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7. Community Comment(items not on the agenda)
Throgmorton: So I would like to invite anyone who wants to address us on any topic that's not
on the formal meeting agenda should feel free to do so, and again I would like
you to come up, state your name, and take not more than three minutes in making,
uh, whatever your statement is. Hi, Brandon,how ya doin'?
Ross: Hello, Mayor Throgmorton and the Council, thank you so much for showing up to
tonight's meeting (mumbled) which way you would not be paid. Um, I do wanna
say, uh, in less than three minutes now that,uh, I believe that,uh, Iowa City, uh,
should consider banning tasers. Uh, tasers basically are dangerous, uh, neuro-
muscularly they cause a lot of injuries. They've already caused a lot of deaths in
this country. I think Iowa City does not stand for that particular kind of policing.
Uh, I think that if, uh, a taser is kind of an in-between way. It's,uh, you know, we
don't have the electric chair. Electricity is considered torture. I consider, uh,
tasering torture. I think what it does is it turns a person into an object. Policing,
and I support our police as I support the Council and the people,uh,policing
should have to do with facilitating, and if they need to use a gun, there's probably
some reason to use it, but to tase somebody, you need to be able to talk the person
down or to deal with the person. Oftentimes tasers are used without any provac...
uh, provocation at all and I think that Iowa City stands for a safe place where
citizens are treated like human beings and many people have had,uh, many
people have been tased but not injured, uh, have had psychological problems to
do....to do with this, and uh, have had physical injuries. And so though I, uh, I
ask the City Council to consider banning tasers in Iowa City. It's a very human
consideration and I think it's the right thing to do. Uh, we don't benefit by having
those things. Uh, they do make some people money. That's not what we're about
here in this town. Please,uh, put this on your agenda, and I'm sure I speak for
many people. Thank you!
Throgmorton: Thank you, Brandon. Good evening.
MacConnell: My name is Jerri MacConnell and I moved down to Ecumenical Towers about
four months ago. I have a small dog and we walk three or four times a day, and I
need to say that on the Wash....on Washington Street, beside the Senior Center
and Ecumenical Towers, it looks like a free-for-all dog bathroom. And it's my
understanding that there is an ordinance that dogs are not supposed to run free,
and also that the owner is supposed to pick up after their dogs. I always...I've
offered bags to people even. They don't take 'em, but um....1 think that obviously
whatever the consequence has been, it hasn't worked. And I think that the
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consequence should be monetarily much, much higher. The police can't go
around looking for this, but if one or two people are caught and it gets in the
paper, I think it might have an effect on other people, and it's also for sanitary,
cause another dog gets into....other dog's poop, it can be, you know, cause health
issues to the other dogs.
Throgmorton: Great. Thank you, Jerri. Thanks for coming tonight. Anyone else? Okay, seeing
no one else we're gonna move to Item....it should be Item 8 (several talking)
Yeah. Planning and Zoning Matters.
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8. Planning and Zoning Matters
8.a. Rezoning South of Interstate 80,West of N. Dubuque Street, and East of
Mackinaw Drive, commonly referred to as Forest View—Ordinance
conditionally rezoning approximately 73.15 acres of property located south of
Interstate 80, west of N. Dubuque Street, and north of Foster Road,from
Interim Development Single-Family Residential(ID-RS), Low Density
Single-Family Residential (RS-5),Low Density Multi-Family Residential
(RM-12), and High Density Single-Family Residential with a Planned
Development Overlay(OPD/RS-12) to OPD/RS-12 for 50.82 acres, Highway
Commercial with a Planned Development Overlay (OPD/CH-1) for 20.45
acres, and Neighborhood Public with a Planned Development Overlay
(OPD/P-1) for 1.88 acres (REZ18-00013) (Second Consideration)
Throgmorton: Could I have a motion for second consideration please?
Thomas: Move second consideration.
Mims: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Thomas, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Would anybody like to
address this topic? (both talking) Well hold on, Maz, I....I wanted to know if
anybody in the, uh, in the, uh, audience would wanna address the topic.
Salih: Oh, okay! Okay, sorry!
Throgmorton: Okay, I don't see anybody else, so, Maz, did....did you wanna say something?
Salih: Uh....I thought we are discussing it, like as a Council. Are we?
Throgmorton: We are now, yes.
Salih: Okay, one second. Yeah, I just wanna say that I....I still, uh, supporting this
project like, uh, last time and uh, I....I really, uh, very excited that...to hear that
Forest View (unable to understand) seem to be on the way to agreeing on wider
manufacturing housing, like up to 22-feet. This can be made like...I know this is
not gonna be made now and, uh, we gonna discuss this later when it come, uh
(unable to understand)but I'm still like expressing my full support for this project.
Thank you.
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Throgmorton: Okay. Thank you! Any other comments from any other Council Members?
Cole: The only comment that I would like to make is that first of all I see a lot of the
residents from Forest View that are here tonight. Um, and of course we're so
thrilled that we're gonna have this wonderful opportunity for the Forest View
residents. And I think sort of critiquing myself a little bit, I think that we were so
focused on ensuring that we would have a successful project for the Forest View
residents that I think that sometimes it was easier to almost have that almost too
narrow of focus. I think the neighbors did bring some legitimate concerns, urn, in
terms of the issues that they wanted to raise. Um, today I did get comments about
the impact on our tree canopy and the number of trees that we're gonna be tearing
down. So while of course, um, none of those factors are enough to change my
vote, we're still strongly committed to this....this particular project and I continue
to commend both the developer, as well as the residents, for working together on
this. I think we as a community do need to have these ongoing discussions to
ensure that, uh,that we're mitigating as much as possible as we can our....our tree
loss, and that we continue to work constructively with our adjacent neighborhoods
to ensure that we have a really successful project, and I anticipate that the
developer and staff will continue to have those conversations. So I think that's
something good that's to remember.
Taylor: I'm very much in favor of this project. It, uh, has certainly come a long way since
we first heard about it over three years ago, and also since, uh, it came before
Planning and Zoning and they had a lot of concerns,uh, but with approval of this
rezoning we are trusting the developer, uh, and the property owner, uh, to honor
what has been agreed upon, uh, most importantly that they will assure that the
displaced residents, uh, will achieve their dream of home ownership, uh, in this
community, and I'm not asking that you hold their hands or babysit them, or their
property. Just that you be a good steward of the property and honor your
commitment. Also important is maintaining the appeal of the North Dubuque
Street entrance into Iowa City, preserving the woodlands, uh, as has been
mentioned, as much as possible throughout the development, and planting and
maintaining new trees. And, very importantly, especially to surrounding
neighborhoods, that you do assure adequate storm water management, that does
not compromise those neighboring homes. I'll be anxious to watch, uh, this
development happen and to have it serve as....as a good example of how a
development, uh, can happen through the cooperation of everyone involved.
Throgmorton: Other comments? I....I'11 just say very briefly, I articulated as best I can two
weeks ago why I support this project, and I'm pleased to be able to do so, and I'm
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pleased to be able to vote for it tonight. Any other comments? Hearing none, roll
call please. Motion carries 7-0. Could I have a motion to accept...00p! Sorry!
(applause in background) All right,that felt good! (laughs) Okay, could I have a
motion to accept correspondence please?
Mims: So moved.
Teague: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Teague. All in favor say aye. Opposed. Motion
carries.
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9. Amend the FY2019 Operating Budget—Resolution amending the FY2019
Operating Budget.
1. Public hearing
Throgmorton: I'll open the public hearing. (bangs gavel) Good evening, everybody. Thanks for
comin'! Hi there!
Fleagle: Hello, Jacklyn Fleagle, Budget and Compliance Officer. Uh....so this is the third
amendment for fiscal year 2019 budget. Starting with amendments made to
revenues, um, first area amended was use of money and property, primarily due to
interest income coming in higher than originally budgeted, uh, so this is adjusted
up to the actuals that are there.
Throgmorton: Excuse me, Jacklyn, could you speak directly into the microphone please? Thank
you!
Fleagle: Do you need me to repeat the...okay. Um, the other area,uh, amended upwards is
charges for services, uh, $70,000 primarily for patrol contracted services. Um,
this is also amending up to closer to actuals rather than budget. Um, original
current budget, and then this will also help offset some of the expenditures
mentioned later. And then finally,transfers in....were amended up by about
$600,000, due to Landfill assurance transfer. On the other side, expenditures, uh,
Public Safety program was amended up by$135,000 due to police and fire
overtime. Um, the police expenditures are offset by the earlier mentioned patrol
contracted services and then the fire overtime is, urn, offset with contingency
adjustments. Uh, another area adjusted is Public Works was amended up by about
$93,000 for salt supplies, as well as snow and ice overtime, due to the many snow
events we had this year. Uh, as mentioned earlier, uh, general government, the
contingency was adjusted, uh, downwards by 75,000 to offset the fire overtime.
Uh, another area amended up was business type expenditures for$250,000 related
to, uh,parking elevator repairs that were needed to be made. And then we also
see the other side of the transfer out for$600,000 for the Landfill assurance. Urn,
overall the total impact to the find balance is a decrease of$31,500,urn, and this
is the third and final budget amendment for fiscal year 2019.
Throgmorton: Great! Thank you, Jacklyn. Any questions for Jacklyn? I have a question for
staff, uh, because you reminded me. The elevator repairs,how are they coming?
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Monroe: They're....they're in progress. As I understand it, they had a two-step process for
repairs at Tower Place, so we had to have one contractor that did some of the
work I think in the last week or so, and then they had to return to finish the work.
I'm not sure if the State, whether that's....that's complete or not,but then there'll
be a third and final step, um, for the work being done. But I know the Dubuque
Street garage is also...close to....close to being worked on. So they're (mumbled)
they're in progress. It's coming.
Throgmorton: Okay. Thank you! Anyone else want to address this topic? Seeing no one I'm
going to close the public hearing. (bangs gavel) Could I have a motion to
approve please?
2. Consider a Resolution
Teague: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Teague, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Hearing none, roll call
please. Motion carries.
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10. Black & Gold Vapors Tobacco Penalty—Resolution assessing $1,500.00 civil
penalty against Black and Gold Vapors.
1. Hearing
Throgmorton: Uh.....(both talking) I was going to say...yeah! Please, uh, state your name and
(both talking)
Bunch: Hi,my name's Officer Trai Bunch with the Iowa City Police Department. Uh
(mumbled) I should come here, um, and I'm guessing I explain what the issue is
with Black and Gold?
Throgmorton: Yeah (both talking)
Bunch: Okay. Urn.....so for people that aren't familiar with it, um, each time we do
tobacco checks, um, we have a minor, in between the ages of usually 16 and...
under 18, that come to the Iowa City Police Department. Urn, we give them
money to go into, uh, any store in Iowa City that sells tobacco. Uh, this particular
one, we give this person money, we see their Iowa I.D. that shows they're under
the age of 18. It even does a unique thing where it's, uh, it's vertical, and then, uh,
we pat them down to make sure they don't have a fake I.D., etc.,um....uh, we, uh,
attend ourself in, um, plain clothes and we drop our juvenile off at, uh, tobacco
stores. For instance it would be Black and Gold Vapors. Um, on that day we....
our initial check was,uh, November 13 of 2018, um, we had our minor walk into
Black and Gold, uh, Vapors, um, our minor presented his juvenile I.D. We keep
eyes on 'em, um, and on that specific date, um, one of the cashiers, uh, who was
identified, um, sold to our minor and when he was asked why he sold, he said he
was tired and it was a long day, um, so at that moment that,uh, that cashier was
cited. Urn, we then do follow-up checks. Urn, it looks like that person that
sell....sell the check, or sell the tobacco, um,pleaded guilty on 11....November
29, 2018. Urn, we then went back on...April 3rd to the same place, Black and
Gold, cause we have to do rechecks. Urn, same instance. We had a juvenile, urn,
born in 2001,urn, we did the same thing where he went in there, we kept eyes on
him, he presented his, uh,juvenile I.D., uh, and then used money that we provided
with him and he, uh, was selled tobacco. Uh, we then go in, introduce ourself as,
uh, the....who we are as Iowa City Police and, uh, the same person that was
originally cited the first time was the same cashier this time. So he was cited a
second time and he was not happy with us. Um....he stated that....he looked at
his I.D. and just sold it. Um, it looks like he pled guilty on April 24th, 2019.
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So...uh...obviously they've had two violations. So....I hope that helps. I don't
know what else to say to you guys, so....
Throgmorton: Yeah. Okay. Any questions for Trai?
Dilkes: So this is the third violation in three years.
Throgmorton: Yeah, right. Okay. Thank you! Would anybody else like to address this topic?
Okay, seeing no one, could I have a motion to approve please?
2. Consider a Resolution
Cole: So moved.
Thomas: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Cole, seconded by Thomas. Discussion?
Teague: Is there anything that we're doin' for convenience stores or anybody that's sell...
tobacco,just as a training tool for their staff? Urn, I think it would be very
powerful if, you know, a couple of these videos that are public were available to
staff that are sellin' tobacco and,urn, alcohol products. I think the biggest thing is
we really don't want....you know, underage individuals to have exposure to it. It's
not the....the point of, you know, racking up tickets and fines. So is there
anything that the City is doin', or is there any type of program out there that can
be given to, urn,people within our community that sell products,urn, of alcohol
and...and, urn, tobacco products?
Dilkes: There....there certainly has been with alcohol, urn....State has done certain TIPS
trainings, etc., and....and there's, has been in the past, you know, if....if you get
one incident and you've done that TIPS training, you can get a pass on that first
one. In terms of, um, tobacco, I don't know if there's.....sure, Officer, if
you're....familiar with(unable to hear, speaking away from mic)
Bunch: I know that each one goes through, uh, each place are allowed, through the ABD,
they go through the iPledge program. Urn, it is the same with tobacco where, uh,
they have their employees take a class or they take a class on training, urn, and
then, uh, they are given a pass. Uh, I'm not sure if they got a pass the first time
they failed,but urn, we also do,uh, we have officers do community policing,
follow up around with, uh, providing....especially if it's a fake I.D., show 'em
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what fake I.D.s look like, urn, and so....there's.....there's training, and a lot of
times it's, um, with....with, like you mentioned video, urn, in our reports.
Obviously are public each time when, uh, it is....this instance occurs, we...we
notate in our report what the person who sells the tobacco or alcohol to the minor,
and each time they say, they give an excuse as, 'Oh, I thought he looked old
enough,' or'I thought, urn....um....such and such,' and a lot of times with a lot of
the new businesses, they have to manually enter in the date of birth. So lot of
times what we're happening and seeing on camera, they're overriding the system.
So I...I don't know if it's, uh....um, a lack of training. I think it's a lack of, uh,
responsibility on some....some of the employees. So I hope that helps,but I...I
agree and, uh, with the....I don't know exactly what training they go through, but
I know it is offered so that they do get a pass the first time.
Taylor: Because the person that you've sent in to purchase is using their actual I.D., with
their actual (both talking)
Bunch: Yep!
Throgmorton: Okay! Thanks!
Cole: I....I agree with Bruce. Um, it would be...it's nice that we do have that program,
and I think of for example our....our parking tickets. Not exactly analogous, but
the first one is free, and then there's sort of that graduated approach. So I totally
get where you're comin' from. But they're still guilty.
Throgmorton: Any further discussion? Hearing none, roll call please. Motion carries 7-0.
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12. Alcohol Sales in City Parks at City-Sponsored Events—Ordinance amending
Title 4,Alcoholic Beverages, Chapter 5, Prohibitions and Restrictions,
Section 5, Open Containers; and Title 10, Public Ways and Property,
Chapter 9, Parks and Recreation Regulations, Section 2, Prohibited Actions
in Parks, to allow alcohol to be sold in City Parks at City-sponsored events
pursuant to permits issued by the City. (Second Consideration)
Throgmorton: This is second consideration, but staff has requested expedited action. Come on,
Susan! (laughter and several talking)
Mims: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and voted on for
passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally
passed be suspended, that the second consideration and vote be waived, and that
the ordinance be voted on for final passage at this time.
Taylor: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Taylor. Discussion?
Teague: So (laughs) I don't know if you all saw a memo that I sent about, urn, the alcohol
in the parks. So a part of why I sent that is the last time we had this discussion,
urn, it's not that I wasn't supportive of alcohol,uh, for City events. It's more so if
we're gonna, you know, talk about alcohol in the parks and under shelters, um,
and do you all know what I'm referring to? (several responding)
Throgmorton: ....what was in the late handout?
Teague: Yes, what was in the late handout.
Throgmorton: Yeah, I saw it.
Teague: So that was deferred, so that was deferred, urn, indefinitely by Council, and so... I
really do believe that for me,we should have both discussions about, you know,
the City selling, as well as, uh, individual families and people within our
community bein' able to have alcohol in the parks. The staff had, you know,
suggested that this take place and it was....got to the third vote and then just
deferred. Again I think when you parcel out,urn, you know, somethin' of alcohol
in the parks, I really do think that, urn, it's already....the discussion has already
been had with Council, urn, the third vote for that was deferred. I really do
believe that both these conversations should kinda happen together. Urn....I don't
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know if I can go into, uh, what other City policies are,uh, related to the alcohol in
the parks, but there was definitely cities around us that do that. Now the City is
kind of,um, asking that this be done, urn, at....at, you know, at our discretion, and
so I guess my proposal would be, is that we come back and.....look at alcohol in
the parks, so we either defer this one until we match 'em all together. I'm not
exactly sure how we can do that, but I....I do wanna get the alcohol in the parks a
part of the discussion at some point, but I wanted to make a point that....that has
been deferred, um....and if we're gonna do this, I almost feel like the....the
discussion should almost happen simultaneously.
Throgmorton: Okay, the motion on the floor has to do with waiving second consideration.
Teague: Yes.
Throgmorton: Uh, and now you're....you're suggesting basically that there's more to talk about,
and therefore you would not want to waive second consideration.
Teague: I....I think I would waive second consideration and....and I'm ready to vote for
this tonight,but I also wanted to make a point that this we need to get on the
agenda. I would rather they happen simultaneously but I'm willin'to make a....
make a vote tonight for the, um, recommendation that's on the floor right now.
Throgmorton: Okay, so why don't we deal with the waiver first and we can consider the rest of it
next. Any further discussion about waiving second consideration? Hearing none,
roll call please. All right, motion carries 7-0.
Mims: Oh, move final consideration. I'm asleep tonight(laughs)
Thomas: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Thomas. Discussion? Okay....
Mims: I would......Bruce and I talked about this a couple days ago and I agree that we
should bring that other discussion back up. I think there is....there were lots of
issues at the time, I think there still are lots of issues in terms of opening it up
generally, but I think it is definitely, urn, worth taking a little time to have that
discussion, but I'm....I certainly see the distinction between that discussion of
general public versus, um, the City selling at specific City-sponsored events, and
given the opening of Riverfront Crossings Park and the events that are hopefully
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coming up there, um, I certainly wanna go ahead and support this tonight. I
support your point, Bruce, of having that other discussion.
Throgmorton: Any further discussion?
Cole: I do view the two as apples and oranges in the sense,uh,we're basically talking
about, urn, highly structured City-regulated events with adequate staffing,urn, as
opposed to unrel...unregulated, and I think that second discussion is something
beyond the scope of what we're doing tonight. Urn, certainly....I'd love to talk
with you afterwards about what my position is on that, but I think as tonight I'm
really comforter....comfortable we have the security precautions in place to
ensure that it's done in a very responsible way. Who knows, maybe some of the
strictures that we evaluate tonight may....may provide a template for other types
of activities that we prevent in the parks.
Throgmorton: Further discussion? Hearing none, roll call please. Motion carries 7-0.
Dilkes: So can I just get clarification. Are we.....are we talkin' about a work session for
that...other issue or(both talking)
Throgmorton: What did you have in mind (several talking)
Teague: I think if....if the third vote was deferred, we can potentially just get it on the
formal agenda. It was deferred indefinitely, correct? I don't know all the
processes.
Throgmorton: When was that, Bruce?
Dilkes: Yeah, I'd...I haven't looked at it, have you (several talking) It was quite a while
ago and....was it deferred indefinitely? Did you check on that?
Teague: Yes!
Dilkes: Yeah, because the Council....
Monroe: August 31st, 2017, there was a memo from Simon,uh, recommending third
consideration be, of the ordinance amendment indefinitely.
Andrew: We had, uh, gone through the first two readings and Council requested that we
reach out to the Partnership, uh, for Alcohol Safety, at the University, where Jim's'
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the co-chair and I serve on that committee as well. Uh, at that discussion, uh, that
committee was not comfortable with moving forward with it. They didn't, uh,
agree with the message it would send to students. At the staff level we are
comfortable moving forward with it. That was our original recommendation.
And the Parks Commission recommended it as well. So we had some differing
voices in the community, but staff is certainly comfortable with moving forward
with, uh, alcohol in park shelters on a limited basis.
Cole: At least my two cents is I....my own preference is is that I would not want it
coming back before us until we had a work session. That's probably not the top
on my list of work session topics, as Jim points out. We do have a lot in terms of
work session. I do remain strongly opposed to that proposal, as it was, which did
include up to pony kegs, um, which I am completely opposed to, um,but if we
(mumbled) a work session at some point, I am totally okay with a discussion
about that. That's just my position. We'll see if(mumbled) support for that.
Throgmorton: (both talking) I agree with Rockne.
Teague: Work session, I agree.
Seydell-Johnson: Could I just add a note about the timing? Most of our summer rentals are
already in the books, so I don't know that there's any rush to do this for this
particular summer. It probably would be more appropriate to have the discussion
late summer, early fall in preparation for the next season—graduation parties and
(mumbled)
Throgmorton: Okay, so we should put that on our list of pending work session topics, down at
the bottom somewhere. (several talking in background) Course any new item on
the pending list would go to the bottom and then we'll do whatever we're gonna
do.
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13. Utility Rate Ordinance—Ordinance amending title 3, entitled "Finances,
taxation and fees," chapter 4, entitled "schedule of fees,rates,charges,
bonds,tines and penalties" of the city code to increase water service charges
and storm water service charges. (Pass and Adopt)
Throgmorton: Could I have a motion please?
Thomas: So moved.
Cole: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Thomas, seconded....uh, you're just a little bit late, Maz!
Salih: (both talking) second.
Throgmorton: Thanks (laughs) Uh, moved by Thomas, seconded by Cole. Discussion?
Anybody want to address this topic, in the audience that is? Okay, seeing no one,
Council discussion? Hearing none, roll call please. Motion carries 7-0.
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14. Moratorium on rental permits—Ordinance amending Title 17 of the City
Code(Building and Housing) to establish a moratorium until March 7, 2020
on the issuance of new rental permits for single-family and duplex units in
RS-5,RS-8, and RNS-12 zones within certain rental permit districts in the
Rental Impact Area shown in Figure 17-1 of the City Code. (Pass and Adopt)
Mims: Move adoption(both talking)
Throgmorton: ...pass and adopt, so, um....moved by Mims. Seconded by?
Teague: Second.
Throgmorton: Teague. (several talking) Discussion? Would anybody in the audience like to
address this? Good evening!
Villhauer: Good evening, my name is Chris Villhauer. I'm with the Greater Iowa City
Apartment Association and the reason I'm here today is to....one,to make sure
you received and had a chance to look at the letters that were sent to you this
week,uh,one from our attorney, Jodie McDougal from Davis Brown Law Firm,
and also one from Pete McRoberts,uh, with the Landlords of Iowa, who's our
executive director. The Greater Iowa City Apartment Association is a local
association. We belong to the Landlords of Iowa, as well, which is a statewide
organization. Urn.....I won't go through everything they have in the letters,
stating how...but I will repeat a couple things as far as as you will note the State
issued a, uh,basically a, uh,where you can't have caps on rentals and the
moratorium is basically a cap on rentals. Urn,but the other reason I'm here too is
I was here for the first reading. I missed the second one unfortunately, and at the
first reading, um, a lot of people from the Council said really wish you guys
would have been here earlier,would have been nice to have some conversation
with you guys earlier, and I just want to make sure everybody's aware that, uh, we
met,members of the Greater Iowa City Apartment Association met with Doug
Boothroy before he retired and the City Manager before the first moratorium and
came up with different ideas that we thought might be workable for all parties
involved. We thought we were coming to the table so we can get information.
We didn't hear back from the City at all on that. Moratorium came in....okay. So,
now,uh,the State gets involved and makes a ruling on it, and the City once again
decides, eh,we don't like that;we'll make our own rules instead. So, on behalf of
the Greater Iowa City Apartment Association....I would urge you to not adopt this
moratorium,um.....no matter what happens, I would ask that in the future
members of our group,maybe members of ICAR and some other people in groups
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(mumbled) the City and come up with some workable solutions that we feel, and
you would feel (mumbled) mutually beneficial for everybody involved. And
that's why I'm here.
Throgmorton: Thank you, Chris.
Villhauer: Thank you.
Throgmorton: Good evening.
Falk: Good evening. My name's Mark Falk. I'm a resident in the Miller-Orchard
Neighborhood. I've been there 16 years. I own the place. Urn, I wanna speak in
favor of the moratorium. Um.....I believe in a diverse neighborhood, which we
have, um....but I don't wanna see much more rental in my neighborhood than we
have already. I mean I'm pretty much okay with what we have. A lot of the
problems we have come from rental units. But, okay, whatever. Uin....I just....I
just don't wanna see my neighborhood turned into a rental zone. Thank you.
Throgmorton: Thank you, Mark! Anyone else? Good evening.
Olson: Hi. My name is Jane Olson, and I live with Mark. I'm his partner. (clears throat)
First of all, um.....I would like to say because I haven't that the job, urn,that was
done taking trees down, doing the sewers, that whole thing—the water—last, this
last, um, summer was really well done.
Throgmorton: Oh fabulous! Thanks!
Olson: I...just about everybody I've talked to thought it was a wonderful,urn, end to that
project. And...and the, urn, I haven't seen the, all the trees that were replanted,but
urn, the lawns were nicely done and....yeah, we feel good about that! Um, as for
....having more rental properties than we already do, um, I understand, you know,
why.....maybe why the State wants to, you know, not put a cap on that,but from
what I've seen, and I've been there 10 years, um, a lot of the problems that we
have in that whole neighborhood has to do with rental properties and the people
who are living there short-term. And I just wanted to give you a couple examples.
Uh....one happened right out in my front yard and one in my back yard. The one
in my front yard were about,um.....three older kids beating up, uh, about a nine-
year-old kid, right in my front yard and they were hurting him. There were
several others standing around just watching. I had to go out and start yelling and
then maybe some of the mothers came to the door and opened the door to see
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what it was all about,but until I yelled as loud as I could, it wasn't gonna stop.
Uh, and that was really troubling to me. I myself couldn't have gone out and
stopped it. Um, it...you know, I....that kid was already hurt. The other was we
were having some, um.....construction work done inside the house, a remodeling,
and our contractor took a break outside and we were sitting with him at the table.
All of a sudden a rock came over the house and that far from our contractor's head
and we ran around, well I didn't run,but I walked real fast, around to see who
threw it. There were several kids over there, all of them from, um,houses where
the...that were being rented, and of course nobody had seen a thing and didn't
know what....who had thrown that. But it just seems to me that all of....all of
these, a lot of these problems that happen, that happen in that neighborhood,
happen because there are people there, short-term. They don't stay. They don't
get to know the other people in the neighborhood. They don't care about the other
people in the neighborhood. Um, I'm speaking on behalf of....of,uh, a person
who, um.....lives, a....a neighbor of ours who is a homeowner and also one who
is a long-time renter, and they feel pretty much the same,that it's....it's, um,
probably.....there's enough police action already in that neighborhood, down
there, and some just very recently, and we think a lot of it comes from....comes
because it's not a real stable neighborhood. I'm not saying it all comes from
renters. I'm not saying that. But when a neighborhood is not real stable, and
people don't care about each other, that's when things start to happen. So I would
like to see a moratorium. I'm not sure what your(difficult to hear, turned away
from mic)but if you did have, um, conversation(mumbled) I would hope that the
rent....that the, all the people in these areas would be allowed to come and speak
also, and that...that we would be(mumbled)
Throgmorton: Excuse me, Jane.
Olson: Yeah?
Throgmorton: You should be addressing us, but....but more to the point, I don't know if you
heard at the start. I wanted to keep people limited to not more than three minutes.
Olson: I'm finished.
Throgmorton: Yeah. Thank you. Anyone else? (several talking) Thanks. Anyone else? Yeah,
go ahead!
Dickson: I'm David Dickson, frequent visitor to Iowa City. Urn, and as a visitor, the....the
ability of people to come and stay here for a period of time is something of
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interest and something I've followed. I don't really wanna sit...sit up here and
necessarily talk about what I think in terms of this whole idea of balance or
anything like that,but I wanna ask two questions. Urn, it's been difficult for me to
figure out if there's any difference from the way the permitting structure in Iowa
City worked prior to this month, and where specifically, you know, who would be
able to get a permit, who wouldn't, either by address or whether or not you've
already got a permit, what would be different under a moratorium than what
previously existed, and then perhaps more importantly, at the end of 10 months, if
you don't have something figured out, what's plan B? Is it simply just to walk
away and the moratorium ends or is there some suggestion that a moratorium
would be continued and effectively become permanent? Urn, I....I know you're
gonna have a discussion amongst yourselves and maybe....maybe in that context
we can hear some discussion as to what those....what those differences are and
what the long-term plan is. Thank you.
Throgmorton: Thanks, David. I can answer the second question that you asked,uh, pretty
clearly. We have no intention whatsoever of extending a moratorium ad
infinitum, you know, on indefinitely into the future. That's not gonna happen.
When we get to 10 months, if we haven't adopted somethin' new....then we're just
into the world of....acting without any....any new.....ordinances or rules in effect.
But we need time in order to figure out whether there are some other new rules or
ordinances, etc., that could be used in this, for this particular situation. But it's not
gonna continue indef....indefinitely. I don't know, does staff wanna try to answer
his first question?
Andrew: Urn, probably the best way to go about it if we wanted to talk more about the
history of it is to have him reach out to staff and we can meet with him offline.
Throgmorton: Yeah (unable to hear response from audience) Please....please don't talk from the
back of the room. The thing to do is to reach out to staff and get some elaboration
from them. Thanks for coming, David. Anyone else? All right, seeing no one
else, roll call please. No, we don't (several talking) I'm sorry, discussion among
the Council?
Taylor: Personally I was, uh, really glad to see it was....it was good to see that, uh, we
received many letters, uh, from community members throughout the community,
not just one side of town,uh, that were in support of this and encouraging us...us
to do the moratorium. So I....I'm in favor of voting to proceed with this.
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Teague: I think for me, um, all the stakeholders, you know, for them to be a part of the
solution development, that's gonna be pretty important, even though supporting
and against the moratorium,um, I think it's important to have their voices at the
table. And I know that that's part of what we've already discussed and I believe
that that's gonna happen, and urn.....there is a....there's a little bit of a stigma that
some might say is happening, when it relates to renters within our community.
Um, and it's not a positive stigma, that some might say, as far as renters, and I
believe that everybody is, you know, invaluable within our community and um,
every neighborhood there should be inclusion of home owners, urn, as well as
renters, and so I wanna just caution people that while havin' the conversations, be
mindful of verbiage that might be offensive to some, and so that...I'll just put out,
put that out there. I am gonna support this tonight because I do believe we need a
transitional period. I've already, you know, made my point about tryin'to, ya
know, fast-pace this, not to the point that we just create somethin'that, um, that
we haven't thoroughly thought about, um,but I do think that it's important that
we, um, give this great thought and push it as fast as we can. If it does take 10
months, then I'm gonna, you know,be okay with that,because that...given the
staff time and the....the voices of the community, uh, it will take that. So I will
support this tonight.
Cole: Yeah, and I think we've had this discussion about renter versus home owners, and
I don't like that sort of language either. We shouldn't distinguish. Um, one of the
things we talked a little bit about in the work session is a little bit of Iowa City
history, in terms of the challenges the City had in the 1950s in terms of providing
adequate space for a lot of veterans that were returning on the G.I. bill. Urn, and
so what that resulted in over time was a lot of density in individual single-family
homes that really weren't designed as such. Um, and so that prevented....that
created a lot of challenges in terms of numbers of people in units that weren't
designed for that. So I don't look at this as a question of renter versus non-renter.
What I look at this is a view of optimal density in residential structures, much in
the same way if we're looking at a restaurant. We have limitations in the number
of people who can be in a building because of fire code. There are legitimate
health and safety reasons. The difficulty's in the details. We certainly have
received a lot of letters from, uh,high-powered names on certain letterheads and
we certainly understand that's a possibility,but I would hope people remember Ab
Lincoln's abolition that try to settle your case with your neighbor first and avoid
litigation if you can. I was very pleased with the last comment you had made,
after you had mentioned the possibility of the lawyer (mumbled) the Landlord's
Association remains willing to be a constructive partner in developing a matter of
shared concern because I know as you as an entity you'd much be rather putting
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your money into your rental units, into your communities rather than, you know,
waste it on a whole bunch of...of lawyers. So I'm hoping that we can channel our
energy in constructive solutions and regardless of what happens in the past, you
know, let's not look in the rear view minor. I hope we can look forward, and we
are opening our hands to you, as well as other community members, to hopefully
find a solution that is going to work for everyone. Maybe we won't agree on
everything, but I'm hoping that we can engage that....that process, and as Bruce
points out, this just gives us time to have a transitional process and I think it's
better if it's a process that we can get the greatest number of people to agree to,
uh, so we don't get another message from the legislature that they don't like the
direction that we've taken.
Thomas: Well I...I've spoken at the first and second readings, uh....somewhat at length in
terms of the, you know, the process and what I see some of the issues are that we
face, and I...I won't go over them again, but...I would say in summary, you know,
the challenge we're facing is how do we achieve that notion of diversity and
balance in terms of, urn, who....who lives in the core neighborhoods, and that,
you know, it's been something that's....been an issue, an ongoing issue, for
decades. Uh, so....once again we'll have an opportunity to bring....bring all the
various points of view on this to the table. I would mention, I hope the University
is part of this as well, urn.....you know, what their plans are with respect to
providing housing, uh that's part of the mix that we're talking about in terms of,
urn, providing, you know, residential opportunities for all members of our
community. Um, so I look forward to, uh, having that conversation. Um, kind of
ancillary to that is the idea that, I know Jim has talked about and I've talked about
for I would think maybe five years, and that is how can we create additional
housing opportunities in the core neighborhoods, that would help promote the
goals of diversity and affordability, and that's intimately tied to trying to resolve
this issue. Uh, if we can't resolve this issue,being able to progress and move
forward on creating that greater diversity and affordability may not be able to
progress. So I'm....I'm hopeful we can....I wanna remain optimistic that we can
solve....solve the problem of balance so we can move forward with creating more
housing opportunities, uh, in the core neighborhoods.
Throgmorton: Other comments?
Salih: I really just warma add.....um.....I want to encourage the City staff to come up
with solution during this transition period as soon as possible, a solution that work
for everyone and focus on the reason that why we, to begin with, we had the
rental cap. Of course some people came over and complain about that that why I
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rather encourage the City staff to(unable to understand) that made us do the rental
cap and so we can (unable to understand).
Throgmorton: Thank you, Maz. Anyone else? Okay, I wanna say a few words. Uh,
unfortunately the front page of one of our local newspapers today contained a
very misleading headline. I quote, "Will City cease rental permits?" It's very
important for everyone to know that this moratorium is temporary. It pertains
only to new rental permits in limited parts of the city. It's not about ceasing rental
permits. Likewise, it is important to know that renters currently constitute
approximately 50 to 75% of the residents in five of the affe....of the affected
districts. 50 to 75%. So, we have not....not.....not been trying to keep renters
out. We have not been trying to keep renters out. Much to the contrary, we are
trying to make it possible for owner-occupants to live in those districts too, and
thereby have a diverse demographic within neighborhoods located relatively close
to the University. That's what we're tryin' to do, and we now will be adopting, I
believe, a moratorium to enable our staff to develop some alternatives that will
enable us to do that. So, uh, with that in mind, I certainly will support this. Any
further discussion? Hearing none, roll call please. Motion carries 7-0. Could I
have a motion to accept correspondence please?
Teague: So moved.
Salih: Move!
Throgmorton: Moved by Teague, seconded by Salih. All in favor say aye. Opposed. Motion
carries. Wow, seems to be raining pretty hard out there.
Taylor: Sounds like it!
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15. City Park Adventure Playground—Resolution awarding contract and
authorizing the Mayor to sign and the City Clerk to attest a contract for
construction of the City Park Adventure Playground Project and the
purchase of the Playground Equipment.
Throgmorton: Could I have a motion to approve please?
Mims: So moved.
Thomas: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Mims, seconded by Thomas. Does anybody....Juli or anybody want to
address this? Anyone else in the audience want to address it? Seeing no one,
Council discussion?
Teague: So we had correspondence, um...just about.....how it wasn't totally inclusive for
individuals with disabilities. Urn.....yeah, can you come and share?
Seydell-Johnson: We did have one individual who was concerned about that and you saw the
correspondence that went back and forth. I did speak with her this afternoon. She
is happy with our efforts. She realizes that the site that we're building on is a
hillside, making it....the adventure play area. Um, she has some ideas for some
modifications we may be able to do in the future and I'm going to meet with her
Friday to talk about those. I don't think that affects going forward with the current
design in any way.
Teague: Okay.
Cole: Juli, don't we have a lot of rubberized play areas in other areas of town as well?
Seydell-Johnson: We do. Um, and you have to remember that inclusion is about more than just,
uh, kids with, or kids or adults with mobility aids. It's about having areas for
quiet play. It's about areas for,um, sound play, different types of play, and this
playground does a very nice job of doing all of these seven items that we look at.
Um, it is true that someone using a wheelchair would have difficult getting to the
top level of....of this particular structure, but there's a lookout at the top of the
hill. There's an embankment slide, um, down another portion of the site, urn,
there's lot of other things to do. So it more than meets any accessibility, uh,
guidelines or rules and regulations. Um, and we may be able to find another way
to get up to that top level. So....
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Teague: Thanks. I....I think it is very important that we, you know, always keep that in
mind, which it clearly...you....you're doing. Um, but it is important for, um, all
people, regardless of disabilities or whatever, uh, to have op....optimal use, urn,
which can mean various, um, things for various people, um, as far as optimal,
how they would be able to, but thanks for being very conscientious of all the
needs and....and bein' inclusive.
Seydell-Johnson: Well I should mention that, uh, of course Willow Creek Park is...demolition is
done now, and that playground is coming in. That one is meant to be even more
highly inclusive of all different types of needs. Uh, Villa Park playground is
almost complete, if it would stop raining (laughs) should be done in the next
couple weeks. That has an additional ramp and additional ways for access to the
playground area, and in fact it was moved from its original site to provide better
access to a wide range of people, and then Creekside Park, which will be coming
once the crews are done at Villa Park and can move to the Creekside playground.
Also had additional features added to it during design. So we exceed any type of
ADA access or any type of, uh,ADA requirements. We're really trying our best to
spread them out throughout the community so you have options throughout our
different playgrounds, and then each playground offers a little bit different taste
and a little bit different skill set or different experience. So when you look at our
system as a whole, I believe that we have a lot of inclusive options, urn, each
individual playground could be judged one way or the other,based on specific
attributes but the whole....I think you're doin' a great job with supporting
inclusion in our play.
Teague: Thank you. •
Andrew: I wanna make sure that Juli and our staff get proper credit for this. I serve as the
City's ADA Coordinator, and so I field a lot of these questions from the public,
and a lot of my colleagues are very jealous of me. When I go to our Parks and
Rec department, they already have these things thought about. They don't have to
do research. They are incorporating this into their dialogue when they're
beginning projects from the get-go. So I just wanted to make sure that was
pointed out.
Teague: Thank you!
Throgmorton: Thanks! Okay. Any further Council discussion about this? Hearing no
discussion,roll call please. Motion carries 7-0.
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16. Council Appointments
Throgmorton: This is gonna take us a little while, folks. We have, I don't know,how many
appointments to make? (several responding) A lot! (laughs) That's right, I'm
advising you to feel free to leave! (laughter) All right. So Item 16, Council
Appointments. Applicants must reside in Iowa City and be 18 years of age unless
specific qualifications are stated. The first is item 16a,Airport Commission. We
have one vacancy to fill a four-year term. And there's a female gender balance
requirement that, uh, for one female. We have received applications from two
individuals—Scott Clair and Minnetta Gardinier. Uh, and Minnetta....uh, is
serving,just finishing her second four-year term, and Scott Clair is a man. So....
what's your preference, folks?
Thomas: Well, Minnetta has served two terms. So if we're consistent in terms of...trying
to promote....people, you know, providing opportunities for serving on
commissions, it would seem like...it's appropriate to look for a...uh, a new
commissioner, uh, however, urn....the gender balance requirement is one female.
So it looks like Scott....if Scott were at that time, urn, still interested, uh, on
July 2nd of 2019, he would be....that's when the gender balance requirement is
dropped, so....(both talking)
Dilkes: I think when you have a, I mean I think the gender balance requirement's gonna
trump the policy on two appointments,because that's a State code provision, and
so you can certainly advertise again if you want and see if you get another female,
but if....if we, I think you're gonna have to appoint Minnetta, and get the gender
balance.
Throgmorton: Yeah, another thing in favor of her, though I'm worried about the fact that she's
now finished two terms, is that she has....she's one of only 6% of all pilots who
are female. I mean that's quite, you know, means she's unique and, uh....uh,we
should not disregard that fact. She's a recreational pilot who has a plane at the
Airport.
Mims: I agree...I mean I hear what you're saying, John....Jim,but I agree with John. I
think in terms of what we try to do, in terms of giving other people opportunities,
I think we should at least advertise it one more time and see if we can get any
other female applicants, and then if we don't, I'm more than comfortable in
reappointing her. I think she's done a great job, and like you say, she's part of a
very small demographic and we don't typically get tons of application for this
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commission. But I...I would like to give us one more shot at finding, giving
somebody else an opportunity(several talking)
Taylor: I agree somewhat with that, Susan, although her term ends, urn, June 30th and the
next posting....if John's saying(mumbled) and appoint Scott. It's such a small
commission, only five members. It would be nice to be able to have them have a
full committee, uh, and....with(mumbled) I know we don't want to be hypocrites
because other commissions we have not appointed somebody for a third....third
term, um....but....as Jim says with his quote,there are very few women out there.
It's difficult! And she has, as she said, she has a tremendous amount of
knowledge, working knowledge, about the Airport. (several talking)
Cole: Yeah, I'm gonna(several talking)
Mims: When would we....maybe this is what the two of you are trying to figure out.
When would we come back, if we don't appoint anybody tonight,how long would
we advertise and when would it come back to us for appointment?
Mikes: We typically advertise for 30 days. But I mean we don't have to do that. We can
advertise and we can bring it back to you on June....24th, is that.....what's our
second meeting in June?
Mims: Let's do that!
Dilkes: Anyway, we can bring it back to you at the second June meeting,regardless
(several talking) advertise it that way(several talking) 18th, June 18th. (several
talking)
Mims: ....first July meeting then, cause June 18th isn't....doesn't give us much time
(several talking)
Throgmorton: I'm comfortable with either one. Yeah. (mumbled)
Mims: July 2nd is our first(both talking)
Throgmorton: Okay, will we need a motion to do that? Or we just won't act on that (several
talking) All right, let's move to the Community Police Review Board. So we
have....uh, six applicants to fill one position. There's no gender balance
requirement. Uh, and the applicants are....let's check their names here, uh....
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Mims: (mumbled) (both talking)
Throgmorton: Well I don't have to (mumbled)
Mims: I thought Samuel Conaway was....there's some that don't have much on here and
there's a couple who I think served a lot, that I've kind of eliminated off my list.
Urn......but I thought Samuel Conaway looked like an interesting possibility.
Throgmorton: Well I found myself, uh, drifting toward either Conaway or....I don't know how to
pronounce her last name, or....or Rose (mumbled)
Taylor: Yeah.
Throgmorton: I'm happy with either one.
Taylor: Those were my two choices also, uh (mumbled)had two, she's....Parks and Rec,
which wasn't open at this point, but she said that CPRB would be,uh, preference,
uh.....so I could go....go with that person also.
Teague: Sam Con...Conaway was my....
Throgmorton: John?
Thomas: I have, you know, Don King, this was his, ending his first term, so I....you know
I
Mims: The only thing I would say about Don is he's been on before, and then off(both
talking)
Thomas: Oh, I didn't.....okay, I didn't know that (both talking)
Mims: Yeah,he's probably served six or eight years maybe.
Thomas: Okay!
Mims: And then was off and then came back on.
Thomas: All right. Well, Samuel Conaway was.....I think he applied for another, yeah he
was also on(both talking)
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Mims: HCDC (both talking)
Taylor: Which he said was his preference. He said HCDC was his preference.
Thomas: Oh, really?
Cole: I would support Sam Conaway.
Throgmorton: Okay, I hear sup....uh, Maz, did you wanna express a view?
Salih: ...actually, no. I.....I will go with the majority.
Throgmorton: Okay, so.....we're gonna, um, appoint Samuel Conaway. We'll have a motion
later on about this. All right, Historic....sorry? Yeah, all right, uh, the Historic
Preservation Commission, this is Item 16c. One vacancy to fill a three-year term
to an at-large position. There's a gender balance requirement. Apparently we
need four females, one male. So....and we have....how many?
Mims: ...four positions. Yeah, I was a little confused with that. (several talking)
Taylor: I was confused too!
Throgmorton: I think the one position is the East College Street position, cause that's vacant and
would remain vacant. That's what I'm guessing.
Teague: It's a male position?
Throgmorton: No, uh, but....it will be empty. So, I don't know. Julie, can you....advise us about
that?
Voparil: Overall the Historic Commission now has a gender balance. The gender balance
requirement, four females and one male. Um right now we currently have....
two females, five males.
Taylor: Five males.
Voparil: So that's why it says balance requirement is four females and one male.....for
overall.
Taylor: Overall.
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Dilkes: (several talking) So the way I'm reading this is that you need....you need to
appoint four females (several talking) Then the next....when there's a vacancy...
you have a male requirement.
Throgmorton: Okay(both talking) Let me suggest this, given the fact that we're...the four and
one is all about the total composition of the commission. Let's deal with the other
positions, the Jefferson Street position, Summit Street position, and Brown
Street position, because that'll change the four/one numbers, okay? So....I am,
uh, I'll just skip to Item 16d, which is Historic Preservation Commission,
Jefferson Street District, one vacancy to fill a three-year term. We have one
application from Lindi Kiple, uh.....and I'd.....if she lives in the district,which is
not entirely clear (both talking)
Taylor: She doesn't currently, right?
Mims: So we can't appoint her yet, can we?
Dilkes: Well I...I think we can appoint her effective, um....I mean they'd be without her,
but they've been without somebody for a long time. So, I say you appoint her
effective her move date, which I think she put on her application (both talking)
Teague: 7/26/19.
Dilkes: Yeah, 7/26 or somethin'.
Mims: Okay(several responding)
Cole: Sounds good to me!
Throgmorton: What did you say, effective move date?
Teague: 7/26/2019. The day before my birthday(laughter)
Throgmorton: Okay, so we're gonna appoint her, uh, effective that date. Um....then 16e is the
Summit Street District. So there's one vacancy to fill a three-year term there.
And we have one application from Cecile Kuenzli. She's just ending her first
term. I suggest we appoint Cecile. (several responding)
Salih: I agree.
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Throgmorton: Okay, and then there's the Brown Street District, Item 16f, Historic Preservation
Commission, Brown Street District. We have one vacacy....sorry,one vacancy to
fill a three-year term and one application. This one is from Sherry Degraw. I'd
suggest we appoint Sherry.
Teague: I do have a couple of....maybe more question. Urn, are we, are there
neighborhood associations that potentially we can reach out to, to inform of these,
to see if there's...can be some conversations happening?
Mims: To increase the number of applicants?
Teague: Yes. Because we're, I mean,these are....people repeating terms at this point. So
my assumption is that there could be (mumbled) communication. We also have
NextDoor, and I don't know if this was advertised on NextDoor,but people are
really gettin' in.....really startin' to read NextDoor. Um.....so I mean we can go
ahead and appoint,but I just wanted to bring it out that maybe that's another thing
that we can do in the future is reach out to associations, make them aware, as well
as post somethin' on NextDoor.
Monroe: Yeah, as long as we're permitted to do that, we're happy to share that with
Communications and make sure they're including our postings for these particular
neighborhood....roles.
Throgmorton: Yeah.
Teague: But I'll support Sharon.
Throgmorton: All right so....that means we have just said we're gonna appoint three females,
which brings us to a one-one balance. Yeah? Okay, so let's go back to 16a I guess
it is. So (both talking)
Mims: Okay, so now you're saying we can do either a male or female?
Throgmorton: One of each I think (mumbled)
Thomas: Well there's only one vacancy(several talking)
Dilkes: ...one vacancy.
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Throgmorton: Oh, right. Okay. But we can do (both talking)
Mikes: That's' what I have, I've got one....one female, one male which says to me you
can appoint either,unless, Julie, you (mumbled)
Throgmorton: ....one position. All right.
Mims: I'm gonna recommend Jordan Se...Sellergren, um, of all the people who've applied
she's the only one who reached out to me, um, she's....been doing a renovation of
a historic home on the north side and I think very, you know, interested, um, in
this area and....and has first-hand experience in terms of renovating a home that
could easily have been, ended up being torn down in terms of new development.
So, um....
Dilkes: I'm sorry, Susan, I missed who you were (several responding)
Cole: Well I would agree. I'm a big fan of Jordan. She does a lot of really good work
and has,uh, active comments in terms of her yard and her house and those sorts of
things. I think she brings a unique vision.
Taylor: I would agree.
Throgmorton: (both talking) like to say a word on behalf of Austin Wu (laughter) I'm serious, I
mean I think Jordan probably would be very good appointment. I think Austin
would as well. And....so I....happy to go along with Jordan, but uh, I was really
intrigued by your own....don't talk back to me but your own expressed interest in
taking photographs of his...changes in historic structures over time in different
parts of the city and that kind of thing,Austin. Yeah.
Teague: I guess I'm....I was also supportin'Austin, except he's also the only applicant for
the Telecommunications (laughs) Commission and so....
Cole: Austin's gathering too much power though, isn't he(laughs) (several talking)
Throgmorton: All right, I think I'm heal...hearing support for Sellergren? All right. Why don't
we get t these out of the way here (mumbled) So I'd like to hear a motion to
appoint Jordan Sellergren to the at-large position, Lindi Kiple to the Jefferson
Street position, Cecile Kuenzli to the Summit Street District position, and Sharon
Degraw to the Brown Street District, all for the Historic Preservation
Commission.
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Cole: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Cole, seconded by Mims. All in favor say aye. Opposed. Motion
carries. All right so that gets us to Item 16g.
Mims: Do you want to go back and do CPRB? Or do you (mumbled)
Taylor: Oh, I thought we did CPRB.
Mims: I don't think (several talking)
Throgmorton: So, uh, could I have a motion to appoint Samuel Conaway to the Community
Police Review Board?
Teague: So moved.
Mims: Second.
Throgmorton: (mumbled) (several talking) Moved by Teague, seconded by Mims. All in favor
say aye. Opposed. Motion carries. All right, so we've got those two
commissions done....which brings us to Item (mumbled) uh, brings us to Item
16g, Housing and Community Development Commission. We have two
vacancies to fill three-year terms. There's, uh, the gender balance requirement is
one female, one none, and we have applications from....(mumbled) let's see,
from, uh......what's the number? Eleven applications. So.....
Teague: Do people name fall off this list at some point? I....I think applications....how
does that work?
Throgmorton: What do you mean?
Voparil: I believe it's after six months (both talking)
Teague: After six months? Someone reached out to me and their name wasn't on the list,
but they reached out to me about 30 minutes before the meeting (laughs) and I
said I didn't see their name, I don't recall it, and....and it wasn't here. So....but I
can reach out to them and just have a conversation.
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Voparil: And we can look that up.
Teague: Okay.
Voparil: (mumbled)
Teague: Okay. Thanks!
Taylor: Seemed like one of the applicants, the date on the application was like May of 18.
So....that's a little longer than six months.
Throgmorton: Yeah, there was one.
Teague: Yeah, for some reason I thought it was a year,but I could be wrong (several
talking)
Voparil: Well in that case maybe it's a year.
Taylor: Maybe a year?
Voparil: Yeah. I can look into that. (several talking)
Throgmorton: We have (both talking)
Voparil: Maybe it is a year.
Throgmorton: We have a one female requirement, uh, for.....and there are two vacancies, right?
So....uh, let's choose a female.
Cole: I'm supportive of Lindsey Kealey....for the HCDC.
Throgmorton: Me too.
Taylor: Yeah, I'm also supportive of Lindy. I, as she probably approached some of you
too, I'm always impressed when the applicant, uh, calls directly to reach out
and....and, uh, introduce themselves, although I've known Lindy for a while.
Social worker,hard worker, really dedicated and she actually said she had read
through all the 2019 minutes and I think (laughter) I think she'd be excellent.
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Cole: I think she would too.
Thomas: Yeah, I too....I think, you know, you certainly encourage anyone interested in
commission service to, uh, reach out to the Council. I think that does make them
stand out if they do that.
Throgmorton: Okay, I'm hearing Lyn Dee Hook-Kealey. All right. And then we have one other
position and there's....it has no gender balance requirement.
Teague: So Joe didn't look like he actually served on any other commissions. (several
talking) He has?
Mims: ....a lot!
Taylor: Very good, very excellent.
Throgmorton: I wanna suggest Matt....Matt Drabek.
Cole: Oh yeah, Matt is great. I'd support Matt. He's a good writer too!
Throgmorton: Any....any other suggestions, or....is there agreement to appoint Matt.... Drabek?
Cole: Got three for Matt Drabek? Do I hear a four? •
Thomas: Sure!
Cole: Four for Matt.
Throgmorton: yeah. Okay....without objection then we'll appoint, or you know, well appoint
Matt Drabek to the commission. So let's' get a motion on the floor here about
appointing Lyn Dee Hook Kealey and Matt Drabek to the Housing and
Community Development Commission.
Taylor: So moved.
Cole: Second.
Throgmorton: Moved by Teylor...Taylor, seconded by Cole. All in favor say aye. Motion
carries. All....all opposed. Motion carries. Item 16h, Library Board of Trustees.
We have three vacancies to fill, a one six-year term and there's....oh, two male
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and one none gender balance requirement. That must be...is that, well we have
three vacancies to fill, three six-year terms, right? The text in front of me says to
fill a six-year term. That's three, isn't it? Yeah, okay. So three vacancies to fill....
Dilkes: The term is six years.
Throgmorton: Three separate terms (several talking) Okay. And the gender balance requirement
is two male and one...uh, male or female. Uh, I....I have to, uh, admit with some
embarrassment, I did not have time to read these. So....
Mims: I would support Tom Rocklin.
Throgmorton: Tom's very good.
Mims: Yep,Tom would be excellent.
Cole: I would support Tom.
Thomas: Yeah.
Taylor: Tom (both talking)
Thomas: Hard to say no there.
Taylor: Yeah, I mean I....he gave a good spiel. Yeah.
Salih: (mumbled)
Taylor: And I know Janet's been on there, but uh, she certainly made a good point in the
fact that, uh, she'd like to help the....the new director be successful. I...I liked
that, that she'd said that.
Mims: Yeah but I....I think when we....I think we've gotten to that point, if people have
finished a term and we have other (both talking)
Taylor: ....other applicants (both talking)
Mims: ....we give them consideration (both talking) and we do (both talking)
Throgmorton: These are long-term (several talking)
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Thomas: These are six years so I think it's.....
Throgmorton: Well, are there other suggestions?
Taylor: Well, in that case Hannah Shultz is another female and she said that she had
reviewed the agenda and minutes, and she's familiar with,uh, the initiatives, uh,
programs at the Library.
Mims: We don't have a gender....(both talking)
Throgmorton: We have a two male(both talking)
Taylor: ....we've got the female, okay. (mumbled)
Thomas: I'm fine with Hannah personally.
Mims: Yeah, that's....Hannah's fine!
Throgmorton: Uh, I....I think I've heard three people supporting Hannah.
Cole: I'd support Hannah.
Throgmorton: All right.
Salih: I support Hannah too.
Throgmorton: All right so given that choice, we need to select a man....for gender balance
purposes.
Taylor: We have four males.
Throgmorton: Uh, which is either Justin Ford or Harry Olmstead, or Derek Johnk.
Mims: Again, I would say not Harry. He's not....no disrespect to Harry, but he's served
a lot of years on a lot of different commissions and we've been trying to (several
talking)
Cole: I love Harry! He does awesome work but....Jeff Ford also has done awesome
work too.
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Throgmorton: Justin Ford.
Cole: Justin Ford, okay!
Throgmorton: So....does anybody have.....you know, anybody wanna advocate for Justin Ford
or for Derek Johnk?
Thomas: Uh, I would support Derek. Um.....I met him through the master planning for the
parks, uh, system and....seemed to be engaging, community-oriented resident.
Cole: I would agree. I'd support Derek.
Throgmorton: I'm not sure that I know Derek, so I feel at a loss personally. So I'm hearin'two
persons in favor (noise on mic) uh...
Teague: I would support Derek.
Throgmorton: Three.
Cole: Do I hear a fourth for Derek (both talking)
Throgmorton: Well I....you know him, is that correct? One of you, I'm not sure(both talking)
Cole: ....John's good judgment.
Thomas: I....I've met him. I....
Throgmorton: Well there's the mistake, I'll (laughter)
Cole: Does that switch your vote, Jim? (laughs)
Throgmorton: All right, I'll support Derek Johnk. I think that (mumbled) four people in favor.
All right, so let's get a motion on the floor here about, for the Library Board of
Trustees. Uh, could I have a motion to appoint Derek Johnk,Thomas Rocklin,
and Hannah Shultz to the Library Board of Trustees?
Cole: So moved.
Teague: Second.
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Throgmorton: Moved by Cole, seconded by Teague. All in favor say aye. Opposed. Motion
carries! 16i,Telecommunications Commission. We have one vacancy to fill a
three-year term. There's a, uh, female gender balance requirement and we have
one application from Andrew Austin. So we should defer on this just as we are
for the Airport Commission, right?
Taylor: This one's tough too because, uh, they've had several meetings where they haven't
been able to hold 'em because of a lack of quorum (mumbled) vacancies, so
hopefully we'll get someone, or we can appoint him....after time.
Throgmorton: Okay, so I think we're done with Item 16.
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18. Community Comment
Throgmorton: Austin, did you want to say a word or two?
Wu: Hello, everyone, uh,Austin Wu, UI Student Government,uh, City Liaison. I don't
have too much, except congratulations to all the graduating seniors, which was
last Sunday. Uh, so another class has came and went. Um, the other thing I
noticed this morning on my walk to work was, uh, the restriping project for
Clinton Street has begun, the bicycle lanes. I saw the signs put up this morning.
Very happy about that! So, glad to see it finally(both talking)
Throgmorton: Yeah, great!
Wu: That's all I have to say!
Throgmorton: On that point, I rode on the restriped and resurfaced Governor Street yesterday or
the day before. It was a thrill! (laughs) I enjoyed it a lot!
Thomas: It really does make a difference in terms of the, uh, lane...
Throgmorton: It does!
Thomas: ...the lane(both talking)
Throgmorton: Yeah!
Thomas: ....width.
Throgmorton: Okay!
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19. City Council Information
Throgmorton: Could we start with Susan and move to the right.
Mims: Nothing!
Taylor: Let's see, um....last Wednesday I attended a ceremony held for Police Week at
Terry Trueblood. Uh, it's an event that's done in recognition of a national day and
week, uh, to honor law enforcement members who have fallen in service. Uh,
we've been fortunate, uh, to have....for quite a long time, to not have to remember
anyone that we've lost, uh,but we do this to emphasize also the contribution and
willingness of officers to serve. Uh, this year the event included Coralville, North
Liberty, the University, and the Sheriffs Department, where previously they just
had Iowa City here at City Hall. Uh, Reverend Schlachter, uh, chaplain with the
Police Department was expecting about 50 people,but there were at least 125 to
150 people. It was a...At was an excellent turnout. Was a very nice event and
that included,uh, and I get goosebumps now even thinking about it, the color
guard, the presentation of the colors, uh, always gives me goosebumps as they, uh,
watching as the solemnly present the colors. It's really nice, uh, also had a very
nice lunch! So, next year folks should try to make it to that if they didn't this year.
Uh, let's see....that evening, uh,prese....uh, attended a really fun event,
(mumbled) Melody from the....our Iowa City Public Library gave an interesting
presentation, uh, at....actually at Big Grove Brewery, uh, about the history of the
ped mall, and a lot of photos from the 60s and 70s and how we've progressed
and, uh, the downtown area in general. That was really well attended too. Uh,
noisy there(laughs)but uh, good presentation. Um, on, uh,Thursday, uh, I
attended for, uh, Jim the Board of Directors meeting for the Iowa City/Coralville
Area, uh, Visitors Bureau. Uh, they talked a lot about the arena, uh, that's, uh...
already underway there, uh, building in Coralville, and....they talked about many,
many groups that, uh, already want to book events there, which in the long run
will also be good for Iowa City, uh, and along those lines they talked about hotel
occupancy rates and how that's going. It's been kind of up and down, not as, uh,
good as they hoped, and depending on what's going on in town, could be upwards
of 96% or so. But sometimes low....as low as 60 to 70%. Uh,they talked about,
uh, Frye Fest plans for this year coming up. Sounds like it's going to be fun, and
also the Run Crandic, uh, update, uh, that....Simon, did you participate in that?
I....I know Geoff did so that was fun to hear about that. Uh, and that evening
League of Women Voters held their annual meeting, and uh, it was another history
lesson, uh, showing how, urn, through the years women have stood up for what
they believed in and also kind of a, um, Representative Lansi talked... Lensing
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talked about, uh, a recap of the past legislative session. Uh, Friday evening my
daughter and I participated in the, uh, Summer Shop Crawl. This is our
third....third crawl that we've participated in. Uh, they're really fun events. Urn,
we both enjoy the shopping experience and this year we discovered a new favorite
—the Maker's Loft—which is really nice and a lot of the local, uh, folks have
their,uh,products there, and then of course our usual—Glassando, Sweets and
Treats, we like those too. Uh....otherwise just reminding folks that the Farmers
Market and Friday Night Concert Series are in full swing! Be sure to attend
those, and.....I think that's it!
Teague: All right, so....Wednesday the 8th of May, United Way celebrated their 100th, uh,
year for Washington and Johnson County, and that was held at Big Grove, and
that was a....a well attended event. Um, was happy to make it. It was actually
after our, uh, late-night Council meetin' (laughs) so, yeah, and that was an early
mornin' at 7:00 A.M. I went! So that was a good thing to be a part of. Trail of,
uh, Johnson County had an event, celebratin' their annual existence, and that was
on the 9th, that Thursday, and they had a....actually came and shared that with
Council and to all of Iowa City, and that was a great event as well. Um, went on
the Crandic ride, uh, with the MPO. John and I, and that was awesome and
amazin' (laughs) to (laughs)just gettin'....get on the, uh, train and just kind of ride
throughout Iowa City, Coralville, urn, even up to North Liberty,just to... there
were places I had never been, of course,because it's on the train ride that
you...you just don't, you know, get back on those tracks. So that was a....quite
interesting. Um, I did attend, urn, Johnson County....Iowa Lawmakers
legislative, um....um, it was the end of the session where they gave a talk and that
took place, um, at the Coralville Library and it was put on by the Task...Johnson
County Task Force on Agin' and that was, uh, quite a great event to just, urn, listen
to our law makers that make a lot of things happen down in, urn, Des Moines, and
they shared some of their challenges, of course,but even some of their,urn, hope
for things to come forward in the future. And then....um....the last thing I'll make
mention of is, um, the....the police. I was able to attend that,um, as well, and you
did a very good job of, um, not only giving the proclamation but havin' a....some,
urn, awesome words before, so great job, Pauline. Urn, other than that, the last
thing that I'll make mention of is that Faith Academy, um, that is affiliated with
Parkview Church, which is over in, urn, I don't even know. I still call it the Kmart
area (laughs)um, on the 30th they're gonna be havin'the first graduation class and
so, urn, they've been in existence, adding a grade by grade every year, and so I
don't know what grade they're up to,but it'll be their first graduating class on the
30th, and so that'll be comin' up and so if anyone is interested, I'm sure it's gonna
be a huge celebration.
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Cole: Mazahir(both talking)
Salih: (mumbled)
Throgmorton: Yes, ma'am, go ahead!
Salih: Okay, I really don't have a lot, you know, any events to report on. I was super
busy preparing for family vacation. We leaving for Sudan tomorrow and I just
also was helping the kids getting through exam early from the school and uh, I'd
like to thank Kellie and, uh, the IT team at the City for like helping me create an
app that I can calling from Sudan (mumbled)but other than that, you know,
everybody have a good summer!
Throgmorton: Very good. You've been coming in very clearly and loudly, Maz. It's working
very well.
Salih: Yeah. Thanks!
Throgmorton: Rockne?
Cole: As I mentioned earlier, um, yesterday I attended dinner on sort of a going away
dinner for Henri Harper, and many of you in the community know who Henri
Harper is. Um,he's lives here in the City of Iowa City for almost 23 years. Um,
he's made the decision that he is going to return home to East St. Louis to spend
time with his family. Um, for those of you who don't know Henri Harper, if
(mumbled) know Henri Harper,um, I cannot really think of a community member
in our community that really has had a more positive impact on so many different
lives, in particular our community's young people. I just think of all the
challenges that we've had throughout the last 25 years. Henri Harper has been an
essential, positive, constructive voice on nearly all of those chall...uh, challenges
that we've faced, and I think he's been such a model and mentor, and it was a
really beautiful thing to see yesterday, to see...it was about probably 40 to 50
people. I know many more people wanted to be there. All the different lives that
he touched, uh,were sort of coming back as adults, uh, to thank him for the
contributions that he has made, and of course he made a fantastic impact on our
Police Department. Um, he had a lot of really innovative solutions, and now he's
had the opportunity to take a well deserved rest, um, he is retiring, although
Michelle say,his wife, says he won't be retired for very long. I'm sure he'll find
himself very engaged in East St. Louis, and I'm sure he'll have a lot of
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opportunities. Now Henri did say that he is not really moving until July of this
year, and so he does have some time on his hands. So I hope those of you that
know and love Henri that you'll reach out to him and thank him for the wonderful
contributions that he's made to our community. Urn, the way in which he's
touched my life, as well as Jim's, urn, last summer was the opportunity to go on
the Civil Rights Tour. Um, Jack Brooks invited Royceann Porter and another,um,
amazing young person, Miriam Keita, to come speak at a video showing for the
video that was made of the Civil Rights Tour. Uh, for those of you who don't
know, every summer for the last 10 years, um, Henri has taken a lot of our young
people in the city of Iowa City, at various locations throughout the south, in
particular the Civil Rights historical sites, as well as the historically black colleges
and university, and it is a truly life-altering experience and Henri is an essential
part of that, and we had the opportunity to speak to a lot of employees about that.
So, and Jack, can I just say again how lucky the city is to have Jack. He does...
Jack Brooks, I'm tellin'ya, it was a really, really good video. I was just so
impressed. Um, and I know we're still in the middle of Ramadan, so happy
Ramadan (mumbled) Did I get that right, Maz? Close enough? Urn, so I hope
everyone continues that wonderful time of prayer and reflection,urn, with our
Muslim friends. Um....summer is just around the corner. I know it doesn't seem
like it, so I'm....I'm looking forward to doing a little gardening, getting' in the
swimming pool, hopefully, eventually, and I hope with our upcoming Memorial
Day weekend everyone will celebrate that with....with friends and family in a
very responsible way and that they'll,uh, they'll enjoy that time together. Little
time off before the start of the summer. That's all I have!
Thomas: I just wanted to mention, uh, Bruce and I have a listening post coming up on the
29th at, uh....6:30, Lemme Elementary School, correct? So....encourage anyone
from the,that part of Iowa City to, uh.....have a conversation with us.
Throgmorton: Okay, I'll be brief! Uh, but first I wanna,uh, elaborate a little bit on what you
said, Rockne, about Henri Harper. I hate to see Henri leave Iowa City, I just hate
it! Uh, I have, uh, lot of deep feelings for him,but I also wanna praise him
profusely for his very generous letter that appeared in, what was it yesterday's or
Saturday's Press-Citizen,but I don't remember which it was,but it was effusive
and it's his praise of City staff, of the Police Department, and the City Manager,
and so on. So....bravo to Henri for writing that and, uh, I certainly wish him the
best. (several talking) (mumbled)
Taylor: (both talking) Mazahir, are you still there? Mazahir? Oh, she left, cause I'd
forgotten(both talking) Oh, you are still there?
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Salih: I was talking and (mumbled)
Taylor: You asked about....that if you weren't on....on your behalf I would talk about the,
um, Iowa City Fire Department. Would you like me to say a few words then?
Salih: Yes, please! Go ahead, yeah, I forget to mention Chief Grier.
Taylor: Okay, uh, she had just said that she was extremely impressed with the manner in
which they handled the recent structure fire, uh, at the Pheasant Ridge Apartments
on Bartelt Road, uh, cause the incident involved some members of the Sudanese
community, some of whom spoke very little English, and I'm not sure whether it
was the Fire Marshall or, uh, Geoff, someone on the City staff, that, uh, thought to
call Mazahir,uh, so that she could help translate, uh,but that was a very
thoughtful gesture, and uh, according to Mazahir very helpful, uh, for those
residents that were involved, and I've heard similar positive comments about our
Fire Department, uh, from a friend whose family was also, uh, recently
experienced a fire. So I'm just very proud of our Fire Department personnel and
uh, very professional service that they, uh,provide to our community. Sorry!
Sorry to interrupt you, Jim!
Throgmorton: That's all right! I just had two or three other brief things to say. On May the 9th I
made welcoming comments to the Human Rights Commissions' youth awards
event in the Englert, and that was really fun to do. Again I think it's the fourth
time I've done that. And also I....I will be speaking briefly at the groundbreaking
for Oaknoll East, on May the 29th. And on May the 31st, the carnival parade will
take place in downtown Iowa City. I'm looking forward to that. I also want to
draw your attention to an item that appeared at the very end of our late handout,
or not the very end cause you (mumbled) in it that was the last item that...
somewhere right near the end, is an email from me recommending that one or two
of you Council Members attend the August 1 through 3 annual meeting of the
Mayors Innovation Project in Columbia, South Carolina. Uh, I think I've said
over and over again, as I've gone to these MIP events how fruitful they are and I
think it would be very beneficial for one or two of you to go to that event. The
last thing I'll mention is yippy! I took a short vacation with my wife and daughter
out to Idaho. Traveled out by Amtrak and several other forms of mode....modes
of transportation (laughs) and had a lovely time in an area called Palouse part of
Idaho. It's really gorgeous and it was really fun to be out there with(mumbled)
All right, that's it for me!
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20. Report on Items from City Staff
Throgmorton: Ashley?
Monroe: I have three things. Uh, the Census is still looking for people to recruit for
positions. So people can go to their web site 2020census.gov/jobs for one of
those opportunities. I wanted to note that City Hall will be closed on Monday. So
please check any of your City information resources for other changes to City
facilities, schedules, urn, and operations. Just noting that, and then a kind of fun
thing—we're starting the Chip In, kind of budget and....and strategic plan
prioritization, uh, feedback from our residents. We're starting that process early
this year. So we will be expecting a survey out, uh,through out....through our
channels in the next week or so, and then we're planning some appearances at
community events a little bit earlier in the year, as a fun way to kick off our fiscal
year. Very exciting. Um, and we'll get the feedback back to you, um, for Council
budget session later this summer.
Cole: Those events were very well attended last year, weren't they? Weren't they
packed?
Monroe: Yeah, we just had one event last year and so this year I'm hoping to go and visit,
um, both Party in the Park and at least one and then a Farmer's Market appearance
as well, and then we'll kind of gauge what that, urn, what the feedback and
participation is between that and the survey. Um, later....later this year. We'll
also offer the survey in public, in....excuse me, in a paper format at those events,
so people can also participate in that way. So....that's all I got.
Throgmorton: Ashley, before you run off.....
Monroe: Yes! (laughs)
Throgmorton: I just wanna say we need to get an update on what the State legislature adopted,
maybe our next session or the one after(several talking) Okay. Simon?
Andrew: Nothing else, unless you want a legislative update! (laughter)
Throgmorton: Not now! (laughter) We're on a roll here. (several talking) Eleanor?
Dilkes: Um....no, nothing.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
regular formal meeting of May 21,2019.
Page 46
Voparil: Nothing.
Throgmorton: So whatdaya mean nothing? So Julie is (several talking and laughing) this makes
me very sad, I mean I think you started work when I was still on the City Council,
back in the mid-1990s.
Voparil: Yes.
Throgmorton: Yeah so...you've done a great job. We'll miss you once you do retire!
Voparil: Thank you. I'm looking forward to it,but having said that, I've certainly enjoyed
my years here at City Hall and all the people I've come in contact with.
Throgmorton: Yeah. Very good.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
regular formal meeting of May 21, 2019.