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ITEM 2. Proclamations
Item 2a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 15
Throgmorton: Item 2 is Proclamations, but before we do that I want to welcome everybody to
your City Hall on this very cold January 2nd evening. I don't know what the
temperature is outside. What is it, like minus 27 or somethin', I don't know. It's
pretty cold! Anyhow, thank you all for coming. So, Item 2, Proclamations. Have
one proclamation to read. (reads proclamation) I understand that Arianna Aron is
going to accept the proclamation. (applause)
Aron: Thank you, Mayor and Council Members. On behalf of the Human Rights
Commission, we encourage you all to participate in the numerous activities and
events, Monday, January 15th, in honor of Dr. King. Thank you.
Throgmorton: Thank you!
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regular formal meeting of January 2, 2018.
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Item 4. Community Comment (items not on the agenda) [until 8 pm]
Throgmorton: This is for items.....any item, uh, that anybody would like to discuss, that's not on
the formal meeting agenda already, please feel free to come up, state your name,
and.....tell us what's on your mind. Good evening, Adil.
Adams: Uh, good evening. First I would like to congratulate, uh, the new Member, uh, for
this, uh.... City Council. Uh, today just I would like to verify something, uh
(unable to understand) on December (unable to understand) 2017. Uh, this
(unable to understand) Press -Citizen Person of the Year. That's okay. Uh, in this
article it was mentioned that she was one of the co-founder of the Center for
Worker Justice. Just I would like to verify this .... verify this point. While I am
proud of Miss Salih, I would like to (unable to understand) of this piece (unable to
understand) the first meeting to create this agency. It was called Voice Immigrant
Organization. It was founded long time ago, before Miss Salih had come from,
uh, Virginia to move to Iowa City. Uh, my friend, his name (unable to
understand) he invite me from south of Sudan, he invite me to come to the
meeting for to create new agency of, uh, immigrant at the Iowa City Public
Library. This organization had mission (unable to understand) Worker Justice.
Voice ... the Voice of Immigrant (unable to understand) Center for Worker Justice
is the same.....or are the same organizations. But the name was changed, after
(unable to understand) the Mexican lady, she move and she become the manager
of this agency. They change the name to Worker Justice. So if Miss Mazahir
work at that time and they change the name to Worker Justice, that not mean she
the founder of this agency. Uh, the founder of organizations, uh, or being a
founder worker, hard to start the Voice of Immigrant when they turning to the
Center (unable to understand) Worker Justice. That is the same Worker Justice
and Voice of Immigrant is the same, have the same function. Uh, Worker Justice
is (unable to understand) article published in the Press -Citizen (unable to
understand) previous founder before, as I said, Miss Mazahir .... uh, Miss Mazahir
(unable to understand) move to Iowa City. I would like to request that Center for
Worker Justice get audited also in the future because this agency..... since they
created we don't know anything about it. We are immigrant who live here in
Iowa City for 20 years. We don't know anything about it. So we want to know
the budget. We want to know how this agency run. Thank you.
Throgmorton: Thank you, Adil. Would anybody else care to address us? We need a motion.
Botchway: So moved.
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Throgmorton: Could I have a motion to accept correspondence? Kingsley makes the motion.
Mims: Second!
Throgmorton: Seconded by Mims. All in favor say aye. Opposed. Motion carries. All right,
moving to Item 5....
Mims: I think you still got people (both talking)
Throgmorton: Oh, I'm sorry! Please, yes, go ahead! Good evening!
Ahmed: Good evening. Uh....
Throgmorton: Could you state your name please?
Ahmed: My name is Ali Ahmed. I'm one of the founder for the Immigrant Voice and the
Center for Worker Justice. Uh, I want a correction to some information (unable to
understand) The Immigrant Voice is different from the Center, and the Immigrant
Voice (unable to understand) and Miss Mazahir (unable to understand) uh, first
days for Immigrant Voice and first days for the Center (unable to understand)
different totally from Immigrant Voice. Immigrant Voice and the (unable to
understand) we .... we found (unable to understand) Thank you so much.
Throgmorton: Thank you, Ali. Anyone else? Okay, seeing no one else I'm going to turn to Item
5, Planning and Zoning Matters.
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Item 5. Planning and Zoning Matters
Item 5a Rezoning Sensitive Areas Plan for Lincoln School — Ordinance
rezoning approximately 3.6 acres of property from Neighborhood Public (P-
1) to Planned Development Overlay Neighborhood Public (OPD/P1) zone
located at 300 Teeters Court. (REZ17-00016)
a) Public Hearing
Throgmorton: So does anybody need to make any ex parte disclosures? Okay. No one. I'll
open the public hearing.
Botchway: But I ..... yeah, no (both talking) recuse myself. Um, just quickly, I have no
knowledge of, uh, rezoning. It's not in my wheelhouse at all. Um, but I don't
want the perception that I, you know, any way tainted or anything about this
deliberation.
Throgmorton: Okay. I'll open the public hearing. (bangs gavel) Good evening, Bob!
Miklo: I'm Bob Miklo, Senior Planner, Department of Neighborhood and Development
Services. The, uh, property is located on Teeters, uh, adjacent to Rider, with also
access on .... on River Street. The School District plans to renovate Lincoln
School, uh, and do an addition, uh, significant addition. The proposed renovation
and addition will provide, uh, more classroom space, gymnasium, cafeteria, and
improve overall, um, ADA accessibility. The plan also includes a, um, expanded
parking lot and bus circulation, uh, area, uh, of the River Street side of the .... of
the property. The proposed addition is, uh, is proposed to occur in an area that
contains protected slopes and, uh, and critical slopes. The, uh, zoning ordinance
requires that we avoid development of protected slopes. Uh, those are slopes of
40% or more, except in rare circumstances that I'll get to in a minute. It also, uh,
requires that we minimize grading of critical slopes, and those are slopes of
(coughs) excuse me, 25 to 40%. Um, this is to help assure that hazardous
conditions, such as severe erosion or landslides are .... are prevented. Um, this
also protects other environmentally sensitive areas that are often found in
conjunction with steep slopes, uh, such as woodlands, wetlands, and stream
corridors. On this particular property, none of those other conditions, uh, exist.
It's...... it's simply the slopes that we're looking at. Uh, the zoning code does
provide for exceptions that allow for consideration of grading of protected slopes,
uh, including when the, uh, the slope was previously graded or .... or altered by
human activity, um, or when it's essential for a public, uh, utility, uh, such as a
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sanitary sewer line, or .... or stone sewer. Uh, in this case the, uh, the applicant
has provided evidence to show that the slope was previously altered. Um, it was,
um.....it was altered when the parking lot was put in in 1988, as well as when
some drainage tiles were put in for an addition to the school. Uh, so that's one of
the things that we have to find in order to allow, uh, future alter, uh, alteration of
the slope. The, uh, Planning and Zoning Commission and staff have reviewed the
materials submitted by the School District and.....and agree that this slope was
altered at some point in the past. Uh, we've also reviewed the proposed plans for,
um, the.....the construction activity in the slope and found that it can be done
without creating a hazard or .... or a potential for a landslide. Uh, this image
shows, uh, the proposed addition from the River Street, uh, parking lot. Um, and
the, uh, you can see in the background on the illustration, the existing school.
You can see that it's quite a change in grade. I believe it's 30 -feet from, uh, the
Teeter Street side of the property to the River, um.....uh, Street side of the
property. The, um, slopes in question are generally in this area, where there
are .... are protected slopes and we believe that based on the, uh, information
submitted that those may have been created when the parking lot was put in and
there was grading done for those. In any event, they were, uh, graded in the past
when, uh, drain pipes were put in for a previous addition. Um, so ..... uh, the plan
would allow, uh, further alteration of those protected slopes, as well as alteration
of the, uh, critical slopes on the property, roughly 60% of the critical slopes on the
property. Both staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission, uh, do
recommend approval of, uh, of this plan. There are, uh, a few details noted in the
staff report, uh, such as storm water management. That will be, uh, reviewed in
more detail, uh, when we review the site plan for the building permit. Be happy
to try to answer any questions.
Throgmorton: Do we have any questions for Bob?
Taylor: They, uh, just quick question, they had talked about also the disturbance of the
trees that are there, the existing trees, but they did plan to, uh, replant some trees?
Miklo: Yes, there are some, uh, oak trees and some evergreens in this area that would be
removed in the proposal. Believe it includes at least 10, uh, trees to replace those.
Throgmorton: (mumbled) diverse species, is that correct?
Miklo: Right, that was a, uh, a concern of one of the Planning and Zoning Commission
members is that some of the oaks listed on their plan, uh, had recently been noted
as susceptible to a disease. So the Planning and Zoning Commission suggested
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that the City Forester sign off on the final plan in terms of which species
are.....put in replacement.
Throgmorton: Okie dokie. Thank you, Bob. Would anybody else like to address this topic? All
right, I'm not seeing anybody. So I need to ask our Council Members if you are
inclined to vote in accordance with the Planning and Zoning's recommendation?
(several responding) And .... all right, so I see a lot of heads nodding. I'm going
to close the public hearing. (bangs gavel) Could I have a motion please?
b) Consider an Ordinance (First Consideration)
Taylor: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Throgmorton: All right, so moved, uh, by Taylor, seconded by Mims. Discussion?
Taylor: I think, uh, it's been very well planned out and I think after our support of the,
um, school bond issue recently, I think this plays right.....right into that and with
us working together with the School District and, uh, this is like your typical, uh,
true example of a neighborhood school and it ..... it's great to see that it can remain
viable and also, um, I don't think he'd mentioned about, uh, making it more ADA
compliant also, which is .... which is a real key thing now, uh, so I'm very
supportive of it.
Thomas: It's a great project, uh....as Pauline mentioned, and Bob mentioned, uh, one of the
constraints, or conditions, that it addresses is the fact that the parking lot was
inaccessible, uh, to the building. Thirty-foot grade change so you can now use the
building to access the, uh, the upper levels. Uh, and, uh, while it's in an area of
sensitive slopes, no usable outdoor open space is being lost as a result of this
project, which this site isn't as small as, uh, Horace Mann but it's .... it's the
second smallest (laughs) site. So it's really encouraging to see that the area of
development is not taking away any of the .... the limited amount of open spaces
available.
Cole: I love all of our elementary schools. Um, but Mann, Longfellow, and Lincoln
really hold a special place in my heart. I think of our old-fashioned neighborhood
schools, um, and really to see the bond come into fruition the way that it is, and I
view this as working, um, symbiotically with the School District to make this
happen. As John mentions, uh, this is not an area that would otherwise probably
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be used in that sense, and I think the disturbance is kept to an absolute minimum.
Um, so I'm thrilled to support this zoning change to facilitate, um, this new, uh,
reimagining of Lincoln School!
Salih: I ... I really like it and my kids go to Lincoln and I know how they really need this
project to move forward and .... I will support (unable to understand)
Throgmorton: Uh, I can say, I thought I knew most of the city, but I didn't know there was a
parking lot here. It comes as a surprise to me. So, wow! And now there's going
to be an entrance to the school there, in a much better tum....drop-off spot for the
school bus and everything. Great solution! So I'm thrilled to support this as well.
Any further discussion? All right, hearing none we have a motion on the floor.
Roll call please. Motion carries 6-0. Kingsley!
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ITEM 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS
Item 5b Zoning code amendment - Ordinance amending Title 14, "Zoning
code, Article 5b "Sign Regulations" to broaden the sign allowance and
illumination requirements for institutional uses in residential, ID and OPD
zones and to allow plastic trim cap channel letters for signs above the 5th
story on high rise buildings. (Second Consideration)
Throgmorton: This is second consideration, but staff requests expedited action.
Mims: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and voted on for
passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally
passed be suspended, that the second consideration and vote be waived, and that
the ordinance be voted on for final passage at this time.
Salih: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Salih. Discussion? Hearing none, roll call please.
Motion carries 7-0.
Mims: Move final passage at this time.
Thomas: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Thomas. Discussion? Hearing (both talking)
Taylor: I just... quick comment that I appreciated the, um, the research into, uh, looking at
the different cities and their sign regulations and their height regulations and that
was kind of interesting to see. It's kind of all over the board. So I think, uh, well
....we'll have a very concise plan in place. I'm in favor of it.
Throgmorton: Thanks for inserting, uh, when the train's rollin' (laughter) gotta get out of the
way or hop aboard! Okay, any further discussion? Hearing none, roll call please.
Motion carries 7-0.
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Item 6. Cardigan Park Improvement — Resolution approving plans, specifications,
form of agreement, and estimate of cost for the construction of the Cardigan
Park Improvement Project, establishing amount of bid security to
accompany each bid, directing City Clerk to post notice to bidders, and
fixing time and place for receipt of bids
a) Public Hearing
Throgmorton: Let me open the public hearing. (bangs gavel) Good evening, Zac!
Hall: Good evening! Zachary Hall, Superintendent of Parks with Parks and Recreation.
Um .... in your packet you found the plans and specs for the Cardigan Park, uh,
redevelopment, uh, or development as it should say since this, uh, parcel, much
like Frauenholtz-Miller is, uh, sat undeveloped for a number of years. Uh, it's a
three -acre park on the east side of Iowa City, uh, just south of, uh, Court Street.
Um, 2016 we held a, um, a.....public, uh, public charrette on the park site, where
the neighbors came out and gave their input and, uh, that was taken in by the
consultant and staff and....and...... and formulated into a .... the park design, and
then, uh, in 2017 we, uh, we used neighborhood open space funds to have, uh,
professional installation of the playground that you see before you, and this is
kind of the first, uh, kick-off for the park design and the information that we heard
from.....from the neighbors. Um, and then in your plans and specs is.....is really
kind of the overview of what you see here. Um .... you see some trail system, uh,
the playground, a shelter similar to what is at Frauenholtz-Miller, um, and, uh,
some, um.....butterfly gardens, uh, tree species, uh, diversified throughout, uh, the
site plantings, and um, a new addition would be a fire ring. So that's a little bit
something different than what we don't have in other sites, but this, uh, this site
seems appropriate and, uh, neighbors were enthusiastic about it. Uh, so
construction, uh, timeline as far as schedule, um.....holding the public hearing
today, uh.....bid letting February 9`s, and a work date, uh, February 20' with an
anticipated construction start, uh, late February, and then, uh, through the spring,
early summer season. So, if there's any questions at this time, I'd be happy to
address those.
Throgmorton: Any questions for Zac?
Cole: Tell me a little bit more about the pollinator garden?
Hall: Yeah, so, um.....the neighbors had expressed, um, through the charrettes they had
expressed some interest in some type of a butterfly garden, essentially pollinator
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garden, um, and so working with staff and working with the consultants, uh, we
haven't formulated specifically, um.....um, what plant species will be going in in
all the pollinator areas. Uh, I know we do have a.....a plant list in the plans and
specs, um, but the neighbors definitely showed some interest in ...... in kind of
taking ownership of those and .... and.....and helping maintain those and having...
having some, uh, buy -in and some input in the .... in that. Yeah.
Throgmorton: Any other questions? Looking forward to it, Zac! All right. Thank you.
Hall: Thank you!
Throgmorton: Would anybody else like to address this topic? Seeing no one else I'll close the
public hearing. (bangs gavel)
b) Consider a Resolution
Mims: Move the resolution.
Thomas: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Thomas. Discussion?
Mims: I think it's great to see, you know, more of our parks getting developed, uh,
working through that ma.....master park .... plan master park .... master plan park
(laughs) whichever way the words go (laughter and several talking) ....tried it
twice but, you know .... um, no, just interesting to see and exciting to see these,
you know, just keep moving forward and we've got a lot to do and a lot of money
that we need to spend but every little piece helps. So, glad to see it.
Salih: I also agree with Susan and this is real exciting to see our parks being like, you
know (unable to understand) and making it like really working for everybody, but
the only thing that I'm really concern about is the ground, uh, the, um.....about
the playground surface. My understanding this is a wood piece surface, right?
Fruin: It's an engineered wood, Fibar, yeah.
Salih: Yeah. Just in the future, I'm not asking about this tonight, but I encourage the
City to think about, you know, because we want our kids with disabilities to be
included, and if they ... in the future, if they can't (unable to understand) services,
just like the one in .... at the Library, uh, at the ped mall. I know this is kind of
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expensive, but you know, we can look into it in the future so our park can be like
(unable to understand) everybody, so make an inclusion for (unable to
understand) with disability.
Taylor: Well I agree with Mazahir, cause I think we've looked at that before as far as the
parks, and what we'd heard was basically that the rubberized in the .... it's more
expensive to start with, but in the long -run it .... it's less because the wood chips
you have to continue to .... to replace them. So I .... I think it something that we
need to seriously continue to look at.
Fruin: Yeah we'd be happy to break down those costs for ya. I.....I don't think that, um,
it's a cost -savings in the long -run. I think the .... the rubberized surface is far more
expensive. Um, if I'm recalling correctly, the ped mall surfacing on just that
playground was.....was over $100,000, whereas a playground like you see there,
the entire playground set itself, that's probably a $40,000 set of playground, um,
that covers roughly that same surface area....maybe as things spread out and you
take in the fall zones. So you're...... you're lookin' at a substantial difference in...
in cost. Um, the engineered wood pieces, um, are considered to be ADA
compliant, but you have to stay up on `em. You have to constantly, uh, bring `em
in as they get kicked around. You have to make sure that the .... the depth is
appropriate, and that's a challenge for staff to.....to keep on that. Um, but in the
future we'd be happy to, you know, lay out those costs for you and let you know
kind of on per square foot basis what you might expect. Um, you know, part of
the expense is that rubberized surface has to go on a hard surface too, so you're
really pouring a concrete pad and then putting the rubber on top of that.
Thomas: It is quite expensive. I mean I.....I support the use of matting. I think it's
extremely appropriate in the ped mall, which is more kind of urban setting. In a
neighborhood park, you know, it is a question and part of cost, and um, in ..... in
hearing Zac's presentation, I think .... and Geoff s comment, one.....one thing to
consider, uh, since I'm already sensing a little bit of volunteer effort here (laughs)
that, uh, you know, the neighborhood could help. You know, it's not that difficult
to move the chips around as necessary. Uh, it just requires someone to do it
(laughs) and um.....so that might be something to think about. It's .... there
already is that .... some unique features here. There's the butterfly garden, fire
ring, um.....so I'm sensing support from the neighborhood to kind of....become
involved, and I think that's a good thing.
Cole: What I'm liking in particular about the pollinator garden is it seemed like that was
something that the residents themselves had suggested. So whether it's a
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pollinator garden or a food garden, I think more and more we're seeing this to be
sort of an amenity, that is sort of being normalized, uh, which..... which I really
like, and of course I think the pollinator garden in this particular context really
adds some vitality. And hopefully allow the kids to experience a different part of
a park!
Tbrogmorton: Yeah, I .... I know that park pretty well, cause my son used to live right adjacent to
it, and I always thought once the park's developed as a park, it will really enhance
the social cohesion of that area, and I'm pretty confident that's actually going to
happen. So, looking.....my son no longer lives there, but I'm really excited for
people who do. Think it'll really enhance the place. Okay. Any further
discussion? Hearing none, roll call please. Motion carries 7-0.
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Item 7. Douglass Street and Douglass Court Water Main Improvements - Resolution
approving plans, specifications, form of agreement, and estimate of cost for
the construction of the Douglass Street and Douglass Court Water Main
Improvements Project, establishing amount of bid security to accompany
each bid, directing City Clerk to post notice to bidders, and fixing time and
place for receipt of bids
a) Public Hearing
Throgmorton: I'll open the public hearing. (bangs gavel) Good evening!
Sovers: Good evening. Uh, Scott Sovers, Senior Civil Engineer. I'm sure some of you
may remember about a year ago we brought this project to you, um, to talk about
the inclusion of, uh, sidewalk, either on one side or both sides of, uh, of both
Douglass Street and Douglass Court, and at that time it was decided that, uh, we
were going to forgo the sidewalk options. So, no sidewalk is actually included in
this project as designed. Um, we spent the last year finalizing plans and specs,
and acquiring, uh, temporary easements. We had to acquire, um, I think roughly
50 easements to be able to reconstruct the, um, not only the water main but also
the surfaces up to the stop boxes. So just in summary, the project includes new,
all new water main on both Douglass Street and Douglass Court, and then new
services from the .... the new main to the stop boxes, and then new driveway
approaches. Um, the reason why we're having to replace driveway approaches is
most of this .... the, uh, water services are located within the driveways. So with
that I'll answer any questions anybody may have.
Throgmorton: Okay, any questions for Scott? I don't see any. Thanks!
Sovers: Thank you!
Throgmorton: Would anybody else like to address this topic? (laughs) Good evening. It's good
to see you again.
VanNoy: Hi, good to see ya again! (clears throat) Excuse me, my name's Aaron VanNoy.
It was mainly a question of, uh, what.....what trees were gonna go and if the
hou... or if my house was gonna lose its tree, and also ..... I also had a quick
question o£..I had a problem with, um.....essentially my return, uh, I had a
issue .... I .... I just recently purchased this house in the past two years, um, thankful
enough to be able to afford it very well. Um, long story short is I'm having, um,
cause all that .... uh, the water services are basically underneath the, uh, the
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concrete of my driveway. Um, from what I've been told, that is a common issue
for freezing, and I don't know if this is true or false. I haven't done any research
so obviously don't, uh, don't quote me (laughs) (mumbled) education when it
comes down to that type of thing. Uh, long story short, um, I am worried with,
um, currently I've had to basically roto -rooter my, um .... um, my return pipe, uh,
and as a result, I'm wondering, um, you know, how far am I gonna be, um.....uh,
responsible for, um, obviously there's.....there's a problem here. Um, so I'm
wondering at what point will I take care of it and.....uh, but also the tree. So I
guess that kind of sums it up quickly (laughs) so .... thank you!
Throgmorton: You said your name's Aaron, right?
Van Noy: (mumbled)
Throgmorton: Yeah, yeah. Uh, Scott, can you talk with Aaron, maybe outside or right after the
meeting? (unable to hear response from audience) You know and work through
those questions. Yeah. Great! Thank you! Okay, anybody else? All right,
seeing no one else I'm going to close the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
b) Consider a Resolution
Mims: Move the resolution.
Thomas: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Thomas. Discussion? Okay, this is something we
asked staff to do and they're doin' it! (laughter) Okay, uh, no discussion,
uh.... roll call please. Motion carries 7-0.
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Item 9. 2018 Legislative Priorities - Resolution establishing the City of Iowa City's
2018 legislative priorities
Throgmorton: Oh, Simon, you're gonna summarize for us (both talking)
Andrew: Uh, Simon Andrew, Assistant to the City Manager. Uh, the resolution you have
in front of you tonight, uh, reflects the conversation that you had at your
December 19th work session. Uh, one item that was discussed at the work
session, uh, with our consultants, uh, that isn't reflected here is the discussion at
the Alcohol and Beverages Division, uh, regarding licensing reform efforts. So
we're keeping close tabs on that. We will be involved in those conversations
going forward, but given that there's no legislation at this point, that isn't
included in the, uh, priorities for this session. Um, so starting with, uh, the
backfill, uh, commercial and industrial property tax replacement payments. So
you'll remember in 2013 the State legislature reduced the taxability of
commercial properties and industrial properties down to 90%. At that point they
committed to, uh, backfilling those dollars to local governments to, uh, make us
whole again for at least that piece of property tax reform. Uh, for the City of
Iowa City, that equates to about $1.58 million annually, um, that, uh, is
predominantly the general fund. So that goes to support our core services — parks,
police, fire, um, general fund services. Uh, that equates to about 15 public safety
officers, whether police officers or firefighters, to give you a sense of the
magnitude of ...of what that means to the general fund. Uh, the next priority
listed, uh, protecting Home Rule authority. This is one that you'll see across the
board on League of Cities, Metro Coalition. It was in our priorities last year as
well. Um, the, uh, flexibility in additional revenue streams is noted specifically in
the resolution, but this impacts any number of issues as we saw last session, uh,
including the alcohol licensing discussion. Um, based on, uh, Council Member
Botchway's suggestion at the, uh, work session, uh, disproportionality in arrests
and incarcerations is included in your priorities. Uh, we would support any
legislation, uh, that addresses that. Uh, it is specifically noted in the resolution
proposal from 2016, um, in which, uh, that data would be tracked and it would set
up, uh, something similar to our, uh, Community Police Review Board. Uh,
waste water and water infrastructure funding is included again. Uh, this is an
issue that's come up at the legislature, uh, the last several years. Um, this is
something very important to us, of course, in terms of our stewardship of our
waterways, but of, um, also in terms of financial, um, implications when the State
put requirements on our water and waste water treatment plants. Of course that
has a .... a financial, um, implication for us. So as best we can, working with the
legislature to incorporate agricultural interests and balance those with the City
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interests. Um, and finally, uh, we did, uh, include an item to support the Metro
Coalition and League of Cities, uh, legislative priorities. As Geoff noted at the
work session, you know, of course across the board all 10 cities in the Metro
Coalition, or 900 cities in the state, aren't going to agree on every issue and there
are a couple of items in there that certainly wouldn't be our top priorities, but as
members of those organizations we do our best to, uh, either stay out of the fray if
it's something that's not important to us and, uh, do our best to support those
organizations. Uh, so that is, uh, the list of priorities for this year, and of course
happy to answer any questions or take any suggestions.
Throgmorton: I think we got it!
Andrew: All right! (both talking)
Throgmorton: Thank you, Simon. Could I have a motion to approve this resolution?
Mims: So moved.
Taylor: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Taylor. Discussion?
Botchway: I'll start off just briefly. Um, just make a brief statement. I have a tempered
excitement regarding these priorities, uh, specifically as it relates to supporting
legislation to address, um, racial disparities in arrests and incarceration. I wanna
first and foremost give my kudos to staff for crafting it literally kind of exactly
spot-on. I don't know how you got that from my garbled and jumbled mess
(laughter) but appreciate that. Um (mumbled) help me on some other issues that I
(laughing) consistently have with, uh, you know, crafting language around
particular, um, items and, uh, priorities that I .... I want to put forth. Uh, you know
this is to me a .... an issue, um, from a .... two standpoints, from a human rights and
economic development standpoint, but I'll speak to the human rights standpoint
first. Uh, the consistent subjugation of people of color has consistently been
documented through our history. Uh, Iowa ranks within the top five of
disproportionality. This has been well documented and not too long ago we were
in the top two. The Midwest has a diversity problem and not with people, but
how we consistently act inhumane towards communities of color. This is a
pattern that needs to stop. Uh, economic development, which is something that
I'm very supportive of as it comes to how we look at Iowa and the budget
shortfall. Uh, we have a worker shortage. We have a skilled labor shortage. We
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have a shortage in teaching. We have a shortage in computer science. I mean
these arse all things that have been documented well by, um, you know, Mark
Nolty when he gives his normal ICAD address, um, and other people throughout
the community. However, I think unfortunately we have a .... we have people, we
have fai.... we have people we have failed, uh, because of an antiquated system
that seeks retribution and not (mumbled) justice, and this needs to stop. I will say
the tempered excitement I have little faith that the legislature will actually act on
this in a meaningful way, um, but I'm willing to be surprised, as I'm always. Um,
and I'm very supportive and excited about our Police Department, um, and the
work that it's been doing to move forward and use a data -driven approach. Uh,
we need to continue this work, um, you'll see a lot of commentary as it pertains to
racial equity from me, um, in a more specific, uh.... uh, more specific way. Um,
and I hope the rest of Iowa's watching!
Throgmorton: Excellent! Well said. Anyone else? All right. I don't see anyone else. Roll call
please. Motion carries 7-0.
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Item 12. City Council Information
Throgmorton: Why don't we start with.....John and move right.
Thomas: I don't have anything of. ... in terms of Council work that I can report, other than,
uh, personal information (laughs) of. ... well personally reporting on the, uh, just
enjoying.....being together with family and friends (laughs) over the last, uh,
couple of weeks (laughs) and uh.... hoping that this is indeed a happy new year
(laughter)
Mims: I thought you were going to say you were enjoying the cold weather! (laughter)
Thomas: As crisp as a MacIntosh apple and more.
Throgmorton: Well you know you're alive when you feel that cold. (laughter)
Mims: Uh, I'd just like to mention, I don't know if everybody got the invitation, but the
Tech Brew AM is at Merge next Tuesday, January 9a', at 8:00 A.M. Um, this is
....uh, always a good chance to hear from one of the tech companies in the area.
think ImOn is either sponsoring it or they're going to be presenting. So
encourage everybody if they can put that on their calendars, um.....
Throgmorton: So it's.... Tuesday.... what time?
Mims: Tuesday the 9a' at 8:00 A.M. at Merge. Um, I think there is an RSVP, so if you
didn't get the invite, um, you might just go to ICAD's web site or to, um, maybe
the City (both talking)
Fruin: You can just let me know and I can get you registered if you're interested (several
talking)
Mims: Okay.
Throgmorton: Just as a point of, uh...... (both talking) addition, yeah. Our, we have a Council
budget session starts at 1:00 that afternoon.
Mims: Right.
Throgmorton: Yeah.
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Mims: So .... um, yeah and other than that just, you know, I piggyback on John. I hope
everybody had a good holiday season, and is off to a good, uh, happy new year,
and .... be careful out on the roads and .... make sure your water pipes are, uh, well
insulated, and if not just kind of keep the water trickling. I had one of my co-
workers come in today who said their water pipes had frozen. Um, so .... yeah, be
careful. It's cold out there! And take care of your pets! Take care of your pets!
Throgmorton: Yeah. Pauline?
Taylor: Uh, yes kind of on that note too, um, just sort of a PSA on.....on possibility of
frost bite, uh, those.....those, uh.... uh, citizens that do their walks like they're
supposed to or if you're out walking your dog or playing in the snow, whatever
you do out there, uh, be cautious of the potential for frost bite. It doesn't take
long, 15 minutes to 30 minutes for exposed skin, but you can even get frost bite,
uh, if it's covered, uh, your covered skin. So be very cautious of that and keep
warm as much as you can. And then Jim said I could share this, cause I was very
proud. I'm proud of my Icelandic heritage. I'm 50% Icelandic and heard on the
news that they were the first country in the nation to pass an equal pay for equal
work law, so very proud of them and I hope we can, uh, look forward to doi....
seeing that some time in our country.
Botchway: Okay.....so (laughter) I am excited to announce the first annual Breakfast on a
Budget at 7:30 A.M. to 8:00. Charlie, I expect you to be there. (several talking
and laughing) on Saturday.
Mims: Kingsley's providing the food! (several talking and laughing)
Botchway: Mingle.... mingle with Council Members, talk about the budget, hear an awesome,
I mean awesome presentation by our own City Manger, Geoff Fruin.
Cole: (both talking) ...spotlight (both talking)
Botchway: ....on the budget (laughter) It's ... I mean it really is a can't miss event. I will tell
ya, I mean, again I've said this before, you know, budgets.... budgets aren't really
like, you know, they aren't like the ..... a super exciting thing. If you look at the
budget book, which has been handsomely kind of reduced, substantially I think
recently, um, I would say that it's.....it's tough, but it is a .... a huge driving force
and we think about initiatives, um, as we move, uh, towards a just and
welcoming, um, Iowa City, and so please be there, at least for Geoff's
presentation. There will be food, there will be coffee .... for people that don't
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drink coffee, there will be juice (laughter) so be there (beating on table) 7:30, first
annual Breakfast on a Budget!
Mims: Did you say what date?
Botchway: (several talking) Saturday!
Mims: Okay. Just making sure (several talking and laughing)
Botchway: Yeah, the 6. I couldn't remember the date. Don't come tomorrow! It's on
Saturday, January 6`h. Be there!
Throgmorton: So you're gonna ... you're gonna tweet this, aren't you?
Botchway: I am gonna tweet it out (both talking)
Throgmorton: All right. Good man!
Botchway: Um, the other three things I have, or I guess two things. The other one was
(mumbled) Susan mentioned. Um, MLK festivities, um, they're coming up in the
next couple weeks. Um, there's actually a plan, and I hope to send it out in the
next Council packet, um, to have something on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday,
but definitely if you can be there at many of the activities that, urn .... uh, Arianne
or Miss Arianne brought up, or Aron, Miss Aron brought up at the, um, uh, at the
Council or the community, not community comment, at the (several talking)
proclamation, um, it's just important that, you know, Council has, um, wide
ranging representation there. Um, and also additionally on MLK Day, in
particular, there is an act -worthy launch event at Merge at 6:00 P.M. Um, I'm
excited to, um.....possibly be able to speak, um, about this, uh, web site, and what
it tri .... what it's gonna try to do is provide opportunities for people to, um,
basically be a part of a, kind of a social media experience to act on different
initiatives that they feel is comfortable, and so .... they feel comfortable, um, with.
So if you, uh, if you're attending a budget session at 7.....from 7:30 to 8:00, the
first annual Breakfast on a Budget (laughter) January 6`h on Saturday, um, that
could be something that's put out there and then people can, you know, say that
they're gonna support that and show up, and so it's .... it's less about the likes and
it's more about you're gonna be taking that particular action. I think that too
many times we're, you know, we're Facebook and Twitter couch potatoes and
we're not necessarily acting and doing something, and so I'm excited about, um,
the people that have put this together. I think Ross Katz, um, Sarah Chavolla, I
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probably said both of their names wrong. Um, and other, Simi and Tally, other
people that are invested in this event, um, to kind of move this forward in a more
progressive way.
Throgmorton: Excellent. Maz?
Salih: Um, I have nothing (unable to understand) very exciting to work with you all and
serving this awesome community, and looking forward to work together to make
this .... Iowa City a city that work for everyone, regardless. Thank you.
Throgmorton: Great!
Cole: Welcome aboard, Mazahir Salih! (laughs) Um, I guess (mumbled) uh, shout out
to Kingsley. Great idea this Saturday. You know I can't think of anything that is
more important than our budget, um, but it's not always the most exciting, except
that first hour that people actually come. Um, and so I think anything we can do
to get people more involved, more into what we're doing, cause ultimately, you
know, from time to time people compliment me or us on various budgetary issues
that we do, but we're really stewards of the peoples' money, and I think we can
more effectively do that, the more oversight that we have from our collective
bosses which is 75,000, and the more that they have open access to our
government, and the more that we can encourage `em to do that through small
target events, um, I .... that's a great idea. So kudos to Kingsley Botchway! Um,
other than that I don't have a lot of other news.
Botchway: Well said, Rockne!
Cole: Yeah (laughter)
Throgmorton: Brilliant (both talking)
Cole: Kudos!
Throgmorton: Okay, I have four things I want to mention. First, for people who are watching,
uh, this .... the broadcast of this meeting, want you to note Mazahir Salih's
presence. First night as a City Council Member. It's great to have you with us,
Maz.
Salih: Thank you.
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Throgmorton: And also, Pauline Taylor's new role as Mayor Pro Tem, uh, welcome aboard in
that role and thanks to Kingsley for serving so ably in the previous two years. So,
there's that. The second thing is I want to make sure that you know that the
National League of Cities Congressional City Conference will take place on
March 1 I through 14. It would be a really good conference for one or two of you
to attend. Susan went to the Congressional City Conference last .... spring. Didn't
you go to that one?
Mims: No.
Throgmorton: Is it the year before?
Mims: I think Kingsley maybe did. I don't think I've gone (both talking)
Throgmorton: I'm sorry, I thought you did. Well, anyhow, my bad, uh....it would be a really
excellent conference for one or two of you to go to, and if you're interested,
connect with Geoff about that. Uh, the other two things are, uh.... you know,
other forms of information for you. I want you to know that I've been having
conversations with President Harreld and his staff at the University about jointly
issuing a declaration kicking off the start of the University's sustainability themed
semester. They've had themed semesters now for, I don't know, couple years or
more. This one is sustainability. So there will be a resolution on our January 16
agenda concerning this ... uh, joint, uh, declaration. Assuming we adopt the
resolution, the declaration will jointly commit the University's themed semester
to a local project that will tie together various elements along the Iowa River, the
Iowa River corridor in Iowa City, from Water Prairie Park in the north to Terry
Trueblood Park in the south, and, you know, I don't know what all's gonna come
out of that, but it's a joint declaration. There'll be students in courses and
whatever focusing attention on that corridor, coming up with ideas, I don't know,
addressing problems, whatever.....and meanwhile we have an opportunity to
focus some attention on it as well in our own ways. So.....look forward to that on
your January 16"i agenda. The last thing I want to mention is a meeting that John
is tentatively scheduled, uh, with Senator Joe Bolkcom and two officials from the
Iowa Department of Transportation concerning the widening of I-380. As I
understand it, John, you help me here, as I understand it, the purpose of the
meeting is basically to ..... obtain information from Iowa DOT staff about the
widening, about .... and about the extent to which they've considered either
alternatives to the widening or actions that could..... enable greater use of
alternative forms of transportation in that corridor.
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Thomas: A way to optimize the use of I-380.
Throgmorton: Yeah, uh, so .... I .... I think it's appropriate for at least, I mean I think I'll probably
attend, but it would be appropriate for leas .... for at the most one other Council
Member to attend, if. .... if any of you are interested in doing that, and....
Mims: Do you have a time yet or.....
Throgmorton: Yeah .... yeah, it's .... I think it's 10:30 A.M. on the 26 of this month. And it would
be here in this room, I believe. I don't know what .... did you set up the place?
(several talking and laughing)
Fruin: You did do it. It's in the Heller Conference Room.
Throgmorton: Oh, that's right! (several talking) Yeah, right! I did do it! (laughter) So, if you
are interested, please let John know. All right, that's all I wanted to mention.
Anything else anybody wants to say? Okay!
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Item 13. Report on items from city staff
a) City Manager
Throgmorton: Geoff?
Fruin: I'm feelin' a little bit more pressure than I was to start the day on the budget
presentations, so thank you, Kingsley, for that (laughter) Thinkin' about the intro
music and (laughs) everything else that's going to go with it (several talking) uh,
I've got a couple days to figure that out, uh, but real quick, uh, happy birthday to
Simon Andrew. (several responding) Nothin' like a 12 -hour work day on
your.... on your birthday, but thanks for stickin' it out, Simon!
Throgmorton: We're lettin' ya off easy. It's only 7:56 (several talking)
Monroe: I'll just say welcome and welcome back to.....Councilors and happy new year!
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