Iowa City
City Council - Formal Agenda
Special Formal Meeting
December 12, 2023 - 6:00 PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall
410 E. Washington St.

www.icgov.org

1. Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Oyama Sushi Yan's Inc., dba Oyama Sushi, 1853 Lower Muscatine Rd.
2. Class C Retail Alcohol License for 1st & Main Hospitality LLC, dba Pullman, 17 S. Dubuque St.
3. Class C Retail Alcohol License for Samco of Iowa City, Inc., dba Joe's Place, 115 Iowa Ave.
4. Class C Retail Alcohol License for Iowa City Cantina LLC, dba Coa Cantina Iowa City, 18 1/2 S. Clinton St.
5. Class C Retail Alcohol License for Tun Restaurant, LLC, dba Sumo Sushi & Bar, 122 E. Washington St.

1. Class C Liquor License for Iowa City Cantina LLC, dba Coa Cantina Iowa City, 18 1/2 S. Clinton St.

1. Class E Retail Alcohol License for Gurwinder Singh dba Iowa Smoke Time and Vapor Shop, 220 E. Washington St.

Motion to approve disbursements in the amount of $15,787,663.29 for the period of October 1 through October 31, 2023, as recommended by the Finance Director subject to audit. Disbursements are published and permanently retained in the City Clerk’s office in accordance with State Code.

Resolution amending the budgeted position in Equity and Human Rights Division of the City Manager's Office Department by renaming the Outreach and Engagement Specialist position to Equity and Human Rights Engagement Specialist and the AFSCME pay plan by adding the position Equity and Human Rights Engagement Specialist to grade 12.

This item renames the Engagement Specialist's title and amends the AFSCME pay plan to reflect that change.

Resolution to waive the annual fee for sidewalk cafes on Dubuque Street due to the impact of construction.

The City intends to reconstruct Dubuque St. in 2024 between Iowa Ave. and E. Washington St. which will entail full sidewalk and roadway pavement removal.  Throughout construction there will be times when outdoor café spaces in this block will be unavailable due to construction, and even when space is available, the outdoor dining atmosphere is likely to suffer due to adjacent construction noise and dust.  Staff recommends the annual fee be waived for cafes located in this block along with any cafe on the southwest corner of Dubuque St. and Iowa Ave.  Council waived the annual fee previously during public improvements projects impacting cafes on Washington St. and the ped mall. 

Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest a Declaration of Condominium Regime for the 1311-1313 Sandusky Drive Condominiums.

The City purchased a duplex at 1311-1313 Sandusky Dr.  as part of the South District Program.  In order to sell each unit, the property must be converted to a two-unit residential condominium structure, which requires a Declaration of Condominium Regime be executed and recorded.  City staff has prepared and approved the attached Declaration of Condominium Regime and recommends it be approved and executed. 

Resolution Authorizing the Procurement of Data Communications Equipment and Installation

This Resolution will approve the procurement and installation of data communications equipment. DataVizion will collaborate with the ITS department to design the network and install the data communications equipment. The City will spend approximately $219,024.69 and utilize a NASPO ValuePoint Cooperative Agreement for Data Communications.  

Resolution awarding contract and authorizing the Mayor to sign and the City Clerk to attest a contract for construction of the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Project.

Bids for this project were received on Thursday, November 30, 2023 and the following bids were received:

Public Works and Engineering recommend awarding the contract to WRH, Inc. of South Amana, Iowa.  Funding is available in Account #V3175 – Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements 2022.

Resolution Approving Final Plat Iowa River Mobile Home Park a Resubdivision of Paden’s Resubdivision of Lots 1 and 4 of Charles Subdivision, Iowa City, Iowa. (SUB23-0001)

Staff recommends approval of the final plat subject to approval of the construction drawings by Public Works and the legal papers by the City Attorney’s Office. It is anticipated that the construction drawings and legal papers will be approved prior to the December 12 City Council meeting. Approval will result in the creation of one residential lot which will allow the expansion of the existing manufactured housing parking.

Motion setting a public hearing for January 2, 2024 on a resolution to amend the Comprehensive Plan and Southwest District Plan to allow assisted group living uses for the property located at 1201 W. Benton Street (CPA23-0001)

At its December 6 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of this comprehensive plan amendment to City Council by a vote of 5-0. Adoption of this resolution will allow for an expansion of the Oaknoll Retirement Residence campus with a new assisted group living use housing up to 12 residents at 1201 W. Benton Street.

Motion setting a public hearing for January 2, 2024 on an ordinance conditionally rezoning approximately 0.78 acres of land from Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) to Low Density Multi-Family Residential (RM-12). (REZ23-0008)

On December 6, 2023 the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of REZ23-0008 subject to the following conditions: general compliance with the footprint and scale of the development concept to ensure compatibility with the existing neighborhood development pattern; the building shall not exceed one-story in height; and approval of a landscaping plan by the City Forester that preserves as much of the existing mature landscaping as possible.

Resolution of intent to consider the proposed conveyance of a Gas Regulator Easement to MidAmerican Energy Company at the Hickory Hill entrance at North 7th Ave, and setting a public hearing thereon for January 2, 2024.

In anticipation of the city’s Rochester Avenue Improvements Project, MidAmerican relocated its utilities and replaced its below-grade gas regulator station previously located within the right-of-way with an above-ground station at the entrance to Hickory Hill Park at 7th Avenue. This location reduces the obstruction and gas infrastructure in the right-of-way and mitigates the risk of vehicular collisions. The proposed conveyance is for $0. 

Ordinance amending Title 14, Zoning to reduce the maximum allowable height in the Neighborhood Stabilization Residential (RNS-12) zone from thirty-five (35) feet to twenty-seven (27) feet for single-family and duplex uses. (REZ23-0005)

The Northside Neighborhood Association requested a reduction in the maximum allowable height for single-family and duplex uses from 35’ to 27’. At the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on October 18, a motion was made to maintain the current 35’ height maximum. The motion passed by a vote of 4-3 (Elliott, Hensch, and Townsend in the negative), thus the Commission recommends denial of this amendment. Correspondence included in Council packet.

1. Public Hearing [Deferred from 11/21/2023]
2. Consider an Ordinance (First Consideration) [Deferred from 11/21/2023]

Resolution authorizing conveyance of a single-family home located at 320 N. Governor Street.

The property at 320 N. Governor St. was declared a public nuisance, and the City acquired it for $106,000 through condemnation.  State law requires the City to convey the property to a buyer that will either rehabilitate the home or demolish it and construct a new house.  City staff has negotiated a purchase agreement, subject to formal approval by City Council, for the sale of the property for $115,000.  This sale will reimburse the City for most, but not all, the expenses incurred.

1. Pubic Hearing
2. Consider a Resolution

Resolution adopting the Aid to Agencies process and rescinding Resolution No. 18-214.

This resolution defines Legacy Agency and Emerging Agency eligibility through the City's Aid to Agencies funding process. Definitions have been updated to incorporate changes made to the program in recent years. This will also allow any unfunded Legacy Agencies to apply for Emerging  Agency Funds.

Resolution authorizing a fiscal year 2024 one-time worker retention incentive bonus to AFSCME, Administrative, Confidential, and Executive employees.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds provide for public sector capacity and workforce uses. This action utilizes not to exceed $1.2 million in federal ARPA dollars to provide equal worker retention incentive bonuses to employees in the AFSCME and Administrative, Confidential and Executive employee groups. The total amount of retention incentives will equal 2.75% of budgeted wages for for these employee groups in FY 2024. 2.75% represents the approximate difference between annual pay plan adjustments between these employee groups and those covered under public safety bargaining agreements over the last three fiscal years. 

Resolution modifying classification/compensation plans for Administrative, Confidential, and Executive employees for fiscal year 2025.

This action will increase the FY 2025 pay plan for the Administrative, Confidential, and Executive employees by 1.25% over the previously approved 2.25% increase for a total FY 2025 adjustment of 3.5%. This enhancement is intended to provide further support of employees in light of recent economic conditions and bolster recruitment and retention efforts. The new 3.5% FY 2025 adjustment will be equivalent to employees covered by the City's collective bargaining agreement with the Police Labor Relations Organization of Iowa City. 

Resolution modifying Article 21 (Pay Plan) of the agreement between the City of Iowa City and the Iowa City Library Board of Trustees and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Local #183, AFL-CIO.

This action will increase the FY 2025 pay plan for AFSCME employees by 1.25% over the previously approved 2.25% increase for a total FY 2025 adjustment of 3.5%. This enhancement is intended to provide further support of employees in light of recent economic conditions and bolster recruitment and retention efforts. The new 3.5% FY 2025 adjustment will be equivalent to employees covered by the City's collective bargaining agreement with the Police Labor Relations Organization of Iowa City.  

Resolution establishing the City of Iowa City's 2024 state legislative priorities.

Prior to the start of each State of Iowa legislative session, the City Council traditionally adopts state legislative priorities by formal resolution and communicates the City's positions on those issues to our elected delegation.  The City's 2024 state legislative priorities were developed based on issues impacting the community and City Council priorities, including the City's 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. 

Board of Adjustment - One vacancy to fill a five-year term, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2028. (Term expires for Paula Swygard)

Climate Action Commission - Three vacancies to fill three-year terms, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026. (Terms expire for Benjamin Grimm, Matt Krieger, & Matthew Walter).

Housing & Community Development Commission - One vacancy to fill an unexpired term, upon appointment-June 30, 2025. (Michael Eckhardt resigned) [Deferred from 11/21/2023]

Human Rights Commission - Three vacancies to fill three-year terms, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026. (Terms expire for Roger Lusala, Bijou Maliabo, & Kelsey Paul Shantz)

Parks & Recreation Commission - Two vacancies to fill a four year term, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2027. (Terms expire for Melissa Serenda & Alex Stanton)

Public Art Advisory Committee - One vacancy for an art or design professional to fill a thee-year term, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026. (Term expires for Steven Miller)

Senior Center Commission - One vacancy to fill a three-year term, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026. (Term expires for Nancy Ostrognai)

Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment - One vacancy to fill a five-year term, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2028. (Term expires for Heather Flynn)

Airport Zoning Commission - One vacancy to fill a 6-year term, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2029. (Term expires for Dennis Keitel)

Board of Appeals - One vacancy, for an HVAC or Building Design Professional or a qualified trade representative, with experience and training (if after three months no professional applies or is appointed) to fill a five-year term, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2028. (Term expires for Jim Walker)

Historic Preservation Commission (E. College St.) - One vacancy to fill an unexpired term, upon appointment - June 30, 2024. (Cole Eckhardt Resigned)

Historic Preservation Commission (Jefferson St.) - One vacancy to fill a three-year term, July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2025 (formerly advertised as unexpired term -- Lyndi Kiple resigned).

Historic Preservation Commission (Woodlawn Ave.) - One vacancy to fill an unexpired term, upon appointment - June 30, 2024. (Kevin Larson resigned)

Public Art Advisory Committee - One vacancy to fill an unexpired term, upon appointment - December 31, 2024. (Edward Boyken resigned)

Vacancies will remain open until filled.