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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-20 Info PacketCITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org July 20, 2017 IP1 Council Tentative Meeting Schedule MISCELLANEOUS IP2 Letter from City Manager to Iowa City Community School District Superintendent: American Legion Road improvements IP3 Copy of article from City Manager: What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? I134 Email from Council Member Cole: Request to attend Sustainable Cities Conference IP5 Public Meeting notice from Development Services Coordinator: Recommendations for Iowa City's Northside & South District Neighborhoods, July 24 IP6 Invitation: Affordable Housing Coalition, August 25 IP7 Invitations from Iowa City Community School District: August 215, — Grand Opening Hoover Elementary School; renovated Lucas Elementary School; renovated Weber Elementary School IP8 Civil Service Entrance Examination: Historic Preservation Planner IP9 Civil Service Entrance Examination: Maintenance Worker I — Refuse DRAFT MINUTES IP10 Community Police Review Board: July 11 IP11 Planning and Zoning Commission: July 6 i IF 11-k -OUN6 CITY OF IOWA CITY Date City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule IN Subject to change July 20, 2017 Time Meeting Location Tuesday, August 1, 2017 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, August 15, 2017 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, September 5, 2017 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, September 19, 2017 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, October 3, 2017 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Monday, October 16, 2017 4:00 PM Reception Emma J. Harvat Hall 4:30 AM Joint Entities Meeting Tuesday, October 17, 2017 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, November 7, 2017 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, November 21, 2017 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, December 5, 2017 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 5:00 PM Work Session Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting July 17, 2017 Superintendent Steve Murley Iowa City Community School District 1725 N. Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52245 Dear Steve: ww®r� �'rlli��lr�s •�a.art._ CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa S2240-1926 (3 19) 3S6-5000 13 19) 356-5009 FAX www.rcgov.org Per your request, I am sending this letter to provide some background on the Cgtys plans to improve American Legion Road and modify traffic speeds to provide a safer environment for those attending and visiting the new Hoover Elementary School. The City continues to appreciate the collaborative planning efforts from your office. Additionally, we have greatly appreciated the efforts of Assistant Superintendent Amy Kortemeyer and Longfellow Principal Chris Pgsarlk to facilitate discussions and disseminate Information to the Longfellow community. American Legion Road Improvements In mid -2013, the ICCSD purchased property for two new elementary school sites In Iowa City. The District and City worked together to Identify the parcels that we both fell served the community best. Prior to the land being acquired, the City did not have any Intention to move forward With utility and roadway Improvements to Sycamore Street or American Legion Road. However, after the District acquired the property we agreed to move forward With changes to our Capital Improvement Plan that would facilitate such upgrades in an expeditious manner. The most pressing need for Improvements was on Sycamore Street, both because of the targeted opening data of that school and because of the lack of utilities and road condition. In addition to lacking access to critical utilities, Sycamore was a chip seal roadway that could not accommodate the traffic that would be generated by an elementary school. The City Immediately pursued design work, executed a 28E agreement with the District, and began construction In early 2015 — less than two years after the property was acquired. This timeframe was extremely aggressive for any project of this nature, especially considering it was not In our plan just two years prior to completion. The total project cost for this improvement was $3,104,513 with the District contributing $395,698 for Improvements directly related to the school site. The following year In 2016, the City completed a comprehensive landscaping project to further enhance the Sycamore Street corridor. The American Legion Road situation Is much different than Sycamore Street. American Legion Road Is structurally able to carry significant traffic loads. While It Is a rural section of roadway, it is constructed with concrete and asphalt overlay. The section of roadway that needs to be Improved Is also significantly larger and requires reconstruction of a major Intersection (Scott / American Legion) and consideration of a grade separated crossing (pedestrian underpass) near the school Itself. The scope of this project Is significantly different than the Sycamore Street project and the current estimated cost is approaching $9,000,000. The complexities of the American Legion Road project have also required mufti -year design efforts and securing of outside funding. At the same time we began construction on Sycamore (spring 2015), the City was successful in attracting $2.24 million from the federal government through the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MP0) for the American Legion Road ProjecL The School District Is a non-voting member of the MPO and was present for those discussions. Those funds were specifically awarded for the year 2020. Earlier this year the MPO awarded an additional $1.36 mllllon in federal funds for this project Since that initial federal funding award in early 2015, the City's plan has been to complete design work In 2019 and construct the Improvements beginning In 2020. While we Will complete the design work in 2019, it Is important to emphasize that planning for this Improvement started just months July 17, 2017 Page 2 after the District acquired the property, when the City first hired Foth Engineering & Environment in 2014 to complete preliminary design concepts. Since that time we have advanced our work and have now completed the functional design phase (approximately 30% of the final design). Again, the multi-year design effort illustrates the high level of complexities with a project of this size and impact compared to other roadway Improvements such as Sycamore Street. Planning for 2017 Hoover Elementary School Opening As originally planned, the City is preparing to lower the overall speed limit on American Legion Road from 45mph to 35mph from east of Taft Avenue to Scott Boulevard. In addition, we will add the same school speed zone restriction that is used throughout the community to slow traffic to 20mph during school hours. New digital signage with radar speed displays will also call attention to vehicular speeds and be very visible to motorists. Our Police Department will have an active presence on American Legion Road for at least a couple of weeks after school starts, perhaps longer based on their traffic observations. As we have communicated in past years, we are not able to expand our crossing guard program. We currently struggle to maintain our existing program due to high staff turnover and absence rates for these positions. Each year we spend considerable resources to cover crossing guard absences with Community Service Officers and Patrol Officers. This coverage takes away from other critical services being performed by these staff members. We simply do not have the ability to expand the program without a significant increased impact on our traditional policing services. However, the City Is amenable to shifting an existing crossing guard to the new Hoover Elementary School site. Upon preliminary evaluation of our current guard locations, we feel that the likely best candidate to move would be from the comer of Dartmou"ashington - adjacent to Lemme Elementary School. Of the existing crossing guard locations, this is the only location that is fully stop controlled with an 'all -way' stop. The remaining locations either have no traffic control at all, or are at arterial street intersections controlled by a traffic signal that have higher traffic volumes and speeds. Both Washington and Dartmouth have reasonably good sight distance for motorists and pedestrians. Also, in the event that the District would like to backfill the crossing guard, the Intersection is directly adjacent to the school (which is not the case with most crossing guard locations). As always, we would welcome your insight and input on this issue. Long -tens, the City is also willing to transfer the crossing guard program to the District and assist with the financial costs of such program during the transition period. If you have ideas on how we could collaborate to better use our collective resources to provide enhanced pedestrian routes to schools, we are open to those discussions as well. Again, I would like to thank you and your team for the positive engagement and collaborative approach to siting schools in our community and further planning for the necessary infrastructure upgrades. We look forward to a successful opening of the new Hoover Elementary School and pledge to continue to work with you on both short-term and long-term Improvements that are needed around the school site. Sincerely, Geoff Fruin City Manager What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine POLITICO Page 1 of 14 From the City Manager u iStock THE LAST WORD What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? By POLITICO MAGAZINE I July/August 2017 DONALD TRUMP HAS CALLED AMERICA'S INNER CITIES "crime infested," "almost at an all-time low' and "more dangerous than some of the war zones," even as violent crime in America has been declining for decades. Which isn't to say that our cities don't still face serious problems. But what are they really? We asked mayors, urbanists and other thinkers to name the biggest threats that American cities currently face, and most took the long view—looking beyond Trump to challenges like urban broadband deserts, a shallow mayoral talent pool, crippling pension crises, and state or federal meddling. Vanishing families http://www.politico.comlmagazinelstory/2017/06l3Olbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 2 of 14 Dante Chinni, director of the American Communities Project at George Washington University and co-author of Our Patchwork Nation: The Surprising Truth About the `Real" America The revival of U.S. cities over the past decade has largely been a function of younger Americans, particularly those with a college education, seeking out the excitement and diversity of an urban life. Those younger singles and couples have been flowing back into big cities across the country in various degrees—from D.C. to Denver and even Detroit. But if cities want to become more than just a home for the low and high ends of the economic scale, they will need the stability of families. Millennials will have to decide to stay in their urban homes after the footloose days of hipsterdom and into the more complicated years of parenthood. To do that, cities will need to improve public schools and make sure there are affordable options for those needing larger, family -sized dwellings. That, in turn, could lift the larger tide of city residents from various economic backgrounds. It likely won't be easy, but if cities can turn their young, hip urban dwellers into middle-aged parents, they may be able to turn their early 21st -century boom into something more sustainable. The menacing skyscraper Saskia Sassen, professor of sociology at Columbia University As cities expand, more buildings are constructed. But those buildings are putting the health of our cities at serious risk, both at ground level—all those toxic fumes that buildings emit—and at the larger biospheric level, since buildings are major emitters of greenhouse gases. Thankfully, we have made many discoveries that can address this problem. In the future, no building in a city should simply be a building. It also must become an instrument for biospheric capabilities. One example, already in existence, is a kind of invisible paint laced with bacteria that neutralize greenhouse gases; another is a type of bacterium that, when added to the organic runoff from bathrooms and kitchens, produces a kind of plastic that is biodegradable. Using such bio innovations outside and inside vast corporate buildings can, and should, become a whole new business sector. The exact instruments used and the degree to which they're required can vary across cities. But collectively, advances like these can transform a building into a site actively enabling algae, bacteria and so many other creatures to do what they do well—cleaning up after our environmental destructions—and can in turn clean up our cities, too. http://www.politico.comlmagazinelstory/2017/06l30lbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 3 of 14 The pension bomb Pat McCrory, former governor of North Carolina and mayor of Charlotte American cities will not be able to confront important challenges, including decaying infrastructure, new transportation investments, gangs, and especially the increasing mental health and addiction crises until they resolve the hidden financial crisis that few talk about: billions in unfunded pension liabilities. Each year, these off -the -book liabilities continue to drain state and city budgets and are bailed out with no long-term resolution. Most large companies have had the foresight to enact reforms over the past two decades, but local, state and federal governments are still in denial, while some baby boomers are continuing to retire as early as 40 to 50 years old. Cities cannot continue to hide this growing liability. Politicians and city management must address current and future unfunded pension plans with major reforms to avoid bankruptcy—or massive tax increases. Now is the time to confront this pressing issue. If it is not resolved, we will soon deprive our cities and states—and our children and grandchildren—of a prosperous future. Steven Malanga, fellow at the Manhattan Institute and senior editor at City Journal The state and local pension problem received significant attention in the years after the 2008 market meltdown, but reform efforts in most places have done little to alleviate the issue since. That's especially true for municipalities because compensation represents a far greater share of their budgets than it does for states. Most alarmingly, the long bull market (the second longest in U.S. history by some measures) has not significantly bolstered most municipal funds. Even advocates for pension systems now admit that their financial model has major problems that they didn't anticipate. It is not merely that these systems are overly optimistic, for instance about projected investment returns. Rather, the complex accounting does not fully account for the volatility we see in the economy and financial markets. The result is, as the New York Times wrote in 2015, in one of the few stories to address this new "heresy": "It is possible to hit your long-term actuarial target and still go insolvent." The Rockefeller Institute of Government has addressed this in a series of remarkable studies showing that an underfunded pension system that receives all of its contributions from government and hits all of its projected investment targets still has a 1 -in -6 chance of falling to such a low funding level that recovery becomes impossible. The chances that these funds, even if they are fixable, will need significant additional contributions out of local budgets, taxing residents and crippling services is even higher. Neither politicians, voters nor most of the press fully understands this yet, even though a number of cities, school districts and even state systems have funding levels so low they may http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06l30lbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 4 of 14 not be salvageable. The money these funds are missing has not merely been promised to workers in the future; that money is supposed to be invested now in the market, earning returns—but it's not. Local budgets simply aren't big enough to replace that money fast enough. In the next two decades, we are likely to have important new debates about the nature of government fiscal ruin. We will probably need a new kind of Chapter g bankruptcy, perhaps like the law Congress passed giving Puerto Rico the right to enter bankruptcy court. Something similar, allowing retirement systems of states and localities to operate under federal supervision without plunging the entire government into Chapter g, might be necessary. We will also continue to see new definitions of what constitutes "insolvency." Several bankruptcy judges have already invoked the phrase "service insolvency" to describe a situation in which the cost of paying off long-term debts becomes so great that it threatens the ability of the government to deliver services, even though the government may have cash in the bank today. These discussions won't get serious today, next month or even next year because these pension systems still have money to pay retirees for a while, and politicians are masters of putting off tough confrontations until there's no money left. When that happens, we will be way beyond easy solutions. The income gulf Martin O'Malley, former governor of Maryland and mayor of Baltimore The biggest risk facing cities is really the same risk we face as a nation: income inequality and the creation of a permanent underclass of residents who feel no stake in the well-being of their country or of their city. Urbanization, the global movement of people to cities, can exacerbate racial, economic and social divides or it can ameliorate them. Progress is a choice. Australia is one of the most urbanized developed countries on the planet, yet it has lower levels of income inequality than countries like the United States, Britain and Israel. How have the Australians done it? By holding true to wage and labor policies and public investments that sustain an inclusive economy, one in which hard work is rewarded with a livable wage. The shrinking mayoral talent pool Alexander Garvin, president and CEO of AGA Public Realm Strategists, a planning and design firm in New York, and adjunct professor of urban planning and management at Yale University http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06l3Olbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 5 of 14 During the 1940s, Hubert Humphrey was mayor of Minneapolis and Fiorello LaGuardia was mayor of New York. Seventy years later, fewer and fewer people of similar dedication are willing to enter government, as elected public officials, appointed public servants or career government employees. If this pattern continues, local government will deteriorate even further. In response, the disillusioned citizens who currently pay for local government will vote to cut taxes and city budgets still further. They will become increasingly dependent on business improvement districts, conservancies, neighborhood coalitions, block associations and other nongovernmental organizations, which they support financially because those entities are responsive to their demands and accountable to them for their actions. The unfortunate result will be that individuals who now depend on local government for services, but cannot afford to pay for them, will suffer. This is why we need to attract more talented people into government service by, for instance, subsidizing university and graduate school education in exchange for a specified term of government service; substantially increasing the salaries for government employees; and providing appointed as well as elected officials with flexible funds for hiring consultants and/or staff. Broadband deserts Greta Byrum, director of the Resilient Communities program at New America Usually conversations about lack of broadband access focus on rural areas and small towns. But even in wealthy cities, poorer areas often get inferior service from the telecom giants—and even where there is access, many underserved and marginalized people can't afford to get online, relying on libraries or insecure public WiFi systems. About a quarter of Americans—many of them city residents—still do not have reliable broadband at home. This is not just about weakness or fragility in our telecommunications systems (though they do reliably fail in emergencies). Even in a booming market and in everyday conditions, the telecommunications market, long captured by industry giants, builds infrastructure only where it knows it will make a good return on investment: wealthy neighborhoods that can afford high rates for premium services like Verizon's Fios. The outcome is dramatically inequitable access to the infrastructure that undergirds basic economic, educational and civic participation. The gap in quality of access between connected and unconnected neighborhoods is growing, as legacy cable and phone systems age and as every storm and flood threatens to damage already fragile systems. Data capacity needs are also growing exponentially as we implement smart transportation, electrical and other city systems. http://www.politico.comlmagazinelstory/2017/06l30lbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 6 of 14 What's a city to do? It won't be easy. Broadband is not just one technology, but an amalgam of different equipment (conduit, fiber lines, legacy cable and copper lines, data centers, and wireless towers and devices), each of which brings its own web of regulatory, jurisdictional and technical challenges. Meanwhile, the rollback of federal internet privacy regulation foreshadows the likely loss of the open internet rules designating internet access as a utility like other public goods. As the Federal Communications Commission shrinks its own role in broadband regulation, however, cities have an opportunity to shape innovative, smart and ethical policies that provide equitable and safe connectivity. The question is whether they will have the time, resources and knowledge to succeed. Washington, D.C. Bruce Katz, Centennial Scholar at the Brookings Institution At a time of such furor and uncertainty in Washington, it's tempting for city leaders to feel hopeless or to engage in the warfare of national politics. But the reality is that cities have significant powers, and those that wait for Washington will fall behind their global competitors. Markets are already moving toward cities, but to maximize their market power, cities need to remain on the cutting edge of new industries and technologies, as Pittsburgh has done with its investments in robotics and automation. To leverage their fiscal power, cities need to harness the substantial assets, particularly land, that are under their control; Copenhagen's City & Port Development Corp., offers a good model for how to use smart zoning and intelligent land management to regenerate a large waterfront district and provide capital for infrastructure investment. Finally, cities must realize their latent financial power by unlocking private and civic capital; Indianapolis' BioCrossroads is an example of new types of intermediaries that are bridging corporate and philanthropic investments, academia and startup companies. By avoiding the perils of paralysis and solving problems at the local level, cities can thrive despite the current political environment. Punitive state legislatures A C Wharton, former mayor of Memphis, Tennessee Cities face a number of challenges, from crime to income inequality to pension and post - employment benefit shortfalls. But at a time when cities most need their autonomy to address these issues, it is being taken away from them by state legislative bodies. Recently, http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/3 0ibiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 7 of 14 state legislatures have stepped in to preempt how cities can police guns, set minimum wage levels, ensure fairness for women- and minority-owned businesses, and address pension problems. State legislative bodies used to help local governments out, but today they are exacerbating the challenges that cities face by blocking them from acting. Alan Ehrenhalt, senior editor at Governing magazine and author, most recently, of The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City America's large cities are positioned to be the true innovators of American government in the coming years—the "laboratories of democracy" that urban dreamers have always wanted them to be. They are awash in entrepreneurial enthusiasm, and generally free of the partisan gridlock that infects the other levels of the political system. But to claim this role, cities must find a way to stop state legislatures and governors from emasculating them. States are the brazen hypocrites of the system: They complain endlessly about mandates from Washington, then turn around and impose crippling restraints on urban governments seeking to cope with 21st -century problems. In the past year alone, states have enacted laws barring cities from setting their own tax rates; raising their minimum wages; protecting residents from various kinds of discrimination; and enacting even modest gun control policies. Much of this, of course, is simple partisanship. The cities are the one remaining bastion of Democratic political strength. State -level Republicans aren't in a mood to put up with it. But to treat this wave of preemption as mere partisan overreach is to underplay its importance. The American experiment in federalism is built on the coexistence of local, state and federal power. Disable one of those three, and the whole experiment is compromised. The question is what to do about it. States like to claim that their preemption powers are nearly absolute. Most state constitutions expressly or implicitly give legislatures and governors the authority to determine what cities may and may not do. But the state power grab can be resisted, and needs to be. In the end, this will have to involve a legal challenge. The power grab might have constitutional underpinnings, but it is also a denial of fair play too blatant to ignore. Fashion a sophisticated defense of local sovereignty, and sooner or later, some court, somewhere, will listen to it. Self -driving cars David Dudley, interim editor of the Atlantic's CityLab http://www.politico.comlmagazine/story/2017/06l30fbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 8 of 14 When the automobile conquered American cities in the early loth century, it also banished one of the great environmental menaces of the era: the massive amounts of manure created by horse -based transportation. It's an oft -cited factoid as we enter a new period of disruption heralded by autonomous vehicles. The shift from horseless carriages to driverless ones stands to be equally transformative, and the potential upside for cities is enormous: The private car—and the highways and parking lots it demanded—steamrolled through urban America, isolating low-income communities, gutting downtowns and speeding the flight of the middle class. (Also, smog.) Now, techno-optimists eagerly anticipate reclaiming those car -centric spaces, with fleets of shared autonomous shuttles doing the heavy lifting of personal mobility. But there's another, darker school of thought: Should we fail to put regulations in place that shape their usage before these machines emerge en masse, autonomous vehicles might just as easily be the chariots of even greater income and class inequality. For example, they could supercharge sprawl and create even more energy -intensive development patterns, since robot -assisted commuters might be lured into living farther from their jobs. A decade hence, we might find ourselves even more beholden to automotive infrastructure, as city streets swell with the dread "zero -occupancy" vehicles—empty cars roaming about running errands for their affluent owners. And those left behind by the first car revolution—those whose paychecks are already consumed by automotive expenses or who rely on increasingly shaky public transit networks—will be even more hopelessly marooned in the mobility deserts that remain. There's a good reason to fear scenario No. 2. Technologies that promise liberation have a habit of delivering their benefits along starkly racial and class lines. Mobility is boringly fundamental: If you can't get across town to pick up your kids, or get to work, or go to a job interview, the whole house of cards that is urban living comes apart. Our most broken cities tend to be the ones with the least functional transit networks. It's a little terrifying to think about how much worse it could get. The "public" stigma Jennifer Bradley, founding director of the Center for Urban Innovation at the Aspen Institute and co-author, with Bruce Katz, of The Metropolitan Revolution: How Cities and Metros Are Fixing Our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy In too many cities "public" means shoddy, dirty, dangerous and second-rate. The low quality of, and low expectations for, public services and spaces might not seem like an existential http://www.politico.comlmagazinelstory/2017/06l3Olbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 9 of 14 threat to cities, but when people stop believing in the value of public provisions, stop using them and paying for them, cities lose their core function: to be places of opportunity, places of mixing of people, ideas, cultures and habits, which produces more innovation and more mixing—a virtuous cycle. America's cities have never fully realized their promise of opportunity and integration, but to the extent that mixing and advancement happens, it is supported by a robust public realm where people can come together and know each other as fellow residents; by strong public schools that prepare a city's children and introduce them to each other; by extensive public transit that overcomes neighborhood isolation. Public shouldn't mean "for use by the poor." It should mean "for the good of all of us." The solution is more investment, more buying in, less opting out. The hard question is how city leaders can break the spiral of low trust and common feeling in cities and encourage the kind of heavy investment that is needed. This is not primarily a policy problem. Rather, it's a task for the myriad other city leaders, in neighborhoods, universities, philanthropies, religious institutions and businesses. (Ironically, the salvation of the public realm and public services may start with the private and civic sectors.) Can they connect their members, employees, constituents and congregants, and remind them of the value of what they share across their differences, maybe looking to post -bankruptcy Detroit as an example? Can they start to build a story of what their city is, what values it holds, what it means to live and work there? Can they sustain this work and the development of a shared civic story over time and through the inevitable, crushing challenges? If the answer is yes, then cities can succeed in making public things into great things, and in fulfilling their promise of improving the lives of all their residents. The racial labor gap Amy Liu, vice president and director of the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program America's cities cannot afford to fail to prepare our nation's rapidly diversifying workforce for success in a 21st -century economy. Despite adding jobs and output in the years since the recession, many cities and surrounding suburbs still struggle with slow productivity and wage growth. Numerous factors contribute to these troubling trends, but one key reason is that too many people, particularly people of color, lack the work experience, skills or professional networks that would enable them to attain or create productive, high -paying jobs. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/3 0fbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 10 of 14 America's ongoing demographic transformation toward becoming a majority -minority country only puts this challenge into sharper focus. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2004 to 2014, 2.5 million more white workers left the American workforce than entered it. Meanwhile, a net 2.2 million black workers, 2.4 million Asian workers and 6.1 million Hispanic workers joined the labor force. These trends are projected to continue through 2024. Already, in metro areas including Houston, Atlanta and Chicago, a majority of millennials are people of color. Our demographic transformation can be a major asset to cities, stemming population losses and injecting new energy and ideas into existing and emerging industries. Yet this more diverse cohort enters the labor market at a time when severe wage gaps persist between white workers and Hispanic, black and other minority workers, despite rising employment rates for all groups and rising wages for many. This suggests that many workers of color are entering the labor force through low-paying or part- time jobs that offer dim prospects for upward mobility. One way that cities could help close racial wage disparities is by announcing a joint public - and private -sector commitment: to give every young person between the ages of 16 and 24 the opportunity for a meaningful, yearlong work experience. Modeled on flexible approaches in jurisdictions like Ontario and New York City, the initiative would align existing and new funds that support career and technical education, summer jobs, paid internships for disconnected youth and other programs, placing young people into government, nonprofits and the private sector. Each participant would enter with a designated mentor and a clear job description, and exit with new skill sets, a professional reference and an expanded network. Through such an initiative, cities would play a leading role in helping America's most diverse generation become active contributors to our economic well-being in the decades ahead. Declining suburbs June Williamson, associate professor of architecture at the City College of New York, and Ellen Dunham -Jones, professor and director of the urban design program at the Georgia Tech School of Architecture Cities and suburbs, geographically locked together in metropolitan areas, are where most Americans now live, and their well-being is economically, ecologically and socially codependent. While suburbs have become increasingly socio -economically diverse, many are on a marked trajectory toward physical obsolescence, battered by complex challenges: water risks, energy inefficiencies, auto dependency, burdens of chronic disease, aging populations, persistent segregation, growing poverty and job losses. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06l3Olbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 11 of 14 Neither cities nor suburbs need more sprawl. What both need is for America's suburbs to be retrofitted. Underperforming parking lots, big boxes and shopping malls should be reinhabited with more community -serving uses, redeveloped more compactly or restored to green space. Urban planners should prepare suburban corridors for autonomous vehicles and transit and the associated changes they will bring—like less demand for parking and roadways, and altered movement patterns for goods. New "mixed-use" suburban spaces should incorporate a much greater range of uses to fuel more diverse economies and functions; think food production, processing and prep, daycare, senior living, co -living, clean industries, renewable energy and storm water parks. The personal and public debt accrued through wasteful over-accumulation—of house mortgages, household goods and gadgets, parking lots, fossil fuels and deferred maintenance on infrastructure—must be stemmed through the development of more productive and efficient built environments in suburbs. Unequal mobility Diane E. Davis and Lily Song, professor and lecturer, respectively, at the Harvard Graduate School of Design A growing number of U.S. cities are joining the ranks of their European counterparts by promoting walking, cycling, public transit and public spaces. These new urban transport investments largely depart from the expansive, public -subsidy intensive, auto -centric and environmentally destructive patterns of urban development that prevailed during the past century. Yet they also risk compounding, if not intensifying, existing socio -spatial inequalities in cities. In research conducted at the Harvard Graduate School of Design—looking at case studies in Los Angeles, Mexico City, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Stockholm and Vienna—we have found that urban transport policies and programs trying to improve mobility can inadvertently worsen segregation and inequality. For instance, the rise of bike - share and ride -sharing services has addressed public demand for alternative forms of transportation, but often at the cost of neglecting high -need areas and socioeconomically vulnerable populations. As affluent, educated and socially privileged groups descend on the urban core and take advantage of proliferating amenities, those areas face escalating property values. Rising values entail added costs of living that especially burden low-income residents and racialized minorities, who are being pushed out to the suburbs despite having the least access to private cars and alternative transport options. Individuals with the means http://www.politico.comlmagazinelstory/2017/06l30lbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 12 of 14 can pay for private ride -sharing services, but mass transit connections remain lacking, especially in lower income suburbs. It is time to think long and hard about what types of cities we are producing with the latest generation of mobility innovations. Only a few cities (for example, Vienna) have successfully used transportation investments and services to promote mixed -income, transit -oriented, higher -density urban development in ways that advance inclusion and equity. Such cities succeed by combining innovative transport programs with strong political leadership. Programs can take many forms, but they must integrate public transit goals with alternative urban land uses geared toward the public good. Otherwise, new mobility and accessibility services will continue to be scarce commodities, all too readily offered by private firms and distributed through a competitive consumer market. In the United States, we must move beyond old servicing paradigms and imagine new ones. Our future cities must be greater than the sum of recent individual technological and program innovations, however appealing these may at first appear. We must reverse the order of change, first articulating our visions for a more socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable city and then pursuing the complementary mix of urban policies and technological innovations that achieve these aims. Without such a framework, innovations that hover on the horizon, including autonomous vehicles, will likely do little to address the bigger picture of growing socio -spatial inequality. And although their involvement may be necessary to jump-start innovation, deferring to private -sector investment and leadership in transport will not necessarily help realize future visions of a more equitable and just city. Instead, politicians, planners, and the public, as well as the private sector, will all have to rise to the occasion, collectively providing and coordinating transport innovations that intersect with urban land use policies, so as to address mobility inequalities while also producing ever more livable cities that we all can be proud of. The death of the social contract Allison Arieff, editorial director of the urban research group SPUR and a contributing opinion writer at the New York Times The very idea of the social contract—the collective, the commitment to the greater good, the idea that we're in this together—is eroding, most especially in the era of Donald Trump. It feels like we can advance very little without restoring faith in truth and facts, institutions and democracy, which is a shocking thing to write and a terrible thing to contemplate. This erosion certainly affects cities, where populations are denser, but most of the problems that http://www.politica.comlmagazinelstory/2017/06l30lbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 13 of 14 result from this loss of cohesion—failing healthcare and education systems and the like—are faced by cities and non -cities alike. We are better together, and both in cities and across the country we need to discover new ways to make that a reality. There's no easy way to address this: Can we bring civics back to grade school curriculum? Can we restore local newsrooms? Can Facebook endeavor in earnest to combat fake news? Is there a new model for community meetings? This isn't a problem with a single solution, no quick fix; it's systemic and requires a multipronged approach from education to outreach, hell a new Works Progress Administration. If we're at the stage, which were are, where people question why their taxes should pay for clean air, safe roads or libraries, we need to find our way back to civil society. Alas this won't be quick. Traffic Greg Lindsay, senior fellow at the New Cities Foundation and co-author of Aerotropolis: The Way We'll Live Next Since the financial crisis, America's largest metros have been reliable job and people magnets, breathing new life into exurban sprawl with new residents who "drive until they qualify" for an affordable mortgage on a home outside a city. But these suburbanites and exurbanites are left exposed to the high costs of commuting in terms of both time and money, as well as to the devastating effects of another potential oil shock like the 2oo8 price spike that precipitated the crisis. At the same time, gentrification has transformed America's densest, most walkable and transit -rich neighborhoods into some of the country's most expensive, thereby expelling their former inhabitants to the suburban fringe. This has turned out to be a trap: Nearly half of affordable -housing residents spend more than 15 percent of their incomes on transportation. Public transit alone is of little help, as researchers at Brookings have found that a typical resident is able to reach only go percent of a city's available jobs in less than go minutes using transit. In turn, long, expensive commutes depress growth and punish their most vulnerable residents. The proposed solutions to these problems tend to veer quickly toward the fantastical—cars that fly or drive themselves, or one of Elon Musk's new tunnels. Others tout Uber as a fix that will render buses obsolete. The truth is that Uber and its competitors have only added to congestion in cities such as New York and San Francisco, and autonomous vehicles could make the problem worse in the form of driverless traffic jams. Meanwhile, New subway systems from New York to Washington groan under the strain of new riders and deferred maintenance. http://www.politico.comlmagazinelstory/2017/06l30lbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 What's the Greatest Risk Cities Face? - POLITICO Magazine Page 14 of 14 An alternative solution would be to combine public transit with these new technologies on the same app or platform, using the convenience of car -sharing, bike -sharing and ride - hailing to increase ridership and promote alternatives to car ownership. "Mobility -as -a - service" programs combining various modes have been successfully tested in Europe, but haven't yet made it to the United States. Coupling better transit service with on -demand rides for last -mile and last-minute solutions could prove incredibly appealing to commuters, and combining it with smarter regulations for parking, zoning and congestion could make them even more so. While President Donald Trump continues to tout a public-private $i trillion infrastructure package that is actively hostile to rail projects, Los Angeles residents, for instance, voted overwhelmingly in November to tax themselves $too billion over 30 years for transportation projects, including five new rail lines. Cities such as Seattle and Atlanta have followed suit with similar measures, with the former promising to invest in what it calls "new mobility." Cities thrive by comfortably compressing large number of people together in space and time. We need to invest intelligently in methods both old and new to ensure they can keep growing. http://www.politico.comlmagazinelstory/2017/06l30lbiggest-challenge-american-cities-pol... 7/17/2017 07-20-17 IP4 Julie Voparil From: Rockne Cole <rocknecole@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 11:07 AM To: Julie Voparil Subject: Request to Attend Dubuque Sustainable Cities Conference Oct. 3, and 4 Attachments: Dubuque Sustainable Cities Conference.pdf Julie, Please place in packet. I would like authorization to attend a Sustainability Conference in Dubuque, October 3 and 4 in Dubuque Iowa. The cost is $140 for a conference registration and am requesting authorization for mileage, one night hotel, and per diem for food. Growing Sustainable Commuraa6 - 10th Annual Conference - Dubuque, October, 1017 sustfW ainable Presented R hosted by: SUSTAINABLE DUBUQUE SUSTAINABLE CITY NETWORK Brought b you by: ©CREK REW iVrrlT Co...., %'#gscdubuque akq communities 10TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE Grand River Cent I Port of Dubuque I Ubvque, b..b Hosted by the City of Dubuque, Iowa and Sustainable City Network, the Growing Sustainable Communities Conference will be held at the ,rand River Center located in the Port of Dubuque at 500 Bell Street (View 'Mao). The 10th annual Conference is a two-day educational opportunity for public- and private -sector leaders who have a common interest in sustainability, resource management and social equity. The Conference will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday Oct. 3 and 4, 2017. Attendees: Many of our workshops may qualify for professional development hours (PDHs) through the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Board and other accreditation organizations. Sustainable City Network will keep attendee rosters on file for a minimum of three years. 2017 Session Descriptions (Download as a printable PDF) Programming sessions subject to change vnthout notice. Taesdayr Oct. 3, 2017 9:00 — 10:00 am Registration 10:00 — 11:30 am Workshop eesslen 1 e The Changing Pepe of Mobility In Arrlerlea Meeting Room 1 Sponsored by Global Traffic Technologies and WSP Parsons BdnckedtoR Presenters: Nancy Lyon -Stadler, WSP Parsons BdngkerhoB: Chad Mack. Global Traffic Technologies and Shari Thomas, City of Brookings. S.D. a Shaun Lopez-Muryhy. Took Design Group This session will Include three presentations an toples related to sustainable transportation. Pert 1: The City of Cleveland has developed a plan to put dedicated bike lanes down the middle of certain city streets, in much the same way that street cars were once Incorporated Into Its transportation mix. The city's Midway Cycle Tracks is proposed to be an 80+ mile network of bike lanes separated from vehicular traffic with intersections controled by stoplights. This presentation volt provide details about the planning process, design specifications, and the latest results of the city's demonstration projects. Part 2: The City of Brookings. S.D., recently adopted a new Bicycle Master Plan. with the help of a large group of stakeholders that included students from South Dakota Stale University. Members of the project team WIN share methods used to reach out to both bicyclists and non -bicyclists. provide examples of how the plan was implemented in its first six months. and give ideas for how to build GmvvIN Sustainable Communities - 10th Annual Conference - Dubuque, October 3017 hdr,119sadrbuque.mryprogramag.hbnl7/10/20179:22:39 AM] political support Pan 3: In recent years, priority control and traffic sensing technologies have helped make cities smarter by connecting vehicles to infrastructure. As Ne technologies have advanced, software has been developed to harness the abundance of data generated by Nese systems to provide analytical reports on where improvements have been or could be made. This presentation will feature use studies that explore how cities use intelligent transportation tools to change the way their communities move.Discussion topics include the new roles of public safety and transportation, how data generated from priority control systems is turned into useful insights to move public vehicles quicker and more efficiently, and how analytics can help to address future challenges associated with growing cities. ■ Fostering Growth In Affordable Housing Meeting Room 2 Sponsored by: HOusmgNOLA Presenters: Sally Martin. City of South Euclid, Ohio: Randy Cole, City of Columbia, Mo.: and Andmanscia Moms, HouslogNOLA This session will include three presentations on topics related to affordable housing. Pan 1:New Orleans is facing an affordable housing crisis. In 2015, 56% of New Orleans' renters spent more than one third and 33% spent over half of their income on housing costs. To provide more affordable housing in Me New Orleans area, HousingNOLA and the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA) engaged Grounded Solutions Network to research whether an inclusionary housing policy could work in New Orleans and, if so, how to tailor such a policy to fit the city's unique needs and housing market. The Smart Housing Mix Study is the result of an eight-month effort to research and provide recommendations on how an inclusionary zoning policy can be effectively implemented in New Orleans. The study was by and large accepted by the City Planning Commission and is now being implemented use policy. Key takeaways from this presentation will be a greater understanding of affordable housing policy, spedfically inclusionary zoning. and the methods used to design and advocate for the policy. Pan 2: The Columbia Community Land Trust developed by the City of Columbia. Mo., demonstrates how cities can create a community land lust organization (CLT) to protect, preserve and steward local government investments in affordable housing and ensure the long- term affordable home ownership options for lower income households in perpetuhy. This presentation will also show -case how sustainability, can be woven into the development of affordable housing by incorporating public transportation and walkability, energy efficiency, solar production. stormwater and water quality improvements, upgrading of electrical and sanitary infrastructure, removal of invasive plant species, while improving social equity, public safety and neighborhood engagement. Pan 3: The City of South Eudid. Ohio. is an inner -ring suburb of Cleveland with a population of 23,000. Over 20% of the city's housing .lock has been in foreclosure since 2008, with over 1.000 homes becoming vacant. Turning this crisis into an opportunity, the city launched the South Euclid Green Neighborhoods Initiative in 2009 using federal and local grant funds. This innovative publio-pnvate partnership brought together designers from the Cleveland Instikae of Art, residents, local builders, and city staff to reimagine the citys housing stock and neighborhoods by performing innovative green retrofits of bungalow housing stock, developing new, affordable, green in -fill housing, and creating community gardens and pocket parks in every neighborhood in the city. Eight years later, the city has seen more than $50 million in private residential investment, over $100 million in commercial investment, and housing values are steadily recovering. Attendees will learn techniques that can be used in any community. Is Building Farms into Communities - Lessons from Illinois Meeting Room 3 Presenters: Suzan Erem. Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, Nathan Graving Sustanable Communities - 10M Annual Conference - Dubuque, October 2017 tft://95WUWgw.caNprogre hV.hbn(7/10/20179:22:39 AM) setting. Preids Crossing, Janice Hill, Kane County. III., & John Dewak, Serosun Farms This presentation will include a panel discussion moderated by Suzan Erem of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trost (SILT) and featuring Serosun Farms and Prairie Crossing Development in Kana County, III. Developers and planners across Me country are working together to build sustainable farms into housing developments. With a nonprofit land bust in the mix, developers can reap quick sales and high profits while also securing affordable, regional food production for generations to come with farms that can improve quality of water. air and Iffe. Hear mom a planner and 2 developers about how they created breathtaking communities that will also feed the future, and how we can apply those lessons to be rest of the Midwest and beyond. ■ Tools for Meeting Your Community's Tree Canopy Goals Meeting Room 5 Presenters: Ian Leahy, American Forests. Tim Porter 8 Amanda Byrum. City of Charlotte, N.C.: and Kristen Sousquet. Arbor Day Foundation This session will include three presentations on topics related to trees. Part 1: Vibrant Cities Lab - Launching in summer, 2017, Vibram Cities Lab is a new. highly visual. and free online resource developed by the U.S. Forest Service, National Association of Regional Councils and American Forests. This website is design" as a resource for professions and city managers impacted by urban trees but not necessarily focused on them. It tailors research syntheses and snapshot case studies to each of 11 professions, including city planning, education, public safety and economic development. It also includes an interactive toolkit to help city managers assess their current tree canopy status and follow a step-by-step process to build an effective urban forest program. The presentation will include a live demonstration that attendees can follow along with on Meir own devices. Part 2: CharloMes Tree Canopy Preservation Program - The City of Charlotte, N.C's Tree Canopy Preservation Program (TCPP) provides an example of how a rapidly developing municipality has used funds collected through a commercial development ordinance and developed partnerships with a local land trust and other agencies to engage in land conservation and work toward established bee canopy preservation goals. In 2011, Charlotte began requiring developers to either save trees on construction sties or pay into a Tree Ordinance Mi0ta0on Fund. These collected tunds are then used to acquire property for urban forest preservation through voluntary sales and to protect and steward Me land through strategic partnerships, Property acquisition began in July 2014, and to date, TCPP has acquired over 140 acres and is projected to acquire 71 more, while actively seeking more acquisitions. Attendees will develop an understanding of how municipalities can fund land conservation through commercial development fees, establish partnerships with non -profits in sustainability projects, and accomplish complementary goals of urban forest canopy preservation and land conservation. Part L Arbor Day Foundations Energy -Saving Trees Program - This presentation will explore how a tree distribution program can fit with a community's sustainability and tree canopy efforts, maximize energy efficiency and engage homeowners. Attendees will learn how a tree distribution to homeowners offers the ability to educate citizens on strategic tree planting and promote green infrastructure, leading to measured environmental benefits (such as air quality, stormwater management, carbon sequestration and energy efficiency). These benefits are all quantified through meaningful data using a rummy program that offers technology to assist with automated tree reservations. education, tree tracking, continued communication to the participants, and data/metrics shoving Me impact of trees planted. ■ Developing Green infrastructure with Public/Private GraMM wstanable Cnnmunibes - IIM Annual Conference - Dubuque, Octobe 3017 http://gKdubuquemMpogn kV.M [7/10/30119:23:39 AN) Partnerships Meeting Room 6 Sponsored by: Hydro -ecology Services. N.A. and HBK Engineering Presenters: Vanessa Firmer-Oraiz. HBK Engineering: John Duke. Hydroecology Services North Amenca: and Tom Petersen & Dan Hagan. ITC Midwest This session soil Mrhde three presentations on pudic green infrastructure projects Mat were completed with the hep of private engineering companies. Part 1: Price Greek - Amann Calender, Water Quality Project - This project was awarded funding from the Iowa Department of Agnwiture and Land Stewardship's Water Quality Initiative and is co-sponsored by Me Amara Historical Site Foundation and the Iowa County Soil and Water Conservation District. HBK assisted in planning and engineering a 1O,ON square foot permeable paver parking area and bioswales. This site is unique because it is located within Me Amana Colonies, an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. and the project was conceived to reflect the neral stonnwater management practices Met can be seen near Me more urban site. Attendees will learn Me importance of histondrural partnerships as well as the simmwater education benefits Mat May can mutually serve. Additionally, the process included working with several state agencies. which were integral to creating such a dynamic opportunity and ultimate success. Part 2: Using GIS to Design Green Stormwater Inirastrecture - Green stormwater infrastructure conceptual design can be done by non -engineer professionals using field assessments, public elevation data. and GIS tools, To retrofit our communities to handle storrmvater more ecologically Man what we did in the past takes some creativity. Showcasing several city government projects. this presentation will show haw GIS can be used for more Man just "map making:" Part 3: Parka and Habitat gestorallon In Iowa - This presentation will review the benefits Mat communities can realize when May Panner with private companies to promote municipal sustainability activities. It All feature a variety of sustainability and habitat development projects that ITC Midwest, an electric transmission line companyassisted with in Dubuque and other eastern I.. commorim . a Infusing Sustalnablllty Projects with Equitable Outcomes Exhibition Hall Sponsored by: Suez presenters: Morgan Carnes. Greening Vermillion Antonia Graham. City of Huntington Beall. Call.'. and Sarah Hobson. Community Allies This session wig include three presentations on equity in suslainabiliy, Initiatives. Pan 1: Sierra Club South Dakota - In February of this year. Sierra Club South Dakota teamed up AM Dakota Rural Action. ano0ser South Dakota environmental nonproM. to create an environmental justice pnmer. This event featured a panel on Me encampment at Standing Rock as well as six other sessions on topics discussing food security. privilege, and refugee immigration to name a few. The event was designed to help members understand the integral connections between social and environmental sustainability and create pathways toward relationship building, and social commitments which bring lasting environmental impacts on a local, statewide and global level. This presentation volt provide a case study outlining challenges and successes surrounding the organizational partnership and the environmental justice primer. Methods for communicating concepts of privilege. inclusion. and equity in environmental nonprofit organizations will be discussed. Pan 2: Oak View Neighborhood Advanced Energy Project - A project that All provide renewable energy sources and green collar jobs to disadvantaged residents of the predominantly Latino Oak View neighbemood in Huntington Beach. Calci., will be described in Mrs presentation. The City of Huntinglon Beach along Am Me Growing SUSMoNa Classmate; -10th Mnual Conference - Dubuque, OCober 2017 http://gsW.bugm.coWpr ..ing.h"17/10/2017 9:22:39 AM] Advanced Pourer and Energy Program at the University of California, Irvine will be implementing the project, which was recently awarded $1.9 million in grants from a variety of sources. Part 3: SL Louis Segregation Research Project - In this presentation, students will provide an overview of a 3 -week Ethnodrama After School Program in which students generated personal research questions about multiple sources for segregation in St. Louis. Based in community interviews. their films capture the intersections between urban planning and its social and mental impact on St. Louis city and county residents. Students will model their 2016 school film festival by showing their films and inviting the audience to share their perspectives on the connections between urban planning and internalized segregation in St. Louis. They Will demonstrate their competence in engaging adults in cross-cultural problem -solving. Drawing upon their research questions and their films, they will facilitate discussions about the kinds of smart growth practices their communities need and Me power of youth -centered ethnodrama programs for involving youth and their communities in smart growth development. 11:35 am - 1:15 pm Luncheon Keynote Address in the Grand Ballroom 1:30-2:45 pm workshop Session 2 a Talking About Climate Change Meeting Room 1 Sponsored by. Suez Presenters: Barbara Buffaloe, Columbia. Mo., Office of Sustainability 8 Con Burbach, City of Dubuque: and Abby Finis, Great Plains Institute 3 Larry Kraft, iMatter This session sd0 include two presentations on communicating about climate cliange. Part 1: Lessons from Columbia and Dubuque - This will be an informal discussion led by Barbara BuKaloe. Sustainability Manager in Columbia. MO and Cori Burbach, Sustainable Community Coordinator in Dubuque, about how May approach discussions on climate change wish their communities in the current political climate. Barbara will highlight Columbia's experience with the Climate Choices program, created by the National Issues Forams Institute. Cori will provide lips on how to use your personal story to connect people on the topic of climate change. Al the end of the session the presenters hope to have audience members leave with successful tools to host their own meaningful, productive deliberation with community members about difficult issues that affect the environment and communities. Part 2: St. Louis Park Climate Action Plan -iMatter is an organization driven by youth who are passionate about addressing climate change. iMatter youth were instrumental in pushing Me City of St. Louis Park. Minn., to adopt a climate resolution that resulted in a climate action plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Key take avows include: 1) the pourer of youth; 2) the importance of climate change being tackled at the community/city, level: and 3) tools and resources that are available to at emissions reduction targets and achieve them. 0 Nashville's Plan to Decouple Emissions from Its Growth Trajectory Meeting Room 2 Sponsored by: Big Wave Strategies, LLC Presenters: Laurel Creech 8 Jennifer Westerholm. Memo Nashville Department of General Services: and Tim Bent, Big Wave Strategies, LLC This session will feature three speakers describing the sustainability programs of Nashville. Tenn. Nashville is the "it' city - among the best rated for places to live, real estate appreciation, business climate, lob opportunities, places to visit and even friendliness. It seems everyone is moving to Nashville- but with flourishing growth comes sustainability hindrances. Traffic and its emissions, stressed waste management systems, frenzied Brave, Sustainable Co mnanmes -10th Annual Conference - Dubuque, October 2017 htpzl/gm*&WAV Wprogrmmig.hb ( /10/20179:22:39 AM] construction rates with neighborhood disruption, increasing energy and water demands, lack of affordable housing - the list of suslainability challenges is extensive. Learn how Nashville is not only coping amid this remount change — but simultaneously committing to decouple its emissions from its growth trajectory. Managing over 100 buildings and 4 million square feet, a city fleet of more Man 3,500 vehicles, and responsible for the design and construction of 21 LEED facilities, the city's Department of General Services has an interest in saving energy, reducing waste, and trimming costs. This presentation will help attendees understand Nashville's growth drivers and how they link to sustainability: the importance of context -based goal setting; Nashville's strategies for sustainability, data identification, gathering and management: and the importance of effective reporting It will also include an overview of line city's'Socket, Unplug Nashville" campaign, a multimedia outreach effort that educates Metro employees and the general public about the city's sustainability, initiatives while also teaching and inspiring sustainable practices at work and at home. 0 Changing the Read We're On Meefing Room 3 Sponsored by: John Deere Presenters: Brian Wdlham, City of Des Moines: and Stephanie Houk Sheelz & Frank Danah, City of Cedar Falls, Iowa This session will Include presentations on how two Iowa communities are transforming mobility . Part 1: AWancing Transportation Choices In Das Moines - This presentation will share the results of the Connect Downtown mobility study that the city is co -leading with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Iowa chapter of the Urban Land Institute. Related to Me study, a pilot project will include converting 7 blocks of a downtown street into a multi -modal corridor that will include shorter pedestrian crossings. enhanced transit stops, protected bike lanes, and narrowertlewer traffic lanes to slow traffic and by to reverse the recent increase in injury crashes along the corridor. Take -sways will include a good understanding of how such a study can happen and who the appropriate champions need to be, as well as lessons learned pilot project. Pan 2: Cedar Falls Highway Transformation Project - University Avenue, a former Iowa DOT six -lane, divided highway, once served as the only major highway between Cedar Falls and Waterloo. Iowa. It was an auto -centric principal arterial through the middle of the community, Ownership of this severely deteriorated madway, was transferred to the city of Cedar Falls in 2014. The priorities for a new corridor design included a safe design for all forms of traffic, a road diet, safe pedestrian and mass transit links, and landscaping. The presentation will tlescribe the transfer of jurisdiction from stale to city: adoption of smart growth and complete streets principles by the city council; and the development of an evaluation process to identify "sustainability outcomes" for the project. a Building a Better Mouse Trap with Innovative Outreach and Education Meeting Room 5 Sponsored by: Dubuque Bank and Trust Presenters: Dana D'Souza. Econservabon Institute: and Patrick Hanlon. City of Minneapolis This session will tlescribe two innovative marketing and education Protocols, Part 1: Commungy Based Social Marketing - CBSM uses tools such as prompts, social norms, and Incentives to encourage target audiences to "purchase" certain behaviors. Unlike traditional marketing, CBSM does not sell a good but instead sells a behavior. This presentation provides best practices in selling up CBSM design and measurement to provide reliable information on program perfonnance. It walks attendees through the Taws and whys" of conducting this type of marketing, and provides information on the practical aspects of designing and implementing a CBSM program. 0 h, Sustainable Communities - 10th Annual Conference - Dubugi October 2017 Wp://gnduWque.mm/progMa IN.hbn[7/10/20179:22:39 AM] Part 2: Stall Driven Leadership - sustainable Porlionammea - Four years ago the City of Minneapolis Health Department started a 20% .loft driven leadership model called Environmental Initiatives in its Environmental Services unit. Prior to adopting this model, the department. like many municipal work groups. judged its performance by permits issued and inspections completed. Since the creation of Me Environmental Initiatives concept the results have been amazing with new programs created. amore engaged team, higher retention. and greater service to the city. The presentation will explain the parameters of this leatlership model and describe a number of examples of how h was used to create new sustainability programs in the city. • Innervations In Community Engagement Meeting Room 6 Presenters: Matthew Bemstine. Washington University in St. Louis'. and Linda Shenk. Iowa State University 8 Mallory Riesbery, Boys 8 Gids Club of Central Iowa This session will introduce attendees to two fascinating community engagement case studies: Pant 1: The Listening Project In St. Louis - Community engagement processes often miss the richness and diversify of Me place and instead captures concerned thoughts from a small portion of neighborhood residents. Often those are the vocal or time -rich citizens. This presentation will highlight a framework and examples that gathered robust data and meaningful narratives from multiple perspectives within two City of St. Louis neighborhoods. The Listening Project is a tool that was developed to gain insight and feedback on what residents would like to see prioritized in improvement, finanaal investment, and care within their neighborhood from a representative sample of residents Mal reflected the diversity of Me area. Attendees w it learn about techniques to elicit qualitative information from diverse perspectives and what to do who that data once it is collected. Theyll also hear how to engage in a community process that successfully integrates multiple disciplines, including design, sodal work, and public health. Part 2: 'Community Growers" Program for Youth In Des Moines - As civic leaders increasingly seek to harness the pourer of "big data" platforms to create more sustainable, equitable communities, a community -university team of researchers and civic leaders in Des Moines is working to integrate these technologies into city deasion-making, while fostering the next generation of big data scientists and sustainable city partners. This presentation will share a facet of this partnership', a -Community Growers Program for a leadership -minded group of middle school youth in the Baker Chapter of Me Boys & Gids Club of Central Iowa. In Me programming (begun in March 2017), the youth learn about, and help generate, computer story maps using GIS technology. introducing them to visioning processes, data analytics platforms and agent -based modeling as they shape and conduct an action project in a virtual community garden. Then May share their work with Des Moines city leaders and local residents. The presentation will share specifics of the progrem as well as the City of Des Moines' involvement —a multi-facaled partnership that brings together current and future deasion-makers to help co -create data -amen, vibrant sustainable cries IS Increasing Markets for Locally Produced Foods Exhibason Has Presenters: Teresa Wemersage, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 8 Georgia Wndtorst Iowa Food Hub In 2016, Me Iowa Food Hub and ISD Extension received funding from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture to use the Iowa Food Hub staff, infrasWdure and sales platform to test the concept of a food hub node in the Dubuque region to increase markets for locally produced food. The final results of that ressamh will be presented. 2.45 - 3-.15 pro emwso Eahibker, Booths loin us in Me Exhibition Hall for refreshments, networking and exhibitor demos. 3.15 - 4.15 pm Workshop Session 3 Gimm ig 9atalahMCarsrsa11la1- Iglu ArtaW CMwetee- Dubuque,Ocbobvi2017 http://gsoluWque.euro/pro m.ing.hbo17/10/20179:22:39 AM] is Planning, Measuring and Training on Sustainability and Resilience Meeting Room 1 Sponsored by: Suez PresentersEnc Heinous, City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 8 Barbara Buffalos, City of Columbia, Mo.: and Carne Kosher. Broward County. Fla.: and In this session, we take a dose look at some of the tools and metria three communities in loxes. Missouri and Florida are using to set local goals. measure progress, and improve their communities. Columbia, Mo., was certified under the STAR Community Rating System in the fall of 2016 and is using the certification results to identify areas for improvement that should be included in the city's Strategic Plan. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Is working towards STAR certification with a goal of using the certdication process and results to serve as a framework and inform the Freedom of the city's new Sustainability Plan. Audience members will learn about the process undertaken by both communities to evaluate their sustainability efforts to date and how that evaluation is being used to inform city planning and policymaking. The STAR Community Rating System, a framework of comprehensive sustainability performance standards, will be explained. Broward County Florida, also a STAR -certified community, has developed the Climate Change Toolbox Training (CCTB) program. which begins at the local government level where county staff are making decisions daily that have long-term consequences. Constructing a sustainable future involves integrating a balance of community, environment, and economy into the decision-making processes. To drive employee engagement on environmental challenges Broward County Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division launched the CCTB program and Climate Toolbox in the spring of 2016. The goal was to have a resource for county staff, and to foster employee understanding and advance skills on Ne environmental challenges faced by the region. The CCTB is an ongoing educational program aspiring to reach at least 20 percent of Me county's workforce by 2020. ■ Creative Plaeemaking to Enhance Quality of Life Meeting Room 2 Presenters: Sharon yanmski. Morwrer & Mimi fault Foundation. and Nancy Barton 8 Phoebe Potter, Prattsville An Center This session will explore the concept of placemaking: an approach to urban planning intended to create public spaces that promote health, happiness and welt being, Part 1: Across the globe, communities of all sizes have adopted "creative placemaking' as a strategy to spark economic growth, drive community engagement and enhance overall quality of Iffe. Defined as the integration of arts and culture into public spaces, creative placemaking takes many forms, from mural projects to public an storefronts to street markets. This session will explore how free outdoor concerts in particular can inject new economic and social vitality into a public space and create a positive npple effect Net extends throughout a neighborhood or city. Part 2: The Prattsville, N.Y., Art Center and Firehouse Arts Complex are examples of how creative placemaking can help communities recover from disasters. In the summer of 2011, flooding from Hurricane Irene devastated Prattsville: hall of Main Street was literally washed away, and the population dropped from 700 to 400. Many townspeople lost everything, and the local population is now struggling to rebuild. This presentation will explain how the arts can help foster community empowerment, encourage tourism and demonstrate the role of pennacuflure in a community. ■ Red County & Blue City Come Together to Develop Climate Resilience Strategy Meeting Room 3 Presenters: Jasmin Moore, Johnson County, Kans. S Dennis Murphey, City of Kansas City, Mo. The two largest local governments in the Kansas City metro area, Growing Sustainable Cemmunmcs - 10th Annual Conference - Dubuque, October 2017 http://gi ubugw.omVpmgmmming.hM[]/]0/201] 9:22:39 AM] one progressive, one conservative, partnered with a local non-profit and the council of governments to develop a climate resilience strategy. Using climate projections tailored to their region, they engaged numerous stakeholders to identify key risks of climate change and collaboration opportunities to improve resilience. Audience take-aways include: how to work across the aisle, available climate resilience tools, how to integrate equity into climate resilience, and how to leverage existing resources and programs to advance climate resilience. 0 Now Regulations Shaped a University's Green IMrastructure Plan Meeting Room 5 PresentersDave Wolmutf SmithGroupJJR & Gary Brown. University of Wiscomin-Madison The University of NWawnsin-Madison is an ever densifying urban campus, as well as the largest single landowners on Lake Mendota in Madison, Ws. Over the years, the university has made a significant investment toward improving and maintaining the health of the lakes within the Yaham Watershed, both through academic contributions and also by implementing over 80 individual sustainable stonmvater projects throughout its 1,040 -acre campus. This presentation will provide details of the UW -Madison Green Infrastructure Master Plan. which identifies green infrastructure opportunities on campus for the next 30t years and district -vide practices intended to capture runoff from multiple sites and go beyond the individual site-based Bytes that are typically built. It also identifies a number of major streets on campus Mat will be converted to green streets, in cooperation with the City of Madison, and it proposes more aggressive policies and standards to help achieve certain stormwater metrics related to suspended solids and total phosphorus reductions. You'll also learn how changing state and federal regulations impact haw municipalities plan for the future and influence the need for green infrastructure. ■ Innovations In Affordable Housing Meeting Room 6 Presenters: Eric Hempel & Randall Cole. City of Columbia. Mo.: and Becky Landon & Kehn Carroll, City of Minneapolis This session will describe two extraordinary affordable housing projects in the Midwest. Part 1: This presentation will describe the City of Columbia's pilot program to address the "split incentive" in rental housing for the low - to moderate-inceme community. Called "Enhance your Attio" the program focuses on low-cost, high -impact sold insulation and takes advantage of existing rebate programs at the municipal utility, city staff and Section 8 rental properties. Take-aways include program design specifics. funding sources, strategic partnerships, and the leveraging of existing programs. Part 2: The City of Minneapolis is constructing the first multifamily "Passive House" development in the upper Midwest. The Hook & Ladder Apartments project will create 115 units of affordable multifamily workforce housing on a blighted former Industrial site bested in the heart of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. This presentation will provide information on the sustainability and "land mgcltng" aspects of the project and the extraordinary "Passive House' elements of the construction. ■ Converting to LED Streetlights in Anchorage, Alaska Exhibition Hall Sponsored by Crescent Electric Supply Co. Presenters: Marl Webster, GE Lighting This presentation will be an overview of a project to replace 4,000 sheegtghts with LED fixtures and solid-state controls that allow system monitoring from mobile applications. Return on investment from an energy and maintenance saving perspective will be presented. 4:15 — 5.45 pm Networking Reception Join us in me Exhibit Hall on the ground floor for libations and heavy hors Growbg Sustanade communities - l0th Annual Conferences - Dtatque, Octpber 2017 http://9Yd Wp .00m/poprwm*4A*nV/"179:32:39 MQ d'oeuvres. This is a chance for attendees of the Tuesday and Wednesday ci nference sessions to meet and greet their peers and conference speakers, sponsors and organizers in a casual atmosphere. Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017 7.30-8:30 am Registration 8 Breakfast in Exhibition Hall 8:45 — 9:30 am Morning Plenary in the Grand Ballroom 9'45 — 10'45 am Workshop Session 4 a Now to Prevent and Kill Development: On Purpose and by Accident Minting Room 2 Presenters: Jeff Goore, Iowa Economic Development Authority 8 Jim Thompson. Main Street Iowa This session will share approaches and lessons learned cn attracting development in your community with an emphasis on downtown development and redevelopment. Audience take -sways will include examples of downtown development models from other states: how to make your community enticing to developers: an opportunity to provide input into a possible Iowa "Development Ready Community' program: model polities and incentives to promote downtown and infill development: and identification of Me main components of the -Art of the Deal." ■ Sustainable Transportation with Alternative Fuel Vehicles Meeting Room 3 Sponsored by Unison Solutions Presenters: Stephanie Welsenbach. lows Clean Cities Cotillion 8 Christina Vander Zee, Alliant Energy; and Jon Kom. City of Muscatine. Iowa This session will include two presentations on the topic of reducing emissions by powering vehicles with something other than gasoline. Electric vehicles, (EV) can help communities meet emissions targets, improve public health and reduce operating expenses, so it benefits cmc leaders to find ways to implement public EV charging infrastructure and rewenl EV diners. AddiWnalty. using EVs in fleet applications can help further integrate Mem throughout Me community. Hear about local initiatives in Iowa and MAsconsin. Fueling fleets with compressed natural gas (CNG) is another very to reduce emissions and save money. MARRVE (Muscatine Area Resource Recovery for Vehicles 8 Energy) is a project that takes waste organics (packaged and scrap food) headed for the landfill and diverts it to anaerobic digesters to produce methane. The methane will then be converted to CNG to fuel city vehicles and other private peels. This is the start of a waste organic recycling program for industry, businesses and residents. ■ Suslalnabllity Tools and Frameworks Meeting Room 5 Sponsored by: HER. Inc. Presenters. Marcella Thompson. HER. 8 Lindsay Moll. Allianl Energy. and Eric Hall. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency This session will descrbs tee methodolgies developed to help decision makers manage and measure Me sustainability of development projects. The Envision rating system for sustainable Infrastructure is a planning and design guidance tool that defines industry -wide sustainability, metrics for all infrastructure types, in any geography. This presentation will feature Iowa's first Envision -verified project. sharing insight from the Atlianl Energy Marsballtown Generating Sieben, Me largest electric utility project to complete the Envision verification process with the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). The presenters will explain how the Envision rating system provides a holistic framework to help project teams identify Growing Sustainable Communities - 10th Annual Conference - Dubuque, October 2017 http://,s .Wgm.00m/pay ing.h"[7/10/201] 9:22:39 MI sustainable approaches during planning, design. combustion, and operation. The Multi -Sector SustainabllNy Browser (MSSB) is the first decision support tool (DST) containing weblinks to scientific literature, news articles and technical reports. The MSSB is a visual database, shoving the user to investigate one or more of the four key sustainability areas - land use, buddingsanfrastructure, transportation and materials management. to explore the available scientific literature references and to assess the potential impact of sustainability, activities on desired decision outcomes. A rase study Y411 be used to demonstrate how a community with minimal expertise in planning and developing sustainable land use projects can use the MSSB to find relevant resources for land use sustainability. • Partnering with Unlversitles to Advance Sustainability Meeting Room 6 Sponsored by Conlon Construction Co. Presenters: Ashley Craft, Green Iowa AmenCorps S Eric Giddens. University of Northern Iowa s Center for Energy S Environmental Education: and Mara Dami University of St Thomas This session will include two presentations based on resources universities are providing to local communities to advance sustainability in Iowa and Minnesota. The Sustainable Communities Partnership (SCP) collaborates with cities and other governmental entities to integrate community -identified sustainability projects into eciSvig courses at Me University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. The partnerships seek to catalyze systems -level change towards sustainability in the Twtn Cities area and prepare students for the complexities of contemporary society by engaging students in real -woad problem -solving to advance sustainability goals. Case studies will include multiple collaborations on projects including urban agriculture, energy efficiency, community engagement and education, green infrastructure and water quality. The University of Northam Iowa's Center for Energy S Environmental Education (CEEEI will present the different ways the center is approaching energy conservation services for Iowa communities. The center works with city governments to help create city energy plans, provide residential energy efficiency services and develop environmental education and outreach programs. 10:45 — 11:15 am Browse Exhibitor Booths Join us in the Exhibition Hall for refreshments, networking and exhibitor demos 11:15 am -12:15 pm Workshop Session 5 ■ Climate Change as a Driver for Urban Innovation Meaning Room I Presenters: Metre Lassesen. Ramboll-Environ This session will dive deep into Danish ideas and solutions we might consider importing to U.S. cities, despite our very different regulatory environment Matte Lassesen of Ramboll-Environ will introduce Denmark's fundamental value of planning for the common and collective good. and will share how the oil market and two back-to- back severe weather events drove this small nation to become a leader on the resiliency front, The session will touch upon the plans of the capital city of Copenhagen to become the first carbon neutral city in the woad by 2025. Topics wall include stounwater management and designing with water, transportation planning, wind energy and district heating and cooling, as well as social resiliency. ■ Building Livable Communities for People of All Ages Meeting Room 2 Presenters: Kent Severe 8 John Peterson, AARP Iowa', and Alexandre Cummins, Village of New Lebanon, Ohio Almost everyone wants to live in a safe place, have a good job, raise a family, get around easily and engage with their community. This session will include two presentations on practical ways to foster Orowlog Sustainable Communities - 10th Annual Conference - Dubuque, October 2017 9:22:39 AM] livability in communities of any size The AARP Livable Communities publication'Where We LM' conducted a new survey of 108 cities revealing issues that local officials see as Me most important far their older residents. The presenters will examine the results of the survey along with a sampling of more than 100 initiatives mayors launched to improve their communities, respond to pressing issues and build partnerships. The Village of New Lebanon, Ohio, launched its -Create a New Lebanon' campaign in 2014, bringing together more than 500 volunteers to create a community garden, deliver vegetables to older adults or individuals in extra need, pick up (rash, paint over graffiti. weed, plant flowers and revamp empty spaces each year. Through Me creation of a Parks & Recreation department the village has been able to introduce after-school programs, summer camps, high school internship opportunNes, and free community events, which include a fanners market, summer 8 fall festival, and adult recreational activities. This simple yet powerful framework is adaptable to small towns Mat are facing similar challenges. ■ Power Partnerships: Building Your Solar Network Meeting Room 3 PresentersLogan Welch, Van Meter and Jim Pullen. Eagle Point Solar This session will explore the considerations involved with planning and implementing salar energy projects. Part 1: Most communities struggle with where to start on their path to a community solar project or a more sustainable community. A member of Van Meters Renewable Energy Team will highlight topics including solar basics, solar myths, commercial solar case studies. and solar system design. Part 2: This part of the presentation will examine a case study of a 4 -year-old solar project at the Galena, 111.. Waste Water Treatment Plant. The economics of solar and solar financing will be covered. ■ Watershed Management S Stormwater BMPs Meeting Room 5 Sponsored by: Shave-Hattery and Suez Presenters: Kasey Hutchinson, Shive-Hattery', and Sandy Pumphrey. City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa This session will update attendees on best management practices (BMPs) related to stormwater. Part 1: Stormwater BMPs provide a sustainable alternative to traditional stormwater management, preventing and mitigating the issues that are a direct result of collecting. transporting and discharging stonnwater mnoff into local waterways as quickly as possible. Decreasing Pollutant loads, flood and erosion reduction and habitat protection can all be achieved through Me infiltration of stormenater Mat BMPs provide. Stormwater BMP case studies will be presented with one of the main takeaways being that recognition and careful considerefion of secondary benefits during the planning of Mese practices can facilitate their leverage for any given project. Engaging, educating and satisfying stakeholders lends to public support of alternative and sustainable, stormwater management. Part 2: Since the epic flood of 2008, a major tows of Me City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been partneding with other political entities and landowners in key watersheds. This presentation will showcase three watersheds of significantly different scales and characteristics. elaborating on how the city is influencing stormwaler management to reduce flooding, improve water quality and increase resilience. ■ Equity, Art and Community Food Systems Meeting Room 8 Presenters: Nan Fey, City of Madison, Wm.; and Helen Schnoes. Douglas County. Kans.. 8 Emily Hampton. Sunrise Project This session will include case studies of two community food systems that make equity a central part of their framework. Gravel Sudan" CaNmtNtle - 10th Annual Conference - Dubuque, October 1017 NW://NKdLhuWrarAMPORamMq•Mm47/10120179:n:39 AM Madison, Wis., Gardens Network - The City of Madison's formal support for community gardens dates back to the 1990s and includes the Gardens Network, The city has an established Food Policy Council to bring together groups in the community to advance food system issues. This policy-making body is incorporating community gardens into a larger discussion of urban agriculture, and working to include appropnale goals and actions of the city's 20 -year comprehensive plan. A case study on Brdtingham Park, situated downtown between a traditional single-family neighborhood and a mufti -family area with a high density of immigrant and lower income families will be presented. Douglas County, Kans., and Sunrise Project - This presentation will provide the rationale behind a year-long initiative with Douglas County government the Lawrence -Douglas County Health Department, and local non-profit Sunrise Project to employ a health equity lens and move beyond traditional shortcomings in public engagement and planning processes, Building upon frameworks popularized by Policyl-ink. the presenters will walk the audience through the process of hiring, training, and cogaboragng with a cohort of "Community Coordinators;' a group of seven local residents hired by Sunrise Project to collect stories and participate in the creation of a countywide Food System Plan. ■ Biogas: Converting Organic Waste into Energy and Fuel Exhibition Hall Sponsored by: BIOFerm Energy Systems and Bartlett & West Presenters: Steven Sell, BIOFenn Energy Systems: Phil Gates, Bartlett 8 West This session will include two presentations on converting biogas into valuable products. Upgrading Landfill Gas to BNG: Biogas from landfills has traditionally been flared or combusted in a combined heat and power unit (CHP) to produce heat and elechicity. But several recent trends in the marketplace are making the gas even more valuable when upgraded to renewable natural gas (RNG) for vehicle fuel. Steven Sell from BIOFerm Energy Systems will explain these market dynamics and provide a case study. Biogas Facility Needs 101: Phil Gates of Me engineering firm Banded 8 West will describe the primary gas purification options, Meir cost differences and revenue potential, and how generators can take advantage of several types of credits and carbon offsets. 12:20 — 2:00 pm Luncheon Keynote Address In the Grand Ballroom 2:00 — 2.30 pm Browse Exhibitor Booths Join us in the Exhibition Hall for networking and exhibitor demos 2:30 — 4,00 pm Workshop Session S ■ Small Towns and Sustainability Meeting Room 2 Presenters: Chad NaNty. Hall County (Neb.) Regional Planning Department The StaR Division of the American Planning Association has been looking to define the concept of sustainability and how it impacts small towns and rural communities. The puryose of this session is to discuss what sustainability means for smaller communities and counties as opposed to just the larger metropolitan cities. The session will be a true facilitated discussion with minimal presentation and maximum input. The adendees will help define what sustainability is for their jurisdictions and other small communities. a Nere Comes the Sun - Solar Energy Surges In the Midwest Meeting Room 3 Sponsored by Midwest Renewable Energy Assoc. and Red Lion Renewables Growing Sustainable Commun ti s -10th Annual Conference - Dubuque, October 2017 h"p://gscdubraXu[DffV a iN.h"(7/10/20179:22:39 AM] Presenters: Eric Rehm, Midwest Renewable Energy Association Dave Sinner 8 Jim Kner. Alliant Energy: and Terry Dvorak. Red Lion Renewables This session will include three presentations on topics related to solar energy. Part 1: The Midwest Renewable Energy Association Provides a roadmap for municipalities and nonprofit organizations as they proceed through the path towards solar PV investment. This presentation will highlight the steps involved; project scoping, site assessment. financial feasibility analysis, procurement, concoction, and performance monitoring. In addition, the MREA wifi highlight numerous tools and resources it has developed and can provide. Solar PV development offers many synergies for community economic development, workforce development, and attainment of sustainability, goals. The MREA helps communities seeking technical and financial assistance, training programs for workforce development, and assistance to communities seeking to update their planning, permitting and zoning ordinances. Part 2: The Alliant Energy Solar Demonstration Project was launched during the summer of 2015 as part of EPRIe Integrated Grid Pilot Projects. Allianz Energy and EPRI will evaluate the impact of solar photovoltaic (PVL battery storage, and electric vehicle charging station technologies at Allianz Energy's Madison. Whs.. headquarters, This multi-year initiative will allow Allianz Energy. its customers and project collaborators to learn about the many ways solar and renewables can be used in an upper midwestern seting. It will study a number of different types of technologies in a northern climate and will serve as a learning laboratory with a focus on research, safety, education and collaboration. This presentation will elaborate on the project's status and what's been learned! so far. Pent 7:Red Lion Renewables will expel some of the myths and misinformation mat often circulates about solar energy. This presentatio will provide a reality check on finance options and how going solar impacts electrical costs for cities, schools. and churches using examples from the city of Lisbon and St John me Apostle Catholic Church solar projects; both financed through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAu. You will learn what can and cannot be achieved cath solar as well as me limitations and nuances of financing solar projects. And you will team what questions to ask solar contractors to know whether they understand the realities of solar. Vfhether you are investigating PPAs and leases for your government or non-profit agency or looking for solar on your home, farm, or business, this foram will help you answer those questions and navigate the pitfalls so you can go solar with a realistic expectation of what solar can and cannot do for you. ■ Using firownfi.Ma Redevelopment for a Community -wide Trails Natwark Mee0ng Room 5 Sponsored by. Olsson Associates Presenters: Ed Hubert, Olsson Associates The City of Coffeyville, located in Montgomery County in southeast Kansas, received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Assessment grant, and in 2015 was awarded an EPA Brownfields Clean-up grant to remediate metals contamination along a former ATBSF railroad line in me heart of the city, near a closed Sherwin-Williams paint manufacturing plant. High concentrations of metals, particularly lead, zinc, and cadmium, were detected in the former had line in the 1990s and the area has been fenced off and cloud to public access since that time. The city has developed a MasterPlan which envisions a community -wide network of pedestrian and bike trails, connecting various city parks, schools. the downtown area, and other public amenities. Significant public interest has been generated in Coffeyville over the proposed bail network, and me site provides a perfect example of the goals and smooth wincing of the Brownfields program — using federal seed money, combined in this case with state funding. to convert an unusable, unsightly property into a useful public amenity — and in the process, spurning additional economic development activity in the surrounding community. This presentation will walk the audience through this iterating case study. Growing 6uStainable Communities - IUh Annual Conference - Dubuque, October 2017 http:ttox-wgm,cm/pmgm rig.Mm(2/10/20129:22:39 AM] B America's Watershed Initiative Meeting Room 6 Presenters: Harald (Jordy) Jordahl. The Nature Conservancy. and Ten Goodman. City of Dubuque America's Watershed Initiative is a collaboration among business. government. basin associations, academic and civic organizations seeking to improve the economic and environmental in Ne 31 -stale Mississippi River Watershed. Harald (Jordy) Jontahl. Director of Amenra's Watershetl Initiative (AM) will lead a discussion of private sector partners who are working together to craft meaningful improvements in the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the Mississippi River and its major tributaries. The demands on the Mississippi River watershed are growing due to increasing demands for water and produdi0pi. crumbling infrastructure, habitat loss and the expansion of the hypoxic 'dead zonein the Gulf of Mexico. With the input and participation of more than 400 organizations, businesses and agencies. AVJl released Report Card on the Mississippi River Watershed in 2015. This Report Card gave the watershed a grade of D+ on a series of 19 specific indlwtors measuring social. economic and environmental goals for the watershed. But finding solutions to Nese challenges is even tougher because Ne watershed includes parts of 31 states and thousands of local governments and agencies. Any improvements to America's Watershed will require different groups and users — both private and public— to work together. The presentation will share the story of the collective action to build a Shared vision for the watershed using Common measures in the Report Card and the need to collaborate with leaders in the watershed and nationally to raise the grade for the long-term sustainability of Ne Mississippi River watershed, 2:30-400 pm MobiN Tours Is Mobile Tour 7 • Trolley Tour of the Bea Branch Waterahod project Sponsored by Iowa Dept of Natural Resources The Bee Branch Watershed flood mitigation and water quality project is reintroducing the confined Bee Branch Creek to one of Dubuque's oldest neighborhoods where hundreds of families and businesses have been repeatedly impacted by flooding. The watershed -vide approach will protect the neighborhood from stonnweler events while creating a linear park. revived habitat, and educational venue for Ne entire community. Building on years of infrastructure improvements. Dubuque is now a subgrantee in Ne State of Iowa's successful HUD National Disaster Resilience Competition grant application. The City was recently awarded $31.5 million to repair and Ylood proof homes while investing additional funds in stonnvraler infrastructure. B Mobile Tour 2. Walking Tour of the Dubuque Millworks DlstrlcL Over one million square feet of vacant or underutilized historic warehouse space is being transformed into urban, mixed-use development in Dubuque s Historic Millwork District. Based on a Master Plan created by public and private sector partners. Ne District is attracting entrepreneurs. designers, residents, institutions. and businesses to a sustainable neighborhood located in Ne heart of downtown Dubuque. The execution of Ne plan involves capitalizing on Ne embodied energy of historic buildings, creating unique commercial and office spaces Nal are rewibng entrepeneurs. intentionally integrating the ads and non-profit community, and creating unique upper -story housing. This walking tour volt include discussions of green infrastructure, visits inside the various warehouse spaces, and conversations with City stalldevelopers, and partners. B Mobile Tour 3. Biking Tour of the Downtown Dubuque (bikes provided) Dubuque s Washington Neighborhood is one of Its oldest and most diverse neighborhoods, and home to some of the city a most historic housing stock. Revitalizabo r efforts led by the public and private sector, as well as neighborhood residents, have been underway since Gawk 9eakmbla CommaMla - IM AmaW Cat/ee" - Dubtquq Omobv 2017 httwi/gsrdubug.../progmmm,ng.hM[7/10/2017 9:22.39 AM] 2005. Join this biking tour to leave more about the neighborhoods many assets and initiatives, including community gardens, parks investments, neighborhood an projects, Crescent Community Health Center. and Steeple Square. Mae hear about the public-private partnerships that are rehabilitating historic housing stock and providing opportunities for renters and homeowners. (Please note bicycles will be provided for all hders by the Dubuque Bike Coop. Helmets are not required in towel however, attendees are encouraged to bring their give helmet as they wit not be provided. This tour will occur in flat neighborhoods and is suitable for all biking abilities.) MEDIA SPONSOR: bizEMES.N. Adjoum Don't forget to recycle your name badge as you etdt the Grant River Center. Thank you for attending! ®2017 Sustainable City NeMork From Development Services Coordinator PUBLIC MEETING: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IOWA NORTHSIDE & SOUTH DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOODS IP5 CITY'S Plan to attend to learn more about the results of two Iowa City neighborhood studies Monday, July 24, 2017 6 p.m. Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room A 123 S. Linn Street OU 101STVTH 1 11 111 L,47 On Monday, July 24, 2017, Opticos Design will present their assessment of and recommendations for the Northside and South District Neighborhoods. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in Meeting Room A of the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St. The presentation will provide an overview of studies conducted in Iowa City, which examine the current zoning and feasibility of Form Based Code, a tool used to add Missing Middle Housing types, as well as a transportation and parking study completed by TND Engineering. `Missing Middle' housing is defined as housing types between traditional single family homes and apartment buildings, such as duplexes, townhouses, and fourplexes. The presentation will include recommendations from the draft final report, which contains responses to feedback provided by the community during public workshops held in February and May. Questions? Contact Urban Planner Karen Howard at 319-356-5251 or e-mail karen-howard@iowa-city.org. More project information @ icgou.org/formbasedcodeassessments " 4W.—__*�Arn Cm of lows Cm IIIEfNUfvof ulWNUlI[ IP6 From: Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition <jcaffordablehousing=gmail.com@mail 12.suw13.rsgsv.net> on behalf of Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition <jcaffordablehousing@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, July 14, 2017 11:03 AM To: Council Subject: Affordable Housing Coalition I See you in August! No July meeting News and Updates from the Johnson County Is this email not displaying Affordable Housing Coalition! correctly? View it in Your browser. JCAIIC Reminder: Our next community meeting will be Friday, August 25 --No July meeting There will be no Community Meeting of the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition in July. Our next meeting will be Friday, August 25 at noon. Mark your calendars! Also, please save the date for our 2017 Annual Meeting, scheduled for Friday, September 29. Take care, and thanks for your committed support of affordable housing in our community. Like us on Facebook, and get involved by contacting us at jcaffordablehousino@omail.com. 1 WE CELEBRATI for the Grand Opening of Hoover Elementary School August 21, 2017 4:00 pm 1355 Barrington Road Iowa City, IA 52245 F7 WE CELEBRATE! for the Ribbon Cutting of the newly renovated Lucas Elementary School August 21, 201 5:15 pm 830 Southlawn Drive Iowa City, IA 52245 WE CELEBRAT for the Ribbon Cutting of the newly enovated Weber Elementary School August 21, 2017 3850 Rohret Road Iowa City, IA 52246 Jim Dickerson, PGA Golf July 18, 2017 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council 319351-0596 PA IP8 ®dsnot CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City. Iowa 52240.182ri (3 19) 3 56 -5 000 (317) 356-5009 FAX www.I cgov. a rg RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination — Historic Preservation Planner Under the authority of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, I do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Historic Preservation Planner. Jessica Bristow IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Lyra V0. Dickerson. Chair Jim Dickerson, PGA Golf July 18, 2017 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council 319 351-0596 p.1 t r 1 IP9 (((4gM � CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington 51rect Iowa City. Iowa 52240-1826 (319)356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX wwwJcgov.org RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination — Maintenance Worker I — Refuse Under the authority of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, I do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Maintenance Worker I — Refuse. Kyle Acheson IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Lyra W. Dickerson, Chair 0 -R-To COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD MINUTES — July 11, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Orville Townsend called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Monique Green, Donald King, Mazahir Salih, David Selmer MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Kellie Fruehling STAFF ABSENT: Legal Counsel Pat Ford OTHERS PRESENT: Chief Jody Matherly of the ICPD RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL (1) Accept CPRB FY17 Annual Report Vice Chair Townsend welcomed new Board member David Selmer. Selmer gave personal and professional background information about himself. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by King, seconded by Salih, to adopt the consent calendar as presented or amended. • Minutes of the meeting on 05/09/17 Motion carried, 5/0. NEW BUSINESS Draft of CPRB Annual Report — The Board reviewed the draft of the FY17 Annual report and had no changes. Motion by King, seconded by Salih to approve the FY17 Annual report and forward to Council. Motion carried, 5/0. OLD BUSINESS None. PUBLIC DISCUSSION None. BOARD INFORMATION None. STAFF INFORMATION Fruehling noted she had included the updated Board contact list in the packet and asked if there were any changes and the Board had none. CPRB July 11, 2017 Page 2 EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by King, seconded by Green to adjourn into Executive Session based on Section 21.5(1)(a) of the Code of Iowa to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a condition for that government body's possession or continued receipt of federal funds, and 22.7(11) personal information in confidential personnel records of public bodies including but not limited to cities, boards of supervisors and school districts, and 22-7(5) police officer investigative reports, except where disclosure is authorized elsewhere in the Code; and 22.7(18) Communications not required by law, rule or procedure that are made to a government body or to any of its employees by identified persons outside of government, to the extent that the government body receiving those communications from such persons outside of government could reasonably believe that those persons would be discouraged from making them to that government body if they were available for general public examination. Motion carried, 5/0. Open session adjourned at 5:35 P.M. Selmer abstained due to a conflict of interest and left the meeting. REGULAR SESSION Returned to open session at 5:58 P.M. Motion by King, seconded by Salih to set the level of review for CPRB Complaint #17-01 and to 8-8-7 (13)(1)(d), Request additional investigation by the police chief or city manager, or request police assistance in the board's own investigation. Motion carried, 4/0, Selmer absent. TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE and FUTURE AGENDAS (subject to change) *August 8, 2017, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm *September 12, 2017, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm •October 10, 2017, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm *November 14, 2017, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment by King, seconded by Salih. Motion carried, 4/0, Selmer absent. Meeting adjourned at 5:59 P.M. COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2016-2017 (Meetm Date KEY: X = TERM 8/17 9/13 10/11 11/7 NM = No meeting --- = 2/14 3/14 4/12 519 7/11 NAME EXP. Joseph 7/1/17 X X X X X X X O/E Treloar Mazahir 7/1/21 X X O X X O/E X O/E X Salih Donald 7/1/19 O/E X O/E O/E JO/E 0/E X X X X 1{ing Monique 7/1/20 X X X X X X X X X GreenOrville 7/1/20 X X X X X X X X X Townsend David 9/1/21 Selmer KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting --- = Not a Member COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES Established in 1997, by ordinance #97-3792, the Iowa City Police Citizens Review Board formerly known as Citizens Police Review Board and now known as Community Police Review Board (hereafter referred as the CPRB), consists of five members appointed by the City Council. The CPRB has its own outside legal counsel. The Board was established to review investigations into claims of police misconduct, and to assist the Police Chief, the City Manager, and the City Council in evaluating the overall performance of the Police Department by reviewing the Police Department's investigations into complaints. The Board is also required to maintain a central registry of complaints and to provide an annual report setting forth the numbers, types, and disposition of complaints of police misconduct. The Board shall hold at least one community forum each year for the purpose of hearing citizens' views on the policies, practices and procedures of the Iowa City Police Department. To achieve these purposes, the Board complies with Chapter S of the Iowa City Code and the Board's By -Laws and Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines. ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 Meetings The CPRB tentatively holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday and special meetings as necessary. During FY17 the Board held ten meetings and one Community Forum. ICPD Policies/Procedures/Practices Reviewed By CPRB The ICPD regularly provided the Board with monthly Use of Force Reports, Internal Investigation Logs, Demographic Reports and various Training Bulletins. The Department also provided various General Orders for the Board's review and comment. A senior member of the Police Department routinely attended the open portion of the CPRB meetings, and was available for any questions Board members had regarding these reports. Presentations In April of 2017 the Board held its ninth Community Forum as required by the City Charter. The Board did introductions, 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. The forum was then opened to the public for questions. There were five members of the public that spoke at the forum. Topics included traffic on Clinton/Madison and proposed gun legislation, the noise ordinance and barking dogs, mental illness, an upcoming legislative forum on mental illness and Chief Matherly, and the types of complaints received since the start of the commission. Board members spoke briefly about complaint forms, the Johnson County Citizens Police Academy, and having good relationships/communications between residents and the Police Department. CPRB Annual Report FY 2017 — Approved 07/11/2017 —1 Board Members In October 2016 officers were nominated with Joseph Treloar as Chair and Orville Townsend as Vice - Chair. Orville Townsend and Monique Green were appointed in August of 2016 for four-year terms. COMPLAINTS Number and Type of Allegations Three complaints (16-05, 17-01, 17-02) were filed during the fiscal year July 1, 2016 — June 30, 2017. Three public reports were completed during this fiscal period (16-03, 16-04, 16-05). Two complaints filed in FYI are pending before the Board (17-01, 17-02). Allegations Complaint #16-03 1. Unlawful Entry — NOT SUSTAINED. 2. Unnecessary Use of Force — NOT SUSTAINED. Complaint #16-04 1. Unnecessary Use of Force (all officers) — NOT SUSTAINED. 2. Failure to Activate Body -Worn Cameras (1 of 3 officers) — SUSTAINED. Complaint #16-05 1. Violated Complainant's First Amendment Right to Freedom of Speech — NOT SUSTAINED. 2. Improper/Unlawful detention/arrest — NOT SUSTAINED. 3. Improperly/Unlawfully did not allow Complainant to provide verbal identification — NOT SUSTAINED. 4. Failure to offer/administer a pre -arrest sobriety/breath test — NOT SUSTAINED. 5. Failure to inform Complainant of reason of arrest — NOT SUSTAINED. 6. Improper/Unlawful search after arrest — NOT SUSTAINED. 7. Improper handcuffing and intentionally causing pain and injury to Complainant — NOT SUSTAINED. 8. Profanity— NOT SUSTAINED. 9. Fabricated probable cause — NOT SUSTAINED. Level of Review The Board decided, by simple majority vote, the level of review to give each report, selecting one or more of the six levels specified in the City Code per complaint: Level a On the record with no additional investigation 3 Level b Interview or meet with complainant 0 Level c Interview or meet with named officer 0 Level d Request additional investigation by Chief or 0 City Manager, or request police assistance in the Board's own investigation Level a Board performs its own additional investigation 0 Level f Hire independent investigators 0 CPRB Annual Report FY 2017 — Approved 07/11/2017 — 2 Complaint Resolutions The Police Department investigates complaints to the CPRB of misconduct by police officers. The Police Chief summarizes the results of these investigations and indicates in a report (the Chief's Report) to the CPRB whether allegations are sustained or not sustained. (If complaints are made against the Chief, the City Manager conducts the investigation and prepares and submits the reports.) The Board reviews both the citizens' complaint and the Chief's Report and decides whether its conclusions about the allegations should be sustained or not sustained. The Board prepares a report which is submitted to the City Council. Of the thirteen allegations listed in the three complaints for which the Board reported, one was sustained. The Board made comments and/or recommendations for improvement in police policy, procedures, or conduct in two of the reports: Complaint #16-03 — It was evident from the time the police arrived on the scene that it was their intent that the suicidal person would receive necessary care at the hospital. It was also evident that the police intended that no one be arrested, no charge would need to be filed and that the transportation of the patient occur as peacefully as possible without incident. The Board felt the officers handled a very difficult situation very professionally; however, one of the officers made the following comment at the hospital after the patient stated that they were fine: "well you should have been fine earlier'. Also, one of the officers made the following comment to one of the arrestees: "you're a grown ass man, look how you're acting". The Board felt that these comments were unnecessary and inflammatory and de-escalation training may be in order to improve future situations, especially in the case of distressed individuals. Complaint #16-05 — Officer A did an excellent job of handling the situation. It should also be mentioned that he was not only dealing with the complainant but he also did an excellent job of encouraging his friends to keep a safe distance. The Board was concerned that there was no audio with one of the videos. The Board wants to ensure that the department's equipment is both operating the way its intended to, and is operated by the officers the way it is intended to. Name -Clearing Hearings The ordinance requires that the Board not issue a report critical of the conduct of a sworn officer until after a name -clearing hearing has been held. During this fiscal period, the Board scheduled one name -clearing hearing, but none were held. Complaint Histories of Officers City ordinance requires that the annual report of the CPRB must not include the names of complainants or officers involved in unsustained complaints and must be in a form that protects the confidentiality of information about all parties. In the three complaints covered by the FY17 annual report a total of seven officers were involved with allegations against them. ICPD Internal Investigations Logs The Board reviewed the quarterly ICPD Internal Investigations Log, provided by the Chief of Police. CPRB Annual Report FY 2017 — Approved 07/11/2017 — 3 COMPLAINT DEMOGRAPHICS The following is demographic information from the three complaints that were completed in this fiscal year. Because complainants provide this voluntarily, the demographic information may be incomplete. Age: (3) 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 (2) 56-64 65+ Disability: Physical (1) Mental (1) None Annual Household Income: 100K 75-99K 50-75K (1) 25-49K (1) Under 25K Gender: (1) Female (3) Male (1) Other-Transgender Sexual Orientation: (1) LGBTQ (4) Heterosexual Other Ethnic Origin: Black/African-American Hispanic (1) American Indian/Alaska Native Asian/Pacific Islander (4) White/Caucasian Other Were you born in the United States: (2) Yes No Religion: (1) Christian None Other Marital Status: (2) Married (3) Single Divorced Separated Widowed Other * Information is reported as presented by the person completing the form. BOARD MEMBERS Joseph Treloar, Chair Royceann Porter / Orville Townsend, Vice Chair Melissa Jensen / Monique Green Mazahir Salih Donald King CPRB Annual Report FY 2017 — Approved 07/11/2017 — 4 MINUTES PRELIMINARY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JULY 6, 2017 — 7:00 PM — FORMAL MEETING E M M A J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Ann Freerks, Carolyn Dyer Mike Hensch, Phoebe Martin, Max Parsons, Mark Signs, Jodie Theobald MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Sara Hektoen, John Yapp OTHERS PRESENT: Charlie Eastham, Jeff Maxwell, Margarita Baltazar, Julay Flores, Kurt Kimmerling, Mazahir Salih, Ivan Hall, Kevin Monson, Jimmy Becker, John Moreland RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL: By a vote of 7-0 the Commission recommends to approve SUB17-00008, a 22 -lot, 7.9 acre preliminary plat located along Huntington Drive and Thames Drive and also REZ17-00011, a rezoning of 1.59 acres from Medium Density Single Family (RS -8) zone to RM -12 Low Density Multi -family, for property located on Huntington Drive, south of Thames be approved subject to a conditional zoning agreement as stated in the Staff Report. CALL TO ORDER: Freerks called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: Charlie Eastham (953 Canton Street) said that years ago when he was on the Commission, the Commission spent a lot of time on the Wal Mart application, and spent a lot of time on landscaping requirements for the large parking lot. Now that the landscaping has had time to mature, it looks fantastic. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ITEM (CPA16-00005): A public hearing on an application for a Comprehensive Plan amendment to amend the North District Plan for approximately 70 acres west of Dubuque Street, south of Interstate 80, and north and east of Mission Point Road and Mackinaw Drive, to modify the land use map, adopt a sensitive areas survey, and add certain housing, transportation and design goals. Yapp reviewed the staff memo. Yapp stated the staff memo was written in response to the materials the applicant had submitted at the last meeting. Yapp said staff has identified two questions for the Commission 1. Is Highway/Neighborhood Commercial land use appropriate north of Knollwood Lane and 2. If Highway/Neighborhood Commercial land use might be appropriate, what types of policies/goals should be incorporated in a Comprehensive Plan amendment to address concerns with proximity to Knollwood residents? Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting Page 2 of 13 Hensch asked why staff called out the gas station when developing these questions. Yapp said it was due to public comment and commission discussion at the last meetings where this was discussed. Freerks agreed, saying they had spent some time discussion the commercial land use and gas station at the last meeting. Yapp said Idylwild residents and representatives from the Dubuque Street LLC team have met several times to discuss stormwater issues, and that they would be providing input to the Commission tonight. Yapp said the applicants have submitted wetland, wooded area, and threatened and endangered species survey information for parts of the property including the Dubuque Street frontage. The applicants have not, however, conducted a specific tree survey. Hensch asked what the tree preservation requirement is. Yapp said that for commercial property, up to 90% of a woodland may be cleared under the Sensitive Areas Ordinance. For residential property, it is 50%. Yapp said that regarding the types of design standards to be incorporated into a conditional zoning agreement, the applicant has provided examples of landscaping and building material standards. Staff concurs that these are good examples of the types of conditions which might be in a Conditional Zoning Agreement, in addition to addressing concerns like lighting and signage along Dubuque Street. Freerks opened public discussion. Jeff Maxwell (Maxwell Construction) discussed the stormwater management. He noted the City has in the current budget $450,000 to design the Idyllwild stormwater diversion channel which is located on the no -name road along the west side of the Idyllwild property. Maxwell stated he has met with Kurt Kimmerling (the Idyllwild Homeowners Association), Deb Thorne and Ivan Hall three times since the last Planning and Zoning meeting with the intention of sharing ideas on how to move forward as a neighborhood community. Maxwell noted that even though the development has the obligation and intention to abide by all the stormwater ordinances the City imposes, Idyllwild is in a particular position where their comfort level needs more attention than just the City ordinances. They feel a pumping station is critical so Maxwell has asked City Engineers Jason Reichart and Jason Havel to arrange a meeting with the Idyllwild group to discuss the diversion channel. There have been two different scenarios proposed, one an open ditch and the other an enclosed piping system that would convey water from Foster Road underground to the river. Maxwell stated that the Idyllwild Community, or the representatives from that community, are favoring the lesser expensive option of the diversion proposals. The City hired Howard Green Engineering to conduct a study who made recommendations to the City and now that plan will go out as a request for proposal to local civil engineers to prepare and submit bids to the City. Maxwell stated that their intention, as neighbors upstream of Idyllwild, are to serve as their friends and their neighbors. Maxwell is the contact person and will continue to meet with them and share with them and invite them to meetings to discuss the importance of the pumping station. Maxwell stated if the diversion channel is built there will be a sluice gate that would be in addition to the private sluice gates that have been designed in the Idyllwild retention flood walls that have already been built. That retention and flood wall barrier will only be solid if the diversion wall also has a sluice gate and Maxwell believes that is part of the plan that the City is endorsing. If those gates are ever activated by the high water level in the Iowa River, on the Idyllwild side of the levee, there is no way to get rid of any stormwater without physically pumping it over the levee. Maxwell is hoping to meet with the City to request that if they are endorsing the lesser of the two priced diversion channels could the City sluice Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017—Formal Meeting Page 3 of 13 Engineering department consider allocating the unused portion of that budgeted amount towards the pump station. The Idyllwild Community would hire their consulting engineer to design, submit that to the City for their review, so that the Idyllwild Community could have a complete stormwater protection system. Maxwell noted that the funds that will be left over (of the $450,000 budgeted, only $250,000 is estimated needed) are hoped to be endorsed to be contributed towards the pump station. Any shortfall or deficit the Idyllwild Community would be responsible for as well as the Forest View Community would consider participating in helping so they can close the loop on the fear of the stormwater issue at Idyllwild. Hensch asked if the stormwater diversion channel and the pump station are both approved and funded would that satisfy the concerns of the Idyllwild residents. Maxwell can't totally speak for the Idyllwild residents but in their conversations he felt they were pleased with that proposal. Margarita Baltazar (President of the Association of Forest View) is here following the process because they are the most interested in this project advancing. They are low income people, they have been working for more than one year with the developers. They seeing that the developers are worried and they want to help the community. She stated her community is the most interested one in this project and they want to see this project moving forward. She feels there are some moments when people are telling her this project is not moving forward, but she tries to tell them yes it is moving forward as it is a good thing for their sons and daughters. She stated that this is good for the community and would be a good example for other communities to show this can be done together. She is very happy with the developers, as these are not developers like other ones that just come, build and leave, this is taking care of people and being very concerned with the people living in the community. The developers have listened to the residents and they all have the same goal, it is a win-win situation and improve everyone's lives. She acknowledged that there is worry for the community and people and thanked everyone for that. Julav Flores (Forest View) is speaking as representing Forest View Association and the Center for Worker Justice which has been a lot of support. She wants to reaffirm and confirm what the president of the association was saying. They say it was a good presentation from the developers and it is a good sign that everyone is meeting at the table and just to be able to have conversation is a good sign and is expecting good results. She stated there is no doubt this will be a good example that Iowa City can have with this project because it can be something good for the community. It will be an example for other communities. This is especially true for the community because there will be good housing for low income people. The project is also taking into account the community and the environment. Especially the social part has been taken into consideration and she is very thankful for that. Signs noted that the developer and the residents spoke at the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition meeting last week with the focus discussing the affordable housing aspect of the project. Signs was present but did not participate in the conversation. Kurt Kimmerling (33 Trevose Place) is the President of the Idyllwild Association. He first thanked Jeff Maxwell and Eddie Cole for the time they spent with the Association, they had three very good meetings. There has been quite a bit of progress but still a long way to go. With regards to whether Idyllwild is satisfied with the solutions presented, the answer is no. The goal of stormwater management resolved for the entire district has not been met. It is there understanding that there could be quite a few discreet different stormwater retention areas up there (underground, ponds, etc). Idyllwild would like to know better how those will be Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting Page 4 of 13 independently managed because all that water will eventually come their direction. Additionally Kimmerling added that pumping the water out will be so important when the sluice gates are closed. Idyllwild's three goals are (1) diversion, (2) pump station funding, and (3) future stormwater management for the district. With regard to the RFQ, Kimmerling spoke to Ron Knoche and he expects to take the diversion RFQ bids to City Council the first week in August. Freerks asked Yapp to talk about the the idea of a stormwater management district as that is a new concept. Yapp noted it is not something Iowa City is equipped to do nor have ever done in the way that is being described. The City does have a few large stormwater basins that are City controlled (one in Hickory Hill park and one is Scott park). In this type of situation where there are multiple smaller watersheds (because of the topography) developed at different times when properties are being developed. Yapp stated they have discussed at the staff level the possibility or idea of that being a self-imposed stormwater management district with private covenants and private management fund set up for future maintenance. Hensch asked if there were statutory needs for a regional stormwater management system. Yapp said Iowa City has not done it before. Hektoen stated that just because there are multiple stormwater management basins doesn't mean it will be managed by different groups per say. Typically there is a homeowners association within any subdivision and it is managed by the HOA or designee. Hensch asked when the appropriate time to discuss the management is. Rezoning? Subdivision Plat? Hektoen replied it is most commonly done in the subdivision phase. Mazahir Salih (Center for Worker Justice) stated while she doesn't live in Forest View but is invested in this project because Iowa City has an affordable housing crisis. Most of the Forest View residents are members of the Center for Workers Justice and they are very concerned about losing their homes and not being able to find any good housing options in Iowa City. As this project has progressed, what she has noticed is how the developers has worked with the residents to achieve a creative solution for the affordable housing crisis in Iowa City. She encourages the Commission to support this project because of the benefit for the residents. Ivan Hall 04 Idyllwild Court) began with the point that the proposed development is not just homeowners, it is commercial, and it is retail space, hotels, and possibly gas stations. There is a mix where people will be doing things autonomously and there is a risk associated with all the different operations. There could be an operation failure that would affect any one or all of the systems that are connected and could result with water being backed up (not because of weather) due to an operational shutdown. The law of probability is if there are 11 or 12 systems something will go wrong. Hall next commented on the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) authority where the City can set up a commission locally, there can be a mandate to enforce it, the City is supposed to offer protections to the residents by whatever means makes sense. When the City implements under that guidance it is federally regulated. The commission can also impose regulations above and beyond City Code to address needs often created by planning and zoning requests. Therefore there are two precedents to come forward to set up these councils, they don't have to be funded, but they need to be legitimate and need to be set up through that. Hall stated one of the things he was disappointed in with the Staff study doesn't give enough press to all the activity and energy Idyllwild has put forward. Stormwater should be one of the top four or five Staff recommendations. The tactic of Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting Page 5 of 13 conditional zoning could be used as everything needs a burning bridge. The City's burning bridge is the NPDES. Hall is trying to make them understand the Commission has an obligation to enact phases and are guided by them. Hall offered to meet with the City Attorney if she doesn't comprehend the regulations as he is familiar with federal regulations. It is criminal negligence, as defined by gross deviation from a reasonable standard of care having full knowledge of law, policy and community and neighborhood issues and vulnerabilities and consequences. Hall stated with the Staff study that was done, with the study for Idyllwild that was done, and all the good work they are doing together no one is able to say they don't know what the vulnerabilities are for the area. The area (Idyllwild) is trying to handle this themselves so setting up underneath the NPDES to give them legitimate standing and to dedicate one staff person to be the recorder to make it work is what they are requesting. Hall acknowledged this isn't the standard business process of dealing with homeowner groups, commercial properties are tough to deal with and how that is managed as a single integrated system will be hard unless there are some rules imposed on the developer that all participants agree to before they become a member of this enterprise. Signs asked if Hall's main thrust is that the NPDES is the authority to set up a commission to be the stormwater group. Hall confirmed that is his point and there are many opportunities to be taken advantage of. Kevin Monson (North Dubuque Street LLC) gave a short summary for the Commission because there has been a lot of details and issues raised but he wants to take it back to the goals of the project. There needs to be a comprehensive idea of what really is the plan for this area of our City. There are five big goals. (1) Safe, affordable, long-term housing for the current residents of Forest View. They want to maintain that community, it is truly a community within the City. Other developers that have approached the Coles throughout the years did not have that goal and thankfully the Coles are part of that community and saw the value of maintaining the community. That makes Monson proud to be part of this team, improving the living conditions of those that call Forest View their home is the primary goal. (2) Smart Growth. It is very easy for the City to grow and take up more farmland and we see that happen every day. It is a lot more difficult to do an infill project such as this. It has built in issues, but smart growth is the way he best sees growth in the future. That means continuing constant communication with neighbors, working together to find solutions to common issues, and Monson noted he has never been part of a project where they have as many good neighbor meetings. When they began they didn't have answers, but over time they have been able to work towards solutions that are viable, feasible, affordable, and all wraps together. (3) Diversity. There has been much said about low-income housing, but there will also be moderate -income housing, hope to have retirement housing, a true mix and very diverse community. That mix includes jobs, jobs for the residents, jobs for the community, jobs and opportunities for people to very easily walk to get services where they once would have had to drive. This will be a much different development than has been seen in neighboring communities. (4) Protecting the environment. They have been pushing since day one to use low -impact design strategies. That is not standard practice in the community and is a work in progress. Earthview Environmental is part of their team. (5) To beautify the entrance to the community. As a longtime resident of Iowa City, Monson shared we often overlook the entrances to the City and feels that this entrance in particular has been overlooked. The 40 year old mobile home park is the first thing some of our visitors see. We can do better. The Dubuque Street corridor is a very important part of the City and the design will protect the green space along corridor. The architectural guidelines will be very stringent on what will be seen in the construction of the buildings. They will be stone, wood and glass. They will celebrate the wooded setting. The development is named Forest View because they want Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting Page 6 of 13 to keep the forest view, it is part of their mission. Monson asks for the Commission's support so they can work together and move forward as a community Ivan Hall stated that Yapp has a copy of the permit for the NPDES and can forward it to the Commission for their opportunities to govern with authority coming from the Federal Government. Freerks stated she feels there are still a few details that need to be outlined and hates making up language on the fly. The Commission has had the past two weeks to review documents and hear from Staff and just now she feels like she can digest all of it. Hektoen stated if there are questions for the applicant it needs to be framed as such and done in public hearing. If there just needs to be discussion amongst the Commission then the public hearing should be closed. Freerks noted her concerns to the applicant about the placement of the gas station and would rather see office commercial south of the new roadway. Part of what Staff outlined in response to the conversation a few weeks ago was that neighborhood commercial use may not be appropriate there and may not achieve all the goals Mr. Monson just outlined. Freerks is questioning the details and is not opposed to the commercial, just the transition from the homes to the commercial. Monson replied that certainly they have a diagram but they have not marketed any piece of the property and are a long ways away from being able to do that. They have already discussed moving the hotel to where the market it on the diagram. The idea was to hide the market more effectively (because it is lower than the tree ridge) and the back wall would have no windows and be 300 feet away. If the hotel or other commercial building goes there, it will definitely been seen by the neighbors. He feels they can address the concerns with materials and plantings much more effective than if a bigger structure were there. Freerks noted that the gentlemen that is closest to the area has a concern about a gas station that close to his home. Monson acknowledged the concern but noted when one has a forest in their back yard for year and now it is to be developed of course there are concerns. Monson said they are trying to mitigate those concerns and make is as least intrusive as possible. Others in the area voiced concern about having a taller building there because of noise and light pollution. Freerks asked what the hours of the marketplace (gas station) might be. Monson replied that it has not yet been marketed so those details have not been decided. Hektoen stated those are the type of details that are addressed at the conditional zoning stage. Freerks understands that but is concerned about the impact on the area, which is decided at this Comprehensive Amendment stage. Monson noted that with regards to noise and traffic, the traffic on Dubuque Street is much closer to the houses than this new development will be. Freerks stated it is more than just car noise, it could be speakers from the gas station that generates noise. Freerks asked Yapp if commercial office was allowed in the area, what the height restrictions would be. Yapp believes it would be two stories (25 feet). Martin asked Monson what all the possibilities of zoning have they looked at along the Dubuque Street exit. Monson replied that he is an architect and has a problem when people say a building is not attractive or a distraction. A proper designed building with materials that will add to the character of the Dubuque Street corridor and frankly has to be better than looking at a 40's era mobile home park. They will continue to feature the natural features of the area and maintain the ravine. Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting Page 7 of 13 Martin stated that what the City has done regarding the trail system along Dubuque Street and across the bridge seems great but she had a friend hit by a car using the crosswalk with that trail. The City has tried to keep that entrance beautified and even with the construction of the trail system didn't disturb the landscape. So now adding a hotel and gas station, how will that maintain the beautification of the area? Monson replied that part of their plan is a path to connect the trail systems down to Foster Road. Regarding the entrance to the area, they showed renderings at a previous meeting of stone walls as a gateway to Forest View. Freerks shared she feels less comfortable after hearing that because weeks ago they heard that the buildings will be low and set back, signs will be low and the lush green entrance will be maintained. Now it seems as if the buildings will be close to the road and just by saying the buildings will be beautiful and constructed with high end materials doesn't create the same beautiful entrance that people expect for Iowa City. Monson noted that his point was not to say they wouldn't continue the lush green entrances, he is admitting that every building will not be hidden by trees on this lot. They know they will not need large signage as everyone uses apps nowadays to find facilities. Their plans show all kinds of different areas of protecting the land masses and tree covers and they will develop more on the areas that are more open. Monson added that almost all the buildings (the market is the exception) will have parking under the buildings, therefore reducing impact on the footprint size and impact on the green space. Yapp showcased on the map the areas of the proposed buildings within the development. He noted the only maps that are being considered for adoption into the Comprehensive Plan however are the land use map and sensitive areas map. Jimmy Becker (Dubuque Street LLC) was born and raised in Iowa City and his brother currently lives in the Peninsula neighborhood. He works for Blackbird Investments (part of the Dubuque Street LLC). He wants to address the question of the hotel and marketplace and how they will be able to preserve trees while at the same time proposing commercial buildings. Each issue is a piece of a puzzle that will fit into this master plan. With regards to the marketplace and the topography of that area allows for a way to tuck it within the trees with minimal invasion. Additionally with the hotels they will be building up (rather than out) again preserving the greenery and trees. Martin asked without the hotels and gas station, would the rest of the development be viable. Becker confirmed that those proposals make the rest of the project viable, specifically for the affordable housing. Freerks closed the public hearing. Hensch moved to approve CPA16-00005 a Comprehensive Plan amendment to amend the North District Plan for approximately 70 acres west of Dubuque Street, south of Interstate 80, and north and east of Mission Point Road and Mackinaw Drive, to modify the land use map, adopt a sensitive areas survey, and add certain housing, transportation and design goals as listed in the Staff Report. Parsons seconded the motion. Hensch noted that while listening to all the discussions and speakers he kept in his mind what is most important to the community and if all those criteria are met. (1) Infill development; yes, this project brings development to an underutilized area; (2) entrance way to Iowa City; the poor Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017—Formal Meeting Page 8 of 13 condition of Forest View currently and the impression it leaves on visitors to Iowa City will be addressed; (3) affordable housing; this development address an chronic issue in Iowa City; (4) stormwater management; while not discussed in the Comprehensive Plan it can be address in rezoning and subdivision; (5) preserving trees; the beautiful entrance to Iowa City needs to be preserved and a goal to the Comprehensive Plan can be added to maintain a buffer of trees at the entrance. Theobald agrees with Hensch, and believes this is an opportunity to create a really interesting entrance to Iowa City. Her concern is in recent developments when she has seen what was put in for landscaping she has been disappointed. This would be an area where the landscaping needs to be preserved. She doesn't disagree with commercial properties being in that area, it could enhance the area, if done correctly. She feels there are the proper steps in the future to ensure it is done correctly. Freerks stated she is not opposed to commercial either, her question is in the placement of the gas station and having it right next to residential. Additionally there is concern about the removal of trees in a commercial area. She feels there needs to be a goal added regarding preserving the terrain, greenspace and trees. Hensch agrees that 90% tree removal is unacceptable for this area (which is allowable for commercial areas) but not all trees are equal, and it is important that a tree inventory be done so that the correct species be saved. Freerks stated that Project Green would argue its more than just the trees, it's the lush green space as well. Freerks believes more detailed goals need to be added for the preservation of green space and perhaps even the stormwater management. Martin understands that at some point this area is going to be redeveloped but she hopes as a community we can all stand tall and tell our children and grandchildren of the amazing process of this really cool Dubuque Street entrance. There are amazing opportunities here and don't want to have regrets. This is a multi -facet project with many pieces. Freerks agreed and noted that there have been situations in the past that were poorly vetted and ended up being nothing like what was imagined in the beginning. Martin also stated it's not just the landscaping but also the traffic. Signs mentioned that one of the items in the Strategic Plan that stands out to him was the Council's goal to proactively develop interstate entryways. He agrees that this area is a crucial piece of the community's psyche and he feels the developer knows that and knows they will be under the microscope. Signs feels that since the group of developers are part of this community they do care like the community does. Signs had some concern at first with some of what Monson and the others had said about trees but feels the Commission can set limits at some point in the process, wherever appropriate. When Signs thinks of the possibilities he has been using Minneapolis as a comparison. They have a lot of development in marshlands and woodlands and have done so in a beautiful way. This development group has heard all the concerns and as members of the community that do business here will want to do what is best and right to not only protect the area, but their reputations. Signs is concerned that the Commission is allowing this one piece of a 70 acre area overshadow all the good that this development is. This is one of the best conceived development ideas he has ever witnessed with the preservation of greenspace and working with affordable housing. Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting Page 9 of 13 Signs also discussed the Idyllwild situation noting that area has had a problem since development and that problem isn't the fault of everyone else. Less than half of the land for this development is in the Idyllwild watershed and one-third of that is being preserved. Signs feels it is important to move forward with this Amendment and perhaps add to the motion that City Council work with Idyllwild and the developer to develop a solution. However that one issue is not enough to hold up this entire project moving forward. Freerks stated it is the responsibility of the developer and the Commission to do no greater harm. Signs agreed but noted the developer will have to meet all the run-off and groundwater criteria for their development and therefore that does not need to be a hold-up at this phase. Freerks just feels there needs to be more time to iron on the details that can be added to the Amendment for reassurances. Martin added that when Signs stated this is cooperation between developers and neighbors like he's never seen before, that actually makes her more cautious because when something appears to be as amazing as this project, it seems too good to be true. Hensch recommends adding a goal about tree preservation and woodlands specifically. He noted he is not concerned about a gas station, his concern is with the entrance on Dubuque Street and maintaining the beauty of that. Theobald is concerned with the placement of the gas station and would like to see it swapped with the hotel due to environmental issues of living/working next to a gas station. There are odor issues, not to mention noise. Martin is concerned about traffic with pedestrians and bicyclists. Dubuque Street will only get more crowded when the new high school opens. Yapp noted in the motion Staff is recommending adopting the sensitive areas inventory which shows proposed impacts and proposed preservation. Freerks said she doesn't believe that is enough. Dyer noted that making an 80 foot right-of-way is going to require more than 80 feet wide of excavation and then someplace to put all that dirt. That will create a big hole in the entryway and eliminate what is appealing there. Dyer stated that two of the votes she regrets most while being on this Commission both deal with gas stations (the HyVee gas station on North Dodge and the Benton Street gas station). They light up the whole universe 24/7 and both face residential neighborhoods. They are supposed to have buffers of plantings and all they have is grass. She does not want to see the same mistake in this location. She agrees there needs to be more specific language about preserving the existing environment along Dubuque Street. Martin feels the City and the Developer need to work together to draft language to reach the goals of the Commission. Hensch withdrew his motion, Parsons seconded the withdrawal. Hensch moved to defer the item until the next meeting so an additional goal can be drafted regarding the woodland preservation along the Dubuque Street entrance. Dyer noted the houses on Knollwood Lane may qualify as historical houses since they are mid- century modern that were created by a distinctive developer. Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017—Formal Meeting Page 10 of 13 Parsons seconded the motion and concurred. Parsons noted that when he read the North District Plan there was already mention of trying to preserve the area, so would that statement remain. Yapp confirmed that would remain in the Plan. The current language discusses the scenic character of the corridor but doesn't get into the specific woodland preservation or natural areas. A vote was taken and the motion carried 6-1 (Signs dissenting). REZONING / DEVELOPMENT ITEM (REZ17-00011/SUB17-00008): Discussion of an application submitted by Arlington LC for a rezoning of approximately 1.59 acres from Medium Density Single -Family (RS -8) zone to Low Density Multi -Family (RM -12) zone and a preliminary plat of Stone Bridge Estates, Part Ten, a 22 -lot, 7.9 -acre residential subdivision located southeast of the intersection of Thames Drive and Huntington Drive. Yapp began the staff report showing a map of the location of the proposed subdivision. The existing zoning is Medium Density Single -Family Residential (RS -8), to the south is Low Density Multi -Family (RM -12) zone, and to the west is Planned Development 5, a Planned Development Single -Family. The proposed application consists of two parts; the first part is rezoning lot 147 to Low Density Multi -Family consistent with the property to the south. The remainder of the application is for a single-family subdivision, extending Huntington Drive to the northern property line and extending Thames Drive to Taft Avenue. Yapp explained that the existing RS -8 zoning does allow duplexes on corner lots and the applicant does intend to construct duplexes at the intersection of Huntington and Thames Drives and that is why those lots are a little bit larger. Yapp showed images of the proposed townhouses and lot 147 could accommodate approximately 8 townhomes that would be accessed from a rear lane. When this property was first rezoned in 2009 the City required a landscape buffer along Taft Avenue and a concept plan was adopted and Staff now requires that same concept be required. The concern at the time was someday Taft Avenue will become a major north/south arterial street and the hope is by the time that happens this landscaping will have matured and help protect the rear yards of these properties. Staff recommends approval of REZ17-00011, a rezoning of 1.59 acres from Medium Density Single Family (RS -8) zone to RM -12 Low Density Multi -family, for property located on Huntington Drive, south of Thames be approved subject to a conditional zoning agreement requiring compliance with the following: 1. The developer is required to dedicate space along Taft Avenue for right-of-way and construction easements to allow the future improvement of the arterial street; 2. Substantial conformance with the concept plan in regard to lot depths and street layout; and 3. Substantial compliance with the landscaping plan dated 10-12-09 4. Substantial compliance with the elevations submitted for two buildings consisting of 4 townhomes each. Stormwater management would be collected near the creek and directed along Scott Boulevard stormwater basin, a City regional stormwater facility. Staff also recommends approval of SUB17-00008, a 22 -lot, 7.9 acre preliminary plat located along Huntington Drive and Thames Drive. Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting Page 11 of 13 Hensch asked if Taft Avenue from Highway 6 to Rochester Avenue was a City road. Yapp stated that most of that is half City half County but the City does have a maintenance agreement with the County regarding who does dust control and snow removal. Hensch shared the concern again regarding the appropriate amount for the developer to have to improve. Yapp stated that when this property was rezoned in 2009 the amount (the 12.5%) was stated in the Conditional Zoning Agreement at that time. Freerks noted these dwellings will be fronting onto Huntington Drive not Taft Avneue. Dyer asked if there are plans to extend the City limits to the other side of Taft Avenue at some point. Yapp replied that the City's growth area does not extend much further east. The growth area is defined as areas where the City can provide gravity sewer so unless a significant sewer pump station were funded and constructed they could not provide sewer no more than a quarter mile east of Taft Avenue. Freerks opened the public hearing. John Moreland (960 Arlington Drive) is the developer. He noted that 25 years ago they started on American Legion Road with 300 acres and have developed all the way up to Lower West Branch Road. They have been very successful in mixing multi -family with single-family and feel it is important to have a different price point for everyone involved. One of the reasons that prompted this rezoning was the ability to build duplexes only on corner lots. Since there is the cross street that goes through this area it allows for a nice place to put some ranch -style duplexes which are very popular for retirees. They held a Good Neighbor Meeting and scaled reduced the amount of townhouses they were originally proposing due to the feedback. Freerks closed the public hearing. Martin moved to approve SUB17-00008, a 22 -lot, 7.9 acre preliminary plat located along Huntington Drive and Thames Drive and also REZ17-00011, a rezoning of 1.59 acres from Medium Density Single Family (RS -8) zone to RM -12 Low Density Multi -family, for property located on Huntington Drive, south of Thames be approved subject to a conditional zoning agreement as stated in the Staff Report. Parsons seconded the motion. Hensch stated he likes seeing the mix of housing types in this area and supports that. Freerks agrees. A vote was taken and the motion carried 7-0. CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: JUNE 1, JUNE 7 and June 15, 2017 Hensch moved to approve the meeting minutes of June 1, June 7 and June 15, 2017. Theobald seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 7-0. Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 2017 — Formal Meeting Page 12 of 13 PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION: Theobald requested that locations of firework selling stands be discussed at a future meeting. Yapp noted that a City Council member has made the same request. ADJOURNMENT: Parsons moved to adjourn. Hensch seconded. A vote was taken and motion carried 7-0. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD 2016-2017 KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a Member 10/20 11/17 12/1 12/15 1/19 2/2 3/2 3/16 4/6 (W.S.) 4/20 4/20 5/4 5/18 6/1 (W.S) 6/7 6/15 7/6 DYER, CAROLYN X X X X X X X X X X X X O/E X X X X FREERKS, ANN X X X X X X X X O/E X X X X X X X X HENSCH, MIKE X X X X X X X X X X X X X X O/E X X MARTIN, PHOEBE O/E X O/E X X X X X X O/E O/E X X X X O/E X PARSONS, MAX X X X X X X O/E X X X X X X X X X X SIGNS, MARK X O/E X X X X X X 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 KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a Member