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2. Student Leadership Awards — Shimek Elementary
Teague: I'm gonna come up here and I'm gonna invite three people to the stage (speaking
away from mic) Thank you! I'm gonna ask that Hannah Braun, Benjamin
Hacker, and Olga Tenev join me. These are our Student Leaders and they've, um,
come to accept an award from the City Council and very happy that you all are
here with us today. So, we're gonna start with you, Hannah, and what would you
like to say today?
Braun: I believe being a good leader in any community involves helping others, being
kind, leading by example, being a good listener, and being trustworthy. Whereas I
show these traits including being a Girl Scout since kindergarten and being on
safety patrol, where I love having a job that helps with school. I also enjoy
assisting my teachers and peers in the classroom. I'm part of the junior staff at
my after school program where I help out the staff and younger kids as needed. I
also love music and play in two bands, along with volleyball and swimming.
Thank you, City Council, along with my teachers and peers for this honor.
(applause)
Teague: Great! (applause continues) And you have some very special people here with
you. Would you like to state their names?
Braun: Uh, well Joe Braun, Terry Braun, and then my two teachers, Miss Cordova and
Miss Mueller.
Teague: Thank you all for comin' and bein' supportive! All right, I'm gonna move right
over here and thank you so much for bein' a part here as well.
Tenev: It's an honor to have this award. I think leadership is about being a good role
model, having a growth mindset, and being a great example. I think I'm perfect
for this leadership award, because I'm positive, I do my work well, as a good role
model would (laughs) and I have a growth mindset. One example of my growth
mindset is math. I remember in Khan Academy I was struggling to even get a
single percent. Now I'm doing sixth grade level math because I refused to give
up. In addition, I'm helpful. My dad said that there is a sick girl who was one of
his patients. She wasn't feeling well so I offered to give the girl my old National
Geographic magazines. A day later my dad updated that I made a little girl's day.
From then on I felt pretty good about what I did. So this is why I think I earned
this award. Thanks for giving me this award. (applause)
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Teague: All right! (applause continues) And I got a chance to meet your family as well.
Will you tell us who's herewith you?
Tenev: Uh.... ( (mumbled) Tenev, (mumbled), and my grandma, hm.... and my
Grandmother (mumbled).
Teague: Great! Thank you all for comin' and bein' supportive! (applause) All right,
we're to you, Benjamin!
Hacker: I'm Benjamin and I think I was nominated for this award for several reasons. One
reason is I am kind to other students by respecting people and their ideas.
Another reason is I listen to whoever is speaking and only talk when I am called
on. The third reason is I'm very focused on what I'm supposed to do when I'm
on safety patrol. The fourth reason is I always follow classroom expectations.
The fifth reason is when I struggle with my schoolwork, I never give up. Finally,
I handle it well when I go to private places like the lunchroom and classroom,
even though I don't like them. Thank you for this honor.
Teague: (applause) And who do you have with you today?
Hacker: My mom Dina Bashir; Miss Cordova my teacher, and my two grandmas.
Teague: They are super proud of you! Yes! (applause) Yes! I am so honored to, uh, give
this leadership award to each of you today. Um, you have demonstrated in your
words to us and through your actions in the community how helpful you are and
how, um, a .... a great student and deservin' of this Student Leadership Award you
all are. I'm gonna read this today, and you can insert your name, um, they're all
very similar, but your names are the thing that is different. (reads Student
Leadership Award) And I'm so happy that you're all here with us. Please give
another round of applause. (applause) Thank you (mumbled)
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3. Proclamations
3.a. Black History Month
Teague: (reads proclamation)
Fruehling: Here to accept is Jason Glass. (applause)
Teague: And, Jason, I'm going to have you come up and receive this. (unable to hear
response from audience) All right! Thank you so much! And I'll have you go to
the podium. Yes! Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you (noises on mic)
These are our Human Rights Commissioners!
Glass: On behalf of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, I formally accept this
proclamation. It should go without saying that it was entirely right that we should
honor black history. That honor cannot be confined to just one month. Black
history is American, and indeed human history, that should be celebrated, studied,
and reflected upon with unceasing rigor. Words are powerful, but primarily
insomuch as they inspire action. Let us then use the words of this proclamation
and the opportunity this month provides to highlight the parts of history that had
been neglected. We encourage all to use this month as a call to actively learn, to
pass on to others the stories that have been too often left out of our history books
or part of our collective memory. Let us use these stories and facts to fill in any
blind spots we have and understand a fuller picture of our successes, failures, and
ongoing challenges. For only in examining the lessons history holds can we use
them to build a better future. Again thank you for highlighting Black History
Month and for your continued support of human rights in Iowa City. Thank you.
(applause)
3.b. Iowa Honey Bee Day
Teague: Thank you, Jason. Movin' on to Item 3.b., proclamation for Iowa Honey Bee
Day. (reads proclamation)
Fruehling: Here to accept is Edward St. John.
Teague: Edward St. John (applause) (mumbled)
St. John: I'm Edward St. John. I'm, uh, District Director for the Iowa Honey Producers
Association, uh, for the District 3. I would like to thank Iowa City Council and
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the Mayor for your support of Iowa Honey Bee Day. Governor Reynolds signed a
proclamation declaring February 13' as Honey Bee Day and you're joining other
cities, such as, uh, North Liberty, Coralville, Waterloo, uh, Marshalltown, uh,
counties, Worth, Mitchell, and Johnson County, and also proclaiming your support
of Honey Bee Day on the February 13th. Um, insect pollinators are in trouble.
Honey bees are.... basically the canary in the ... in the coal mine. Uh, for example
bumble bees are now considered extinct in Canada. Uh, pollinators.... basically
produce, you said one-third. It's actually closer to two-thirds of our food
according to the USDA. Um .... for example, uh, almonds. There's about 2.4
million hives in the United States, and over two million of those hives are on
tra.... are on semi trucks. Um, two million hives plus go to California every
spring for the almond bloom. Uh, they go up to Washington for apples. They go
up to North Dakota for canola. All through the United States. They're the ones
that keep our food pollinated and create the food, right? hi Iowa, honey bee
losses every year are 65%. Six and a half hives out of every 10 die. Nationwide
it's about 45%, which both levels are unsustainable. So your support of Honey
Bee Day demonstrates your commitment to the importance of understanding
pollinators to our food chain, and uh, protection of our environment, and I thank
you. (applause)
Teague: Thank you. (applause continues)
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4.-9. Beginning of Consent Calendar — Consider adoption of the Consent Calendar
as presented or amended
Teague: May I have a motion to approve, as presented?
Salih: Move.
Thomas: Second.
8.c. Maximum Property Tax Levy Resolution Setting a Public Hearing on
setting the maximum property tax levy for certain levies for the proposed
budget ending June 30, 2021.
Teague: Moved by Salih, seconded by Thomas. Discussion? I did just wanna make a
notation, um, that.....Item 8.c., which talks about the maximum property tax levy
(mumbled) because we're settin' the public hearing, that that date is for our next
Council meeting date, which is February 18th ...... two Tuesdays from now. Any
other discussion? Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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10. Community Comment (items not on the agenda)
Teague: And ... if there's any item that is not on our formal agenda, that anyone would like
to address, we invite you up to the podium here. We'll ask that you state your
name, and that you also write it down. There were stickers.... there are stickers in
the back if you want to, uh.... use a sticker and post it on the sign -in sheets.
Dennis: Good evening, I'm Maryann Dennis and I've been the Executive Director at the
Housing Fellowship for the past 27 years. With the history of a lot of supportive
volunteer board members and a dedicated and talented staff, the Housing
Fellowship has grown to have a reputation as being a responsible and successful
community housing development organization. Many, many people have been
instrumental in helping us do our jobs. We have been able to provide nice homes
to thousands of families and thousands of kids. I'll be leaving my post at the end
of this month, and my passion for affordable housing in all aspects has been a
source of personal satisfaction to me and afforded me the opportunity to be
challenged, and also to continue to learn. As you know, Simon Andrew will
replace me, and he will lead the Housing Fellowship and affordable housing
efforts forward. So you all know, we're in good hands. But what I'm really here
to say is thank you to the Council, past Councilors, and the Iowa City staff for
your partnership and support. Iowa City has done more than any other
community in Iowa to respond to and address the needs for affordable housing.
So really, thank you.
Teague: Thank you so much (several responding) (applause)
Fixmer-Oraiz: Hello. Uh, my name is V Fixmer-Oraiz and I am the Housing and Community
Development Commissioner Chair of that commission, and uh, I missed the work
session. I have a kid who has the flu (laughs) so I just wanted to, uh, respond to a
question that Councilperson, uh, Bergus asked me last session, we had a joint
session. I just kinda wanted to, uh, provide some information, um, just clarifying
a little bit like our role, in terms of the commission, and what we're charged with.
Uh, so I looked into the bylaws, and um, you know, there's.... there's the website
of course, but has, you know, the paragraph on exactly our duties, uh, and I can,
uh, certainly read that. Uh, the duties are to assess and review policies and
planning documents related to the provision of housing, jobs, and services for low
and moderate -income residents to review policies and programs with the Public
Housing Authority and the Community Development Division, and making
recommendations regarding the same to the City Council. To review and make
recommendations to the City Council regarding the use of public funds to meet
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the needs of low and moderate -income residents, to actively publicize community
development, and housing policies and programs, and seek public participation in
assessing needs and identifying strategies to meet these needs, to recommend to
the City Council from time to time amendments, supplements, changes, and
modifications to the Iowa City housing code. Um, I think specifically in Article
3, our duties under the subsection 2, it says review policies and programs of the
Public Housing Authority and Community Development Division, and make
recommendations regarding the same to the City Council. So I think with the
Housing and Community Development Commission we've really tried to find
policies and procedures for making more transparency and um, to make the Aid to
Agency process a little bit clearer for everybody. Urn .... I've learned a lot
(laughs) and I guess I kinda thought this was a really good opportunity to review
exactly what our charge is. I feel like that we take it very seriously. We're just a
group of volunteers, um, fortunate enough to work with the likes of Maryann
Dennis, um, who I know is .... is retiring. Um, but anyway I just kinda wanted to
offer that clarity and, you know, I don't .... here you are all (laughs) so I figured I
would just put that out there, and then if there were any further questions about
kind of what our .... what we .... what our role is, and um, kinda where that lies
with (mumbled) I know we're offering a lot of recommendations. We have
heated discussions in our commission, um, but it's because we're passionate and
we care and so anyway I thank you for your time and, um, please feel free to
follow up with me if you have any further questions. So ... thank you.
Teague: Thank you.
Adams: Hi, my name is Mageed Adams and uh, to celebrate Black History Month, I want
to thank all of you guys and stuff. And (mumbled) .....to celebrate Black History
Month I wanna tell you guys about all the schools and how they're diversed.
Iowa's a good school because every school you go to you see they're all mixed,
black and white, and that's what Martin Luther King taught and fought for. He
died. He didn't know like if it's ever gonna happen, but he believed in himself
and look where we are now. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you! (several responding) (applause) Would anyone else like to address
Council? All right! Movin' onto Plannin' and Zonin' matters.
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regular formal meeting of February 4, 2020.
Mj
11. Planning and Zoning Matters
ll.a. 218 Commercial Park — Rezoning - Letter to the Johnson County
Planning and Zoning Commission recommending denial of a rezoning from
County (A) and County Residential (R) to County Commercial (C) for
approximately 32.96 acres of property located in unincorporated Johnson
County south of Route 218 and Riverside Drive.(CZ19-05)
Teague: Could I have a motion to approve the letter?
Mims: So moved.
Salih: Second.
Teague: Moved by Mims, seconded by Salih, and we're gonna get a staff presentation.
Hello!
Sitzman: Good evening, Mayor and Council. Danielle Sitzman, Neighborhood and
Development Services. (mumbled) This is the first of two applications, uh,
related to this property. I'll give the fust one regarding the rezoning, and then
once you do your business come back and talk about the subdivision request. It
was, uh, forwarded to us, uh, as two applications from the County. Uh, our
agreement with them for fringe area, uh.... (mumbled) go through that process.
This is an application submitted by CJ Moyna and Sons, uh, for land shown on
the screen, uh, bounded in yellow. Um .... the subject property, as you said, is
located, uh, in the vicinity of Highway 218 and Riverfro .... Riverside Drive, just
west of Oak Crest Road SE. Um, this is for consideration of a rezoning to a
commercial county, uh, land use designation. Again, here is the, uh, property
shown in, uh, relationship to the existing zoning, a county zoning surrounding it.
Also, uh, in relationship to our fringe area agreement boundaries, uh, showing the,
uh, that it is outside our current growth boundary, in area C. Um, it shows the
current city limits in green and where the inside of the growth boundary area
starts, closer to our city limits in purple. Um, if approved the applicant intends to
develop a lot for their own business and sell the remainder. As I mentioned this is
in our fringe area agreement area. That's a component of our comprehensive pra
....plan. As was discussed earlier this evening at our work session, uh, the City
has a .... a element of control over land, even though it is outside our corporate
bound.... boundaries under this agreement that we have and maintain with the
County. Um, it applies to areas outside our city boundaries, but within two miles
of our corporate limits. Staff does reference that fringe area agreement as a way
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to review these applications. It contains policy, direction, and land use decisions,
outside the city limits where the set ... where the City has not conducted our own
comprehensive planning efforts yet. So it's beyond the area that's typically
comprehensive plan within the city, but still has some consideration for land use
development, urn .... um, policies. Um .... a little background information about the
rezoning. Uh, the application did come in and kinda go through some changes as
it worked through our process, based on, uh, staff comments that were received
from County staff. Um, they had initially proposed a much larger rezoning of 60
acres but have scaled back the application just to the 30 acres shown, kinda of in
the orangish color there on the screen. (mumbled) like I said, again, proposing to
rezone that to commercial. Um .... the previous desig... or request for rezoning
included several different types of commercial. This one is just, uh, County
Commercial (C) district. This does still allow for a wide range of retail uses and
businesses, government and professional offices, um, and places for amusement.
As I said the applicants intending to develop one lot in a future subdivision for
themselves, and potentially sell off the rest of the lots for future development.
Um, the review criteria that staff uses to review these again is based on the fringe
area agreement, the comprehensive planning efforts, uh, contained in those
documents, and the City's own comprehensive plan. Um, as you've heard before,
um, our current fringe area agreement is a little bit old and out of date, out of step
with some of the updates that the County has undertaken, uh, in its own
comprehensive planning efforts, and this rezoning is, uh, one of those areas that is
a little bit out of step from our current agreement. Um, as I said there's that, uh,
being out of step from being a little bit old. Um, based on the County's
comprehensive planning and then there's also a process that the County
undertakes annually where they can, um, entertain applicants own requests to
change the comprehensive plan. This, uh, land was subject to a request by the
applicant to change the County's land use plan even more to include commercial
in this area. That happened last summer. Um, the staff did provide an advisory
comment on that potential plan change at the time the County made us aware of it.
Wasn't a case that came to City Council, but staff did issue an opinion on that, and
the advisory comments were included in the packet for tonight. Um, we... staff
did generally oppose the requested change. However, ultimately that was a
decision that could be made by the County and they did choose to proceed to
designate the area as appropriate for future commercial development, and this
application is then the follow up to that, uh, comprehensive plan change, the
applicant requesting a rezoning. Um .... as I said, again, this is in fringe area C
outside the City's growth area. According to our current fringe area agreement,
agricultural uses are preferred and land uses are restricted to those that are fairly
low in intensity for rural and agricultural use. Um ... just again as I said, uh,
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going through the compliance with the County's comprehensive plan. County did
change their comprehensive plan. It is in compliance with that. Um, however, we
do see those as a significant deviation from the fringe area agreement and the
City's, um, own, um, policy direction for this particular area of the, uh, near to the
city. Um, talking about next steps in the rezoning, the step that we are at is
highlighted in blue on the screen. Um, as I said this went through the County
fixture land use plan change. This is a rezoning that follows that. Also on the
agenda tonight is the next step, the pending step of the preliminary plat and
eventually there would be, need to be, a final plat before this land could actually
be developed. Um, so based on a review of the relevant criteria, staff did
recommend denial of the proposed rezoning due to a conflict with the existing
fringe area agreement. Um, while staff's (mumbled) the reduction and rezoning
of the area and the intensity, the applicant has kind of come to through this
process, the intended commercial zoning, we feel, is still in conflict with the
current fringe area agreement and can result in a wide variety of ultimate
commercial uses that would be more appropriately developed (mumbled) level of
density once they would be inside the city and, uh, have city services available for
them. Um, we see that as a way to kind of control an orderly and efficient
development of infrastructure, and to kind of curtail the (mumbled) development,
where development goes further away from the city than it needs to to, uh,
support the residents of the city. Urn .... so as far as the first application tonight,
um, we did not recommend approval of that. The Planning and Zoning
Commission upheld the staff's recommendation of denial, uh, and it comes before
you tonight with a recommendation of denial. Um ... we don't believe a future
conflict resolution meeting with the County is necessary. Uh, even though we are
recommending against something they've proposed. Um, the City's already
discussed this particular property at a, uh, conflict negotiation session in
September of last year, um, in response to the advisory changes that were being
issued on the po......potential change. So we're not advocating for a conflict
resolution meeting. We think that this has already been addressed and
everybody's comments have been shared that way. So again the Planning
Commission is forwarding it to you tonight with a recommendation of denial! I'd
be happy to answer questions.
Teague: Any questions for Danielle?
Weiner: What is the situation with City services?
Sitzman: There are no City services, uh, for this property. This property would have to be
developed to .... on County well as .... and sanitary services. There are, um, water
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lines nearby, but sewer lines are not. And typically we don't provide services
outside of the city corporate limits.
Taylor: I'm familiar with the property to the south of this and ... and that the mobile home
court has notoriously been known for poor water quality. Is that ... would that be
the same well that would be serving that area (both talking)
Sitzman: No, this would be a private well just for the commercial development.
Taylor: Okay. Thank you.
Teague: All right. Thanks! Would anyone like to address this, from the audience?
Mamer: Mr. Mayor, Council, I'm John Mamer with MMS Consultants. Uh, Adam Kos
from CJ Moyna and Sons, the applicant, is here as well. I'll just briefly, I think
Danielle did a good job of ...of addressing most of the things, issues, that come
up on the property. I just add, uh.... and I think she touched on it briefly, that
initial meeting that was held back in September, the future land use amendment
was applied for with the County, was for a little over 100 acres of land for
commercial. Uh, after that meeting, we scaled the application back to 66 acres.
Uh, the first application that was ... that we turned in for the zoning and for the
preliminary plat, which I know this is in regards to the zoning, but I'll just briefly
mention the preliminary plat as well. The first application for the zoning and the
preliminary plat was actually for 64 acres of ground, uh, with 11 lots, and through
conversation with City staff and with the County staff, we dialed that .... dialed
that, uh, the .... scaled that back to just 32 acres. The 32 acres that's presented on
the zoning, and as you'll see with the preliminary plat, uh, five lots. So we do
acknowledge there's a lot of conversation. She mentioned the fringe area
agreement. There's a lot of conversation that needs to take place, uh, to get that
up to date. This is kind of an initial step to get the ball rolling, in our minds. It
allows the applicant to go ahead and .... and start process to .... to.....get moving
with the territory that they wanna be into and then set the area up for future uses,
whether it's, uh, you know, whatever it wants to be, as that conversation takes
place between the City and the County. With that I'll let Adam talk.
Kos: Good evening. Uh, Adam Kos, I'm with CJ Moyna. I'm representing the owner.
Um, been an employee with the company for 15 years. Uh, currently live in
Kalona, just south of town here. Um, wanted to share just some short-term, long-
term goals, just a little bit of vision for what we're doin' kind of in the area. Uh,
we're the folks out there workin' hard, tryin' to get 80, 380 torn apart and put
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back, uh, put back together as quick as possible. Um, see we do a lot of work in
the area, uh, lot of work in Tiffin, uh, Highway 30, Mt. Vernon, so on and so forth.
Uh, we like the area. I like the area, living here. Um, we're lookin' to put a
satellite office down here in ... in Iowa City, uh, as part of the use for this. Um, one
of those five lots to be available would be for us. Uh, we'd like to build a satellite
office and we'd like to recruit the area, uh, Johnson County, lookin' for young
talent, um, you know, we provide an opportunity for folks to, um, earn... earn a
pretty good wage relative to, uh, you know, others in the industry. Um, as far as
the property as a whole, uh, on the, I guess it'd be the west side of ...of Oak Crest
Hill Road is about 110 acres. Uh, as John had mentioned (mumbled) we're,
we've narrowed that down to 65 acres. We've actually shrunk that down to 30
acres. We're actually lookin' at just kind of a phase one, um, which included our
lot, would be about eight acres of development. Um, so .... so we acknowledge
there's some work to do. We acknowledge that the City has interest in the, uh,
that corner. Um, we also know the prime real estate is probably closest to the
interchange and probably needs the most, uh, homework done, you know, in order
to, uh, to move forward with development there properly. Uh, on the east side of
the road we own 80 acres. Uh, we're currently workin' through, uh, wetland, uh,
possibilities with some construction. Lookin' at a wetland bank, uh, ultimately
long-term conservation to go along with that. Urn .... so I just wanted to share
some of those thoughts with ya, why we're here, why we're doin' what we're
doin', why we're askin' what we're doin'. Um, we .... we realize that it's kind of a
tough area between the County and the City and, uh, maybe forces some
conversations that aren't ver ...uh, voluntarily happening. However, we're....
we're here, we're interested in being a part of it, and we hope that we can be, uh,
you know, a part of a larger picture as we move forward here. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. We won't have any questions.
Kos: Okay. Thanks.
Teague: Would anyone else like to address this topic? Council discussion? Um, I just
wanted to make sure that everybody, you understand that the, um .... (mumbled) is
not recommending, um .... they're recommendin' the denial and so that's what
we're bein' asked .... to support.
Mims: Danielle, could you comeback up for just a second? I just, I wanna clarify both
for myself and for the public. We are sending a letter of recommendation. The
final decision is up to the Board of Supervisors.
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Sitzman: That's correct. We're rezoning the .... the City issues a recommendation to the
County for the.... subsequent platting process. The City could make a
determination, but at the rezoning stage it's just a recommendation.
Mims: Okay! Thank you. Just wanted to clarify. I'll support the letter, which
recommends denial. Um, I think we know that we're all in the middle of these
discussions getting the fringe area updated and everybody's actively working on
that and trying to get it done. Um, the final decision is in .... is in the court of the
Board of Supervisors, but given where we're at in that discussion, I think this is a
reasonable, um, input or recommendation from the City. It's a great area to get
developed though (mumbled)
Teague: All right! Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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ll.b. 218 Commercial Park - Preliminary Plat - Resolution approving
Preliminary Plat of 218 Commercial Park subdivision, a 32.96 -acre, five lot
commercial subdivision with nine outlots located in unincorporated Johnson
County south of Route 218 and Riverside Drive. (SUB19-16)
Teague: Hello again! Um, motion to approve resolution.
Mims: So moved.
Thomas: Second.
Teague: Moved by Mims, seconded by Thomas. And now we'll have Danielle address us
again!
Sitzman: Thank you, Mayor. As I said, this is the second of two applications related to the
same property tonight. This is the preliminary plat application, which was
forwarded along with the rezoning you just, uh, made a recommendation on. Um,
the platting would create five lots and several outlots for open space and future
streets. Um, as I said, this application's gone through a little bit of, uh, changes as
it came through the process, that has been scaled back, uh, to the what you're
seeing currently on the screen as the concept for the preliminary plat. Um, the...
staff did review this again to the fringe area agreement. There are separate design
standards for, uh, infrastructure improvements that go along with plats, whether
it's inside or outside the growth boundary. When it's outside the growth
boundary, really there's a City rural design standard that's followed. Um, the
proposed subdivision does meet the standards of the City's rural design standards,
as expressed in the fringe area agreement, um, for the street infrastructure. Um, I
think Transportation planning staff did note though eventually overhead lighting
might be appropriate. I know Crest Hill Road, uh, should the subdivision
continue to develop, that's just a comment at this point. Um, talking about
environmentally sensitive areas, the County does have its own, uh, sensitive areas,
uh, ordinance that would need to be followed, uh, for those areas, uh, if they're
located in this development. Um (clears throat) and, um, the ... as the applicant
stated, they're taking that into account as they design the subdivision. Services
for sanitary sewer and water serve.... sewer.....water service would be to County
standards as well, while ... while water systems and septic systems, uh, either
packaged or individual for the lots, uh, complying again with the County's
standards. Um, just a brief overview of the steps in development here. This is the
blue highlighted step, uh, the preliminary plat, following this would be eventually
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Page 15
a final plat required, um, to go along with development. So based on the analysis
of the proposed project against their policies outlined in the fringe area
agreement, staff does recommend approval of the application. Uh, we did
recommend approval of that, based on the fringe area agreement, to the Planning
Commission. Uh, the preliminary plat does conform with the City's rural design
standards as outlined in the fringe area agreement. So, um.....uh, at their January
16a' meeting, the Planning Commission did uphold staff's recommendation and it,
uh, recommending approval of the subdivision case for approximately 32.96
acres. Be happy to answer questions. I know that's a little bit confusing.
Dilkes: The approval's contingent on County approval of the rezoning.
Teague: I think you're good! Thank you. Would anyone like to address this?
Marner: I'll just really briefly add that in addition to meeting the rural design standards,
the applicant actually is intending to go ahead and put curb and gutter in. They're
trying to make this a desirable, urn .... even though it's a small subdivision to .... to
a high level, you know, high standard, uh, to try to draw businesses into that area.
Again, it's a high visibility corner, so you know it's to set the table, they wanna
set the table up for good development down the road in the future too, and get off
to the right foot. Thank you.
Teague: Thanks! Council discussion? Is every .... um, anyone not inclined to support the
P&Z? (several responding) Okay. All right! Roll call please.
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Teague:
Mims:
Salih:
Teague:
Thomas:
Mims:
Thomas:
Mims:
Thomas:
Mims:
Thomas:
Mims:
Teague:
Sitzman:
11.c. 12 E. Court Street - Level II Design Review Height Bonus Request -
Resolution approving height bonuses for 12 E. Court Street in the Riverfront
Crossings — South Downtown Zone. (DRC19-04)
Motion to approve resolution.
So moved.
Second.
Moved by Mims, seconded by Salih.
Uh, Bruce, I'd like to insert, I'm not sure if this is exactly the right time, but, um,
I would be interested in deferring a decision on this tonight. Uh...
I'd be interested in entertaining that after we have the presentation.
Okay. All right.
If that's okay with you.
That's fine.
Okay, and maybe even some discussion?
Uh huh.
But....
All right. Danielle, please!
So this is an application for a level II design review, which is conducted by your
....yourselves. Um, this includes a seven -story bonus height request for two 15 -
story buildings located at 12 E. Court Street, the, uh, current location of the
Pentacrest Garden Apartments. Um, that's the area shown on the screen here,
bounded in the yellow dashed line. My presentation tonight's gonna be broken up
into a couple components. I'm going to leave largely the discussion of the project
to the applicant. They're here tonight with a, kind of a animated fly -over
perspective and their own presentation to give you tonight. So I'm going to focus
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more on the background of this project, the City's process that goes into it, kind of
some high level project description, and talk about the review criteria that were
used by the Form Based Code, uh, Committee and the Planning Commission to
review it before it came to you. Then as we usually do, show you the next steps
on how this lays out in that and with recommendations. Um, as far as process
goes, this property has, um, is located in an area that had a master planning
process, uh, performed for it specifically in 2013. Um, that master plan, the
Downtown and Riverfront Crossings master plan, was implemented through a
code that was adopted in 20 .... in June of 2014 with the adoption of the form
based code. Um, as, uh, you know, this was then rezoned to a form based code
district, the South District, uh, Riverfront Crossings District in September of
2018. Um, a level I design review is essentially completed by staff. Um, that's
the Form Based Code Committee, um, reviewing height requests up to two
additional stories. Since the applicant is requesting more than those two stories, it
becomes a level II design review, and that's where it's at this evening for your
consideration. Um, there is ... would also need to be a way for the applicant to
dedicate right-of-way, provide construction drawings, and some other things
typically done at final plat before a building permit could be issued, uh, for, um
....for construction. Um, as I said this is a bonus height request, exceeding the
level I review, kicking in to level II. The applicant has requested seven stories of
bonus height for a total of 15 stories in a mixed-use building. Um, the base max
height for this district is eight stories, and that seven stories is allowable, up to the
total max bonus height of 15 stories. Um, the applicant has requested to obtain the
bonus height through three different means, uh, transfer of right-of-way heights,
transfer of historic preservation height credits, and through the student housing,
uh, bonus provisions. Um, this table shows a little bit about how each of those
floors is, uh, allocated, the .... the way those bonuses work. The first two are
based on square footages, and the last one is based on floors. So it's a little bit,
some of the bonuses cover multiple floors and I think that's what we tried to show
here in the west building and the east building (clears throat) which floors are
covered by what kind of bonus transfer. It's also worth noting that the two, first
two transfer types — one's based on dedicating right-of-way and preserving
historical structures — would have to come to City Council for a level II design
review regardless of the number of stories that were involved. Those are two, uh,
public goods that were designed in the bonus height process to always come to
City Council, so, um, would of come to you for that. There is a conditional
zoning agreement attached to that rezoning that requires a few other things to be
met. I'm going to walk through those zoning conditions as part of this
presentation. Um, the Form Based Code Committee has determined the project
meets the standards for the form based code and I'll walk through a little bit of
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our ongoing concerns with some design elements of the project. Did wanna show
you this. This was from a presentation more than a year ago that I made, kind of
about the development process in general for level I and level II design reviews.
On the left-hand side is the normal land development process and then the arrows
show when a project would get kicked from that process over either to Form
Based Code, uh, staff level review, or if it was for a level II design review, how
that would work. In this case, 12 E. Court had another level of conditions placed
on it, uh, at the time the rezoning was approved in the conditional zoning
agreement. So it's even a little bit more different than other ones, but um, we've
been shepherding it through this process and we're here tonight kinda as a final
step, um, to fulfill a lot of those conditions that replaces as part of the conditional
zoning agreement. Speaking of the conditional zoning agreement, there were
several things we're continuing to monitor, uh, through the rezoning process, um,
primarily, um, dedication of the Capitol Street right-of-way back to create a public
street, uh, where that right-of-way had previously been vacated and turned into a
private development. Um, as I said, the Planning and Zoning Commission and
City Council's, uh, involvement in the review, um, some elements to do with
strectscape improvements, making sure the project satisfies the required
affordable housing requirements, um, a specific condition regarding, uh, an
analysis of the building footprints in the master plan, um, some specifics about
landscaped interior courtyards, and then some other, um, wording that's more
general in nature about the, um, design excellence of the project. So that brings
me to the part of the presentation where I'll talk just very generally about the
project. Like I said, I'm going to leave a lot of this to the applicant at the next
stage to kind of talk about. Um .... this is a overall site plan showing the site. Um,
shown .... in, uh, with Burlington Street along the, on the top of the screen, uh, to
the north. To the south is Court Street. Right through the center of the project is
that rededicated, uh, right-of-way for Capitol Street, and then, uh, to the east
would be the Voxman Building and to the west would be the gas station, and a
newly -built building that faces, um, Madison. Um, the building has, um, as
shown here, kind of in the beige or yellow color, I guess, on the screen up here, as
the footprints of the building, kind of the three I's and a ... a backward facing C, I
guess. Those are the west building, to the west of Capitol; the east building to the
east of Capitol. Um, they show up this way on the ground floor because there is a
courtyard shown in blue that kind of cuts through the lower, uh, third .... three
floors of the building, creating an open, uh, transitway through the building. Um,
this also shows the improvement of Capitol Street, with angle parking, which I'll
talk about a little bit later in the presentation. Also shows some of the kind of
high level landscaping, uh, elements to go along those streets in green. Color -
coded in blue are the courtyards, that kinda, uh, as I said, cut through the building
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or are nested into the building along the public -facing Capitol Street. And then in
lighter green are two of the courtyards, or song, three of the courtyards that are
more for private open space for the residents of the building. Talking about the
building, uh, if we break it out into west building and east building, just to kind of
summarize the west building, uh, the number of dwelling units. There is just
under 500 in the current program of the building. Um, that requires three levels
of underground parking to support the required parking requirements. There is
also some non-residential uses along Capitol Street and Court Street, and
Burlington Street. Um, this is just the west building footprint, again, a little bit
closer up, showing color -coding of those uses along the ground floor. Um....on
this screen it looks to me like kind of a .... well, it's hard to see, but the blue is
residential, um, there's kind of some orangish-yellowish areas that are either
office or retail space, and then there's some amenity spaces for the building as
well. Um, there's some ground floor academic spaces facing on Capitol Street on
the east side of the building that are programmed for computer labs and wi-fi
surfaces, and the majority of the recreational amenities for the two buildings are
located in this building, including a .... a half basketball court, track, and Jacuzzi
area, and an outdoor pool deck. Again, here's the site plan showing the open
space. I'll walk you through a little bit, um, the open space. They do meet all
their open space requirements and exceed them, in fact, for the requirements of
the form based code. Um, like I said I'll let the applicant walk through some of
the images that they've, uh, mocked up of their design, and explain those design
elements to you. Moving across the street to the east building, uh, slightly fewer
units in this building, 426 in the current program. Again underground parking to
support that. Again non-residential uses primarily along the Capitol and Court
Streets, with some on Burlington. This is that floor plan, shown for the east
building. There are academic spaces, uh, as well in the east building, but the
recreational uses are primarily located across the street, in the west building.
There is a, uh, restaurant shown on the foor pan ... floor plan for the 15th floor.
Again color coding those areas kind of in blue, the residential. The greenish color
are the amenity spaces. The orange, the office and the yellow, the retail. Again,
uh, like I said, the open spaces shown in blue and green here, exceeding the
requirements of the code. Um, we did look at project materials, uh, as part of this,
um, submittal. Actually there's a materials' board up here if anybody wants to see
the materials firsthand up -close we can pull that up a little bit later if you need to.
Um .... along the first floor of the Capitol Street, the applicant has proposed an
artistic component in the form of a graphic panel behind metal screens near
building entrances. Um, as this rendering shows, a metal screen with plantings
growing up them and the lighted graphic panels behind the screens. They've also
proposed a skywalk, connecting the east and west buildings at the fourth floor,
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spanning over top of Capitol Street. Um, and they've shown a design for the
improvements to the right-of-way at Capitol Street in the form of on -street, uh,
angled parking, head -in parking, with, um, travel lanes for vehicles of 12'/Z feet,
additional space for those angled parking, and then pedestrian walkways of 12 '/�
feet. Um, as far as the review criteria, I'll go through quickly, um , the review
criteria that are used in general for all form based code projects, and then talk
about the specifics for the bonus heights that are requested for the additional
stories in this project, and then, uh, walk through the remaining conditional
zoning agreement, um, terms at the end. Um, these are the standards that are
required for all bonus height provisions. They're very general in nature, um,
basically demonstrating excellence in building and site design, good quality, uh,
durable building materials, and that the project is generally designed in a manner
to contribute to the, um, character of the neighborhood. Um, bonus height's not
intended to be by right. So this is a subjective review process, and since it's a
level II design review it's before you tonight for that review. Staff does look to
the goals expressed in the master plan when we perform our reviews. So talking
about the specific bonus heights that are requested, the first one I'm gonna go
through is public right-of-way transfer. This is basically, uh, if they were to
dedicate back Capitol Street as a public street. Um, they're giving up
development potential by doing that and the bonus height is intended to off -set,
um, and incentivize that kind of, um, dedication. Not every, um, project in the
form based code is eligible for this kind of, um, bonus height, because the City
doesn't want streets just anywhere. We have this network of streets that we, uh,
looked at as part of the master plan and have identified key areas where we would
like to require additional right-of-way and this site does contain such an area.
Um, so they're eligible for this, uh, transfer, uh, and it would basically open up
the Capitol Street back to a view to the north to the capitol itself, open it back up
for vehicle and pedestrian circulation in the same, uh, grid street network that's
already established in downtown. Through the dedication of right-of-way, uh, just
over 3,000 square foot of development potential could be gra ... could be gained.
Um, staff does have some (mumbled) some concerns about the design of the
improvements of the right-of-way, once it's dedicated, specifically the angle
parking and the width of the travel lanes. Um, we don't think that's consistent
with, um, the development of other streets in the near downtown. Um, we would
...have actually, we've .... um, suggested to the applicant, or directed the
applicant, to convert that to, uh, parallel parking so that it's more similar. Um,
also would allow for more, uh, of the square footage to be used for pedestrian use
rather than vehicle travel. Do anticipate this to be a highly traveled corridor,
especially with this level of, uh, development and the fact that it's so close to
campus. It's really ideal for pedestrians to be using those sidewalks. Um,
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additionally, um, there's a skywalk proposed, as I said, connecting the building,
east to west across Capitol Street. We feel that would block the view that opening
the street has, uh, created, so it was counterproductive to that street back to the
public use. Um, could also divert activ .... activity, pedestrian activity away from
the street level, if people are using the skywalks rather than engaging with the
stores and the activity on the street level. The second, uh, bonus height transfer is
for historic preservation. Um, this allows, again, development potential that's
foregone by an applicant preserving a property rather than redeveloping it, to take
that potential and invest it elsewhere. Um, the Tate Arms has already been
designated as an Iowa City historic landmark (clears throat) previously and there's
some remaining potential transfer of square footage that, uh, would be eligible to
send to this site. So that's just over 27,000 square feet. Um .... finally the last
bonus height has to do with student housing. There's some prerequisite
conditions that need to be met, not just any property in Riverfront Crossings is
appropriate for student housing. The bonus is designed to encourage it close to
campus, urn .... in fact within a 1,000 walk .... 1,000 -feet walking distance from the
campus. Um, this property does qualify for that, um, prerequisite. There's some
other elements of designing appropriate student housing that are included in the
bonus, uh, provisions. Um, they include an enforcement plan for on-site
management and security. Um, if you're going to have (clears throat) more than
200 bedrooms, which this project proposes, there's alsho.... also professional on-
site management required as part of that bonus. Um, there's a direction to provide
usable, shared open space, uh, with amenities that create high-quality living
environment for students. There's a provision about improved bicycle parking
above and beyond the typical code standards we have for bicycle parking. Um,
also it'd be subject to rental permit and inspections. Um, this does meet, as I said
(mumbled) criteria and they've demonstrated compliance with a number of those
elements, including on-site bicycle parking. Um, there are some improvements
we would still recommend to the fencing for the bicycle parking, as part of our
design review. We did feel that there's more detail needed in regards to the
security plan. Um, staff does recommend that final administrative review and
approval of the management plan occur before a building permit could be issued.
Um, the applicant has made a good faith effort to provide a plan. We just think
there's still some, um, review and comment that could happen at the staff level
(clears throat) to fulfill this condition fully. Also staff felt that the plan lacked
detail on how the student amenity spaces would create a high-quality living
environment. Um, staff was really looking to the applicant to provide a
justification for the space that they've programmed. Uh, we would still be
looking at them to provide that information. And then finally staff .... the applicant
has proposed fully screened balconies. Um, staff doesn't support the balconies
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for a project of this density, um, we, uh, have experience with the open balconies
causing nuisances, both with objects, uh, being thrown off of or escaping from
balconies, and the nuisance of additional noise outside can create for residents of
the projects. Um, the applicant has actually.... has proposed to, um, address some
of those nuisances by screening the balconies behind some of the materials you
see on the board. Um, staff just still does not support that approach. And finally
to kind of address the remaining zoning conditions that were part of the CZA.
Um, the applicant can talk you through their proposal. One of the requirements
was conformance with building footprints, specifically shown in the Downtown
and Riverfront Crossings master plan. Um, the applicant did provide, uh, an
illustration of their, uh, building footprint in comparison to the master plan, and
can walk you through the differences. There's not objectively a large difference,
but the design (mumbled) are kind of up to your discretion. Uh, this is a recap of
what that master plan showed for page 61. The area of the... development .... is
this area here, these four buildings shown on the master plan here. Staff will just
note that the rest of the neighborhood is not developed, um, in complete
conformance with the master plan, um, the exact layout has already been altered
by redevelopment in that vicinity, which, um, was appropriate and just does not
quite conform with the exact footprint of those buildings. So that's an analysis
to .... we would like to conduct this evening to see if you're comfortable, uh, with
the applicant's explanation of how they've met that standard. Um, one of the
other rezoning conditions was for landscape interior courtyard. Uh, the plans do
show an interior courtyard in several places, and more specifically for this
condition, extending from the Capitol Street to the alley between the east alley
and the Voxman Music Building. And finally the, um, requirement in general
terms to demonstrate excellence in design, um, we've walked you through a little
bit of the materials that they've proposed, being durable and high, um, high
quality, including metal panel, terracotta, uh (mumbled) and regular glass, metal
screens, and concretes.... concrete. There are also extensive window and door
openings, uh, on all sides of the buildings. Entrances to the non-residential uses
are along Burlington, Court, and Capitol, and are at grade, uh, really helping to
create a more walkable environment where people can come off of the street,
straight into those spaces, rather than feeling that they're disconnected from them.
Um, they met the setback requirements at the fifth story, and in fact have provided
deeper setbacks on Court Street than are required. Um, it's located between the
Voxman Music Building. Talked to you a little bit about character of the
nair...neighborhood, and a newer eight -story residential project to the south, um,
and Johnson County Courthouse to the south. As I'm sure the applicant will
explain, the site also does have some significant slope on it to, uh, ameliorate that
height. As far as next steps, here we are at level II design review. Urn .... based on
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Page 23
the relevant criteria staff, uh, the Form Based Code Committee does find that the
proposal meets the standards of the Riverfront Crossing form based code. Uh,
staff recommended approval with, um, conditions and modifications shown on the
screen here. I just wanna highlight a couple. Uh, the first one is removal of the
skywalk. Again, we felt this blocked an important southern view of the capitol;
uh, it could potentially divert pedestrian activity away from the street level; and
would not really provide a public benefit, uh, for having (clears throat) taken
away from the environment in that .... in that manner. Urn .... as far as Capitol
Street, um, we feel like to better match the master plan and the downtown street
network, the emphasis on sidewalk widths should be, uh, reexamined rather than
parking and travel lanes. The CZA does give the City final design approval. And
then finally balconies, our staff concern again that the open air balconies creating
a nuisance (clears throat) Staff also wished to clarify that, uh, some comments
have been made about University of Iowa support of the project, and in relation
specifically to skywalks. Um, the conversations that have been held with the
University were quite some time awhi.... awhile ago. Um, but the University has
expressed to us that they don't generally support the east -west skywalk over the
reopened Capitol Street. Um, they talked kind of in general conceptual terms
about a .... elevated walkway over Highway 1, or Burlington Street, to support
safe, um, student tra... uh, travel across that street, but that's not really what's
being proposed with this project at this time. So that was staff recommenstation
(mumbled) Um, this did go to Planning Commission, as part of that CZA
condition. Um, the Planning Commission looked at the staff's recommendations
and disagreed with two of them. So it comes to you tonight having, uh, not
including, uh, the removal of the skywalk and not .... not including removal of the
balconies. So the Planning and Zoning Commission, at their January 160'
meeting, voted 5-2 to recommend this to you tonight, with these, uh, two items
removed. Um ... and I think I'd be happy to answer any questions at this point if
you have them! Otherwise, as I said, the applicant will give their presentation,
kind of go through the, um, design of the building, and I believe Council Member
Thomas has some slides too to present.
Teague: All right! Any questions for Danielle?
Mims: I just have a quick question, as I was going back through this, the.... Commission
recommendation shows five points. The staff recommendation shows eight, and
you've mentioned two that they removed, and so .... I'm not asking you on the fly,
but that's just something we need to ... I guess confirm exactly what they didn't
recommend (both talking)
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Sitzman: So my understanding is what's showing on the screen, one through seven was
presented to the Planning Commission. They struck out number one and number
three. Number eight is one that our, uh, City Attorney's office actually asked us to
add in as clarification. I didn't draw attention to it because it really is just a
restatement of what we felt was already included in ... in the proposal, but we've
had some questions on other projects and we wanted to be more explicit.
Mims: Okay! Thank you.
Salih: Danielle, I just wanna ask you, urn .... I really been careful listening to you about
the height bonus and everything, but my understanding is we talk about this last
time when we talk about affordable housing piece to it, and uh, I guess ... my
understanding that the developer agreed to fee in lieu. Uh, is that still there? I
don't see anything talking about this. Is this something should come later or (both
talking)
Sitzman: ....affordable housing agreement would be required of them, prior to the issuance
of a building permit. Uh, and they have the options of choosing how they fulfill
that (both talking)
Salih: Yes, that is (mumbled) but I know that, you know, they agreed to that last time.
Hopefully they are remaining the same, uh, but is that supposed to be here?
Sitzman: (both talking) No, that doesn't come to Council as part of design review.
Salih: Okay. I was just like `where is it' (both talking)
Fruin: You could ask the developer when they get up and present if that's still their
intention. It's my understanding that it is their intention to (both talking) fee in
lieu, but there is nothing binding about that in this (both talking)
Salih: Sure! Yeah! Yeah. I just wanna know like sometime when it should be there, or
not. Yeah! Thank you, Danielle.
Teague: As far as the ... the street widths, um, so for... Clinton, I'm sorry.... for Capitol
Street. No north and south, is it comparison or....
Sitzman: So the total right-of-way they're dedicating is 100 feet in width, and then they
have to design the elements that go in the street. So public sidewalks, travel
lanes, medians, whatever else might be out there. Um, so my summary included
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Page 25
the current proposal, which is 12 '/z foot travel lanes, additional parking for
vehicles on the street in the form of angled parking, which takes up more of a
footprint than a parallel spot would. A parallel spot would only be a little bit more
than the width of a car once it's parked. Angled parking is the whole length of car
at an angle, plus some backing up and maneuvering spaces, and how much of the
vehicle overhangs the sidewalk on the front. So generally a parallel parking style
would take up less street space for cars and allow more space potentially to be
allocated towards sidewalks.
Salih: I know you're saying that the two items that you cross `em out has not been
approved by the Planning and Zoning?
Sitzman: Planning and Zoning Commission (both talking) forwarded the recommendation
to you. They recommend ... so they would recommend not having any additional
constraints on skywalks or balconies.
Salih: But the staff is not recommending it.
Sitzman: The staff still has .... our initial recommendation would still ... be what we would
recommend to you.
Salih: And how that work?
Fruin: Well let .... let me just .... uh, jump in and just let you know kind of some more
background on our thoughts. We're takin' our cues from, uh, planning studies that
we've done in the recent, um, in the recent years, uh, particularly with the
Downtown. Uh, you've seen, uh, what we did with Washington Street, where
we've considerably widened the sidewalks there and moved to parallel parking on
both sides. Uh, that's kind of the model that we would suggest with .... with, uh,
Capitol Street. Um, to .... to us the parallel ... I'm sorry, the angled parking, uh,
goes about just everything that we've been talking about with Council for the past
many, uh, many years. We've had lots of discussions on arterial streets, on
downtown streets, and .... and everything has been prioritizing pedestrians, and,
uh, the bicyclists, we feel that the parallel parking is ... is better for, uh, cycling,
although these are not .... this is not a designated cycling corridor, you ... you cold
probably expect a fair amount of cyclists on this corridor, and when we're talkin'
1,700 beds here, that's a lot of pedestrians spilling out onto the sidewalks, uh,
primarily moving to the campus area. And then when we think about long -tern,
uh, and the development potential in River&ont Crossings, we talked about that a
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little bit at your work session, when we try to quantify the development potential
that's still there, and Riverfront Crossings and look at the ground that the
University holds, particularly the surface parking lots that the University holds,
you can expect a lot of pedestrians that are south of this property that will wanna
move to the campus area. And in conversations with the University, we've really
characterized this area, although it may be hard to picture now, as a future Anne
Cleary Walkway, uh, so that type of extension. Uh.... uh, obviously we opted not
to push for a closed pedestrian street, uh, but we do feel that the pedestrians .... I
strongly feel that the pedestrians need, uh, to be accommodated at the highest
level here, and we don't think that can be done with what the applicant has .... has
proposed. We think that can, urn .... uh, be done, uh, through limited parking of a
parallel nature and maximizing sidewalk widths.
Teague: Any more questions for Danielle? Thank you! And there's someone..... here from
the developer. (talking in background)
Decker: Good evening. Haven't seen you guys for a long time. (laughter) Urn .... my
name's Rob Decker. I'm the, um, project manager for this project. Uh, also the
owner's representative, um, for the project. Uh, I think most of you are familiar
(laughs) at this point. Urn .... uh, we have our architect here tonight, as well, from
Neumann Monson, um, who will be, uh, speakin' a little bit after I do, and then I
actually have a little bit of follow up after that. Urn ... if you don't mind, uh, I'd
like to, urn .... we're gonna start with a video, that the architect did. Um, it's....
it's brief, it's 90- seconds. I'm gonna then proceed through the same proposal I
did for Planning and Zoning, pretty much unchanged. I wanted to make sure that
we do pretty much the same thing for you that we did for them. Um, you can
watch the video again. At the end if you choose to, if you warm see it again,
we'd be happy to play it, and then we'll be here for, um, Q&A for ya, so .... which
I'm sure you'll have .... have some, so.... Um .... (no audio) Um, so one of the
things I wanna do to start, and I hope you'll forgive me, is reading a pre -written
statement. I don't like to do that on a personal level, but the project is large and
has a lot of complexity to it, so I wanna do that. Um, I'll follow up briefly with,
um, a little bit of process stuff, reiteration, a little bit of what Danielle touched on.
Um, and wanna get into the .... the site. We'll have the architect speak to the
building itself, and then I'll address the three items that, uh, staff doesn't, uh,
support, and then as I mentioned, we'll be here for your Q&A. So .... urn .... on
behalf of our ownership group and design team, I'd like to thank all of you for the
opportunity to talk about this project. Uh, I don't wanna stand up here for an
incredibly long time, but along with Neumann Monson, uh, we'll give you a little
bit of a run-down of what you're seeing and what our design entails. It's an
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incredibly large project, and while many of us on the team have the benefit of this
being second nature to us, uh, after these many months we understand that this is
an incredible amount to digest. Uh, we're incredibly excited to be on this
potential project. It's a really unique opportunity to transform a pretty dated
section of downtown, or near downtown, into something that's really a game
changer for Iowa City in our opinion. Uh, very few if any private properties
present such a unique opportunity that's to be essentially on campus, provide
private residential housing of incredibly high quality that allows for a student
experience based on a proximity to campus, walkability, incredible amenities,
urban design, and more. Not only is the project that you're seeing something that
would change the landscape of Iowa C .... Iowa City for the better in our opinion.
It brings an incredible host of benefits, including an estimated $3 to $4 million
annually into City coffers; an estimated nearly $9 million into the affordable
housing fund; a reopening of the long -closed Capitol Street (mumbled) entry
point to the old capitol, which finishes off, um, the last blocked view of that; and
incredibly high-quality, safe housing for students essentially on campus, just south
of downtown. The project makes sense. It fits the site. The height is partially
offset by the steep grade of the hill it sits on, so it's less or equally tall to most of
the other high-rises in town, including the ones, uh, directly adjacent to it. It
replaces outdated infrastructure and puts a newer building and a new energy code
in place, in an area of town that benefits tremendously from it. The impermeable
area of the site is nearly the same as what currently exists with, but with a much
higher urban density, density that's called for in the City of Iowa City master
plan .... for this area as well as other student housing studies completed in town.
This will be one of the most walkable living facilities for students in town. Our
analysis of current market rates and other analyses released recently (mumbled)
assume you probably have seen, assume less than a less than 3% downtown
vacancy and around 6% in the metro area, which is an incredibly healthy level. In
discussions with our colleagues in the industry and from other account .... and
from other accounts supplied by Housing and Urban Development, arguments are
often made of healthy levels of vacancies sitting around 8 to 10%. Iowa City
within the last decade or so has experiencing incredibly low vacancy rates, below
1. Those levels are not sustainable and that's why a number of housing projects
are popping up in front of you as I'm sure you're (laughs) aware. The analysis
developers are looking at are still showing excellent opportunities in town, and
that is the reason for those projects. Lastly, besides making sense for the reasons
above, it's been incredibly well received. We've received positive reinforcement
and outright support from affordable housing groups, the local unions, the
Downtown Association, countless local contractors and businesses, and numerous
members of the general public that I've personally spoken with. Best of all, the
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project is being completed locally. The owners are life -time residents of Iowa
City. The architect's from Iowa City. I'm from Iowa City. The engineering
company's from Iowa City. And our general contractor's Iowa... from Iowa City.
I will challenge you to find a project that's this large, 200 and ....$200 to $250
million that will be completed completely by Iowa City firms. It's just
unbelievable, in my opinion. Um, how .... how incredibly rare and unique that is.
Um, lastly, the project is estimated to push, uh, two million plus labor hours into
the local economy, and labor hours from local firms. To get here we've been
through nine months of rezoning, nine months of design review effort with City
staff. They've been great to work with. I said the same thing to P&Z. I'll repeat
it again. Just because we have some of these disagreements doesn't mean
they've.... they have not been great to work with. I know them all well. They
know me well, probably.... probably better than they want to. Um .... we've been
through our P&Z meeting. We're here tonight which is the last step. We're
getting close to the last step. Uh, it was two years ago this month that we started
this project. So, we're two years down the road right now, which is pretty
incredible, and I'm not saying that in a bad way, just incredible how fast (laughs)
the time goes. Hitting on the, uh, CZA really quick, dedicating the Capitol Street
right-of-way. Part of the CZA, pretty much a no-brainer. Um, we obtained, uh,
approval for exterior elevations from P&Z. Um, we are going to build Capitol
Street right-of-way to City spec... specifications. I'll get into a little bit more of
that at the end. Uh, really the only thing we take umbrage with is the parking
orientation. I don't want people to get kinda bogged down in the rest of the
details. We really couldn't care less what the, uh, road widths are. Those are
what are in the design, but we really don't care. We'll work with Engineering.
We'll make sure all of those things meet the requirements. It's really about the
angle of the parking, and I'll get into that later. Um, streetscape improvements
are pretty substantial. Uh, I have a statement from our licensed landscape
architect on that in a minute. I'm not gonna bore you with one more pre -written
statement. Uh.... satisfaction of affordable housing, I wrote .... I authored a formal
memorandum to City Council that we will pay the fee in lieu of. It's some ... that's
still a little bit up in the air as to what that final design will be, but it's somewhere
on the order of $9 million. We intend to stick by that. That's why we wrote it in a
formal memorandum to the City. Um .... compliance with the flootpri ... footprint
and the master plan, Danielle touched on that. Um, we'll have a little bit more
from that on Neumann Monson in a minute. Interior courtyards, again, have a
little bit more on that in just a sec. Approval of the architect obviously was
checked off, and demonstrating excellence in design, which is what Nathan's
gonna get into in just a minute. Um, my last thing here and I'll shut up and let
him talk, urn .... in a, I shoulda opened this up a minute ago. Sorry. Um, in terms
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of the general overview of the site ..... um.....so what do I do to (mumbled;
speaking away from mic) Thank you. Um, so just runnin' through the site really
quick, just so you sorta have an orientation as we talk about it. Um .... this is our
initial, um, sort of layout that we wanted to do for, uh, the streetscape. Pretty
similar to what you see now, which is right here. This is just the landscaping plan.
Um, the one difference we were hoping to do and .... and really, I .... the only
reason I wanted to bring this up is we were hoping to emulate Iowa Avenue, up
here on that west and east sides of the old capitol, with a .... a landscaped median
down the center of Capitol Street, and pedestrian refuges at the north and south
ends, with kind of a pinched section in the middle. We still have some of that.
Um, but ... from the get -go, um, our goal has been to, you know, this hasn't
changed a ton. Um, this is the .... the current iteration. As I said, the width of
these lanes is not really a concern to us. The widths of these sidewalks can be
altered. Really for us it's about, um, the angled parking, and I'll get into that at
the end, but um, on the site you have, um, entrances into underground parking
down in the alley. Uh, down here in the southwest corner to the west series of
buildings, and over here, and I know it's kinda hard to see, but through this,
through the alley that comes up by Voxman, there's another entrance into the
underground parking for this side of the facility right here. So there's two, um,
underground entries to these, to this point. Uh, the landscaping, uh, up here is
kind of a linear feature that ... that emulates Voxman to the east, and the Wellness
Center, which is down to the west, and then up here, uh, sorry, down here on
Court Street, the landscaping, um, emulates what is ... it's not so much on the west,
but what is up on the, uh, the east block of ..of Court Street. So these are....these
are blending in with the neighborhood, um, on the north and south ends, and then,
uh, there's a lot of, uh..... uh, Public Works and City input on this already in terms
of the planter spacing, tree spacing, all of that. Most of that ... all of this landscape
architect plan was part of the .... of the design review. Um, you'll hear us talk
about four ports. That .... that's these front areas, the four entry points to the
building, and then courtyards, which is what we call sort of the private ones in
back, there's three. There's not a fourth one up here because of Voxman pinching
that alley down, and then this is sort of the central courtyard, or what I would call
the concourse, through .... up and down to the middle of the site, which is a huge
....huge landscaped, uh, courtyard through the central portion of the site. Um....
it's got a really large setback, and Nathan'll get into that, but it's got 160 -foot
separation down here. It's really, we listened early on from very early days, going
back those two years to what I referenced earlier. Uh, the site is really laid back
and .... and a lot less cavernous than the master plan shows. So we're really
pleased with that. Um .... a statement from our landscape architect, kinda touch on
what you're seeing up here, because I know it's hard to digest. An important
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piece of this project has been the carefully planned landscape features intended to
create a beautiful space for pedestrians, motorists, and users of the building.
Plants and paving materials and other site features were selected to complement
existing nearby streetscapes, to provide a seamless transition along Burlington
and Court Street. Capitol Street will be lined with trees, framing views of the Old
Capitol building to the north, over -story trees will shade proposed parking and
complement the surrounding buildings. The resulting tree canopy is intended to
create a comfortable pedestrian experience along with the large beds of
ornamental grasses, paralleling the generous walkway connecting adjacent spaces.
Throughout the site.....unique planting beds reflect the architectural details of the
building, as well the proposed colored concrete accents. Public.... public
entrances with seating will be enhanced with the use of ornamental trees,
flowering shrubs, and a mix of perennials integrated into the surrounding
streetscape, with perennial beds that wrap around the building. All of our features
are designed to integrate more green infrastructure into the urban environment,. A
courtyard space between the buildings will be flanked with vegetation and
ornamental trees to create a strong access while softening the hardscape. The
addition of varied seating types, accent lighting, and the possibility of public or
private art spaces will create an invi ... inviting environment around the building.
With that I'm going to let Nathan talk a little bit before I come back up just briefly
and then we'll be (mumbled) (speaking away from mic)
Griffith: Hello!
Teague: Hello.
Griffith: My name is Nathan Griffith. I am an architect at Neumann Monson Architects,
and I am the archi.... project architect, uh, for 12 E. Court. Uh, I wanted to start
by, you know, talking about three critical goals to the project that led to a lot of
the deci.... the decisions that were made. Uh, first being the, uh (clears throat) the
health and safety and welfare of the .... the residents who will live in this facility.
Uh, their .... their experience, uh, really drove a lot of the decisions and the critical
pieces that we'll talk about tonight. Two of those are, uh, the balconies, as well as
the skywalk. Um.....you know we wanna create a place for the .... those folks to
thrive as well. Uh, so those are critical. I'll touch on those in a little bit. Uh,
secondly, uh.... uh, very critical or important for the owner and the design team to
create a project that (coughing, unable to hear speaker) quality, uh, and the
character of the neighborhood, and so as I'll talk through some of the form of the
building and the materials of the building all contribute to that point, and then
thirdly, uh, an enhanced pedestrian environment. We spent a lot of time, uh,
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working on the lower levels of the building and how the building touches the
ground. Uh, to make sure that it's a quality.... quality development that, uh, rises
above those around it and, um, really does create that enhanced pedestrian
environment. So to start off, here's a .... a diagram here with, uh, the master plan
footprint on the left, and the proposed footprint on the right, and I wanted to point
out some differences, uh.... largely we .... uh, spent quite a while to conform to the
footprint of the master plan, and we believe we do. Uh, in addition there are
several things that are different, which are improvements on the master plan, and I
wanna point those out. A couple of them here, uh, in the green, the four court
areas as you walk down Capitol Street, uh, we felt ... felt that it was important to
give relief to the pedestrian, uh, in those four courts, as well as, uh, the sort of
courtyards, so you don't.....(mumbled) left in the master plan. There's these sort
of U buildings with this hard edge building, uh, that would really create a sort of
cavernous experience as you walk through. Moving up through the building on
the right, in the dashed lines, is the outline of the tower. And again there, trying to
work the massing to break it up and make, you know, the building reach to the sky
and sort of these spindly fingers; uh, rather than on the left, if those were to
extend up 15 stories, those would be very chunky and massive. Uh, and then
thirdly, uh.... the additional setback to the south of the site, on the image on the
right, uh, the 12 E. Court project, there's quite a lot of setback. We pulled the
towers intentionally further apart, to allow for more access to sun, kind of to the
street for the pedestrian. And so here are a few images that were in your packet
and I wanted to briefly walk through `em. Uh, experiential images of the project,
so top left, you're standing on, uh, Burlington and looking back to the Voxman
School of Music, and you can start to see, uh, 12 E. Court kind of peek up above
the School of Music. A lot of materials that we have on the project come directly
from or sort of near the School of Music, uh, glossy and matte terracotta that, uh,
are high-quality commercial materials. They start to sort of reflect the sky in a
certain way. At the top of the building you'll see there's more glass there that
allows the building to start to dissipate as it moves up towards the sky. On the
right side, top right there, Burlington Street and UI Recreation building, uh,
standing right in front of the UI Recreation building looking back east towards the
development, you can see the tower elements with the very deep recesses. We
were very intentional not to create a building that was blocky, but rather, uh, was
broken up and extended towards the sky as these sort of fingers. Uh, bottom left
image, you're standing in front of the courthouse on Clinton Street. One of the
things to look for in all of these images really is the .... the way the balconies start
to break up, uh, the building and soften the corners. And so you can see there, uh,
on either side, as the tower goes up on either outside comer, are balconies to the
units. And then the bottom right is kinda moving closer towards the development.
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Uh, you know, we've got this sort of grounded, slightly darker material with all
sort of non -ren ... non-residential spaces on the .... meeting the street. Plants, a lot
of different plants to soften the building, as well as screening elements to give a
layered effect, uh, all things that we're using, uh, to make a .... a better pedestrian
experience. A few images as you walk, uh, through the development. On the top
left there, uh, Rob had mentioned a lot of the plant work and really making an
attempt to make it feel like a green and lively place. Uh.... softening the building
at the ground, and so where the building meets the ground being intentional about
where plants are, as well as the color of the plants and things. On the top right is
an image of the central courtyard, uh, looking back towards the east with ... on
either side opportunities for kind of graphic panels, as well as on the bottom of
soffits, uh, there moving away from the image. On the bottom left is an image
looking back at kind of the four courts and how you enter the building, and you
can really see the landscape elements and how they reflect the building. And then
the bottom right is a image looking back west, uh, which shows the two buildings
and how they come together, so.... One thing to note here, the connection
between the two buildings is, looks very small in the image, but is actually very
large. It's actually taller than this building. It would be taller than the parking
garage across the street. Um .... it's 40 -feet tall. So as tall as a four-story house.
Forty -feet wide, and 48 -feet deep. So it's actually a very large space. So I wanted
to touch speci.... touch on a few specifics of the skywalk area, as well as the .... the
balconies, and just kind of point out some obvious steps. So the skywalk is
located off of the fourth floor, and connects the east -west building. It's not right
on Burlington. It's actually stepped back from Burling... Burlington. The image
on the right, you can see the Old Capitol there on the bottom of the image in the
distance, and the skywalk kind of shooting above it. So we were very intentional
with the materials here to create something that's skeletal and might start to
dissipate in the sky and be transparent. You know the skywalk is very critical to
the success of the development in that it provides a safe sort of passage between
the two buildings. Uh, without it, you know, tenants and folks will walk through
or outside, uh (clears throat) and not have easy access to the amenities in the west
buildings. So to take a moment to talk about the balconies here. Uh, to .... to point
out just a few of the details. The balconies are a (coughs) 15 X 5 foot area, so
fairly generous size. Uh, on the large long face, the balconies are perforated metal
and you have a sample of the perforated metal on the board here. Uh (clears
throat) I wanted to put an image on the right of an actual project that was built of
that perforated metal and how you might experience, or how the experience will
be from the street and from within. On the top right is an image that shows you
that what that perforated metal does to the development, it adds layering to
the .... to the facade, it helps soften the corners. Move your eye to the top left of
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our development. Now imagine without those balconies, without that perforated
metal, uh, the building becomes much more clunky and sort of, uh, less of. ... more
hard and, uh, so we .... we feel like that, uh, that design element alone does a lot
for softening the building and making it approachable, pedestrian -friendly. On
the bottom right here is the perforations from within the unit, uh, again allowing
views, uh, from within the unit. Uh, you know, we feel like the balconies are
critical, uh, to the success of the project, the health, safety, and welfare of the .... of
the folks who are living there, access to, you know .... we .... we feel like there's a
necessity to have access to, uh, fresh air and just to be able to step out of your unit
and get some.... some sunlight, so.... And then in addition on the short side of the
balconies is a metal mesh guardrail. It's a mostly transpo .... transparent material
and again we're .... you know, we're being sensitive to the layering of the building
and the way that it's transparent. You can see on the image on the right, a project
in Austin, Texas, uh, that uses the same material that we're proposing. So from
the ground it becomes very transparent and in 12 E. Court will offer to, uh, sort of
layering and softness of the building. But then also provides for the health and
safety, welfare, access to light, uh, as well.....and fresh air. That's all I have for
you.
Decker: So lastly, um, I'd like to address the, um, three issues from staff. Um, as Geoff
mentioned, um, two of those, uh.... Planning and Zoning recommended, uh....
keeping in the project, and actually I would .... I would say in regards to Capitol
Street, and this is in my opinion, uh, but from Planning and Zoning, I think they
were generally supportive of. ... of the angled parking on Capitol Street too. I
counted four of them that .... that expressed that they didn't particularly care which
way the parking was, so .... urn .... but regardless of that, um, the reason that each
of these items is important to us from the design team's perspective and from the
owner's perspective, um, in regards to the Capitol Street parking, the reason that
that is important to us is for the local businesses. The vast majority of the, um, of
the project, urn .... doesn't, uh, have .... and doesn't require anything to be at the
ground level, other than residential, and we don't have a lot of things, uh, at
the .... at the ground level other than residential. There's a handful of things.
There's about one in each ... there's one up here. There's a little cafe. There's a
rooftop restaurant. There's an office down here, and there's an office down here,
and the vast majority of this stuff is student amenities at the ground level. And
because of those few, um, entities that are going to exist there outside of the
students, particularly this rooftop restaurant. Um, and I can tell you our office is
right here. This is always full. This parking is always full. And the owner feels
like .... 20 versus 40 stalls in here shouldn't make or break the project. The project
is already incredibly under -parked, and I don't say that in a negative way. I say it
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in a good way. It's got an incredibly low amount of stalls for it. Um, for such a
size. Which is great! It's very walkable, but these 20 stalls, in the .... in the
opinion of...of our team, can really benefit, uh, the few entities that are going to
be in this facility. We feel like the street can still be designed in a way that, um,
does all the things the City wants it to do. We just have a differing opinion on
that. The thing I would say in regards to Washington, and I like Washington
Street, is that that is a downtown, um .... a downtown thoroughfare that is all
businesses and that is not what this is, and so um, that's another reason why we
feel like, um, it could justify this being a different sort of a feel, while still getting
all the same landscaping and everything else to it. Um .... in regards to the
skywalk, um, safety and amenities are the two big reasons that's incredibly
important to the team. Um, 365 days a year, 24/7, having, uh, safe and secure
access between the buildings, uh, not having to go outside, um, to .... to traverse
over to....whether it be a friend's unit or if you are, uh, if you live in this
southeast corner and you wanna travel up to where a vast majority of the
amenities are, um, and when I say the vast majority of the amenities I'm talking
about the pool, the workout area, the wellness center— all that stuff. All the
student sorta .... student -based stuff is spread throughout the facility, but in terms
of all the other things, they're all up here. They're in the high visibility spot on
Burlington for good reason, and if you live over here and you wanna travel to
that, not only.... there's two reasons we feel that's important. It's safer. It's safer
to be able to travel over there on the skywalk, but it's also .... it also kinda provides
a quality amongst all the people who are .... who are renting from this space, being
able ... any of them having the same access, but it's also more ... it's more energy-
efficient. The amount of traffic that will be traveling between these buildings, on
foot traffic, all the doors opening and everything else, uh, to get to those amenities
will be tremendous. And we ... we just feel like it's an important access to
have .... an important amenity to have, sorry. Um .... it's designed not to block the
view. We originally had it up here when we talked to the University, it was
mentioned earlier, we talked to them about a walkway, uh, across Burlington,
going over to the Seamans Center and then there would be a skywalk here, and we
designed the building to accept a skywalk, the same way that Voxman has one, uh,
it has the capability to accept one up here. With the thought being that that
traversing Burlington would be safer, um, for them to cross, and we would do
some type of a public/private, urn .... uh, dual walkway here that would allow, um,
folks to traverse that, but (mumbled) and what the City said and hearing the things
that you did earlier, we backed it up, we raised it up, and we put it back in here
because it...it, and we designed it to be, um.....kind of spidery and transparent so
it doesn't block very much of the view shed, but the amount of travel up here that
would be blocked, where your view would be blocked, is pretty minimal, and
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we .... we estimate that it'll be back here, more towards, uh, the Sheriff's office, or
the jail, sorry. Urn .... lastly in terms of the balconies, um .... I .... I think the
balcony amenity goes without saying. I hope it does for some of you, but fresh air
is more healthy and appealing. It's been proven in numerous studies. Um, the
units are more rentable and more appealing if they have balconies and outdoor
spots. Urn .... the enclosures were put in because we met with ICPE twice and met
with City staff, uh, multiple times as well and we heard what they said, and we
wanted it to be more safe, but also provide.... it can also provide architectural
appeal, as Nathan described really well. I would say nearly all the other mid -rise
and high-rise buildings in town have them, and I feel like it's odd to single out
this building to not be able to have them. Uh, plenty of them have students in
them. So I think saying stud.... because there's students in ... and I'm not saying
City staff did that, they didn't, but if that were to be the answer, there's plenty of
buildings that have students in them. So .... um.....I think it's a really important
thing to, uh, not make the building functionally obsolete. We all, uh, know that
this is geared towards students. That's been the, um, intent since day one.
However, the building'll live 100....100 more years, sorry, 100 or 100 -plus years,
um, and we don't want it to become functionally obsolete... should.... should
people come forward ... if this thing is, uh, is allowed to start, maybe the upper four
floors get rented out to, as .... as sort of a higher end. I don't know. It ... the project
is so large and we have so much stuff to do, that we need to figure those things
out. Or maybe in 30 years less student population lives in it and more retirees
come into it, or something to that effect. The important part of that is that the
balconies.... cannot, you can't get them back. Uh, if we take them off the building,
that's a decision that we're done with. So ... we feel it's incredibly important
towards the quality of the overall product. That's all I got!
Salih: (both talking) ...remind me again, uh, which floor is the skywalk at?
Decker: It's on the fourth, right? Fourth? Yeah.
Salih: Fourth.
Decker: Uh huh.
Thomas: Rob, are there operable windows? I thought I heard that mentioned earlier. Is
that .... is that correct?
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Decker: There are, I mean, I would say yes, um, and there are .... Nathan can probably
speak to that better than me, but I think the intent would be yes. If you (mumbled,
speaking away from mic)
Griffith: Yeah, the intent is access to fresh air, operable windows, every bedroom would
have operable windows, every living space would have operable windows.
Mims: It ... will there be a restriction on how ...wide they can open?
Griffith: Uh, yeah, code does restrict, uh, give a minimum. We have .... we're not to that
level of detail.
Mims: Okay.
Griffith: Yeah.
Mims: Okay. Thanks!
Teague: Any other questions?
Fruin: Would it be helpful to Council if the architect walked you through the design
board, tell tell ya where those elements would be?
Mims: Yes, that would be (several responding)
Griffith: Uh.... so, how am I gonna do this?
Salih: (mumbled)
Griffith: All right, so it's.... it's fairly simple for the size of development. We have the
white glossy and matte terracotta on the top, the same material used on the School
of Music. Uh, darker terracotta, which is used on the base of the building, as
well. It's a slight texture that, uh, is more pedestrian friendly, uh, as you approach
the building. Uh, also on the upper .... kind of top of the building, next to the
terracotta, is the corrugated white metal, here, to offset the building, give a little
more shadow and help that dissipate into the sky, as I had talked about. Uh, these
two materials down here are the balcony materials. So perforated metal on the
long side of the balcony, and then the metal mesh on the short side. So fairly
simple.
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Teague: Thank you. So I know, urn .... John had made mention of a deferral, but I wanted
to at least get people's thoughts on how do we ... how would you like to proceed
from here? Um....
Mims: Did you have .... did somebody say you had slides ... to present (both talking)
Thomas: I do have slides, urn .... I thought it would be part of when we would be
commenting.
Mims: Okay.
Thomas: Urn .... but, yeah, I .... I was, urn .... I earlier asked if we could defer this two weeks,
and I think the issues that I have are that this was publicly announced last
Thursday, and urn .... this is .... without a doubt the largest residential project ever
proposed in Iowa City. Urn .... and I'd .... I do think, you know, there's a lot of
material, both presented to us as part of the project and, urn .... that in itself is .... is
a fair amount of material to try to digest, shall we say. But I also would like to at
least give the public an opportunity to....be....be exposed to this material now
that we are having this ... you know, this meeting and have their opportunity to read
the material and .... and, um, digest it as well. Urn.... especially, again, this is ... this
is a very large project (laughs) and, uh.... with significant impact on Iowa City,
um. ... in .... in many different ways. So I ... I would .... I would ask you to consider
setting.... setting, deferring it for two weeks.
Taylor: I would agree with John, cause I think there's still a number of uncertainties about
a development of this size, and I think for the benefit of the new Council
Members, some of us that have been around have heard some of this material, but
have heard even more new materials today, and as John said, the public needs to
weigh in on it. I know there's difference opinion, which circles you run around
in, who .... who likes it and who doesn't like it, but, uh, I .... I just would agree that
we not vote on this resolution tonight, but uh, take some time to give some
thought to such a major decision on a project that the developer says is gonna be
around for 100 years. That's a long time.
Mims: Yeah, I'm not opposed to a deferral for two weeks. Um, I would really like to
make sure that we all, you know, do our reading and homework and stuff in the
next two weeks so that .... so that we are prepared to move forward and not make
this any kind of extensive, um, deferral, but I would agree, with two new Council
Members who, you know, have been seen and been involved in as much of the
discussions. The only other comment that I would have to that is, I would though
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like us to have a full discussion, as much as we can tonight, to hear what
questions or concerns that we each have, one, to give staff and the developer
opportunity to come back, uh, and answer those in two weeks and then ... and then
I .... I would very much like not to extend it beyond that two week period.
Salih: Also I'm not opposing to the deferral, but .... I thinks this project is long time ... a
lot people know about this project. It's not something new, even though it
announce like two week ... to be on the agenda. I understand, but Iowa City people
talking about this, whether they oppose it or they agree with it. They been talking
about this for long time. And, uh, but I'm not opposing (both talking)
Thomas: The other thing too I would .... would mention is we do have this meeting coming
up with the, uh, Student Government. This is being presented as a student -
oriented development. The largest of its kind in the history of Iowa City. Uh, so
at least again, provides an opportunity for the students to, um ... to provide us
with .... with their thoughts on it.
Teague: So I think (both talking)
Salih: (mumbled)
Teague: Well I think we're gonna continue with discussion if everybody's okay with that
(several responding) ...Council discussion, I think we may not .... um .... have any
public comment, if that's okay.
Mims: I think that makes sense just to get something on the table. Um .... I'll just start
with the skywalk. Um, I'm.....I am comfortable with keeping the si.... the
skywalk. Urn .... I'm assuming and hoping that the visuals that we were shown
are .... an accurate (laughs) reflection of what you see, but with it being on the
fourth floor, um, and with the materials to kind of see through it, I felt
comfortable that that's not really going to block the view of Old Capitol, as you're
walking to the north .... um, along Capitol Street. And I do think that that, um, I
think it is an important feature in terms of safety and convenience, in terms of,
um, residents getting back and forth between the two buildings. So, I'm
comfortable with the sidewalk and so I'll just leave that there and maybe we can
do kinda one topic at a time and get an idea of where people are at.
Taylor: I'm not so sure that I'm in favor of the skywalk. In fact I'm a little confused
cause you kinda give some conflicting messages. You'd talked about the skywalk
and students not having to go outside, but then when you're talking about your
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balconies, you're talking about fresh air being more appealing. So there's kind of
two different messages there, that you want them to have fresh air but yet you
want them to .... be walking inside of this walkway, so I'm a little confused on
that. I do wanna say though, uh.... what I like about this project, I'll start with
something positive here, maybe (laughs) give ya the little bit of good feelings,
was I was ... I was really pleased to see all the thought and planning that went into,
um, assuring that this development would be a safe and secure place for its
residents, uh, cause I appreciate and thank the UI Student Government folks.
Austin, over there, pay attention (laughs) um, with the surveys that they've done
regarding student needs, wants, and concerns about student housing in the area,
and the need for security was always high on .... on the list, listed as a major
concern. So I think that is a plus for the department and I applaud you for that
and... and, uh, maybe go along with some of the .... the City staff's concerns with
that and guidelines, cause that .... that will be good. Uh, but .... in those surveys I
don't recall the students talking much about amenities like rooftop restaurants and
study areas and gyms and swimming pools, uh, or even luxury type apartments. I
was a little concerned about that, as far as ... what type of student population here
you're really aiming these for. Uh, but those .... those are kinda my .... my major
concerns.
Thomas: Well Susan mentioned the .... the skywalk, which is, you know, I've some other
comments that sort of step back a little bit from the project and look at it from, uh,
you know, the question.....some of the questions Jim had raised in his letter of
how is .... how does this project respond to our carbon, uh, you know, reducing
carbon emissions in our climate action plan, but with respect to the skywalk, um, I
think that has a lot to do with the character of that block of Capitol that we're
reopening. Um, and it was interesting hearing, you know, the comparison with
Iowa Avenue, urn .... and I think that's an accurate description actually, and .... and
what I feel we .... we will have to .... to a certain extent with Capitol as it's being
proposed is a parking lot, and having a skyway over a parking lot, I don't find all
that objectionable. Um, however, if we are envisioning it and Geoff mentioned
Anne Cleary Walkway. That is precisely the image I'm hoping we can begin to
move this project toward. It's the same... street. It's .... Anne Cleary Walkway is
Capitol Street north of the Pentacrest. Uh, we have the potential of creating, uh,
and adding to what I view .... or creating a .... an extension of Anne Cleary
Walkway, which I think is one of the most beautiful streets, or corridors, in Iowa
City, and extending that to the south. Now would I want a skywalk over Anne
Cleary Walkway? I .... I don't think so. I mean if we try to capture that same
quality, uh, that .... that we have on Anne Ce ... Cleary Walkway and extend it ... uh,
to include the, urn .... this project, uh, which is about a four -block long length, uh,
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we would have .... a.....a dramatic north -south pedestrian corridor to complement
our dramatic east -west corridor of the pedestrian mall, leading down through the
new Engineering building, with that breezeway, which is similar to what's
proposed in this project, to down to the new Art Museum and Main Library. So
two really wonderful pedestrian -oriented corridors, one east -west, one north -
south, and in that vision I don't see a place for the skywalk.
Teague: So one of the things about this project, um, I ... I think it, when we're lookin' at
student housin', and this bein' kind of in the heart, um, from a .... private sector,
where students can be and makin' walkable, that .... that's positive. Urn .... I do
worry about the vacancy rates. Um, it was mentioned that there's 3% downtown
currently and then there's 6....6% in the metro area. Urn .... we have a lot of
projects goin' on and I know that the vacancy rates will be goin' up. Um, not just
because of this project, but, you know, there's other pendin' projects as well. I
think we do have to keep that in mind, you know, people are concerned about
vacancy rates. Um .... the other thing that, urn .... I know we're gonna, you know,
we got a $9 million commitment, um, from the developers. You know, the form
based code for the Riverfront Crossin' area, that was pre -me and one of the things
is, uh, that's there is the .... the 10% of affordable housin' I believe is the, uh,
percentage amount, and you can do a fee in lieu of, and I just wanna make a
statement. I .... I'm in agreement with the $9 million, but urn .... I think that when
we're talkin' about opportunity for individuals that, um, don't have the financial
means to be in a 12 E. Court, uh, to me it....it doesn't seem right to be able to buy
that person out of an affordable housing and .... and have them not have the
opportunity to be, and experience what other students, um, will experience, and so
that doesn't seem equitable to me at all that we would .... take the $9 million
because it's more than money. It's .... it's about the experience when you can be
exposed to someone else that come from a different, um, maybe financial
background than you, that has had opportunity, and it makes a difference when
someone, uh, can be around other people that is outside of where they've been
and so .... you know, for me.....you know, the affordable housin' has nothing to do
with the developers. It really is everything to do with the form based code, which,
um, doesn't resonate with me, but I .... I at least wanted to mention it. Um, we'll
take the 9 million, but it ... it, the .... that $9 million does not compare to the
opportunities that someone that is a student, that can be in that building, um,
and .... and experience somethin' that would give them somethin' that is
unimaginable, um, so .... you know, we were talking about balconies, we were
talking about skywalks, we're talking about parallel parking. Um, tonight I'm not
gonna too much focusin' on that, um, I'm just takin' it all in. Um, but I will come
back, um, with some comments at the next meeting.
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Salih: I really, I'm not opposing to the skywalk, as long as the view that I saw is like
accurate, because I can see the capitols and can see everything. I thinks I just like
the view, and even though this is a video and I don't know how it gonna look like
that or not, but this is .... this is nice. Hopefully everything that we saw here will
be the same, uh, I'm not by any means opposing to the skywalk. Uh, I would like
to thank you for keeping your commitment for the fee in lieu. I understand the
concern, you know, uh, Bruce have, and (unable to understand) I know that we
need affordable houses for students, but believe me, I want everywhere here
where we have 10%, uh, on the Rise where you get affordable. This apartment, or
this room, you know, it will be sold by room I guess. Not sell, it be rented by
room, and the room will be furnished. This is expensive for student to live there.
It was almost ... when I went and asked the 80%, because they using the 80% of the
area median income, and I said how much is it. It was 800. Almost. 800 per
room. Furnished. This is not gonna be affordable for low-income students. But
I ... my understanding is the 9 million will be spent in, uh, Riverfront Crossing,
while not far away, you know, and uh, will be like more (unable to understand) we
can build, or we can use it .... I don't know how, as long as we have the money a
lot of ideas will come later and we will have, uh, apartment that could be rent for
students, could lie rent for just like regular low-income families, or anyone that
will be affordable (unable to understand) That's why I was pushing the fee in
lieu, but again I wanna thank you for keeping your commitment and, uh, I'm not
opposing to the skywalk.
Bergus: My question about the skywalk I think is more less of the aesthetics and more of
the diverting pedestrians off the street. So, I mean, as I understand staff's
concern, and I would share that, that creating kind of a habitrail, you know,
between the two buildings and isolating those students within the development
doesn't seem like a good use of that public open space when you're trying to, um,
promote the benefits of those public areas of the .... the courtyard and the .... the,
kind of the .... open.....40-foot tall, you know, four-story tall linkage between the
buildings. So, um, that's a little incongruous to me, but I do appreciate the
comment about saving energy in terms of opening doors and .... and that kind of
thing. Is that something that, um, would be quantifiable? Do you think? (unable
to hear speakers in audience)
Teague: We're gonna need you to go to the mic. I'm sorry about that (mumbled)
reintroduce yourself.
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Decker: Um, I think, yeah, you could do a com-check analysis and focus it specific....
which is one of the government's energy audit programs. There's some other
ones that we use too, but yeah, you could .... you could, uh, you could do an
analysis of that. We do, I mean we do that with other things. We do that with
pools that have, you know, like Robert A. Lee has, you know, open and close to
the outside. You have to do those sorts of ...you know, it's complicated, it's
complex, but yeah, it can be done.
Bergus: Cause overall with a building of this scale, and longevity. I appreciate what
you're saying, that it would be built to last 100 years, but it's disappointing to not
have more of an emphasis on the sustainability or the environmental impact and
minimizing that, um, for this .... the scope of the project. So I just, you know, to
me that was relevant in terms of the .... the skywalk. Um .... are there other
skywalk comments? Are we trying to go categorically here (laughs) (several
responding and laughing)
Teague: (several talking) I guess one question I would have in relation to the skywalk, is
this somethin' that you could add in the future?
Decker: Yes.
Teague: Okay.
Decker: Yeah. It's.... it's.... it would be one of the, I mean (mumbled) architects would...
would understand it better than me, but we .... we've done that, um, not `we,' but
that's been done. Um, there's one behind the, uh, the new hotel that goes to the
City parking ramp. It might have to be done a little bit differently, um, but if you
know you're gonna.... potentially do it, like they did at Voxman, you can sort of
create a structural landing pad for it that could be landed on later. Yes, you could
add it later.
Weiner: I don't have a comment on .... on the skywalk at this point, but on the parking
issue. The .... the development is directly catty -corner to an existing large parking
structure. Um, and one of ...one of the goals of Council for some years now has
been walkability, reducing the ... reducing number of cars, reducing number of
trips, uh, and .... and creating real walkable spaces. It's .... the Anne Cleary
Walkway's been referred to a couple of times. And I think that, at least from my
personal perspective, it would provide a much cleaner, clearer.... Anne Cleary -like
Walkway if we did not have, if it did not have all the parallel parking spaces, and
I....
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Mims: Angled you mean?
Weiner: The angle .... sorry! The angled parking spaces, because it seems to me that there
is sufficient parking nearby, especially in the evenings with the .... with the
existing parking structure that could easily compensate for that.
Decker: You want me to comment on that?
Weiner: Well sure.
Decker: Um....I.....I agree with you to an extent. Um. .... I think Burlington becomes the
critical issue there, and I know the City has looked at, urn .... planning (mumbled)
efforts and projects that would deal with that. I know the University has
concerns. Burlington's obviously, uh, a state highway, is considered a state
highway as well. Um, I think that's part .... it's a good point. I think if there was a
skywalk across Burlington, which is I think why we were looking at that early on,
um, that that would be .... and I think that's why they looked at that at Voxman too,
is because they realize that those, um, ramps can provide .... an amenity to
something south of Burlington, sort of the near -downtown district, provided you
feel like parking there and getting across Burlington pretty easily. I think if you
don't have that, then it ... I .... I think it's going to function just differently, until that
happens. Not for everybody! But as it ... in a general sense, and I think that... that's
at the ... we've talked about this, and the owner f=ly believes that... that.... that is
critical, that parking is critical to the success of those few.... businesses that they
have in that. Whereas on Washington Street, with the parallel parking, there's less
parking but you're less concerned about it because it is so walkable. Urn .... but
no, I think it's a good point. That's .... but I think that's sort of the ... the gist of it,
in terms of the flow of traffic across that street, the pedestrian traffic. So....
Bergus: To the businesses that will be in the building, and the parking you just mentioned,
I think I'm misunderstanding, or maybe you just.... switched what you said, but
the .... the parallel parking on Washington Street, that's a very walkable area, with
businesses.
Decker: Yep!
Bergus: And ... the businesses don't seem to suffer from the fact that there's parallel
parking there.
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Decker: Correct.
Bergus: Um, so I .... I don't think it makes sense that then having angled parking is
necessary for the viability of the businesses.
Decker: Sure! Well I think that this is not downtown. So you're not gonna have the ... I... 1
don't know, I can't speak for the owner. I mean I can speak (mumbled) I'll speak
to their thoughts as well as I can. But I think that they feel that since this is off of
downtown, a bit, and is going to be critical for the success of those businesses to
be able to have drive -up customers.
Bergus: So those businesses won't be oriented towards people who live in the building or
within a walkable vicinity?
Decker: (both talking) ...the cafe, uh, you know, I have no idea what the plans for the
restaurant are, the type of it. I would guess something similar to the Vue. I can
tell you that's not really oriented towards student traffic. We .... we see it, our
office is right there. That pretty much is like a post -5:00 crowd that kinda arrives
once the students leave, and I think (both talking)
Bergus: Also not angled parking there though, right?
Decker: Uh, the Clinton .... the Clinton Street, if you look at the master, I .... I, that I should
remember, cause we're right next to it, but there's not much parking period (both
talking) on Clinton.
Bergus: Okay.
Decker: It actually is desi.... I can speak to the master plan of Clinton Street, on that block,
and it is desi.... the master plan shows angled parking on that block .... uh, directly
adjacent, cause I was actually going to show the master plan, of that, cause there's
a .... I don't remember what cut it is. There's a GG or an HH cut right to that
block, one block over from this, and it shows angled parking in the master plan,
with bike lanes. So .... and that is, as Geoff mentioned earlier, Madison and
Clinton are designated as the primary, uh, cycling route thoroughfares. This is
not. So those are designed as the primary cycling route thoroughfares with angled
parking on them. Clinton doesn't have it, but that's what the master plan shows.
Bergus: Thank you.
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Teague: Thank you, Rob.
Decker: Thanks.
Teague: So....
Thomas: I'll ... I'll, I have a few more comments, and then I .... I have a few slides, and I, I'll
just .... I have a longer discussion here, but perhaps.... since we're deferring it
I'll .... I'll just try to focus on the headings of some of my concerns. You know, as
we've noted, this has been a two year project. So since.....since it began we've,
uh ,enacted a climate action plan. So climate now has become, you know, an
important piece of our deliberations and .... and what we do. And I'm concerned
with how .... how does this project reduce carbon emissions, if at all, and it's
potential heat island effects, which are associated with, urn .... with climate, you
know, cli... you know, the increase in ... in CO2 in the atmosphere. So .... so one of
my concerns then would be how do these tall buildings.... and I'm .... I'm kind of
defining a tall building as anything over nine to 10 stories. You know, how do
those tall buildings, especially if they take up the entire block, uh, reduce the solar
access of the adjacent buildings and the open spaces to sunlight, thus reducing the
passive solar gain and natural light that would otherwise.... fall on those buildings
and open spaces. Um .... and if you....if you look at our Downtown and
Riverfront Crossings master plan, uh, which does show tall buildings. They are
typically, urn .... they have a small.... typically have a small footprint. Uh, they do
not extend the full block length, as this proposal does. Uh, and that's.... that's not
uncommon where cities pursue tall buildings. They .... they realize that the value
of them, especially with residential buildings housing residents, that ... uh, it's
preferable in many ways to have tall buildings have smaller footprints, so that
they maintain views across the cityscape. Uh, you know, this building.... running
the full block, maybe something around 300 -feet long? If I'm not mistaken. So
you have a .... a building 300 -feet long, 160 -feet high, um, forming a visual
barrier, running north -south, and there are two of them. Uh, so that .... that's going
to have a significant impact on the light quality on the Burlington Street, the re...
the reopened Capitol Street, the open spaces within the project itself, and in ... and
in certain respect, the project itself will be having that impact on itself, because
it's two discrete buildings. So .... the carbon, the carbon aspects of this project, I
think, because of its size are a concern to me. Um, I would also .... and I think this
was brought up in the presentation, how .... how adaptable will this building be
over its lifetime to different forms of occupancy? Um .... this is even, I would
argue, a .... uh, a, you know, privately -owned high-rise that's student -oriented is
itself a new building type to Iowa City. I mean we have The Rise. This .... this
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would be ... uh, similar to The Rise, but larger in size, with it being two buildings.
So the question of its adaptability is uncertain. It's a .... it's a new building type.
We also have, as many people have noted, urn .... in .... in terms of the student
housing market, we're facing considerable uncertainties, both in terms of the
increased supply, uh, that's coming onboard, um, the .... the concern that ... by the
end of this decade there'll be a significant drop in the student population, and also
that the, um ... University of Iowa is still considering housing its second -year
students. So all of those things could have an impact on the demand for student
housing in Iowa City. We certainly, I think, would want this project to be able to
....be resilient through those changes, which in my mind would suggest that it be
flexible in terms of its occupancy and attract a non -student population as well.
Um, I'm not certain that it will, um, if that building type would appeal to a non-
student population, and .... would a non -student be interested in cohabiting with a
building that may be some percentage of students? That too is .... is not something
that I'm familiar with. Um ... but lastly I think I would just talk to the ... the idea of
what I ... what I like to refer to as density done well, and architecture where the
City comes first. And I think that speaks to the.... what.... what, in terms of the
criteria, refer to the quality and character of the neighborhood that surrounds the
project, and I ... I would like to try to articulate that a little bit further, uh, by saying
that, you know, building a great project, which is defined in this case by the
buildings and the streets, require that the ... that each building along its length excel
in its own right; uh, is of an appropriate scale; respects the adjacent open spaces,
buildings, residents, and businesses; and contributes to a safe, comfortable, and
interesting pedestrian environment. So in a sense, all the pieces of the project —
the streets, the buildings — adapt to one another, forming a better and more
coherent whole. Uh, so one .... one thing I've always felt with this project, uh, and
it's been pretty consistent. I mean I think you .... you've definitely given the
direction you want to take this project and proved it. Uh, but in .... in essence I
think it has remained the same. Uh, and so ... I've always, given the fact that our
comprehensive plan for Riverfront Crossings had really called for smaller
buildings, significantly smaller building. Uh, what other options might have been
considered, uh, so we have kind of a range of options from what was initially
reflected in the comprehensive plan to the project that you've been proposing.
And, uh, I had hoped we would have an opportunity to kind of explore that and
see what seemed to be the best project, with respect to that .... that definition that I
was just describing. Um, but that didn't happen. It didn't happen because the,
you know, we had kind of a .... a temperature reading of the previous Council in
terms of what, you know, what would be the appropriate project and ... the majority
felt what was being presented was the way to go. Uh, so the .... the opportunity to
explore other options really wasn't taken advantage of. So .... so that's what I did
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over the last couple of weeks. I .... I asked myself what would I conceivably use
as a model, much in the way Geoff described Anne Cleary Walkway as a model,
uh, for both the building and the .... the.....the reopening of Capitol Street as part
of the project. So see if I can work this thing.....(talking in background) Okay,
so .... as I was saying, I was kind of trying to look for models of student housing
that could .... came closer to the vision as .... as described in the, um, Downtown,
Riverfront Crossings master plan, that might give us suggestions as to how we
might move forward on this project. Or some of the qualities and characteristics
it might have. And, um .... so this .... this first project is in Seattle, Washington.
It's student housing for, uh, students at the university. Uh, student residents have
been, uh, reside in a,really what's a student residence district, west of the main
campus. And, um .... this is a project, uh, representing, you know, two residence
halls — Maple and Terry Halls — and it was done by the same architect, um, but as
you can see the buildings are different, um, so that along the streetscape quality
there is some differences in the architectural character. Um .... the .... the architects
mapped .... the, in terms of the solar access issue, the ... the architects mapped the
sunlight patterns on each facade and varied the window sizes accordingly. So
there was a little bit of a difference in the facades, driven by the question of solar
access. Um, you can also see how some of the windows are operable, can be
opened. And then in terms of the space between them, uh, you have a public
plaza framed by the seven -story buildings that serve as a pedestrian corridor that
extend the ground floor activity and .... into the .... into that outdoor public space.
Uh, the second one is in Los Angeles. It's called, uh, USC Village. And in a
similar way, uh.... I, student residents, uh, campus, which is actually 15 acres, so
it's a much broader mixed-up project. Uh, but the buildings you see in the image
are of the ... the student residential component of that project, and it too, um, is
framing a pedestrian corridor, linking the town center of the mixed-use
development to the USC campus, uh, and providing a linkage, uh, between the
two. And all of that sort of reminded me, it was interesting that Geoff brought up
Anne Cleary Walkway because I think that's kind of our local expression of these
same ideas that .... that I found in the Seattle project and the, uh, USC project. Uh,
and I .... I included this image because it sort of shows the .... the extent of the
Anne Cleary Walkway with, uh, the Pentacrest at the bottom of the image, but it
also shows, uh, the Pappajohn Business Center to the .... to the east of Anne
Cleary, along Jefferson and Clinton. And it has an interior courtyard. Um, that's
open to the south .... and it's bounded by the surrounding buildings, but the
buildings are of a relatively low height, so it ensures that that interior courtyard
has maximum sunlight. I haven't been in that space, but I understand it's a
very .... very beautiful, um, and .... and well -used outdoor space. But here .... here,
sort of like with the student residences, kind of the image of Anne Cleary
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Walkway looking south toward Old Capitol. You can see it framed by the ... the
trees. And again, the kind of the same sort of outdoor room that you saw with the,
um, previous images, framed by mid -rise buildings, again roughly in the same
height as called for in our comp plan, um, with a ... the corridor running, the
pedestrian corridor running down through the center, and then, uh, to the edges,
spaces for lingering. You know as we .... as we've been saying, there are going to
be ... whatever the size of this project, um, easily over a thousand students living in
it. Um, I .... I could envision, um, that full right-of-way being developed in a way
which would favor the pedestrians, uh, as well as lingerers. You know we have
towns in Iowa that are the size of. ... the population that could be in these
buildings. So ... having that open space, uh, that serves as the .... the center of the
development as a primarily pedestrian -oriented space, I think, is .... is a wise way
to go. And then as you move forward on that same space, the same qualities are
maintained, um, you know some new buildings, some old buildings, all of
different architectural character, but they all reinforce the sense of that space
being a beautiful outdoor room, always being reminded of the fact that it's this
primary corridor within Iowa City being the, um, access with .... on Capitol Street,
lea .... leading toward, uh, Old Capitol and the Pentacrest. And then this, once you
pass through the .... the Anne Cleary Walkway, you see the, um, Pentacrest itself,
um, with McBride and Jessup framing the space, and one concern I have is how
this current view, uh, which I think you can see kind of that sky view framing,
serving as the back....backdrop to Old Capitol, if the proposed project will in any
way affect that view. Urn .... I tried to do some rough calculations and it appeared
to me that the .... the height, the top of the elevation of. ... of the proposed building
would be a little bit higher than the dome. So I'm.....I'm not, you know, sure
how that will impact this view, or other views, looking south. Um, but this... for
me, is one of the iconic views of Old Capitol. Um, one .... one unique thing about
the Capitol right-of-way, unlike Iowa Avenue, is you can occupy it. You're
running right down through the center of it and .... rather than being on the edges
as you are on Iowa Avenue, so it's not.... it's the side elevation, it's not the frontal
elevation, but I think the view of it, um, is still an important one in Iowa City, and
I would hope that the project would not diminish it. This .... this view, I think, is
more significant than the view looking north from, uh, the project area, partly
because it's on the same elevation, urn .... the ..... the ground elevation is similar.
Sol....I would just end by saying that the Cleary Walkway emerged over decades
through a series of coordinated actions that have given us one of Iowa City's and
the University of Iowa's most beautiful spaces, and that how can 12 E. Court
contribute to what is already a wonderful corridor. It's aligned on the same axis.
Could extend it, as Geoff was describing, further south and be an extension of this
truly remarkable, um, kind of pedestrian -oriented north -south corridor that runs
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through Iowa City. So those .... those were some of my thoughts, again, of trying
to expand our ...our thinking about the potential of the project.
Mims: Danielle, can I ask you a question please? When I'm looking at the .... the table
number one that has the summary of the bonus height request, and reading the
text, my understanding is that any, uh, height transfer based on the public right-of-
way has to be approved by Council, is that correct?
Sitzman: That's correct. It requires a level two design review.
Mims: Okay. And all .... and that's the same for the historic preservation?
Sitzman: Correct.
Mims: So the student housing bonus, um, that .... in this table shows to be fif...floor
number 15 is the only one that doesn't require, if it weren't the 15' floor, it
would .... am I right that theoretically this could have been done in a different
order, floor nine could have been student housing? And....
Sitzman: If the project had only added two additional floors total to its base max height, so
if it'd only been 10 stories tall, it would not have required.... automatically level
two design review. This had a condition based on it that it ... the Planning
Commission wanted to see it back again (both talking)
Mims: Right!
Sitzman: .... so .... regard ... disregarding that, that those two floors would not have required
it, and student height bonus would not have required level two design review....
automatically.
Mims: Okay. Thank you. I ... I appreciate .... I appreciate all of your comments, John, and
the context, you know, in terms of the Anne Cleary Walkway and, um .... and those
visuals. For me .... I feel like, and .... we have a new Council, but I feel like we
did, urn .... a year or more ago..... give the direction that we were, as a .... as a
whole, not every single person on Council, but as a majority of the Council, that
we did give the direction to the developers, um, that within certain constraints, we
were looking favorably at the 15 stories, and so the context, I mean, a lot of it...
Maz, you were kinda the fourth vote, and part of that was the 100% fee in lieu of,
um, and I realize we don't have the same full Council here as we did at that time.
Um .... but from that history, and from those public discussions, and from .... what
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we ... and .... and obviously developers understand they take risks, elections happen,
etc., urn .... I certainly feel compelled to continue to give my support, um, to the 15
stories. For me, there are .... a lot of pieces that we still need to decide on that ... I
guess I had hoped we could have a little bit more discussion on tonight in terms
of, and maybe.... and maybe part of it is backing up from that is the 15 stories,
um, are people even gonna support that, but I think to wait until two weeks from
now and try and walk through .... skywalk, balconies, angled versus parallel
parking, urn .... I guess I would say if we're not gonna get into a little bit more
depth on some of those issues tonight of where people are coming from, we may
have a really long meeting in two weeks, but I think everybody needs to come
really prepared in two weeks, in terms of their thoughts on those, because those
are all issues that .... that we need to give direction to staff and developer as to
what we are going to agree to. So for my perspective, I've told you how I feel
about the skywalk. I think with the height of the skywalk, with the transparency
of the skywalk, I can live with the skywalk. I wasn't really sure about that. I
think, um, I think from a .... from a climate action standpoint, I agree that that
saves, I mean when you look at the middle of the winter and ... this has been a
pretty mild winter actually, so far, other than couple short spells. Students aren't
gonna want to walk outside when it's 20 degrees below zero or even if it's 20
degrees above zero, to go to the other tower, to go back to their room, to visit
friends, to go to amenities. So to me that skywalk makes a whole lot of sense. To
me it's not in conflict with the opening of windows because there's days when it's
really nice and in the spring or the fall and you wanna have your windows open
and have fresh air. So there's two totally different reasons to have windows that
open and to have a skywalk, and to me those are not, uh, not conflicting issues.
At this point I am in agreement with staff on the parking. I know that sounds like
it's a big issue for the developer and the owner, but I think the parallel parking
gives us, uh, and .... and narrowing up the travel lanes gives us more room for the
sidewalks and as people, many people have said, we are gonna have lots and lots
and lots of pedestrians in this area, and so to have wider walkways and while it's
not designated as a bike, uh, lane or bikeway, there's gonna be bikes there. There
are going to be bikes and there's just so much more chance for accidents with
people backing out of an angled parking spot than there is with parallel parking,
and so, um....at.....at this point, unless I can be convinced otherwise, I'm
definitely inclined to go with staff's recommendation, um, on the parallel parking.
Um, I think there's some others here, but those are some of the key ones and I just
(both talking) Pardon? Oh, balconies, yes I .... I support the balconies. I think
that .... I think the screening, I like the materials, um, and I think to .... to John, to
your point also about flexibility of use in years down the road, um, I think
everybody likes to have that ability to get outside from their living space, and um,
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do we, you know, do we run some risk in terms of noise and things like that? We
do, um, but I .... I agree, I like the idea of balconies. I like to be outdoors, and I
think a lot of other people do. So I would also support the balconies.
Thomas: I guess I'll just quickly say on that that, uh, like the modeling studies that I was
looking at, you know, what is it .... what's my reference here? Um, you know,
what I will be doing in the next two weeks is looking at student residences, I
mean that's what this project is being presented to us as, and urn .... I mean off the
top of my head I cannot think of many residence halls of this scale that have open
balconies. I, you know, I may find them (laughs) over the next two weeks, but
um, when I think of the residence halls even on, you know, serving the University
of Iowa, I cannot think of one, you know, correct me if I'm wrong, that has
outdoor balconies. So .... it's.....it's one of those, and I ... at the same time
understand the need for them in a certain respect, in terms of promoting the idea
that the use of this building.... you can almost be sure it may change over time, so
it needs to be built for change. But you ... you, we're running into a conflict there,
in .... in my opinion, in terms of how the project, uh.... can be, you know, designed
to serve what we clearly are pointing toward as a student -oriented, uh, facility that
may over time change. Uh, that in itself is kind of a new, particularly of this
building type, uh, a new scenario.
Salih: I really wanna propose that since we gonna defer this, and some people they don't
wanna do their commenting, even like Bruce said he gonna continue on this later,
and also I think if I understand (mumbled) you know right (unable to understand)
same thing. So let us go ahead and defer it, and please everybody have to make
up their mind (laughs) for next meeting, so we have a lot of information here and
we have a lot time to digest this information so we can come ready next time.
Bergus: I just have a couple more questions, as someone who wasn't exposed to .... to a lot
of this, if I could. Um, for staff, Danielle, I think you said, um, staff was opposed
to the balconies, um, with a development of this density. Is .... is that .... is that
kind of a correct .... so a smaller development or a less dense development the
balconies might be okay, is that....
Sitzman: Yeah, the concern was really about the intensity of the use, the density of the
number of units on one site vertically, with that type of feature.
Bergus: So would .... this is really kind of putting you on the spot, but ... if it had fewer
balconies in a similarly dense (both talking)
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Sitzman: I'm not sure if I could tell you what the threshold would be (both talking)
Bergus: Right!
Sitzman: So ... talking about the bonus height that they're talking about, more than eight
stories, anything in that range I think we would have the same concern.
Bergus: Okay.
Fruin: We .... we can provide you, or ask the, uh.... uh, applicant to provide you the
number of units that have a balcony and the number (coughing, unable to hear
speaker) that don't. They may .... they may know that right now, cause it's not...
you don't? Not every unit has a balcony on this ... in this project. So we could
provide that to ya if that would be helpful.
Bergus: That was kinda tied to my next question, which is with the floor plans that I see in
here, it does look like only the larger units have the balconies. So there's a
number of, like the one -bedroom, two-bedroom, and efficiencies, looks like those
don't. Is that correct? I mean just as a generalization.
Decker: You know for the most part it's the three bedrooms that have the balconies. I
believe there are some two -bedrooms that have balconies. Um, but without
consulting the plans, I don't warma (both talking)
Bergus: Sure! I understand. Um, but then procedurally I think, um, the CZA requires any
substantial design changes would have to come back before Council. So with the
balconies as one element, and then the comment, um, Rob, that you made about
maybe the top floors, to the flexibility of the development, maybe the top floors
would be something different than what's proposed, I mean it does look like the
floor plans that are in our packet are same thing all the way up after the fourth
floor, except for the restaurant on top of the one tower. So I think with those
changes about the flexibility of the.... development and some kind of other
housing model on top floors, I don't know, is that the kind of thing that would
have to come back before us?
Frain: Probably. Um, hard to say now, but.... probably (several talking)
Dilkes: It's always a question of judgment and how substantial the change is.
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Bergus: Okay. So that's part of just my thought process is, you know, that .... that density
of totally student -oriented housing and the fact that .... for the number of stories,
which fundamentally what this question in front of us is the .... the height, to have
them be identical all the way up seems like the least flexible, um, use and, you
know, from mixed-use, we're talkin' about the commercial on the bottom floor,
I'm very concerned about that being vacant or not being oriented towards.... users
in the area, um, and so I think anything we can do to .... anything the developer
can ... can do to show that .... it is a model that is intended to be flexible, and have
multiple uses, because we know that the student housing landscape has changed
significantly even since the Council approved the rezoning of this.
Teague: Anyone else?
Fruin: I might just offer, just in listening to your conversations, some.... some .... uh,
information that maybe we can present at the next meeting, assuming that you
defer, that could be helpful. On the skywalk, urn .... uh, I think Rob in his
presentation said, you know, the skywalk starts to block the view of the Capitol
around the courthouse maybe, around the jail. I'm sorry, round... around the jail.
We could get that precise location at which that becomes a conflict. That might
be of interest to you. Obviously when you're most under the skywalk it's not
going to block the ... the view there. Uh, so we can work to get that, uh, from
them. Uh, we could try to....again, work with the architects to determine some
comparable 10 to 15 story student -oriented buildings, be it residence halls or
private, that .... that have dense .... that have .... of, kind of similar scale that have
balconies, and see if we can show you any comparable examples there. Um, and
then on the roadway, maybe a couple of cross sections to just show ya, you know,
as Rob said, I don't think they're too hung up on lane widths, so if we take, uh...
um, the parallel parking versus the .... the, um, angled parking and showed you a
couple different cross sections on, you know, the extra width that gets added to
the sidewalks in those scenarios, maybe that would help ya. I don't wanna
present ya something that wouldn't be helpful, but if those .... if those three items
would be, we can work with the development team to ..... pull that together.
(several responding)
Teague: All right, so ... so on .... so we're gonna have a mo .... a motion to defer. Would
someone like to give that?
Salih: I make a motion to defer 12 E. Court, uh, level two design review height bonus
request for the next meeting, which is on 18 of (several talking) February. Yeah.
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Mims: Second.
Teague: Salih .... urn .... made the move and seconded by Mims. All in favor say aye. Any
opposed? Motion passes 7-0. (continues to Item 12)
Fruehling: Mayor, can we get a motion for corres ... (unable to hear, person speaking from
audience)
Mims: (several talking) Yeah, if they wanna comment let, I mean, I would just as soon
hear, if that might help us in our decision in two weeks or .... I mean, if it's brief.
Does anybody object ... or can we or .... can we since....
Dilkes: (both talking) ....deferred the item (both talking)
Mims: So we can't?
Dilkes: Well....
Taylor: No we can't (both talking)
Dilkes: (several talking and laughing) Yeah, go ahead.
Taylor: (several talking) ...but we'd be able to respond to their comments? (several
responding)
Mims: ...probably not.
Teague: Well, urn .... let's do this fust. Uh, we have a motion to accept, uh, can I get a
motion to accept correspondence?
Salih: Move.
Weiner: Second.
Teague: Moved by Salih, seconded by Weiner. All in favor say aye. Any opposed?
Motion carries 7-0. Um .... so are people warning to have, I mean if we open it up
to the public, then we probably gonna open it up to the public and have several
people maybe address this topic. Is that what we want to do?
Salih: I guess people were waiting. Okay then.
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Teague: All right. Um, we're gonna open it up to the public and ask that you keep your
comments .... (talking in background) between three to five minutes please.
McComas: Good evening, uh, my name is Rob McComas, with McComas-Lacina
Construction. Uh, we've been chosen as part of the local team of 12 E. C, as the
GC specifically. Um, we're a local contractor. We have about 130 employees,
not to mention all of the local contractors that we work with in and around the
area. Ub, one of the big reasons we were chosen is because of our experience in
the downtown area (coughing, unable to hear speaker) and specifically with the
City, uh, staff from Building Department, Engineering, all the folks. Uh, we're
very familiar with that area. We've done the Rec Center for the University of
Iowa. We've done the structure on the School of Music right next to it. We've
done Hilton Garden Inn. Uh, we've done Midwest One Bank, just south of the
existing Post Office. Uh, and then we start workin' our way through downtown,
specifically we have the project directly behind you as well; uh, Chauncey, uh,
and numerous.....hundreds of projects, in and around the downtown area. So
we're just here to kind of give our support to the project and let you know the
economic impact that it will do for, not only our 130 local employees, live in the
area, 20 minutes from the area, tops, that are here and the hordes of other sub-
contractors, in and around the area, uh, that will be a part of this process as well,
if it goes forward. So, again, just here to give our support for that, and uh, with
that I'll pass it on to .... my business partner Scott Wiley.
Wiley: (both talking) I'm Scott Wiley and I represent McComas-Lacina Construction
and not only tonight do I represent McComas-Lacina, but I represent all the sub-
contractors, the suppliers, the labor organizations, and everybody in this
community about what an economic impact this project will have. It's enormous,
and I'm just gonna take a couple items just to hit, just to .... so you realize, uh, the
impact that this will have. Based on my review of the project, the average
number of employees the 12 E. C project site, each and every day will have, is
187 employees. What an impact ...... a project brings 187 people every single day
to this project. That's an average. There's 50 -some some days, there's 300
people, and those 300 people make an economic impact on the entire downtown
of Iowa City. And we're thinking about not doing the project. Another... another,
and I know Rob brought it up, but we were talking about a total number of labor
hours close to two million labor hours. The impact that can have on the people,
our employees. I get to keep these people employed. This is important to me.
This project is important to me. And to discuss parallel parking or not, or if we're
going to cancel this project .... is to me unbelievable. I just have to say that when I
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listen to everybody, and we're talking about people's lives, their working lives,
their daily job, I hope you realize that ... what we're....what we're dealing with
here. Jobs for 187 people every day. And I guess the commitment that we see the
Clarks making on trying to keep this as local as they can, the architects, general
contractor, engineering firms, general contractor, they want to keep this local. So
not only is it those people that work there every day, it's going to affect .... other
companies and other people. Again, I just wanted to .... let everybody know we're
talking about a lot of different things, but the .... the economic impact is
tremendous, and I just wanted to add that. I'll make it short and I'll end with that,
but thank you, Council and Mayor, for lettin' me speak. I appreciate it. Thank
you.
Gerhardt: Hello, I'm Bill Gerhardt. I'm President of the Iowa State Building Construction
Trades Council. I've been here many times. You're probably aware of the
Building Trades Council is the umbrella organization for the 16 craft unions that
perform construction work. Uh.... I can tell ya, this is a big, bold project and
we're in complete support of it. Uh, as mentioned, uh, two million labor hours,
that's a big impact. That's, uh (mumbled) on a multi-year project. This means a
lot of people getting a lot of, uh, good wages. Getting health.... health insurance
and pensions taken care of. This would be a big impact for the ... for the working
class here in ... in Iowa City. To environmental wise, um .... I ..... I'm emphasized
this before when I've talked, if people wanna live downtown, we need to go up.
We just heard someone talk earlier about the decrease in pollinators. Well wait till
we don't have .... well wait until there's a decrease in farm land because we've
allowed urban sprawl to go out there. If you think that's not gonna have an
impact on food ... food supplies. Um .... third, uh.... the safety part of this whole
thing, you know we talk about, uh, skywalks, you know, that's obviously safer.
Uh, I've had some ... someone mentioned a concern about safety on the
construction site. We have a general contractor here that does quality work and
has a good safety record. Most of the sub-contractors'll be union sub -contractors
who've gone through.... their workers have gone through apprenticeship and
journeyman upgrade and have a lot of safety training. So that .... I .... I'm
convinced this'll be a .... this will be a, uh.... a great job when it comes safety -
wise, and two we talk about affordable housing. Uh.... uh.... one way to get
affordable housing is to have a surplus and then that'll drive prices down. So we
talk about ... do we, we're worried about there being too many houses but then ... or
too many places and then we're worried about there's no affordable housing. And
then we talk about, uh, there's .... a concern brought up about, uh... uh, maybe ... uh,
carbon, you know, is this sustainable? I have a son who's a sophomore and lives
in Catlett dormitory. He doesn't need a car. Next year he's thinking about
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moving off campus. He's gonna want a car. Think of all these people that'll be
living within walking distance of campus. Cars are going to be the exception
instead of the .... the norm. So I think that's, uh, that's a good thing too. So
anyway, the Building Trades are in complete support of this, uh, this has been
going on for two years, um .... we need to really roll along on this, uh, to get it
going. So thank you for your time.
Peterson: Hi.
Teague: Hello.
Peterson: My name's Royce Peterson. I'm a local carpenter with Carpenter's Local 1260.
I'm just gonna make one point, cause they've touched on pretty much everything,
but the one point I wanted to make is in the past we've had out of town
developers come in and make promises (mumbled) in tum created bad jobs and
unsafe conditions and no living wages for a lot of the workers. What I really
liked about this project is since day one, we've been in conversation with the
consultant, the general contractors, and I feel really comfortable that this is gonna
give a lot of people good jobs that have living wages and it's going to be local
people that will turn and spend money seven -fold in our community, so .... that's
all I want to touch on. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you.
Wu: Hello there, uh, Austin Wu, UISG City Liaison. Uh, we've been keeping abreast
of this for quite some time now. Urn .... but generally speaking UISG welcomes
additional housing in the downtown area, uh, in order to improve walkability,
maximize efficiency in land use, and lower housing costs. Uh, in the most
addition.... most recent addition of the UISG Renter's Guide, UI students spent
somewhere between 30 to 50% of their income on housing, on average. Given,
uh, parental assistance for some students, this is most likely an underestimate,
indicating that the majority of students at the University of Iowa experienced
some sort of cost burden state regarding housing. However, I'm concerned for
this development that the, uh, addition of certain amenities besides study areas
and courtyards could unnecessarily increase the cost of housing, uh, for these
buildings. The basketball court, track, Jacuzzi, restaurants, and outdoor pool deck
seem especially superfluous, given the proximity to metro trails, downtown, and
the campus Recreation and Wellness Center, less than a block away. Uh, I also
wonder about the energy efficiency of floor to ceiling windows seen throughout
the .... uh, throughout the development. Uh, I urge City staff and Council to take a
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very active and close look at the future planning, construction, and operation of
this development. Uh, the developer of this property has had a history of
misconduct for upkeep of their properties, and wis.... wide -spread perception of
general disregard for their primarily student tenants. Uh, the .... the developer of
this property has also had little experience with a development of this size. Um,
there's a lot to like about, uh, about the proposal that was recently presented. Um,
but there's also much cause for reticence as well. So, um .... I, uh, I liked that also
the suggestion for bringing this up in the upcoming joint meeting next week. Uh,
if it's all right to share plans with them, uh, and add it to the agenda item as well?
Would, uh, all of you approve?
Teague: I don't know that we'll be able to talk... about the project. (several talking) Oh,
okay. All right. I was referring to in the meeting, if we're there in the meeting.
Dilkes: I think he was just talking about putting it on your joint meeting agenda (several
talking)
Wu: Yeah, especially given, um, the intended purpose for housing students. (several
talking) Wonderful. Thank you.
Fixmer-Oraiz: Hello again (laughs) V Fixmer-Oraiz. First of all I wanna say thank you for the
Aid to Agency. I didn't catch that and then I was texted later so ... (laughs) thank
you very much. I should have said that in the very beginning! Um, just with
regards to the affordable housing, I really commend you for talking about the nine
million dollars in lieu .... fee in lieu, um, talking about in the Riverfront Crossings.
My understanding is that the affordable housing there is 10 years, and so it lowers
the rent only for 10 years. So sometimes I try and imagine myself, you know,
sticking around for longer than 10 years and then on year 10, uh, being told that
my rent is .... doubled. So .... I just think that there's, you know, creative ways...
the City is really in the ... only position, um, to kind of ask for some accountability
on that, um, in terms of develop .... in terms of developers, and there's been a lot
of creative solutions around, and so I'm, you know, I'm sure that staff and
Council can really consider those options, um, and yeah, so I really appreciate you
thinking about the affordable housing. You know, it's not even just that it
wouldn't be in this spot, but you're talking about again putting it off to the side.
Riverfront Crossings is amazing, I mean you know, I love going down there as
much as anybody. It's also not near .... as close to downtown. So there's some of
that integration that could happen in close proximity to the University of Iowa,
whether or not it's student intended, it's also obviously closer to downtown. So,
it's a spatial sort of relocation, but then it's also just the....the sheer number and,
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um, amount. So, thank you for considering that, and I appreciate the
conversation.
Teague: Anyone else wanna address this topic? Seein' there is none, we're gonna move on
to Item 12.
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12. Mercer Aquatic Center Pool LED Lighting — Resolution approving project
manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the Mercer Aquatic
Center Pool LED Lighting 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.
1. Public Hearing
Teague: I'm gonna open the public comment, uh, open the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
Hello, Juli!
Seydell-Johnson: Hi, Juli Seydell-Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director. This is so easy
compared to your last item! (laughter) The lights are dim over the indoor
swimming pool. We need new lights. The lights that we are proposing to replace
with are more energy efficient. Um, it's a great project that really needs to be
done sooner rather than later. Thank you. (mumbled) (laughter)
Teague: Any .... any questions for Juli, before she runs away? (laughs)
Taylor: Thank you, Juli!
Teague: All right! Public discussion, anyone like to address this topic? I'm gonna close
the public hearing. (bangs gavel)
2. Consider a Resolution
Mims: Move the resolution.
Taylor: Second.
Teague: Moved by Mims, seconded by...Thomas.
Taylor: Taylor.
Teague: No, Taylor (laughs) uh, Council discussion? Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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14. Sidewalk Cafe Policy — Resolution adopting a policy for use of public right-
of-way and City Plaza for sidewalk cafes and rescinding Resolution No. 16-
328.
Teague: Could I get a proposal?
Mims: So moved.
Salih: Move.
Teague: Moved by Mims, seconded by Salih.
Salih: (laughs) Second!
Teague: Staff, um, anyone from the .... anyone like to address this? Yes! Great!
Sovers: Uh, Scott Severs, Assistant City Engineer. Um, I think the .... the changes are
outlined in your Council action report that was in the .... in the packet, but in
summary, um .... with the recent reconstructions that we've done on, uh,
Washington Street and the ped mall, there's needs... for, need for some changes to
the ... to the policy. Um, I'll just walk through, uh, a few of those, the .... kind of
the most important ones to ... to make it short here, but um, fencing, uh, is no
longer, um, required to be anchored to the new surfacing, both on, uh, Washington
Street and in the ped mall. Um, the cafes in the, uh, in the ped mall may abut a
planter, as long as there's six -feet walkway on the opposing side. So in essence
you couldn't, um, put a cafe from, um, planter to planter. Um, that, um, I think
the idea there is to make sure that, um, there's accessibility to the businesses
along.... along the corridor. Um, the cafes on Washington Street must be detached
from the building and provide an eight -foot, uh, walkway up against the building.
Urn ... the Alcohol and Beverage Division had.... provides a little more clarity on,
um, what they require for, um .... um, cafes that sell alcohol, in terms of being
contiguous. Um, having an overhead canopy is no longer required. Uh.... and I
think that's about it. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Thomas: Scott (both talking)
Taylor: I just had a question about the anchoring.
Sovers: Sure!
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Taylor: I mean I can understand, we've got the new, uh, pavement and you don't want
them drilling holes and anchoring, but it's a very windy city. Are you
encouraging then some kind of weight system, sand bags or something, to .... to
provide anchor?
Sovers: Sure! So there's a number of cafes along the Washington Street corridor that are
not anchored right now, and it hasn't seemed to be a problem. I think, um,
they've done a pretty good job of, uh, using materials that are a little bit heavier
weight and so they haven't had issues with them moving around. I think, you
know, part of the reason why we're requiring that is, you know, with our new
pavement, um, the anchors, you know, over time that are in the concrete just get
filled with sand and they get corroded and they can't use `em, so then they have to
drill in new ones. Um, so we get a bunch of these little anchors out there. So
we're trying to prevent that from happening.
Taylor: Thank you.
Thomas: Scott, what ... what is the, um, current, uh... minimum .... distance that's.... you're,
we're going to eight feet, uh, from building face to ... where the cafe would begin.
Sovers: Correct! (both talking)
Thomas: Now it's ... is it now six feet (both talking)
Sovers: Yeah, it's reduced down to six feet.
Thomas: ...cause I ... I mean I, that's ... I'm really supportive of that, because there seemed to
be some pinch points. I think there is one near the Englert, as I recall, just a little
bit, uh, east of the Englert, where ... where the walkway seems a little narrow.
There'll be eight feet clear now.
Sovers: Eight feet clear on Washington Street, but then in the ... in the City Plaza, or the
pedestrian mall, it would be six foot.
Thomas: Right. Yeah, but on Washington I've noticed (both talking) where it seems tight.
Fruin: But that.—that's not a change. That's.... that.... it's been eight foot for....
Thomas: Oh really? Okay.
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Sovers: Yeah.
Fruin: It's actually going to be up to 10 feet in some locations, cause I think we have a
sandwich board sign zone too. So if you have a sandwich board out there it's
supposed to be 10 feet total, but yeah, the one that feels like a pinch point (both
talking)
Thomas: Uh huh.
Fruin: ...the Chophouse, that's eight feet.
Thomas: That's eight feet!
Froin: Yeah.
Sovers: Any other questions? All right!
Teague: Thank you!
Sovers: Sure!
Teague: Anyone else like to address this topic? All right! Council discussion? If not, roll
call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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15. Hickory Trail Traffic Calming Resolution authorizing the installation of
speed humps on Hickory Trail, between First Avenue and Tamarack Trail.
Teague: Motion to ... could I get a motion to approve resolution?
Salih: Move.
Mims: Second.
Teague: Moved by Salih, seconded by Mims. And hello! We have a presentation.
Ralston: Good evening, Mayor, Council. Uh, Kent Ralston, Transportation Planner. I'll
try and keep this brief. I know you've had a long night. Uh, as the Mayor
mentioned, the resolution before you authorizes the installation of speed humps
on Hickory Trail between First Avenue and Tamarack Trail. The residents of
Hickory Trail have successfully completed the Iowa City, uh, traffic calming
program. Uh, the street qualified for the program based on traffic speeds. Uh,
staff discussed the proposal with residents at a neighborhood meeting on
November 14a', and then a follow up survey, a follow up mail -back survey, uh, of
abutting residents showed a 83% response rate to the mail -back survey and then a
79% approval, uh, of the traffic calming. Uh, just by way of background, uh, the
City's traffic calming program, uh, has, it's a five-step process, and participation
in the program is entirely neighborhood initiated. It's something that the City
does not impose on the neighborhood. Uh, the first step is petitioning for traffic
calming. Once we get a valid petition we then go out and actually collect the
speed and volume data, which we did. Uh, and Hickory Trail, uh, qualified for.
Uh, the third step is a neighborhood meeting, which I mentioned we held back in
November. Uh, and we had good attendance, and basically the idea behind the
neighborhood meeting is to try and gain a consensus on how to move forward.
Uh, then the fourth step is the neighborhood survey, which I mentioned, uh, again
it had a 83% response rate and a 79% approval rate. And then the fifth and final
step is review and discussion by, uh, this body. And I'd be happy to answer any
questions you might have.
Mims: I don't have any questions but I just .... had a number of comments from people
who don't live on Hickory Trail, but live on one of the adjoining streets (several
talking) that are not happy. And are frustrated they don't have any input because
it's their only way in and out of their neighborhood, and ... they don't have any ... I
realize our policy at this point doesn't allow for that, but it's something I think we
might need to think about in the future. I realize it's not the speeds in front of
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their houses, so maybe it's justified that they don't, but there are a number of
people who are not happy with this.
Ralston: Yeah, there's a ... (clears throat) that's a pretty common response. Um, there is I
think three ... I think there were three pieces of correspondence in the packet, and
then a couple that came, uh, very late that I think were maybe, uh, sat before you.
Um .... yeah, that's a common thing. Um .... the idea behind that, of course, is that
if we expand that to residents that don't live on the affected area, they may want
to continue speeding and therefore kinda, you know, rig the system a little bit.
Um, we do post, uh, sort of real estate type signs in the right-of-way, however,
and they've been up for about a month, so we posted four signs, uh, two on either
direction of the street at two different locations, uh, that give the time and location
of the meeting, and then of course our email and phone number so that they can
actually provide that comment, and that's meant for the larger neighborhood.
Mims: Okay. Thanks.
Teague: I did speak to someone from the neighborhood and one of their concerns was
comin' off, um .... First Avenue onto Hickory Trail, there's a speed bump right
there and then ... I guess from Hickory Trail, no, Tamarack, when they make
the .... the turn onto, um, Hickory Trail, um, there's also a speed bump.
Ralston: Right.
Teague: What they're sayin' is it seems a little too soon for a speed bump, um, especially
when traffic is turnin' right away, they're not goin' as fast, um (both talking)
Ralston: We've got some standards we follow. We've got some guidance that we follow,
and the City Engineer, um, will ... will stamp this, so we'll be sure to follow all the
applicable standards.
Teague: Okay. Okay (both talking) All right.
Thomas: So you, Kent, you looked at traffic circles? I was reading in the report (both
talking)
Ralston: So we .... as part of the process, before we have the neighborhood meeting because
we want to build consensus there, we actually meet with, uh, the Streets
Department, the City Engineer, Police, Fire, um, and then the planners, um, and
we talk about all the different viable options. We talk about traffic circles, but... I
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think the engineering group thought it'd be very difficult to actually fit them in,
uh, and the other issue is, these are all T -intersections, so there's four essential....
Streets that essentially, uh, head to the north, off .... off of Hickory Trail, and
they're T -intersections, and the other thing about, um, traffic circles, we've talked
about with some other developments in the past is that you don't get any
deflection on the through street, because the traffic circle sort of sits out there.
The curb line doesn't change. So it doesn't slow folks down as much as we'd like
it to. Um, we did also look at bulb -outs, at the intersections, sort of building the
curb out a little bit to .... to pinch traffic down and slow it down. Uh, two things
with that, one is there's not .... the volumes on Hickory Trail actually aren't that
high. So our experience is that unless you have pretty high volumes and you're
actually meeting another vehicle at those pinch points is you just scoot over, you
know, if there's not an opposing vehicle. You just scoot to the middle and you can
still travel at the same speed you've been traveling at. Um, the other issue with
bulb -outs was drainage. The engineer group thought it would be hard to maintain
proper drainage. Speed humps we know work, um, they're probably the cheapest
and best option we have available.
Teague: (both talking) Thank you! All right (both talking) I think we're good. All right,
any other discussion? Yes, would you like to address this topic? Please come!
Carter: Might be quicker to write my name than (laughter) There we go! So, um, my
name's Knute Carter, so I'm from Tamarack Trail. So one of those people on the
up streets. So to begin with I'd like to thank the City, in particular Sarah, I think
Walz, Waltz, I don't know (mumbled) responding to my email inquiries. I'm here
to speak against the installation of the traffic calming measures, I believe they'll
be passed, uh, on Hickory Trail. My primary reason for the objection, and I
believe the project's in the best interest of the (mumbled) Think this money could
be better spent elsewhere. Um, my short history, the traffic studies conducted on
Tamarack and Hickory were initiated in response to the recently approved
Hickory Ridge development at the top of Tamarack. At the time the motivation
for these traffic studies was to obtain baseline traffic flow information prior to the
development that could be referred to after (mumbled) completed. The residents
of Hickory Trail didn't initiate the traffic study in response to concerns of traffic
speed. It was in response to the proposed development. I argue that the unstated,
underlying primary motivation for the installation of these speed humps is not to
reduce traffic speed as such, but to deter primarily the use of Hickory Trail as a
throughway for residents of the yet to be developed Hickory Ridge. With this
motivation in mind, I do not believe this project constitutes good use of
(mumbled) money. By the City's own assessment, the level of speed on this road
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is only just .... only just reaches the minimum designated specifications for this
program, so it's not wildly over. Uh, furthermore, the City also informed us at the
community meeting the average reduction in speed after introducing the speed
humps is likely to only be in the vicinity of one to two miles per hour. I have a
separate concern, which sort of speaks to the side residents. That I'd like the
Council to consider for future studies, I'd like it to be noted that this
neighborhood is completely dependent on this one access road, as already being
noted, uh, it's not a through road and this should make a difference to the way
Council assesses such situations. In this particular case, we're looking at a road
that's a half -mile long, uh, that has 50 residences. Eighteen of those residences,
more than one-third of the residences on Hickory Trail, are within the first 200
feet of that roadway and do not ever need to cross any of the proposed speed
humps, and never will unless they're going to visit someone further down in
the .... in there .... to access their properties they don't need to cross any. Seems
unreasonable that the (mumbled) affords these residences such a great save, while
the other 70 residences dependent on this road, who will need to traverse these
humps, have very little to say, other than as forums as such like this. Nearly done.
I've been told that Council's likely not to be too sympathetic to arguments of
personal inconvenience; however, I estimate that at 25 miles an hour, I spend 30
hours on that road, just Hickory Trail, traveling to and from (mumbled). If these
traffic deterrent devices for the new development and approved, installed, and if
my speed, our speeds were reduced to 20 miles per hour, so let's assume they're
affected, that would incur an additional seven hours of time on that road for year,
for everyone driving down Hickory Trail, as well as 10,000 speed hump
crossings. So that'd be true for everyone along Tamarack and, uh, the new
development. In conclusion, I'd like to reiterate that I believe this request has
little to do with speed (mumbled) introducing City funded barriers to deter people
from using this street as a thoroughfare, particularly the new residents of Hickory
Ridge. I'd fully support another traffic study upon completion of Hickory Ridge
and I request that you consider more pressing needs around the City (mumbled)
Thank you for your time.
Napoli: Good evening. My name (mumbled) ..... uh, my name is Jason Napoli, and I am a
resident on Hickory Trail. Um, I was one of the residents that voted
overwhelmingly in favor, um, of this initiative. Um, I can say that as a father of
two aged children, this is nothing less than a health and safety issue. Um, I was
not actually aware of, um, the, uh, component that included the opposition to the
Tamarack Rid ... uh, Tamarack Trail extension. So I can say as a parent living
directly on this road, um, it is strictly a health and safety issue, uh, for our
children. Um, so I hope you will be able to support this initiative in line with, uh,
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the way many neighbors voted. Um, I would also like to have, um, publicly thank
and commend, uh, the transportation planners, uh, Sarah Walz, I believe it was
Emily Bothel, uh, who were on, uh, they were at the meeting. Uh, they were
unfortunately, uh, personally insulted at the meeting, which I thought there was no
space for that, so I just wanna commend the ... their efforts, and thank them for
everything that they've done to have this be a fair and honest system. Thank you.
Teague: Anyone else like to address this topic? Council discussion?
Salih: I really gonna be supportive of this, because I believe those people, they came
here before, they talk about it, and you know, I thinks, uh, this is affecting mostly
the people who are live there and for their children, and we have enough people
who come out and said they want this, and our City planners said this is cheap,
they can do it. This is a cheaper option that they can do. I will be supportive of
moving this forward.
Mims: I will as well, I mean we have certain standards that have to be met in order to put
any of these traffic calming, uh, methods in place and so, you know, the data
shows that it meets those, so I ... to me I feel obligated to support it.
Taylor: I also support it. I .... I'd just like to comment that I think, uh, the numbers of the
response and the, uh, ones who indicated support were like the most amazing
number we've ever heard about with a survey, 83% responding and 79% of those,
uh, in support of it, that's pretty impressive, but I would expect that from the
group that came with a very good presentation to us and spoke, uh, for the need
for this.
Weiner: My only question is how does this number of speed calming devices affect entry
for emergency vehicles?
Ralston: Uh, yeah, that's a good question. It no doubt does to some degree, but, uh, the
Fire Chief is part of our internal committee, and we specifically asked him that
question and he ... he didn't have any major concerns.
Weiner: Thank you.
Thomas: Yeah, I'm going to be supporting it as well. In fact (laughs) I'm a little bit
surprised that it qualified, because it's, um, there is no through traffic. It's all
local traffic. I always sort of tend to think that we have, um, these higher speeds
when you have a mix of through as well as local traffic and in this case it's all
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local. So I think it's kind of unfortunate (laughs) in that way. You think people
who live in the neighborhood would appreciate (laughs) (others talking) yeah,
they ...the impact, um, and that's really unfortunate how that meeting went. Um,
I'm not a huge fan of speed humps. I would prefer it be done some other way, but
I ... I get it, they are effective and, uh, relatively inexpensive, so it seems like it's
the best we can do.
Teague: Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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16. Assessment Schedule — Resolution adopting an assessment schedule of
unpaid mowing, clean-up of property, snow removal, sidewalk repair, and
stop box repair charges and directing the Clerk to certify the same to the
Johnson County Treasurer for collection in the same manner as property
taxes.
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve the resolution?
Thomas: So moved.
Weiner: Second.
Teague: Moved by Thomas, seconded by Weiner. Anyone like to address this topic? Yes!
Moriarty: Um, hi, my name's Ian Moriarty. I live at 213 W. Benton Street, um, this summer
while I was at work one day, uh, representative of the City came out and told my
wife that the area between my garage and the neighbor's garage needed to be
mowed, which I understand, and then I did. Um, I'm the renter by the way. My
landlord bailed on me earlier. Um, if this fine goes through, he is planning on, uh,
trying to level me with the fine. Uh... so I'm kind of in an awesome spot. Um,
and so .... all I was given was a green piece of paper and the employee of the City
just said take care of that. I took care of that. I received nothing else from the
City, and then came back and found that a contractor had come out and they had
cut down desirable plants in the established garden beds, and that's what we are
being billed for today. And I just .... I don't have the money to pay this fine. I
don't think it's fair, like I did what was asked of me. I admit that yes I did let that
area get out of control and I should have been on it sooner. Um, but ... I just, I
can't afford this. And I just, if you guys can waive it or reduce it or just
something, I .... I don't know. So I'm just here alone. My landlord bailed on me.
So .... I......
Teague: Thank you for addressing Council.
Moriarty: Thanks.
Dilkes: Um, just....um, for the Council Members who haven't been through one of these
before. What we have typically done when we have someone who appears and
objects to the assessment is that we have deferred, we have, um, adopted the
resolution excluding that item, and then staff provides you with the facts from
staff's perspective at the next meeting, and then you can make a decision at that
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time. So if you wanna do that we would just need a motion to amend the
resolution to remove 213 W. Benton Street.
Thomas: I move that we amend the resolution.
Taylor: Second.
Teague: Moved by Thomas, seconded by Taylor. All in favor? Any opposed? 7-0 there.
Dilkes: So, sir, that means that this will come to the Coun.... your particular situation will
be in front of the Council on February 18a' at their meeting.
Teague: And .... and we have full name? Well, it would actually be under the (several
talking) (unable to hear response from audience)
Dilkes: Why don't you give me your .... (mumbled) (unable to hear response from
audience)
Teague: Do we need to do a roll call? Any more discussion on this item? Roll call please.
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18. Community Comment
Teague: We'll have.... Austin come up!
Wu: Hello there again, uh, Austin Wu, UISG City Liaison. Uh, first I would like to
congratulate, uh, a UI student for conduct in last night's caucuses, so a big
congratulations to Jocelyn Roof, a third -year student at the University of Iowa, for
running the satellite caucus at Phillips Hall last night, uh, I believe 318 people
attended that one, urn.... allowed them to participate with a ... without a hitch, so
big congrats to her. Um, after that there's a couple of upcoming University events
of note uh, Susan Rice, former United States National Security Advisor and
permanent representative to the United Nations will be speaking at Englert
Theater on Wednesday the 5"', so tomorrow at 7:30 P.M., presented by the
University Lecture Committee. And then, uh, singer -songwriter Rosanne Cash
will be hosting the Creative Matters lecture at Hancher on Friday the 7" of
February at 7:00 P.M. Uh, I attended the last Creative Matters lecture with Rachel
Hogan at Voxman. I was quite pleased. So I'd recommend going out to this one
as well, and both events are free and open to the public. Uh, next week will be
the inaugural joint meeting between UISG and City Council, so looking forward
to that, and that's all I have! Thanks!
Teague: Great! Thank you!
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19. City Council Information
Teague: And we'll start with Councilman Weiner again.
Weiner: So I mentioned earlier that the ECCOG meeting, which was where they passed
the budget. I also took the opportunity at the invitation to visit the Free Clinic.
Anyone who has not had the opportunity to do it, I highly recommend it. It is, the
range of services and specialty clinics, which they are now able to provide, is, um,
is incredibly impressive, as well as just the .... the number of people there now,
being able to treat people for existing and ongoing conditions, not just emergency
conditions. So they.... they're a real plus for this city, that we as a Council I
believe should be proud of funding. I also, um, along with, um, with Geoff
attended, uh, an event at Shelter House, at Cross Park Place, where they were
award... where they received a .... a sub .... a substantial amount of money, that can
potentially go to further, um, further development similar to Cross Park Place. So
helping house people w ho otherwise would never find housing, which is I think
something else the City can be very proud of participating in. Uh, and .... urn .... a
number of us, at least a couple of us on Council also helped either ran or helped
run caucuses last night, which is why probably we're a little bit quiet this evening.
(laughter) And the last thing I noticed that .... that a couple of us were planning on
attending the Chinese New Year celebration, which was postponed because of the
what is now essentially becoming a ... a worldwide pandemic, um, so I think, uh,
we just....we remain mindful of that and concerns and problems that some of our
students may .... may actually, urn .... run into in either going home or having....
having anyone visit them because of the curtailment now of travel between the
U.S. and China.
Bergus: Um, last Saturday several of us also attended the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern's
wonderful open house, um, kicking off Black History Month and just
acknowledging our leadership. So I thought that was fantastic, and you may have
more comments about that. Um, coming up this Saturday is the United Way of
Johnson and Washington Counties hundred -year celebration, which is a very large
event, I think at the Coralville Marriott, that they've been planning for over a
year, I think, so that's a neat thing. Urn .... tomorrow evening is the South District
Neighborhood Association's, um, monthly meeting, which will be held at Faith
Academy, and this month they are featuring a whole bunch of providers for youth
programming, for, uh, spring and summer. So anybody who wants to, uh, learn
what's available, not just in the South District, but throughout our community,
from all different kinds of organizations.
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Thomas: I will just mention one event. On Sunday the 9h at 2:00 P.M., as part of the
Project GREEN series, always kinda nice at this time of year to sort of
beginning.... begin to start looking a little bit ahead. Uh, there will be a
presentation of a very famous, um ... uh, Dutch garden designer, uh, his work is
being .... going to be shown in a film, uh, sounds like an interesting .... event.
Mims: I've been out of town at conference, so I have nothing else to report.
Teague: Great! Great!
Salih: Yeah, I don't have anything.
Taylor: Janice mentioned the caucus. I'd like to commend anybody that did attend their
caucus last night, either party, cause it is something that's very unique to Iowa
and .... and I think a lot of people enjoy it, and from what I hear record number
turnout, uh, lasting, so that's really great. Um, one thing I wanted to mention, uh,
couple of weeks ago I was supposed to have my radio interview with Jerry Lalor,
but I, uh, was disappointed to find out that the radio station was realigning things
at their Iowa City location and for all of you out there that were faithful listeners
to that Wednesday morning city government program, uh, thank you for listening,
and Jerry Lalor, if you're listening in, um, thank you, uh, from all of us who
you .... you always made us comfortable, and I was always impressed that you
were on top of what happened in the City! You would even stay up late and watch
these meetings so that when you interviewed us on the Wednesday morning, uh,
you knew questions to ask us, so Jerry, I wish you the best in whatever career
you're now undertaking and .... and thank you for that. I just wanted to throw that
out there. Uh.... I think I'll double check with Susan, she always knows calendar
dates. But I had on my calendar Thursday, February 130', uh, at 5:00 is the annual
Chamber banquet, is that ... do I have that right?
Mims: I don't know. I'll have to look (several talking)
Teague: It's the 130i.
Taylor: 130i, yeah, that's what I said. Thursday the 130', the Chamber banquet. Which is
always a really great event. And .... I think that's... that's all I have!
Teague: Great, and .... I wanted to say thanks to, um, fellow Councilors that were able to
make it, um, to our meet and greet, as well as to those out there, um, in the
community that came out to, um, say congrats and wish, um, Mayor Pro Tem
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Salih and myself well as we do embark upon, um, this new role, uh, this year. So
we really appreciated everybody that came, and uh, it was a great event, and so
we're very, uh, appreciative. Also wanted to just, uh, make mention about all of
the events that are happening this month surroundin' Black History Month, and so
I would encourage people to go out. I do know that this Saturday, the 15a', uh,
Human My Hoodie, um, that's Andre, urn .... that's gonna.... that's gonna be at Old
Brick, and that's gonna be from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. and that's, um,
they've.... they've, uh, wrote a book and this'll be a screening, and so that's gonna
be great. There are some more things happenin' throughout the month and so
would encourage people to go out, and .... I know you made mention about the
caucuses, um, thanks to all those that were part of that, um, gettin' out and makin'
your votes known is really good and I appreciate anyone that took the opportunity
to go out and caucus.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
regular formal meeting of February 4, 2020.
Page 76
20. Report on Items from City Staff
a. City Manager
Teague: We're gonna go to City Manager.
Fruin: Nothin'.
Monroe: I was just going to remind this group that there are police officer awards
tomorrow at 10:00 in this room, so there'll be presenting (several talking in
background) awards, Stickley Award, and Officer of the Year, at 10:00.
Teague: Great!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
regular formal meeting of February 4, 2020.