HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-12 TranscriptionJuly 12, 2010 City Council Work Session
Council Present: Bailey, Champion, Dickens, Hayek, Mims, Wilburn, Wright
Staff Present: Helling, Dilkes, Fosse, Karr, Davidson, Moran, Yapp, Goodman,
Hargadine, Wyss
Others Present: Higgins, UISG
Plannin;; and Zonin;;:
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a) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE REZONING APPROXIMATELY 24.35
ACRES LOCATED WEST OF MORMON TREK BOULEVARD,
SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 1, AND ADJACENT TO THE CITY VIEW
DRIVE FROM HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL (CH-1) TO INTENSIVE
COMMERCIAL (CI-1). (REZ10-00008) (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
b) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE IOWA CITY
ZONING CODE, SECTION 4-4E-8, NONCONFORMING
DEVELOPMENT. (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
c) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE 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. (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
d) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY REZONING
APPROXIMATELY 60.32 ACRES OF LAND FROM INTERIM
DEVELOPMENT-RESEARCH PARK (ID-RP), TO OVERLAY
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT -OFFICE RESEARCH PARK (OPD-
ORP); AND APPROXIMATELY 56.48 ACRES OF LAND FROM
INTERIM DEVELOPMENT-RESEARCH PARK (ID-RP) TO
OVERLAY PLANNED DEVELOPMENT-RESEARCH
DEVELOPMENT PARK (OPD-RDP); AND APPROXIMATELY 24.49
ACRES OF LAND FROM INTERIM DEVELOPMENT-RESEARCH
PARK (ID-RP) TO OVERLAY PLANNED DEVELOPMENT-MIXED
USE (OPD-MU) FOR PROPERTY LOCATED NORTHWEST OF THE
INTERCHANGE OF STATE HIGHWAY 1 WITH INTERSTATE 80.
(REZ10-00004) (PASS AND ADOPT) (DEFERRED FROM 6/15)
e) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY
PLAT OF MOSS GREEN URBAN VILLAGE, IOWA CITY, IOWA.
(SUB10-00005) (DEFERRED FROM 6/1 AND 6/15)
Hayek/ Okay, why don't we go ahead and get started. First up is Planning and Zoning items b, c,
and e.
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Davidson/ Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Members of the City Council. Uh, items b, c, and e
this evening, uh, items b and c are second consideration of the two zoning code
amendments, uh, one pertaining to item b, pertaining to non-conforming developments.
Item c pertaining to, uh, regulation of stream corridors. We went through these
extensively at first consideration. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to try and
answer those. Um...staff is requesting expedited action, just because (mumbled) City
Council meeting scheduled, uh, wouldn't be any great deal if... if you decided you didn't
want to expedite. We thought since your next meeting isn't for another month, we'd
suggest expediting. If you'd like to do that and have pass and adopt. Any, uh, questions
on either of those items? And item e then is the, uh, plat for the Moss Green Urban
Village and we are recommending, uh, that the two items under...both the zoning and the
plat, uh, under Planning and Zoning items for Moss Green as well as the development
agreement, which is item 20, uh, that you defer indefinitely. Uh, we're still pending, uh,
reg...hearing from the Corps of Engineers on the delineation, and whether or not it's
jurisdictional issue with the, uh, the wetland, and by deferring indefinitely then we can,
uh, you would have the option of scheduling a special meeting, rather than having to wait
until August, uh, 17th. Any questions? Thank you.
Council Appointments:
Hayek/ Next is Council appointments. Got several here...first is, uh, some vacancies on
Housing and Community Development Commission. Three vacancies and it looks like
there are two applications.
Wright/ Add Holly Hart on the commission, uh, her terms have come to an end. I think she's
done a very good job. She's extremely conscientious. I'd like to see her reappointed if
we could.
Bailey/ I agree.
Champion/ (mumbled)
Hayek/ Four for that? Okay. And then this other person is Scott Dragoo.
Champion/ I think he's fine.
Wright/ Has a good application. I'm not familiar with him personally.
Bailey/ I don't...he didn't call or anything. I didn't speak with him, but (mumbled) the
application looks good.
Hayek/ Four for him? Okay. (mumbled) both of them. Then we have one vacancy on the
Human Rights Commission and six applications.
Champion/ (mumbled) really like Paul Retish.
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Bailey/ I talked with Harry Olmstead and I think he has some...he's interested in serving, and I
think I could support that application.
Wright/ I would support Harry Olmstead too.
Hayek/ Anyone else on either of those...candidates, or anyone else on the list?
Wilburn/ I would speak highly of Diane Finnerty just from her work at the University, but we do
have a, um (several talking)
Wright/ Gender issue!
Wilburn/ Yeah, uh-huh.
Mims/ Yeah, when I looked at the list, it was like...(laughter) (several talking)
Bailey/ ...I hope she reapplies when there's another opportunity but...
Mims/ I mean, I think with both of the gentlemen, they both bring a lot to the position. I
guess...you know, my one concern with Harry, I mean, he's lived in the community for
three months, if I read that right.
Hayek/ Yeah.
Mims/ Um, I guess from that perspective I would be more inclined to go with Paul Ruddish.
And certainly he's all...has done a lot. I'd like to see Harry get involved.
Bailey/ He served before, right?
Mims/ Yes, he has.
Dickens/ I would go with Paul. I just have known him. I don't know Harry at all, but I've
known Paul for quite a while. His kids played against my brother-in-laws in Little
League and just....he's been pretty consistent all those years.
Wilburn/ What was the thing you mentioned about Harry, I'm sorry.
Mims/ According to what I saw in the application he's like been here for three months.
Wright/ He moved here in April according to his...
Mims/ I mean, he's...he's got a lot of interests and I think characteristics that, you know, he
wants to get involved and do a lot of things, which I think is great. I guess my thought is,
would this particular commission, um, you know, somebody who's been here longer
would tend to be my preference.
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Dickens/ I believe I talked to him though and he was...he was very active in Wisconsin.
Mims/ Uh-huh (several agreeing)
Bailey/ That's what I was excited to get a different perspective (several talking)
Dickens/ ...think about it, he was the one (mumbled) called and he's had a lot of experience in
different commissions so...
Wright/ I know he hasn't lived here a long time. It's nice for...for newcomers to be able to get
involved when they're so inclined, and he is retired, so...
Bailey/ Right. Kind of the classic retires here...and would be nice to engage him and his
expertise.
Hayek/ So we have (several talking)
Dickens/ I'll go Harry.
Hayek/ One...uh, you were...
Bailey/ Harry.
Hayek/ Harry.
Wilburn/ (mumbled)
Hayek/ Four. Okay. Harry Olmstead for that position. And then, uh, Marian, what do we need
to do on the SEATS?
Karr/ You just need to see if Council Member Champion is interested in being reappointed.
Champion/ I've never been called to a meeting. So I'll be glad to (noise on mic)
Karr/ Okay. (laughter) They've got you, yeah...
Hayek/ That's either a plum assignment or a bad mailing address. (laughter)
Champion/ But I mean I'll be glad to relegate it to somebody else.
Bailey/ I think you've done a fine job! (laughter)
Wright/ I don't think we could ask for anybody better!
Champion/ I'll try to find out when they meet.
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Karr/ They've got...they've got the correct mailing address. I don't know if they've not met
since you've been appointed since the first of the year or not, but they do have the correct
address.
Champion/ Okay. Well, I will be glad to continue if it's.. .
Karr/ And I'll double-check.
Champion/ Double-check and tell them they need to contact me.
Mims/ I mean, is there also something there. Didn't I see that Mike O'Donnell was on there,
and...
Karr/ Previously.
Mims/ So was Connie appointed to...okay. When I looked at the list that wasn't real clear to me.
Champion/ Maybe they just didn't know I was appointed.
Karr/ No, they're the ones that asked for the reappointment July 1.
Champion/ I guess they like it that I don't bitch at them about anything! Sorry!
Hayek/ All right, so, uh, is there support to place our esteemed Council Member on this
committee? (several responding) Great! Okay. Uh, agenda items.
Agenda Items:
Dilkes/ I've got a couple items that might help you get through (mumbled) help you get through
some of the paperwork in front of you. Um... first one, item 26, which is a... a change to
the resolution authorizing the City Manager to, um...
Bailey/ Eleanor, could you speak up? I cannot hear you.
Dilkes/ Sure! Is that better?
Bailey/ Yeah it is!
Dilkes/ Okay.
Bailey/ I don't know what...
Dilkes/ Huh. Um...resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the application for the I-
Job...I-Jobs grant. Um...David was down today and apparently the resolution, or in the
grant, we have to show a demons...that we've dem...made a commitment to seeing if our
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Comprehensive Plan complies with the Smart Growth Planning Principles in the new act,
and so we just added some `whereas' clauses and some additional language at 2 and 3 in
the `therefore' clauses. Um...to show that we will review our Comprehensive Plan to
determine if it's got the planning, Smart Growth Planning Principles, and if we determine
it needs amendment, that we'll do that within three years of the receipt of the grant.
Um...item 23 is the lease for the substation at Pepperwood Plaza. Uh, while there was a
lot of conversation between lawyers, there really hasn't been much change to what you
received in your packet. Um, we've got a more acc...accurate calculation of the fees and
proration of the taxes, and that looks like that's going to be about $700 more than was
reported to you, uh, in the Chief's memo. I think it went from like $5,800 to, or $4,800
to $5,500, something to that effect. Uh, the City will be the sole insurer of the property,
or the leased property, and there's some provisions about environmental cleanup of
anything that we cause. Nothing of... of much significance there. And then in the
additions to your Consent Calendar, there is a...a resolution that authorizes the City
Manager to enter into a... MOA with the, with DHS for the summer subsidized
employment program at the Animal Control, um, Center, and there's no problems with
that. We just have to work out a couple details (mumbled) carries the workers' comp
insurance, etc.
Karr/ Also on the Consent Calendar...just to point out, um, you have before you a revised, a
revision to the memo from the, uh, building official regarding, um, El Cactus Authentic
Mexican Cuisine. Uh, that would be 4.c.1. The recommendation was to deny. You have
a memo before you this evening that is approving it. So adoption of the Consent
Calendar would be as amended with that as an approval.
Hayek/ Got it.
Champion/ So if we just say `as amended' that takes care of it.
Karr/ That's correct. Also, item 33. You have correspondence regarding assessments. Uh you
have some that was contained in your packet regarding one address. You also have
before you this evening a request to defer, uh, one of the properties, um...so when you
consider that one you' 11 have something in the packet, as well as something before you,
and as I understand it, they will not be present this evening, um, because they are out of
town, and that's why they're requesting their address be deferred...from the assessments.
Wright/ Is that the (mumbled) condo association?
Karr/ That's from the condo association, yes.
Champion/ What was the number of that agenda item?
Karr/ 3 3 .
Champion/ Thank you.
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Hayek/ I mean, can we assume that they will...had they not had a scheduling conflict they would
be here contesting?
Champion/ Yes.
Hayek/ Okay. Why don't we just summarize so we're prepared for this when it comes up, in
terms of the snow assessments. There are two actual objections in our records.
Karr/ That's correct.
Hayek/ One is in the, uh, agenda packet, and the other one's what we just got.
Karr/ That's correct.
Hayek/ Okay. So we'll have to decide whether to pull those, set `em for hearing.
Wright/ Well, we could certainly plan on pulling the one, I would think. They want to contest it.
They just can't be here.
Hayek/ Yeah. Well, the other one...concerning the property on Davenport also looks like a
direct request for hearing.
Champion/ Well, but that address.. .
Karr/ Well, that would be 808 E. Davenport. They may be here this evening. I don't know that
they will or will not be, so they may be here and you may be able to address that one this
evening. I...I can't, I can't answer that one.
Hayek/ But we're not going to have staff prepared to give their side of the story (both talking)
Karr/ That's correct.
Hayek/ Okay.
Wright/ I have a question on, uh...29, the police substation.
Champion/ Uh-huh.
ITEM 23. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND
THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LEASE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND SOUTHGATE
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES LLC FOR THE LEASE AND OCCUPATION QF
PROPERTY LOCATED AT SUITE 1067 HIGHWAY 6 EAST (PEPPERWOOD
MALL), IOWA CITY, IOWA FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSTALLING AND
OPERATING AN IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT SUBSTATION.
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Wright/ And, Sam, you may want to address this one. Is the plan for that to be staffed, uh,
Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00? Or...
Hargadine/ With the exception if, uh, the person that's staffing it has an appointment somewhere
else, but, uh...um, our intent is to move the crime prevention officer there and he's out in
schools and community in a variety of different groups. So, there may be times when the
door is locked, um, additionally, we're looking to have volunteers, uh, there's already at
least one volunteer that works in his office. That volunteer would move, um, with him,
and um, we've also had some other interest in staffing that, um, substation with
volunteers, as well, so there could be one or more, uh, non-police officers staffing that,
keeping it open, but there's times when we may have to simply lock the door and go
handle an appointment.
Bailey/ I have questions for this item too, but since this is something so new, I'd prefer to do it
during the formal, and I gave Sam aheads-up about that, so (mumbled) questions. Some
of the things I'm sure that they've thought about with moving forward on this. Since it's
such a new... endeavor.
Hayek/ You okay with that?
Wright/ That's fine.
ITEM 19. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF IOWA CITY AND JOHNSON COUNTY DOGPAC FOR JOINT
MAINTENANCE OF AND SHARING REVENUES GENERATED FROM THE
THORNBERRY AND RITA'S RANCH OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS.
Bailey/ I have a question on 19. Mike?
Hayek/ This is the DOGPAC, uh... agreement.
Bailey/ For staffing...can you talk a little bit about what the thoughts are around that?
Moran/ Yeah, uh, DOGPAC came to us and...and they have estimated that about 75% of the
people use the dog parks don't have tags. So they wanted us to staff, uh, the dog parks at
various times in order to get people, to encourage them to either pay the daily fee or to
buy a pass. So the money that we had previously given DOGPAC in our arrangement the
year past will go to fund those staff members, and then anything above and beyond the
direct cost for that will go back to DOGPAC.
Bailey/ And what do you anticipate that staffing, those staffing levels will require...you wouldn't
be staffing it all the time, just kind (both talking)
Moran/ No, it'll be...we're not going to say we're going to be there (both talking) we're going to
try to staff it between 40 and 50 hours a week.
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Bailey/ Okay. That's...thanks.
Moran/ Anything else?
Hayek/ Other agenda items?
ITEM 26. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN
AN APPLICATION FOR I-JOBS II GRANT FUNDS TO BUILD A LEVEE
BETWEEN MCCOLLISTER BOULEVARD AND CRANDIC RAILROAD
ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF THE IOWA RIVER.
Bailey/ I have something else....let's see. On, um, 20 (mumbled) on 26 I have some questions.
Just, um...with the HCDC discussion. There was some concern about...I guess my
fundamental question is, does staff believe that this will be a residential area for the
foreseeable future?
Davidson/ Based on our discussions with the property owners, we do believe that, uh, both the
Bacculus and Thatcher Trailer Parks are successful, commercial businesses. Uh, and
we've received no indications from those owners, um, that they have any intention other
than remaining trailer parks, but...that's...that's what we know.
Bailey/ But you'd talked with them (both talking)
Davidson/ ...obviously we're...our staff recommendation comes with that understanding, that
they're going to remain residential.
Bailey/ Okay (mumbled) just trying to reflect then some of the minutes that were provided to us.
Davidson/ Any other questions about that discussion at HCDC, because I...I wasn't present, but
I have had discussions with Steve and Tracy and can answer any questions you might
have.
Hayek/ Is there anything we can do, um, with respect to long-term use of that, uh, that area if
we're going to make this kind of investment?
Bailey/ What do you mean?
Hayek/ I mean, I...I can't imagine, but I don't know.
Dilkes/ I think the Comp Plan shows it as industrial.
Davidson/ Um, commercial intensive.
Dilkes/ Commercial intensive, and so clearly a rezoning request would be appropriate for that.
Um, I suppose you could talk about...
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Davidson/ And to clarify Eleanor's comment, I... obviously the Comp Plan shows the existing
land use being residential, but it shows the future land use being commercial. Well, it
shows the future land use being a greenway along the, uh, the flood impact portion of the
property, and then commercial intensive beyond that.
Hayek/ Right.
Dilkes/ So I guess what I'm suggesting is you...one thing we might do is take a look at the
planning for that area and...and you know, whether that's appropriate, whether a
rezoning would be in order, or if that be a spot zoning...I...I don't know.
Davidson/ I mean the way we typically take that in the Comprehensive Plan is that if there is a
change in the land use...we believe the most appropriate land use is, uh, for commercial
intensive. The commercial court area is commercial intensive, so it would be a
continuation of that south, and essentially the Comprehensive Plan says get the people
out of the flood hazard area. The...the Comprehensive Plan did not contemplate flood of
08 and the City Council's decision that perhaps a levee was an appropriate project. So,
that's all come after the Comprehensive Planning that went into what's reflected.
Dilkes/ So what I'm suggesting is we might want to take a look at our Comprehensive Plan for
that area.
Hayek/ Before we take action on this or...
Dilkes/ No. Not before we take action on this.
Hayek/ Just...
Dilkes/ This is just an application...this is just an application (several talking)
Davidson/ All that's on your agenda this evening is a resolution authorizing application of the I-
Jobs 2 program.
Hayek/ Okay. And if that falls through its academic.
Dilkes/ Right.
Davidson/ Well, at least for now.
Hayek/ For now! Yeah.
Davidson/ Any other questions about, uh, that item? Thank you.
ITEM 25. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION CONCERNING MEDIACOM
COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATIONS' 2010 UPDATING OF RATES FOR
BASIC CABLE SERVICES.
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Bailey/ I had a quick little question about Mediacom.
Hayek/ What number's that?
Bailey/ 25. Um, we're adjusting the basic tier rate, but the basic tier...I mean, just...an aside or as we're
talking about the basic tier, as somebody who's unfortunate enough to have just the basic tier,
there are two channels that are currently inoperable. There... and I don't know what the intent is.
Helling/ You mean dark channels, nothing on `em?
Bailey/ Yeah.
Wrightl Just at your house or have you verified this with other people, cause that's...that's quite variable,
from what I've been able to tell.
Bailey/ Well, one of `em...one of `em went out when the digital switch came, and it's been out, and I
talked with some staff about that, and they thought it would be up and running, but it hasn't come
back. And then the other one, I don't know, it might be my house but I don't know.
Wright/ We had the same problem, and they were out because the cable Internet was out and they fixed
the television at the same time, and they had our channels (both talking)
Bailey/ Well, these have been out for quite some time.
Wright/ Yeah. We didn't have IPTV for a long time and then (both talking)
Bailey/ Okay.
Helling/ Yeah, IPTV should very clearly be on there. It's the off-air channels, um, the local access
channels, um, I think that's...
Bailey/ I can't remember the number that this is, and maybe I'll look (both talking)
Helling/ ...we can go back and check and find out.
Bailey/ Yeah.
Helling/ (mumbled)
Bailey/ It just reminded me, reading this. Thanks.
ITEM 26. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN
AN APPLICATION FOR I-JOBS II GRANT FUNDS TO BUILD A LEVEE
BETWEEN MCCOLLISTER BOULEVARD AND CRANDIC RAILROAD ALONG
THE WEST SIDE OF THE IOWA RIVER.
Hayek/ I want to revisit 26, which is the levee issue. I had one...one question I forgot to ask, and that is,
and it may not be appropriate for tonight to the extent all we're doing is approving an application,
but you know, if we get this... if we get the funding and we redirect the...the pot of money we're
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talking about here and we got forward with this project, this provides a substantial benefit to the
property owners, um, when is the appropriate time to talk to them about...what response they will
have when it comes to things like construction easements and other things that...uh, we would
have to go through to complete the levee project.
Davidson/ We'll definitely have property acquisition from the two trailer park owners for this project.
Dilkes/ Yeah, there's a...relocation required of two or three trailers, I know that.
Hayek/ I guess my point is, I... foreshadowing the situation where we're providing a substantial benefit to
property owners, uh, in that area and... and the idea of then having to pay additional funds to
acquire easement rights for the levee and things like that, I don't know.
Bailey/ Wouldn't that be part of the direction that we give to staff (both talking) funding?
Hayek/ ...yeah, so...
Dilkes/ We're going to have to have some conversation about this, because um...we're going to have to
have some conversation about this, probably in executive session, cause it's property acquisition.
We could do that. Um, just as a general matter, um, Iowa law does not...does not allow you to
consider the benefit conferred on a piece of property in terms of the condemnation value. So
what you're essentially talking about is...a...agreeing to spend the grant money contingent on,
for example, donation of property rights, and I don't know if that's going to dovetail with the I-
Jobs 2 funding, uh, schedule.
Bailey/ But couldn't we, if we got the funding, couldn't we move into the project, and if it was... if it
became clear that we couldn't proceed with the project, we would simply... return the grant,
right?
Dilkes/ Well, but there...there are, um, time limits on how quickly you get in the ground. In fact we've
talked about (both talking) we've talked about splitting up, in fact we...
Bailey/ ...well aware of those (both talking)
Dilkes/ ...yeah, I know that, but because we're, um, required to acquire property for this project, we knew
that that was going to be a stumbling block with the grant, and therefore we have talked about
splitting it up into phasing, with Phase 1 being the portion that does not require, uh, property
acquisition, but we certainly don't want to go into a project only being able to get half-way
through it, so...um, that's just (several talking) there's a lot of issues there. Yeah.
Bailey/ But I mean there are some...well...this is all contingent upon getting the grant, but it seems like
there would be some decision points at which it would become clear that we couldn't meet the
timeline requirements.
Dilkes/ We'd have to look at that. I...I believe you often are making those commitments when you apply
for the grant, and when you accept it, but we'd have to look at those.
Davidson/ We have had discussions with the property owners that would be impacted. There is not, to
my knowledge, been any offer of donation of property, uh, in order to proceed with the project,
but they are in general supportive of the project.
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Champion/ Well I would hope so!
Bailey/ Well I...
Davidson/ There's been some discussion, Connie, on exactly how we would execute the project, and we
may not see exactly eye-to-eye with at least one of the property owners on the actual execution of
the project.
Dilkes/ We also have, um, municipal infractions pending, as a result of the levees, um, that were put in
place, the temporary levees that were put in place during the flood. Um, and that's all wrapped
up in this whole issue too.
Hayek/ I... just so I'm understanding this, we would be voting to approve this application, but some of
these issues that we've talked about are still...there to be resolved by this...by the City.
Dilkes/ Well, I mean, we're having some issues with the I-Jobs 1 funding on timing. I... if Rick or Jeff
have better insight into those issues...please share. I mean, I don't know whether we commit to
that with the application stage or when we sign the grant or...or what.
Fosse/ That...that comes when the grant is signed, and...and the issue with the I-Jobs 1 funding is the
waste water project, for which we're spending our I-Jobs money on, is... is of a bigger scope and
duration than they envisioned, uh, the I-Jobs money for. So we're working, uh, on ways that we
can modify the grant money is spent to basically front-end load the project with I-Jobs money,
move some of the EDA money to later in the project, but it's... administratively it's ...it's quite a
task ahead of us getting that worked out.
Dilkes/ But I'm talking specifically about this grant for this levee with the I-Jobs 2 funding. What would
the...and the timing issues that Council is identifying here. What is the...
Davidson/ We're anticipating that there will be the same 10%, I believe, of the project funds that need to
be put into the economy, uh, in the first 180 days of the project, and we are proceeding under a
scenario involving the turn-back of the Aniston Village funds, and our ability to use those. Uh,
we...we are really optimistic that we're going to get those funds earlier than we thought, which
would enable us to get the project going. Um, we are hopeful that the property acquisition issues
will resolve themselves. I mean, we have issues with property acquisition with...with most
projects, so um, you know, we're...we're proceeding not knowing for sure that all of this is going
to come together, but at least with some possible scenarios that it will come together, but certainly
the Governor's office is very, very interested in the economic stimulus aspect of this program,
and they are emphasizing that very much right now.
Dilkes/ And when do you anticipate that we would be asked to sign a grant agreement, if we got it?
Davidson/Mid-September.
Dilkes/ Okay. So...these are issues that we'd have to act very quickly on if...if Council was interested in
doing that.
Hayek/ But the point is there...there will be an opportunity to take up this stuff, between now and
whenever that... deadline is. Okay.
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Wright/ (mumbled)
Hayek/ Any other agenda items?
Dickens/ (mumbled)
Hayek/ Unless there's anything else, we can, uh, move on. Site of the new Animal Shelter. It's IP2.
Site of New Animal Shelter (IP2 of 7/8):
Wyss/ Good evening. Just to give you a quick update. We're still currently working, uh, out of
the temporary Animal Shelter on South Sand Road. It's about five miles south of Iowa
City, and uh, we are currently working with FEMA, trying to relocate the facility. We
have selected a potential site, which is located on South Gilbert Street, on the west side of
the street, between the river and the street, south of the softball diamonds, and north of
McCollister Boulevard. It's, uh, currently city-owned property. It has utilities that are
currently very close by. It has adequate green space, that is, uh, associated with that
location, um, and trails, as well as nearby parks. It's relatively centrally located, and we
feel that it's a site that's uh, consistent with that particular area. We're currently waiting
for archeological and uh, environmental studies from FEMA. Once they approve that,
then we' 11 formally come back and ask for approval of that site.
Hayek/ Any sense of when that would be?
Wyss/ Hopefully within a month, but uh, they said 30 days and that was about 30 days ago
(laughter)
Wright/ So we can be optimistic and say any day (laughter)
Wyss/ I...yes!
Wilburn/ A question, uh, for Rick. Uh, if you could refresh my memory. Just looking a little
longer term out, was this area north of McCollister too one of the proposed areas where
you were looking at for some of the heavier equipment, uh, storage, um...
Fosse/ Yes it is, and we've got a...a master plan for that area that has space in it for other uses,
such as this, and so this will be tucked somewhat behind the salt storage building there.
There's a portion that is out of the flood plain back in that location.
Wilburn/ Okay. Well, uh, I guess my question related to that...I presume then there'd be some
type of design, or road design, to try and...um, if you've got traffic coming in to the
Animal Shelter with some of that heavy equipment out there, that was only...
Fosse/ Oh, right, and the...the heavy equipment will come directly off the Gilbert Street into the
Public Works' site. Uh, where this will come off of Napoleon Lane.
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Wilburn/ Okay (both talking) that answers my question. Thank you.
Champion/ Is it going to be fairly visible from the road? I can't picture this.
Wyss/ Without having, uh, a design of the Public Works site, I mean, short-term -yes. Uh,
there's really no obstructions from the roadway. Long-term, I'm not so sure because I'm
really not sure. Maybe Rick could answer that...
Helling/ Yeah, I think there' 11 be a wayfinding sign there along the road. (several talking)
That's...that's (mumbled)
Wright/ (mumbled) to be more findable than what we have now.
Champion /Well that's easy, if you just keep going south! (laughter) Well, I'd just like to see it
more visible. I'm not going to vote against this because it's not more visible, but I think
it's...it's good to have it visible to people, and we have a humane animal shelter, and...I
just like, well (mumbled)
Dickens/ Now are the long term plans to build in front of that then, the heavier equipment
storage building then?
Fosse/ Yes, yes, and that's one of the advantages of this site is...is there'll be some screening, if
you will, between the site and the residential on the other side of the road there.
Hayek/ Any other questions for Captain?
Champion/ Does it bother you, Misha, that you can't see this place?
Goodman/ Um, I think you can...
Hayek/ Better come up to the podium, please.
Goodman/ ...we'll make it visible! (laughter) We don't have a problem (both talking) truly, I
think people will know we're there, uh, from the bridge I actually think it's more visible,
from that side coming in on the bridge side. Um, and it's certainly going to be visible
from the...the park area, I think as well, so a lot of it'll depend on the...on the design, as
Rick said. We'll have to see! We'll try and make it really tall for you, Connie!
(laughter)
Champion/ Thanks!
Hayek/ Thank you.
Wright/ A neon dog chasing a neon cat on a big sign.
Hayek/ Okay, uh, next is Aid to Agencies appropriations.
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Aid to Agencies Appropriations (IP2 of 7/8):
Davidson/ Uh, you had in your Information Packet the meeting minutes from...June 30, 2010,
where the HCDC committee, uh, commission, uh, considered the request from City
Council to basically take over the Aid to Agencies, uh, recommendation, screening and
recommendation process. Uh, and if you had a chance to take a look at those, uh, you
can see there was a lot of good discussion. Um, the upshot of the discussion was that, uh,
I think it's fair to say that there was no great burning desire on HCDC's part to...to take
over that process, but that if it is the City Council's desire, uh, they would be willing to
take on the work that is involved in screening the applications and uh, examining the City
STEPS document for what the City's priorities have been established by yourselves to be,
and uh, make a recommendation to you. They are willing to do that, according to a time
schedule that would accommodate your budget. Uh, and uh, take on that work, if... if it is
your desire for them to do so.
Bailey/ I just wanted to clarify, when I made this suggestion it was my intent not to...it really
particularly matters, but it was my intent that this would be part of their public services'
review. Public services' funding, so it wouldn't necessarily have to be one, another
process, or two, done in the fall, but done with their current, uh, cycle in a similar
fashion, but if...if this is the way that they determine that this...they'd like to undertake
it, I guess that that's fine, but that certainly wasn't my intent to give them another
process, I guess.
Champion/ Well, I would encourage us to keep the process that we have in place. This is a great
opportunity for these, uh, agencies to receive monies that don't have strings attached, and
I think that's the real good...the real best part of it. It doesn't say you have to use it for
services or rent or utilities. It goes into the general budget to use as they see fit. And, I
think they view that as a real asset when we give them this money. And, we've changed
things over the years. We think a little more about it, um, but I would encourage us...it
does not take any of us that much more time, and I think the agencies appreciate having
money that doesn't have any strings attached to it.
Bailey/ Well, it could be designated for operations, I'm assuming. Is there any barrier to that?
That in this process it could be designated...
Davidson/ ...the majority of it is designated...
Bailey/ Right, but...is there any reason that would change just because this commission would
undertake the review?
Champion/ ...think it would.
Wright/ Yeah, that was my understanding (both talking)
Bailey/ Yeah, that...that...I've certainly...
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Wright/ It's just the process for getting...getting the money would change.
Bailey/ I also think that this is a group that's, um, well, they're really in tune with what priorities
we've set forth as a community, and I think that they could view it from that perspective.
Wilburn/ They're also familiar...with how the operations of several of the agencies that would
be applying for that funding.
Davidson/ I think they were a little surprised that you would want to take yourselves out of
(several talking)
Champion/ I'm surprised we want to take it out too!
Davidson/ But...but certainly that if you decided you preferred this arrangement, they are happy
to accommodate...
Bailey/ But for those of us who don't sit on the review, it's the same sort of thing -it's a
recommendation. I mean (mumbled) of it.
Hayek/ I mean we...we've delegated the balance of those funds to them, having created that
organization and asked them to take up most of the CDBG and Home funding that we
get.
Wright/ Why don't we try letting them do this, this year, and see how it goes? And see if it turns
out to be too much of a task...an onerous task for the commission.
Bailey/ Well, and once again, I mean...I would encourage them to look at the systems they
already have in place, and if they wanted to roll it into their public services' review, we
just allocate a dollar amount and they take it with that so they're not...I think they had
$10,000 or $12,000 last year that they're limiting like 25...grants for $2,500 and this
would enable them to have some more funds to...to look at that process.
Davidson/ This would increase that to $425,000 given last year's numbers (both talking)
substantially greater amount of review than...than they're currently (mumbled)
Wright/ As somebody who's done the Aid to Agencies the past couple of years, they're going to
know a whole lot more than I am about the organizations that have applied, and...and I
think they're probably in a better position than...than most of us on the Council are to
make some of those decisions.
Hayek/ I'm okay trying it.
Wright/ I'd like to try it for a year.
Bailey/ I'd like to try it.
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Hayek/ I don't feel real strongly one way or the other, but in terms of sheer dollar amounts,
they...they already make recommendations on...on numbers that are larger than that.
Wright/ Yeah.
Bailey/ Can we mention to them though that...they can roll it into that process (both talking)
Wright/ Use the process that they already have.
Bailey/ Yeah, there wasn't the expectation of added work...necessarily.
Wright/ Unless they want it.
Bailey/ Yeah.
Hayek/ Does that work budgetarily, I mean, is there a difference in timing due to some other
factor?
Helling/ I think budgetarily it'll work however you want to do it. I think the question becomes
one of whether or not you want...the process you've followed has been a specific amount
for that Aid to Agencies' piece. So...what I'm hearing is that what you want to do is take
one amount, up to $425,000, and let everybody, the agencies and the other applicants for
CDBG funds to all be considered together. That's what I'm hearing.
Hayek/ Now is that...
Mims/ Wait! That's not what I was thinking.
Bailey/ Well that's part of the public services' review, is what happens in the spring. So we
allocate and it goes through that process.
Hayek/ Okay, well that...that is a distinction because you're take...you're going from a situation
in which you have a list of, let's call them usual suspects, who are, uh, on the Aid to
Agencies' list, right? And you're opening that up...to entities beyond that list? Is that
the intent?
Davidson/ We have typically done that, Matt. We've allowed other agencies but that's
scrutinized even more carefully I think.
Bailey/ I don't...I don't see it as a marked difference. It's...it's, I mean, it seems to me that this
is the same list of...of agencies who attend those...those training sessions about the grant
application. This would mean that they would kind of be doing what they've been doing
for public service dollars. I mean, like the ARC, they got public service dollars as well as
Aid to Agencies, and so that was...for carpet replacement or something. So...I don't see
the huge difference.
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Wright/ Same agencies would still be able to apply for the money though, right?
Bailey/ Right, and...and if they felt like they needed to...you know, approach it with some
history, I mean, they could do that too. I don't...I don't see what...I don't see why it
seems so different.
Champion/ Aren't they kind of project-specific though, like the money is given to them for
certain things? And I think that's the beauty of our funding. It has no strings attached!
Bailey/ There's no such thing, but...
Champion/ That's true! It has no strings attached.
Bailey/ Um...but public services could be for operations. I mean, it doesn't have to be a project.
I think it's project specific because the dollar amounts have been so small. That what can
we spend $2,500 on. But, I...I would...I brought it forward. I think I would like to try it
just...put it with the experts is what I think.
Wilburn /The process that was in place, any other agency could apply for it, it's just they tended
not to. They...either didn't know about it or they would apply and um...uh, there had
been names occasionally added over the years to that list.
Bailey/ Wasn't as well publicized, that opportunity as...as HCDC usually publicizes their...
Davidson/ Taken off once or twice.
Wilburn/ Yeah, or taken off, that's right.
Wright/ Yeah, we had a new agency come on last fall.
Champion/ Yeah, it was a...a one-time, um...kind of boost for them, um, cause they were just
getting going. Well, I mean, obviously I'm in the minority but I think we ought to leave
it the way it is.
Hayek/ Staff have a recommendation on...on that idea?
Wilburn/ The other potential benefit for an applicant, um, is that at least at the onset it won't be,
uh, kind of...lumped in with the Council's overall budget process, and you know
everyone who has served on that committee has spent the time and gone to the meetings
and in some years past it's been, you know, even more intensive meetings, the big
notebook that you get, but they may get an earlier indication as to what... at least what's
going to be recommended for them, than they would currently, in the current process,
because that commission will have some more time than the initial Council'll had to dig
into it, so they'11...I think the potential for...both awareness of the funds, um, some idea
as to whether, um, there's any questions about their application, that those things may...a
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chance to answer those sooner rather than later, and then um...um...in more recent past
than not there've been times when, um, the Council has had HCDC recommendations
although they could have changed, and then just the lump sum for the Aid to Agencies
get...gets put out there and approved, and a decision made later. So I think the
opportunity for the agencies to have a better indication as to the likelihood of their
funding earlier in their budget cycle, as opposed to...and again, I know that Council has
the authority to...to, um...
Hayek/ Modify?
Wilburn/ ...modify that, but at least, uh, it gives them some type of check and account... as, uh, a
little earlier I think (mumbled) opportunities there, and I think that they would appreciate
that.
Mims/ Having gone through the process only once, I certainly don't feel, you know, that I know
all the nuances of, you know, how they all work and...and the pros and cons, so I guess
from my perspective, if we decide to do this, I would really like to make it that we're
only doing it for one year as a trial, and then review it, um, at that point. I just...I really
don't feel comfortable to say real strongly one way or the other which I think is...
particularly think is better, having only gone through it once.
Bailey/ Is one year long enough to actually give it a trial, not that...not that I don't think we
should review it, but...just putting it out there. I don't feel strongly either way, but...
Mims/ No, I'm just saying I think if we do it it...should be done for a year and reviewed, and
then we either decide...it's fine or gee, maybe it's not fine, but with some tweaking it
could be fine, and we continue it, or...no, this just really doesn't work; we need to take it
back, but I just think a mandatory review after a year of the process.
Bailey/ So just schedule some time to debrief it. (several talking) Yeah, I think that makes
sense.
Hayek/ Okay. Sounds like that's...
Davidson/ ....trial, um, just to clarify then...I think Council's expectations should be that you
will receive a recommendation and... and that HCDC will give it the scrutiny, similar to
what the City Council subcommittee has, unless you want to address that differently.
Unless you want to give them any different instructions in terms of what your
expectations are, either on their scrutiny of the applications or your...the
recommendation they bring to you. Otherwise I think it'll be status quo.
Bailey/ Why won't they do what they do? I mean, why wouldn't they take their expertise and
use that, rather than doing what we've been doing? I mean, why would the scrutiny only
be cursory?
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Davidson/ Well I think that the review, I mean, again, I haven't been directly part of it. The
human services coordinator is the staff assistant to that, but I'm under the impression that
that subcommittee has reviewed things pretty carefully.
Bailey/ But not necessarily based upon City STEPS is my understanding. Why wouldn't they
use their standard review process, I guess is my question.
Davidson/ I believe they will use the...
Bailey/ Okay!
Davidson/ ...direction that is in City STEPS.
Bailey/ Okay.
Davidson/ ...again, as aCouncil-adopted document.
Bailey/ That's...that would be my expectation.
Davidson/ Okay.
Wilburn/ Also point out that the current process that they have has evolved over time, as well,
because there used to be, um, the...greater focus and emphasis, uh...when it was more
encompassed by the United Way funding process, and Council Members came to their
meeting which involved a broad array...and Council Members still looked at their, uh,
the auspices of their funds, but would hear these long evening presentations, and so that
process itself has evolved over time.
Davidson/ I haven't heard too many people lamenting that (both talking)
Wilburn/ Those were rough times! (laughter) So I'm just...those were rough times, yeah!
Hayek/ Okay. Thanks, Jeff. Let's try to make up a little lost time here, uh, the next is funding of
ECICOG.
Funding of ECICOG:
Mims/ Um, John's here, and I don't remember the exact date. We had a subcommittee meeting
of, um, JCCOG to talk about the funding of ECICOG after, uh, the issues that came up in
terms of the City indicating that we weren't going to, you know, pay for that anymore
and getting some feedback from, uh, the rest of JCCOG. Um, from that meeting, uh, and
I... I don't have a list of everybody that was there, but there was probably... ten or so
people, John, if you can help me. It...it was very clear that, um...there is significant
disagreement from the rest of JCCOG about the City of Iowa City's position. Um, there
is no one who spoke to any kind of support, um, of Iowa City's position. And, um, I
guess I could say that somewhat, um, disturbed by the position and by the way it
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was...the way it came about. Um, my recommendation to the Council is given the
amount of money that we're talking about, about $20,000 a year, and given the...the need
to maintain and always work to improve, um, our working relationships with the other
municipalities and governmental agencies in the area, that we just kind of step back from
that at this point and continue to fund it, and maybe at some point down the road look at,
um, take...approaching it a little bit differently and looking at how we might re-do that.
Um, there is a lot of money that we get through there. I realize that ...our staff does a lot
of that work on... ECICOG still signs off on a lot of that stuff. Um, I guess I would say
if for no other reason than, um, good will and trying to work more collaboratively, uh,
with the other area governments that we can back off from that one for now.
Wilburn/ Well, I'm...the, maybe this is a question better for Jeff Davidson then, if we are, if the
future Councils are to pay for that service, are...maybe that may be a...between now and
next couple years maybe it might be an opportunity to look at how we get value from our
investment, in terms of asking for services, more services, even if it's something on staff
that we figured out, not with the expectation that we're not paying for additional, but that
it comes out of our...our fee.
Davidson/ Yeah, I mean, certainly... if there's a way for Iowa City to make better use of
ECICOG I think ECICOG...ECICOG's receptive to that. They frequently have a charge
for their services for a specific item, um, you know, basically the services that they
provide are ones that you already have City staff people to provide. City of Cedar Rapids
is, you know, the same... same kind of a deal. Um, I...I think I've stated to you before,
and I think it bears mentioning (coughing) the way the County has...the County with a
small `c' has agreed to fund ECICOG is that you are...you are essentially giving your
support of the agency, even though we don't use it directly for very much. That it is a
good thing for the six county region, and a good thing for Johnson County to have this
entity in place, and to have it paid for by a per capita levy, and...and that their...I've
always thought it probably not accurate to believe that there should be a one-to-one
relationship in terms of what people are paying and the services that are being received,
because it's almost the inverse that the people who don't...the smaller entities that don't
have the staff are the ones that benefit most from ECICOG, but that Iowa City is
supportive of that arrangement, and that...that, Ross, to me is really what the rub has
been, is that it just...it seems a little non-intuitive that way of funding it. But certainly, if
we can make better use of ECICOG...we have a great relationship with ECICOG, that
does a great job, uh, with...with that entity. The professionalism of that group has...has
gone up substantially than if you looked 15 or 16 years ago before (mumbled)
professional job.
Hayek/ You know, I'm not sure it's worth the institutional friction that this issue is causing.
Bailey/ I'm not sure if doing this will reduce the institutional friction, but you...you represented
us, and that's your recommendation, so...how much good will does $20,000 buy?
Mims/ I'm not sure how much good will $20,000 buy...buys, but I think the opposite does a lot
more damage.
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Bailey/ We'll see.
Champion/ Well, I think part of the problem is is that the other entities that really benefit greatly
from that organization would then want the county to pay all of it, and I don't think the
county...I think that's where the real animosity is coming from. (several talking and
laughing)
Wright/ I think we felt that!
Champion/ Right! And...I mean, I don't like paying for something I'm not getting much reward
for.
Bailey/ Yeah, I'd pay $20,000 more for JCCOG. But...
Champion/ But I know what you're saying, and maybe this isn't the right time? But at
least...maybe we...I mean, when we do the...when we get the census figures back.
Maybe that will change, what we're paying.
Bailey/ (several talking) It'll go up.
Champion/ Why? Cause Coralville and North Liberty have grown like crazy!
Bailey/ But it's per capita.
Champion/ Oh!
Hayek/ What do the rest of you want to do?
Wright/ I have to agree with Connie, I don't like spending $20,000 for services we don't
particularly use, but I...I know I have felt the, uh, felt the love about this issue...I'm
willing to go with Susan's recommendation, but... sooner or later this ought to change,
because this is just a...I like showing support to our other, to the other communities. At
the same time, we're paying for services we don't get.
Mims/ I think one of the things that would be worthwhile for everybody at some point would be,
uh, a complete delineation of exactly what people are paying in the different areas, you
know, whether it's Coralville or the rural county, versus Iowa City, etc., and the kind of
money that has come back to each of those entities through JCCOG, or through ECICOG.
I mean, because when we started that subcommittee meeting, I can tell you the first thing
that happened was a list being brought out of all the money that has come back to Iowa
City through ECICOG. Okay? And whether it was done by ECICOG or by Iowa City or
other people, for example, asingle-family housing money, grant money, that's come back
into Iowa City. I mean, basically what was being said is Iowa City is very much
benefitting from ECICOG, and for you to pull out, you know, just isn't right; it isn't fair,
and just, I mean, that is the perception, that is the attitude that is there, and so...uh, I
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think at some point in the future if we want to re... address this again in terms of how the
funding is done, we should really start from an analytical point of view of what is being
paid by each of the entities, what is their population, and exactly what kinds of benefits
and financial... financial benefits and services are coming back to those, um, and start
from that premise and go forward.
Hayek/ Looks like there are four people supportive... are you... (several talking) Okay.
Wilburn/ I was just suggesting that we...have Jeff look at (mumbled)
Mims/ I would agree! In the meantime if there's any other benefits, I mean, they did our hazard
mitigation plan. I don't know if we paid for that. Um...but yeah, there are things they're
doing, but certainly if there's more benefit that we can get from their services we should
take advantage of it, I agree.
Hayek/ Okay. Staff, did you get a clear enough indication from us? Okay. All right, let's see
what we can do in, uh, taxicab policies, IP3.
Taxicab Regulations:
Karr/ You have a memo from me in your packet on current taxi regulations, and also a report on
meetings we've held with the, uh, companies and with staff involved in the procedure.
Um, I'll be happy to answer any questions. I'm not quite sure if you want to identify
what items you want to, uh, discuss first. There are obviously some that are dependent
on...on other regulations and how they fall together and fit together. So, uh, again, staff
has made a recommendation to look at some of the, um, items identified and... again,
they're available tonight to talk about it and see what we can package to bring back to
you.
Hayek/ Should we follow the...specific recommendations from your memo?
Wright/ Why don't we just step through it?
Hayek/ Yeah.
Karr/ Sure. The digital electronic signs...do you want to start with that?
Hayek/ Sure. Yeah, why don't you lead us through those in that order, please.
Karr/ Okay. The items that were identified in previous discussions, either by Council Members
themselves, by citizens, uh, staff or uh, companies involved. Uh, digital electronic signs,
uh, at the meeting there was only one company that was interested in pursuing it. We
reviewed earlier with...with you the fact the State law does not allow flashing signs, and
encouraged the applicant to contact the legislature on clarifying that language. We left
open our ordinance to not prohibit it should the language change. Um, and the applicant
indicated they had done some work, but had not pursued it totally. We're recommending
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no further action at this time. We were not able to locate any other city in the state either
that did allow at the present time this type of thing, and most of them responded with the
State law citation. Insurance rates, we visited this two or three times, um, since many of
you've been on Council, but at the request of the companies we visited again. We asked
the risk manager to take a look at it. Um, she met with our insurance carrier and did
some research. In addition, we also took a look at, uh, some of the information you have
before you from other cities. Um, bottom line, a number of other cities are in the process
of reviewing their rates, um, none of them are going down. Most of them are going up.
Our risk management and finance and insurance people have suggested that we make no
changes in the insurance rates at the present time. Questions?
Hayek/ Are we in agreement that no action, uh, regarding digital electronic signs and insurance
rates? (several talking)
Karr/ Rates and taxi meters, um, this I put together because there's a relationship, uh, between
the two. Um, we've had a number of concerns about overcharging. First, I might want
to, and it's noted in your summary, I do want to state that there's no one, or no entity,
more frustrated, more concerned about the complaints than the industry owners
themselves. It puts them in a bad light, they realize that, um, they too want to know if
there's a problem with overcharging, so that being said, um, we took a look at it. Um,
much of the concerns we've had, uh, expressed to us dealt with confusion and/or abuse
with special event rates, i.e., when do they start, when do they stop, what does it mean.
Does a person understand what an event is. They may be visiting here, and not...not be
visiting for that event. Um, one thing we noticed, and you can see in the attached
information, we didn't see a lot of cities who did special event rates. We saw a lot of
cities who do destination rates, or straight miles, quarter miles, and/or utilized a taxi
meter across the board. Um, we are not suggesting that we, um, that the City establish
the rates. Some cities do establish it. We are not recommending that. Many of our cabs
already have taxi meters in them, voluntarily. Um, we are recommending that, uh, taxi
meters, uh, be installed in all of the, in all the cabs, and um, that they establish their own
rates and that those rates be based on whatever miles or fractions of miles that they wish
to do, per company, and that they also allow the extra rider stipulation, um, and just to
clarify that is if you're going from point A to point B and it's $12.00, an extra rider may
be, for instance, uh, a dollar a head more, so that if you... okay? Um, another thing that
the taxi meter would allow, and some of the basis for our complaints was multiple riders
in the cab with multiple destinations. Uh, taxi meters allow you to set those type of fares,
uh, and very clearly would handle that situation. So we're recommending taxi meters be
required, and an understanding that if the taxi meter is not working the cab cannot carry
passengers. We also would encourage on the flip side that riders, certainly ask for a
receipt, whether they have a complaint or not, but certainly if you have a complaint, that
means a great deal, that you've got a receipt showing what you were charged to go from
point A to point B. And those are available right now, but...but certainly educating
the...the rider on that. Uh, finally, in our surveys with other cities we noticed that many
of them do require a manifest log be available upon a request. Uh, the Police Department
indicated that would help them a great deal in, uh, pursuing complaints. We think that
also would assist the company owners if the driver perhaps were taking, uh...uh, fares,
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um, and not necessarily have been, uh, informed. So we are recommending that as well.
So that's (both talking)
Hayek/ As for that series of recommendations as to the rates and taxi meters heading, does
anybody have a concern with any of those recommendations?
Wright/ No, I think absolutely, uh, meters. I don't want to set the rates for the companies, but I
think their rates should be very clearly posted in the cab.
Karr/ We will not change that requirement, that the rates be posted.
Wright/ Okay.
Karr/ Some voluntarily, uh, many cities also suggested they put on the outside of the cab. We
have not done that. We have asked they be posted on the inside.
Wright/ I'd like to see it on the outside of the cab too.
Karr/ We don't make that mandatory. That certainly...at the present time. If you wish to do
that, that's another issue.
Champion/ Well, I like the idea of the taxi meters, and I think that will eliminate a lot of...kind
of the so-called dark night taxis that just get in their car and put a taxi sign on it. So I like
the idea of meters. I think it's fair for everybody.
Wright/ And I also like the idea of no special event rates. I think those are very confusing.
Hayek/ Okay.
Higgins/ Yeah, I agree. I'm very supportive of everything that you said, and especially the
special event rates. I know that's a...a great opportunity for abuse. So I...I really think
that that should be a (mumbled), and I would also, um, highly recommend the manifest
logs just for the...for safety purposes.
Bailey/ I think that makes sense too.
Hayek/ Okay.
Karr/ Um, cab stands, two issues were identified in our meeting with the cab companies,
and...and for assistance on this I went to, um, John Yapp and our Police Department and
our Parking Department, and they dealt with double parking on Clinton Street and the u-
turn at the Field House, the roundabout, um, as noted in the memo, the double parking on
Clinton, uh, staff was against the double parking, even between 11 and 6. Uh, it's
important to keep that lane open. Uh, especially at night, and one thing that was pointed
out... in our insurance rates, and I think it's very clear here too, we are blessed in our
community of...having the most, one of the most diverse communities as far as
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pedestrian and bicycle traffic 24/7. So many other larger cities or certainly equal in size
may not have the opportunities for the mixed flow, and um, that was a safety concern as
well...raised. The u-turn at the Field House, um, that is, um, it's permitted only for
University service vehicles, due to the desire to maintain, again, that pedestrian-friendly,
uh, atmosphere. Um, cabs just like the general public can travel east to Melrose
(mumbled) are not considered, or not to be considered like the buses that can turn at the
top. Um, and staff did want to note that since the roundabout was installed, the speeds
have decreased significantly on Grand Avenue, and I think anybody who travels that
certainly can see that. So we're recommending no action at this time on those as well.
Hayek/ In agreement with that? (several talking)
Champion/ I agree with...what you're saying. It'd be nice to have some taxi stands, but I don't
know where you'd put `em or how you control it.
Karr/ On the west side? Or you just mean downtown?
Champion/ General.
Karr/ Um...we certainly have a provision that individuals can request cab stands, and we do take
a look at them. Um, we have a number of companies as noted here, too, and how you
would address all of them seems to be...uh...an issue as well. Um...under other, we're
asking you to take a look at, uh, and many of these were addressed by the companies in
our meeting as well. Some of these were also addressed by you earlier. Uh, we have a
lot of dispatching now from cars themselves because of cell phones. A number of years
ago we suggested the requirement of having an office or a dispatching station. Um,
that... should there be an issue that you know you could find somebody in the office. We
have problems locating, uh, people, mailing addresses for offices change. It's very
difficult to track some of the companies. Um, so I'd like you to consider the requiring
the dispatching station, the 24/7 operation. Uh, as you can see also we have, uh, 18
companies, potential for increasing the requirement to start a business to four vehicles,
rather than the existing two. And, we will also add language regarding the penalty if an
unlicensed vehicle is driving with a bubble light and lettering. We have a number of
them who will start up and then at a slow time of year chose to be "out of the business,"
cancel their insurance, turn in their decal so they are actually not insured or... or
decabbed, as the phrase we used at our meeting was; however, because the bubble light is
there and the lettering is on the car, they, um, could be downtown and be presented an
opportunity to haul a passenger. So we would like to clarify that penalty as well. Is there
any interest to pursue any of the items in 1 through 4?
Wright/ I'd like to pursue all four.
Bailey/ All of `em.
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Karr/ This would be, as you can tell from some of the smaller companies, this could be a major,
uh, impact on some of the smaller ones. Uh, the increasing, as well as the requiring an
office.
Hayek/ I guess (both talking)
Karr/ Pursue all four?
Hayek/ I'm a little less sure about (several talking) get into more small business aspects, um, I
mean, I potentially could be convinced on the safety and other arguments...other aspects
of this, but...we've made pretty fast progress through things that I think are obvious, uh,
and good policy moves. This...
Champion/ Number 4 is easy!
Mims/ I think 3 and 4 are easy! I mean, with 18 companies already increasing the requirement to
start a business to four vehicles, I don't have a problem with that, and the unlicensed cab
issue, I don't have a problem with.
Champion/ I don't have any problem...
Mims/ The first two...I agree. I mean, that's...if there's some way to phase into it even, to give
people chance to build their business to that point, or...I don't know. (several talking)
Wright/ ...dispatching while the guy is trying to drive you is very unsettling.
Bailey/ Yeah, I think that that...that is a safety concern, I think. I mean, it's not a quick
conversation, yeah, I'll be there in a minute. It's...it's dispatching...from acell phone,
while somebody's driving. And, I've been in those situations.
Karr/ You realize these are yearly requirements. Every year we do license cabs.
Wilburn/ It's always interesting how things, uh, evolve over time, um...I'm in support of all of
those, uh, what you (mumbled) make sense, I forget the words that...that you used, um,
for the items...it was clear, whatever you said.
Hayek/ Those weren't obvious back in the day?
Wilburn/ Um (laughter) the...these recommendations came up for...it made sense then, it makes
sense to me now, um, I think a big thing, you know, even just the meters was considered
a hardship, uh, back then and uh, you know, some Council Members had concerns with
micromanaging and... and we're going to trust the businesses to do X, Y and Z and um,
some of us expressed concerns related to...um, the fares, um, and uh, you know,
it's...evolved to the point where unfortunately some folks, uh, take advantage of, um,
opportunities that present themselves, and so uh, in my opinion, it's just helpful to, um,
clarify and make the fare for all of them, that this set of guidelines, if we are going to
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have regulation, to make sure that, uh, you know, both operations for them, but also the
public safety aspect and expectations by the community is important, to...to balance that
with.
Karr/ That was our primary goal, is to not necessarily make it more difficult, but to get the
legitimate companies who are providing a legitimate service to our community the ability
to provide a good quality product and service.
Champion/ I understand that, and I...I don't like the idea that you have to have four cabs to start
a business. I can support the other things. Um...I mean, why not three cabs or five, I
mean, why...I don't know. It's...that's like saying, well, when you open that clothing
store you've got to have so much inventory, and maybe I can't afford that much
inventory. So...that...that's, you know, four is a lot!
Hayek/ Eleanor?
Dilkes/ Can L .. L ..I think just to expand on staff's thinking a little bit. Um, the difference
between this and a clothing store is that we don't license the clothing store. (both
talking) And...and when the City gives a license, it's...there's some indication of a
stamp of approval. And, the...they're safe, legitimate, etc. And, by requiring a certain
amount of dedication of resources -number of vehicles, a dispatch center, that kind of
thing - by doing that you get to some of those safety concerns. I mean, if you can...if
you can put four vehicles on the road, it's more likely you can service them
appropriately. It's...it's more likely you can dispatch without having to talk on the phone
while you're driving somebody else in the car. That's the kind of thing that staff is trying
to get at here. And...and without doing those things, the continuing licensing...you...
I'm not sure it means what people think it means.
Champion/ Right.
Dilkes/ And that's fine if you want to make that political decision to do that, but...but I think you
have to be conscious that you're doing that, and when people call and say I don't like it
that they're talking on the phone when they're driving me or, you know, this vehicles
fender was falling off. You have to take...say, well that's the decision we've made.
Hayek/ Well, are there four people who would support those four sub-items under other?
Bailey/ Yes.
Wilburn/ Yes.
Champion/ Yes, I will too.
Hayek/ Okay. So there's a majority on that.
Karr/ Okay. Uh, want to keep going?
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Hayek/ Yeah, we've got...we're looking at the continuing work session...
Karr/ Do you want to keep going or do you want to recess...
Hayek/ Let's see if we can get done the (both talking)
Karr/ ...basically, what we're doing there in a nutshell as far as staff is concerned is we're, again,
recognizing the importance to continue the licensing and the driving badge, uh, approval,
if you will, but we're also putting the onus back on the company a little bit more, to take
a look at their drivers, and to uh, do the necessary, uh, paperwork. We will continue to
do the certified driving record. We'll continue to do the DCI report and the police
approval. But we'd like to suggest that the Certificate of Insurance, per driver, per
company be...between the company and the driver, as part of the hiring. Um, with 300
drivers currently, you can only imagine how many changes we get on Certificate of
Insurances. Uh, and again, that should be a condition of employment between the driver
and the company themselves. Um, we also had the additional twist with the driver's
license, the temporary ones being provided July 1. We had some, uh, some interesting
changes there that would allow us to, uh, again, going back to put the onus on the
company to...to handle those issues. Uh, we would continue to license, uh, we would
require that the badge of some type be determined, but that would be up to the company
to do. Uh, individual would be licensed to drive a taxi for one or multiple companies and
not one per, uh, it would be an occupation, not one dedicated to a company. Uh, we
would also amend the code necessarily to secure, uh, the insurance for each driver, that
the company be responsible for that, and uh, we also would clear up another issue we've
had is when we have a situation that we need to, um, provide for a revocation for a
driver's badge, our code right now requires registered letter be sent. It's $13.50 to send
the registered letter to get to the person. Um, we are providing that if a person is, um, if
the driver is cited that this would provide the Police Department to notify them on the
spot of a potential problem. Save not only the taxpayers money to send the letter, but be
a much quicker, speedier response to a problem. Um...we also would provide licensed
drivers be available on the Internet 24/7 so if a, uh, driver wanted to drive for multiple
companies or switch companies, that this would allow, uh, any of the company owners to
take a look at licensed drivers that the City has at all times and not just during regular
office hours.
Hayek/ Consensus on those?
Wright/ Seems pretty sensible to me.
Bailey/ Yeah.
Karr/ Go? Okay. Finally, uh, inspection fee. The City Equipment Division has been inspecting
taxi vehicles, um, for a couple years. And right now they've performed in the last six
months 103 inspections. Currently we have 86 cabs, so obviously you can tell that some
of the cabs did not pass and people have decided not to license them. We've never
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charged for an inspection before. Um, each inspection costs about $18.00. The cost does
not even include the paperwork or the administrative responsibility. It's the actual labor
and time of... of our City employees. Um, looking at the current shop rate (mumbled)
$25 inspection fee would be justified and um, also we wanted to clarify that this is not a
reinspection fee. This fee would be paid for each individual who wanted to put a car on.
There would be no charge for a reinspection. We don't want to give the appearance that
we're trying to fail vehicles to make more money. We are just recouping the cost of the
initial, uh, inspection fee to begin with. And we would build that right into the basic fee
for a decal and collect that in my office so as not to burden the Equipment Division with
collecting the money, and then just reimburse it to their account. It would be...it would
increase the cost of the decal and the per vehicle charge, but once again, we think it's fair
given that City taxpayers have been...have been paying for the...for this service for some
time for the companies.
Mims/ These are basically annual fees?
Karr/ Yes they are. They're...all decals are due March 1. If you add it mid-year we prorate it,
but yes, these are annual.
Mims/ Okay, thank you.
Wright/ I think of all the other types of inspections that we already charge for...this seems right
in line.
Hayek/ ...agreement on that?
Dickens/ I do have one question going back to the number of cabs. The pedi-cab, how would
that affect them? Would they still be required to have four of the pedal...
Karr/ No. We would...we have some exemptions in there for shuttle services, uh, to the airport
and back, and for pedi-cabs, and we would continue those same exceptions.
Dickens/ (mumbled)
Hayek/ Okay. I think we've gotten to the end of your memo. Why don't we...
Karr/ We'll present this...we'll formulate it and present it, uh, hopefully on your August 17`n
agenda.
Hayek/ Why don't we continue the work session till after the formal and take up what's left on
the agenda. Okay? Shouldn't take too long. (BREAK TO FORMAL MEETING)
Information Packet Discussion:
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Hayek/ Let's resume the work session here. We ended with taxi cab policies, so next on the
work session agenda is info packets, and we have four of them to go through. Let's start
with June 17. Is there anything on that? (several responding) Okay.
Wright/ Those are some really basic info packets for the most part.
Hayek/ Yeah.
Bailey/ Info, yeah.
Hayek/ Anything on the June 24th? All right. July 1.
Bailey/ Loved the outdoor pianos.
Champion/ Oh, I know it! Those are great!
Wright/ Terrific!
Mims/ And I did...related to that kind of, yet not (laughter) um...
Bailey/ Eleanor'll tell you if it is or not! (laughter)
Mims/ ...well I thought of it (mumbled) Ginsberg.
Karr/ I do need the microphones left on.
Mims/ Kind of related to that, I did stop by and, um, thank Mark Ginsberg the other day for the
opinion piece that he had in the paper, um, that I thought did an excellent job in terms of
defending the downtown and...and the community and stuff from another opinion that
had some factual errors and some, I think, misconceptions and so think Mark did a really
nice job and appreciate his support of the pianos as well.
Bailey/ Yeah!
Hayek/ Anything else on that one? Okay. Um, there is this, uh, what is this called? Summer of
Solutions, a renewed vision conference.
Bailey/ Oh, right. (several talking)
Hayek/ July 17th at the Public Library. Do we have staff going to this or not? I'm not...very
familiar with this entity. (several talking) Well, at a minimum I just want to bring it just
to everyone's attention.
Bailey/ Well and...is it coming from the community or from outside the community? I got the
impression it was coming into the community, which is...not that there's anything wrong
with that, but it's a very busy weekend. You know, for planning.
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Hayek/ Yeah, I don't know, I mean, it's an Iowa City address. It could be a local chapter of...a
broader organization. It's climate change, environmental issues, that type thing.
Anyway, it's in your Info Packet and I draw your attention to it. Anything on the July 8
packet?
Mims/ Calendar.
Council Time:
Hayek/ Yeah, well we'll take that up under, just kind of keep that....I've got that open myself
and we'll take that up in a little bit. Uh, anything on Council time that...didn't get a
chance to mention before? Did...I notice, and this is really more of an agenda thing, in
the Consent Calendar there's a piece about, uh, what Ann Arbor, Michigan did on, uh,
phosphorous (several commenting). Would there be interest in having staff at least look
at this and give us (several talking)
Bailey/ Especially for our own policies, what we do with our own property first and foremost.
Hayek/ Okay.
Dilkes/ You remember there's a history...you know there's a history of that in Iowa City.
There's a specific State ordinance that specifically preempts local action with respect to
pesticides, and I was looking at the definition of...pesticides today, which is fairly broad,
so that's going to be the issue there. I thought I might...I mean, if you're interested (both
talking)
Bailey/ I didn't know that there was something like that.
Dilkes/ Oh, before I was here, it was like in 94, I think, because the State legislation was passed
in 94, and there was I...well, Dale, you...
Karr/ There was an initiative that we were involved in here, as well.
Helling/ Right.
Dilkes/ There was a local effort to ban certain, uh, lawn chemicals and um, the...just right before
I think you were ready to pass something the State acted, so...
Hayek/ Okay.
Mims/ (several talking) falls under that because it's, I mean, it's not phosphorous itself is not a
pesticide. But I don't know what (several talking)
Dilkes/ It's a fertilizer, but that's...I know, and I was reading the definition. It looks to me like it
covers it pretty broadly, but I...I could call the State agency and see.
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Hayek/ Well just a memo to us that the (several talking)
Bailey/ Put it in our Info Packet. We can discuss it, and have the public understand that their
action might be needed at the State level, if they're interested in pursuing.
Wright/ Yeah, your comment triggered a memory that the...actually a bill in the legislature...last
year or the year before, to try to control some of the chemicals and fertilizers and the
Farm Bureau fought that off pretty easily.
Hayek/ Okay (several talking)
Karr/ As I recall we had even passed it and had to repeal it...locally.
Dilkes/ (several talking) Yeah, and the definition of pesticides is something like...it..."b" is
helping things grow or something to that effect.
Champion/ I do have a...
Dilkes/ It's pretty broad but...
Champion/ I got a couple things. Um, that...
Hayek/ Thanks, Eleanor, for that.
Champion/ Um, yeah, because I would be very interested in that. Um...my brain's dead.
Um...there, I have had reports of minors entering bars and getting bands that they're 21,
and I think that's going to be a problem, because our bar owners are not responsible. I
think it's...something we need to bring up with our legislators. Uh, that as long as bars
are not responsible for who's possessing alcohol in their place of business, they don't
care. And I think that's going to be a continuing problem. And I think the instance with
the football player. He had an age of 21 band on, and he might have had a fake I.D., but I
don't think it makes any difference. I think there are bar owners who are going to do it
anyway. So, and then I got a letter, which I'll...um...from Mr. Tredt. Did you get that
letter? Avery good letter about the problems that the Dram insurance of Iowa has on
controlling sales of alcohol, because Dram insurance is based on retail sales and not
wholesale buying, and that's one reason like to keep the price really low. So that's
another thing I think we should consider talking about when we talk about things to talk
to our legislators about. That's why they do cover charges and, you know, huge drinks
for 50-cents or a quarter, whatever it (mumbled)
Wright/ Or a dollar.
Champion/ Or a dollar, but...those are two things that have come to my attention this week that I
think are, um, things we should think about.
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Hayek/ Just a point of clarification. I, sounds like several of us got this letter. Does that in and
of itself put it in the...trigger an obligation to put it in the packet?
Bailey/ I haven't seen it.
Wright/ I didn't either.
Mims/ I did.
Champion/ I might have brought it actually. (several talking)
Karr/ Well, again, it's the fact...it may have been addressed to each of you individually so you
wouldn't necessarily know that a quorum of you got it, but we don't have it, and since
you made it public now we need a copy.
Champion/ Okay! I have notes on the back.
Karr/ I'll be happy to make a copy and you can have your notes. (laughter)
Champion/ Okay. I need my notes on the back.
Karr/ Okay!
Champion/ I don't think he'll mind. In fact I was going to ask him to send a similar letter to our
legislators. (mumbled)
Mims/ Somebody mentioned it the other day somewhere, and said that he...I know! It was in
another meeting that I was in, um...that he, that was mentioned that somebody else had
gotten it, and he had told this individual, `use it any way you want.'
Champion/ Okay, good!
Wright/ I don't think a quorum of us got it anyway, Connie, so...
Bailey/ Well, it's been mentioned. It's in the public record.
Champion/ Well, anyway, it's...it's a very valid point as part of our alcohol problem. I can just
write this down. You don't have to get it back to me.
Hayek/ It has to do with...with reporting, um, sales as it relates to Dram shop insurance,
which...in a conversation with Marian Karr, I learned is really the province of the State.
We'll put it in the packet. You'all can see it. It's a very interesting letter. Anything
else?
Champion/ Me and my big mouth as usual! I...it's fine! He won't care! It's a good letter.
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Bailey/ Where are we?
Hayek/ Council time.
Bailey/ Oh!
Hayek/ Anybody else have any Council items? Budget priorities, anything on that? Doesn't
look like it. Pending work session issues, IP4.
Pending Work Session Issues (IP4):
Helling/ Just call your attention to the, uh, third one down. That's one that was added tonight,
and you took care of that, so that will come off. The Aid to Agencies appropriations.
Wright/ And the JCCOG affordable housing. Subcommittee (mumbled) on Thursday, I believe,
afternoon. Um, and have some (coughing) make some recommendations then to go to
JCCOG.
Hayek/ Okay.
Mims/ Uh, one other one with that. I've...when we were doing the interviewing of the, um,
search firms, actually let me take that back. When we were being interviewed by the
search firm that we selected, Slavin... and Associates, in my comments with them some
discussion came up about some things, you know, the way we do certain things in the
City and kind of triggered some things with, uh, Paul Wenbert, I think that's his name,
and so he sent to me, and I believe he sent to Dale as well, some information on, uh, I
think it's called TechSolve Company, which does some, um, process, kind of reviews
processes and that sort of thing, and I guess what I would like to do...I've mentioned it to
Matt I think when we ran into each other, uh, maybe coming out of JCCOG one day or
something, and Terry, and would like to kind of pass that on to everybody else, and
maybe put it on our work session agenda. Um, for the...for August, so that we could
have some discussion. In a nutshell what they do is they come in, they...it's a company
that basically got started out of Cincinnati, Procter and Gamble was part of it and some
other big companies for whom efficiencies and process are critical and a very part of their
culture, and the company has kind of expanded and does a lot of, uh, municipal work, and
Paul is kind of a consultant to them, and what they would do if we were interested is
basically come in, review a lot of our processes and procedures, particularly in the whole,
uh, development area, and make recommendations and suggestions on things that we
might do to increase our efficiencies to help the City, to help the developers, that sort of
thing. Um, the information they sent I think is very, uh, very interesting, very worth, uh,
some further discussion, um, so I'd kind of like to put that forward as a...as an item for
our agenda.
Hayek/ Is there interest in that? (several responding) Okay.
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Champion/ I think it sounds like a great idea, but I'd kind of like to wait until we have a new
City Manager in place.
Mims/ Actually that was part of the discussion, and Paul has been a city manager and I know
Dale's kind of talked about this with him too, is there's really kind of some pros and
cons, that it can be an advantage to get it done before a new city manager comes in so it's
not something that they are, um (both talking) well, could be! You know, blamed for or
having to be involved in initially, um, and so I ....certainly I know from Paul's
perspective, he didn't see it as being anything...didn't see it as being, um, any problem of
doing it before we had a new city manager on board.
Dilkes/ My sense...just one comment. My sense was, there was some discussion of that in our
meeting with him, as well I thought this was actually Paul's business.
Mims/ He...it's not...
Dilkes/ So I mean, I think you need to...I don't know exactly what the relation...but...but you
want...I don't know that you want to complicate your relationship with him, with respect
to the city manager search right now maybe. Um, it might make sense to do it later, but
at least I think you should think about that before embarking on that.
Bailey/ Yeah, and I do tend to agree with Connie, I mean, especially if it's Paul's business. I'm
sure I could see why he wouldn't think that there would be a problem (laughter) moving
ahead on it. I would say the same thing if it were mine. Um, but I think it...merits some
look, but I think that...you know, I think we should wait until we have somebody hired.
Mims/ My understanding (both talking) not his business, that he does act as a, um, what's the
word I'm looking for? Kind of a consultant or a...I mean, he refers people to this
company as he is doing the business. So is he getting some financial gain if we hire
TechSolve? He may be.
Bailey/ Well, and one...it might be worth understanding what the processes are, so we can
incorporate some of that discussion with...if we're interested in moving ahead on
something like this, incorporate it as we discuss with potential, um, city managers. That
might...that I would be willing to do, but insofar as a decision about moving ahead on it,
I certainly would want to wait until we hired, but I would like to be more informed so we
could get a sense of, you know, if we should be asking questions regarding it or if it's
something that I'm not...I don't (both talking)
Mims/ ...get the stuff to Marian so it can be in our August packet and (both talking) sure!
Wright/ ...actually by the time we meet in August and discuss something like this, we're getting
real close to city manager time anyway, so it's (several talking)
Bailey/ ...incorporating it into the interview process, if...
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Champion/ Oh, yeah, that's a good idea, Regenia.
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Helling/ Yeah, I think at whatever point you discuss it too, and I'd like to have the opportunity,
and I plan to sit down with Jeff and a couple of his staff and talk about it too so that we
can give you some feedback. (several talking)
Mims/ Well, and I... and I would assume Rick and Ron Knoche as well, because I mean it seems
to me you've got Engineering involved as well as the Planning staff, you know, I mean,
they all get involved at some point when we're talking to (several talking)
Helling/ ... spend a little more time looking at it myself, but yeah, it's... it involves process which
involves several different...
Bailey/ Well, and I also think we have to remember especially as we're hiring a city manager,
what's the policy, um, part of it, and what's the operation part of it. So if there's a
financial thing, you know, consideration, that's what we should be looking at.
Hayek/ Sound good? Anything else on, uh, well, I guess that came under work session issues.
Uh, anything else on that? Upcoming events? Okay. Uh, meeting schedules. IPS.
Meeting Schedules:
Karr/ You have a proposal in your packet, um...certainly am not wedded to it. There were
some...a number of things that we tweaked a little bit, but we do need to, if we can at all,
get this firmed up sooner rather than later for scheduling of projects.
Hayek/ Looks pretty good.
Champion/ Looks good to me.
Mims/ I'll be gone the 4th and 5th of October.
Bailey/ Are we set up to do, um, telephone in now?
Karr/ Not...we hope to be able to install on Friday.
Bailey/ Okay. So that's a possibility for the fall for sure, right?
Karr/ Yes.
Dickens/ And I would be gone the 4th for...
Karr/ Yes, I knew you were gone the 4th, but Regenia's gone the 12th. But knowing now
that...not those dates. But knowing that Susan is gone the 4th and 5th, obviously throws
off a...
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Dickens/ Could we do adouble-header on the Stn then, a work session and...
Bailey/ Or the 1 ltn...are you gone the l ltn~
Dickens/ No, I'm gone the 4tH, but I'm here the Stn
Karr/ He's gone the 4tH, but... Susan.. .
Mims/ I'm out of town the night...I leave the night, the afternoon of the 4tH, and I won't be back
until late on the night of the Stn
Karr/ So it would appear the 4tH and Stn is out, so the question is whether we want to...Regenia,
you...
Bailey/ I don't have the schedule until...
Karr/ Right, but it's Tuesday, not the l ltn. It's Tuesday the 12tH that's a problem, not the l ltn
So, there certainly is the possibility of the l ltn working, and then going l ltn
Champion/ The 25tH and 26tn~
Karr/ And 25tH and 26tH. And that would make more in concert than with November. If you had
another issue you'd be closer to your November meetings then.
Champion/ That would work with me.
Bailey/ Please say that again. I'm sorry, I was...
Karr/ I'm saying if you're interested in a combined one on October I ltn
Bailey/ Uh-huh.
Karr/ Uh, we would go with the 1 ltn and the 25tH and 26tH. Then November there were some
problems with the 2"d and the Stn anyway, so that would move that 26 meeting...be less
of a time break between the 26tH of October and the 16tH of November.
Champion/ That would work with me.
Hayek/ Okay.
Karr/ If that works for everybody.
Bailey/ ...on the l ltn
Karr/ Would have one on the l ltn, and the 25tH and 26tH. And you still have your joint meeting
on the 20tH. We're hosting that...October 20tH
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Hayek/ 4:30.
Karr/ Uh-huh.
Mims/ And I just know on September 21S` and...November 16`", I probably can be here but I
may be a little bit late. I'll be coming back from Des Moines. But, I wouldn't change the
meeting because of that.
Karr/ I'm sorry, what dates...21s` and...
Mims/ 21 S` of September and the 16`" of November.
Champion/ Well the 21s` of September is essential that we all be there.
Dickens/ That's the City Manager interviews.
Karr/ We haven't scheduled them yet, but we've set aside those two days, and those no
other...because of the joint, uh, I'm sorry, because of the League meeting, but that
doesn't mean we can't do them... are you gone all day the 21 S`? You're coming
back...you're gone all day...
Mims/ ...teaching all day.
Bailey/ How did we set that?
Mims/ I didn't have that on my calendar for some reason.
Karr/ We set that some time ago.
Mims/ I didn't realize I had that conflict.
Karr/ And I...it's impossible to guess whether the 20`" will be enough or not until we decide how
many people you wish to interview.
Champion/ It has to be. We have to have everybody here.
Karr/ So looking at September 20`", okay.
Wright/ Where is the League meeting?
Karr/ Coralville (several responding)
Wright/ At least there's not any travel time involved. So...
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Karr/ No, but we have a number of... of meetings and presentations that some Council people are
doing so it isn't just sessions that they could skip; they're involved in (both talking)
Wright/ ...anything on the 22nd
Champion/ Well, why don't we keep it open if we have it open and...
Karr/ No, you can't.
Champion/ Okay.
Karr/ ...because we have an early-morning meetings that are already scheduled, uh, with the
League. Metropolitan Coalition. Well, we'll just...I will talk with the consultant and
make...see if...
Mims/ (both talking) tomorrow and see if I can change that date.
Karr/ Well, some of it is dependent on how many, and of course you won't know how many
you're going to interview. If you're going to interview five, then it's not impossible that
you couldn't interview five people on the 20t". You just won't know that until...
Hayek/ Yeah.
Karr/ Or possibly...yeah, Idon't know. Because we're looking at the city manager interviews
then the foll... a week later, coming back for your finalists, and the coordination with
board and commission chairs, former mayors, and the meet-n-greet.
Champion/ Well, we'll just have to fit it into one day if we have to, because we can't, I mean, we
have to all be there! It's essential.
Mims/ Well, I'll see if I can change that. I don't know if I can.
Karr/ Okay.
Champion/ (mumbled)
Karr/ And November 16t" was the other date?
Mims/ Yeah, I mean...
Karr/ So that will work in the evening?
Mims/ Yeah, that should. I might be a little late.
Karr/ You'd be here for the work session the 15t"~
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Mims/ Yeah.
Karr/ Yeah. So...
Mims/ (mumbled)
Karr/ Any other discussion on any of the other November, December...
Wright/ What do we have coming up for (mumbled)
Karr/ I' m sorry?
Champion/ (mumbled) program.
Karr/ Oh, the radio program. It's...
Hayek/ It's in one of the packets, isn't it?
Karr/ It's in the minutes of... in your, um, packet.
Champion/ Oh!
Karr/ Your work session minutes is...
Wright/ (mumbled) didn't read our work session minutes.
Champion/ I never read the (mumbled)
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Karr/ We also...then...the legislative meeting with legislators. You usually give them two or
three dates to respond to. Typically it has been November, and we've done it in
conjunction with either a work session or a Saturday or...whatever, but probably the
sooner that we decide some dates that we can put on their calendar, and then we could put
it on ours the better.
Hayek/ ...November the (mumbled)
Karr/ Well, we...(several talking)
Bailey/ We have people up for reelection, but not opposed, except for Schmitts who hasn't ever
attended.
Karr/ That's correct, he's...
Bailey/ Um, but it's always nice to do it after the election is certified.
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Karr/ Well that would either be the 15`n or the 29`n of November if you'd like it in conjunction
with...(noise on mic). I'm done! (laughter)
Hayek/ When does the session start?
Karr/ It's early in the first of the year, January, early January, but we're usually...we're usually
involved with budgets at the same time so we try to do it early enough that they have time
to...to digest the information, and you have time to schedule your budget. So we've
looked at November. We've done it as...we've done it into early December, if we
schedule it early enough.
Dickens/ When was it last year?
Karr/ Uh, I don't have that with me. It might have been like, I want to say maybe around
December 9`n, something like that.
Dickens/ Yeah, it was snowing, so...
Hayek/ What if we did November 29`n (several talking)
Bailey/ I would go for November 29`n and...and...
Karr/ November 29`n, like before your work session?
Bailey/ Yep.
Karr/ Okay, and do you have another date?
Bailey/ The 6`n
Karr/ Okay, stay with your work sessions.
Bailey/ Yeah, and then, or the 8`n or the 9`n. What are people's availability if they can't do a
Monday night?
Champion/ It could even be before a regular Council meeting, couldn't it?
Karr/ That's what we'd ask for, we'd suggest like 4:OO...like 5:00 or something like that.
Bailey/ But if Mondays aren't available just some...
Karr/ Yeah, both of these are Mondays, so is there another day of the week that works? That we
could just offer?
Hayek/ I'd rather (mumbled) night so how about 8`n~
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Bailey/ Or 1St or 2°d, we could go the previous week if that would work better.
Hayek/ That would work too. That would be better for me.
Dickens/ Farther away. (several talking)
Karr/ 1St? December 1St? Again, late afternoon preference? (several responding) Okay.
Hayek/ Got what you need?
Bailey/ ...early-morning meeting with them?
Karr/ No. Do you want.. .
Bailey/ That might (both talking) this group seems to be able to get together early morning.
Champion/ Yeah, I love early-morning meetings.
Karr/ So perhaps December 1St, early morning or late afternoon?
Hayek/ Sure.
Karr/ And early morning is 8:00?
Champion/ 7:00.
Bailey/ 7:30.
Karr/ 7 : 3 0.
Wright/ 7:30, 7:00.
Karr/ Okay.
Hayek/ I think 7:00's pushing it.
Karr/ 7:30?
Bailey/ Have to have (several talking)
Higgins/ Hope no one will mind if I bring my, uh, pillow and blanket (laughter)
Champion/ A Snoopy one? (laughter)
Wright/ Just have a cup of Marian's coffee. That'll get you (several talking)
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Hayek/ Okay, anything else for the good of the order? That's it. Thank you.
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