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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-07 Council minutesr -.® CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: March 8, 2023 To: Mayor and City Council From: Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, March 7, 2023 — 4:00 p.m. at City Hall in Emma J Harvat Hall Council: Alter, Bergus, Dunn, Harmsen, Taylor, Teague Staff: Fruin, Jones, Kilburg, Goers, Fruehling, Platz, McMahon, Sharif, Havel, Knoche, Sovers, Hightshoe, Davies, Ogden, Fleagle USG: Zeimet, LeFevre (A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.) 1. Johnson County Childcare wage supplement program presentation (strategic plan action: Enhance Access to affordable childcare for all populations through innovative partnerships with higher education, non -profits and the business community) Jennifer Banta, President of United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties gave a PowerPoint presentation and brief introduction on the history of this program. Child Care Wage Enhancement Program Child Care Solution Coalition Lynette Jacoby, Social Services Director at Johnson County continued the presentation and discussed: ➢ What the Data Shows );o The Cost of Child Care ➢ Surveying Centers Laurie Nash, Youth & Family Services Manager at Johnson County continued the presentation and discussed: ➢ Survey of Child Care Centers ➢ Licensed Center Capacity ➢ Filled Slots ➢ Wait Lists r Shortages ➢ Capacity — Staff Impact ➢ Shortage — Staff Impact ➢ Wages ➢ Wages — Raises/Increase ➢ Tuition ➢ Iowa State Child Care Assistance Reimbursement rates ➢ State Child Care Assistance Missie Forbes, Executive Director at 4Cs of Johnson County continued the presentation and discussed Solutions: I- Solutions? Johnson County Childcare Wage Enhancement Program Council Work Session March 7, 2023 Page 2 Wage Enhancement Program will provide a $2/hour wage increase to eligible child care professionals. ➢ Who Qualifies — Centers ➢ Who Qualifies — Child Care Professionals Shelly Maharry, President and CEO of Community Foundation of Johnson County continued the presentation and discussed how the collaboration works How the Collaboration Works Cady Gerlach, Executive Director Better Together 2030 continued the presentation and discussed: Childcare Coalition Charitable Giving Fund — Better Together 2030 Private Fundraising — Employers ➢ Cost of Program — Estimated ➢ Financial Stability & Future Planning Jennifer Banta wrapped up presentation discussion: Impact of Investment into Child Care Solutions Fund Banta answered questions from Council and provided additional information. City Manager Fruin provided additional information. Action: Staff will begin to prepare a $750,000 agreement for funding the wage supplement program (ARPA). The goal will be to have the agreement ready for an April City Council meeting, pending further deliberation and direction from the City Council. The March 21 work session will include an item to allow for City Council to discuss both the wage supplement program and the ICCSD pre-school proposal. 2. Strategic Plan Action: Revamp the neighborhood PIN grant program and evaluate discretionary funding for district/neighborhood grassroots projects City Manager Fruin highlighted the memo (IP3) distributed in the 3/2 information packet (Memo from Communications Coordinator and Outreach & Engagement Specialist - Neighborhood PIN Grants) Communications Coordinator McMahon provided information on how they plan on rolling out information to neighborhoods and discussed surveying neighborhood members. Outreach & Engagement Specialist Sharif provided additional information. McMahon and Sharif answered questions from Council. Individual Council members expressed their views. Action: Staff will move forward with the implementation of the revised PIN grant program 3. Clarification of Agenda Items No discussion. 4. Information Packet Discussion [February 23, March 21 `- February 23 — No discussion March 2 - 1. (IP5 — Memo from Deputy City Manager: Request for Statements of Interest for Inclusive Economic Development Support and Underestimated Businesses and Entrepreneurs) City Manager Fruin started discussion and provided background information. Deputy City Manager Jones outlined the two types of proposals Council Work Session March 7, 2023 Page 3 expected. City Manager Fruin provided additional information. Individual Council members expressed their views. Action: Staff will work with on the formal issuance or the Underestimated Business ARPA grant program. The missing word 'not' will be added to the document and consideration will be given to dissemination channels, as well as techniques for reaching non-English speaking residents. The Council will determine one or two appointees to the review committee at the March 21 meeting. 5. University of Iowa Student Government (USG) Updates. Keaton Zeimet, USG Liaison and Noah Le Fevre, USG Alternate Liaison, presented USG Updates. 6. Council updates on assigned boards, commissions, and committees Council provided updates during regular formal meeting. Adjourn 5:46 p.m.