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2. Special Presentations — COVID Update — Johnson County Public Health
Teague: We have a, uh, item number two is a special presentation, a COVID update from Johnson
County Public Health, Sam Jarvis, who is the Community Health Division Manager. Welcome,
Sam.
Jarvis: Hey, good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for having us. Happy to provide an update where
we're at as a community in terms of COVID-19, but I can imagine specifically
around... surrounding our vaccine planning efforts. So to give a quick recap, since September
we've been really dual heading our role in ... in COVID disease investigation and vaccine
planning. We were able to participate with a statewide planning group from September since
then, and as every month and week has gone forward, we've learned a little bit more
information as it slowly trickles out from our state and federal partners. Fast forward to
December 10, we were lucky enough to see the first dose of Iowa, ub, administered here in our
very own backyard here in Iowa City at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and even
since then, December 14`x, only 36 days roughly passed, uh, more information continues to
change, uh, daily if not ... or weekly if not daily. But since then, since December 141', Johnson
County has been allocated roughly just north of 15,000 doses, and I'll distinguish that those are
initial doses. And the reason why is because we expect to continue to receive our allocations
for the second dose. Um, the State has gone ahead and planned that for us. And so really
it's ... it's not out of sight, out of mind, but for all intents and purposes, we can expect those, and
so long as we're keeping track of where we are allocating, we just follow behind that same path
that we've been taking. So really. you know, looking at 15,00- plus doses allocated to Johnson
County to cover our very large phase one A population or health care workers and long-term
care staff and residents. But since then we have been monitoring several things. One of those
are our allocations that we've received. The other is the federal pharmacy partnership that is
serving our long-term care facilities, specifically skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and
there are several other facilities that have been able to enroll in that federal program, and since
then it's been, you know, sparse with some of the allocation that we receive week to week, but
knowing... knowing that we've had ... or have a very large healthcare workforce here in Johnson
County and knowing that there is somewhat of a commuter effect where there are many
healthcare workers that work here in Johnson County, but live elsewhere, we've expressed those
concerns to the State, uh, where more than likely the initial planning numbers that the State had
utilized based off of license data. And so really you could read that as or hear that as where
persons reside, where the licensed person resides, um, that those numbers would be an
underestimate. And so this has occurred, not just for Johnson County, but for other larger areas
within the state of Iowa, and so several local public health agencies and their partners have also
expressed that as well. So we're in good communication with the State on those issues and
they've recognized that, and just as of the last week and a half, we've seen a small bump in our
allocations. And so really thinking about what announcements were made this past week for the
next priority phase that the State is anticipating to start the very first. We are playing catch up,
so to speak, so that we can continue making good progress to vaccinate all of our health care
workers going forward, so we can be ready for priority or the next Phase 1B to start. That's
really the high-level overview of where we're at now. I think the past couple weeks, our team
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has reached out to several dozen, if not hundreds of individuals and organizations that are health
care workers. We are being thoughtful in allocating to our large health care system
organizations, but also making sure that we get doses for other health care facilities in Johnson
County that are not affiliated with a large hospital. And so much of their time has been spent
communicating with them and ... and really looking to assist, to prioritize, and part of our larger
stratedy...strategy is to utilize and leverage our partnerships with other COVID-19 vaccine
providers, which Johnson County has many of We're very fortunate and very grateful for those
partnerships, um, at our pharmacies and other facilities that are willing to provide vaccinations,
and really that ... that is the overall strategy for the entire state and many other states as well. To
have recruited other medical facilities to provide vaccinations, because it cannot be done by one
facility alone and cannot be done by one large mass vaccination clinic. We recognize that with
the vaccines that we have available to us today, uh, require a lot of logistics, let alone the fact
that it's a two dose series, the vaccines require very unique cold chain management, and so
certainly we want to be sure that those doses are being handled appropriately and being planned
out appropriately so that there's no waste at all. So really we've been referring to as a zero -
waste strategy with our partners, and as soon as we are being allocated doses, we want those
sent to our partners and knowing that they'll be used within the week or the next coming weeks.
We do know that the State is looking at some self metrics, ub, doses allocated versus doses
administered. So we've expressed to our partners that we will continue to allocate as quickly as
possible throughout the county and to our partners, with the expectation that we can administer
those doses pretty quickly. So having said all that, happy to take any questions and provide any
clarity on what we've been working on in our steps forward for Phase 113.
Salih: Sam, thank you very much for everything that you do. I just want to ask you, because there is a
question has been raised by a lot people. Even though right now the vaccine is available for
health care worker, I'm just asking when the vaccine become available for the public. Do you
think that will cost money? For the people who don't have insurance, especially I'm talking
about low-income who don't have insurance.
Jarvis: It should not. So there ... there are instructions by the State where providers are not to charge
(mumbled) bills. There is an administrative fee that they can bill to insurances, but the, you
know, obviously if someone doesn't have insurance or is uninsured, there are provisions for that,
so that is... that is the information that's available on ... we certainly express that to our partners
to make sure that that communication is given to all folks that they're ... that they're serving.
Mims: Sam, once the other categories open up, how are people going to be scheduling appointments?
Is there going to be information one on ... I had somebody ask me this today, who thought their
section had opened up, which it sounds like it hasn't. Um, but yeah, how are people going to be
finding out where they ...where they can get it and when they can get it?
Jarvis: We are solidifying a lot of that information this week with our partners, but we ... what we hope
to provide is a very methodical guidance somewhere. If you're ... if you fall into one of those
groups and the next priority, uh, Phase 1B, you'll know exactly where to go. We are wanting to
make sure that all those priority populations are, uh, commence February l'`, if that's what the
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State chooses to do, and that each group has very clear guidance on where to go, uh, so that it's
not, well, we've got 20 sites that can serve or vaccinate folks and just pick one. And ... and, you
know, good luck! We're wanting to avoid that, we're wanting to avoid confusion, long lines,
and so it will probably appear to be a pretty heavy -hand on where persons can go, and we're
doing our best to be thoughtful on access, but what we want to do is make sure that it's not
confusing, that people are able to, you know, in terms of either transportation and time, but also
thoughtful in the sense that we are making sure that there's no competing interests at, you know,
one location because of good access and things like that. There are also other kind of guiding
metrics that the State has released that, you know, 50% of the vaccine allocation is requested to
be dedicated towards priority populations per age, and then the other certainly for underlying
health conditions, which we can expect more guidance in the future. So, again, those... those
are kind of the softer metrics that we're looking at to ... what we'd call it load balancing, for lack
of a better term.
Teague: Thank you so much and thanks to Johnson County Public Health for all that you're ... you all are
doing. I know that I speak for our Councilors and for Iowa City, well we really appreciate the
opportunity to have the vaccine in our community, and it sounds like it's a ... it is certainly a ... a
challenging effort that you all are doing, but you're navigating it to the best of your ability and
making sure that the public is notified is ... is going to be key. So thank you again.
Jarvis: Yeah, thank you. And a huge thanks to all of our partners who are vaccinating. You know, it
has been a challenging and complex issue to navigate, but we're very appreciative of all the
support that we've received. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you.
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1-8. Beginning of Consent Calendar (Items 3-8) —Consider adoption of the Consent
Calendar as presented or amended
Teague: Could I get a motion to appro ... approve the consent calendar?
Thomas: So moved, Thomas.
Taylor: Second, Taylor.
Teague: Moved by Thomadus... Thomas, seconded by Taylor. Is there anyone from the public that
would like to address this topic? If so, please raise your hand and I will call upon you. If you're
on the phone, press *9. Seeing no one, Council discussion? Roll call, please.
Salih: I think... Janice, do you wanna comment on something?
Weiner: You're... you're faster than I am, in terms of unmuting. (laughs, several talking) I just wanted
to comment on the ... on the item, um, was either... either 4.b. or 4.c., which ... which has to do
with the CPRB recommendations to Council that we requested in our ...in our June, uh, 17 -point
resolution. Council really appreciates the enormous work that the CPRB has put into this. Um,
from my perspective what I think would be one more step that I think would be very useful for
Council going forward, would be to ... for the CPRB's council to divide the recommendations
into two groups, one which can be ... which the Council and the City could consider, which are
already legal to do, and one which would need further authorization, either from the State or for
the State legislature. Someone else may have another comment on that, but that ... that will make
that ... that is a final step that will really allow us to approach this, as we go forward as the
Council, knowing what we have the capacity to do right now.
Teague: Any other comments ... by Councilors? Roll call please.
Dilkes: Can I just ask a clarification question, um, before we ... we do roll call, Mayor? Do you want ... is
the Council wanting that to be communicated to the ... the CPRB?
Bergus: I think it should be. I think that would be helpful.
Mims: I would agree.
Dilkes: Okay. Okay, thank you. (both talking) ...majority. Okay, thank you!
Teague: Thank you. Motion passes 7-0.
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9. Community Comment (items not on the agenda) (UNTIL 8 PM)
Teague: This is an opportunity for those in the community that would like to address Council, to raise
your hand, and if you're on the phone, press *9. We ask that you keep your comments three to
five minutes, and please give your first and last name. Welcome, David.
David Drustrup: Thank you, Mayor. Um, like to first comment on the budget session that y'all had a
couple weekends ago. I heard a few people use the phrase `resource allocation' when
describing the new Shelter House position, and want to be clear that that is absolutely not
resource allocation. There... there can't be resource allocation when ... in regards to the police
budget at least, when you're increasing the police's budget and increasing their power. So the
Shelter House outreach position can be a good thing, but it's not necessarily a step forward,
especially when Geoff Fruin has tied the position so closely to the police. As I believe I heard
Mayor Pro Tem bring up during that meeting, the folks using that service do not want that
position to be closely tied to the police. But according to Fruin it has to be closely tied, and it
absolutely doesn't need to be closely tied. I think, uh, there's no reason that we can't simply
give more funding to Shelter House without any strings attached, and simply trust them to do
the job that they're already doing. Sothis type of thing is...is not at all what people have been
asking for and not what people were asking for when ... when we were in the streets last summer.
I'm also disappointed that the work session this evening didn't address some important details
about the listening posts that you're proposing for the police plan. I think these upcoming
listening sessions will have very little meaning unless Council can come to terms with and
discuss publicly the ... the failure of the previous listening posts during the fall. Um, well over
half of the in-person comments during the po ... listening post, and at least half of the written
submissions, were completely ignored and discarded by the City Manager in the proposals that
we've seen. As Councilor Thomas noted two weeks ago, I believe, the proposal from the City
Manager just ignores the things that most of the folks are asking for during those listening
sessions. So unless the Council confronts that fact, and I mean there's no reason for us to trust
that all of a sudden our feedback is going to matter ...this time around. At the very least, if
Council could publicly debate and discuss why you're disregarding popular public opinion, that
would mean something. And, you know, this ... this kind of goes to say as I reflected on the last
several months of the work of IFR since the summer, several Members of the Council seem to
take pride in this like abstract idea that you're "here to listen." But that listening is completely
meaningless when you don't take a moment to consider that the thing you're hearing might have
value that's worth acting on. This abstract idea of listening is proving to simply be an attempt to
placate, above all else. And like I said before, I want to point out that in ... at least in my
personal experience, I think Mayor Pro Tem and Councilor Thomas are the two exceptions to
this, and I just want to take the space to thank them again, not just for listening but for seriously
digging in, considering the value of some of the things that we've challenged, and exploring
some of the evidence with us. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you, David. We're going to hear from Nicholas, followed by Harry.
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Theisen: Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to ... so I would second everything that David just said. In
addition to that, as one of the few people who actually has read the City Manager's proposal in
its entirety, most of which could actually be discarded. I mean, I don't really think you needed
to copy and paste the bylaws of the CPRB, but that's just my own like teacherly-like, you know,
get rid of this crap. The thing that I specifically want to comment on, I mean, in addition to sort
of the ... the question of...of the disconnect, is to focus on something that actually Councilor
Salih brought up last time. No, sorry, it was during the the Saturday budget session, which is
that in a lot of these situations, you are overvaluing (mumbled) when you talk about particular
situation, like say when a service worker goes to help a homeless person. I mean Councilor
Salih specifically said like, well what if the unhoused person doesn't want a cop there. I mean,
there was a lot of emphasis on the fact that that's what the "service providers" want. But the
thing is, if the point is to actually help somebody who is in need, shouldn't you actually be
giving equal consideration, if not more consideration, to what they want the situation to look
like, rather than protecting the, to be perfectly frank, like petty insecurities of, you know,
individual service providers. Really its the people's opinion that should matter more in that
instance, and I actually read through all of the written submitted comments and then also the
write-up of all of the... the... the verbal comments cause I couldn't attend all the listening posts,
and the thing is, City Manager Fruin's proposal doesn't reflect any of them. Even the people
who weren't necessarily like on the side of the Iowa Freedom Riders. The thing that City
Manager Fruin produced doesn't actually match what they were asking for, and so I really kind
of wonder who is this for, because it really doesn't seem to actually be for the people that it's
supposed to help. Isn't that really the point, isn't it supposed to be for us? Isn't it supposed to be
for the community? Why is it for all of these like abstract principles or like, you know, as I
said, like protecting the petty insecurities of service workers. Like if they have a hard time
doing, I mean the thing is, I'm a teacher. Like I have had to deal with these issues myself in the
past. I don't get to like bring a cop into my classroom if a student, you know, is behaving
improperly and basically let the cop stand over them until they behave. I actually have to find a
kind, just, and really just a sympathetic way to deal with their problems, and that is what we
should be demanding of our service workers, not this. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you, Nicholas. Harry, followed by Emelia.
Manaligod: Hi, my name is Harry Manaligod. I want to talk to you today about a man named Patrick
Warren, who was killed by police earlier this month. Patrick Warren suffered from some pretty
severe mental health problems. One day he was having a mental health episode and his son
called for a mental health officer. In previous cases when his family called for a mental health
officer, that's exactly what they got. A professional specifically trained to deal with these
situations, somebody who is actually invested in helping the mentally ill. However, on January
10th when they called for a mental health officer, they received a police officer. His son is
heard on video telling the police officer not to go near his father with a gun on his person and
asked him to leave the property. Patrick Warren's son knew what his father needed, but this
police officer did not know. This police officer responded to a mental health crisis by killing
Patrick Warren. This case happened in Texas, but this kind of thing happens every day.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about half of all victims of police
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brutality have a disability. People with mental illnesses are 16 times more likely to be a victim
of police brutality. I'm talking about this today because point number six in this joke of a
proposal attempts to address this issue, but like this ... the rest of this proposal, it doesn't do
anything to stop police brutality. While point number six tries to address mental health crises
with trained professionals, it requires that a police officer ride along with said mental health
professional. I believe that this is not enough to deal with the problem of officers having the
ultimate discretion in these cases, and that it would be better if mental health professionals
could do these jobs without police. If police are guaranteed to ride along with these
professionals in every single case, who is to stop them from killing people when they behave a
erratically. This proposal is a joke, and I ... I'd also just like to echo everything that was said by
those who spoke earlier. Um, I think a lot of people, um, in the City Council, particularly Laura
Bergus. I saw you mention this yesterday. You use all these phrases about: oh, we hear you,
like you're being heard, but like, you know, like ... I saw every job that I ever work at put up
signs that said `you're seen, you're heard, and stuff like that in their windows. But half of these
jobs that I worked at, there were no black employees like ... and this ... it's the same thing with the
City Council. You're saying that you hear us, but like, guess what, you're not listening. You're
not doing the actions that we're telling you that you need to do. So you're really not hearing us
and like..it would be just nice if you could find like a new phrase to like cover up your complete
apathy with. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you, Harry. Emelia ... welcome.
Emilia Roberts: Hi, City Council. Can you hear me okay?
Teague: Yes, we can.
Roberts: Um, I am once ... I would also just like to second everything that everybody else has said
already, but I am once again speaking up about the proposed police budget from the City
Manager. I'm completely against raising the police budget, as we have been since May 2020, as
you all know. It's very disappointing that we have to fight like this against the budget. It's
disappointing that this budget was even proposed, um, to be quite frank. I would appreciate it if
we could all take a look at a program set up by the city of Denver, Colorado, called the STAR
program, support team assisted response. hi this article by the Denver Post, they explain the
workings of the STAR program. They send mental health professionals, along with paramedics,
to respond to a variety of 9-1-1 calls, instead of police. They have multiple vans that they use
that are stocked with necessities like food, water, juice, clothing, socks, undergarments, coats,
medical supplies, and etc., things that people may need. Since it started on June 1, 2020, the
STAR van has responded to over 350 calls in Denver. The team is unarmed and have not had to
call for backup once. I think this program is a very good example of what the Iowa City
community is looking for. We do not want armed police officers in our communities, and we
definitely do not want them at the Shelter House. During the listening post in the fall, over half
of the total feedback advocated for a CAHOOTS -type program, which is exactly what Denver's
doing, yet the City Manager went behind closed doors too, for a co-respondent model which is
direct opposite of the feedback you all received. A study by the Nat ... a study done by the
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National Violent Death Reporting System found that between 2009 and 2012, black Americans
disproportionally made up 32% of deaths due to lethal force from law enforcement, with the
fatality rate of 2.8 times higher among black people than white people. Black victims were also
most likely to be unarmed, 14.8%, than white people, 9.4%; 22% of cases were mental health
related, 18% were suspected to be suicide by cop, and 6% made up unintentional death by law
enforcement. We as a community want to prevent all deaths caused by law enforcement, as
well as any police brutality, and further prevent these deaths and violence from ever happening
in our community. A huge part in any of these situations is giving aid to our community,
another great reason to defend the police. So once again, I'm asking that we fund the amazing
mutual aid groups we have, community programs that we have in our city. As Dr. Cornel West
once said, America needs a massive reinvestment in poor communities, especially black
communities. So while this is being fought for on a much larger scale here in America, it also
needs to be fought for on a much smaller scale here in our backyards and cities. This is
precisely what IFR and the people speaking up are trying their very best to do. So once again,
I'm demanding City Council deny the budget and start listening and including IFR and their
constituents, um, in this community. You can say you are listening to us all you want, but the
facts and action say it all, and it says that IFR is being completely shut off ...shut out of all
decisions. As someone once said, you lessen crime by eliminating poverty, you lesson crime
with universal healthcare, public housing, strong unions, high wages, universal childcare,
free... and free education. You lessen crime by creating happy, healthy communities that don't
have to struggle and fight over material resources. So I guess, basically, yeah, that's just all
we're asking for. We really, really demand to be heard. This is our city. I'm sure most of the
people like myself have lived here their whole lives or have lived here for a large portion of
their lives, and I feel like we ... we should have control over what happens in our city and not just
a few people on City Council who ignore us. So yeah, I'm asking that you guys please reject
this stupid police budget. Thank you.
Teague: All right. Would anyone else like to address council? If so, please raise your hand. If you're
on the phone, press *9. Welcome, JoAn. You're on mute. Your hand is not up anymore. Okay.
(both talking) Welcome.
Larpenrer-Sinclair: Um, I really am just completely confused and flabbergasted as to why after
everything that's happened in the last year and all of the voices from the community that have
stated that this is basically the complete opposite of what they want in their community, um,
why this budget is even coming up in the first place. Um, it just seems like there isn't any
listening to what is ... the community actually wants, um, in terms of the role of police, and also
the amount of resources that are allocated to the police, but also we're asking for more money
and more resources being brought to things that help treat the reasons that people end up, you
know, involved in the ... involved in the justice system in the first place. Um, I don't think that
this proposal will do anything to address police brutality. There are a lot of issues I have, um,
mainly, you know ...what am I trying to say. Um, I don't think this proposal does anything to
address the overuse of force. The ... the amount of resources that be, should be allocated to
substance abuse professionals and social workers. I know that there's a, um, application for
mental health professionals, but they have to be supervised by police, and I think that doesn't
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help anything. The increasing militarization of the force, and also bias and police profiling.
Um, I think that this money could be allocated in a way that helps the community a lot more
and ... and those resources could be used in a much more beneficial way. Thank you very much.
Teague: Thank you. Would anyone else like to address Council? Welcome, Bailey.
Baker: Can you hear me? I would like to agree with what everyone else has said so far. Um, I think
community members are making it abundantly clear that continuing to increase the police
budget, um, is not what the people want, especially when you're considering that the City of
Iowa City has put out this list, um, of what what they're doing for the Black Lives Matter and
systemic racism resolution. Um, and then you are increasing the police budget at similar levels
to the Public Library, which is a useful community tool and resource for everyone, and then the
efforts you are making, yes you are requiring a police to ride along, and yes, I hope that
you ... um, I guess I, yeah, I just... think that you guys should scrap this. I do not agree with you
increasing the police budget, and I hope you listen to your constituents.
Teague: Thank you. Would anyone else like to address Council during this time? Seeing no one, we
are going to move on to Item 10, which is Planning and Zoning matters.
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10. Planning and Zoning Matters
10.a. Rezoning — 700, 710, 720, and 730 S. Dubuque Street and 220 Lafayette Street —
Ordinance conditionally rezoning approximately 1.9 acres of land located at 700, 710, 720,
730 S. Dubuque Street & 220 Lafayette Street from Community Commercial (CC -2) and
Intensive Commercial (CI -1) to Riverfront Crossing — Central Crossings (RFC -CX) zone.
(REZ20-0011)
1. Public Hearing
Teague: I'm going to open the public hearing, and welcome, staff.
Sitzman: Thank you, Mayor. Danielle Sitzman, Neighbor and Development Services. This is an
application from Gilbane Development for a request to rezone several parcels shown outlined in
white here on your screen, including those addresses you just enumerated, for a total of just
under two acres. The rezoning, as you said, would be from some existing commercial zones to
the Riverfront Crossings form based code district appropriate for this location. This shows the
properties in the vicinity that have already been rezoned to Riverfront Crossings form based
code districts in blue. So directly to the north is a Hodge project that has redeveloped and
essentially that entire northern block. To the west side of this project there's a portion of the
block that has been redeveloped and to the northeast across the railroad tracks and along the
Ralston Creek there is also another project that was recently rezoned, but has not yet been
constructed. That one was, uh, previously requested under the Capstone name. So this ... this
rezoning, as I mentioned, would rezone it from some existing commercial districts to
commercial districts which are really focused on more intensive commercial uses, generating
large traffic, perhaps... and maybe a big box for... form... formulation, possibly also including
outdoor sales and storage, to what is essentially more of a mixed-use district with design
standards built into it, and that is our form based code for the West River or for the Riverfront
Crossings District. The proposed rezoning would be Central Crossings. That's one of the
subdistricts in the form based code. That's the area on the regulating plat ... plan that's identified
for this area. Um, it generally allows for moderate intensity, as I said, mixed-use development,
and the uses are not regulated as much as the form of the... of the development. So most of the
uses supported in our Central Business District are allowed anywhere in the form based code
district. The form based code district (mumbled) Central Crossings does not have maximum
density requirements. Again, I said this is more of a form related or rather than uses (mumbled)
it does have some base maximum heights that I know have been interest ... of interest in the past.
So I'll just mention the base maximum height for this district Centr...Central Crossings is four
stories, and there is a potential for bonus height requests up to a total of eight stories. In this
case, the applicant is not indicated they would seek the maximum bonus, but they have
expressed an interest in two additional stories of bonus height for their concept development.
There are different levels of review for different amounts of height. If they were to continue to
pursue that six story concept, that would simply require staff review and not City Council
review. As with all rezonings we review two key components, those being compliance with the
comprehensive plan and compatibility with the existing neighborhood. In regards to
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
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compliance with the comprehensive plan, the subject property here is shown in this exhibit from
the master plan, in the bottom left hand corner of the screen and the white outline. As I
mentioned, some other properties in the vicinity have also redeveloped wince this plan was
developed and don't look exactly like this master plan has envisioned. However, in general the
concepts of the master plan were formulated into our form based code and are expressed as
zoning code regulations and ... and would regulate the kind of development on this property as it
proceeds. As I mentioned, they're interested at this point in a six -story concept. In regards to
the master plan and some of the goals expressed there, this property in particular abuts the
Ralston Creek and so we look to the master plan goals for eventual improvements to Ralston
Creek to naturalize and help improve stormwater controls in a more natural way. Um, the
applicant has actually proposed to restore and enhance conditions along the subject property,
um, eastern boundary, which is the Ralston Creek. Included in this recommendation were
several conditions formulated by staff and recommended by the Planning and Zoning
Commission in regards to those improvements to Ralston Creek. This image is a view of the
Hodge property directly to the north of this property, looking actually in this view back south
towards the subject property, showing how others in the form based code district have also
contributed to improvements of Ralston Creek. Staff is also looking into the possibility of
providing a connection between this development and the subject development tonight, that's
under rezoning consideration. It would have to be a connection made underneath the railroad
bridge. The applicant would not be responsible for that at this time, but they would be
providing a connection, much like the Hodge property did, along their property, to allow for the
eventual connection, as staff continues to work towards that goal. Again, in compliance with
the comprehensive plan, this rezoning would build upon ongoing efforts to improve the quality
residential design by updating the existing housing stock in the subject area under that form
based code. And by keeping the conceptual development at or about six -stories is the proposed
use would not be out of scale or overly intensive with respect to the surrounding area. In the
applicant's packet, I believe they should have pretty good visual image of representation of their
concept in, uh, compare... comparison to nearby properties, also taking grade into consideration.
Um, the proposed rezoning would also contribute, as I said, to that scale, but also other goals
for increasing residential density in and around our existing railroad system. If that should ever
be another mode of transportation that would be revitalized, this would be appropriate
residential development next to transit. In regards to compatibility with the existing
neighborhood, again, the areas shown in blue here are areas that have already taken advantage
of and complied with our form based code district and the planning effort that has gone into
formulating that for this area. And just looking at where this project li... lays in its progression
through a potential redevelopment, um, shown here in dark black is the rezoning that's under
consideration tonight. Preceding that was, of course, the development of a master plan in 2013
and the implementation of that master plan through the formulation and adoption of our form
based codes. Following a rezoning, um, there's a vacation of an alleyway that would be to be
executed before they could proceed on to any kind of actual development, and then the review
of their concept would proceed to an actual design review and site plan review conducted by
staff, and the eventual issuance of building permits. So the Planning and Zoning Commission
does recommend approval of this rezoning application. Staff proposed two conditions, which
they also supported. The first of which has to do with the particulars of improvements to
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Ralston Creek, ensuring that the improvements are in keeping with past improvements in trying
to naturalize that corridor, and the second condition, having to do with providing of access for
utility and infrastructure that needs to either be relocated or continued to be accessed. Because
of COVID, a good neighbor in-person meeting was not held, but the applicant did send out an
additional mailing to good neighbor notification area, offering to explain their project and they
did receive comments based on that. So that concludes staff report. Again, this is coming to
you with a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval.
Teague: Thank you. Any questions for Danielle? All right. Is there anyone from the public that would
like to address this topic? If so, please raise your hand. Welcome, Michael.
Welch: Hello, Mayor Teague and Council. My name is Mike Welch for the Axiom Consultants and just
wanted to let you know that myself, along with Mike Apt from Gilbane Development are
present tonight if there are any councils for ...for Mike and myself -any questions for Mike or
myself, we can answer those.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address this topic during public discussion? During the public
hearing. Seeing no one, I'm going to close the public hearing. Could I get a motion to give first
consideration? One second, before we do that. I want to see if our Councilors are inclined to
go with the P&Z. I'm seeing a majority, yes. All right. Could I get a motion for first
consideration?
2. Consider an Ordinance (First Consideration)
Mims: So moved, Mims.
Salih: Second, Salih.
Teague: All right. And Council discussion.
Thomas: Before we get into the discussion, I ... I didn't get in. I wanted to ask one question, and that is,
do we have a rough estimate of the number of dwelling units in this proposed project?
Sitzman: Mayor, the applicant is here. So if they'd like to address that, I think that'd be appropriate.
Teague: And welcome, Michael.
Apt: Yes. Hi, my name's Michael Apt. I'm with Gilbane Development Company, and I appreciate
Council reviewing our proposal. We're excited about the project and being a part of the
Io ... Iowa City community. To answer your question, we're still undergoing design, but we are
somewhere around 240 to 250 units.
Thomas: Thank you.
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Teague: Councilor Mims, your mic is muted.
Mims: All right, thank you, went the wrong direction. I just ... to me, this is just a natural kind of
expansion of that rezoning to Riverfront Crossings. For those people who don't remember, the
City actually initiated a rezoning of about 20 -plus acres, I believe, when we first developed the
Riverfront Crossings area, and that rezoning was at the City's initiation, and since then it's been
individual property owners who have gradually expanded the amount of land that is under that
zoning. So it's ... glad to see and not surprised that we're seeing more and more area in there get
converted over to this zoning.
Thomas: I just ... I just have a few comments. One ... one would be, it's certainly encouraging seeing ... to
see Ralston Creek and ... when we have these projects that border the creek, that the creek
improvements are part of the scope. One comment I would have on the design. I know there's
been ... it has to do with the size of the building, not ... not in terms of its height. It's, uh, this is a
six -story building. You know, those who have been following this conversation on Council
know that I'm generally very supportive of buildings that fall into that mid -rise height. The
question or concern I have has to do with the size of the building in terms of its being a block ... a
block form building taken to all four corners of the block. It's ... as I look at the drawings, one
building. Uh, the, you know, if you were to look at the comp plan, the comp plan and ... you
know, the illustrative of the comp comp plan has four buildings that make up that block. The
concern I have really isn't driven by aesthetics. It's driven more by the adaptability of the
building to various uses over time, and how when you build one large building, if that use,
which in this case is student housing, uh, if the market for that should shift, uh, how adaptable is
that building form to other forms of occupancy in this case. My belief would be that if we had
not very small buildings, but smaller buildings. So for example, the building across Dubuque
Street there near the tracks, that scale of a building. It would give us more flexibility and
adaptability, in terms of how those... how... how this area of Riverside Crossings is occupied, so
that it could accommodate in the future different occupants, not necessarily all students for
example. With a large building like this that's oriented towards students, I'm concerned about
the flexibility of that moving forward. So that... that is the kind of thing, you know, we had
talked about revisiting Riverfront Crossings after Opticos came into town. The... the... the fact
that we're seeing very large-scale buildings, meaning occupying blocks, is something that I feel
is ... is something we should be considering, uh, as we move forward with future development.
Teague: I'm going to be supportive of this, but I ... I would have to agree with Councilor Thomas when it
comes down to the use of the building and making it ... making sure that it's adaptable for more
than just students. I think that's something the developers need to really consider. The
conditions that the staff have presented in ... in this project I'm supportive of, and so I will
support this tonight. All right. (both talking)
Taylor: I just going to mention that I do have concerns about the design of the building also and how it
really fits into the neighborhood (garbled) the neighborhood's becoming a lot of the student
housing. But I think as far as rezoning it to Riverfront Crossings, it does make sense to do that.
So I would be in favor of that rezoning.
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Teague: All right. Hearing no more comments, roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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11. Mercer Aquatic Center Pool Dehumidification System Improvements — Resolution
approving project manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the Mercer Aquatic
Center Pool Dehumidification System Improvements Project, establishing amount of bid
security to accompany each bid, directing City Clerk to post notice to bidders, and fixing
time and place for receipt of bids.
1. Public Hearing
Teague: I'm going to open the public hearing, and staff presentation please. Welcome, Bel.
Clark: Good evening. My name's Ben Clark, um, work in the Engineering division. I'm going to
attempt to share my screen here. Can you... can you all see that? So I'll just give you a quick
rundown of the project. It's, um, the main purpose of the project is to replace somi aging
HVAC equipment, and it's going to accomplish three things, besides replacing old equipment.
It'll up ... upgrade the space and make it code compliant, as far as Eric's changes go. It'll improve
the air quality of the room, especially from what they tell me right above the surface of the pool.
It'll ... it'll move air more uniformly across for the swimmers, and then it will also r9move
moisture from the room, which will help kind of preserve the life of some of the fixtures of
electrical work in the room. There are two add alternates. One is an exterior duct product that
we'd like to use, if we can get a good price. And then the second add alternate will be a new air
handler unit that ... for, it goes over the hot tub area. So location of the project. It's at the Mercer
Scanlon gym. If you're not familiar with that facility, the large area is the natatorium where the
swimming pool is located. It'll be a large exterior dehumidification unit on the southwest
comer of the property. And this is just an overview of the plan. It's a little hard to read, but a
couple things I should point out. One is the de ... dehumidification unit will be outside. It's ... it's
rather large. The duct work will go up through the air and into the building here, around, and
it'll provide... make up air all the way to the south end of the building, and this is the second
thing I want to point out is this large piece of duct work across here. This is a cut sheet and it's
a little hard to see, but this blue thing will be a large piece of duct work that currently there is no
duct work there now. So it'll be hanging down from the ceiling, so it'll look a little bit different
in there. The exterior of the building, you'll see a large unit down on the southwelt comer. And
the rendering of that. And then we've got just a schedule. So we're looking to take bids and
award the contract next month. When we do award the contract, we'll have another item in
front of Council and that's to procure the dehumidification unit through cooperative purchasing
agreement, and that will allow us to save ... save a little bit of money, but more importantly, it'll
help speed up the schedule cause we can get it ... start getting it fabricated. So we anticipate
starting the outside work in July and that's when the unit will show up on site. They can start
the inside work in August, should be done in September, and then hopefully have it open for the
winter for folks to use. So total project costs come in about 875,000. And that's... that's kind of
the end of my presentation. Is there ... are there any questions?
2. Consider a Resolution
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Teague: No questions. Sound like a great opportunity though, and need it (laughs) All right, would
anyone from the public like to address this topic? If so, please raise your hand. Seeing no one,
I'm going to close the public hearing... and motion to approve.
Mims: So moved, Mims.
Thomas: (mumbled) Thomas.
Teague: Moved by Mims, seconded by Thomas. Council discussion? Roll call please. Motion passes
7-0. I
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12. Mercer Aquatic Center Masonry and Skylight Repairs — Resolution approving project
manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the Mercer Aquatic Center Masonry
and Skylight Repairs Project, establishing amount of bid security to accompaAy each bid,
directing City Clerk to post notice to bidders, and fixing time and place for receipt of bids.
1. Public Hearing
Teague: I'm going to open the public hearing, and welcome again, Ben.
Clark: Okay, we've got one more. Same ... same location. This project'll do a little bit of work to fix up
the masonry and clean up some of the rusted lentils, and then it'll also repair some !of the
skylights over the atrium. They've done some damage to the interior drywall. And we've got
one bid alternate and that's to ... to replace the entire skylight system, rather than just try to repair
the seals. So quick ... quick overview of the building. You can see the skylights over the atrium
in this location. The tuck-pointing'll happen around the exterior of the building and also in the
interior, just in spot locations where it's needed.
Fruin: Hey, Ben, if..if you're trying to share your screen, we're not ... we're not seeing it.
Clark: Not seeing it? Can you see that?
Fruin: Yes, we can. Thank you.
Clark: Okay, overview of the building. You can see the ... the atrium and skylights are in this area, and
we've got masonry repairs around the exterior. And also in the interior of the building, just in
select locations. This is an example of the ef...efflorescence that needs to be repaired. You can
see a little bit of white staining here. So they'll clean that off, and then they'll go in and seal the
expansion joint above it to keep the moisture out. Close up view of the skylights, you can kind
of see ... see how their panels are put together. So a lot of the seals between these panels are
leaking. This is kind of a close up example of the sealants dried out, got a bent bnccket. You've
also got some rusting and staining on the lentils above the windows. And here's a view of the
interior. You can see some ... some damage to these acoustical panels. So those'll get ... once they
stop the leaking, they'll clean those up; um, damage to some of the drywall; and that's basically
the project. Looking at taking bids next month, starting in May and finishing July, and the total
project cost would be 161. There any questions?
Teague: Hearing no questions. Thank you. Would anyone from the public like to addresT this topic? If
so, please raise your hand ... and I will call upon you. Seeing no one, I'm going to close the
public hearing. Could I get a motion to approve please?
Weiner: So move, Weiner.
Taylor: Second (garbled)
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Teague: Moved by Weiner, seconded by Taylor. Council discussion?
Weiner: We just need to keep our buildings in good shape, and so the (mumbled) maintenance we do
like this, the longer they'll last for the community.
Teague: Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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13. Human Rights Ordinance Update — Ordinance Amending Title 2 of the City Code,
entitled "Human Rights," to update methods of service allowed. (Second Consideration)
Teague: Staff request expedited action.
Mims: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and voted on for passage at
two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended, the
second consideration and vote be waived, and that the ordinance be voted on for final passage at
this time.
Taylor: Second, Taylor.
Teague: All right, and I see Stefanie Bowers. Hello (laughs)
Bowers: Good evening. So this is just a simple amendment to the Human Rights ordinance that will
allow staff to send documents via email or personal service. Currently due to the pandemic,
parties involved in the complaints have not always promptly received documents that we're
sending to them, and so this will allow us to continue to investigate complaints and get them
resolved in a timely manner.
Teague: Great, thank you. Any questions for Stefanie? All right, anyone from the public like to
address this topic? If so, please raise your hand. Seeing no one, Council discussion? Roll call
please. Motion passes 7-0. Could I get a motion to pass and adopt?
Mims: So moved, Mims.
Weiner: Second, Weiner.
Teague: Anyone from the public like to address this topic? If so, please raise your hand. Seeing no
one, Council discussion? Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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14. TIF agreement for College Street redevelopment — Resolution approving Agreement for
Private Redevelopment by and between The City of Iowa City, Iowa; Tailwind College
Street, LLC; and Tailwind College Street IC, LLC
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve please?
Bergus: So moved, Bergus.
Salih: Second, Salih.
Teague: All right, and welcome Wendy Ford.
Ford: Good evening, everybody. I'm Wendy Ford, Economic Development Coordinator for the City
and let me start sharing my screen here. Has it popped up yet?
Teague: Yes, we see it.
Ford: Okay, good. Well, I've got a compelling list for you to read to start off with. Number one,
historic preservation of some of Iowa City's beloved commercial architecture; a new home for
Riverside Theater; lively commercial activity in every storefront, day and night; LEED-Gold
certified new construction; and a $1.9 million influx into the affordable housing fund. These
are the public benefits that come with the Tailwind redevelopment project in the west wing of
the ped mall. The Tailwind Group began working on this project when they purchased their
first building there in 2017. They have since acquired all the buildings on the block, except for
the Savings and Loan building on the west end, which is not part of the project. They are
proposing a TIF -funded redevelopment with public benefits that honor all of the changes in the
TIF policies that were made in 2017, and which are detailed in the memo in your packet. First
off, Tailwind will be designated the crest... designating the Crescent and Dooley Block buildings
as local historic landmarks, and will make renovations and repairs to existing building exteriors
and interior spaces. The College block has been listed on the National Register since 1973, so
that won't be included in your vote later this evening. The value of landmark designation to the
community is that it essentially guarantees the buildings will exist in perpetuity, and preserve
this treasured row of storefronts forever. Without this designation, developers would be free to
demolish the buildings and by rights rebuild any building that would comply with the zoning
code. For decades this block of College Street was home to three of the largest college par...
college bars in the state. While business was brisk at night, lights were off and doors were
locked during the day, making for an unnecessarily quiet section of the ped mall, and try as they
might when these spaces came open for rent, owners struggled to find tenants who could lease
and reuse the gargantuan spaces. The developers plan to reinvigorate the block by right -sizing
the large spaces to allow small businesses to occupy storefronts more economically, and to do
that, a key piece of that is to remove the back sections of the building and divide the Union Bar
side of the Crescent block into two smaller storefronts, keeping Revi... the Revival space on the
west and retrofitting the old Soap Opera space with a box office for the theater upstairs and an
ADA -accessible entry into the building and access to a new elevator. So this view here shows
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the Crescent block. That's the Union Bar building, and we're ... we're actually looking at it from
behind. And you can tell right off the bat how huge that building is. So down on the first floor,
the ... the right half of the building, which has been the Union Bar all these years, will be divided
in half for two retail uses, and about a little left ... a little right on the other side of Middle will be
that old Soap Opera entry, as we call it, and then Revival will be moving back into their same
space ... in their same space there. Supporting the effort to make Iowa City the greatest small
city for the arts, Tailwind will build a new state -of -the art home for Riverside Theater, with a
lobby area, seating and a stage on third floor of the Crescent black, the Union Bar building; a
shop and storage on the second floor; and an interesting side note. I realized this when I was
doing some research that this will be Iowa City's second theater above, uh, ground floor in Iowa
City. More than 100 years ago the Coldren Opera House was located on the corner in what is
now the Savings and Loan building, and they had retail and commercial offices on first floor
and their theater, a thousand- feet ... seat theater was located on second and third floors above.
So, a precedent has been, uh, has been set. The Tail ... uh, the theater and Tailwinds have
negotiated a deeply -discounted rent, which does have an impact on the financial gap in the
project. But as you know, Iowa City's support for the arts and cultural resources has great
precedence. Capital expenses such as these are, uh, these are similar to those the City has
supported in the past between the Englert, Film Scene, PSI, and the type of businesses that
truthfully create the foundation for one of the strongest art scenes in the nation for a city of our
size. Plans for 111 E. College Street, the former Field House or if you're old enough Sears,
include the expansion by a local restaurateur and brewery operator, Jim Mondanaro, of the
Reunion Brewery. Incorporated into the space would be a five fa ... five -vat brewery, adding to
the Reunion's other two brewing locations in Coralville and Iowa City. Most of the brewery,
restaurant revenues would come from the restaurant, which will offer a full menu all day, every
day. Hours of operation would begin before noon and close late on the weekends, boosting both
daytime ped mall activity and into the evening. And then to facilitate the later hours proposed
by the operator, staff is working with the Iowa City Downtown District on a proposal that
would allow some eating establishments meeting certain operating and management
requirements to stay open past midnight. Such a proposal will come to you sometime early in
2021. There will be a new tenant for the Martinis location, two new tenants in the Union Bar
space, and possible new tenants in the Graze and Givanni's or El Patron locations. Revival will
return to their existing location. There will be four existing one -bedroom apartments above
Martinis and those will remain, along with two above the Graze location, and four new one -
bedroom apartments will be built on the second floor of the Crescent building, that will share
that floor with the theater, their office and work space for the theater. The removal of the rear
half of the Crescent and Dooley buildings makes way for the addition of a new 102 -unit multi-
family building to the south behind the existing buildings. It will also require the repair and
changes to the backs of buildings where portions were ... were removed, and we included this
slide to show you that the ... below where the red -dashed line is will be the demarcation line
for .... for demolition of the old parts of the building, and the gray areas in the top up here are the
areas that'll need attention with new windows, doors, and ... and outfitting the backs of those
buildings so that they are appropriate looking into a courtyard that they'll ... that they'll face. And
this is a plan view, which again shows you the relative sizes of the buildings on the north side
and the new building plan for the back, and then the courtyard space that will be between. The
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new building will be built LEED-Gold certified and include apartments on nine upper floors,
over two floors of parking, with a building height matching the hotel next door. Knowing
shadows have been a concern in the past, that architects have done a shadow study as seen in
this slide. So with a little bit of study, and it did take me a little while, you can see that during
the spring, summer, and fall, any shadow created by the new building falls no further into the
ped mall than the roof of the old buildings. So that's these lines here. When the sun is its
lowest during the winter, the shadow cast by the old buildings has always completely covered
the ped mall. So with that precedent set, this new building will also shade the ped mall from
sun, but there'll be no net loss in sunshine due to the new building in that location. Newman
Monsoon has provided these interesting graphics that help us understand the relative size of the
building, and ... and we'll walk through these from the upper left. Imagine standing next to
Yotopia and looking down towards the Library, in that direction towards the east. The little red
arrows point to the portions of the building that you're able to see from these various vantage
points. So not much from Yotopia, though you move down into the ped mall a little bit, and
across from the old Field House, where we are here, you can see what is probably about
three ... the top three stories of...of the building above and beyond... above and behind, and note
that you can't s ... you wouldn't be able to see that unless you were about as far away from those
storefronts, across the ped mall, as you're ... as you're standing. You would not be able to see
them when you were much closer to the buildings across and closer in the ped mall. And this is
walking along here in the lower left, this is looking across to the Crescent building. That one's a
taller building, so you see less of the new building behind it. And switching just a little further
left across from the Martinis building, there because that one's shorter, you can begin to see the
new building peeking out above it. And to the right vantage point that looks from a little further
away, but again, over the Martinis building, showing the new building above. Developers
sought the attractive combination of a LEED-Gold certified building and the preservation of
existing buildings, to ensure that fudure... future generations enjoy the historic nature of this
block, wlule providing highly energy-efficient new housing in the city center. TIF policies
require a minimum of LEED-Silver certified and with at least eight points awarded for
optimized energy performance credits, to ensure that our TIF projects help meet our ...the City's
carbon emission reduction goals. Open space requirements will be met by providing a
courtyard and courtyar...courtyard amenities between the new buildings and the old buildings
on the north side. And imagine if you can, we're standing in this view here, number three,
lower left, in front or south of the Graduate Hotel, looking back towards the back of the
Martinis building. This will be an entryway, a courtyard entryway, that will be the space
between those two buildings there, and the space that will also be used to satisfy the open space
requirements for the building. Skipping up to the top left here, you're standing in front of the
Hot House Yoga on Clinton Street looking.... this would be northeast and you can see the top
few floors of the building there. The area with the biggest view of the building is probably
from here on Clinton St ... or sorry, Burlington Street. This would be between The Mill on the
right there, that sort of yellowish wood building, and this is the Starbucks building here. So
biggest... biggest view there, at least for the time being, of that building from ... from Burlington
Street. Developers of housing -granted TIF are required to provide 15% of the units as
affordable at or below the 60% area median income level by one of three methods to help the
City reach affordable housing goals. They can either provide those units on-site, off-site, pay a
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fee in lieu or use a combination of these options to meet that requirement. Amusing feedback
from the EDC, the Economic Development Committee, the Tail... Tailwind has proposed to pay
the fees in lieu, which for this project will amount to more than $1.9 million and fund a program
that will be proposed in the 2021 affordable housing plan that support ... that will support
affordable housing in the near downtown area. (mumbled) back here. In August of 2019, the
Tailwind Group first shared ideas they had for the redevelopment project with the Economic
Development Committee, which was then a more costly $65 million project with a $9 million
TIF request. At that time they proposed LEED-Silver certification for the new building, but had
not yet determined how they wanted to provide the affordable housing. They also had received
favorable comments from the EDC and they were asked to refine their numbers, determine how
to sell the affordable housing requirement, and to prepare for the City's due diligence process,
improving the $9 million need. About a year later, in July of 2020, Tailwind returned to the
EDC with many refinements, including a lower total project cost of $61 million, but a higher
TIF request of 13.5 million. Some costs had decreased, but more had increased. The developer
knew of the strong appeal for LEED certification and was now proposing LEED-Platinum
versus Silver for the new building. They had also designated more space with a more complete
build -out for the theater. Those costs, excuse me, those costs, coupled with the higher
operational costs of providing discounted lease rates of more space to the non-profit also added
to the expense. The cost of meeting the affordable housing requirement had also not been yet
fully accounted for in earlier presentations. A big concern was a hefty increase in the cost
from ... of going from LEED-Silver to LEED-Platinum between the first and second
presentations. Developers and their architects reexamined those costs and were able to reduce
them considerably by going from Platinum to the now proposed LEED-Gold certified, which
still exceeds TIF policy. There had also been discussion about which method developers would
use to comply with the affordable housing requirement, and while one EDC member liked the
idea of a mix of on-site and off-site affordable units, two others liked the idea of increasing
affordable units in the near downtown area, an idea that could be realized by using funds
generated by the fees in lieu. So a proposal for the use of these funds will be included in the
21 ... in the 2021 affordable housing plan. So, after all the refinements, we have a project of
$56.4 million. To fund it, developers have secured the maximum debt they can of 35.8 million,
and are contributing a required equity of 11.6 million, which leaves a $9 million gap to be filled
with a private loan. Then to replay, excuse me, to repay the private gap loan, the develop ... the
developer is requesting $12.25 million dollars in TIF rebates over 15 years. We had engaged
the National Development Council to do the financial analysis and confirm the gap, which they
did, the memo from whom you have in your packet. Using their analysis, staff then negotiated
with the developer for 15 years of TIF rebates to fill that private gap loan. So for those in our
audience who may not be familiar with TIF, just a couple points to go over that. It is a method
of reallocating property taxes that have been paid by the developer, um, that result from an
increase in property value. The increase in value creates the increment to which a TIF levy is
applied, and that TIF levy is granted back in ... in TIF rebates in this case, and its worth
reiterating that developers pay all property taxes due, and rebates are only derived from a
portion of those taxes. So TIF rebates only happen if the project is a success and meets the
goals set forth in the ... in the metrics set forth in the development agreement. The City has been
involved in a number of TIF agreements over the years, and each one is a little different. The
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difference in this one is that the formula for the TIF rebate changes after the first eight years.
The first eight years of rebates are figured at 100% of the tax increment, and the final seven
years are figured at 75% of the tax increment created by that increase in value. This chart
shows how this TIF would work. The gray areas in the bottom of the stats are the taxes that
come in on the value of the property. See the first column? That one ... that represents the taxes
that right now currently come in from all those old buildings, the storefronts along the front of
that block. Those will continue to flow to the City, the County, and the schools, even after the
TIP ...TIF. Everything in the gray there continues to flow through to the City, the County, and
the schools. Then look at the next column. This is when the new value is added to the tax base
and then also when the TIF starts. The new value comes mainly from the new multi -family
building on the south side of this project. The black section in the bar chart above the gray are
new taxes that are derived from the protected debt levy, which kicks in with a TIF, and I know
I'm getting a little technical at this point, but it is important to show that between the gray
existing base value and the black protected debt levy, our taxing jurisdictions, the City, the
County, Schools, etc., will immediately begin to see an increase in ... or they'll be realizing the
increase in ... in property taxes because of the TIF project. The red then is the portion of the
property taxes that are rebated to the developer, and after the eighth year of rebates, the
developer will only receive 75%, and I've noted that in the bars — 75% of that tax increment,
and then the other 25% will get added to the gray, the part ... the City, the County, and the school
keep. So that's ... that jump there specifically in year ...year nine. In a nutshell, the reduction in
TIF rebates from 100 to 75% in year nine means that 25% of the new property taxes will be
added to the base taxes, and to the protected debt levies already flowing to those entities,
allowing them to benefit from the increase in the value during the TIF term. It's also really
important to note that if the combined rebates fall short of $12.25 million over 15 years, that
risk remains with the developer, not the City. So the memo in your packet also includes several
of the procedural steps that have been taken, um, required to get this project to this point. You'll
recall that the urban renewal area for downtown was amended in October, the Historic
Preservation reviewed and conditionally approved a Certificate of Pro... of Appropriateness for
the changes to the existing older buildings. The Historic Preservation Com... Commission has
reviewed an application, but the ... for the historic landmark designation, but the developer has
requested that to come right after this item on your agenda... for probably obvious reasons. The
Board of Adjustment has approved a special exception for a reduction in parking, and staff is
working on proposed language for conditional use through a special exception that would grant
this late-night eating certificate that we talked about where certain conditions... if certain
conditions were met by certain operators, they would be able to stay open and serve food until
after midnight, and then, finally, this comes to you with a recommendation from the Economic
Development Committee, which approved it for a recommendation to you on December 9th of
2020, and so if you have any questions, I'd be happy to happy to answer them or find somebody
else who could if I can't. (laughs)
Teague: Thank you, Wendy. Councilors, any question? Major project.
Thomas: Wendy, one question I have is the the size of the dwelling units ... in the new building.
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Ford: Mm hmm.
Thomas: Do we have a rough estimate of what their approximate size will be?
Ford: We do, and I don't have that file open ... at the moment. I bet we have ... I think somebody from the
development team here who might be able to ... pull that out.
Teague: Welcome, Brent. Well Michael is here and Brandon.
Ford: Okay, thank you.
Thomas: While we're waiting, the second question I had would ... would be what ... what are the primary
benefits of the LEED ... LEED-Gold certification?
Ford: The primary benefits?
Thomas: Yeah, for this project what ... what are .... what are ... what is that providing to the building in
terms of its environmental values?
Ford: All the specifics of that, again, are probably going to be better answered by the architects in this
case, but I would say the increased energy efficiency, the increase in benefits for utility usage,
and perhaps the benefits of, I don't know if it's any better for LEED-Gold than LEED-Silver, but
the waste management aspects of the construction that go along with that. But I'd welcome the
experts in LEED to chime in on that answer too. (laughs)
Smith: Yeah, I'm not sure if I got unm... unmuted. Can you guys hear me?
Teague: Yes, we can hear you, Brandon, welcome.
Smith: Well, thanks everyone. This is Brandon Smith, Vice President of Tailwind Group. So to answer
the first ques ... question, were you looking for the .... like the square footage of the units or how
many of each unit type? I wasn't sure which one you were looking for.
Thomas: I was mainly looking ... or asking about the square footage of the units.
Smith: Okay. So we have kind of a diverse mix of one, two, and three bedrooms. So the one -
bedroom, the smaller almost studio -type versions, are going to be 540 -square feet, and then we
do have more of a premium one -bedroom on the top floor that is just over 1,000 -square feet,
and then our standard two -by -one, uh, two bedroom, one bathroom, is 620 -square feet. Our
two -by -two is ... we have two versions of that. One is 760 -square feet. The other is 810 -square
feet. And then we have on the top floor an 1,110 -square foot two-bedroom. And then our three
bedroom, two bath units are 1,015 square feet.
Thomas: Thank you.
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Smith: You're welcome.
Teague: Any other questions for... Wendy or the developers?
Weiner: No, just what...just thanks for the very thorough presentation, very helpful.
Teague: Great. All right, well, let's go to the public. Would anyone like to address this topic? If so,
please raise your hand, and we ask that you keep your comments three to five minutes.
Welcome, Mikey, followed by Nicholas.
Stephens: So Tailwinds pays fees in lieu that support affordable housing. What exactly does this mean?
The building that may be LEED certified, but that seems as though recent development, such as
the Chauncey building and Edge and others do not take affordability into consideration. Is this
something that the City Council is okay with? It seems hypocritical to perpetually make
proclamations about racism and other examples of performative activism, but when it comes to
actual action these groups, such as Tailwinds, is troubling. This is glorified trickle-down
economics, stating that the revenue from projects will be dispersed throughout the community.
Also, I'm concerned about long- term impact of TIF funding and rebates, as they tend to raise
taxes and pose casth... cash flow issues. How will this be managed down the line, once the
building is built. It seems as though these TIF agreements merely kick the can down the road.
Teague: Thank you, Mikey. We're gonna have Nicholas, followed by Nancy.
Theisen: Thank you, Mayor. Wow, I wasn't actually expected to have the words taken out of my mouth
cause I was actually going to bring up the ... the fee in lieu issue again. Although, I'd like to take
it in a slightly different direction. Basically the same direction I always take it, which is that the
developers are paying the fee in lieu basically so as not to build affordable housing units. And
the reason why the fee in lieu, despite, you know, whatever the magnitude of the actual dollar
amount is, is because it keeps pushing the time when those affordable housing units will be
available to people further down the timeline. So, you know, if you have a building that takes,
you know, two to three years to complete and then you finally get your ..your, meaning the
City's money out of it, and then you try to invest that into another project that takes two to three
years to complete. So two to three years plus two to three years, that's four to six years. So
what's irritating about this, and I know I always make this point, but I'm going to reiterate it, is
how the developers, in other words the people who seek to profit off of housing in Iowa City,
they always get theirs first. But the people who actually have to deal with the conditions that
those developers create, well we always have to wait and wait and wait and wait and wait. And
it's worth noting that within that several very, very large developments have come before you
just in the past year, and not a single one of them actually chose to build the units. Every single
one decided to pay the fee in lieu. Why, cause they don't actually want to build them. So you're
going to have to come up with some way to actually more forcibly compel them to do it ... cause
they're just not going to do it, and it's as simple as that. Thank you.
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Teague: Thank you, Nicholas. We'll have Nancy, followed by Karen.
Bird: Thank you, Mayor and Council Members. Can everyone hear me okay?
Teague: Yes, welcome.
Bird: Very good. As you know, this project has been in the works for roughly two years and our
organization at the Iowa City Downtown District, um, this is Nancy Bird by the way, has been
following its progress and carefully talking to local businesses that would be impacted by it as it
moves through City processes. I would like to convey the shared sentiment of what a great
project this is. (mumbled) it reaches preservation, sustainability, affordable housing, density,
cultural and retail goals of the City and the Downtown District. The merits of the project are
well known, but I wanted to also share how important the construction phase of this project has
become There is no more critical time to invite construction workers downtown to commence
demolition reconstruction on this important project. Our downtown is experiencing tremendous
stress. It is a way to quiet our city center and as the community continues to stay home to stay
healthy, we really need to do a lot of work to make sure that we can keep our retail stores and
restaurants open, um, so that we can, you know, basically make it through the impacts of
COVID-19. So getting the first floor retrofitted for new businesses, as Wendy mentioned,
moving Revival back into the space will give the downtown a good leg up as businesses start to
climb their way out of debt, are able to rehire all the employees that are unemployed across the
community, that have been lost, and allow for new opportunities to arise. The good news is that
I believe that there really are some really great opportunities out there for these new commercial
bay or retrofitted commercial bays. This project will go a long way to support our economic
recovery from COVID. It's a positive economic impact across the community. I know there's a
lot of controversy around TIF, but for those who really understand how it can be a great catalyst
for getting projects built, but then also spreading out that impact, um, it's (mumbled) very, very
strong success in Iowa City for that. Um, it's significant for downtown and the city at large. So
I thank you very much for your favorable consideration of the project, and we look forward
getting that block, you know, creating an alive block again in downtown Iowa City. So thank
you for your ...for your time.
Teague: Thank you, Nancy. Karen, welcome.
Kubby: Thank you. My name is Karen Kubby and I own a business in downtown Iowa City. I do not
own the property. I do lease my...my space that I occupy, and, you know, sometimes I am very
skeptical of downtown redevelopment and mostly because I think although I favor density
increases downtown, I feel that some of the past projects have negatively impacted the feel of
downtown in a way that doesn't move us forward. And if I ... sometimes in my mind I play this
game where it's like, well what would be a redevelopment project that I would support, and if I
were to play that game, this one has so many elements that are really positive for a broad
section of our community. The density is behind the building so that that on the street feel that
people really appreciate about downtown is not negatively impacted, and the smaller
commercial spaces will allow a broader range of entrepreneurs and business owners, maybe
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first time, maybe not, to get in there and really kick up the activity level on that whole block for
all of the businesses, to just keep it very vital. Riverside Theater being in there is an awesome
thing. I'm not sure people really understand how significant of a gift that the local historic
overlay is for this project. It is a perpetual responsibility by the developer to preserve those
storefronts and downtown has such an eclectic array of areas and architectural styles that
making sure we keep those as we progress downtown is ... is really important. I'm very grateful
that the City has a more accountable way of offering TIF programs to developers. It used to be
that money was provided up front, and then if the developer didn't live out the development
agreement the City had to extract that money back out. And so having the ... the TIF be a rebate,
and I'm glad the City has continued to do this, is a much more accountable way that you have to
work the work you promise to do, and then you get the rebate. So I think this is much better
than a claw -back type of arrangement. I do share some of the concerns about affordable
housing. I know that there are three choices for developers to get the TIF money to provide the
15%, and I go back and forth as to what the best strategy is. Making sure that some of the units
are provided on site, makes the building a mixed -income building and we need to build mixed -
income neighborhoods, and so by providing a fee in lieu of there may be other sections of the
neighborhood over time that are built with those fee in lieu of monies, but it's not within that
building. When you have mixed -income, you have mixed flavor, you have mixed energy, you
have mixed lifestyles, backgrounds, and, um, oh I'm sorry! My bird is talking to me so I'm
hoping that's not too disturbing (laughs) Now the ... the disadvantage of offering those units on
site is that it's time- sensitive and so it means that those units would only need to be affordable
to the 60% of median income or lower for the life of the TIF. So that means we would only
have 15 years of that affordability. So with the fee in lieu of, we actually are going to get
perpetual affordability through a City housing trust fund and and through that program. So I
really feel like the City needs to have that conversation a little more, um, about should all
developers get to choose the fee in lieu of, because there are pros and cons each time. So I'm
very supportive of this program. I hope the City will continue to look at and revise and update
the TIF policies, because the other part of the TIF policies for affordable housing or for housing
is to offer student housing and I really don't think the City should be or needs to be
incentivizing student housing. I think it's much more organic, even with the changing landscape
about enrollment numbers, even pre-COVID those were expected to go down. So I hope that
there'll be more discussion about that. So I hope that you'll support this and continue the
discussion about housing as it relates to your TIF policies.
Teague: Thank you, Karen. Would anyone else like to address this topic, and Nicholas, I think your
hand is still up. Would anyone else like to address this topic that hasn't already spoke to
Council? Seeing no one, all right, Council discussion? Big project!
Mims: Well, I'll just start. I think the Economic Development Committee has spent a lot of time on
this. We've seen a number of iterations of this over time as the developer has made, you know,
some changes to what we finally see before us today. I think, you know, the people who've
spoken already from the public have made, you know, a lot of really good points. I would, you
know, agree with Karen Kubby's comments about, you know, the ... the value that historic
preservation of those buildings downtown. I've mentioned that previously that that ped mall is
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just such an important part of our downtown and to make sure that those buildings are
preserved, and as she said, that's... that's a basically a forever commitment by those property
owners. I think she raises some really interesting points about how we do the affordable
housing, the pros and cons of fee in lieu of, you know, where ... where do we want to offer those
units. Does it ... does it make sense to put them in a student housing building, etc. So, I mean, I
would welcome the fact that we might have more conversation with that as we go forward. One
other ...a couple other really quick comments just I think as a reminder to people, um, for ...in
Iowa City, we have very low usage of TIF compared to the value of the property in the city and
compared to the limitations by the State. We've always been, I think, very cautious with it and
in our later policies have actually made us a little bit more cautious with it, and the rebates have
worked really well for us. It ... just remind people that, you know, we do have a non-profit that
reviews these policies, reviews these projects for us and the gap, uh, before we commit to doing
a TIF, and you know, part of that is that we are ... the City is the last money in, that the idea that
these projects would not be built, but for the contribution of the City with the TIF money, that
the ... there is a legitimate gap there that needs to be filled in order for the developers to take on
the risk and to get a reasonable profit out of their projects. So I am very much in support of
this.
Taylor: (both talking, garbled) Oh, go ahead, John.
Thomas: Okay, thanks. I, you know, I was on the committee with Susan and Mazahir, and .... and I've
been supporting the project as it has evolved, and I do appreciate all the comments we heard. I
think, you know, there are a number of extraordinary benefits associated with this project. It is
about as rich a palette of public benefit as ... as I've seen in my time in Iowa City. It's really quite
impressive. It also speaks, as I was watching the presentation, to what my comment on the
pre ... the student housing on Dubuque, you know, the Dubuque block. You can see the, in this
project, the advantages of a more modular form of building frontage and how flexible with
this ... this pro ... this project would not be possible were it not for the flexibility of the existing
buildings to change use, to be restructured by having the backsides removed while maintaining
the frontage and building the taller building on the back side. All of that is possible because of
the modules of the existing buildings. That's one of -that's one of the reasons why older
buildings, I think, are capable of being preserved is because they've been so adaptable over
time. And they, in this case, I think you can see that strategy has worked out beautifully. On
the affordable housing component, I think it is ... it's a very complex issue. Uh, earlier this
evening, you know, at the work session when we were talking about Carson Farm. That site
seems to me one where I, you know, expressed at the work session, uh, doing the affordable
housing on site would be the approach I would prefer to take there. Here, you know, as Karen
mentioned, one of the challenges we face is the ... the long-term availability of the affordable
housing, and unfortunately in circumstances like this, it disappears, in my mind, in a relatively
short period of time. So any strategy we can apply which increases the longevity, really for
perpetuity, get it in kind of a land trust structure with our non-profit affordable ... uh, or non-
profit affordable housing community, uh, I think is ... is a good strategy where it makes sense.
And you know, I think, as was mentioned I think by Wendy. This ... this will be folded in, the
funds will be folded into our affordable housing revised strategy, which we'll be developing this
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year. I'm hoping that, you know, there will be ample time for the... that's... this concept where we
have that $1.9 million in affordable housing funding. We would be able to identify
opportunities for using those funds, so that we would be ready when the funds were available.
Sol...I do think this is a really interesting project. I liked the way Karen put it about, you know,
imagining a project, which kind of preserves the spirit of the downtown while allowing new
development to take place. I think this one's a really good example of that.
Taylor: I agree with that, John and Nicholas, I ... I appreciate your comments. I have usually not been a
fan ever of fees in lieu of for anything. I think oftentimes I've referred to it as like dangling
carrots for—for the developers, but I think Karen Kubby brought a new light to that and really
made it clear, and as John reiterated, even if they did do affordable units in that complex, it
wouldn't be for perpetuity. It would just be for the 15 or so years, whereas this 1.9 million of
the fee, uh, can generate much more than that over the years. So that's a good way to ... better
way to look at it than ... than just as a fee in lieu of. So I'm in favor of it. The project.
Salih: I will second everything that John Thomas said really, and also with Karen Kubby. You know,
said just ... I always was thinking that fee in lieu is good because of that reason. Because it's not
affordable forever. And I was thinking, if we can just use this fee in lieu and build like
something that affordable. Of course, if we waited ... the thing that like 1.8 million can build this
year is not going to be the same thing like in six year, as Nicholas mentioned. I just believe
that, you know, it ... we just need to really look at our .. our ..our affordable housing policy and
change it, and I will love to see, especially in the downtown area, permanent affordability for
affordable housing, because, you know, downtown suddenly it will become only for certain
class of people, students and professors and the people who can really rent in downtown. So we
don't want to see that. Downtown is for everyone. That why would really love to see
permanent affordability. And ... but in this case, you know (mumbled) by the time that, you
know, the TIF time come up, uh, ended, we don't have affordable housing in that building
anymore. So it is really challenging, but with the solution for this, it will be just changing our
affordable housing policy and, you know, looking forward to have permanent affordability
when it comes to affordable housing.
Fruin: Mayor, if I may just offer some clarification on the affordable housing payment. The ... the 1.9
million approximately is due at the time the building permit is pulled. So the City will have that
money up front in this project, it will not be something that takes 15 years to collect. It will not
be something that even takes two years to collect. It will be collected at the time of building
permit. City Council has the authority to put that money to work as soon as you feel you're
ready to. As Wendy had mentioned, our plan was to solicit some feedback from the ... the staff
Steering Committee that we're pulling together to help us in ... in developing the plan, and we
understand the Council has an interest in ... in trying to keep those dollars downtown. The other
thing I'd offer is ... is, you know, we've taken a number of different approaches to our recent
downtown projects that have involved TIF. We have public housing, permanent affordable
housing, in some of those structures, such as the Chauncey and Augusta Place, and with some
of the projects we've done off site. So Augusta Place at a mix of on site and off site, um,
properties that they worked into that deal, and even the Edge in Riverfront Crossings had a mix
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of fee in lieu and on site. So you can take about any of those projects and ... and they're all kind
of put together a little bit different way, but we have explored permanent affordable housing as
part of it. In this case, again, we thought that we could stretch those dollars a little bit further
and with an eye towards more permanence with the fee in lieu, but I do want to let you know
that those dollars are available almost immediately, and if the Council sees opportunities we
can..we can pursue those fairly quickly.
Weiner: Yeah, I think it's also ... it's also important as we consider those who would be interested in and
able to use affordable housing in the ... in the direct downtown area to include students who can't
afford necessarily a lot of the pricier student housing. So I mean there... there's a ... there's a
broad range of people who I could imagine if we ... if we could put those dollars to use building
affordable housing in the area could be ... could end up as tenants.
Bergus: Yeah. I really appreciate the context of this discussion that Wendy was able to provide both
with this specific TIF request and also kind of the history of some of the other projects that
Geoff just brought in, and during our work session we spent a good amount of time talking
about, you know, implementing the policy that's in place for the project that's in front of us.
And I think this is a good example where we can look at other downtown TIF -supported
projects, when the TIF policy wasn't what it is now, and the fact that we are gaining additional
benefits because that policy was revised pretty recently, and we're able to ... to craft an agreement
that has a lot more public benefit than ... than we would have even, you know, maybe a handful
of years ago. So I ... I think, you know, a lot of the concerns or questions that I would have had
with this project have been answered frankly over the years (laughs) that it's been developing,
and like I said, we have the policy that's in front of us that gives the different options. I agree
with the fee in lieu for the affordable housing in this particular project, um, because one of the
alternatives is off site for this particular developer and, you know, in our packet there was an
indication that that would have been at the Tailwinds project, which is, you know, right by
where I am and not ... not close to downtown, and I think having affordable housing and the
opportunity for permanent affordable housing through what ... what we can do with these funds
near downtown is really important. So I just agree with what all my colleagues have said and
I'm grateful for the care that's gone into this project over the last couple years.
Mims: If I could just add one last thing to kind of piggyback on what Councilor Bergus said and others
with the fee in lieu of. Keep in mind that oftentimes when we have this cash, we are able to
leverage that whether it, you know, whether ends up in a LIHTC, the low income tax credits,
you know, project or other state or federal grants that our non-profit partners manage to get. So,
you know, go back and look at some of the ... the memos that the staff has provided us, and I'm
trying to think of the last one we got of...of...maybe it was our last fiscal year. You know, how
much are million dollars in affordable housing funds. I don't even dare guess, but it leveraged
maybe two to three million. Geoff, you probably can tell us off the top of your head. Maybe it
was a lot more than that, but, you know, that one million that we as a city put in, we were able
able to leverage a lot more money through state and federal monies and our non-profit partners.
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Teague: So I'm going to be supportive of this project. I think everybody said it great, um, when it
comes down to the ... being able to live downtown. I think that's a great opportunity that we
really do need to figure out on a larger scale. There are some permanent housing, which is
great, that the City has been able to obtain, but I think, you know, the affordable housing
planning group, I'm looking and expecting great things from them to bring to us. So this is a
great opportunity, I think. I did have some questions about the new ...the tenants, El Patron and
Martinis. Are they ... not wanting to be there anymore or why aren't they going to be downtown
in this space?
Fruin: I think, Mayor, El Patron's been closed for some period of time. That space has been vacant for
for a number of months, and I believe Martinis closed, maybe ... maybe a month or two ago. The
developers, so the owners, may ...may be able to speak to that more if you want more details, but
I don't think it's a matter of not being invited into that project. I think it's more of just
the... there's... their circumstances at the current time.
Teague: Okay. All right. Anything... any more comments on this item from Councilors? We're ready
for roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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15. Rezoning at 109,111, 115,117, and 121 E. College Street — Local Historic Landmark —
Ordinance rezoning approximately 0.55 acres of property from Central Business (CB -10)
zone to CB -10 with a Historic District Overlay (CB-10/OHD) for property located at 109,
111, 115, 117, and 121 E. College Street. REZ20-02) (Pass & Adopt)
Teague: Could I get a motion to pass and adopt?
Mims: (both talking)
Weiner: (both talking) Weiner.
Mims: Second, Mims.
Teague: Would anyone from the publ... public like to address this topic? Welcome, Nicholas.
Theisen: I just want to ... since this is a related issue. I know this isn't specifically the TIF. I just have
two words for you: Forest View. You guys remember Forest View? I know you can't respond
to me. So here's the thing, Forest View is completely stalled. Another major TIF project. A
previous Council, in fact, many of the people currently on council. You were all very happy
about it, just in the same way that you're very, very happy about this project as well. But you
also recall that in the Forest View project, there were actually mobile home residents who were
very, very dependent (both talking)
Teague: Nicholas. We ... we need you to keep your comments to the item on hand please.
Theisen: Well, you're not gonna listen to me anyway, so I'll just shut up.
Teague: Would anyone else like to address this topic? Seeing no one, Council discussion? Roll call
please. Motion passes 7-0.
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18. Community Comment (If Necessary)
Teague: Item number 18, which, Ryan, I think I saw you ... there you are! Great. Welcome. This is
UISG.
Longenecker: Good evening, Council. Again, not too many things to update as we are on our last week
of winter break, but students will be returning for classes to start next week on Monday, and it'll
again look like ... very much like last semester, mostly online classes, but with some in-person.
And, as some of you may know, but as the community might not, spring break was canceled,
which is why winter break was an extra week long. So there'll be no spring break. But there
are two extra mental health off days, um, that ... one in March and one in April that the
University is offering to give students somewhat of a break. But other than that, probably won't
be too many more updates until school starts again. That's all for this evening. Thanks,
Council.
Teague: Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of January 19, 2021.
Page 35
19. City Council Information
Taylor: I'll start. I hope that members of the community have been able to find ways to commemorate
the ... the life and legacy of such a great man as ... as the Reverend Martin Luther King. Rather
than a peaceful march of people as has been done in years past, it was decided this year to have
a ... a unity parade, truth love and justice unity parade of vehicles. I participated in that and
Mayor was there also. And it was a lot of fun. It was estimated probably about 50 vehicles
and ... and we drove ... I think I... about 14, 15 miles all around town, different parts of town.
That was very enjoyable. And I'd also like to thank the police, fire, and ambulance personnel
that ... that participated with their vehicles also. That was a lot of fun. Next I'd like to just
remind people that (clears throat) excuse me, the Mayor recently, uh, I don't want to steal your
thunder here, uh, extended the mask mandate to the end of May. And not to sound like a broken
record, I know this message has been repeated over and over again. But please, please, please
wear a mask when you are out and about and wear it correctly. Remember social distance,
wash your hands, and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth, and just stay
safe and stay well. Lastly, just ... we talked about earlier joint entities meeting is, uh, I believe
that's Monday the 25a', and earlier I'd mentioned a suggestion for a topic, but I think I'd like to
rescind that suggestion unless people ... some, you know, some of the group also want to ... to do it
but I ... I'd talked about making a statement about not tolerating intimidation or violence in our
communities, but we can talk about that later and see how things go this week around the
country. That's all.
Mims: The GuideLink Center is opening up. They are, uh, have the winter shelter part open now and
getting the rest of it ready. The Governor and the head of Department of Human Services,
Director Garcia, have confirmed that they will be here to visit the GuideLink Center on January
29th. There will be limited participation, the guest list is pretty short because of COVID
restrictions. As the City's representative to that committee over the last few years, I have been
invited to attend and will to represent the City. So they will be here Friday morning, January
29th, to do the GuideLink Center. So looking forward to getting it all up and running. I've
talked to some of the folks down there and they're excited and they're anxious and there's just,
you know, lots of...lots of work to do and lots of, you know, uncertainty about usage at the
beginning until people really get to know that it's there, and certainly will be, you know, having
some conversations, I think, with the Governor and DHS Director Garcia when they're here
about the need for funding as this continues. So it'll be interesting.
Weiner: I just wanted to mention that today has been a National Day of Remembrance for the 400,000
souls that we have lost, the 400,000 empty chairs and tables, and I would hope that people can
just take a moment to think about that. Put on your lights tonight, if you have not and realize
that we've ... what all that we have lost in the past year.
Teague: All right. Well great.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of January 19, 2021.