north side of the building. It will be 7 feet to the north by 15 feet back and be used as a closed
stairway for the upstairs tenant.
Signs noted that he drives by the Bakery every day on his way to and from work and stated he
feels it is a very positive contribution to the neighborhood. The building fits into the character of
the neighborhood.
Powers showed the renderings of the plans for the addition. She added that she did follow the
Good Neighbor Policy and held a meeting plus distributed flyers to the neighbors.
Thomas Agran (512 North Van Buren Street) noted that he has a building in his family that is
also a historic grocery building and was surprised to find out if that building were to burn down it
would not be able to be rebuilt as a neighborhood retail establishment. Agran encourages the
City to contact all other owners of similar historic buildings (whether they are currently in use or
not) to advise them. Agran questioned the restriction on the sale of alcohol was just for this
particular property or for all commercial properties in the Neighborhood Commercial zone.
Miklo stated it was just for this property. Agran asked then if he wanted to take his building
(current business is Design Ranch) and wanted to turn it back into a neighborhood grocery store
that restriction wouldn't automatically be placed on his property. Miklo confirmed that would be
the case. Hektoen reiterated this is a specific condition attached to the Deluxe Bakery property.
Edward Agran (833 South Summit Street) moved two doors down from the Bakery two years
ago and noted that the area is a garden spot that everyone recognizes as a great area in Iowa
City. He added that the Bakery are very good neighbors.
Freerks closed the public discussion
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 20, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 8 of 10
Theobald moved to approve REZ17-00006 the rezoning from Low Density Single Family
Residential with Historic District Overlay (RS-5/OHD) zone to Neighborhood Commercial
with Historic District Overlay (CN-1/OHD) zone for approximately 3,440 square feet of
property located 812 S. Summit Street subject to a Conditional Zoning Agreement
restricting hours that the business is open to the public to between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm,
and prohibiting the sale of alcohol and tobacco.
Parsons seconded the motion.
Freerks noted that there was a change to the Code some years ago reducing the acreage
needed for this type of commercial to protect these types of small businesses that are integrated
into the community. Freerks believes this is confirmed by the Comprehensive Plan and
supports this rezoning.
Theobald stated she is in support of this rezoning, however it reminded her of a project in her
part of town where it was a rezoning away from neighborhood commercial and it is important to
remember function versus design in neighborhood commercial. Theobald stressed it is
important in all areas where there is a business next to residential to be sensitive to the
neighbors, and added she is pleased to see how well this project achieved that.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0.
DEVELOPMENT ITEM (SUB16-00009/SUB16-00010):
Discussion of an application submitted by Robert & Roxanne Mitchell for a preliminary and final
plat of Westcott Second Addition, a 9.96 -acre, 4 -lot residential subdivision located 3055 Prairie
du Chien Road NE.
Miklo stated this property is located on the west side of Prairie du Chien Road and is within two
miles of Iowa City therefore within the fringe area of which both the County and the City review
subdivisions. The area is beyond what the City anticipates annexing, therefore the Fringe Area
Agreement provides a bit more flexibility in terms of the design of the subdivision and the
standards that apply. Basically the County's Rural Design Standards apply. Miklo showed
images of the site. The property will be divided into four single-family lots, one of which will
contain the existing farm house. 50% of the property in the middle is being set aside as open
space and stormwater management facilities as required by the Fringe Area Agreement.
Freerks asked if that area would be undisturbed then. Miklo said it will be disturbed for the
stormwater basin installation. Additionally per the County's Sensitive Area's Ordinance there is
a limitation to the number of trees they can remove before mitigation is required.
Miklo stated Staff has reviewed the subdivision and it does meet the requirements of the Fringe
Area Agreement, it includes stormwater management that is adequate and will not affect the
City's watershed to the south. The Fringe Area Agreement requires a fire rating and the Solon
Fire Department has submitted a letter indicating a low fire rating.
Staff recommends approval of both a preliminary and final plat.
Freerks opened the public hearing.
Thomas Agran (512 North Van Buren Street) stated he drives out Prairie du Chien frequently
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 20, 2017 — Formal Meeting
Page 9 of 10
and was disappointed to see this property go up for development but is pleased to see it is
being somewhat sensitive to the context out there. He generally is sensitive to the loss of farm
land, but if development must happen this one seems relatively tame and protective of the
environment.
Freerks closed the public discussion.
Signs moved to approve of sub16-00009/sub16-00010 an application a preliminary and
final plat of Westcott Second Addition, a 9.96 -acre, 4 -lot residential subdivision located
3055 Prairie du Chien Road NE.
Parsons seconded the motion.
Freerks agreed this seems to be a reasonable use of the land and is in favor.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 6-0.
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: APRIL 6, 2017
Theobald moved to approve the meeting minutes of April 6, 2017.
Signs seconded the motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0.
PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION:
Freerks mentioned the signage for zoning notifications and perhaps Staff could look at what
other communities do.
Hensch mentioned perhaps a QR Code to allow for more information without having to invest
money on detailed signage.
Signs mentioned that he had a friend that went by the Deluxe Bakery sign and stated their
frustration with going to the City's website to find more information regarding the rezoning.
Freerks agreed that the website can be frustrating to find information on.
Hektoen added that the City does require that neighbors 300 feet from the property in question
are notified by mail.
ADJOURNMENT:
Hensch moved to adjourn.
Parsons seconded.
A vote was taken and motion carried 6-0.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2016-2017
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a Member
5/5
5119
6/2
7/7
7/21
8/4
9/1
10/6
10/20
11/17
12/1
12/15
1/19
212
3/2
3/16
4/6
(W.S.)
4/20
4/20
DYER, CAROLYN
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
FREERKS, ANN
X
O/E
X
0/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
HENSCH, MIKE
X
X
X
X
0/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MARTIN, PHOEBE
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
PARSONS, MAX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
SIGNS, MARK
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
THEOBALD, JODIE
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a Member
-Trm-Trm
4b(11)
APPROVED
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
APRIL 6, 2017 - 3:30 PM
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM — CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Sayuri Sasaki Hemann, Juli Seydell Johnson, Wendy Brown, Ron
Knoche, Erin Fitzgerald
NOT PRESENT: John Engelbrecht, Tam Bryk
STAFF PRESENT: Marcia Bollinger
PUBLIC PRESENT: Rachael Arnone and art students
SOUTH EAST JUNIOR HIGH ART CLASS PRESENTATION OF LONGFELLOW
PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL MURAL PROPOSAL
Students of Rachael Arnone's art class presented their concept for the mural they will be
completing at the Longfellow Pedestrian Tunnel (see attached photos). The theme of artwork
will be a walk through a world of imaginary animals and vegetation. The orientation of the
sketches as they would occur in the tunnel was discussed. Arnone stated the exterior flange
walls on the tunnel would be painted with corn stalks. Arnone expressed concern about the
northern entrance in that it appears to be mossy/damp and if paint would adhere.
It was explained that there were a couple students that designed it and there will be 10 students
who will be creating the mural. Most of the work will be created in stencils and then painted on
the tunnel. The idea of having a reoccurring element/pattern that might fill some of the blank
spaces was discussed and that such elements might better tie the design together - such as
stars, growing grass or bumble bees. The stencils would make it easy to repeat a design
throughout the tunnel. The background color was discussed and the students suggested
something on the darker blue/purple side. They pointed to a tablet on the table that had a frame
color that they liked. Bollinger stated the Parks staff would be priming/painting shortly before
the mural was painted. Hemann said the design reminded her of Japanese Animation art — all
about the magical world.
Arnone asked if there were any additional details that the committee might need. It was decided
that the concept provided some detail but it was understood that there will be adjustments. The
limited lighting was discussed in the tunnel and the idea of fluorescent/glittery paint was brought
up. The graffiti proof sealer was discussed and it was decided that it would make further murals
on the walls not adhere properly.
The schedule was discussed. Arnone thought some time about mid-May would be best.
Bollinger said she would pursue transportation options with the Transit division. The
committee also felt that providing funding for only a half day time period may not be enough.
Arnone agreed to a full day project if transportation could be provided.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
There was no public discussion of items not on the agenda.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF THE MARCH 2, 2016 MEETING
Seydell Johnson moved to approve the March 2, 2017 minutes. Motion passed unanimously
COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were no announcements or updates.
STAFF REPORTS:
Seydell Johnson updated the committee on the Robert A Lee Recreation Center STEAM wall
installation. The University Faculty Team has met with staff and it was decided that their
proposal would be better featured on the wall about 25' to the right of the original location. The
location would allow the STEAM wall to be more horizontal and more accessible on the shorter,
wider wall. Seydell Johnson also said that she was also proceeding with the proposal by Jo
Myers Walker at the Mercer Scanlon Recreation Center. Walker had already provided a
concept for the work that she developed along with students at United Action for Youth.
Knoche mentioned there was a meeting with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and
they asked about the sculpture that is located on the circular pedestrian ramp at the
Riverside/Iowa Avenue intersection. The IDOT asked about the permitting process for the
artwork but they no longer had contact information for the artist. Bollinger mentioned that the
artwork was now owned by the City as the artist donated it a few years ago and she would get
the agreement to Knoche for him to pursue discussions with IDOT.
Bollinger mentioned that she is working with Public Works staff on the future relocation of three
scuptures on the Pedestrian Mail — Balance, Solar Market and Dorothy. She stated that the
Artist's Right Act would require some notification to the artists but was pursuing specifics with
the legal department. The Snelson sculpture located near the Beckwith Boat House was also
discussed as possibly being relocated. Knoche stated that he had discussion with the
University on potentially relocating it to their future art museum campus but they were not
interested. Bollinger mentioned Poetry in Public selections being completed and proceeding
with parent permissions and will be getting them on display in May. Bollinger reminded
everyone about the upcoming deadline for the Matching Fund grant of April 21. Fitzpatrick
mentioned the large attendance at the Iowa City Downtown District CoSign project meeting- a
design competition to create business signage in the downtown area that would extend out
above the sidewalk area so they are more visible.
Bollinger also stated that John Engelbrecht was on the review committee for the upcoming
BenchMarks project.
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting adjourned 3:32 pm.
Public Art Advisory Committee
Attendance Record
2016-2017
Name
Term
Expires
3/3
5/5
8/4
9/15
11/3
1/5
2/5
3/2
4/6
Bodkin Bryk, Tam
01/01/19
O/E
x
x
O/E
x
X
x
I O/E
O/E
Brown, Wend
01/01/20
--
--
--
--
--
--
x
x
x
En elbrecht, John
01/01/18
X
x
O/E
X
X
X
x
x
O/E
Hemann, Sa uri Sasaki
01/01/18
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
O/E
x
Erin Fitzgerald
01/01/20
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
x
x
Knoche, Ron
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
x
x
Se dell -Johnson, Juli
X
X
X
O/E
x
x
x
x
x
Key
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
-- = Not a member