MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE CORALVILLE CITY COUNCIL, IOWA CITY CITY COUNCIL, IOWA CITY SCHOOL BOARD, AND JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JANUARY 26, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chairperson Stutsman called the joint meeting to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 3:07 p.m. Coralville City Council members present were: John Lundell. Also present: Coralville Mayor Jim Fausett. Iowa City City Council members present were: Regenia Bailey, Bob Elliott, Ernie Lehman, Dee Vanderhoef, and Ross Wilburn. Iowa City School Board members present: Gayle Klouda, Jan Leff, and Peter Wallace. Johnson County Board of Supervisors members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan. North Liberty City Council members present were: Matthew Bahl, Dave Franker, James Moody, and Tom Salm. Also present: North Liberty Mayor Clair Mekota.
Other city and county officials and staff present were: Coralville City Manager Kelly Hayworth, Iowa City Clerk Marian Karr, Iowa City Planning and Community Development Director Karin Franklin, Iowa City School District Superintendent Lane Plugge, Johnson County Board of Supervisors Executive Assistant Mike Sullivan, Johnson County Council of Governments Executive Director Jeff Davidson, and County Auditor’s Recording Secretary Casie Kadlec.
12TH AVENUE AND FOREVERGREEN ROAD PROJECTS update
Iowa City Community School Board Member Peter Wallace thanked North Liberty, Coralville, and Johnson County for their support in working on the 12th Avenue and Forevergreen Road projects. Coralville City Manager Kelly Hayworth said that they have received all of the easements for 12th Avenue and they are currently working on the 28E agreement with the County for the construction. There is a March 15, 2005 bid letting date through the DOT, which is a month later than had been originally planned. Hayworth said that there is no way the project will be finished by the time the school is opened but it might be finished by early October. Hayworth explained that there is an agreement with North Liberty for the Forevergreen Road project. Hayworth and North Liberty City Manager Brian James are trying to meet with homeowners along Forevergreen Road to get that portion of the road finished sometime in 2005. North Liberty City Council Member Matt Bahl said that they are trying to make sure that even if, in the unlikely event, the agreements fall through the project will still be done this year.
Iowa City School District Superintendent Lane Plugge reported that they’ve opened up the first of ten projects funded by the bond issue. The ninth grade center, the West High addition, was opened to great approval of the people involved. In addition to completion of the ninth grade center there is construction being done on Tate and Van Allen and both are scheduled to be finished around June or July. Plugge said that City High is under construction and is expected to be completed on December 31, 2005 and that the classroom addition will be finished in time for school next year. They have received favorable bids on the new junior high school, and the naming committee has been working so they should have a name for the school soon. Work is being done on Lucas. On February 3, 2005 the bids for Warren will be opened and the bids for Wood will be opened on February 25, 2005. April will bring bid openings for Coralville Central. Kirkwood will have their bid opening in May.
Iowa City City Council Member Ross Wilburn said that the practice of space sharing often comes up as an issue and there will probably be more interest in the future to creatively use space. Plugge said that there have been many steps toward the schools and other governmental entities working together. Plugge said that they are registered to be the first Lead Certified K-12 building in the State of Iowa. He said the certification is sponsored by a group of builders that are looking at building buildings in a green fashion. Wilburn asked for an inventory of collaboration that exists with space and programming. Iowa City City Council Member Dee Vanderhoef said that the State Legislature is trying to tie collaboration to future incentives on dollars for government funded groups. She said that if they had the inventory they would be able to hand it over when issues come up. Plugge said that he will take the steps to put together a draft for what collaboration that exists in the schools. Iowa City City Council Member Regenia Bailey suggested they also list collaborations they would like to see in the future. Stutsman suggested the inventory of collaborations as an agenda item for a future meeting.
TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING NEW ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL
North Liberty City Council Member Dave Franker said that they are happy with the updates the School District has been doing but they know there have been problems with transportation. He said that there are two things to think about; if someone were to take public transportation there is now an additional transfer needed, and with the numbers increasing there could be a critical mass of kids who need to have reliable transportation. Plugge said that there are currently nine students from North Liberty who are attending the Senior High Alternative Center and they are transported to West High School then transferred to their site. As numbers increase, this will become less effective and they are looking for other possibilities. Franker said that new routes straight to Regina would be something to look at. Bahl said that they appreciate the new busing system but that he is disappointed with the School District’s ability to notify parents of how to set their schedules. They aren’t so concerned about the high school students, but they are worried about the young elementary students. Bahl explained that elementary students don’t fair well with having schedules and routes being changed with little or no notice and not knowing when they are getting off the bus can be problematic for them. He said that parents are willing to adapt but they need to know what is going on before they can do so.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN NORTH CORRIDOR
Plugge said that a few years ago they did not think a new high school would be needed in the North Corridor with the construction of the new alternative school, but it now seems that they have underestimated the need. They are now actively looking for a third site. He said that it may be ten years before the actual building is put up but it is important to acquire property now because the property that is available is dwindling. They would like to have a minimum of 80 acres. West High School sits on 80 acres and City High only has 40, but at West the entire 80 acres cannot be used. He said there might be a need for another elementary school also. North Liberty Mayor Clair Mekota said that many schools are over crowded and that expansion is needed. He added that the need for land is pressing as once it is purchased and developed it is gone and there are limited large tracts left as it is. Plugge said that the Clear Creek Addition was what changed his mind, as there is enough room for 7,000 to 7,200 new residents and 3/4 of that would go into the Iowa City Community School District. Mekota said that they certified their population estimates and according to building permits they should be around 8,000 to 8,200 now.
Stutsman said that in the last two building projects the entities that have been responsible for roads have been caught off guard by the planning and that she wants to know what can be done to avoid that in the future. She added that land negotiations are generally done in private, but when the responsibility to build roads that aren’t in the 5 Year Road Plan falls to the County there is a problem. Plugge said that the County should take this meeting as a signal that they are definitely looking in the North Corridor. He added that all of the cities regularly talk about plans together so possibly they need to have a designee from the County to be involved in those conversations. R. Sullivan suggested the Board appoint a liaison to work with the School District, as they do with the towns. The Board agreed. Plugge said that they could share their demographic studies. He added that they usually meet with the cities once a year to update them on possible impact.
CITY AND COUNTY PLANS FOR REDEVELOPMENT IN THE NEAR SOUTHSIDE (BURLINGTON TO RAILROAD TRACKS)
Iowa City Planning and Community Development Director Karen Franklin said that recently there was a story in the newspaper reporting that the County was looking at the Federal parking lot. She said that the County needs to know about the City plans adopted for the near south side. She pointed out that this is a potential opportunity for the City and the County to work together on these projects. Franklin said that there is a design plan that was adopted by the City Council in 1995 and that it is a vision of what can potentially happen in the designated area. She added that the area that the County has been talking about for the new jail and a possible Federal land swap was seen as a potential site for a civil plaza in the Council Plans. She said that the main goal was to have more parking to enable development of the near south side. Franklin said that there could be opportunity for combined effort when looking for land space. The City has acquired two properties in the area on Harrison and Capital Streets that would go toward the project on a future date. R. Sullivan asked if there are any plans for south of the railroad tracks. Franklin said that there is nothing to date, but it would be part of the Central Planning District. Stutsman said that the University is also a player in this particular area and that it may be worthwhile for all three entities to get together and discuss possible ideas and development. Harney asked where the plaza was envisioned to be placed. Franklin said they would like to put it in the block with the Federal Parking Lot. Harney said that there may be a problem with long term expansion but that issue can be discussed at a later date. Stutsman emphasized that the County plans are very tentative and that nothing has been decided.
INDICATION OF INTEREST FOR JOINT EMERGENCY SYSTEM
Iowa City Mayor Ernie Lehman said that they are in the process of looking for a consultant for a joint emergency system that would serve everyone. He said that something has to be done about the communication problem. Stutsman said that JCCOG did a study and referred it to a consultant. She added that she thinks there is support from the Board to contribute to the consultant fee so that the County can be part of the system. E. Lehman said that the support seems to be across the board. Johnson County Sheriff Lonnie Pulkrabek said that his understanding is that as soon as the City puts together a proposal to decide how all of the entities will work together there is a concern that they may have to start paying for a communication system that they aren’t paying for now. He pointed out that this is not exactly true because they would just be paying in a different way. He added that he is interested and hopes that everyone will work together to see what the consultant comes up with.
Coralville Mayor Jim Fausett said that it is important that everyone advise all entities as to what will be needed before a property is purchased. He said that there have been problems with the last three schools, and the cost of properties can go very high because of these oversights. Stutsman said that the unplanned costs cause the biggest problems. Vanderhoef said that Weber came as a surprise to the City and creating good transportation out there for school buses was a problem.
Hayworth said there are a lot of questions about the developments that have come up over the past few months and that the government bodies need to make a decision as to where the Forevergreen Road Extension will go. Stutsman asked how moving to the next step would be accomplished. Hayworth said that everyone should have received the packet of public comments and those should be reviewed and that everyone should get together and decide how to proceed. Wallace said that 25 years ago the communication between the entities was lousy. He said that too often municipalities are receiving development plans and they are not sharing that information and that catches people by surprise. Wallace said that they are not yet a unified group and that if they were the surprises would be limited.
Terrence Neuzil entered at 3:45 p.m.
COORDINATING REGIONAL PLANNING
Assistant Planning and Zoning Director R. J. Moore said that the Board has identified a need to coordinate planning among all of the governmental entities of Johnson County to head off problems and conflicts. The County was unprepared to deal with the improvements to 12th Ave and Forevergreen Road, but because of the need the Board has moved forward and worked with other entities on the project. Moore said that the Board would like to pursue regional coordinated planning, which would involve everyone working together, pooling resources and ideas, and taking a regional approach to problem solving. He said that tax dollars would then be used in the best way possible for the good of the entire County. Moore said the best thing would be for each entity to assign someone to a task force to see if this is something that they want to do, and if so, think of ideas and issues to be worked on. Moore explained that the Board sees JCCOG as the regional planning agency and as such they would be the facilitator of this new alliance and a shared vision of the future.
Wilburn asked what the Board would like to see happening as opposed to what is currently happening. Stutsman said that the School District and the other entities would be included in plans for development of schools and of residential areas. She added that they have been talking about doing this for awhile, but that it is really time to take the next step. Vanderhoef said that she is never aware of all of the 28E agreements and that a review of all of them would be a good place to start working together. Moore said that they would want representatives to identify issues and opportunities that are important to them to see if they can work together. He said that the task force would identify those items and set the order of preference. Wilburn asked if that is what Moore sees as the first step. Moore said that it is.
E. Lehman asked how it would differ from JCCOG. Moore said that it wouldn’t differ much, it may just be that they prioritize regional planning more. E. Lehman asked if this could be a further function of JCCOG. Moore said that it could be, but everyone who is identified as needing to be involved in regional planning also needs to be involved in JCCOG. Bailey said that it needs to be timely and they need to see if a current collective body could serve this function instead of building a new task force. Vanderhoef said that she doesn’t disagree with E. Lehman, but this would put a lot more work on JCCOG. Franker said that in order for it to be genuine regional planning they need to think in terms of institutionalizing a liaison at all levels of government from Federal to local. Stutsman said that she hears a lot of people being supportive of the idea and that as Chair of JCCOG she would be willing to work with JCCOG Executive Director Jeff Davidson to lay out some ideas to be considered at the next JCCOG meeting. Franker, North Liberty City Council Member James Moody, Bailey, and Vanderhoef all agreed to assist Stutsman. E. Lehman said staff will need to be involved so that everyone will know what is going on and how they impact each other.
FEDERAL ISSUES FOR THE WASHINGTON D.C. CHAMBER TRIP IN FEBRUARY
Harney said that he and Stutsman have been designated by the Board to go on the Chamber of Commerce trip to Washington D.C. He explained that Johnson County is trying to get the appropriations made for the Readiness Center in the Melrose Avenue area. They are looking for community support through letters to demonstrate support for the facility. They are looking for community participation as well. A classroom facility could be offered that would be theater style that would hold about 150 people and could be used for various activities. The classroom would cost about $200,000 and it would be open to the public for use. Harney explained that there are 600 plus troops in the area and that continues to expand so the economic impact is also an issue.
Harney said that they are also trying to get dollars to improve the SEATS program. He explained that they have space next door to the proposed Readiness Center and Secondary Roads so maintenance facilities can be shared. Davidson said that Iowa City and Johnson County will have a joint effort in the SEATS facility. He said that Coralville and Iowa City have identified projects. Coralville’s project is the Coralville Intermodal Center and that $11 million is needed to complete the request. Davidson said that Iowa City wants to extend Mormon Trek Boulevard. He said that there have also been discussions with North Liberty that there may be some improvements needed for the Penn Street-380 interchange. Chamber of Commerce Representative Jim Griffith said that the pieces of the trip are being pulled together right now and that it will pertain to all corridor region development. He said that this trip will be more put together and better organized than last year so hopefully it will be even more successful.
CENTRALIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT EVIDENCE FACILITY
Stutsman said that County Attorney J. Patrick White would like there to be consideration of a joint evidence storage facility. Mekota expressed interest in the idea. Iowa City City Manager Steve Atkins said that it is a logical extension to incorporate it into the Communication Center. Fausett said that Coralville Police Chief Barry Bedford would be very interested as there is evidence in practically every crime and something has to be done with it. Elliott said that they need to tip their hats to the League of Women Voters who have tried to spear head just such conversations on these topics. Stutsman said they will pass on the interest in pursuing the joint facility to White.
SCHEDULING DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The group scheduled their next meeting April 27, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. at Coralville City Hall.
League of Women Voters Representative Carol Spaziani said that it is good to see everyone leaping ahead of not only the League of Women Voters, but also the State Legislature regarding coordinated land use planning. She thanked the group for the meeting.
Adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By Casie Kadlec, Recording Secretary