HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-16 TranscriptionAugust 16, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session
Council Present: Bailey, Champion, Dickens, Hayek, Mims, Wilburn, Wright
Staff Present: Helling, Dilkes, Karr, Davidson, Long, Knoche, Boothroy, Moran,
Robinson, Goers, Hargadine
Others Present: Higgins, UISG
Joint Meeting With Parks and Recreation Commission:
Hayek/ First up is the meeting with Parks and Rec concerning affiliate fees.
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Karr/ There should be enough seats for all of the Parks and Rec (mumbled). Should be (several
talking)
Hayek/ This is item 2 in the August 12 Info Packet.
Ditzler/ Okay, I'm Lorin Ditzler. I'm Vice Chair on the Parks and Rec Commission.
Bourgeois/ David Bourgeois (mumbled)
Claussen/ Clay Clausen, Commission Member.
Krohmer/ Aaron Krohmer.
Westefeld/ John Westefeld, Commission Member.
Wilburn/ Ross Wilburn, City Council.
Dickens/ Terry Dickens, City Council.
Mims/ Susan Mims, City Council.
Wright/ Mike Wright, City Council.
Hayek/ Matt Hayek, City Council.
Champion/ Connie Champion, City Council.
Bailey/ Regenia Bailey, City Council.
Higgins/ Elliott Higgins, UI Student Government.
Hayek/ All right.
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Karr/ And we do have microphones. Unfortunately not enough microphones for everyone, but
we will need to be passed around to try and pick up the voices as best we can. Thank
you!
Hayek/ Okay. Well...somebody want to give us an update on...on where we are on this issue
and then we can have some dialogue?
Ditzler/ Sure. All right, we're here to talk about the, um, proposed affiliate group fee for Parks
and Rec affiliate groups, and this was first presented at an April Council meeting, and
(mumbled) some of the questions that were raised there. Mike Moran put together a
memo for you that you have in your packet there, um, that talks about a timeline, as a
summary of what we've done so far in this process of trying to adopt this policy. You
can see in the timeline there we've been working on this for more than a year. We've
had multiple input opportunities from affiliate groups and members of the community,
and the policy's gone through several revisions at this point, and in your packet you'll
also see, uh, outline of the budgets and the expenses that we have incurred from affiliate
groups, uh, both outdoor and indoor groups. And, then you also have a proposed
Memorandum of Understanding. So these are some of the things that had been requested
at the previous meeting and in response to your request there, we're just here to find out
more direction from you on what you'd like to have happen in order to feel comfortable
moving forward.
Mims/ I'm...I'm real comfortable with what we see here with one exception, and that is if one of
the affiliate groups does some major fundraising for some major project. You know,
raises $10,000, $20,000, $30,000 for some kind of an improvement that obviously Parks
and Rec agrees with. Some mechanism for them to get credit for more than one year.
That is the only concern I have. Everything else I think, you know, the kind of
conversations you've had, the communication you've had, the rates, the actual numbers.
I mean, I think they look very reasonable and... and should be very doable for the affiliate
groups, in spite of all that they have done for the City. I don't think they're unreasonable
at all. That's...that'sthe only concern I have is to still encourage those groups to help in
any way they can and want to, to maybe do major things, but for them to feel they're
getting, you know, reasonable credit for that.
Champion/ I think that was a problem we all expressed concerns about at the...when this was
originally brought to us.
Krohmer/ Well, personally how I feel about that, and I think actually the majority of the
Commission probably feels differently and would be willing to look at something like
that. My approach is when these organizations make these donations for new lights, for a
concession stand, they are by far the main beneficiary of that donation. I still think it's
appropriate for them to make donations for that, but I also think it's important that we
incur, or receive, some monies to help pay for the maintenance of those facilities. I
mean, it's kind of like if I were to go to my neighbor and say, `I'm going to build a
gazebo in your backyard. I'm going to use it five days a week and you're going to pay
for the maintenance.' You know, you're kind of...I get that I like that they organize and
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raise this money, but I don't think they're going to stop raising money for the
organizations just cause they have to pay 10% of the maintenance costs.
Ditzler/ For those of you concerned about that, do you have suggestions about what you would
like to see, as far as some sort of credit? I mean, I think Aaron's right in that we may not
all be in agreement as a Commission as we haven't fully discussed that issue, but I...if
you have additional thoughts about what that might look like.
Hayek/ No, but I mean, this did come up a few months ago and we took it up at... at our meeting,
the sense that if the fee is $1,000 a year or something like that for one of the larger
groups, (mumbled) a $5,000, $10,000 donation or some contribution is made, you know,
what is the understanding. Is it they will get a credit for just one year, which is
potentially 1/15`h of a $15,000, uh, donation or is it for a longer period of term, or time? I
don't know that there's a magic n umber. I don't think the Council's even come close to
talking about what would be appropriate, but the question was what...what would you
folks suggest, cause that's what we're hearing, one of the things we're hearing.
Krohmer/ Well, I mean I would feel...if you're talking about an organization that makes a cash
donation to the Parks and Rec department, $5,000, $10,000, I would want it to be done in
away that it could be essentially considered paying their fee for however long that fee, I
mean, it's no different than if you're pre-paying your electric bill or something like that,
but if it's getting credit for building an addition to their facility, that they're the main
benefactor of, then I do become uncomfortable with that being out. I mean, I really do
feel like these organizations do great stuff for the community, but they also are the main
users of these facilities. I mean, Kickers is the only organization that effectively can
really use the Kickers' field as much as they do. Those kids and those families are the
main beneficiaries and particularly with Kickers, you know, you have...I think it's almost
50% of the membership are from Iowa City, so you have Iowa City taxpayers pay for the
maintenance and lot of people from North Liberty, Coralville, and up in the County who
are using the facility. I just don't see that as being fair to the taxpayers of this
community.
Bailey/ Is there any benefit when they do capital improvements to the fields, is there any benefit
from our sports authority perspective of bringing more people to use those fields, or is it
really that Kickers, for example, to continue with that example, they are the primary users
of those fields? I mean, I don't understand (both talking) yeah, I...I just don't understand
the usage and the... and the opportunity, because you know years ago we formed a sports
authority with that intent to have greater utilization of the fields in the area. Does that
actually come to pass?
Westefeld/ I would have to defer to Mike Paulsen, but I think the answer to that is Kickers is the
primary usage, but there are several soccer clubs in the area who also use the fields quite
a bit, and there are tournaments that are hosted there that bring in out of town people. Is
that right, Mike?
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Bailey/ And what are...and what are our city's benefits from the...from that usage? I want to
have a greater understanding of that. What's the impact?
Krohmer/ My understanding, and Mike can address this though is that those organizations then
do pay a usage fee.
Moran/ Right, that's the....sports authority still exists and brings tournaments into the
community, and we just charge them the regular rental fee that we charge other...user
groups.
Bailey/ But I guess my question is with increased capital improvements to those facilities, do we
see an increase of use for that...that type of use, or is...is there no correlation?
Moran/ Right now there's no correlation because we don't have facilities that are advanced
enough to bring those groups in. If we had lit soccer fields, most definitely, but we don't
have that right now. Uh, our baseball fields and our softball fields, yes. You know, we
bring in eight, nine, ten tournaments a year in those facilities, so we would. (several
talking)
Bailey/ Right, which was always the intent. So if for example, Kickers decides to light the
soccer field, it's capital improvement, um, do we treat it, I mean, because there's benefits
that typically we can track...that accrue to the City...is that a different capital
improvement than adding on to something, you know, adding more benches or bleachers,
I don't know. I'm just posing a question.
Krohmer/ I mean, I think it's unlikely that Kickers would put that kind of money in, but I
understand as theory, yeah, I wouldn't necessarily know how to address that, cause that is
true. That would have a financial benefit to the City overall, uh, the ability to then rent
those fields at night, on days they're not using them, um...I would point out though
(mumbled) and I don't want to sound like I'm picking on that organization. I think
they're actually one of the better ones that we're dealing with overall, but as you know
from your capital improvement plan, we put in several hundred thousand dollars over the
last two years into those fields out of our General Obligation bonds, um, so while they
might come up with hundred thousand to do a project, it's still one piece of several
hundred thousand dollars of work that's continuing down there.
Ditzler/ I think Regenia raises a very good point though, and I think there might be room in the
policy to leave room for, if there's going to be some sort of contribution like lighting the
soccer field. That really would bring benefit to a number of other groups, that maybe
there could be, um, a separate agreement drawn up for a special circumstance like that.
Bailey/ I don't want to complicate the issue. I just...I just, I mean, yeah.
Westefeld/ (mumbled) One of the things that I think has been one of the bigger challenges for us
is to figure out when that happens, kind of (mumbled) to what degree is that offset, as a
policy, and how do you put that into a specific dollar amount, calculate that out. So I
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think that's, I mean, that's a challenge we're continuing to really try and think about, you
know, some kind of formula for that.
Bailey/ Well, and generally I would go with the inclination is if they pay cash, then that's a pre-
pay, um, but those other sort of difficult to measure then...then that's simply improving,
but this did come to mind. If they improve in a way that increases the benefits that the
City has from that...that facility.
Krohmer/ I think that's a great thing, but I also have trouble looking at these organizations as like
a business, I mean, they're an organization that's pursuing what's in the best interest of
their participants, their kids, that some other organizations and the City get a benefit to
that, that's a really great plus but it doesn't change what they're trying to do, which is get
the best facility they possibly can for their organization. Um...I just don't think that
donations for capital improvements should offset the requirement that some amount of
money goes to the maintenance of the facilities by the users, and I think 10% is such a
low-ball number that I have trouble believing these organizations, outside of the general
opposition to change, really have a major issue with it.
Mims/ Would it be possible to do something either in a Memorandum of Understanding or...or a
separate document, however you find it easiest, simply to have a statement that, you
know, if an organization wants to do something like that, that there would be a
negotiation process between that group and Parks and Rec, to determine if any amount of
that would be used to offset, um, you know, their...their fees, and...and maybe go into a
little more detail, you know, how much benefit to the City, you know, is it...you know,
you could take into account some of the things you've mentioned in terms, you know,
they still need to help pay for the maintenance, but if they're doing something like you're
saying, like a lighting, which might then allow us to bring in more tournaments, maybe as
Parks and Rec you'd say, `Oh, in that case, you know, yeah, we're willing to give them
quite a bit of credit because this is really going to benefit a lot of other people,' but if it's
simply, gee, another storage shed that's really only going to benefit them for their stuff,
then no, we're really not going to give you credit, even if it is a $5,000 facility. (several
talking) And just kind of allow some negotiation process so that they can at least be
heard. They may not be satisfied, but at least that discussion could take place. I don't
know if that complicates it too much or not. (several talking)
Krohmer/ I'd want some guidelines, you know, to go into the negotiation, where the people
know what's expected so people aren't thinking, `Oh, well this will certainly qualify,'
and then are upset with us when we say no (mumbled) to try to reduce the amount of
opinion in it and arbitrariness and try to make it pretty (mumbled)
Wilburn/ Well and that was my question is that, does that really help you or does that push the
decision off for groups to be angry and upset with you when you don't give them enough
credit and then they end up coming to Mike, coming to the City Manager, coming to the
City Council. Does it...does it really accomplish anything?
Bailey/ Well it...
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Wilburn/ If... if, one of the things, in answer you said you would need pretty tight guidelines.
(several talking)
Bailey/ But Mike seems to have an idea, and I'm sure the rest of you do as well, about what
improvements might actually benefit in those...in those ways to...to be a draw. We
simply maintain a list and if any of those groups decide to take on those projects, then
those are the projects open to negotiation. Anything else basically would be viewed as a
capital improvement that the benefits accrue to the...that particular organization itself.
That way perhaps we would have some motivation for these outside groups to help us
improve our facilities across the board. I don't know if it would serve in that way, but
it...it would give the guidelines. It would sort of put the...the targets out there. It would
give us an opportunity to see, you know, and potentially to (several talking) a wish list!
(mumbled)
Krohmer/ I feel like we'd end up though if we go too far down that road (mumbled) the idea
(mumbled) add on to a facility we incur additional maintenance (mumble) I want them to
get the benefits of great facilities, but (mumbled) say lights, you know, that takes
electricity. That's going to actually significantly increase the cost of running the fields.
Bailey/ And would increase their costs of 10% of the mainten...of it, wouldn't it, cause wouldn't
they have to pay, I mean, so they...they buy that investment; they're also increasing their
own cost, but enhancing their own opportunities, as well as the City's.
Krohmer/ I mean, I certainly...I agree with all these points. My feeling is the amount of money
talking about at 10% is so minimal I just think it's perfectly acceptable to ask these
organizations to pay that amount or (mumbled) and also for them to continue to do the
good work they're doing, because that's in their best interest to continue to do that.
Bailey/ But if we could put five or six things out there as a carrot, you know, Kickers might, you
know, or some other...
Krohmer/ I'm comfortable with looking at that, yes.
Bailey/ Yeah, I mean...but I would keep the list very short and very focused on what will
enhance. The things that you know actually we need, not...what did you call
maintenance shed or something? (several talking) Yeah.
Krohmer/ (several talking) ...things that would directly increase revenue from other sources.
Bailey/ Right.
Westefeld/ One of the things I'm inferring from the discussion, but I wanted to check this out. In
terms of the (mumbled) question of affiliate group needs, what I'm hearing is generally
you're supportive of that.
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Champion/ Definitely! (several talking) I'm defin...was not in favor of them. The more I
thought about it, it seems logical to me that we charge people to use the swimming pool,
we charge people, I mean, we...everybody has to pay their duty, so to speak, and I think
it's probably long overdue.
Krohmer/ I would point out that there are several points in the master plan that was recently
approved that do call for these types of policy changes, and call for it in rather specific
language. (several talking)
Bailey/ But I wouldn't want to grow the list of affiliate groups very...I...I would want...I
wouldn't want to see that grow, those that are just paying 10%. If that makes sense.
(several talking) If we got, okay...oh, let's say an archery group wanted to build
something and, you know, and then we made them an affiliate group and then we created
this relationship. I'm not sure that I'd want to grow this list very much. I mean, there
might be cases where that would present an opportunity, but...do you see where I'm
going with this? Let's not get, I mean, these are groups that we've had a relationship
with for a long time and this is why this issue came up...of special arrangements for the
fees. Or do you think that we should be looking for other groups.
Hayek/ I don't know. I...I don't know.
Krohmer/ One of the discussions we had was, originally, do we stick with this list of groups or
do we go to all non-profits and just do a broad...for anyone who's in the non-profit tax
category. You get a reduced rate, uh, as a way...to get some non-arbitrary, sort of you
got in before the door closed (mumbled). I personally was fairly supportive of that idea.
I felt that to make it work we had to charge higher than 10% because we would be adding
more groups. Uh, that we had to get close to the 40% goal, which I think ultimately
needs to be the goal. Uh, that's a discussion we had, that's in that timeline there. We
ended up kind of moving (mumbled) unworkable and it really offended this current list of
groups. They were very bothered it seemed, at least in the talks with us, my perception of
what they said, uh, that now after all their years of being Kickers, and being Boys'
Baseball, they were just being thrown in a group with any (mumbled) SO1C rated agency
in the town.
Ditzler/ I just want to make a quick clarification on your comment. The official policy we are
presenting doesn't make mention of the 40%. I know that's something you believe in,
but I just want to clarify that we are just presenting 10% at this point.
Hayek/ One of the, uh, objections we got a few months ago, and this came from the people
associated with the groups that have been in Iowa City for decades was how do you
account for past contributions. And my sense is that that's not something that the
Commission is interested in crediting...
Krohmer/ (mumbled)
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Hayek/ Yeah, but I mean the notion that we put in five decades of work and therefore that should
calculate to something of a credit, um, that was the message we got from some people.
And I'm not sure how you capture that, and there's certainly...I can't imagine there are
the records even to quantify that, even if you could, but um... so is it a fair statement that
that's not something you're interested in...
Krohmer/ I don't see how you do that (mumbled) I mean, the fact that things (mumbled) for the
next 30 (mumbled)
Hayek/ Will you folks then reach a consensus or a majority vote, or however you operate,
on...on future contributions and...and whether, to what extent to give a credit for that, as
we've talked about?
Ditzler/ I think we can do that. Were there any other concerns beside that, besides the...
Bailey/ I had a couple of questions about the MOU. Um, I don't know if others did. But you do
ask, um, and you probably talked about this. I just...you do ask in item 4 under affiliate
responsibilities that they provide play schedules for department review and schedules will
not be considered final until they receive approval from department staff. It seems that
the corollary and maybe I missed it. It could be up here, but it seems like the corollary
responsibility for Parks and Rec is to sign off on that schedule within a certain time
frame. I mean, if they have a responsibility to submit or provide, and that needs approval
to go ahead, it seems like there is a corollary responsibility on our part to sign off.
Krohmer/ I'd be comfortable with that, but 1'd have to defer to Mike, uh, about (both talking)
Bailey/ Right. And, I'm assuming that maybe that appears in some other part.
Dilkes/ I...I think...I think those kind of details will be worked out when we get it.
Bailey/ Right.
Dilkes/ We haven't seen this agreement yet, so...
Bailey/ But I guess what I'm saying is...responsibilities usually have, you know, balancing act.
(male)/ There's a timely response on both sides.
Bailey/ Yeah. And then, um, I just had a question. It's not, you know, anything...the concession
stand, they...the affiliate groups run those and receive the, uh, the funds from those.
(male)/ Correct, yeah.
Bailey/ That's what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure I was understanding it. That's the
only comment I had.
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(male)/ (unable to hear away from mic)
Krohmer/ We'll plan on doing that.
Champion/ I think they've had a really good deal and I think (mumbled)
Ditzler/ Well thank you for your direction. I think we can go back and, not at our next meeting,
discuss what we talked about with the credits for future contributions and come back
(several talking)
(male)/ (unable to hear away from mic)
Ditzler/ Yes, that's right. At our October meeting.
Council Appointments:
Hayek/ Okay. Anything else on this point? Thank you for coming out this evening. (several
talking) Appreciate it! (unable to hear person away from mic) Okay. Council
appointments. We have two, uh...commissions. First is HCDC. One vacancy, three
applicants. (noises on mic)
Mims/ He's coming back. He had to make a quick phone call (both talking)
Hayek/ Um...well, let's see where we are on...can we just proceed and see if...if it's close vote
or something we can...wait till he comes back.
Champion/ Well, there's, uh, this is a group that, um, is not totally equal, um, between genders,
but Charles Drum has only served his first three-year term, and I think he ought to be
allowed to have a third, or a second three-year term.
Mims/ It...remind me where that puts us in terms of (coughing) excuse me. (several talking)
Bailey/ Five, three!
Mims/ And what did we decide when we discussed this last...
Karr/ We decided we would start July 1, so this was in the hopper before. So your agreed to
procedure does not kick in with...with this one. It certainly can. That's your decision.
Mims/ Okay.
Karr/ But in the future, it will...the forms will look different and you will see that that
commitment is made. This is before...
Mims/ Okay.
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Karr/ ...that time frame.
Mims/ Thank you, Marian!
Champion/ I think there's a lot of, uh, brain power getting used to this commission, and I think a
second seating is healthy.
Wright/ It's definitely a commission that takes a little while to come up to speed, I agree with
you, and I...think he's done a good job. Um, I'm...I'm really a little bit torn on this one
because of the gender balance issue, and the commitment that we have...I know Cindy
Roberts would do a terrific job.
Champion/ Uh-huh. I'm not doubting that.
Hayek/ You know, one thing we haven't taken up is...is whether the new...the gender policy
trumps the soft policy we've had of respecting the...process of coming up to speed on a
commission and generally re-upping...it would. I...
Bailey/ It doesn't have to, if you're looking for, I mean, you're looking for qualified gender
balance. So if...if you believe that this is a commission that...or if we believe that this is
a commission that takes a little time to get up, we could take that into consideration. That
the...the person perhaps with the most qualified doesn't necessarily make a gender
balance requirement. I'm torn too. Is that...that's not a vote here though (laughter)
Hayek/ Who's for torn? (laughter)
Bailey/ Torn is good!
Champion/ I'm really not torn in this situation, although I've always been for gender balance,
and I frequently have looked at it when I (mumbled) commission appointments, and I
think the fact that this commission does take a lot of, uh, learning that a second three-year
term for someone who is willing to...and it is a...a real asset for us and the commission.
Wilburn/ I know when I was...I'd like to...put Cindy on, but the other thing that I'm
considering, which I would...in the end I'm going to say to go with Charles because
we're also asking the commission to take the additional, um, Aid to Agencies, so it will
have helped to have had, uh, that.
Hayek/ I can...I can be supportive of Charles. I...I, for the same...I think Cindy Roberts is
fantastic. She's been before us a number of times, um, but... and I served on HCDC
twice...for one and a half terms and uh, does take quite a lot! So, I could...I could
support it for that policy reason. Okay. Um...is there consensus in favor of Mr. Drum?
(several responding) Okay. Next is, uh, PCRB. One vacancy, two applicants.
Champion/ Well, this is another one that doesn't have a very good gender balance, and we don't
have anybody moving forward with their second term.
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Wright/ Yeah, this is filling Jeannie Braverman's...
Champion/ Right!
Wright/ ...position on...I'd support Angelina Blanchard-Manning (several talking) That would
also...that would help restore the gender balance that we're losing with Jeannie's
resignation.
Champion/ Right.
Bailey/ Exactly!
Hayek/ Support for that it sounds like? Okay. Okay. Agenda items. Open it up for general
questions.
Agenda Items:
ITEM 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN
AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS FOR A GRANT FROM
THE IOWA GREAT PLACES PROGRAM.
Wright/ Um, just a...on item 11, the, um, Great Places grant award for Literary Walk. I'm
assuming that...the businesses up there all think this is a pretty good idea too?
Davidson/ The businesses in the Northside Market Place?
Wright/ Yeah.
Davidson/ Yeah. I...to be honest with you, Michael, we haven't had extensive discussion about
the Literary Walk aspect of the project. They're very excited about the streetscape
reconstruction.
Wright/ Okay.
Davidson/ The Literary Walk aspect of it has been added since we received the Great Places
designation. There's a general awareness of it, but we haven't received a lot of input
about that specific element of it.
Wright/ Okay.
Bailey/ So I'm going to ask the question because, well, because I've been asking this question on
(mumbled). Can we complete this project in the timeline? Are we comfortable with the
time and the...um, the six months of...
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Davidson/ Well, we're not as comfortable as if we would be if we didn't have a time
commitment. What Regenia's referring to is the commitment of the Great Place...the
stipulation of the Great Places grant agreement that we need to have the projection
completed by June 30, um, you know, they...they consider it partially economic stimulus
so they want to get the money in circulation, and we understand that. Uh... in... in
discussing it with Ron, uh, if, you know, we have good weather, uh, we feel like we can
complete it within the time...within the timeframe. If we don't', uh, as we do typically
with projects, we will request an extension and the Great Places' people have indicated,
even though they want us to adhere to the June 30, that it is possible to get an extension.
So, hopefully with good weather we will be able to complete it, uh, by June 30.
Bailey/ And we can make substantial progress in 180 days?
Davidson/ Certainly!
Bailey/ I think that's the more concern...I think they looked upon that...
Davidson/ Yeah, if you approve this, we...we are all ready to get the consultant under contract,
get the project designed, get it bid this winter, be ready to go first thing in the spring.
Bailey/ Thanks.
ITEM 3. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
e) Resolutions.
1. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION NAMING DEPOSITORIES
Mims/ I had a couples questions, and I don't know...Dale, Kevin's not here, but on 3.e.1., it's a
resolution naming depositories, and I was just curious how those institutions and the
maximum balances are set. Is that something that you can answer for me or.. .
Helling/ Um...probably not as well as Kevin could, but, uh (laughter) generally if...if they're in
our area and they're interested, um, I think we look at them, and the number that you see
isn't necessarily the amount of money that we would have invested, uh, but it's a
maximum.
Mims/ Right.
Helling/ Um, and most of the financial institutions in this area are on a...I think...I don't know if
you got a list with...with this or not.
Mims/ Yeah, I was just kind of curious how those were...selected and...and, like how the
maximums were set.
Helling/ Uh, I don't...
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August l6, 2010 City Council Regular Work Session Page 13
Mims/ I can ask Kevin!
Helling/ Yeah, I don't know for sure the selection process, but I think they come to us.
Mims/ Okay.
Hayek/ Other agenda items?
ITEM 8. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 5, ENTITLED
"BUSINESS AND LICENSE REGULATIONS," CHAPTER 2, ENTITLED
"TAXICABS," BY REPEALING SUBSECTIONS 5-2-2, "TAXICAB
BUSINESS LICENSE; VEHICLE DECALS," AND 5-2-4, "VEHICLE
INSPECTION REQUIRED," IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND REPLACING
THEM WITH NEW SUBSECTIONS; AND AMENDING 5-2-7 TO
PROVIDE PROVISIONS FOR RATE CHANGES. (FIRST
CONSIDERATION)
ITEM 9. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 5, ENTITLED
"BUSINESS AND LICENSE REGULATIONS," CHAPTER 1, ENTITLED
"GENERAL LICENSING PROVISIONS" AND CHAPTER 2, ENTITLED
"TAXICABS" TO CLARIFY REVOCATION PROCEDURES, RATE
PROVISIONS AND DRIVER BADGE PROVISIONS TO PLACE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ISSUANCE OF AN IDENTIFICATION CARD
AND DRIVER LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THE TAXICAB BUSINESS.
(FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Mims/ On number 8...I don't know...well, 8 or 9 I guess (laughter)
Karr/ I' 11 try and handle 8 or 9.
Mims/ Um...having read some of the, uh...correspondence that came related to that, I was
curious in terms of what the rest of Councils' thoughts were on a special event rate. Um,
I know that staff had not, um, put that in and had felt there wasn't...either other cities in
the state did not do that and maybe didn't have the need, and reading some of that
correspondence and how...I do think Iowa City is unique in terms of the...the traffic that
gets generated with, um, Iowa athletic events and particularly football Saturdays, um, if
there was any interest in talking to staff about trying to craft some sort of, um, allowable
event rate.
Champion/ I like the idea of event rate. Um, I agree. I read the letters too, but, I mean,
how...how can you control it? They can make it $50 instead of $4. Or $15 instead of $2.
So, I don't...
Dickens/ ...publish their rates with their license?
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Karr/ The...the special event rate is the number one biggest complaint (several talking)
enforcement P.D. and my office gets, and it's just exactly what you both have nailed.
Okay? It does have to be on the rate card. The question is, what is a special event, when
does it start, when does it end, um, can a driver proclaim a special event? Or does the
company proclaim a special event (laughter).
Champion/ Is my birthday a special event?
Karr/ Well that would be a special event, of course, um (several talking) another thing is what it
does to your...your...philosophy, if you will, on a taxi meter in general. If you're going
to be using the taxi meter, um, and destination rates, um, that allows some flexibility in
that to accom...accomplish that, either year-round with an average rate that would cover
that year-round, or with a destination rate. But again, that's entirely up to you, but that is
the biggest complaint we get is rates and special event rates.
Wright/ Yeah, I had given some thought to the same thing, having read the correspondence that
we got and I thought well, then we're going to have to name which special events count,
um...
Karr/ When they start.
Wright/ Somehow, yeah, starting time, ending time, somehow convey to the...in a...in a concise
word to the rider, oh, this is a special event's day so you have to pay an extra six bucks
and it just turned into this morass that I don't want to get into!
Champion/ Right.
Bailey/ Right.
Champion/ It sounds like a good thing, but I think in reality (both talking)
Bailey/ Yeah, it sounds like it...makes sense...
Mims/ It does make sense.
Bailey/ But the details (several talking)
Wright/ The devil is in the details, very much so!
Bailey/ ...very visible here.
Karr/ It would go on the rate card. Any special rates would.
Hayek/ Other agenda items?
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Karr/ I just want to clarify, again, I apologize for the confusion. But we'll be doing a motion on
number 9 first, rather than 8. Again, the distinction being that for 9, if you're so inclined,
we can implement that upon publication and very, very quickly. Um, the other one is the
next licensing year for March of 2011, and that is much more comprehensive and much
more, uh, effecting the individual cabs. It would give them enough time to make those
adjustments.
Hayek/ But the item...item 9 is still item 9, item 8 is still 8. I know the comments got switched.
Karr/ This...the comments are switched. Item 8 is still 8, 9 is 9, but they're out of order. So I
would like by motion to consider 9 before 8.
Hayek/ Got it!
Karr/ Okay. And we're going to try and make this as complicated as possible (laughter)
Bailey/ It's already there!
Karr/ And again, the reason is you can't really implement 8 and discuss it without an interest in
the design buying into it in 9, and that's why we'd like to talk about them in that order.
Champion/ Got it.
Bailey/ Okay.
Hayek/ Anything else on the agenda? Okay. Next is, uh, west side levee funding, local match
for I-Jobs. This is agenda item number 6.
West Side Levee Funding/Local Match for I-Jobs:
ITEM 6. ADOPTING AMENDED FY11 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN WHICH IS A
SUB-PART OF IOWA CITY'S 2011-2015 CONSOLIDATED PLAN (CITY
STEPS) AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT SAID
AMENDED PLAN TO USE CDBG DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM
INCOME FOR THE WEST SIDE LEVEE.
Davidson/ Item, uh, 6 on your agenda tomorrow evening is a discussion of the local match
of...for the west side levee project. Uh, this is the levee that will protect the, uh,
Thatcher, Baculis Mobile Home Parks and then the commercial court area. Uh, it would
extend between McCollister Boulevard on the south, across those properties, and then tie
in with the railroad embankment on the north. An approximately $4 million project. At
your last meeting, you approved, uh, approximately $2.1 million in, uh, I-Jobs funds.
That is you approved our making application to that, uh, program, which we have done.
And this would be the local match for the grant, uh, should we receive it from the I-Jobs
program. Uh, and it would come from CDBG funds, specifically from, uh, funds that are
being turned back from the Aniston Village project. There are $2.9 million in those
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funds and we would propose to use approximately $1.9 million. The action that you're
being asked to take tomorrow, uh, is to amend the annual action plan, which is the FY11
element of the City's consolidated plan, called City Steps for the use of CDBG and Home
funds, and it is by amending that plan that you will either give us the go-ahead to, uh,
pursue the project or not. Um, this...this is, uh, a nice deal for us in that it does allow us,
should you decide to go ahead to implement the project without the, uh, use of local
funds, we don't have any local funds budgeted for the project, so basically by your action
tomorrow evening you'll either give us the go-ahead on the project or not. Uh, we would
suggest to you that we would request the application for I-Jobs funds to be withdrawn
should you not decide to go ahead with this, uh, tomorrow evening. Uh, Steve is here.
Steve obviously oversees the...this use of the CDBG funds, uh, for the City and can
answer any...answer any questions you have about big picture issues involving CDBG,
uh, or Home funds. Uh, Steve, is there anything we're leaving out? Okay. Any
questions for us before your, uh, deliberation tomorrow evening? Staff?
Hayek/ Okay.
Davidson/ Okay. Great! Thank you.
Hayek/ Thank you. Okay. Next is, uh, alcohol/non-alcohol split venues. IP number 3. It's the
August 12`h packet, by the way.
AlcohoUNon-Alcohol Split Venues (IP3 of 8/12):
Dilkes/ Okay. You have a memo in your packet from Eric. Um...and just to summarize, back
when we were debating the under-21.. .
Karr/ Could we, I'm sorry. Could you put the microphone on?
Dilkes/ Oh, I'm sorry!
Karr/ I'm sorry.
Dilkes/ Back when we were debating the under-21 which became the under-19 ordinance, there
was a discussion at that time about, um, allowing businesses to have non-alcoholic
events. Non-alcohol in one part of the business and alcohol in another part. And,
Council declined to do that, and so you have the ordinance that we have now, that um, as
we read it, and we think that's consistent with the Council's deliberations at the time,
require that if you're going to have anon-alcohol event, it has to be in... in the entire, um,
establishment. Um, so...but for Council, uh, action, a change to the ordinance, uh, The
Mill would not be able to do what it has requested to do. Um, also by way of history, this
is the first request we've ever had for, um, an alcohol-free event since the under-19
ordinance went into place. We have, to my knowledge, received no comments from
establishments in response to the letter that the Mayor sent out, um, several months ago
when Council talked about wanting to take a look at this. Um, and I've been out of the
office. Staff has met about, um, some of the issues that staff sees that would have to be
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addressed in such an ordinance, and I'll let Eric, uh, run through those, and I think we
also have P.D. here and...and Doug.
Goers/ Right, there are a number of potential problems, and I should start with the inference that
it...it's been our perception that...you know, City Council as a body would like to
promote non-alcohol events, uh, and would like to find a way to accommodate, um,
events such as this, if there's a way to do so. As Eleanor indicated, presently they don't
qualify under the present ordinance, and maybe the City Council doesn't wish to
accommodate them with the split premises, uh, set-up because of the problems it would
present, especially insofar as enforcement is concerned. But we wanted to at least raise
the issue for you and gather your thoughts to see if you are interested in having us craft
something to try to accommodate, uh, this kind of event. Uh, in answer to Eleanor's
prompt, I mention in the memo kind of separation of spaces, kind of problems that would
be present, kind of making sure that restrooms would be set up for both sides would be a
problem for most establishments, trying to, uh, accommodate this. Making sure that
there would be enough safe exits for everyone who were there, both in the alcohol space
and the alcohol-free space, uh, and then trying to find out a way to, um, establishing a
mechanism to revoke a permit if that was needed. I think the original intent in the
ordinance was that this would be kind of a one-night event, uh, in that it would be one
and done, and then maybe they would do it next month or something, but um, if we were
to, uh, allow for split premises, uh, then such as this, and all the, uh, requirements of
separate spaces there would potentially be businesses that would really spend some
capital in establishing two different spaces and would have their event run year-round
(noise on mic) four nights a week. Uh, in that event we would want to probably tweak
the ordinance a little bit so that we could, um, allow for longer events like that, or
per...perpetual events such as that, or um, if there are establishments that are either
unable or unwilling to monitor it well and keep those two set of patrons separate that we
would want to have the ability to revoke those permits. Um, Eleanor mentioned the staff
had met. We had staff from the Police and HIS all meet, and their kind of starting point
was basically they would need to have full spaces, uh, need code. Uh, if we're going to
have a, you know, gathering of people, um, in a bar setting in one area, that needs to meet
the code. If they are over here as well, that part needs to meet code as well, and we
acknowledge that would probably create quite a set of difficulties for establishments, but
that was kind of our starting point.
Dickens/ Just a question for Doug. Do you have any idea how many places that are currently in
business that could be split...without...(mumbled) most of the inspections (mumbled)
Boothroy/ I don't think there'll be very many because it...it's a logistical problem for a lot of
buildings, and so it'd be complicated. The Mill has got aset-up that would possibly be
one of the easier ones to do. There might be another, um, business downtown, but not
many. Uh, unless they build `em new.
Dickens/ Separate floors make a difference, or does it have (both talking)
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Boothroy/ It's possible you could do it on separate floors, if...depending on what facilities you
have on each floor, and how you get in and out, uh...
Dickens/ (mumbled) might have to go through the alcohol area (both talking)
Boothroy/ That's an enforcement issue. You might lose them through the alcohol because they
got lost in the woods (laughter) on the way to the (mumbled)
Champion/ I...um, like the idea of exploring these possibilities. I don't understand how this all
came about, how people have to be in an establishment with liquor or without liquor .
because I didn't grow up like that. You could go in any place. It didn't make any
difference what your age was, uh, and now we have t his division, absolute division. I
think the restrooms, I don't think that's a big problem. L ..I think that there're adequate
restrooms for the occupancy. I don't think restrooms are a big deal. I don't think
somebody's going to carry in a quart of alcohol to pass on to minors.
Wright/ Oh, I got news for you, Connie. They will! (laughter) Trust me!
Champion/ They will?
Wright/ I...I used to...
Champion/ I've been in those bathrooms. I wouldn't drink anything (laughter)
Dilkes/ Connie, the reason why we have that situation is because we now have a 21... we have a
21-ordinance that does not allow persons under the age of 21 in there.
Champion/ Right.
Dilkes/ And so to simply then have an ordinance that says well, as long as you kind of push these
people over here and push these people over here you can get in. It's not going to work.
Wright/ Yeah, I used to chaperone dances, uh (laughter) when I was a faculty member at a
college and, yeah. Restrooms were the prime place! (several talking and laughing) No, I
think restrooms and separate exits would be absolutely critical for making something like
this work. I'd be interested in exploring it, but I don't know...if anybody'd really be able
to take advantage of it.
Wilburn/ If some of the, uh...if part of the issues...that we've been having anyway, uh, that
aren't being taken care of are proper I.D. bands, uh, passing of drinks, those...those, uh,
you know, um...the collection of I.D.s or not, I don't see how those issues change, um, if
a...um, solid effort isn't...has not currently and historically been made. You know,
if... if, uh, if there is an establishment that, either because of improper training,
supervision, um...um, and/or, uh, debatable whether there's awareness by the owner that,
uh, you know, they're not, uh, that they're giving the proper stamp or band to someone
who's underage, um, you know, that the stings are happenings, if the...if the owner is not
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aware of that, or if they are aware, you know, I don't see how that will change that
dynamic. If someone is less prone to either having the staffing or training, uh, or
directive to their staff to not allow those...those illegal practices, I don't...I don't know
what...I don't know what changes.
Dickens/ So it'd be all or nothing.
Wilburn/ Well, if...if it weren't an issue, um, if we weren't having the problems then, you know,
it wouldn't be an issue. Why would we even bother? But these are practice issues that
are causing the problems that we have, and um, establishments have either been unable or
unwilling, I'm not going to suggest which one or which combination of them, um, to
monitor and/or to control, and in certain instances whether directly in front of the Council
or what some of the court cases have said, that they cannot control it, and so if they
cannot control what's existing, how does...how would this enable them to do it, given the
dynamics of the issues and the problems that (several talking) so...so I'm saying that I
personally would be unwilling because I don't...I don't think that, uh, I don't think that's
going to change anything.
Goers/ I do think there, you know, there are existing problems with...with, uh, bar policies, but
um, I think if you do set up this criteria and it...I think it is enforceable, um, I think one
of the most negative parts of the 21-ordinance is, uh, its potential negative impact on the
music scene, and I think that this is a great way to compromise that, um, I understand that
there'd be few establishments that could, um, benefit from it, but I think if you look at it
from acase-by-case basis, like The Mill, um, I just...I think it...I only see the, you know,
positive things from this.
Wilburn/ In 19...in 1985, 86 and 87 there were a couple bars in town that, um, on their own
initiative would work with the student government to have non-alcoholic events and they
would not get out alcohol, um...uh, one of them doesn't exist in town anymore. It used
to be called Tycoon IC. They used to work with the student government, the associated
residence halls, and the student center to put on those...they had the events, people were
dancing, they didn't get anything out. We've had this in place; no one has asked to, uh,
even try it or use it, so...um...
Hayek/ You know...
Wilburn/ ... if... if there had been some to try it, and have some success with it or, you know,
maybe under the existing, um, allowance and um, you know, that was one of the things
that was thrown out when this was even, uh, added to the ordinance back then to...to
allow this, for the concern related to...people being able not to have music or to dance or
to socialize, and so (noise on mic) to try it since it's been in place, had some...had we
had some experience with it then maybe they could demonstrate that they could...that
they can, um, operate in, you know, the existing...
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Goers/ So are you suggesting that we should keep the same, um, the same format where you can
ask for exemption for one night, and have an event for one night, as opposed...this would
be like a more permanent thing where you'd always have anon-alcohol area.
Wilburn/ Yeah.
Goers/ Okay.
Champion/ Yeah, and I...I like that idea. Um, we used to have a pizza place in town that did
that. One side was alcohol, the other side was not. And there was a door in between.
But, I mean, I think it's possible, especially with the set up that The Mill has, with
the...they definitely have a wall that can be used, you know, as a separate...separation.
Um...
Wright/ It would end up being a construction project for anybody, but...
Bailey/ Yeah, the problem would be the (several talking)
Dickens/ ...the bathrooms are shared between the two.
Goers/ ...restrooms, and I think it has two exits and you would walk, presumably, in the front
door, through the bar area in order to get to the (several talking)
Champion/ There's a side and a back!
Goers/ ...since law school since I've been there.
Dilkes/ Yeah, there's two entrances but...but I think the restroom thing is the...is the big issue.
Goers/ ...but if you set that criteria, I mean, they could choose to, you know, put a new bathroom
in, I mean, I think that would (several talking)
Hayek/ We...we, uh, when we passed 21, there was discussion, there was not a commitment, but
a number of us indicated an interest in... in looking at this to soften the impact on the live
music scene, and I...I still think it's something we should look at, um, it will become an
issue of crafting something that, um, that we can live with, um, I...you know, I'm
disappointed that the bars did not respond or a letter asking for suggestions on this very
issue. Um...
Champion/ Because they think the referendum's going to pass, so they don't care.
Hayek/ They may, um... so we're...we're sort of taking this, uh, having this gut check, uh,
without the input of information we solicited a few months ago, from the very institutions
affected by the new 21-policy. Maybe we need to run that by them again, um...you
know, maybe we have staff, uh, craft something and then float it, and I'm sure it'll be
attacked from all sides, uh, or get some input from the bars and then craft it and then let it
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get attacked from all sides, but uh, I think it's something we should...we should look at,
um, I agree that, you know, the practical reality and just in terms of building envelopes is
that, you know, a lot of places won't have options, just...within their geographic spaces
to do this, but some may. Uh, so I...
Mims/ I think it's worth, I mean, I think it's worth looking at and seeing if we can...can craft
something. Um, you know, in response to...to what Ross has said, I mean, I think we
also have to keep in mind we do have responsible bar owners in town. Okay? We have
some very irresponsible bar owners in town, but to...to cast them all in the same light and
say because a lot of them or some of them are irresponsible, we're not even going to try
something like this, I...I don't think is fair to those who...who do work hard to run a
responsible law-abiding, you know, business and enforce the drinking age, etc., and so
I...I'd like to see us give it a shot. I agree with Matt that...I don't know if we want to
have staff spend hours and hours and then have it picked apart by the bars or say we are
going to draft one and please give us your comments if you want to have any input into
this thing, um, you know, before we start. The...the one question I had, or just throw out
for consideration was on the exits, and again, I assume this would, you know, would
depend upon, you know, how the two sections are divided and...and how you're getting
in, but... assuming that there obviously has to be some way to get from one side to the
other that, I mean, obviously when you're...when you're there it's not easy to do,
whatever, but is it from a safety standpoint absolutely necessary to have four separate
exits, I mean, if in fact you have an emergency and that place needs to be emptied, and
right now based on occupancy two, um, exits are sufficient. Is it absolutely necessary
from a safety standpoint to go to four exits?
Champion/ (mumbled) cause you would have the same occupancy.
Mims/ You'd have the same occupancy. If you have fire alarms go off, you can open that door
that separates the two areas so that people could flow, it would seem to me, and so I
guess I would just question if we...
Dilkes/ Are you talking about two completely separate entrances, I mean, two entrances, but the
same exit?
Mims/ Well, I'm just saying, depending on the facility they may have two separate entrances,
they may have one entrance and you come through the non-alcohol area and then have to
get especially carded to get into the alcohol area.
Dilkes/ I think that's a concern...that, that issue of funneling everyone in and then like this,
that's the...that's the big enforcement issue, because then we're relying on the bar staff to
do that funneling, and do it appropriately.
Mims/ Well, I agree...I agree, that's an issue in terms of how they're coming in and how they're
being separated. My question is, on the...requiring of four separate exits, because
you're...you've got the same occupancy, but you are basically doing an arbitrary
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separation. From a safety standpoint, depending on how those two areas are separated,
do we still really need then the double the number of exits from a safety standpoint?
Boothroy/ It depends on how they're separated. I mean, that's...a detail, you look at the, I mean,
it depends on how separate they are and whether there is access, um, that they can get
through that exit. And they, I could see a situation where you have to have additional
exits, just because it's too difficult to get from one area to another area.
Mims/ I guess I would just like to see the flexibility in the ordinance, at least then to look at it
plan-by-plan from a safety standpoint (both talking) not just automatically.
Boothroy/ No, we...it would not be an automatic four exits. It would be based on, uh, what the
code says in terms of what you need for, uh, it's a visible, uh, way to get out and, you
know, it's...it's signed and...and, um, and the access is convenient and things like that,
and opens out directly into an area that's safe (both talking) that kind of stuff.
Dilkes/ Can it be an exit that can be locked, except when somebody...
Boothroy/ You don't lock exits, fire exits.
Dilkes/ Okay, that...that's my concern though, because if we have a separation that is solid
enough to prevent movement...
Bailey/ It won't open in case of an emergency.
Dilkes/ ...then...
Boothroy/ ...you either have to have a separate exit, but you don't have an exit sign over a
locked door.
Dilkes/ Right. I assumed as much, that's why I asked the question.
Boothroy/ (unable to hear, away from mic)
Wilburn/ I want to, um, add, clarify, um, and I'm not sure if this is what you read into or if I'm
interpreting what you were saying about my comments, Susan. I said that...bars have
either been unable, unwilling, some combination to...make their obligation to monitor
their product...um...to make it work. I'm not suggesting that all people who own bars,
uh, don't care and don't have good practices, but some of those have been in front of the
Council and said, `We have been unwilling to.' If you try this...it's across the board for
anyone who may apply and try to do it, and if you have someone whose practice has been
unable or unwilling to...dispense alcohol, liquor legally...then this is not going to
address the issues and problems that we've had.
Mims/ Well, good point. Let me ask this. Since this is not a denial of a liquor license, could this
ordinance be crafted...you mentioned, Eric, a way to...uh, revoke the permit, okay?
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Could something be written in the ordinance, for example, a PAULA ratio is such and
such, would be reason enough to revoke their permit or their certificate for this kind of
thing.
Wilburn/ And that's an excellent question, because...if doing this doesn't address that problem,
to date because of decisions by the Alcohol Beverage Commission, we cannot effectively
monitor that so...
Mims/ But this would not be revoking the liquor license. This would be...(several talking)
Bailey/ This would be revoking a local...local sort of situation, so we would...
Hayek/ You mentioned that in your memo, we need a mechanism (several talking) honor system,
and if...and if you fail, you lose this split option. What...
Dilkes/ Or you could also, I mean, you could have it as you don't get the option at all, unless
your PAULA rate is below "X" or something to that effect.
Bailey/ Well, and you could also, I mean, was it years ago we also talked about I.D. scanners. I
don't know how effective those are, I mean, you...obviously have to use them and
comply with what they told you, but I mean, there are other, setting the bar so to speak
higher for those establishments who want to do such a thing, I don't know what the
mechanisms would be but...I mean, besides the, you know, the capital improvements that
they'll have to make, also some other requirements to make sure that they're complying.
I think that this is a good idea. I...I think it's refreshing to see at least one organization,
or one business interested in a different business model, and why wouldn't we give them
the opportunity to try rt, um...
Hayek/ Yeah.
Bailey/ ...I mean, they're a music venue and it seems to make sense, and all of us know that
they're well situated to meet some of these sort of requirements. Whether they chose to
invest and do it I don't...
Dickens/ What has their PAULA rate been?
Bailey/ I just checked. It was...it was blank. (several talking) It's...there's nothing there. I just
checked on the June one.
Hayek/ You know, and I...I communicated with Andre Perry, he's the Executive Director of the
Englert, but he also books shows for The Mill. He's been an employee there for some
time and I asked him why we hadn't heard from them in response to our letter asking, uh,
for suggestions and um, he had only recently become aware of that letter, and he's
actually working on... on something. Um, and so I... I, you know, who knows whether
that proposal will...will approach the sort of things addressed in the memo, but, um, I...I
do think there's an interest in... in crafting something.
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Bailey/ Well, I mean, we do need...diversified activity options for, you know, the influx of
young people that we have in the community. This provides potentially an option. I
don't think anybody's intent was that they sit at home and study every night of the week
(several talking) I could see that! But I think...you know, if we can set up the
requirements and they can meet the requirements and adhere, I don't see (several talking)
Mims/ And the fact that it's a local ordinance and we can set some higher standards (several
talking) in terms of their...behavior.
Bailey/ And I would...I would encourage us to go ahead, um, and put it out there and get beaten
up, instead of getting beaten up, put it out there, getting beaten up again. (laughter)
Dickens/ I always like to get hit first (several talking and laughing)
Bailey/ We know we're going to get hit. Let's just go!
Champion/ I think we're all interested in exploring possibilities to keep, uh, kind of the
entertainment capitol open. It's a positive thing. I thought the disturbing thing in the
paper last week was the amount of alcohol consumed by Iowa City college students, and
the lack of study time. That was really fascinating.
Higgins/ Doesn't apply to everybody now! (laughter)
Champion/ I know you're the perfect gem!
Hayek/ You're not studying right now, Elliott! (laughter)
Bailey/ Well, he has been actually (laughter)
Dickens/ From the Chief's perspective, how do you see...enforcement?
Hargadine/ My recommendation would be to sort of as Ross alluded to earlier, not depend upon
staff to enforce this. It's got to be done through engineering and architecture. Physical
barriers, and not staff, um, in place to do it, because they've proven over and over, at
almost all the establishments, that they're unable...unable or unwilling to do it.
Wright/ I agree.
Bailey/ We could require TIPS training every year, even though they say that they've been
through it, I mean, we could require all kinds of things. Doesn't mean that it will work,
but we can set it high.
Hayek/ Okay. Any other questions for staff, or do you need input?
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Dilkes/ So would you like us to draft an ordinance that includes (coughing, unable to hear) the
recommendations that staff has made to you in the memo, and...and go from there?
Bailey/ That'd be a starting place.
Wright/ Yeah.
Mims/ I would, yeah, and definitely some standards that they would have to meet to even
qualify, like somebody mentioned that, you know, they have to have a PAULA ratio
below such-and-such to even apply for one and...
Dickens/ Below their...what the standard is now, even though we can't use it (several talking)
Mims/ I say well below that standard.
Bailey/ I would say well below 1, cause when you're getting up close to 1, I'm getting...yeah.
Mims/ I mean, that's when we're trying...we were trying to get rid of the liquor license,
so...yeah, I would...I would like to see...we want to see if they have a record of
enforcing the law already before we're going to allow them to do something even more
(mumbled)
Dilkes/ Let us think about that and we'll...we'll include some (several talking)
Champion/ And...and there's a (mumbled) The Mill because that is such awell-run place, even
though it needs a good cleaning (laughter). The...you know, they serve other alcohol.
You don't get your pitcher and I think that's one reason that PAULA rate's very low.
Alcohol is served to you, you don't get it (mumbled) and I think things like that
keep...the alcohol, the PAULA stuff down, and I don't think kids think of going to The
Mill to get alcohol, cause they're probably not going to get it.
Wright/ ...crazy things like check your I.D.s and...
Champion/ Yeah, they do that.
Dickens/ (mumbled)
Hayek/ Anything else on this issue we can give to staff? All right. We need to take afive-
minute break? Okay. (BREAD
Temporary Commercial Uses Near Kinnick Stadium (IP4 of S/12):
Hayek/ ...commercial uses near Kinnick Stadium, and I am going to not participate in this
conversation, um, one of the lawyers in my office, Joe Moreland, has represented Tracy
Barkalow for I think years and though he doesn't represent the Stadium Club in this
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issue, Mr. Barkalow figures prominently in the materials and...and I just don't think I
should be part of this so I'm going to step aside and let, uh, Mr. Wilburn take over.
Wilburn/ Okay, Doug, are you going to lead us through?
Boothroy/ I think (both talking)
Wilburn/ Eleanor? Okay.
Boothroy/ Eleanor wanted to start.
Dilkes/ I know you (noise on mic) Mr. Barkalow delivered you a fairly hefty packet late this
afternoon, that you have in front of you. I have not read that so...and I assume you
haven't, so...(noise on mic and several talking) oh, I'm sorry! (several talking) Anyway,
I...I have not read that, and uh... so don't intend to respond to that, um... at this point.
Um, just to...to lead off the discussion, I would just...I hark back to Dale's memo to you
of July 29th, um, in which I think staff tried to frame the way that we see this issue. And
that is that...while some do like what goes on over on Melrose Avenue during football
games and some, um, don't, there's been kind of a...a balance that's developed over
there over the years and it's been the same way for a long time. The City had no
intention of interfering with that this year until...the Magic Bus moved into the
neighborhood and the Stadium Club started developing what was, appeared to be
anyway, a very intensive and permanent commercial use. Not only on football days, but
year round. And at that point, the City...had to respond. We had neighbors complaining,
um, we had, um, very blatant violations of the...the zoning code, etc. Doug has issued
his two decisions, uh, on those applications for temporary permits. Um, those are
appealable to the Board of Adjustment. They are not appealable to City Council. City
Council can change the ordinance, obviously, um, make a zoning change if it chooses to
do so...over in that area and whether...and that could take any number of forms. That
could be a....just a basic change in zoning, um, of some areas. It could be a temporary
overlay, um, on football...I mean, it could take any number of... of forms. That would be
a process that would have to go through the Planning and Zoning Commission...would
have to be developed by staff, would have to go through the Planning and Zoning
Commission, would have to come to Council as a zoning change. So...I guess at this
point, the question is, is Council interested in seeing that effort develop. Um...we are not
treating Mr. Barkalow differently. Mr. Barkalow acted differently, quite differently than
the uses that have been established along Melrose Avenue, and that compelled a response
by the City.
Champion/Can you just remind me where your letter is at? I read it last night. Is it in...one of...
Dilkes/ The mem...
Boothroy/ My memo?
Champion/ Yes.
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Boothroy/ It should have been in the Information Packet (several talking)
Champion/ Okay!
Dilkes/ That's the one on the Stadium Club...
Champion/ Right.
Dilkes/ ...and um...
Boothroy/ The other one went out earlier.
Dilkes/ And the other one went out earlier. It was in your last...your last Info Packet (several
talking)
Boothroy/ Two packets ago (several talking)
Champion/ And, uh, just refresh my memory. This was the Stadium Club was the one who
paved in the...okay, now I...just had to keep them straight in my mind. Okay.
Dilkes/ Had the Magic Bus not moved into the neighborhood, and those actions not been taken
by the new owners of those properties on Melrose and Triangle Place, nothing would
have changed this year. (several talking)
Boothroy/ Well, the complaints really started, uh, with the Magic Bus, and um...
Dilkes/ The movement into the neighborhood.
Boothroy/ It was overall, I mean, the opposition to the Magic Bus was substantial from the
neighborhood...it wasn't even close! There was little or no support for it.
Wright/ Personally I support both of your decisions, and I actually commend you for those
decisions. I think you...you interpret everything correctly, and I think you acted in the
best interest of...of everybody, except a couple special interests.
Bailey/ Well said!
Wright/ I have no interest in revisiting our zoning code based on this at all.
Mims/ But my only question would be, you know... if given... given that, you know, we have the
same situation that a lot of major universities have where you have athletic events and
you have a few days a year that things are just totally different, and...and first of all, I
agree with your decisions. I'm not criticizing those at all. But coming back to the idea of
looking at any kind of a...a zoning overlay or exceptions, or whatever...however they
might be configured for those six or seven Saturdays in terms of basically right
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now...these situations changed, City had to respond, the City did respond, and so these
have been taken care of. But there are a lot of things that go on over there that basically
the City has for 20 or 30 or 50 years turned a blind eye to. Okay? While this is now in
front of us, and because of other people's actions it has prompted action by the City, does
it make sense to look at the whole situation in a little bit more detail and see if we do
want to do anything like that. I'm not saying that would expand or increase...particular
activities, but maybe to act and not necessarily to diminish activities, I mean, but to
maybe get some kind of guidelines and controls over what does go on in that area of the
city immediately adjacent to the Stadium on those six or seven Saturdays...in the course
of the year. (several talking) I don't think it' .. .
Wilburn/ You're talking about more of a global perspective with the activities.
Mims/ Right. Yeah, and I'm not, you know, I have no preconceived notion what that might or
might not look like, but I just think given the fact that the whole thing has come to the
surface, this might not be a bad time to at least have that discussion, and we might go
through the discussion and decide...let's walk away from it and let the Chief and his
people continue to deal with it (laughter) like they are now. Um, or we might decide that
there's some things that we can do to, um, make it a better environment for people. I'm
not adverse to looking at it. I think it's worth having the discussion.
Wilburn/ I just, uh, and correct me if I'm wrong, um...this really...what you're suggesting is
taking up a conversation related to the global area. This issue technically is not in front
of us. It's in front of the, or it could be in front of the Board of Adjustment. Correct,
or...
Dilkes/ Well, these particular circumstances could be (several talking) right. The...the more
global...how (mumbled) be a Council issue.
Wilburn/ Yeah.
Bailey/ So, how would you conceive of doing that specifically, because you...you're right. I
have no...I mean...I mean, I have no idea what we would be necessarily looking at
either. I mean, I think the point that these were egregious violations brought them to the
forefront and the focus makes sense to me.
Mims/ I mean, I think you start by looking at and making some phone calls or letters to other
major, uh, university communities and asking, do they do anything different or special on
say football Saturdays for the area around their stadium that has this influx of thousands
of people and individuals setting up their own little businesses with absolutely no
oversight and no control, um...
Bailey/ Well, we can first ask University Heights because they indeed do. I mean, they bring in
port-a-potties, I mean, as a city, they...they...
Dickens/ Do they have a lot of set-ups over there though?
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Bailey/ I don't know how many set-ups...
Boothroy/ They don't have any set-ups. They don't permit it. I think they... somebody told me
the other day that there was one by the bridge left, but otherwise there are no commercial
set-ups along that (several talking)
Karr/ They have an ordinance with a fine, and they only allow that one green... it's right by,
between the bridge and the, uh, City Hall.
Boothroy/ Grandfathered in or something probably. Yeah.
Bailey/ Their main focus is parking, I think, right? And...they bring in restrooms and trash cans.
Mims/ We may look at it and decide, you know, we don't want to do anything, but I think it's at
least worth talking about, looking at what other communities like us do, um...and then
going from there.
Dilkes/ I think one other thing that...one I was just going to summarizing is that the combination
of the, you know, how blatant commercial use was, and in connection with the
distribution of alcohol. Those two things together are what made it so difficult.
Boothroy/ We don't have a good feel I think for what goes on over there, um, I mean, I'm not
suggesting you all take a field trip, but (laughter) uh, it might not be such a bad idea if
you are over in that area, if... if this does go forward with some discussion is to look at it
differently than just being apasser-by, uh, because I think that looking at it with a critical
eye, uh, seeing what's happening and what's not happening is important for the
discussion, if there is going to be a discussion, uh, and uh...yeah, I...
Wilburn/ Um, before I ask I'm just going to throw this out there, to um...and then I'll ask others
to comment too. I don't know... Susan, I don't know how this might fit in with your
conversation, but the, um, there's going to be some things in flux anyway, um, so I don't
know if it's sooner rather than later. For example, the University is going to be changing
certain, uh, practices...
Mims/ I would say later. I mean, I don't see...there's no way we could get anything done for
this fall, and so I mean I see this as something that...the soonest we would be looking at
would be fall of 11, i£..if we decided to do anything!
Wilburn/ Right. Do we...do we have complete, or Chief, do you have, uh, cause I just saw on
the news that, uh, tonight I think, um, maybe it was yesterday, about some of the
practices that University campus police are going to be (mumbled). Do we have a good
idea on all of the changes yet? I don't know if Matt has had a conversation.
Hargadine/ That just came out, uh, today and I believe the first game they're thinking about
issuing warnings, be more warning driven, um, but um, as far as open carrying liquor
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around and... and more carrying of... of any type of alcohol, they're looking at more
enforcement in and around the stadium.
Wilburn/ Did you get a memo on that or...
Hargadine /I saw the news (both talking)
Wilburn/ Okay. All right. Gotcha! (laughter) So...it may be that, you know, at least just in
general we may want to get some information from the University, just in terms of what
they're going to be doing in practice and that...that might contribute for a future
discussion in terms of (both talking)
Mims/Right, and...but I...I would agree, but I also think there's a significant difference in what I
read from that press conference. I didn't see it, but read...read it on line, I guess, later.
Basically what they're talking about in their changes are alcohol enforcement. And to
me, what we would be discussing would be more the commercial aspects and change of
use aspects, in particular they're going on...maybe also some alcohol related, but
um...the first thing I think that comes to mind based on these issues that have come up
that Doug's had to deal with is, you know, what are the other kind of temporary,
commercial issues that are going on over there that maybe we should be talking about
and looking at and, again, I don't go into it with any preconceived notion, I mean,
um...I'm not...I don't...have no preconceived notion about we allow people to do more
things, we try and shut people down, that's not what I'm saying. I think just having the
discussion is worthwhile.
Boothroy/ I think there is a lot...this, as this shows, there is a lot of pressure, uh, economic
pressure too, to come, uh, more successful at what you do over there in terms of, uh, and
so I think we're going to continue to face that over the years so I think...think you do
make a good point in that sense, uh, I...what I'm trying to say is I think we'll be coming
back to this at some point again, cause it's bound to happen again, uh, and we'll get to it
like we did before which is on a complaint-basis or...or a discovery basis. So...
Wilburn/ Connie, you were going to say something?
Champion/ Well, I was going to say something kind of off the wall, as usual.
Wilburn/ Maybe we should go to my thing first (laughter)
Champion/ Um...you know, the Stadium Club, the Magic Bus, uh, seven football games, five
football games, uh, it's like...people living by City High complaining about the noise at
the football games on Friday night. I mean, these people live by a football stadium, and
they complain about what happens on football Saturdays, and so I...you know, I'm not
saying your decision is wrong, but what I'm saying is, what did you expect?
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Boothroy/ Well, I'd like to address that with (mumbled) because I wasn't aware of what had
happened over there in the Olive Court area but the Neuzil tract used to be a huge
tailgating venue.
Champion/ Yes!
Boothroy/ And it created huge problems with that neighborhood and they expressed some, what
some of those issues are, uh, you can imagine all the kinds of things that people, uh, were
in a state of... alcohol, uh, euphoria would do as they passed through the neighborhood,
and over...now that that's changed, they've gotten some control over it. They've got
it...they've got it organized with regard to trash and uh, recyclables. They've got it, uh,
organized with regard to port-a-potties, uh, and they feel (mumbled) last year or two,
they've been able to get some control over the chaos. They've organized the
neighborhood so that nobody parks by just stopping by. They have a system by which,
uh, you park for the season. If you misbehave you no longer park in that neighborhood.
So beginning to control the quality of what's happening to the extent that they can.
When the Magic Bus came into the neighborhood, or proposed to come into the
neighborhood, without consultation with the neighborhood, they felt that that was going
to be a tipping point where what they had tried to bring about in terms of neighborhood
control over their environment, recognizing that, you know, this goes on and accepting it,
was going to go back to the chaos that was happening because of the Neuzil tract. So
I...I think you have to respect that, uh...uh, it was information that came out at the
meeting that I wasn't aware of, and I thought it was a pretty good thing that the
neighborhood was trying to do. They weren't saying...they weren't necessarily denying
the stadium. They were just trying to have a process in place where they didn't have
people walking through the front door or urinating in the yard or whatever, you know,
which was happening before, causing damage, and that's...that's, and they've gotten that,
I think, somewhat under control. Um, Melrose Avenue is course different. It's...it fronts
right across from the stadium and so the dynamics are certainly different than...than back
in the neighborhood. Um, just my two cents on that I guess.
Wright/ You know you made a comment about a...a field trip, uh, and you weren't necessarily
recommending a field trip, and actually I think... in order to have much of a conversation
about this, we just about would need to go up there and see it!
Boothroy/ Not as a quorum.
Wright/ Not as a quorum (laughter) as individuals.
Boothroy/ I'm sorry, I didn't mean to step on your (laughter)
Wright/ No, it's...Eleanor's vibe was working its way over there. Um...the, I think it might be a
good idea for Council Members to go up to that and just see what's going on up there, if
there's...if there's some concern, um...I mean, I think what Susan's talking about is far
broader than just the Stadium Club and the Magic Bus. You're talking about all of the
Hawkeye.. .
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Boothroy/ Yeah, I would have to (both talking)
Wright/ Um...
Boothroy/ I mean, I haven't...actually been...it's interesting in talking to individuals in this
process, when I've gone to football games, I live up on the north side so I come in from
the north side, so I rarely go south of the stadium because it's just inconvenient and
difficult, uh, but...so over the years, uh, you know, you don't see what happens down
there unless you happen to be there, coming in from the south or from the east or the
west.
Wright/ And I certainly understand what's been going on in the neighborhoods. I know people
who live in that neighborhood back behind, uh, south of Kinnick, and the...some of the
behavior going on there is...is pretty serious and I don't know however what these
vendors along Melrose do or don't.
Boothroy/ I don't think that...I didn't... it was about the, uh, our focus was about the alcohol
venue (mumbled) Magic Bus I think selling t-shirts probably isn't (mumbled) impact. I
think it's more tolerated because it...we have always required, uh, that everything be
removed, uh, over the years we, uh, people would ask if they can keep their tents up and
their stuff in place for the entire season. I think it's seven, I guess next year it could be
eight games, and we've said no. It's temporary. It has to be...you can't put it up
beforehand. Just the day of, and you have to take it down, uh, before Monday.
Otherwise we'll cite you. And so they've been pretty good about getting rid of
everything, and it... it returns to a residential street-face and that's important.
Wilburn/ Have they been informed of the, uh, if they wish to contest, uh, your decisions (both
talking)
Boothroy/ Both, I've talked with...I've mentioned that, yes.
Wilburn/ Okay.
Dickens/ Now if they go in and tear out all the concrete and make it a temporary, is there any
way that can be changed? Or would that be (both talking)
Boothroy/ Well, you can address the liquor issue. I think it's...I think that is a problem (both
talking)
Dickens/ As far as emergency (several talking)
Dilkes/ (away from mic)
Boothroy/ Yeah.
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Wilburn/ I couldn't hear you, Eleanor.
Dilkes/ I don't think it's...
Bailey/ Eleanor, your mic isn't on! I'm sorry!
Dilkes/ Oh! I'm (several talking)
Boothroy/ ...up there besides Marian for how many years and you can't remember to wear a
mic? Marian!
Dilkes/ No, I'm sorry! Sorry!
Dickens/ I didn't know if there were other options that they could do...that would make their
property conform to the temporary status, or is there...I know there's other issues within
there that...
Dilkes/ Doug has had a variety of (both talking)
Boothroy/ ...talked to Tracy and Jeff about the parking lot, about the...we had a conversation
last Friday?
Wright/ Parking lots generally don't fit in an RS-5 zone.
Boothroy/ That's right! That's why we're having a problem! (laughter)
Wilburn/ Any other comments?
Higgins/ Uh, what will...I just wanted to say that while I do appreciate the idea about looking
into, and I think it is, a good idea. I think it will be necessary in the future. Uh, I just
want to caution against over-regulating maybe something that's not perceived as a
problem currently, uh, cause I...you know, I love Hawkeye football games, love the
atmosphere over there, and I just, um, I don't want it to go away, I mean, at least not
completely.
Mims/ Oh, I would agree! I mean, there's great traditions of various vendors along Melrose that
people go every single Saturday for a Hawkeye game, whether it's the turkey leg or the
pork loin sandwiches or whatever, I mean, there are a lot of vendors there that people
frequent every single week that they're there, and no, we certainly don't want to do
anything to...
Dilkes/ And that's why I think it's important to emphasize that this...the action, this was a
reaction by the City to these, the actions by the Magic Bus and the Stadium Club. I
mean, it was not, and has not been the City's intention to shut down the fun over there on
football (several talking) on football Saturdays.
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Bailey/ And that's kind of how I feel, like if we start looking at it, I mean, it would be...in
talking to the neighbors and seeing what specifically we could potentially address,
perhaps, would be maybe a more controlled way to go at it, rather than sort of going,
looking for, I mean, yes, if we see something of course -bringing it forward, but...I'm
not sure I want to go looking.
Boothroy/ I should point out that I did get, uh, some email or emails with additional addresses
that...that, uh, complaints about alcohol venues. I don't know if they're the same as what
we just talked about, Magic Bus and Stadium Club, uh, I just wanted to mention that, uh,
that there were several other addresses given to me for complaints. Just something
to...it's that we're talking about this, looking forward to it, that maybe it's...you should
know about that.
Wilburn /So will, uh, likely get a memo from you after reading their letter, um, if there's any
change, or further...I'm just presuming.
Dilkes/ I've skimmed enough to know they won't be.
Wilburn/ Okay, all right. What they're asking for is, uh, bottom line is a moratorium on the
Housing Department and...and (several talking)
Champion/ I'm sorry, what? A morator...
Wilburn/ A moratorium on, uh, the Housing Department to, uh, on what they state is the
regulation of tailgating events. So...
Dilkes/ But you need, I mean, you can do...you can take that kind of legislation action, but
you're not telling me that you want to do that.
Wilburn/ That's not what I'm hearing from the Council. Okay. Do you have what you need
then?
Boothroy/ I assume that we're not going to do any further exploration?
Champion/ No. I think the...the, I (mumbled) because obviously none of us have had time to
read it, but he keeps inferring that he talked to the City and he kept (mumbled) people
saying it was going to be okay, and I think that's typical, um, but I mean, I think that
needs to be addressed a little bit, I mean, cause they're making you the scapegoat
(mumbled) the City. I don't mean you personally.
Dilkes/ Let me read Mr. Barkalow's letter and if I think it needs clarification, or additional facts
that you need to be aware of, we'll give you those.
Wilburn/ (mumbled) additional facts (mumbled) Okay.
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Helling/ Just...just for clarification. At this point in time you're not making a decision in terms
of what we will do, and for the future going out, uh, as far as examining things you want
to wait until you've reviewed this or... should staff go ahead and start looking at.. .
Champion/ No! (several responding) No!
Wright/ No, I don't think we need the staff to be looking at anything.
Dilkes/ The only thing staff needs to do is if...read this and give you some...if you think it's
slanted towards this position, to give you additional facts (mumbled)
Champion/ Right!
Wilburn/ Okay. Thank you. (several talking)
Wright/ How much time do we spend on stuff related to alcohol (several talking and laughing)
Information Packets:
Hayek/ Okay. Info Packets. Probably arecord -five - to go through. (several responding)
Start with the July I St" packet. Anything concerning that? (several responding) Okay.
July 22°a?
Wright/ That was a nice, tidy little package!
Hayek/ Yes. July 29t"? August St"~
Wilburn/ Great job about the Rummage in the Ramp, by the way.
Bailey/ Pardon me?
Wilburn/ Great job with the Rummage in the Ramp.
Champion/ Yeah, they did really well!
Mims/ The Planner that was in the August St", uh...you know, I don't need anything, Jeff. I just
wanted to comment, it was an excellent...excellent publication, um, on the Miller-
Orchard and the Rummage in the Ramp and a couple other...it was just, I mean, the
Planner is always good, but I just thought that one was exceptional, and I just, um, just
thought it was great.
Wright/ Yeah, really was!
Hayek/ Also, uh, in terms of, uh, quality literature, the Economic Development project update...
Mims/ Yes!
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Hayek/ ...which the Economic Development Committee looked at in more detail the other day,
has a really nice recitation of the...our critical, uh, projects right now. So...okay. Uh,
August 12tn~
Helling/ I have one question for August, for the August 12th one, and that's IP6, the pianos
downtown. (several talking) ...synopsis of where we are and what they're asking for,
and uh...question whether or not maybe this is a time for Council to decide if you want to
look at something more permanent, if you will, rather than just this 90-day trial period
that.. .
Mims/ I say go for it!
Bailey/ I love them!
Wilburn/ It's been awesome!
Bailey/ It's been amazing! I couldn't of even imagined it!
Dickens/ We've been asked to put one out with your daughter and I'll have to (mumbled). Yes,
we'd love it! (mumbled) ...play a little more.
Champion/ I think it's, uh, people are really enjoying it. (several talking)
Bailey/ Amazing stuff (several talking)
Champion/ And... and uh Catherine wants, of course, and she approached Terry, and I think
(mumbled) and um, piano's being donated and um, Tom Collins going to cover it every
night cause he's there late or somebody in his shop, so I think it's going to be very
successful. People do love it. (several talking)
Dickens/ Nothing but good comments about it.
Helling/ I...I guess, Eleanor, I don't know, is there a, uh, ordinance changes that need to be
made? I assume there are. Uh...can we do that before October 1St? Okay.
Hayek/ Do you need input as to...as to duration, if we're extending it from 90-days to something
else...
Helling/ (both talking) talking initially about not having during the dead of winter, and we talked
a little bit about snow removal, but beyond that, my...my impression was that if they're
out there eight or nine months of the year, that's not a problem. Uh, they're removable.
We anchor them down and remove (mumbled) requirements we have for the outdoor
service areas (mumbled)
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Mims/ Yeah. I would assume from their perspective just...with most musical instruments like
that, they're not going to want them out there when it's super-cold and, I mean,
just...they're going to be tuning them every day.
Bailey/ Well, we couldn't, I mean, it is like...it is like sidewalk cafes. They get in the way of
snow removal. (several talking)
Helling/ Yeah, we've got to be able to push the snow.
Dilkes/ I think probably the way we'll structure it is...is just have kind of a...this is what you
have to do to get your permit. We'll issue it administratively so we don't have to do kind
of the more (coughing unable to hear) sidewalk cafes.
Hayek/ Great idea!
Bailey/ That sounds fine!
Hayek/ Um, there's...the ICAD annual luncheon is mentioned, and I...and Marian sent out a
memo on that and...and uh...this...this year's may be particularly important. The author,
it's the author of Stuck in the Middle, or Caught in the Middle. Did we agree on the title?
Anyway, particularly interesting keynote speaker at this, uh, talking about Midwestern
communities and the modern economy and...who does well and who does not do well.
It's good news for communities like Iowa City but this...he may be a really good one to
go catch. Okay. Uh, Council time?
Council Time:
Bailey/ I'd just like to maybe briefly, I mean, it's great that we're having pianos downtown, but
downtown is looking a little down, you know, down at its heels or whatever the saying is,
you know, lots of missing trees. Do we replace those in the fall? And then I noticed
some curbs, uh, some curbs knocked away or something or...maybe my vantage point
wasn't that, but you know, some of the landscaping, the roses...those kinds of things, and
when do we sort of freshen that all up? This is sort of on the perimeter, not in the plaza
itself.
Helling/ Well, yeah, I haven't talked to Terry about it. I think...generally fall is the time we
plant trees.
Bailey/ We're losing a lot...we've lost a lot of trees because of the wind storm too. Are we
going to look at the trees along Church Street for example, as well?
Helling/ Let me find out.
Bailey/ I'd be interested, cause...we are lacking a lot of trees downtown and throughout our
neighborhood.
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Dickens/ (unable to hear)
Bailey/ What?
Dickens/ (mumbled)
Bailey/ It has! (several talking) And so..
Dickens/ (mumbled)
Helling/ (mumbled)
Bailey/ Yeah, so this is something that might come into play at budget time, I guess, is one of my
questions. That's all I had (mumbled)
Wilburn/ I will be...I have a work obligation tomorrow night. I'll be late to the Council meeting.
I've got to do a, um, sexual harassment training for some coaches so...
Hayek/ Okay.
Wilburn/ Standard! Nothing's happened! (laughter) But I do have another obligation tomorrow
night.
Hayek/ Yeah. (several talking) Um, I have two items. One, um, we've been asked to sign a
letter in support of a federal, uh, piece of legislation, it's the Electric Vehicle Deployment
Act. Um, there are bills in both the Senate and the House to, um, create financial
incentives, um, to promote electrification of vehicles within certain geographic areas, and
communities compete for the funds and things like that. Um...Dale's office checked the
entity out and feels very comfortable with the request, um, but we felt it was important to
get some weigh-in from you folks before signing the letter. It's simply... saying that
Iowa City supports this federal legislation to promote, uh, incentives for, uh, electrical
vehicles as a means of reducing the, uh, petroleum dependence and things like that.
(several responding)
Wilburn/ There's a town in Iowa...I just saw, 18 months ago they set themselves up to be a
electric fueling station, uh...there's one in, uh, 1 think it's the north-central Iowa, um, on
20/20 or Dateline, something like that (several talking)
Bailey/ Um, and where's our Congressman on this?
Hayek/ Um, I...I assume he's for it, but I (both talking)
Bailey/ I do too, but that might be an interesting point of information.
Hayek/ Yeah. We'll find that out, uh...
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Bailey/ Where's our Congressman on this and...and our, I mean...
Hayek/ The letter goes to Harkin and Grassley.
Bailey/ Oh, okay, it's in the Senate. Okay.
Hayek/ So this is aSenate-directed bill, or letter. We'll check with Congressman Loebsack.
Bailey/ Just check if there are any...
Hayek/ I know Des Moines is...Des Moines is supportive of this. (mumbled)
Helling/ Yes.
Hayek/ Okay.
Helling/ Yeah (mumbled) county has signed.
Hayek/ Okay.
Wright/ Just as an FYI, the University has, uh, you know, established some re...recharging
stations for electric vehicles on campus.
Hayek/ And the second thing, um, you remember that each year we have a pot of money for
community events, and a series of applications and... and we fund a variety of things,
um...last year the Mission Creek Music Festival came to us for money, and we funded
them, and this is something that's been going on for three or four or five years now and
it's just growing by leaps and bounds. Um, and I can't remember if we gave them $5,000
or $10,000.
Wright/ I think it was like $5,000.
Hayek/ It might have been $5,000. They came to us this year, as well, uh, but there was an email
glitch, and they sent their application in timely, but it got caught up in our spam filter or
something, down at City Hall, and so we didn't see their application. Um, and so we
didn't fund them, and at the time I thought it was kind of funny not to have something
from them, and I just figured that they didn't want it, and I found out later that they
thought they had applied and all this stuff. The point is this, there is a balance right now
of about $3,300 in that fund that was left over from this most recent round. Um, I...I,
this is an ongoing event, and I think it provides great economic stimulus to the...to the
area. I'd be interested in looking at whether we could earmark those funds to that group,
which has indicated they could still very much use that.
Champion/ Yes. I think it'd be a great idea. I thought they did a great job!
Wright/ It's definitely worth supporting.
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Hayek/ Okay.
Champion/ What do they need?
Hayek/ Well, they'll take what we (several talking and laughing) Yeah, exactly!
Wright/ Cover the difference or.. .
Hayek/ So...okay. If you're comfortable with that.
Karr/ Yeah, we're going to need a resolution.
Helling/ Probably will, yeah.
Hayek/ Yeah.
Bailey/ Could we, um, see their app, after the fact or...or a report, something that would give us
more information so we respond to something?
Hayek/ Good idea!
Champion/ Yeah.
Bailey/ I mean, I don't have any problem supporting them whatsoever, but I think that would
make it a little bit more...
Champion/ I think we need the application.
Wright/ Yeah.
Bailey/ Yeah, or some request.
Helling/ Yeah, and..and a report on their last (mumbled) (several talking) first of April I think is
when they do it, so for this fiscal year they actually don't have their event until this
(several talking) yeah.
Budget Priorities:
Hayek/ Okay. That's all I've got. Anybody else? Okay, budget priorities?
Summary of Pending Work Session Items
Hayek/ IPS. Anything on that? Okay.
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Upcoming Community Events/Council Invitations/KXIC
Hayek/ Need to have the KXIC talk.
Karr/ We need to take a look at the schedule for KXIC. Got the Wednesdays down. If there's
certain Wednesdays that work for you, don't work for you...try and go about six weeks
out. August 18tH
Hayek/ I can do next week.
Karr/ August 18tH? Okay. 25tH?
Mims/ I can...go ahead. (several talking)
Karr/ Terry? Okay. September 1.
Champion/ I can do any time somebody can't do it, except this week.
Karr/ You want to do the 1St, Connie?
Champion/ September 1St? Yeah, that's fine.
Karr/ I can firm this up in a schedule. Stn of September?
Mims/ I'll take it.
Karr/ Thank you. 15tn~
Wright/ Maybe...
Karr/ Okay! I'll take it.
Wright/ I don't have my calendar here so I can't tell you.
Karr/ And then 22°d. Be six weeks out.
Mims/ I'm like Connie, I can kind of fill in anytime (both talking)
Karr/ I'll put you both...I'll put you both down there, and we'll just see...we can review it the
next time.
Mims/ Okay.
Wright/ It was the 15th, Marian?
Karr/ Yes, please.
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Champion/ (mumbled) okay, September 1St
Karr/ September 1.
Champion/ Just have to get it on my calendar.
Mims/ And we've got two invitations, don't we, for exactly the same time this Thursday?
Hayek/ Yes.
Mims/ We've got the Iowa City's Community Development celebration. That's (mumbled)
church (several talking) Mennonite Church, and then Neighborhood Centers at The Spot,
and I think they both start at 4:30. They go to 6:00, and both have programs at 5:00.
(several talking)
Hayek/ I'll be at the, uh, the Community Development celebration.
Wright/ I'm planning to go to that one as well.
Bailey/ I don't know if I'll be back in town. I...I don't know my schedule for Thursday
afternoon yet. But I was going to go to the Community Development one if...if I could
but...I'm doubtful.
Mims/ Well, I'll go to the...I'll try and go to the Neighborhood Centers then.
Hayek/ Great!
Mims/ So we can...cover them both.
Hayek/ Yep! In part, uh, the one at The Spot is to celebrate, um, a good summer. (several
talking)
Mims/ Yeah, they both look like great things, and I was like, "Oh!" Exact same time!
Bailey/ It's kind of strange too because the Neighborhood Centers seems like it would be
plugged in to that other event. Yeah.
Helling/ There is another event at that time (mumbled) but staff will (mumbled). The Chamber
is sponsoring a round table with (mumbled) at 4:00 on Thursday and uh, Jeff and I are
planning to go to that.
Bailey/ Oh, that'll (both talking)
Helling/ ...which we are so...
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Bailey/ Sounds like you've got it covered.
Hayek/ All right.
Discussion of Meeting Schedule
Hayek/ Discussion of meeting schedules?
Mims/ Too many! (laughter)
Wright/ It was kind of a nice summer schedule, hasn't it?
Karr/ We'll be posting the 8:00 A.M. Friday meeting tomorrow.
Champion/ Right. (several talking) Yeah, we need something to prepare for.
Helling/ Meet every (several talking)
Hayek/ Yeah. Okay, we' 11 see you all tomorrow night!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
work session meeting of August 16, 2010.