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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Excerpt from minutes of October 25, 2005 Council meeting EDU 7ANE HEARING ON REZONING OF PROPERTY LOCATED BETWEEN DAWES DRIVE AND U. S. HIGHWAY 69 (CALHOUN PARK FROM "A" (AGRICULTURAL) AND "S-GA" (GOVERNMENT-AIRPORT): The public hearing was opened by Mayor Tedesco. He closed same after no one asked to speak. Moved by Mahayni,seconded by Cross,to pass on first reading an ordinance rezoning property located between Dawes Drive and U. S. Highway 69 (Calhoun Park) from"A" (Agricultural) and"S-GA" (Government-Airport). Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. PRESENTATION ON PROPOSALS TO CREATE"ONE COMMUNITY COMMISSION" AND "STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMISSION": Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred; Tahira Hira, Assistant to ISU President Geoffroy; Angela Groh, President of the Government of Student Body(GSB); Tony Borich, City Council Ex Officio Member, and Christopher Deal, Vice-President of the GSB. Ms. Tahira Hira summarized the recommendations made by the "One Community" Implementation Committee. That Committee was chartered by the Mayor,President Geoffroy, and the GSB President in February 2005 and charged to develop a plan to implement recommendations from the Post-VEISHEA Commission and Task Force. The two main ideas were to develop and support a"One Community" team and to ask the ISU administration to encourage students to become responsible members of the campus and Ames community. Mr. Kindred gave a chronological review of actions leading up to the recommendation of the creation of a "One Community" Commission. He said that the charge for the "One Community"Commission would come from three groups:City of Ames,Iowa State University, and the Government of the Student Body. In summary, Mr. Kindred stated that the recommended action from the "One Community" Implementation Committee is that the Council approve the concept and work together with ISU and GSB to agree on what the charter should be and move forward. Ms.Groh described the role of a Student Affairs Commission. She advised that the concept was that the Commission would be created by the City Council and would follow the more traditional commission type in that it would directly affect policy. According to Ms. Groh,the creation of this Commission would be a very symbolic measure in showing that the City really supports and recognizes the importance of student involvement within City policy. One of the main roles of the Student Affairs Commission would be to advise the City Council; any issue that came before City Council that would uniquely or directly affect students could be referred to this Commission. The membership of this Commission would consist of individuals appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. The potential structure would include students and community members,with the majority comprised of students designated from clubs and organizations on campus that have a vested interest in policy-making and at- large students who would represent any aspect of students. Including community members on this Commission is a change to what was discussed with some Council members earlier in the year. 9 According to Ms.Groh,the creation of this Commission would create a sustainable and normal avenue for gaining student input on any issues that directly affect them. The lack of sustainability has been a problem in the past. The Commission would be charged to advise the Council on student-city issues and work independently to resolve conflicts and achieve consensus. Ms. Groh said that they hoped to have access to City staff support. Staff from the office of GSB has indicated a willingness to provide that support through current assistants who work in the office. Ms.Groh reiterated that this Commission would enable students to participate effectively in the development of city policy and facilitate a productive dialog and collaboration among students and key city/student-issue constituencies. Mayor Tedesco pointed out that the Student Affairs Commission would be strictly an advisory group. Mr. Borich advised that they had discovered that the University of California at Davis has a similarly structured commission to what they are proposing.It has been successful in discussing issues before they go to the Council level.He also just found out that East Lansing(Michigan) has had a commission in place since 1997, and it is comprised wholly of students. Chris Deal said that he believes the creation of this Commission is a great way to further implement the "One Community"idea. Mr.Borich pointed out that they are presenting a rough proposal,and it is up to the City Council as to which direction they want to take.As far as flexibility to the Commission's structure,Mr. Borich said that they would be open to a high school student being a member of the Student Affairs Commission; issues do not just pertain to University students. Council Member Goodman would like to see the Commission open to all members of the community;it could be comprised of an equal number of those with student interests and those with non-student interests. Mr. Borich indicated that they could look at that; however, the similar commissions found throughout the country were found to be comprised mainly of students.He felt that the Commission should be a mechanism for students to communicate their thoughts. A lengthy discussion ensued as to why the GSB could not create a Student Commission on its own. Ms. Groh reiterated that, with a City-sanctioned commission, it would ensure sustainability. Council Member Wirth felt that the appropriate structure for the Commission would be under the GSB. She asked why this particular group would be picked out to form a separate commission. Ms. Wirth did not feel that sustainability was the issue, as the City Council could disband the Commission if it felt that it were no longer effective. Mr. Borich said that he was a strong supporter of forming a Student Affairs Commission, especially after reading of the successes that Davis,California,and East Lansing,Michigan,had realized from similar Commissions. The creation of such a Commission would provide a specific forum for dialog between the City Council and students. Council Member Mahayni suggested that the GSB get documentation from Davis,California,and East Lansing,Michigan, to ascertain what issues they have had before them. 10 Council Member Mahayni asked what was meant by "student issues;" he hoped that those would not center around drinking laws. The types of student issues to be discussed by the Student Affairs Commission needed to be defined and the stakeholders be determined. Mr. Mahayni emphasized that the City Council is the body that directs staff,and if the Commission is formed, they would not have access to staff. He said that the mission of the Commission needs to be defined, and that will determine its sustainability. Ms. Groh interjected that part of the reason that the VEISHEA Task Force recommended the creation of this Commission was because dialog was not happening in a sustainable method. They were here tonight to emphasize its importance and the fact that it needs to continue for many years. If the discussions do not occur,they feel that occurrences similar to the VEISHEA disturbances would continue. Ms. Groh felt strongly that the individuals involved in an officially sanctioned (by the City Council) Commission would have more credibility and put more time and effort into representing the entire City of Ames. She feels that specific issues can be identified that directly affect students or the businesses that interrelate with students, and a mission could be declared. It is the opinion of Ms. Groh that there would not be as much support from the Chamber of Commerce, businesses, landlords, etc., if this were not a City- sanctioned commission. Council Member Mahayni pointed out that creating a Student Affairs Commission was not going to prevent future riots; that is not the issue. The issue, in Mr. Mahayni's opinion, is having dialog. It is important to include neighborhood associations as an integral part of this group. He also suggested that the Campustown business community should be included more than the Chamber of Commerce. The stakeholders should be identified and be involved. Council Member Goodman recommended that a workshop or a round-table discussion be held between City Council and GSB. Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Mahayni, to direct staff to work with GSB to come up with a date for a round-table discussion. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Discussion ensued on the purpose of the "One Community" Commission and the difference between it and the proposed"Student Affairs"Commission. Ms.Hira felt that multiple-interest groups need to work together to form one community. She said they are only asking whether the City Council is supportive of the concept.Council Member Cross indicated that he liked the concept,but felt that it went beyond"One Community,"and perhaps its title should so indicate. Some of the"One Community"implementation items are long-term projects.According to Mr. Kindred,it was intended for the"One Community"Commission to have its own separate charge —not be a City or University commission. City Council or City staff members could serve on the Commission. Ms. Hira said that they had more work to do, as she did not believe that this Commission was intended to be only City/University. It was intended for the overall community, i.e., multiple interest groups, to improve working relationships with each other. II r Moved by Wirth, seconded by Mahayni,to direct the representatives to provide more details as to the structure of the"One Community" Commission. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT GRANT PRESENTATION BY EASTWOOD VILLAGE: The Mayor stated that this presentation was being postponed until October 11, 2005, at the request of representatives of Eastwood Village. OUTDOOR SERVICES PRIVILEGE FOR CY'S ROOST, 121 WELCH AVENUE (tabled from 9/13/05): Andrew White, 3315 - 146"'Circle, Urbandale, Iowa, spoke as president of Welch Avenue Taverns, Inc., and as the liquor-license holder at Cy's Roost. Mr. White said that he did not learn of the violations(minors on premises)issued on August 8 until September 13;the manager did not inform him, and that manager is no longer a manager. Mr. White stated that all employees of his establishments receive training through the Ames Police Department. He advised that he owns five bars in Ames and gave a summary of the violations issued at those bars since 2002. Mr. White told the Council what actions had been taken since the citations were issued at Cy's Roost. Police Chief Jaeger said that he did not have the number of Cy's Roost employees who had attended training through the Police Department. Chief Jaeger recommended that Mr. White meet with the Night-Shift Lieutenant (Brennan) to discuss the Police Department's expectations. Council Member Goodhue acknowledged that Mr. White had given an explanation of the situation that had occurred on August 8, apologized to the City Council, and provided a copy of their training manual. There had not been any occurrences since August 8,and there had not been many violations at any of the other four establishments owned by Mr. White. Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Vegge, to grant a six-month Outdoor Service Privilege for Cy's Roost,with the following stipulations: (1)that all appropriate employees receive training on October 13,2005,from the Police Department;(2)that Mr.White meet with the Night-Shift Lieutenant (Brennan); and, (3) that changes/repairs be made to the fence surrounding the outdoor service area in accordance with the Police Department. Council Member Goodman asked to know the number of violations typically received before City Council takes action.Assistant City Attorney Parks explained that the City Attorney,years ago,arbitrarily arrived at the number 12 to use as a guideline;it was never approved by the City Council. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. NEWLINK GENETICS: Dr. Charles Link,President of NewLink Genetics,which was founded in Ames in 1999,advised that NewLink Genetics Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel drugs and functional genomics solutions with a primary focus on cancer. Dr. Link gave an overview of their company. He stated that they need an additional 20,000 to 30,000 square feet of office and research space. 12