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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-14 TranscriptionJune 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 1 Council Present: Bailey, Champion, Dickens, Hayek, Mims, Wilburn, Wright Staff Present: Helling, Dilkes, Fosse, Karr, Davidson, Howard, Morris, O'Malley Others Present: Higgins, UISG Location of Affordable Housin;; (IP#2 - 6/10): Hayek/ I'm going to move up, uh, very briefly the affordable housing, uh, agenda item. I've spoken to Council on this, but to the extent there are people in the crowd that, uh...all right, well, in any event, um...I've spoken to Councilors and I was in touch with the City Attorney this afternoon. Um, city, uh, the City Attorney office on Friday received a document from the Housing Authority, or the...the Housing Fellowship, um, thick document and it alleges, uh, amid some very serious allegations, uh, concerning illegal activity and discrimination in connection with City housing decisions and policy, and uh, it's a voluminous enough document and the allegations are serious enough that, um, Eleanor's office really needs a chance to review this material and respond to it, and based on that, it's their, uh, recommendation to us that we not take up the affordable housing item tonight. Is there anything you want to add to that, Eleanor? Dilkes/ Uh, no...just briefly, given the threat of litigation, my advice would be that you not discuss the allegations of discrimination with either the Housing Fellowship or with other members of the community. Champion/ Thanks, Eleanor. Hayek/ Okay. So...having said that, why don't we move into our first, uh, bullet point, which is Metro Coalition Lobbyist David Adelman. Additions: Karr/ Mr....Mr. Mayor, what, no, no, you can come on up, no, no. I just wanted to note a couple additions to tomorrow night's agenda, and we need to post by 7:00 and those additions are, uh, 13.b., the resolution, uh, testing ashort-term lease agreement with Horace Mann before and after school program where the former St. Patrick's, uh, Parish Hall site. It'll be 13.b. 13.c. will be the resolution, um, on documents necessary for, uh, purchase of homes in the Community Disaster Grant funds...as a result of your Executive Session. We'll add those for tomorrow night. Hayek/ Okay. (mumbled) Okay, Ross? Metropolitan Coalition Lobbyist David Adelman: Wilburn/ I want to introduce to you, uh, David Adelman. He is the...lobbyist is probably, uh, the original intent, but we've gotten the lobbyist, we had our (mumbled) a little bit more, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 2 uh, work of a staffer than a pure lobbyist, but David is with Cornerstone Government Affairs, and um, he has experienced some grass root advocacy, um, and (mumbled) legislative campaigns, and (mumbled) legislative language, uh, he heads the firm's operations in Iowa, managing the Des Moines' office and providing state government relations and business consulting services to a broad and diverse set of clients. Um, prior to, uh, that he was an Associate at Brick Gentry. He focused, his practice focused on government relations, legislative law, uh, and election law. Uh, before that he was with the Department of Justice (mumbled) Attorney General's office, uh, he clerked at the McEnroe Law Firm in West Des Moines, uh, raised in Des Moines, um, has a B.S. in Marketing and Business Legal Studies from Miami University, and uh, a Certificate in International Business Study in London, England, and he has his law degree, uh, with a Certificate in Legislative Practice, certificate from Drake, right here in Iowa. Um, David joined the Coalition as a lobbyist, um, was it, gosh, how long ago was that now? (mumbled) Yeah, um, you recall our prior, uh, lobbyist, uh, passed away. Avery unfortunate and courageous battle with cancer, and um, I think the Coalition, several Coalition members were familiar with David, uh, and uh, crossed paths with him on The Hill in Des Moines, and uh, so he put together a good package for us to consider. We asked, uh, David to come to have some time with the Council. He's going around to all the councils. I think primarily be, uh, several of the councils have, uh, I think a legislative committee, uh, as opposed to the full council, uh, but I explained to David that he would be coming to our work session and we'd put him at the beginning so he could, uh, meet each of you, um, hear about some of our, uh, interests as Council Members so he can get kind of a flavor of what this Council's like as, uh, he gets, uh, approached with, um, different things related to, uh, the overall Coalition goals and objectives, um, but I think also just giving him...personal experience with each of the cities to hear kind of the...the different nuances between the concerns, even though we're all the larger metropol, uh, metro cities in the state, uh, we each have our own unique character. So, with that said, I'll, uh, let David say a few words and then uh, if there's any questions you want to ask of him. Adelman/ Perfect. Ross, I appreciate the introduction. Mr. Mayor, thank you for having me... Members of the Council. Uh, I guess....I passed around my biography and Ross did a, I think, pretty good job explaining, uh, my background, but uh, I...I am from Des Moines. Went to Miami University. Not University of Miami, uh, and came back to Des Moines for law school, uh, worked in D.C. for a while, and came back and uh, developed the Brick Gentry's, uh, political group, or government affairs department. Uh, just recently, uh, I joined Cornerstone Government Affairs, uh, which is a bi-partisan, uh, lobby firm, uh, based in Washington, D.C. They have two state offices, one in Baton Rouge which they established about three years ago, four years ago, and then this one, which we established about five weeks ago. Uh, a lot of their work, uh, does involve municipal clients at the federal level, um, some of you that are on the list-serve, uh, if...I guess as we move forward, if you want to be on the Metro Coalition's list-serve, please just feel free to email me, uh, I've been forwarding, uh, some of, uh, I guess the federal government funding or....or grant opportunities, uh, just kind of on the side now that I have those at my disposal. But, uh, like Ross said, I signed with the Metropolitan Coalition last January, uh, at that point there was obviously, uh, kind of a rollercoaster of This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 3 activity, uh, very close friend of mine was Erica Anderson and she did, uh, pass away, uh, because of that, or...one of the effects of that was that the Metro Coalition didn't really have a set plan of what exactly they were going to...to take on, uh, and we used these, the Metropolitan Coalition 20101egislative priorities as kind of a road map for me to, uh, to begin my work last legislative session. Prior to last session, uh, Ross has informed me that these priorities were limited to, you know, three or four very specific, very targeted, uh, as opposed to this general overview, uh, which I think, um, Ross's intent and maybe Members of the Council would be to be a little bit more streamlined and a little bit more focused. Uh, from the legislative priorities, you can see based on the legislative report that, uh, I had wrote at the end of the year, what we were able to accomplish, what we were able to, uh, proactively, uh, engage in, and what we were proactively able to, uh, to defeat. Uh, as you'll notice, uh, my email address and uh, work phone number are, um, are different than my business card because obviously, uh, I was with a different firm at that point. Uh, you know, sometimes people ask why, uh, the Metro Coalition. Is there a duplication of...of what the League of Cities does? Uh, or individual lobbyists, uh, for cities. Some cities employ their own lobbyist. Uh, and it's...it's a way that we've been able to focus, really carve out the nine largest cities', uh, strategies. Uh, we feel that we are a compliment to the League of Cities, and in addition to what the League of Cities, uh, advocates for, we're able to add an additional voice. Uh, there are, uh, issues that a city of, um, you know, 50,000 have that a city of 5,000 doesn't, or they don't feel is the top priority, uh, obviously very specific situation would be 411 cities, uh, as far as fire and police retirement systems. Being able to work with the League of Cities, but also having a voice, um, with the...the nine cities that I represent having, uh, a 411 system in it. But, uh, in addition to kind of doing how Erica had done it, I include the, uh, the League of Cities in all my correspondence during the legislative session. I send out a weekly, uh, news, uh, newsletter, uh, very similar to the end of session report, a little bit more streamlined, and every other week we do a conference call, talking about, uh, the...the issues that have arisen. Um, you know, I think there is this saying government is like, uh, is like making sausage. You don't want to see, uh, what, uh, what you're putting into it, but hopefully the end product tastes pretty good (laughter) uh, the problem is though, you've got, um, things that arise at the last minute, and those conference calls, those legislative reports really help out, uh, keeping all of you informed, uh, and keeping client communication, uh, keeping client communication up. Uh, in the interim, what we've decided to do is, uh, really engage the Metropolitan Coalition, really create a voice for it. Like I said, you know, with me starting in January last year, there wasn't an opportunity to meet the councils, and the differences the councils have and the similarities. Uh, that's why we're doing this, uh, the nine city...the nine city Iowa tour. Uh, you know, hopefully it's like the, uh, the Grassley 99-county tour, but a little bit more favorability in Iowa City, um, and so we've been, uh, we've been doing well thus far, uh, really talking to the...the cities, hearing what they want to do, and what they, uh, what their priorities are. I know it's early, but I do feel like we need to get started now, uh, July 8th will be our first legislative retreat. Uh, it'll be up in Ames. Uh, that's an opportunity for, uh, delegates, I guess, of each city to come in and uh, and talk about what they want the Metro Coalition to be...be a part of. In addition to that, we will piggyback on the League of Cities' annual conference in September, uh, where we'll be able to finalize our legislative priorities so we can go to the, uh, go to each council, or This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 4 excuse me, go to each, uh, legislature, uh, and...and explain what our issues are, and so they can, uh, be advocates for you, as well, in addition to just myself, uh, up at the Capitol. Uh, as far as future priorities, uh, these are something...these are a couple that I just want to throw out, but in addition to these, uh, really think about it in the next couple weeks what you want, uh, the legislature to do, or frankly, what you don't want them to do. A lot of issues that, uh, cities face, in the legislature are, uh, defensive, as opposed to offensive. But, uh, some things that I...I had written down from prior city meetings and just things, uh, that are going to be, uh, annual events, or annual issues, uh, from the priorities are going to be the flood mitigation, uh, the, uh, rebuild Iowa office has , uh, submitted a, uh, flood plain management practices, uh, or uh, or moratoriums on development. Those types of things, I think, cities need to be very careful of, because a lot of times your development, or your redevelopment happens right along, uh, right along the river. Obviously you guys have a very, um, personal first-hand knowledge of what's happened, uh, and so you want to be able to be the experts on this, as opposed to, uh, as they say some bureaucrat in Des Moines telling the City of uh, Iowa City what to do and how to do it. Uh, I think alternative revenue is going to be a big issue, uh, with this being anon-election year you have an opportunity to potentially, uh, create some more funds coming into your city, whether that is, uh, certain pilot programs or uh, hotel/motel tax. Those are things that, uh, I think we should be thinking about. Also, uh, the differences between coops, apartments, and condominiums. I know there is a lot of issues that are happening in city councils right now, uh, and they're going to be, uh, an opportunity to have our voice heard up at the legislature in January...to be able to, uh, create a more statewide approach to that. Like I said, the 411 system, also the road use tax fund. Uh, is there going to be a gas tax, and does, you know, does the Metro Coalition want to speak out in favor or against it, or be able to help shape whatever that legislation looks like. Uh, high speed rail is a perennial issue. The one thing that we have to be careful with with the Metro Coalition is, I'm not representing individual cities. So a lot of, uh, where we're looking, uh, with high-speed rail is Chicago, obviously, to Iowa City. Uh, so Sioux City doesn't like the fact that we're wasting political capital, uh, on...on an issue like that, but those are things that we can definitely monitor, and look out for... for your best interests. Uh, if a, uh, if, uh, former governor Terry Branstad wins the governor's, uh, the...the gubernatorial race, he continues talk about commercial property tax reduction. Well, what's going to happen when, uh, that revenue is cut? We want to make sure that if...whoever is governor, we want to have a plan where that backfill occurs, and so cities aren't the ones left holding the stick. We'd be able to prepare for the future, and also uh, workforce housing. Uh, we found this, uh, really started in Dubuque, but uh, all the nine cities have issues with this. This is, uh, housing that does not qualify for low-income housing, but is still needed, where uh, it's college graduates that don't have the credit score to be able to, uh, take out a loan or a mortgage on a house, but they're making enough where they don't qualify for low-income, uh, housing. There are opportunities right now at the federal level to work with the state to be able to create that...that workforce housing. So, um, those are really what I have. In addition to this, I want to do a day on the hill where, uh, you know, members of the Coalition come up and meet with the Governor, uh, and meet...meet with the Council, but also one thing that I want to ask you, which I know that the city of, uh, Sioux City has done and, uh, I apologize if you do it also, but have a legislative day...for...for, uh, your This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 5 colleagues that go up to Des Moines during the winter, and talk to them, what your priorities are, uh, before. Obviously your, uh, legislators are all very experienced, uh, and...and do know what's going on, but sometimes there's a fresh face, or a new issue, that they're going to look to you to be the expert on. Uh, and for them to deliver the message. Uh, I guess in addition to that, what I've been doing as I've been meeting with, uh, members of different city councils is kind of hearing from them what their issues are, what they found to be, uh, worthwhile with the Metropol...Metropolitan Coalition, what they haven't liked with the Metropolitan Coalition, what some of their concerns are. Uh, I promise I won't take too much offense, since I haven't been, uh, been representing the Coalition for...for almost a year now, but uh, hopefully this'll be constructive criticism to be able to have the Coalition be a stronger voice, uh, in the future and beyond. So... Wilburn/ Just FY David, we do meet with our local delegation, um, and has it been...November? Bailey/ November, December before the session. Adelman/ Great! Bailey/ And I think we have pretty good regular contact with them during the session, I mean, they're pretty accessible on weekends. Adelman/ Good! Hayek/ Well, Ross has been our...our primary conduit to...to the group, and doing a great job, um, and I...I don't see any need to modify that...that arrangement, if you're still (both talking) Wilburn/ Well, actually, um...specific with like the retreat, and as...as trying to, uh, because I'm the Chair, uh, of the Coalition, it's...it can be challenging as the Chair to strongly advocate for Iowa City, without monopolizing the conversation, um...um, I think I've been pretty successful at keeping...the group, at least sort of talking to each other. Um, and...and um, calling upon different voices to respond or react, but uh, I...I think, uh, the...the more the Mayor's able to attend those meetings, uh, that...that frees me up as the, you know, as the Chair to keep things...keep things moving there, and uh, and actually, uh, the intent for...the original intent was for the mayors to be the primary, uh, members of the, I don't mean to put you on the spot here, but (laughter) um, to be, you know, the primary, uh, folks conversing, that was kind of the original, uh, intent, and it was just, uh, at that time, uh, we were in a transition and the Coalition was just getting going and, uh, the, uh, existing mayors had asked me to stay on as the Chair as we kicked things off. So... Hayek/ Well whatever you...however you want to proceed. If you just want more help, or if you want to change up in the way things are...are done from Iowa City to the Coalition, uh, I'm game for whatever. If, you know, to the extent the rest of the Council wants to help, great too, so... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 6 Adelman/ I think it's a great opportunity, also, for the nine mayors to be able to get together and really be able to brainstorm, and really be able to come up with some innovative ideas that, uh, that truly do impact, help, you know, those larger cities in Iowa. And the reason I say nine is because, uh, Waterloo, uh, was never part of that. However, there's a new mayor of Waterloo, so we're trying to engage him, uh, and... and get them on, because I think, you know, it sounds a lot better when I say the top ten cities. (laughter) Hayek/ It does always raise an eyebrow! (several talking and laughing) Who's the holdout! Adelman/ That's right! Hayek/ Are there any other questions for David? Adelman/ And obviously feel free to call me, uh, email me anytime, uh, and you know, we'll be reaching out to you. Just wanted to come, obviously, to each council and really be able to, uh, to, uh, stick my hand out and say thank you, but also, uh, I'm here to help, so... Hayek/ Appreciate that. Champion/ We appreciate you coming (several talking) Hayek/ ...the information is good too. Adelman/ Absolutely! Hayek/ All right. Ross, anything else? Wilburn/ Uh, the only other thing I will add, and I'll touch with you later, um, as we continue on with the legislative reports, I would not assume or presume that, uh, on each item that is listed that, uh, any of the mayors or any of the councils are familiar with the issues, uh, you might need to start putting a little bit more, you know, as those issues get going you may need to keep a template summary of what the issue is, and then put the status. Adelman/ Absolutely! Absolutely, that's good to know. You know, it's interesting and...and, uh, that spurs the thought, when Ross commented that with the...the League of Cities, uh, advocating obviously on behalf of the 944 cities in... in Iowa, and the Metro Coalition, uh, representing the nine largest cities, you sometimes have a different dichotomy that...that um, that sits on the council, a demographic that sits on the council, uh, a perfect example of that is the prevailing wage, uh, legislation last year. Prevailing wage, um, obviously is a set wage for construction projects. The League of Cities took a, uh, a anti, or declared against that piece of legislation, where the League, or excuse me, where the Metro Coalition stayed neural on it. A lot of that is because obviously this is, uh, a pro-union legislation and um, many of the councils, uh, members are, their constituency are...are unions. One thing that we were able to do with that legislation was create an opt-out provision, where a city was able to opt out of the prevailing wage on a case-by- case basis, or aproject-by-project basis, to make that maybe have legs a little bit more. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 7 Uh, a background that I have that actually isn't on this bio is, uh, just recently I ran for the at-large Des Moines city council seat, so there's a lot of issues that, uh, that I guess I was able to understand, or bring that kind of, uh, that experience, uh, as Metro Coalition helped kind of shape those priorities. So... Hayek/ Anything else? Good. Well, thank you for making the trip. Adelman/ Thank you. Appreciate your time! Hayek/ Look forward to working with you. Adelman/ Great! Hayek/ All right. Move on to the Planning and Zoning items. Planning and Zoning (b, c, fl: b) AMENDING THE IOWA CITY ZONING CODE, SECTION 14-4E-8, NONCONFORMING DEVELOPMENT. c) AMENDING THE IOWA CITY ZONING CODE, ARTICLES 14-SI, SENSITIVE LANDS AND FEATURES AND 14-9E, SENSITIVE LANDS DEFINITIONS, TO REFINE THE DEFINITION OF A REGULATED STREAM CORRIDOR. t7 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF MOSS GREEN URBAN VILLAGE, IOWA CITY, IOWA. (SUB10-00005) (DEFERRED FROM 6/1) Davidson/ Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Members of the City Council. On Planning and Zoning items this evening, we will be considering...items b, c, and £ A and e are rezoning, which we will take up at the formal meeting tomorrow evening. The...uh, first two items that we're going to discuss this evening are zoning code amendments. Uh, the first one is, uh, dealing with nonconforming developments, and this is something that has been raised at, uh, several venues that I've been at, oh, in the last six months, and perhaps some of you, as well. Um, it deals with when changes are made to the, uh, zoning code, um, for example with landscaping standards or buffering standards or tree islands in a parking lot, uh, adopted legislatively by yourselves, by ordinance, uh, they then become the law, which puts...businesses that existed prior to that change, some of them may be all of a sudden nonconforming, and...and what this deals with is...if and how and when those now nonconforming developments are eventually made conforming. I mean, the idea is when you adopt a new set of standards that that becomes the standard, and that over time...things comply with those standards, and it sort of a question of how and when to do that, that this amendment deals with, and um, it's a little bit of a sticky, complicated issue. There's a lot of subtleties and nuances to it, and I thought the Planning and Zoning Commission discussion, both staff presentation and the discussion was very good, if you This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 8 happen to read the minutes, and so we have our resident zoning code expert with us this evening, Karen Howard, Associate Planner of the Urban Planning Division, and Karen's going to take you through this first one, uh, because I think you'll benefit from the, uh, the additional information that Karen can provide. Howard/ Okay, um, if you had a chance, I don't know if you had a chance to read...read the memo that we sent to the Planning and Zoning Commission, but basically what we're talking about here is nonconforming developments. So we're just talking about things on a site that are parking areas, lighting, signage, that sort of thing, so not the buildings themselves, and not the uses in the building. So these are just elements that are nonconforming, have become nonconforming over time or...or due to a change of use, or um, have to be brought into compliance. And in...when we adopted the new zoning code in...in 2005, there were a number of changes that we made, um, some to make things a lot more flexible for businesses, for example, prior to 2005, in commercial areas we didn't allow at all outdoor storage and, um, display areas unless somebody went through a special exception to do so. Um, or went... got a special permit in some cases, and we knew that that was too onerous a standard because a lot of businesses need that sort of thing. Uh, they need to store large bulky items outdoors, um, they need to display things for sale outdoors, um, and so we...we basically made the zoning code more flexible and said, okay, a lot of commercial zones we're just going to allow that sort of thing, but we're going to come up with some screening and buffering standards, um, so that we make sure that, uh, they're separated, for example, from the sidewalk and set back and um, so there's some new standards in the code, but as a consequence, existing businesses were, uh, uses move in and out, particularly shopping malls that sort of thing, um, they were getting caught in a situation where they'd have a tenant for example, um, move into the...into a shopping mall, a small space, and because of the way that the zoning code was written, that meant they'd have to bring their entire property into compliance. So that didn't seem like it was a very easy transition, um, to bring properties into compliance over time. So what we're trying to do with this is come up with a balance, um, trying to bring things into compliance over time, but not be so inflexible that it creates hardship for property owners and businesses. Um, so the cases where it was a problem, where we're tried to address it, um, we've got...there's a list in the memo, um, so when there's a new use or an expansion of an existing use on a site in... in a situation where the site is so constrained, that for example, that can't comply, we wanted to put some standards in the code for that situation. Um, if there's a property that's been vacant for, completely vacant, for a year or more, there wasn't anything in the code that addressed that specifically. Uh, also if there was a property where, um, buildings were demolished and it was basically abrand-new site, um, those properties which probably can easily come into compliance because there's nothing there constraining them to do so should be probably treated differently than sites where there's a lot of site constraints. Um...so basically, uh, the provisions, um...in the code, um, and I can run through these, and if people have questions, um...so basically for a property that has been vacant for a year or more, that means there's no principle use on the property; it's been totally vacant, um, they're going...they're required to bring it into compliance when a new use moves in. But if there's certain site constraints, they have things on the property, they want to reuse the building, um, the building's in the way of them complying with something, we've This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 9 built in some more flexibility through our minor modification procedure that they can get things waived, or modified, um, to fit the site. Uh, if a property, like I said, the buildings are totally demolished, they're basically starting from scratch, that's a situation where they probably should come into compliance with the...with the code, like everyone else. Um, for properties where there's just conversion of use, so if somebody's moving out and somebody else is moving in, this could be their single building property or a property with multiple tenants, like a shopping mall, um, for those situations, those were the most difficult, um, situations cause the property...people are using those parking lots, they're using some of the site elements, and so being more flexible, um, so for those particular sites what, um, the staff recommended to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and they are recommending to you, is that we only focus on the things that are the most important to bring into compliance, and those were things that were, uh, where parking lots met the street, where they met the public sidewalk, um, if they have a display area right up against the street or...so screening from the public street. So...that is one element that, um, that they would have to comply with if there was a change of use. Um, the other items, or if they were say up...up by the Iowa River or they're...they front on a public trail or a public park, they'd have to provide that screening. They'd have to put in street trees, if they don't already have street trees. And then the final thing, um, since bicycle parking, and we want to be a bicycle friendly town, and bicycle parking is fairly inexpensive to put in, if they're the kind of use that...that they draw bicycle traffic we require them to put in bicycle racks if they don't already have them. So that's a fairly minor thing, but something that's fairly easy to do, um, so those are the only things that they'd have to bring into compliance. All the other elements, interior parking lot separation and drives and aisles and uh, lighting standards, that sort of thing can remain nonconforming, if it was just a change of tenant or change of use. Dickens/ So you're saying if there's like a, say it's a strip mall with six units all owned by the same person, and one person moves in and out within that year, that all they have to do is, that they don't have to change their whole parking lot and they just have to add trees or... Howard/ Right. It's just the perimeter, just the street side screening that they'd have to provide, um, and for parking for example for a parking area, that would be shrubs that were two to four feet high, um, we have a certain standard. And then if they don't already have street trees, um... Dickens/ They would have to put those in. Howard/ Put those in, but we do already have waivers for street trees if there's not enough space for (mumbled). Hayek/ Are these waivers at the staff level? Are they... Howard/ Um, they would just not...yes, they'd come in for their site plan review. If there's a, if it's a change of use, they'd have to get a permit, and then they just run through all the things that they'd have to do, to get that permit, um, and so it would be administrative. I did bring a few photos if people have questions about what these standards do, but This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 10 probably a lot of you remember why we put those standards in place in the first place, but.. . Hayek/ Plus it's a hard, uh, issue to resolve because each situation is different, right, um, but it's an area that I hear complaints about, change of use requiring all of these modifications and upgrades, that... Davidson/ It does occasionally get into some interesting, well, interesting... situations that are a little more difficult than you might think, when you're hearing from the one person who...who has the issue with it. For example, uh, if you have an arterial street where there's a property that's having problems with compliance, on either side are properties that comply with the...the new standards. So, you know, becomes, okay, these two individuals went to the expense and the time and the effort to comply with the zoning ordinance, and so you're dealing with a person in between. So, you know, there ...there...I really think the proposal is...is very sound in terms of its (mumbled) the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends it, as well, but the situations are a little stickier than you might...you might think sometimes. Howard/ Well, I mean, it's one of the basic things about zoning is that it's not just to bring your property into compliance. It's to protect your neighbor...from...from the nuisance of somebody being out of compliance. Um, you don't want to put a whole bunch of investment into your property and have somebody move in next door and store a bunch of old cars in the front yard. Champion/ Great! Bailey/ Well, and you zone...the zoning code looked great when we looked at it in 2005, but we've got to remember we're dealing with an already-built town, and so...you know, things change, and this makes a good...this is a good approach to dealing with that change of use and... and bringing things into compliance to the degree that is really possible. I think it makes a lot of sense. Wright/ I see a lot of common-sensical types of changes (both talking) Bailey/ I do too, I mean, it just seems to make sense, um...there was a, I think a...a small business owner who talked about these changes and...and the challenges he faced, and he's in sort of a temporary use situation. Steve (mumbled) or something. And... do we, in those kinds of situations where it would be financially onerous for a business owner who may be interested in stepping into compliance, do we have incentives of any sort? I mean, do we have any kind of...did you talk about those kinds of opportunities... Davidson/ Yeah, we...we did have a little discussion, you know, it becomes almost an economic development.. . Bailey/ Right! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 11 Davidson/ ...type and (both talking) who are on the Economic Development Committee or...or have been, in the case of Connie, um, no, you know, we do have programs in particular for low, moderate-income programs that are funded through the CDBG program that are available for people to make those kinds of improvements. Um, we...we have, you know, in the downtown area we have facade improvement district, which hasn't been extensively used, but it's been used a couple of times, uh, which is kind of a niche thing, um, of course you know we do have incentives like TIF available. I believe there's sort of a...um, economic development general fund of $200,000 a year, which we find frequent uses for, but it's something like that, you know, there would have to be a public benefit obviously indicated for something like that, in terms of just private property it'd be probably one of the most common ones would be the...the CDBG funded one that's...that's funded through EDC, so not...not an extensive amount of...of programs like that, uh, available. Bailey/ Well, and...in...in staff's experience, is that something we should be looking at, or should we see what these provisions do and then track it and see if that's something the Economic Development Committee should look at? Howard/ Well I think certainly nonconforming provisions kind of bring you more flexibility in the ability to deal with property by property situations, um...but, you know, in some situations, maybe I'll just show you some photos here, and one of the, for example, this is Riverside Drive, and I know...you know, in our district planning processes and, you know, neighborhood groups and everything else talk about how we really need a general streetscape improvement, some improvements along whole corridors, so if you have lots of nonconforming businesses, maybe there's some program, or some... some process to bring, you know, to help out a whole corridor to become more conforming. Um, rather than on aproperty-by-property basis as kind of a slow way to do it, and you might have a more cohesive streetscape if you did it on (several talking) Davidson/ And in the case of this picture, we do have an...it's on your unfunded CIP list, uh, a project to improve this corridor, if that comes with a high enough priority for the City Council. Champion/ It really needs it when you see this picture! Wright/ Oh yeah! Bailey/ It really needs...it really needs it! Mims/ Well, I'm really glad to see these. And I've talked to Karen about some issues as I've heard from some people in the community, and I'll be interested to hear back from them after they, you know, have a chance to work with staff on, you know, some of their concerns and stuff, um, and that...that that flexibility. The one that, I guess I still have a little concern with, and I...I'm not sure, you know, how flexible you're thinking about being, I mean, you're talking about, um, a property that has been vacant for a year. I guess part of my concern is, we've gone through in the last ten years a couple of really This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 12 tough economic times, and sometimes we can end up with properties being vacant because you know, people have moved out and they're trying to sell, and if we're in a situation where, you know, yeah, we're trying to bring them up to zoning code, and changes, yet if...if we're not careful, if those are too onerous, it just makes it that much more difficult for people to find a buyer and in fact we can end up with properties getting worse and worse and, you know, not being sold, not being economically developed because the cost of bringing them up to those new codes, um, are extensive, and so... Howard/ What this does with this change, right now in the code a property's considered vacant if it's been without a principle use for over a year. It's considered vacant and any new use that moves in would be a new use, and so automatically they have to comply with everything in the code. Um, what this does, this provides some more flexibility to have a property owner be able to go through a minor modification procedure...so that they can get...uh, relief from some provisions, if it's not...if it's difficult for them to come into compliance. So this actually adds more flexibility...to that situation. Hayek/ One way I gauge proposed legislation is to see what the comments are, you know, at the lower levels, and in this case, at the P&Z level and, you know, uh, their... Southgate had a voice at the table, and the individual business person that did as well, but beyond that, there do not appear to be a whole lot of, uh, comments from... from the groups that would be interested in that, and, um, assuming they knew about this and everything, you know, I conclude from that that they were more or less pleased with...with this proposal. Um, and that's one way I gauge it, um, so this...this definitely, I mean, this appears to me to be a, you know, move in the right direction. Mims/ Definitely! Hayek/ I think we have to see how these, uh, play out in terms of being responsive to the various and sundry situations, uh, developers find themselves in and...and time will tell. I think this is a good move. Okay. Davidson/ Any other questions for Karen...before we leave this item? Your next item then is, uh... is also a zoning code amendment, and it pertains to the definition and regulation of stream corridors under the sensitive areas ordinance. You know we've got several years of experience now with the sensitive areas ordinance, and uh...um, really kind of a landmark piece of legislation from several years ago in terms of the development community, the environmental community coming together with City staff and forging something that really has...has made some great efforts toward preserving environmental areas in Iowa City. We've...come upon a situation, however, um, in..in several instances where the in terms of stream corridors, the... source that we go to for determining if a stream needs to be regulated is the U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle maps, and specifically if...if a stream is identified as a blue line, uh, blue line stream, uh, on a quadrangle map, and these, you know, these maps are fairly...fairly reliable, but what we have found in some instances is that when field verified, there is in fact not what all of us around this table would consider an actual stream, and this can be because the maps are outdated, uh, or...or possibly the...the blue line was drawn based on an aerial photograph This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 13 and never actually field verified. Um, the...the intent of the ordinance is to preserve and protect actual water courses that are habitat, uh, for animals and...and that convey of flood water, and if we have a...waterway that does not meet those requirements, there's really...it's over-regulation to...to actually try and regulate those. So what...what we're suggesting is going to, uh, the definition that the Corps of Engineers uses for a stream, and that is that it has a bed and bank, uh, defined by an ordinary high-water mark. Um, we...we feel like this...this protects streams that the ordinance is intended to...to protect. Um, we did want to emphasize in Karen's memo that you received in your packet does, uh, we did want to remind you that it does not reduce the protections afforded by, uh, other environmental features, for example, if field verification of a blue line stream reveals that it is...does not in fact meet the, uh, bed and bank definition that we are now using, but there are wetlands or woodlands in the area, those would still be regulated as wetlands and woodlands, so it does not decrease that, so...what...if you decide to adopt this provision, what we will do is we will continue to use the quadrangle maps, and the blue line definition, to initially identify whether or not a stream needs to be regulated, but then if upon field verification it does not meet the bed and bank, uh, provision, it will be deemed to not be in need of regulation, under our sensitive areas ordinance. Any questions? (several talking) The, uh, the...the final item then under Planning and Zoning items is item f, and this is the preliminary plat of Moss Green Urban Village. We are still waiting, uh, on the determination from the Corps of Engineers on whether or not the wetland that's on the alignment of Oakdale Boulevard, uh, that was identified late in the process is jurisdictional or not, and just to remind you, if it's not jurisdictional then Moss Green can proceed with their plans, and you...you can proceed with your vote on the zoning, uh, the plat, and the development agreement, the...the TIF agreement. Uh, if it is deemed to be jurisdictional, uh, then, uh, they have to go back through the Planning and Zoning Commission with a...a mitigation plan for that. So, uh, that's the word we're waiting on. We'll let you know tomorrow night. Hayek/ And if there is no word.. . Davidson/ If there is no word, you'll be asked to defer again and...and Moss Green is aware that you're...you're meeting schedule is basically a month apart...between now and August 16`". So, they're well aware of that, and understand that it's, uh, something that needs to come from the Corps of Engineers. Champion/ Well, I would be willing to have a special meeting to push that forward, if they find out it's not jurisdictional. Mims/ Yeah, I would too. Hayek/ Why don't we...yeah, why don't we (several talking) and um... Davidson/ Sounds good! Hayek/... see where the... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 14 Dickens/ Sounds like there's enough to... go ahead and do it, if we need to. Davidson/ Thank you. Council Appointments: Hayek/ Okay. Thanks, Jeffrey. Uh, Council appointments. We have Historic Preservation and Senior Center. Dickens/ I'd like to recommend (mumbled). I know he lives up in the north area there. Karr/ I'm sorry. I can't hear. Hayek/ You're being too quiet. You need to yell a little bit. Dickens/ Oh! I would...I would, or recommend Andy Litton. He lives in that area, and he does do some of that preservation work. He is a realtor, and uh, I think he'd be very good. He's young. He was the one that presented to us from the Northside Neighborhood and was very willing to work with the other neighborhoods, in fact gave some of their grant money to...Grant Wood area, so I think he's a person that would be very good to work with. Wright/ I agree with you. I think he'd be terrific on the Historic Preservation Commission. I...I know Andy and I've worked with him. Champion/ Good! Dickens/ (mumbled) Hayek/ Sounds like Andrew Litton. Okay. The other one is, uh, Senior Center. One application for one vacancy. Bailey/ Sounds good! Hayek/ Everybody okay? (several talking) Okay. Agenda items. Agenda Items: ITEM 2. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. c. Permit Motions and Resolutions as Recommended by the City Clerk. 7. Resolution to issue cigarette permits. Karr/ Mr. Mayor, I'd just like to note that Item 2.c.7. on your Consent Calendar, it's a resolution issuing cigarette permits, and the resolution that went out had an attachment to it, um, all of the applications have now been received, and rather than kill another tree (laughter) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 15 and show you the checkmarks, all of the ones listed on there will be renewed tomorrow evening. Champion/ Okay. I can make my own checkmarks! ITEM 2. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. f. Correspondence. 2. Sheila Knoploh-Odole: Street Maintenance Hayek/ There's a, uh, letter in correspondence concerning street maintenance, that was...on the bike lane (several talking) Can we, yeah... Bailey/ I think we talked about this before, and it was indicated that streets were being cleaned, but if we're really going to (noise on mic) the bicycle friendly community, what's it going to take, I guess would be my...I'll ask a different question this time. Because there's a lot of sand out there. Fosse/ There is. Now we have two street sweepers, and as we talked earlier in the year, it takes about seven weeks to get through the community the first time through, and uh, to add an additional street sweeper you're looking at about $150,000, uh, investment in equipment, and then you need to staff it, both with... somebody driving it and then also the dump trucks that follow it around so that you can empty it. And those rotate amongst the sweepers that are already running out there. Um, so that would detract from the staff that's doing the pothole patching, which is occurring at that same time of year. Bailey/ Are we still sweeping? Now? Fosse/ Yes. We sweep the entire year. Yeah, and so...the entire year when...when the temperatures are above freezing, and occasionally we'll get out in the middle of winter, if we get some breaks in the weather and sweep some of that mid-winter sand up. Hayek/ Do we try to hit arterials, uh, I'm thinking of like Jefferson, Market, those kinds of streets? Fosse/ Yes we do. Hayek/ More regularly than we would a... a side street? Fosse/ We do, and uh, we...we hit those first, of course, and then what happens is all the tributary streets that are uphill from that wash sand down onto those streets, each time it rains, and...and it's just a matter of how many times do you go back and...and re...resweep those, before you get to those other outlying streets. It's somewhat of a balancing act. Now we did get out right away after that first letter from that individual about that, and we did sweep that street. If you read their second email carefully she doesn't say that she crashed on that street, um, she just...said she crashed on some sand. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 16 Wright/ I was trying to (mumbled) and I... actually ride Jefferson Street on the bike trail fairly, or the bike lane, fairly often, and...there was a tremendous amount of sand there for a long time, uh, is there any way we can... at least make sure we try to get to those bike trails a little more frequently? Or not bike trails, excuse me, the bike lanes? Fosse/ Something else I want to look into is...is the possibility of renting a street sweeper during certain months of the year, where there's high demand, rather than owning another one. I don't know if there's...there's financial merit in doing that or not, and if there is, can we afford to rent it, cause one of the things that you'll be seeing at the budget time is that our road use tax fund is...is, we've talked about this before, it's tanking. Wright/ How many years has it been since we added a street sweeper? I'm just curious. Fosse/ We've been at two for quite a while now, and we just replaced one of them this year, uh, we were...we were toying with the idea about seven years ago of buying a smaller one with a...with a vacuum attachment for working the alleys downtown. Uh, but we found that we can... we can be pretty effective at cleaning the alleys without that. We didn't want to make that capital investment. Wright/ What about the...we've added certainly some miles of street, and I don't know how many years we've been at two street sweepers. Maybe it is time to... Bailey/ Well, not only miles of street, but intention with bicycle friendly, we've added, um, bicycle lanes, I mean, it becomes...it does become a safety issue. Um, I think it's something we should explore. I mean, would a little street sweeper with a... its own vacuum attachment be able to do spot cleaning more efficiently or effectively than buying a... a big one, I mean, that could be something we could talk about, I don't know. Fosse/ Yeah, the little ones fill up fast. You've got to empty them continuously. Bailey/ Is there any other way to get clean streets, besides a street sweeper? Fosse/ Really heavy rain. Hayek/ Push brooms. Bailey/ Yeah, well, I was thinking and (several talking) like in Pella and Orange City, they sweep the streets once a year. Hayek/ Would... would this, are street sweepers something that road use tax dollars, once upon a time, paid for...now we would have to G.O. bond for? Is this...is that an example of the impact of (both talking) Helling/ ..even more importantly, the...the people operating the street sweeper and the trucks, you know, that's all been out of road use tax. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 17 Hayek/ Yeah. Well, and that situation impedes the repainting that we do, um, on, you know, Jefferson I was on my bike, on Jefferson the other day, cause I follow that as well, and you're seeing cars now ignore the lane. Um, because the line is so faint. Wright/ It hasn't worn too well. Champion/ No it doesn't... it really doesn't wear well at all. Fosse/ The good paints, uh, we're not allowed to use any more because of environmental regulations, so we're working with a latex, uh, which (several talking) we bought ours before that... Bailey/ Oh, good, good! Fosse/ We lucked out there! Yeah. And one thing to keep in mind is last winter we put down a lot more sand than in a typical winter, just because the way the weather played out. Our intent is not to use that much sand, but sometimes we just get...get in that situation. Dickens/ Lot of ice! Fosse/ Yes. Bailey/ ...be there when it snows! Hayek/ Well, maybe we need to tuck this away for budget time, and... Bailey/ Well something...we do need to think about what...how we address this, because it needs to be... Wright/ Well, particularly with the emphasis as you said on... on being a bicycle friendly community and we obtained our bronze and I think there's a... feeling among a lot of folks we might try to boost that a little bit, but...maintenance has got to be key in there too. Bailey/ Right. Because not only, I mean, when you get in your car, you expect your roads to be safe. When you get on your bike you expect a certain level of safety as well, and especially in those marked designated lanes. Fosse/ I wanted to point out the reason that we only sweep when it's above freezing is those sweepers do rely on water and...to wet it down. Otherwise it's just a big cloud of dust (several talking and laughing) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 18 Information Packets (6/3 and 6/10/10): Hayek/ Okay. What other, uh, agenda items do folks have? Nothing? Okay. We'll move on then to, uh, info packet. First is the June 3`a packet. Anything on that? Okay. June 10`n~ Some of the items in this June 10`n packet are further down the agenda for tonight. Marian, do you want to talk radio show right now, or do we do that under... Karr/ Why don't we wait and do that under scheduling and things, if that's okay. Mims/ I had a question under, um...in reading the minutes from the Parks and Recreation Committee, uh, or Commission, what is the process if somebody wants to donate land to the City, does that automatically come to the Council for approval? I mean, there were three items in there they had about property, possible property donations, and some that they were...more inclined to be excited about and some not, and so I just wondered what the process is. Helling/ You know, I...I don't recall... Karr/ Are those in the info packet, which minutes are you referring to? Mims/ Uh, I think it was IP 19, Parks and Rec from May 12tH Wright/ Talking about the Chaddick property and... Mims/ Chaddick, Casey Boyd, and...one other one. I just...was curious what the process was and...knowing that they were not excited about at least some of these making sure that we're not getting property dumped on us that we don't want, which I assume we wouldn't. Helling/ The ones that I'm familiar with have come about as like parkland dedication, uh, from developers and so forth that are...incorporated into documents for development. Bailey/ Well, don't we see that in platting? Helling/ Pardon me? Bailey/ I mean, that's how...what we see in... Mims/ Well, in one of them they indicated (both talking) Chaddick was actually...in our plans maybe somewhere. Davidson/ Yeah, we would...we would love if the Chaddicks would donate that property, but they...they are interested in a purchase. Yeah, um, yeah, someone was just mentioning. Any...any parkland dedication that's done as part of the requirement to do that, goes through the Parks and Recreation Commission, I mean, it goes through informally before the Commission ever gets it, just with the Director, but...but you know, developers This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 19 sometimes are happy to part with property that they're going to have to maintain anyway as part of a storm water basin or something like that, so we make sure it's functional parkland and that the...that the Commission wants it, before it ever becomes part of the City's inventory. Mims/ Okay. I assumed so, but...just wanted to ask about those. Thank you. Helling/ I don't recall any outright donations of land, other than (mumbled) Mims/ Okay. Dickens/ (mumbled) Helling/ Yeah. Hayek/ Uh, IP 18 is this request from John Mikelson on the, um, veteran's related covenant signing. You can't really tell what the substance of that quest is. I know John from other circles, but um, how do we proceed with something like this? Mims/ Didn't they want the Mayor's signature or something, as I...read it? Helling/ We can certainly contact him, and ask for more information, or a copy of the document. Bailey/ That's what we need is a copy. Hayek/ Could you...could you do that, Dale, and...and I'll...and then follow up with me? Probably it's fine, and I can just go ahead and sign for the City, but...we probably need to know first (noise on mic) Champion/ Gosh, these things are really sensitive! I just touched it! Council Time: Hayek/ Okay, anything else from the June 10 packet? Okay. Council time. Wilburn/ I'm going to jump back to the item, um, Mr. Mayor, when you do find out information, um, about the covenant, um, just a parallel. When um, several individuals had approached me about signing the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, um, I did a little research, had staff do a little research and then just kind of brought it to the Council (mumbled) did they have any concerns, that type of thing, and Council left it up to...me at the time to, you know, it was, um, similar to the proclamations and those type things, unless there's like, you know, any funds or that type of thing, uh, that was kind of how I had handled that in the past, but I, you know, brought it to the Council and the Council gave feedback. (mumbled) to the folks and then went ahead and made the decision to sign. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 20 Hayek/ Yeah, that's good advice. Anything under Council time? City Mana;aer Search: Hayek/ Okay, city manager search. Um, they put a placeholder...Marian put a placeholder tonight, and then we've got this set for tomorrow if we need it, at 6:15. There is a draft that I think everyone has seen (several responding) office, um...why don't we take this up and see what we can accomplish right now with it. Champion/ Yeah, we probably could finish this. It's pretty early. Hayek/ General thoughts? Champion/ I thought it was good, but there's one paragraph I don't like. And I'd like to see it rewritten. It's, um, on page 3, where it says Iowa City is full of unique shops in the Old Capitol Town Center (several talking). I don't like that paragraph at all. Wright/ It should start out mentioning downtown, as far as I'm concerned. Champion/ Well, we don't need to mention malls, I mean, everybody knows a town has malls, especially in a county of 100,000 people. Dickens/ I think overall it's just way too wordy. Champion/ Yeah. Well... Mims/ So did I. Champion/ ...the whole thing, but this...this paragraph (several talking) so I mean, I'd like to see (several talking) I think we...it's nice to mention that we have a very vibrant downtown, which is unusual, uh, it may be something else about the downtown, but I don't think you need to stress shopping areas, I mean, that's just redundant, I mean, who wants to read that? I don't want to read it. Dickens/ Well, you get into where it's talking about Hancher and things like that, and Jerry 5einfeld and all these (mumbled) coming. I don't know that that's...real relevant when we're looking for somebody. I think we want to tell a little bit about Iowa City, bullet point Iowa City, and then the job itself and a lot of the other information, they're going to look up on their own anyway. Champion/ Right. Wright/ I disagree. I think this is...the type of thing that we do want to send out, that has some detail, and it adds a little bit...adds a little bit of sparkle to it. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 21 Bailey/ This is how we define ourselves. What they discover looking up and, you know, on Wiki is what, you know, their impression. I mean, this is our sell document. Wright/ I don't think anybody would be turned off by the fact that the document was...if it is a little long, I don't think it's necessarily longer than some I've seen for other communities either. Bailey/ Oh, I saw a 13-page one for a downtown director, I mean, this is pretty modest for a city. Can we go back a little bit though? Um, on the first page they mention the Writer's Workshop. I think we need to also mention that we are a UNESCO City of Literature. That's (several agreeing) something that will be part of this person's job to manage that brand, or to interface with that brand. Champion/ Yes, that's a very good point. I missed that altogether. Bailey/ And then there's an inaccuracy in describing the school district. We now have three junior highs. I think they probably took it from the previous document. Isn't...we have another junior high in North Liberty. Karr/ Yeah, that was caught. Bailey/ Okay, and the misspelling of Procter and Gamble, which I do all the time! Karr/ And deletion of General Mills. Bailey/ Yeah. Wright/ I was wondering when General Mills came to town! Champion/ Yeah...I didn't know.. . Bailey/ I used to work with them when I was in (mumbled) they were here! Wright/ One other...one thing too also on page 3...uh, in the second paragraph, it singles out the Iowa City Community Theater, and we have a number of community theater groups in town. We might just want to say something about there's a vibrant community theater scene. Bailey/ Well, and it shouldn't be Iowa City also has several community theaters. It should be several theaters. Community theater is a (both talking) well it should...community theater is a different animal than a theater that serves the community. Wright/ Yeah. Mims/ Especially when in the same paragraph you're talking about Hancher. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 22 Bailey/ Yeah, so it has several theaters. It is, I think, what they're trying to say. Wright/ I wasn't sure what they were trying to say in that. I (mumbled) community theater groups, which is also pretty active in town. Bailey/ But it mentions Iowa City community theater, which is the community theater group. Riverside is a professional theater, which is not a community theater. Wright/ Right, but there are lots of community theater groups, not just Iowa City. We're singling out one. Bailey/ Right, but that's the only one based in Iowa City, isn't it? Hayek/ What if we did something like Iowa City has several theaters, including the Riverside Theater, Englert (both talking) Bailey/ ...several community theaters. Hayek/ ...too much of the detail (several talking) Bailey/ I agree! Wright/ Little less specificity on that. Hayek/ Okay. Bailey/ And I didn't like how they described the Jazz Festival, but whatever! Dilkes/ Can I ask you all again to speak up, cause you're speaking to the center of the table. It's not so bad for the people we can see over there, but for the people whose backs are to us, it's really difficult (both talking) but I don't know what's a throw away (laughter) Bailey/ Trust me, it was! Hayek/ Uh, okay! I would trim this just a teenie bit, for example, like on...on Hancher. I'm glad we mentioned it, but I'm not sure we need to mention Les Mis, um... Champion/ That was long ago! They'll think, if they're showing Les Mis! (laughter) Wright/ Yeah, I actually thought that as well! (several talking) We posted national productions and leave it at that. Bailey/ Yeah. Dickens/ And in their current status they're not doing (several talking) productions. So... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 23 Mims/ They're doing quite a few, but at different locations. Spread all over. Champion/ And we don't mention the casino in Riverside. (laughter) Bailey/ Different county. Champion/ But I do...yeah, I think some of this can be taken out, and...I'm not afraid of the length. The length of this doesn't bother me, but I just think some of it.. . Wright/ Just some rewriting (several talking) Bailey/ Yeah, I think some rewriting... Hayek/ One thing we could do is we, uh, we could, obviously we need to do a little bit of rewriting. We have to get this to them by Wednesday. We could do one of two things it seems to me -number one, somebody rewrite it and then we meet again tomorrow after, not rewrite it, but just make a couple of little (several talking) still hold our meeting at 6:15 which (several talking) but see a fresh draft, approve it, and ship it out. The second route would be just to say to a group of this Council, a small committee or something, you do it and send it and we give you advance, uh, authorization. Champion/ Well, I don't write (both talking) Hayek/ ...Council wouldn't get to see it under that approach. Wright/ It's got to go by Wednesday. Hayek/ And it's gotta go by Wednesday. Champion/ So you write very well. I read that this morning. Bailey/ Yeah. Wright/ And I have so much time between now and tomorrow night. Champion/ You could do it at 6:15. Bailey/ I could rewrite it based upon the comments I have, but...and I could take...I could spend an hour and a half on it. That's all I have tomorrow, but I'd be willing to do that. If other people (several talking) Hayek/ You want to meet...what are you doing for lunch? We could... Bailey/ Booked. Hayek/ Cause we could uh... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 24 Bailey/ But I could...I'll do it in the afternoon, and I can probably get it to you mid-afternoon, probably do it after... Karr/ I've also got some minor corrections as well. If you could spend the hour and a half and send it to me, then I (both talking) incorporate in (both talking) Bailey/ ...others have written comments that I can just take. Champion/ I just put a big circle around that paragraph. Bailey/ I don't know if I can rewrite that to your satisfaction. (laughter) Okay, if you can send that to me. Do you all want to see a, um, marked up version? Wright/ No. Champion/ No. Bailey/ I don't know if I can rewrite that paragraph to your satisfaction, Connie. You're so hard to please. (laughter) You just don't want a mention of the mall, right? Champion/ No, I think it's...to me...the shopping in Iowa City area is like it is in any other area this size. What we have is a downtown. It is the center of the town. And is vibrant (both talking) I mean, they are...people are assuming there's a Walmart, a shopping center somewhere. Bailey/ Right. Champion/ I mean, you don't need to tell them that. A place to get your tires fixed. (several talking) Bailey/ ...we need to cut out how many words? A hundred? A hundred and fifty? (several talking and laughing) Wright/ I think what Connie is talking about is we...one thing we've got that a lot of communities don't have is a vibrant downtown. Bailey/ Right. Champion/ Right. Bailey/ Or a lot of communities particularly in Iowa don't have, right. Champion/ Right, so I think you can word that into two sentences, and you'll satisfy me. Bailey/ All right. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 25 Champion/ If not, I'll just... Bailey/ I'll give it a shot, and if you like it you like it and if you don't (several talking) Hayek/ ... if you're dying to get vetted into this, contact Regenia by tomorrow some time and she' 11 try to incorporate it. Bailey/ And you'll get me the Word doc? Oh, yeah, you'll give me the Word document? Tonight? Hayek/ So that (several talking) Fantastic. Um, City government background, that's pretty short and sweet. Wright/ I didn't have any... Bailey/ There was one question I did have about some priorities, that I want to clarify, especially if I'm going to do this. Overseeing a review of the City's zoning and building codes, since we just did the zoning code in 2005, is that serious? I mean, I put seriously. (several talking) Wright/ This is I think still from the last time? I don't...well, no! Champion/ Yeah, take that out of there. We just...we did the (both talking) Bailey/ Are we up for review of building codes? I thought we were doing that (several talking) Hayek/ ...and opportunities, or did you go right past (both talking) Bailey/ I'm on page 5. Issues and opportunities, under economic development one of the sub bullets, it...it's overseeing a review of the city's zoning and building codes. And we've been doing some building code review and updating. I mean, we've voted on some of those...and we just did zoning code in 2005. So are we, I mean... Helling/ Like the uniform codes come up every three years, I think, so it's kind of an ongoing thing. I don't know if that's what he's referring to or not. Bailey/ But isn't that a standard... Hayek/ I took that to mean more just keeping an eye on things, like this nonconforming stuff that came up tonight. Helling/ ...do reviews... Bailey/ But isn't that just part of being a city manager? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Counci] Regular Work Session Page 26 Helling/ ...on a regular basis. Bailey/ God, I would hope so! (several talking) It seems like a bigger task as it's written. Champion/ Right, it seems like they're going to have to redo the whole thing. Bailey/ That's what I thought, and... Wright/ I think we should just take that one out. Champion/ Yeah, cross it off! Mims/ That's fine with me. Wright/ I'm glad you keyed in on that one. Bailey/ Well, I remembered doing the zoning code, and it was a big deal! Okay. Champion/ (mumbled) Bailey/ All right. Hayek/ By the way, uh, under the first bullet point, financial management, it's, uh, big A two small a's, in terms of our bond rating. Wright/ Is that the way it's supposed to appear? Bailey/ Oh, okay, thanks. Karr/ And I've got a couple of...we're going to put that...that designation and include Moody's in that so, triple A Moody's. Bailey/ So those kinds of things, when I ship it to you, you'll drop those in, right? Karr/ I can drop them at the front end or the back end. Bailey/ Whatever works! Champion/ And I think when you redo the downtown paragraph under economic development it also says the city has a vibrant downtown. I mean, I don't know how you... Bailey/ Yeah, I'11...I'll try to fix it. If anybody has a phrase that means outside the box, I'll take it! Dickens/ What is the new slogan, I'm trying to think -unique and...they just came up with a new logo and everything on it. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 27 Hayek/ Who's this? Dickens/ The Downtown Association, or the Downtown Coalition, actually. Hayek/ Oh, I don't know! Bailey/ Well, I'll give it a run through. What else? Hayek/ One thing I would add under flood control is that there's, um, there's no mention of the state and federal dollars... Bailey/ I added that. Hayek/ Okay. Bailey/ Already! Hayek/ It's critical for us to be on top of... Bailey/ Really critical to be on top of that! (laughter) Or we'll be dealing in deep... Hayek/ Okay. Any other comments or, uh, edits to issues and opportunities? Champion/ Well...I don't know. Do...does this person have to be...visible in the city everywhere? Hayek/ Okay, you're moving in to job requirements. Uh (both talking) you get a pass tonight, that's okay (both talking) page 6. Champion/ Because I just...have these things come to my mind, and they're not in any order. I mean, what if you have a hell of a good city manager but doesn't like to go to events. Wright/ Then you don't have a good city manager. Champion/ Oh! Bailey/ Don't have a city manager for us. Dickens/ I think one of the things that I brought up to him was the fact that we host the city managers here in Iowa City at a conference and previous city managers from, one of them that was here for a very long time, never attended any of them. So, I...that was one of the things that I brought up, that I think it's very important, and if we're hosting all the other city managers, that we should have somebody representing us there. Champion/ I guess you're right. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 28 Wright/ I think the city manager does need to be out in the community. Bailey/ Uh-huh. Hayek/ There was a...at the...at the beginning of that job requirements section at the top of page 6 there's, um, a reference to experience in a community with a major university is strongly preferred, versus preferred. I... are we ... is strongly over the top? Bailey/ Uh-huh. Dickens/ I don't think so. Hayek/ Okay. Wright/ I don't think so either. Bailey/ Thank you (laughter) Wright/ I actually like that word. Mims/ I have a question down about the....same page, page 6, the sixth bullet point, um, ability to work with a highly qualified tenured and cohesive management staff, blah, blah, blah... in this context what does tenured mean? Champion/ They're not tenured. Bailey/ I think it means long term. Is how I interpreted it. Mims/ Okay. Being in a college community...I...yeah, hooked at it as like tenured professors who basically have entire job security (several talking) yeah, I know! Well, that's what I was thinking too was like, wait a minute! Bailey/ Could we say long term, because that is a fact. (several talking) Champion/ Highly qualified and cohesive. Wright/ Highly qualified and cohesive management staff of long tenure. Bailey/ Of long tenure, maybe that's actually what they were going for. Hayek/ Or established. Highly qualified, established... Champion/ Oh, right, that's good, established. Wright/ We're getting old. (laughter) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 29 Mims/ The word tenure just kind of threw me, being in a university town. Helling/ I heard that! (laughter) Bailey/ Okay. So, established is the preferred. (several talking) Don't have time to run this by the real writer in my household so...any hints are helpful. Hayek/ Um, under the second bullet point, visionary who partners with mayor, council, and city staff. I assume...I suspect mayor is included in there because it may be in a lot of communities the mayor is separately elected official. You'd have to, you'd have that separate relationship. I personally prefer to just take out that word so that the visionary partners with the Council and city staff. Bailey/ But it is like (both talking) it is like...a...a board president, in you want your `executive director,' your `CEO' having a particular relationship with your board president, as well as your board members. That's how I... (several talking) Hayek/ That's fine. Champion/ We're not giving you any more power than you have. It's just (several talking) Dickens/ ...he or she can be your best bud! (laughter) Champion/ No, I think that's right, and I also do think that the mayor, even though you're not elected, would be approached by an idea. Bailey/ Yeah, I think...I think that there's a different relationship between mayor and the city manager's office. Hayek/ Anything else on this document? Mims/ Fine with me. Hayek/ Okay, um, do we...do we have to meet at 6:15 if we're going to meet... Karr/ Do you have to meet at 6:15... Hayek/ Could we meet at 6:30, for example? Karr/ Yes. Bailey/ It's a short agenda. Karr/ We also allowed the flexibility if you notice to adjourn to the work session if necessary. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 30 Champion/ We could do that, because it's not a long agenda. Hayek/ Oh, I see, I see! Karr/ I mean, that's entirely...we didn't know how far you'd get this evening, and allowed that. Mims/ So we could just show up at 7:00 and finish this up after... Dickens/ ...agenda doesn't have anything really... controversial, unless we can make something up in the next ten minutes. (several talking) Wright/ On the very last page, under compensation, just a missing comma. Bailey/ Where's it at, cause I overdo commas so... Wright/ The City Manager...the City will pay reasonable and customary moving expenses for the next City Manager, who is required to live within the city limits. Bailey/ Oh! Okay. (several talking) Champion/ ...is a draft. I think she'll pick up that punctuation (mumbled) Bailey/ Do you do punctuation, Marian? Karr/ It's going to be totally reformatted, and he stressed that reformatted and pictures added, so I think they'll probably pick that up, but again, as long as we're doing it it doesn't (several talking) Dickens/ The first page it said locus instead of focus. (laughter and several talking) Iowa City is (several talking) okay, cause I didn't want us to be a locus! Hayek/ Is Iowa Writers Workshop have an apostrophe? Wright/ No it does not! Hayek/ (mumbled) if I'm right (laughter) Wright/ ...does not have an apostrophe! Champion/ And why... Hayek/ I don't want Chris Merrill contacting me! Wright/ Oh, here we go! Let's get out the razor blades and start splitting hairs! Bailey/ No, no, no, no! That's good! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 31 Champion/ I mean, I like...I think you could include the City of...UNESCO City of Literature along with talking about the Writers Workshop, or maybe even before the Writers Workshop. But then I think the University Hospitals and Clinics should not be part of that same paragraph. Bailey/ Do you want it mentioned in a separate paragraph or at all? What...what's... Champion/ Well, it is the largest university owned by a hospital (mumbled and laughter) so I don't know if it's even necessary. Wright/ I think it's actually a decent thing to have. You know (several talking) Bailey/ Tells you a little bit more about your population. Champion/ But could it be in a different paragraph? Wright/ Well, probably the City of Literature ought to be in its own paragraph, because this one's all talking about the University. Champion/ Oh, I see what you're saying! Well, you can do whatever you want to with it. Wright/ We trust you! And we'll rip it apart on you tomorrow! (laughter) Hayek/ Okay, so we... Bailey/ See, I'm not a real writer so that doesn't bother me. Karr/ ...did provide a paragraph for UNESCO which I'll be happy to send with... Bailey/ Lovely! Champion/ Oh good! Karr/ ...include it or chop it down or... Bailey/ That's good. We might not get to Terry's objective of getting this shorter. Dickens/ Shorter is always better. Champion/ Well, I don't think it's that long. (several talking) Wright/ This'll actually package (mumbled) nice brochure. Champion/ Uh-huh. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 32 Hayek/ Okay, so we will not meet at 6:15. We will meet (several talking) 7:00, hold our formal, and then have the work session to wrap that up (several talking) okay. Budget Priorities: Hayek/ Uh, budget priorities. Joint agenda items. It's IP3. Meeting this round is in North Liberty. Joint Agenda Items (IP3): Champion/ So, I won't be, uh, in town...that meeting. Bailey/ It's the 30t". (mumbled) What day is it? Hayek/ You know, in...in past joint meetings we've talked about redistricting. (several talking) through that process at the School District level, um, housing may or may not have come up, but I know that there's presently this JCCOG activity. Wright/ JCCOG, by the way, does next meet...that committee next meets on the 15t" of July. Hayek/ And then, uh...we just went through a mass meeting, couple weeks ago. So...I don't know what we would want to add to the agenda. Champion/ Oh, this is a meeting that was cancelled at one time? (mumbled) Hayek/ Well, if we don't have anything... Karr/ Again, we've cancelled in the past because there weren't any issues forwarded. So, again, I'll be happy to...to supply that Iowa City has none, and we'll see what the other ones do and report back. Okay. Wright/ My presence there is...is, I'm entirely at the mercy of United Airlines that day, so... Champion/ Me too! Bailey/ I think I just gave the day away. But... Dickens/ I don't have a life, so I can be there (laughter) Wright/ I should be here in plenty of time! Mims/ I put it on my calendar so (mumbled) Hayek/ Well, we're not going to create an agenda item just to have some (several talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 33 Bailey/ I'm trying to dig back and say if we...said, oh yeah, we should put that...but I got nothing. Wright/ I can't think of anything. Hayek/ Okay. Higgins/ Should I join the...the joint session? Hayek/ Uh... Higgins/ If there is, if we have one? Champion/ Sure! Dickens/ It might be interesting for you. Bailey/ Actually, that would be nice! (several talking) because, uh, I don't think our liaison has ever attended. It'd be nice...if it actually is a go! Champion/ (mumbled) Higgins/ Uh, I'll find it! (laughter) Pending Work Session Issues (IP4): Hayek/ Okay, uh, the next, IP4, is pending work session issues. Wright/ We're going to have to get housing back in there at some point. Hayek/ Yeah. When we, um... get a little closer to some of the redevelopment plans, whether it's Crossings or Towncrest or...or elsewhere, um, will staff just bring those to us, or do...or should we have those... Bailey/ Maybe we should do an update in November, or something like that, if nothing...if we don't have anything before that. Helling/ Well certainly we'll be, you know, we'll be talking about that in conjunction with the budget. Hayek/ Right. Helling/ (mumbled) uh, yeah, we could do...just about any time. I think it's too early now, I mean, there's really not...but by fall, there should be enough going on (mumbled) cause you should know (mumbled) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 34 Hayek/ Any changes or additions to the work session list there? Okay. Upcoming events. Bailey/ Can I...somebody mentioned housing. You don't even know when we'll be able to talk about that, right? Eleanor? Given recent developments. Dilkes/ No. Bailey/ Do you think it'll be July or do you think it'll be... Dilkes/ I...hopefully July I'll have something for you. Bailey/ All right, thanks! Wright/ If we're going to talk about it in July, um, we've only got one meeting, and it's... Bailey/ Combined. Karr/ And it's a combined one. Bailey/ That's kind of why I wanted to have a sense. Dilkes/ My thought is I would have something to you by July, but we may need to talk about it (mumbled) openly, we may need to talk about it in Executive Session. I don't...know how that's going to play out. Bailey/ Okay. We just need to keep it on the list. Champion/ Right. Wright/ (mumbled) Mims/ No. Hayek/ Okay. Community events, Council invitations. Dickens/ I've just got one, just a personal invitation, uh, where my daughter and one of her good friends were putting on a 80s party out at the Elks on June 26t". You're all invited if you'd like to come to that. I think it's $30. It gets you dinner, couple drink tickets, and dress in your 80s outfits. The money will be going to Pathways Adult Daycare (mumbled) so it's kind of nice to have some young people get involved and this is the idea they came up with and...TNT Tunes will come out of retirement. My brother-in-law will be spinning some tunes actually on the iPod. (laughter) So we've upgraded a little bit from the old! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 35 Community Events Hayek/ Employed at the Elks in the 80s! Dickens/ If you need more information, just contact me! Hayek/ I think they paid me sub-minimum wage, but I got a free hamburger every day so...(several talking and laughing) Bailey/ So, Ross, you'll be at the Metro Coalition meeting on the 8`", right? Wilburn/ Of July? Bailey/ Yeah. Wilburn/ Yes. Bailey/ And are you... Hayek/ I probably will, yeah. Bailey/ Yeah, I think that'd be good. Wilburn/ Be in Ames. Hayek/ Okay. Meeting schedules. Meeting Schedules: Karr/ Um, just a couple of things, very quickly, um, there was a note in your packet, uh, regarding the remainder of the year schedule, uh, please let me know if you can take a look September through December, if there's dates we should avoid, dates you would encourage. We're going to have to nail down some dates, uh, at the meeting in July, and I'll prepare a draft or a proposed schedule, but it's always helpful if I can propose a schedule that's a workable one, rather than one that doesn't work. So if, again, days that we want to avoid or days we want to hit for the rest of the year would be great. In addition to that, um, you mentioned tonight, uh, meeting with area legislature ...legislators in November and December. We'll take a look at that. Typically that's been on another evening, other than your scheduled meeting. So we're going to take a look so not...when you take a look at that please take a look and let me know not only the Monday-Tuesdays, but if there's some days that just aren't going to work for you at all, because with holidays it also enters into it and fills up very, very quickly. Um, thirdly, um, Parks and Recreation at their meeting, uh, last week have requested to meet with Council as soon as possible to discuss affiliate agencies. Um, looking at the agenda, the 12t" is full. My indication to them was that the earliest we could do it is August 16t", but I would let you folks know, um, so that right now that's what we're planning, unless This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 36 we hear differently from you, which would be the August 16tH work session. Okay? Um, we can talk about radio show schedule if we want to now. Hayek/ Where is your... memo on that? Champion/ IP8. Hayek/ So these are wide open right now... Karr/ Wide open. Champion/ I could probably do June 23rd Karr/ 23`a, Connie. Champion/ Uh-huh. Karr/ Okay. Champion/ I probably won't be in town on the 30tH. I won't be in town August 4tH Dickens/ I'll do June 30tH Karr/ Thank you. We're to July 7tH Hayek/ I can do that. Karr/ Matt. Hayek/ Yep. Karr/ 14tn~ Mims/ I'll take it. Karr/ Thank you. July 21St, 28tn~ Champion/ Um... Wright/ I can probably do one of those. Champion/ ...I can't do the 28tH, but I could do the 21St. Actually, I could do either one. I don't leave town till Sunday. So... Wright/ Yeah, we've got trip planning in there (mumbled) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010. June 14, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 37 Champion/ Okay, well, why don't you check and... Karr/ Okay. And August 4tn~ Champion/ I'm out of town. Hayek/ I can do the 4tH again, if.... Karr/ The 4tn~ Hayek/ Yeah, I haven't gone in a while, so I don't mind... Karr/ That'd be great. And then, uh, as we look at that we'll also be nailing down some of the days we talked about for the City Manager search. One thing I would like to sooner rather than later, you set aside August 20tH for your special two-hour meeting with the consultant on his progress report. Uh, that's a Friday, August 20`n. Is there a time we'd like to talk about...8:00 A.M. on Friday is one that is typically worked with this group, but I don't know if that's something you'd like to... Champion/ That's fine with me. Karr/ ...think about again or whether you'd like to check your...again, I'm just... Hayek/ Sure. It works for me. (several talking) Karr/ 8:00 A.M. on Friday? Plan on two hours. Okay, that'd be great. Thank you! Hayek/ Marian, you need...do you need anything else? Karr/ I don't think so, thanks. Hayek/ Okay. Okay. Think we're done! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular work session meeting of June 14, 2010.