January Council Meeting Summary

U-Heights City Council held their regular January meeting January 14th, here are some highlights:

Streets and Sidewalks news:
Committee Chair  Virginia Miller announced that residents with concerns about unshoveled sidewalks can email her at virginia@university-heights.org
Miller also announced she has secured $1000 in tree planting grant funds from Mid American Energy for new street trees. That amount has  been matched by HILLS BANK (correction from email) and Midwest One Bank for a total of $2000 toward new trees. High pedestrian traffic areas with little shade would be prime places to begin planting in the spring.

MVP's of 2013 
As is her tradition, Mayor From recognized volunteers' outstanding service to U-Heights in 2013. Honorees were:
Carol Christiansen and Pat Yeggy for the city garden club work on the plantings next to Stella.
Chris Luzzie the founder and Chair of the University Heights Community Fund.
John McLure city videographer who has filmed city council and other important meetings as a volunteer.
Al Wells who has cared for the Triangle Park and shelter area. This has included mowing and planting flowers.

FY2015 Budget Planning
Finance Chair Jim Lane has begun to gather department budget information. Council will discuss this further at their February meeting. By state law an adopted FY15 Budget must be submitted to the Johnson County Auditor no later than March 15, 2014. FY 15 begins July 1, 2014.

Boards and Comissions:
Mayor Louise From announced new members appointed to the following:
Board of Adjustment: Randall Aitchison
Zoning Commission: Stuart Rosebrook, Pat Yeggy

Mayor From and the council thanked outgoing members Michael Flaum from Board of Adjustment and Pat Bauer from Zoning for their faithful service to the city.

 Council members being sworn into office.

Get Timely updates via Twitter:
Stay on top of official city announcements by following the City of University Heights on Twitter

Thank YOU!

It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I say thanks to the voters of University Heights. To have a turnout that is triple the county average is amazing.

City Council	Early Vote	Nov. 5TH	Total	Percent
Haverkamp	133	221	354	63%
Lane	129	205	334	60%
Quezada	126	198	324	58%
Miller	121	175	296	53%
Nampala	118	165	283	51%
McGrath	123	134	257	46%
Hopson	120	122	242	43%
Leff	116	125	241	43%
Stewart	116	104	220	39%
Write Ins	4	9	13

Top 5 finishers elected to council

MAYOR	Early Vote	Nov. 5TH	Total	Percent
From	151	205	356	90%
Write Ins	26	15	41

Total Voters	Early Vote	Nov. 5TH	Total
	242	317	559

When talking to the Press Citizen Tuesday night I was hoping to express that it is imperative for the new council to work to bring our community back together. It will take effort from all parties to do so.

Pro-development sweeps U. Heights
60.3 percent of registered voters cast a ballot,
which set a city record and led county in turnout

Voters turned out in record numbers Tuesday in University Heights, delivering a resounding pro-development message.
With 60 percent of registered voters casting a ballot, residents ousted the three City Council members who have stood in opposition of a developer’s plans to construct the mixed-use project along Melrose Avenue called One University Place.

Incumbents Rosanne Hopson, Jan Leff and Brennan McGrath — who have fought the proposed commercial and condominium project that has been at the center of bitter debate the past five years — each lost their seats. They will be replaced by Virginia Miller,Zadok Nampala and Silvia Quezada, a trio of first-time challengers who ran on pro-development platforms.

“I’m really looking forward to working together with the rest of the group and finally having a green light for the development going forward, the way people in University Heights want to see it,” said Nampala, a 30-year-old master’s student in social work at the University of Iowa.
Pro-development incumbents Mike Haverkamp and Jim Lane retained their council posts with the top two showings, garnering 63 percent and 60 percent, unofficially.

In total, 559 of University Heights’ 927 registered voters cast a ballot, or 60.3 percent. It was by far the highest percentage of any city in Johnson County, and set a new city record for turnout, surpassing the previous high mark of 534 voters in 2011.
Although past elections amid the One University Place debate have been decided by razor-thin margins and resulted in councils with clashing development philosophies, the coalition of pro-development candidates ran away with the race this time around.

Still, rather than touting victory, Haverkamp and others stressed moving on from the contentious and sometimes ugly debates of the past few years and bringing people back together.
“The thing to always remember is we’re a small town where we know everybody, so I think what’s important is to remember the entire community functioning together is the only way we’re going to move forward,” said Haverkamp, a 53-year-old teacher. “I think the responsibility the citizens of our community have entrusted us with is something I take very seriously, and I’ll make sure I’m responsible to everyone in the community.”

Lane, a 68-year-old investment consultant, said the pro-development camp presented “a positive vision” that resonated with voters. However, he said much of the heavy lifting lies ahead, particularity the looming question of how much financial support the city will contribute to One University Place.
“Quite frankly, the work is just beginning,” Lane said. “We have to figure out the right development, especially the financing. I don’t want to see the community get financially strapped.”

Quezada, a 39-year-old attorney, said that even though Tuesday’s five victors campaigned as a “loose coalition,” they each will bring distinct approaches to the council in how they’d like to see the development take shape.
“I think the voters are ready for smart, intelligent growth in our community, and I’m ready to do the people’s business and protect our best interest going forward and setting us up for a bright and fulfilling future in University Heights,” Quezada said.

Miller said that with St. Andrew Presbyterian Church set to finalize the sale of the property to the developer and relocate in the coming years, she’s eager to help University Heights “start trying to move forward.”
“We now have a pretty firm time line of when the church is moving out that we can work around, so there are not as many unknowns as there were in the past,” said Miller, a 31-year-old stay-at-home mother.

Mayor Louise From, who ran uncontested, will serve a fifth term as mayor after collecting 90 percent of the votes.

Press Citizen Coverage of Council Race

Yesterday's Press Citizen featured the University Heights City Council race:

One University Place development is 'a tipping point' in U Heights
A decade ago, a typical city council race in University Heights wasn’t much of a race at all.
In each of the 2003 and 2005 city elections, for instance, just five candidates ran for five seats, meaning the only Election Day decision voters had to make was whether to write in another name.
That’s no longer the case in this enclave of about 1,100 residents, where a high-profile development proposal along Melrose Avenue has stirred up local political passions in recent years. There now are yard signs, websites and candidate forums — big-city campaigning in a small town.

On Tuesday, nine residents will vie for the council’s five spots, including all five incumbents, with the dominant issue remaining One University Place, which for nearly five years has been poised to be built on the property of the outgoing St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.

While the central question in past years was whether developer Jeff Maxwell should be allowed to build a large-scale project at the site, now that the church has voted to finalize the property sale, the remaining questions include just how big One University Place should be, whether there will be a commercial component, and how much, if any, financial assistance the city should provide.

The three council members who have opposed the development — Rosanne Hopson, Jan Leff and Brennan McGrath — say their position has shifted toward compromise now that the church’s move is imminent. Although Maxwell’s vision has been for a two-building development — one five-story residential building and one three-story mixed-use building — the three opposing council members are calling for a scaled-down version.

“The three of us began our journey on this council feeling strongly that we did not want any development there, and if we did, it should be very minimal,” said Leff, who is seeking a second term. “I think over time we’ve evolved, understanding this (as) an opportunity to oversee a development that would really enhance our community both financially and aesthetically, as well. I think we’re ready to compromise with whomever else (is) on the council.”

Hopson, who has served on the council since winning a special election in January 2011 and earning re-election later that year, has taken a hard stance against the $6.5 million in tax-increment financing assistance the developer has said he would require for the project.
“When you ask for a $6.5 million TIF, that leaves us with zero bonding capacity,” Hopson said. “I really wouldn’t feel comfortable with that as a councilor. What do you do in case of an emergency?”

McGrath, who has served eight years on the council, said he would like to see the council find middle ground with a project that would be “the least disruptive” to University Heights.
“It seems like in this process it’s been what’s best for the developer or what’s best for the community — not both,” McGrath said. “That’s what I’m trying to get back to — an ‘and’ in there and not an ‘or.’ That’s the biggest challenge.”

On the other side of the issue stand incumbents Mike Haverkamp and Jim Lane, who have backed the Maxwell project during their time on the council. Haverkamp says public perception of the project has shifted in recent years, with more people — particularly younger residents — favoring walkable neighborhoods close to their workplace and amenities.

“I’m encouraged as I walk around and talk to people,” said Haverkamp, who is seeking a third term. “I think in 2008 and 2009, a five-story residential building and a three-story, mixed-use commercial building seemed pretty big. I think what’s happened in the greater Iowa City-Coralville area in those intervening years has also shaped perception in terms of other projects that people are seeing.”

Lane, who narrowly edged Rachel Stewart for the fifth and final seat in the 2011 election, said that with the church’s decision behind it, this is a key moment for University Heights. He said many longtime residents are recognizing the benefits the development could bring in the form of new amenities, as well.

“It’s young and old folks who are saying, ‘We have this opportunity, so let’s take it,’ ” Lane said. “I think the majority are speaking out and saying we want some things in there. This is a tipping point.”

Stewart, who missed winning a spot on the council by just one vote two years ago, favors a scaled-down version of the development that would require no TIF incentive from the city.
“My main concern has always been that I don’t like TIF being used for inappropriate developments,” Stewart said. “They were traditionally developed for areas of large cities that were blighted, where no one would do anything there unless they got some incentive. I can’t say the corner of Melrose and Sunset is a blighted spot.”

The other challengers are voicing support for a larger version of One University Place more in line with Maxwell’s original vision.

Zadok Nampala, a father of two young children who is running for the first time, says he and others are excited about the possibility of a market within walking distance. Local businessman Jim Mondanaro has expressed interest in opening up a location similar to downtown Iowa City’s Bread Garden in One University Place.

“I would be one of those people who would say a mixed commercial property would be ideal for us so that the young community, young families, can walk here and have that little corner store,” Nampala, a Kenya native, said at a candidate’s forum earlier this month. “I just imagine those small towns where I come from where we have a store in the corner, and everybody walks there in the evening.”

Virginia Miller, who is challenging for a council seat, also has vowed to bring a voice for younger families to the council and is stressing the importance of including a public space in the developer’s plans, be it a park or a community center.

“To me, St. Andrew functioned as a public space for our community where we’ve had our picnics, farmers markets and community meetings for a long time, so I think it’s important for us to retain that public space in our community rather than losing it to strictly residential development,” Miller said.

Silvia Quezada, who is making her first bid for the council, backs the developer’s “five-and-three” vision for One University Place. She said there are concerns that still need to be worked out, “but nothing that a city council couldn’t overcome and work together to close a chapter on a very long journey.”

“I think the vision is coming from the residents; the vision is not being driven by the developer,” Quezada said. “The developer is proposing an idea, and folks are improving on that idea. People are seeing an opportunity for adding more convenience to the quality of life in University Heights.”

Mayor Louise From, who served a dozen years on the council beginning in 1994 before taking over as mayor in 2006, also is up for re-election. Though she is running uncontested for the non-voting mayor’s seat, From said she doesn’t want to take residents’ support for granted.
“I’ve always tried to tackle the issues with honesty and respect for all,” From said.

Campaign Update

As can be seen by even the most casual observer through town, the 2013 municipal campaign is in full swing.

I have been working my way through town, going door to door and talking to citizens. It has been rewarding, as it always is, and interesting as well. I appreciate the willingness of our community members to talk about city issues and share their views.

In the crowded field of 9 candidates for the 5 council seats are 5 independent candidates and 4 that are running together as a slate. I am running as an independent candidate.

 I have shared this space in the past with Jim Lane, another independent, and he continues to have the right to post information here, as he has done over the last several years.

As Iowa law permits, groups of local citizens have the right to form Political Action Committees and advocate in city elections. Building Common Ground is a group that was formed by U-Heights citizens for the 2013 election cycle. I was invited to their Meet the Candidates event last week along with other independent candidates.There was a very nice turn out of 30 or so residents and I greatly enjoyed the afternoon. 


I also got the chance to hear from some other candidates, and was impressed with their knowledge, background and passion for our town. While I don't agree with each of them on everything I heard them discussing, I do know that these are capable people that I would honored to have the opportunity to serve in city government with.

VIRGINIA MILLER

I met Virginia last spring at the City Clean Up Day. She was loading an oak bookshelf from the "Too Good to Throw Away" table into her car and I helped her get it in the back. We chatted and she mentioned what a great event this was, because they were moving from their rental house into a new home. I asked where they were moving to, and she said, "That's the best part, we get to stay here in U-Heights, we're on a little street at the end of Golfview!" Her new home is two doors down from mine. Virginia is  a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Business, where she majored in Management and Marketing.  After college she worked in Chicago for 5 years as a manager for a wholesale specialty stationery company.  She and her husband, Dan, have also lived in Albuquerque, NM,before returning the the midwest. They have two children, Otis and Jane.

ZADOK NAMPALA

While campaigning in my first city council bid in 2009, I met Zadok and his wife Erin. I was immediately impressed by his warm nature and keen interest in city business. I was quite happy to hear he was interested in running for city council. His comment was that he would like to give back to his community, as it has been such a wonderful place to live. Zadok is finishing a master's degree in social work, and has served as a translator for both UI Hospitals and Clinics and the Iowa City Community School District.

SILVIA QUEZADA

I had also met Silvia while campaigning. I appreciate her direct and straightforward manner. Silvia has served on our U-Heights Zoning Commission since 2010. She is an attorney who currently works for a utility company. Silvia has a website that contains more information and articulates her views:  

www.silviaq.com