HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-18 Council minutesCITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: June 8, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie K. Fruehling, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, May 18, 2022, 9:30 AM, Eastside Recycling Center
Council: Alter, Bergus, Harmsen, Taylor, Teague, Thomas, Weiner
UISG: None
Staff: Fruin, Jones, Kilburg, Goers, Fruehling
Audio is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.
Development of the FY23-28 City of Iowa City Strategic Plan with facilitation services
provided by the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG)
Executive Director, Karen Kurt and Senior Planner/Economic Development Specialist, Adam
Bentley from the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) presented a power point
and facilitated the strategic planning work session by starting Councilors off an introduction
exercise to learn more about one another.
City Council members spent time on a personal "brainstorm" of possible action steps based on
the strategic priorities currently identified. Breakout groups discussed vision and strategy and
facilitators collected ideas for action steps at the end of the session.
1. Values Deep Dive: Partnerships and Engagement
➢ Easy open and frequent communication
➢ Joint events
➢ Inclusive problem solving (including UI, non -profits, neighborhoods, mental health,
etc.)
➢ Sharing of resources (tools, funding, etc.)
➢ Support of new agencies
➢ Social places for engagement
Metrics
Number of agreements and contracts between entities
➢ Regional cooperation efforts (ie. Trails)
➢ Increase in horizontal murals
➢ Consider the NEST model
Council Work Session (Strategic Planning)
May 18, 2022
Page 2
2. Values Deep Dive: Social Justice and Racial Equity
✓ Blended diversity -all people are treated equally
➢ DEI efforts are woven into planning, decision making, and execution
➢ Fewer instances of racism across the board including in businesses, schools, city
government, healthcare, housing.
➢ City government looks more like the community
➢ Increased opportunities for all people
Increased level of engagement among all demographics
Metrics
• Additional testimonials identifying that experiences are improving
Blended events to highlight/create inclusion rather than highlight and
create diverse events
Reduction in angry comments and frustration in disenfranchised
communities
➢ Increase in satisfaction amongst the community
➢ Representation in leadership in all sectors
3. Values Deep Dive: Climate Action
• Planed for resiliency and deep resiliency (be aware of increase likelihood of climate
calamity)
r Reduced carbon footprint
➢ Reduced pollution
➢ More recycling and re -use
➢ Greening of buildings
➢ Added solar panels on all building types
➢ Use of electric bikes and transportation
➢ Lawn alternatives
➢ Increase in non-profit involvement in this area
➢ Increase in individuals getting involved
➢ Continue climate action goals
➢ Consider climate change in growth patterns of the city
➢ Acknowledge work of climate action office
Metrics
Regulatory framework -preplanning
➢ Water quality
➢ Increase insulation
➢ Change in lighting used
➢ Tree canopy/vegetative carbon capture
➢ Reduction of heat islands
➢ Electrification of lawn/snow tools
➢ Electronification of mobility
➢ Greater harvest and sale of local food
Council Work Session (Strategic Planning)
May 18, 2022
Page 3
4. Strategy: Economy
➢ Successful business attractions and retentions
➢ Increasing diverse tax base
➢ Additional manufacturing
➢ Increased personal time
➢ Higher spending in Iowa City businesses
➢ Citizens spending 30% or less on housing to support local businesses
➢ Community has sufficient and distributed childcare resources
.- People spend locally and source locally
Strategies
Attract workers and businesses by promoting the things that make Iowa City
great
D. Attract all demographics of individuals (eg. Elderly)
➢ Leverage specific talent, skills, and abilities found only in Iowa City
➢ Attract workforce
➢ Promote healthy businesses throughout Iowa City
➢ Foster minority owned and female owned business
Metrics
D. Median Income
➢ Reduction in FRL
➢ Diversity of job opportunities
➢ Increase in startups
➢ Social service numbers (people being assisted/needing services)
Action Steps
➢ Leverage community colleges for skills and apprenticeship
➢ Cost of development framework to guide decisions on how to best
accommodate it (development)
Collaboration between the Eastern Iowa Airport and Iowa City
➢ Approve voluntary annexations
➢ Support immigrant/refugee/neighborhood childcare training
➢ Better minority representation on business boards (ICAD, ICBAP)
)- Restaurant grade kitchen on the South side or East side for catering
and commercial use (training)
➢ BIPOC revolving loan fund
➢ Identify the needs of our city and partner to bring projects to our
community
➢ Focus on using TIF for small developers
➢ Review codes/regs that's been identified as barriers for businesses
including developers
Increase staff for economic development or partnership
enhancements
➢ With intention, look at adding space and zoning for development
➢ City continue to seek state and federal opportunities
➢ Advertise and aggressively assist interested parties for childcare
spaces
Council Work Session (Strategic Planning)
May 18, 2022
Page 4
➢ Increase technical assistance staff to help community with grants and
business assistance
➢ Lobby for financial incentives for persons to be childcare providers
➢ Work closely with ICAD to promote Iowa City nationally as a place to
have a business
Support the ICCSD program to teach students at senior year entry
into building trades
Promote and protect that which makes Iowa City unique and attractive
5. Strategy: Housing
r' Safe, comfortable, affordable, housing options for all people throughout Iowa City
➢ More Units, More Supply, across more prices
➢ Permanent Affordability
➢ Protect Housing from vulture capitalists/Hedge Funds
➢ Developer Buy -In
➢ Retrofit current housing to accommodate things like environment preservation
Strategies
Create Economic Incentives to various ends (affordability, sizing, types)
➢ Consider land use revisions(zoning, site development, stats)
➢ "Blended Diversity," integrated housing types (missing middle)
➢ Buy Property for public housing, mobile home parks -Explore Funding
options for affordable housing
r Prioritize Infill Development
➢ Expand rent to own (maybe similar to the UniverCity program)
➢ Explore alternative housing options (small homes, less vulnerable
MHC's etc...)
➢ Partner with non -profits
➢ Reach out to developers and smart co-ops
Metrics
➢ # of units
➢ Vacancy rate
➢ Annexations for opportunities to grow
Action Steps
Infill development with the co-op housing model
➢ Infill development with a community of tiny homes
➢ DIY Clinics
➢ Co-ops (ex. UI students live with older citizens in exchange for
shoveling, mowing)
➢ More zero lot lines
➢ Housing with no or limited parking in the central district
➢ Reduce Setbacks
➢ Duplexes etc. by right carefully crafted
➢ Enhance partnerships with for profit developers
➢ Assess financial supports for small developers
;- Increase 1 -bedroom shared housing (SROs)
Council Work Session (Strategic Planning)
May 18, 2022
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➢ Increase one -bedroom units
➢ Increase Tiny homes
➢ Increase 3D printed homes
➢ Increase manufactured and pre -fab homes
➢ Meet with public and targeted developers to discuss affordability and
values
✓ Assess current support/need of temporary housing support
➢ Discourage/block bad faith and predatory investors
➢ Protect residents from bad faith and predatory investors
➢ Roundtable/Focus group with developers
➢ Gap housing rentals
➢ Expand SD homeownership model to core neighborhoods
➢ With intention, look at adding space for zoning for development
• Preplan criteria and intention for using bonding/borrowing for major
affordable housing opportunities
➢ ADU templates and marketing options
➢ Have student housing discussions with UI
➢ Provide funding for JCHTF
➢ Organize "good" landlords
➢ Continue eviction prevention support
➢ Shelter as a service
➢ Develop form -based code for Northside Neighborhood
➢ Urban revitalization areas (residential tax abatement for legacy
neighborhoods)
Landlord/tenant meetings aimed at educating and communicating
6. Strategy: Mobility
Easy, safe, comfortable, interesting, access to destinations for all people, year-
round, in multiple modes
Strategies
• Encourage multiple modes of transportation
➢ Improve winter walkway maintenance
➢ Enhance bike lane safety and comfort (wayfinding, separated lanes)
➢ Promote engagement with surroundings while moving (public art,
lingering spaces)
➢ Cooperate regionally for transportation
)- Improve traffic safety (ie self-regulating streets)
➢ Reduce need for law enforcement traffic stops
➢ Expand public transit (vouchers, routes, days/times, modes)
Metrics
Action Steps
✓ Clear snow piles at sidewalk corners in high priority pedestrian areas, bus
stops, and bike lanes
)- Burlington Street Road Diet in downtown after evening commute
Council Work Session (Strategic Planning)
May 18, 2022
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➢ Revert Dodge and Governor to 2 -way street
➢ Seek grants for bus rapid transit/rail (CRANDIC)
➢ Work toward regional transit
➢ Consider a voucher program for taxicabs during off service or off route
transit
➢ Consider more bike pathways separate from city streets
➢ Car and bike shares/scooters
➢ Build on plans for bike share program (electric and regular)
➢ Protect bike lanes
➢ Bike share rentals at key points in the city
➢ Permanent charging stations (phones, bikes, cars)
➢ Separate bike lanes using flexible bollards
➢ Incentives to buy/use e -bikes
➢ Electric bike incentive program
✓ Assess feasibility of converting conventional buffered bikes laned to
protected
7. Strategy: Neighborhoods
Diverse, compact, mixed use, walkable neighborhoods with leafy streets, great
parks, and schools (the 15 -minute city)
Strategies
✓ Develop more diverse housing types and affordability
➢ Create the built environment that supports the social city
➢ Regulate form
➢ Promote opportunities for social gathering spaces
➢ Identify needs for infill in the tree canopy
➢ Leverage partnerships (social services, non -profits)
➢ Encourage mixed use (incentives for neighborhood commercial)
• Ensure safe, comfortable, useful, and interesting streets (incl.
sidewalks)
Metrics
Action Steps
Relax neighborhood commercial limitations
➢ Form based code tutorials/templates
➢ Town Halls throughout Iowa City (3 a year in every district)
➢ Promote work of/help connect neighborhood associations
Multi -use public space that can convert to accommodate large
gatherings {300-600}
Revise Chicken Ordinance and remove neighbor approval
requirement
Equitable distribution of high-quality destination parks/public spaces
within easy walk/bike
Annual review of community garden program
Neighborhood park maintenance, improvements, and enhancements
Council Work Session (Strategic Planning)
May 18, 2022
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➢ Use form -based code for broader mixed use to reduce food and retail
deserts
➢ Put parks in areas they don't exist
➢ Blended events aimed at multiple groups
➢ Initiate block parties
➢ Increase or add pet stations throughout neighborhoods
➢ Council/ICSSD Collaboration-Townhalls for Jr./Sr High
➢ New NCJC Community Center
➢ Collaborate with Schools for more public uses of their facilities
➢ Allow urban food production
➢ Northside form -based code
➢ Mini library branches
➢ Encourage neighborhood association centers for community
involvement
✓ Add community bulletin boards(maybe virtual, too)
8. Strategy: Safety and Wellbeing
All people have freedom of movement without fear
➢ Self -regulated infrastructure with flow
➢ Facilities and places for social engagement and play
➢ Healthy homes and rentals
➢ Access and resources to mental health
➢ Well child/Early Childcare
➢ Resources for the unhoused
✓ Resiliency to emergency events (natural disaster, etc)
Strategies
• Ensure that services are keeping up with growth
➢ Improve and/or expand emergency services
➢ Create/Increase ADA compliance
➢ Collaborate across neighborhoods and UI Corridor
Metrics
✓ Community feedback and testimonials that affirm better feeling and
safety
➢ Reduction in 911 calls/racial disparity
➢ Fewer crime and fires
➢ Use public health data metrics and neighborhood surveys
Action Steps
Build on the relationship with the College of nursing to foster healthy homes
throughout Iowa City
Community violence intervention
Fund childcare navigator of 4C's
Continue support for local food hub
Add fun patrol/mobile community resources
Identify calls for service unarmed response
VY
Council Work Session (Strategic Planning)
May 18, 2022
Page 8
➢ Add listening posts throughout the city
➢ Expand fire department recruiting radius
➢ Regional and local roundtable and partnership on community violence
➢ Partner with Moms Demand Action
➢ Build out Fire Department capacity in stations and fire fighters
➢ Continue to expand public safety creative solutions (eg. Mobile crisis,
988)
Encourage more community garden sites
Continue and expand efforts to reduce disproportionate outcomes in
policing
➢ Add neighborhood nests (micro -hubs for kids/teens)
➢ Speak loudly and often of deadly impact and danger of ever more lax
gun laws
.= Staff support for TRC work
➢ Letters instead of traffic stops for minor transactions
➢ Mobile clinics with UIHC
➢ Promote 988 and mobile crisis integration into 911
Staff will be discussing the Council's refinement of the priorities and how to advance those
objectives for the next five years.
Meeting adjourned at 3:50 PM.