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

www.icgov.org

1. Class C Retail Alcohol License for Corridor Underground Entertainment Inc. dba Joystick, 13 S. Linn St. #10
2. Class C Retail Alcohol License for Corridor Liquor, Inc., dba Sanctuary, 405 S. Gilbert St.
3. Class C Retail Alcohol License for IC Entertainment , L.C., dba Bardot Iowa, 347 S. Gilbert St.
4. Class E Retail Alcohol License for KWIK TRIP, INC., dba Kwik Star #1142, 1907 Keokuk St.
5. Class C Retail Alcohol License for Suzster, Inc., dba Club Car, The, 122 Wright St.
6. Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for India Cafe Corporation, dba India Cafe, 227 E. Washington St.
7. Class C Retail Alcohol License for Etre Foods L.L.C., dba The Iowa Chop House, 223 E. Washington St.
8. Special Class B Retail Native Wine License for Willow & Stock, LLC, dba Willow & Stock, 207 N. Linn St.

1. Class C Retail Alcohol License for TLP IA LLC, dba Turkey Leg Pit, 1610 Sycamore St.
2. Outdoor Service Area for TLP IA LLC, dba Turkey Leg Pit, 1610 Sycamore St. 

1. Class C Retail Alcohol License for Corridor Liquor, Inc., dba Sanctuary, 405 S. Gilbert St.
2. Class C Retail Alcohol License for Corridor Underground Entertainment Inc., dba Joystick, 13 S. Linn St. #10

1. Cigarette Permit for Mini Paradise Inc., dba Almost Paradise Mini, 125 S. Dubuque St.

Motion to approve disbursements in the amount of $16,534,513.64 for the period of September 1 through September 30, 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 Administrative and Confidential pay plan by deleting the position of Assistant City Manager from grade 31 and adding it to grade 30.

The Assistant City Manager position is currently vacant. Prior to initiating recruitment, the position responsibilities were reviewed and adjusted to best align with strategic plan goals and organizational needs. The resulting impact is a reclassification from grade 31 to grade 30.  

Resolution amending the Administrative and Confidential pay plan by deleting the position of Program Assistant – Public Works from grade 25 and adding it to grade 26.

Within the Public Works Department Administration Division, the current Program Assistant – Public Works will be retiring at the end of this calendar year.  As part of the process to refill this position, the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position were evaluated and reassessed.  It has been determined the appropriate classification for the position is grade 26 of the Administrative and Confidential pay plan.

Resolution accepting the work for the 2022 ADA Curb Ramp Project.

The project has been completed by Bockenstedt Excavating of Iowa City, Iowa, in substantial accordance with the plans and specifications.  The Engineer’s Report and Performance and Payment bonds are on file with the City Clerk.

• Project Estimated Cost:    $    185,000.00
• Project Bid Received:       $    159,216.00
• Project Actual Cost:          $    180,979.09

Resolution to remove Commission member Eric Harris from the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission due to multiple unexcused absences.

The by-laws for the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission provide that a recommendation may be made to Council to remove a member who has had 3 unexcused absences. Eric Harris has had 7 unexcused absences at regular scheduled meetings since June of 2023, and the Commission recommends Council remove him.

Motion to set a public hearing for November 21, 2023 on an ordinance amending Title 14, Zoning Code, to reduce the maximum allowable height in the Neighborhood Stabilization Residential (RNS-12) zone from thirty-five (35) feet to twenty-seven (27) feet. (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.

Resolution setting a public hearing on November 21, 2023 on project manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the American Legion Road/First Avenue Landscaping Project, directing City Clerk to publish notice of said hearing, and directing the City Engineer to place said project manual on file for public inspection.

The First Avenue and Scott Boulevard roundabout, American Legion and Scott Boulevard roundabout, and American Legion Road from Scott Boulevard to Taft Avenue have recently been reconstructed.  This project includes installing plantings, street trees, seeding and site restoration at these project locations.  The estimated construction cost is $205,000 and will be funded through Account #P3989 – American Legion Rd / First Ave Landscaping Project.

Resolution setting a public hearing on November 21, 2023 on project manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the City Park Festival Stage Improvements Project, directing City Clerk to publish notice of said hearing, and directing the City Engineer to place said project manual on file for public inspection.

This project generally includes upgrades to the access to the stage and the crown, and includes upgrades to ventilation and lighting at City Park Festival Stage. The estimated cost for this project is $256,000 and will be funded by the Event Facility Improvements account #R4381.

Resolution setting a public hearing on November 21, 2023 on project manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the Dubuque Street Reconstruction Project, directing City Clerk to publish notice of said hearing, and directing the City Engineer to place said project manual on file for public inspection.

This project will reconstruct Dubuque Street between Iowa Avenue and Washington Street, as well as the adjacent alley between Dubuque Street and Linn Street.  The work will include new pavement, storm sewer, water main, sidewalks, pedestrian and roadway lighting, and landscaping features. The estimated construction cost is $3,750,000 and funds are available in the Dubuque Street Reconstruction Project Account # S3939.

Ordinance amending Title 14, Zoning Code, to improve housing choice, increase housing supply, and encourage housing affordability. (REZ23-0001) (Pass & Adopt)

At its August 2 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of REZ23-0001 by a vote of 5-0 with the exception of the proposed amendments related to accessory apartments, which they voted to defer. The proposed amendments would increase flexibility for a range of housing types to facilitate diverse housing choices, modify design standards to reduce the cost of construction while creating attractive and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, and provide additional flexibility through dimensional standards to enhance the supply of housing. The proposed amendments also create regulatory incentives for affordable housing to encourage income-restricted units throughout the community and address fair housing concerns to help support a range of living situations and advance the City’s equity and inclusion goals. Correspondence included in Council packet.

Ordinance amending Title 14, Zoning Code, to improve housing choice, increase housing supply, and encourage housing affordability by adjusting standards for Accessory Apartments. (REZ23-0001)

The proposed amendment would adjust standards for ADUs to provide additional flexibility and enhance the supply of housing. At the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on October 4th, staff recommended several modifications to the City’s accessory apartment standards. These changes included, but are not limited to, removing the requirement for on-site parking, allowing accessory apartments in all zones that allow single-family uses, increasing the size of the accessory apartment, providing design flexibility, and removing the owner-occupancy requirement. Staff also recommended changing the phrase “accessory apartment” to “Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)”. By a vote of 4-3 (Craig, Padron, and Quellhorst dissenting), the Commission recommended approval of the Staff's proposed amendments except the proposal to eliminate the owner-occupancy requirement. The ordinance reflects the Commission's recommendations. 

1. Public Hearing
2. Consider an Ordinance (First Consideration)

Resolution authorizing conveyance of a single-family home located at 2129 Taylor Drive. 

The South District Program is an effort by the City to encourage homeownership and reinvestment in designated neighborhoods. The City purchased a duplex at 2129-2131 Taylor Drive, rehabilitated it, converted it to a 2-unit condominium, and has received an offer from an income-eligible family to buy the unit at 2129 Taylor Drive for $147,600.

1. Public Hearing
2. Consider a Resolution

Resolution approving project manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the Wastewater Treatment Facility 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.

This project will incorporate three capital improvement projects into one construction contract including: influent flow monitoring, grit classifiers, and biosolids conveyor improvements. The estimated cost of construction is $1,350,000 and funds are available in Account #V3175 – Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements 2022.

1. Public Hearing
2. Consider a Resolution

Ordinance amending Title 9, entitled "Motor Vehicles and Traffic," Chapter 3, entitled "Rules of the Road," Section 6, entitled "Speed Restrictions," Subsection C, entitled "School Speed Zones," to modify the 20 MPH school speed zone for Dodge Street. (Second Consideration)

An ordinance relocating the terminus of the 20 MPH school speed zone on Dodge Street to a point 200 feet south of Fairchild Street. Staff is requesting expedited action.

Ordinance amending Title 16, entitled “Public Works”, Chapter 3, “City Utilities”, Article C, “Potable Water Use and Service”, Section 1, “Definitions”, and Section 3, “Connection to Distribution Water Main”. (Pass & Adopt)

The proposed ordinance amendment will amend the City Code to promote the removal of lead and galvanized iron contaminated by lead from water service lines connected to the potable water system by prohibiting the repair of lead service lines and requiring full replacement of lead service lines when they develop a leak or other defect.

Resolution authorizing the allocation of $500,000.00 State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) funds for the purpose of a cost-share program to promote lead reduction in drinking water.

The resolution will approve the allocation of $500,000.00 of ARPA funding to a water fund revenue account to be used to start a cost-share program aimed at providing an incentive to eligible property owners to reduce the amount of lead in their privately-owned plumbing or install a barrier to filter out lead particulate.

Resolution approving preliminary funding recommendations under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for Inclusive Economic Development Support for Underestimated Businesses and Entrepreneurs.

This resolution authorizes staff to proceed with preparing ARPA subrecipient agreements totaling $4 million with seven organizations; Dotlizhi LLC, The Dream Center, Just from the Heart, Multicultural Development Center of Iowa, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Tailored Tax & Accounting LLC, and Wright House, to build a strong entrepreneurial and small business ecosystem for systemically marginalized populations. 

Resolution in support of manufactured housing park residents.

This resolution acknowledges the concerns raised by local residents of manufactured housing parks, including those opposing frequent rent increases, new unjust fees, and diminishing park maintenance obligations provided by new out-of-state investment owners. The resolution urges action at the State level and calls upon local government and non-governmental leaders to join residents in seeking fair changes to leases and overall living conditions in local manufactured housing parks.  

Housing and Community Development Commission - One vacancy to fill an unexpired term, upon appointment - June 30, 2025. (Michael Eckhardt resigned)

Applications must be received by 5:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

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

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

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).

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 four-year terms, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2027. (Terms expire for Melissa Serenda & Alex Stanton)

Public Art Advisory Committee - Two vacancies (one at-large and one art or design professional) to fill three- year terms, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026. (Terms expire for Jenny Gringer & Steven Miller)

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

Senior Center Commission - Two vacancies to fill three-year terms, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026. (Terms expire for Susan Mellecker & Nancy Ostrognai)

Applications must be received by 5:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

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)

Vacancies will remain open until filled.