HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-21 Transcription Page 1
Council Present: Alter,Bergus,Dunn,Harmsen, Taylor, Teague, Thomas
Staff Present: From,Kilburg, Goers, Fruehling,Havel,Knoche,Kubly, Gripp, Gardner,
Ford
USG: Zeimet,USG Liasion,LeFevre,Alternate Liaison
1. Quarterly American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA-SLRF) Update
Teague: It is just 4:00 PM and welcome to the City of Iowa City work session,March 21st,
2023, and our fust item is gonna be the quarterly American Rescue Plan Act update.
[LAUGHTER].
Harmsen: Right on time.
Gripp: Good evening. Cassandra Gripp, Grant Specialist with the Neighborhood and
Development services department. All right. The US Treasury has allocated $18.3 million
in ARPA funds to the City of Iowa City as you know. To date, approximately 14.02
million of these funds has been allocated, including the pending items for council vote.
All emergent needs that have been identified and prioritized by council have been
addressed with direct payments to eligible adults and housing relocation needs being
expended in full. Those programs are now complete. Um,the eviction prevention and
emergency non-profit assistance programs. They are currently in progress.Um,their first
quarterly report is due April 10th. So I do expect that next update I will have a more
detailed progress report for you. Statements of interest for the BIPOC business support
funds are currently being accepted and are due May 1st. Statements of interest for the
social services capital funding funds have been reviewed and we anticipate those
preliminary recommendations. Yes,they will be presented at today's Council meeting.
Affordable housing initiative funds. Those are anticipated to be discussed in the coming
months to help us inform those next steps. Mobile crisis funds that were allocated pretty
early on or they continue to be expended. Progress reports are as expected. That is the
same for the tourism funding as well,has continued to be extended, and progress reports
are going well as well. Workforce development programs,two of those are currently in
progress. The University of Iowa labor center program as well as the 4Cs childcare
workforce development program. Again,those are also their fust-quarter of the report is
due April 10th. So I should have some pretty good details next-next quarter. And then
there is a childcare wage supplement program proposal and I believe that's anticipated to
be reviewed pretty soon. The final category, climate resilience funds, it sounds like those
will be discussed here in a little bit, so I will- I will leave that and if anyone has any
questions, I'm happy to answer them. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. All right. Council discussion.
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Bergus: I did have a question about just how we're pushing out some information. So it was
really wonderful that Megan and I got to sit on the council committee for the um, capital
grants for non-profits, and it's kind of informed my thinking about how um,you know,
this next program,which I think was modeled in the same way I had had for the
underestimated communities uh, support grants that we were formerly calling the BIPOC
business support. So I had been in contact with a variety of folks over the last couple of
years about that opportunity as it framed up, and we talked at work session and council
about um,what that program might be and when it might be available, and then when the
information came out last week, I pushed that to people who'd been in touch with me
about it, and a couple of those people let me know that-that the only way that they'd
heard about it had been from me, and so I just want to make sure that we have some kind
of list or you know, some way of like reaching out to people that we know we've been in
touch with about- about the program. One recommendation that one of these individuals
gave to me was to maybe have a um, like the COVID relief BIPOC business support
grants that we had a number of applications for those and even if they didn't get funded,
maybe we could reach out to everyone who applied for that or something. I think we also
have lists of like, I know you don't have to be a targeted small business for this,but
maybe. You know,regionally if we can sort those and make sure people know about it.
So just making sure that it's reaching as many folks as possible.
Fruin: Yeah, I appreciate that. We'll-we'll make sure ah,review how we push that out and that
it's getting in the hands of the people we think would-would be interested. I will mention
that we do have um, an open house for the public on April 6th. We're doing two on the
6th, one at noon and one at 6:00 P.M. Um, and there's an opportunity for- for folks to
come ask questions. If you do get questions, one thing to keep in mind is that um, for
those small businesses that are looking for just a little bit of support,maybe a small grant
for a sign or for technical assistance. This probably isn't the program. This is probably
one step removed from that. So we're looking for partners that are going to create um,
systems or frameworks to support those businesses. Whether that's a capital, like a space
in which people can um, do pop up retail or commercial kitchen space. Or on the flip
side, an entity that's going to manage a grant program that may provide the individual
grants to businesses. So just try to keep that distinction in mind. That's a tough thing to
articulate because we know a lot of that need is at that very small business level and we'll
get there. We just are um, again one step removed at this time. But ah,to your point,we
will um, review how we're distributing that, and- and certainly in the next week-week ah,
ramp that up a little bit.
Teague: Hearing no-no more comments on this item.
Harmsen: Just thank you to city staff it's been- it's been kind of a pleasure to watch like the
ongoing and then what we've done since the- in the year plus I've been on here like where
we were with these programs a year and two months ago. Like how far we've come even
in a year work that started before-before we joined the council meeting and I joined the
council. But-but it's been so cool to watch all of these things start to,just start like
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swatch those dominoes start to fall over and see these things go into action, and it's been
really gratifying to watch that.
Teague: I might make one suggestion on the chart when we see it before, since we're getting
some completed um,projects. Um,just to have a section of- a- a section just of moneys
already spent.
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2. Climate Action Division Update
Teague: All right. Well go to the next item number 2,which is Climate Action division update.
And welcome.
Gardner: Thank you. It's a genuine pleasure to be here. I'm- I'm gonna say as I'm opening the
slides that this is just felt like a really great day to come before you and have this
discussion. My day began this morning with our climate ambassador meeting amongst
staff members where they shared what they were doing within their divisions to work
with us and independently to forward climate action in the city. And it was just a giant
underlying for me about the ways that many of the successes I'm going to talk to you
about today are the result of having city staff who across the board are committed to
moving climate action forward. And I just really would,pardon me I want to hold up my
colleagues before I say anything else to say that we couldn't do it without them. And
you're going to see in the report all the amazing work that's being done. So if I can put it,
is everybody able to see it as is? I'm not sure how I?
Teague: Yes.
Gardner: Close the bar. Alright. Well, as you know,we adopted in Iowa City a climate action
plan in 2018. And so this report was meant to capture a lot of the work that's been done in
the period of time since then. That report includes our ambitious goals of reducing our
emissions 45%by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Some of you may
recall that in 2020, last year we were talking about how we had achieved our 2030 goals
at ten years early,which is very exciting. It turns out some of that is to be credited to the
pandemic. So those emissions went up slightly when we looked at the 2021 data. But in
this case, it's an instructive rise, I think,taught us some important lessons about where
those gains were made and now hopefully we can recapture them. As I often say in the
community in a way that doesn't destabilize our economy. I think we all want that. The
overall trend line though is going down and we expect fully that will recapture those
2030 goals still ahead of schedule,which is nice. And then we can really set our sights on
the more difficult work ahead,which is to get to net zero by 2050. When we break out
those emissions by sector there we begin to see some of the telling stories of where the
rise is,we're. In particular, if you look at energy use in industrial buildings,we can see as
manufacturing activity ramped backup in 2021, of course,there was a rise in emissions
associated with it. We also note the rise in emissions in transportation. Um that story is a
little more nuanced as we'll get to in some later slides. But really the big takeaway when
we look at the different sectors for emissions and in City. And this is a through line.
Every year,right from the beginning,buildings and energy are the largest source of
emissions in Iowa City. I mean,what we mean by that is the energy used to power the
lighting and the heating and cooling, and the electronic devices in front of all of us. The
umm activity used to generate that energy results in the emissions associated with our
building stock. And that's where the lion's share of our attention goes because as you can
see, as of the most recent inventory, it accounts for 78% of our total emissions.Now
when we break that down further and look at different sectors of the building stock,we
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can see that when we look at our residential emissions,there- it's not quite evenly divided
between electricity use and fossil gas use. It tilts a little more heavily toward fossil gas.
And for that reason, our interventions with the residential sector focus both on energy
efficiency. So reducing energy usage overall,but also moving toward electrification. And
the biggest mechanism we have right now to address that is the residential energy
efficiency and electrification grant you received a memo, I believe last month about the
installation program that's under this. Um we instituted that program last year. It really
ramped up significantly in November following the launch of a integrated and
comprehensive marketing campaign. Umm so that most of that $80,000 that you see was
actually spent at the tail end of the year. I'm quite pleased to report my asked our analysts
right before coming up here,had we surpassed that already?And indeed,we had our
spending in January,February, and March is already past the total spending for 2022 in
that program,which is really exciting for us because,believe me, it is hard to get people
excited about insulation. Um some of the other ways we reach it,households here in Iowa
City include the energy audits that are Green Iowa AmeriCorps team provides one of the
things that wasn't in this report because it's an activity that's fairly recent. Actually, at the
beginning of this month,we brought in a specialist who works with Realtors on energy
efficiency to do a training for area realtors. And there it was very successful um she told
us that normally when she meets with such groups in other areas, a big class is seven to
eight participants. We had 36 realtors in the room,which was fantastic. Umm some of the
other really positive feedback we got from her, she talked about the importance of having
energy audits done in households. And when we said that this was offered for free to
residents in Iowa City, she could not believe it and went on and on talking to the realtors
about how in other cities,this is a service that would cost 400 to $700. And here in Iowa
City, all you have to do is sign up. Wait about a month and we'll come and check out
your home for you and perform some weather as services. The other way we reach
households is through our neighborhood energy blitz,which is coming up here on April
22nd. Umm for those of you familiar with the event, it's an a we go door to door in a
targeted neighborhood delivering kits that um contain energy saving devices and
information. In the afternoon,we circle back and collect,use light bulbs and batteries for
proper disposal. It's a very popular event and we get great feedback on every year it's lots
of fun to participate in. And if any of you would like to hang out with some of your
constituents and go door-to-door delivering these kits. We certainly welcome you as
volunteers on the morning of you can talk to me about how to get signed up.Umm the
next area that we want to look at then in terms of our building stock is the commercial
and industrial matching grant projects which you all,hopefully you're already very
familiar with. These of course, are TIF funded projects. And as you can see,the energy
usage in our industrial sector is quite different from the residential sector. In the industrial
sector, overwhelmingly,the energy usage is from electricity. And for that reason,these
programs tend to be focused more on energy efficiency and then cleaning up that energy
usage. So as you know,we funded several solar arrays for area businesses through this
program. We also do things like LED retrofits and window replacements. I know that my
colleague,Wendy Ford is going to be speaking to you later this evening about two other
projects that have come under that program. But that's been a really valuable resource for
commercial and industrial entities here in the city, hoping to improve their energy profile.
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Um and then finally,we have our climate action grant projects,which is how we reach
non-profits and other entities in the city that maybe don't fall as easily under the TIF
funded projects. Those are grants that are awarded in the amount of up to $10,000 a year
for a variety of projects, as you can see listed here on the one of the things that's been
really nice over the last couple of years is as that program has matured, originally,we got
a lot of applications for things like community gardens or school gardening projects, and
that's great. We want to support that work. But of course, as we know the lion's share of
our work and needs to focus on buildings and energy usage. And as you can see,they are
now starting to receive the lion's share of those grants,which is really nice. That's a step
in the right direction. When we get to transportation, I had mentioned that this is a
somewhat more nuanced section of our umm programming. Transportation is the second
largest source of emissions here in Iowa City. It accounts for somewhere around 22%
generally. Umm as you can see,we do have some notable successes in Iowa City. Those
of you who read the report will recall that Iowa City residents bike and walk at five to
seven times higher than national average. Our transit usage is also similarly high and yet
overwhelmingly the largest share of commutes in Iowa City are done by folks driving
alone. So we still have work to do even with those accolades. Um in particular,
something that our department has been thinking about a lot is the impact of transit
ridership on from the pandemic,which we have seen a reduction of activity. We solve
this in several other sectors. In transit, it hasn't quite recovered in the same way,um the
climate action plan calls for us to double transit ridership in the city and that was doubled
as compared to 2018 numbers. As you can see when you look at where we're at in 2022,
now realistically what we're talking about is probably tripling it from where we're at
presently. And so things that will come up for your considerations such as free fares for
buses, I think are important,pardon me, considerations for how we might achieve those
goals. Of course, in transit,we also have one of our biggest climate success stories,which
is part of the nuance. Even though ridership is down,we have those amazing electric
buses out on the street,which as you know, are some of our best ambassadors for electric
vehicles overall here in the city. Um,before I get into the buses, I do want to note that the
buses are. We have four buses in our electric fleet,but we have approaching 16 electric
vehicles overall. So there are a number of other electric vehicles already being utilized by
city staff. And in fact, one of the projects I was working on today was reviewing bids that
we received for the fleet transition plan. We hope to put together that will chart a course
to electrifying our entire fleet of vehicles. So hopefully the next time I come before you,
I'll be talking about something cool like our first electric fire truck purchase. But for the
time being,we're really excited about those buses. Those of you who attended the electric
bus bash will know that one of my favorite things to talk about with electric buses is that
electric vehicles actually were invented in Iowa. I don't think we talk about this enough.
"They were used as part of the NASA space program in the form of the Lunar Rovers.
Now of course, any resident in Iowa City for free, if they get on the downtown shuttle
can hop on this technology themselves. So to me, it's just an amazing story of technology
that was invented in Iowa,went to the moon and has come back to help us save the
planet. When we look at our other electrification efforts,um, in the transportation sector
here too,with electric vehicle charging,you can see the dip in the pandemic when we
didn't have as many folks coming back,um, downtown,that has rebounded robustly. Um,
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we actually have stopped reporting in our newsletter on the new record set because we
just keep setting them month after month,which is really exciting. And when we show
residents the map of EV infrastructure available here already in Iowa City,um,they're
often surprised to see how many chargers actually exist. We had an EV readiness plan
that we worked on collaboratively with several other cities. One of the targets identified
in that plan was,um,to get 450 charge points per million population as an important
tipping point toward EV adoption. Um, adjusted for our population size,we actually have
the equivalent of 650,um, charge points here in the city. Which means our public
charging infrastructure is very robust and in fact,beyond what we could,um,hopefully
target for. Which really feels good because it means that we can really concentrate now
on getting electric vehicle charging into the reach of renters. Um,which is a bit of a
passion project of my own. Um, as you'll know from the report in Iowa,we are going to
have to start charging tax on public charging. Um, and so by getting out ahead of this,we
hope to make this tax,um,not something that's disproportionately born by renters in our
city,which as we know are more than half of the folks who live here. Um,we also will
have an exciting announcement coming forward,um,near future about the first such
project we'll be pursuing with a conduit associations. So that's a really exciting
development for our office,which has been working very hard on that initiative. Waste,
I'm only going to touch on lightly,um,because as you know,we have a wonderful
resource management division that does a lot of work here in the city to increase both
recycling and composting activities. I'll just say that we work very closely with that
division,um, is particularly in our education and outreach efforts. Um and in fact,Jane
Wilch and I are going to be hosting our first live speaking of event at Big Grove in
October as part of our Earth Month celebrations. So these have been very popular. Virtual
offerings,we're excited to be able to go back out into public now and engage folks
directly with that issue. We're going to be talking about plastics. As I've been joking with
Jane Wilsh, it's good that we're doing that in a place where there will be beer within
reach, a stressful topic [LAUGHTER]. Um, and then we'll land on adaptation,which is
the last section of the climate action plan. Um, adaptation is sometimes the most difficult
part of our work to talk about. Because,um, one of the things we know is that even with
the great strides we're making- even with the great strides we expect to make,there are
some impacts of climate change that we are already seeing now and that we will continue
to see in the foreseeable future. These include things like high-heat days and increased
precipitation. We engaged in a carbon sequestration effort of just a couple of years ago
that resulted in some very useful maps. The one you see in front of you is a map of the
heat island effect here in Iowa City. The red areas correspond with areas that are between
10 to 13 degrees higher in temperature than the median temperature for that day. And the
blue green areas are areas that are seven to eight degrees cooler. When we switch ahead
and look at the map that charts out our tree cover.Not surprisingly,where the tree cover
is, is where you see those cooling effects,right. And so that I just think really underscores
the importance of our programs like Root for Trees that help residents plant trees. And
it's actually also available to businesses,which we've been talking more about with
businesses since a lot don't seem to know. And also the city's own tree planting efforts in
right of way is to increase that canopy. Of course,there are some areas where tree canopy
is not going to wholly address the issue. If you look back on that heat island map,you
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know you see a concentrated area in downtown. Some of our buildings frankly are just
too tall to grow tree canopy over. And so when we looked at this data, one of the
important takeaways for us was the importance of introducing support for white roofs or
green roofs through our commercial activities. And that was rolled into then the tip
funded projects that we're offering in downtown. It's very cost-effective intervention. And
then one of the other exciting projects we were able to launch in the last year, it was our
climate resilience core. Through this program,um,we engaged with youth. In this
particular instance,with youth at City High. We brought in trainers to talk about climate
impacts in our area,but- and also how to engage with neighbors. Um,because one of the
things we know if following,um, extreme weather event is that connections with your
neighbors often make the difference in your safety and well-being. It was a really
interesting project for those teens who went out and talked to their neighbors and heard
about the impact of the Deracho and the flooding and concerns their neighbors had. They
went through a storytelling exercise to come up with their own definition of what it
means to be resilient. They create a design utilizing the things they have learned and
things they had discussed and they're actually,this week packing kits,to help increase the
home preparedness that they'll then be going back out to their neighborhoods now that
the weather's nice and delivering. And they include things like a solar powered phone
charger. Because one of the biggest things they heard from residents is that following the
Deracho,they had trouble charging their cell phones.Now, on each of the homes
contacted by the climate resilience core will have a solar powered way of doing so in an
emergency. And it's got goldie on it,which I'll talk to you about in a minute, like now.
Uh, so one of our other big successes, of course, is the launch of our climate action
mascot. As you've probably taken away from this progress report,we have many,many
irons in the fire,many things to talk about related to climate action. Um, and one of the
challenges is really helping people distinguish between what is a climate action and what
isn't. So we had a marketing study. One of the recommendations from the marketing
study was to make use of a mascot as a way to sort of, in many ways it's a branding
exercise to signal that this is a climate action,but also to make,uh, climate actions
approachable and friendly. As you know from the report you got on the installation grant
program,um,when we applied goldie to our outreach efforts to increase participation in
the installation program,participation went up 650%. So I often joke that Goldie also
exists to keep me humble. People in this community don't want to hear about insulation
from me. They want to hear about it from a cartoon bird, and that is fine. Um, so in terms
of looking ahead then we've got several projects that are really exciting on the horizon.
One that you're going to be hearing about,um, in the weeks to come is a really great
citizen science engagement project related to heat islands that,um,we're super excited
about in our department. We're also looking at,um,better ways to engage our residents
and businesses and, and organizations here in the community with opportunities under
the Inflation Reduction Act. We,um, actually have developed a checklist to help
homeowners maximize their benefits. You know one of the things we know from
previous efforts in this area is that you can have the best funding in the world. But if
people don't know about it or don't know how to utilize it, it's not going to achieve the
effects that you are desiring. And so,um,we have some- done some very strategic
thinking about how we can help a homeowners increase those benefits to themselves
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while also helping us achieve some of our climate action goals under those programs. As
you know,we're also pursuing a solar array. Hopefully that'll be going up on the public
works building,um, later this year. And we're looking toward a resilience hub pilot
project. We've been working very closely with members of the Climate Action
Commission on what exactly this program would look like. Resilience hubs are a little
different from how we traditionally think of things like emergency shelters, in that,um,
they're really about engaging the community before disaster happens, as well as during
providing some key services. And they-they're really just fascinating. So I would say
that's a really fun project to keep your eyes on in the months ahead.Now, I'm going to
take a drink of water.
Teague: All right.
Gardner: I will have you ask me some questions? [LAUGHTER]
Harmsen: So thank you very much for that. Um,just wanted to flag. I see our UISG folks are
here. And when we met with you guys before, one of the things we talked about was,the,
uh,the program of the door-to-door-the neighborhood Blitz program. So just wanna
make sure that,uh, another several members of your group will be very interested in that.
So could you remind us what the-what the date of that will be this year?
Gardner: Yes, it's going to be April 22nd, and we'll have two volunteer shifts. One will happen in
the morning to go out and deliver the kits, and one will happen in the afternoon to go
back out and collect up those used light bulbs and batteries. So,um, there's multiple
opportunities depending on what your schedule allows.
Harmsen: For more info they can access that online or call your office or what's the best way?
Gardner: Um,we do have a website setup for it. The ease and- and we have a handy redirect, I
believe it's icygov.org/energyblitz. Um, and if that doesn't work, [LAUGHTER] you can
reach out to me directly and I'll get that information in their hands.
Harmsen: Thank you.
Dunn: Thank you so much for,uh,your presentation. I really want to,uh, emphasize how much I
appreciate,uh, all the work that you guys have been doing since 2018. Uh, and really the
thoughtful work,uh,that's gone into making sure that we have programming that, I really
speaks to people. Apparently a cartoon bird does that. Uh, [LAUGHTER] Regardless,uh,
we got to get it done. Um, I have a couple of questions for you and this is- I really want
to be clear about this. This is not to diminish,uh, any of the work that you guys have
done. You're absolutely working on the things that are most changeable in the now. Um,
but I'm also thinking a little bit about further in the future and- and really just wanna pick
your brain on a couple of things. Um, I don't really know what the formal term for this
stuff was called. Um, I'm going to call it incidental emission- emissions. So the kinds of
emissions that occur as a results of,you know,pipeline breakage in homes or outside of
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homes. Ah, or you know the,um,uh,the emissions that are created through the laying of
concrete or the creation of concrete. The industrial emissions, ah,rather than just the
energy used by sectors,the gas burned by sectors. Uh,the things that are,uh,the
emissions that are created as a result of processes. Um, and so I'm wondering if you have
any thoughts on,uh,the assessments of our carbon footprint in our community because I
glanced to through the climate action plan and the stuff that we're looking at here today.
And a lot of it does seem to be, again rightly so I don't-this is not a criticism at all, ah, on
the energy usage aspect of things. So I'm wondering if you have any thoughts about,you
know,what we can do to assess where we are with those more incidental emissions in the
future. Um,when you think that that type of action needs to start. Um,yeah just kind of a
holistic picture.
Gardner: Yeah,now this is a wonderful question. Um,we actually had a whole speaking of
session focused specifically on greenhouse gas emission inventories for this reason. Um,
the greenhouse gas inventory that we focus on in this report and in most of our activities
is our community-wide greenhouse gas inventory. We actually have three inventories that
we do as a city. Um, one is a municipal ones that just looks specifically at city operations.
Um, and we have been doing those historically in about five-year intervals. That's the
smallest scale,the things that are directly under control of City Hall. And one of the most
interesting things we learned from that is really only about 5% of our emissions are
directly under the control of City Hall,which is why things like Goldie are so critical
because for 95% of those emissions,we have to engage voluntary actions within the
community. Um,the next biggest one we have is the community-wide one,which is the
one addressed in this report. We also did a,um,what's known as a consumption-based
greenhouse gas inventories several years ago. Um,those are done less frequently in part
because they're very difficult to do,um, if you want to get into the technical terms,they
really look at what you're talking about,what your scope three emissions. Um,the other
just look at Scope 1 and 2,that's more technical than any of us need to drill down into.
Um,but one of the things we learned from the consumption-based inventory is that if
everybody on the planet consumed at the rate that Iowa City does,we would need four
planets to support that consumption. And that includes things like the emissions that
come off of,um, concrete, for example in our building sector. So we are mindful of them.
And we do have,um, some programming,particularly in collaboration with the resource
management division,to look at how we can cut down on those consumption-based
emissions. I will say it is the toughest nut to crack like as much as I joke about getting
people excited about installation, getting [LAUGHTER] them excited about buying fewer
things online and even steeper mountain to climb,right?Um,but it's a thoughtful
question. I thank you very much for it.
Thomas: I had a question about the,um,that science project on heat island effect. Could you
[OVERLAPPING]
Gardner: Oh yes,the citizens science one.
Thomas: Talk a little bit more about that.
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Gardner: See,this is where I'm going to get myself into trouble. This is what I can say. And
Danny,you flagged me when I say too much. Um,this is Daniel Bissell our energy
analyst who was,uh, crucial in obtaining the grant that's going to support that activity.
Part of the reason I can't go into too much detail about it is that part of our agreement
with the federal agencies sponsoring that project is they get to send out the press release
fust. Um,but it is a very exciting project,um, it's going to directly engage residents here
in Iowa City to help us get some ground-level data on the heat islands. The map that I
showed you earlier is LIDAR data,which is taken aerially. Um, so it's really great at
capturing what's going on above the roof line in the city. The project that,um,we'll be
rolling out the summer through this grant will be getting street level data just to give us a
little more granularity. But also,um, I see it as just in the more importantly an
engagement activity where we can get folks,um,with their own hands on the data,right?
So it's not us telling you about the data, it's citizens actually involved and residents in
gathering that data and then deciding how the city is going to use it. That's cool.
Thomas: I- I like that aspect of it. I mean, one reason I brought it up was learning,uh,that in
Portland and this was a ground-kind of a ground level analysis during a heatwave. So
when you combine heat island effect with a heatwave,the-the differences in temperature
in Portland were 24 degrees, 99 degrees to 124 degrees. So when I heard that, I realized, I
mean,that-that just as a story about heat island effect was shocking to me. I mean,the-
the-when you're talking about 124 degree temperatures,you're talking about potentially
fatalities. And so,yeah heat island effect is a policy concept, I know I've been
emphasizing it,but when I heard that I realized this is-this is really a very serious issue.
Gardner: Absolutely,you know, and one of the other things we talk about a lot is that climate
change is an ap- amplifier of existing vulnerabilities. So when we think about the folks
who would be most affected by that heat island effect,right?We're thinking about our
unhoused population,we're thinking about folks who are perhaps transit dependent, so
they have to stand and wait for transportation. Um, I think it's something that it's very
near and dear to our hearts and our programming. It's great to have such wonderful
support for it. [NOISE]
Teague: Do you know.
Bergus: Go ahead. You want me to go? Sarah, thank you so much for this presentation and I
really want to commend you on the-the formatting and way in which information was
presented in this report. Having the individual stories with real humans and their personal
experiences is really impactful and persuasive. So thank you for that. And thank you to
your whole team and for elevating the other city staff who are collaborating with you. So
I had a couple of questions and then maybe ideas are,you know, again not critical
suggestions,but just ideas for maybe potential collaborations. You mentioned the
marketing or you mentioned that outreach to realtors. Is there a comparable program or
could there be with contractors and builders?
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Gardner: Actually,yes. We've been talking a lot about that as the next step.
Bergus: Great. Good. I mean, in my own experience,we replaced our furnace and our whole
HVAC system in 2017 and it's natural gas. And I just,you know, I- I if the person
suggesting the installation could have raised that-that opportunity,we would have made
a different choice. So I appreciate that a lot. Um, I think just for the-the marketing part
and Goldie, I think that's really instructive for a- a lot of things that we do in the city. And
I'm looking at Geoff,but he's hiding behind that-that monitor that-you know,there's my-
there's a joke among people who do marketing and branding where they're like,well,
marketing doesn't work on me. I know how it works,but marketing really does- does
work. And it's really neat to see in a- in a division that already has, I think very high level
of understanding of communication and what might be effective to kind of take it to that
next level. So I hope that we can,you know, as you collaborate and other departments
like kind of pushing those same ideas and the way that you're doing outreach and even
just having the door-to-door elements of what you're doing. I mean,you're really reaching
people in the community,having the youth group,having the climate ambassadors. So
yes to all of those things. And I hope that they,you know,those-that can act as a
template and a model for other activities of the city and letting people know what we're
doing and what's available as well. On the collaboration front,just wondering if you or
your staff are working with Better Together 2030 at all?
Gardner: Um,we haven't directly collaborated with them. We are aware of the plan that was
outlined and have flagged areas that we think overlap with some of the climate activities.
So there's some nice possibilities there.
Bergus: Yeah, I- I think that would be really great. I just came from a meeting in the um, I'm on
the working group for the transit and connected community pillar of that organization.
And it's a regional effort,but certainly and we were just talking about ways to help get
folks to adapt a-bikes for transportation you know. And it's like, oh,that's something we
could talk with you about. So I think that Better Together connection might be fruitful
quickly. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. I think the councilors have said- said how much we appreciate your office
and all that you're doing. And also we have the Climate Action commission that is doing
a lot of work on this front as well. My question actually is related to the construction
collaboration or the collaboration with construction um, sorry companies and such. But
this is related to more of businesses that sell items um, like Menards,Lows, Alexander,
unless their name has changed. But is there any collaboration on maybe educating their
staff when they're selling materials to people?Because I think Councilor Bergus has just
said,you know,people might make a different choice if they were aware of,you know,
someone say what is more,you know, climate-friendly. [LAUGHTER].
Gardner: Yeah.No,that's a wonderful suggestion. It's not an area that we've-we've done much
into date,but that just means it's full of exciting possibilities.
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Teague: Well,thanks for all that you've done so far. Yes.
Gardner: Unum, and you all should know on the Goldie front that Geoff has volunteered to
where the costume if we ever [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER]
Teague: So look forward to that. Got it.
Gardner: Thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Anymore questions from councilors?
Teague: Thank you. All right. Thank you. Anymore discussion on that item?
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3. Discussion on the Utilization of ARPA-SLRF Dollars for Climate Action Projects
Teague: And now I'm not exactly sure. So discussion on the utilization of ARPA-SLRF dollar
for climate action report related projects.
From: Yeah this is one that council requested to be on the agenda probably about two months
ago, and we just felt because of the topics that were being discussed in front of it, that it
would be a good opportunity. So there's no staff presentation. It's just an opportunity for
you to have that discussion. I will say just when we were making our ARPA plans in
2021,the thought at that time and this-you can access this on the-the memo on the first
work session topic here. If you go to that summary page there that would be in your 3/16
agenda under climate resiliency. Let's see. Um, so it'd be page 8 of that um, information
packet. We labeled it climate resiliency and hazard assessment planning. And we had
some early conversations with the flood center at the University of Iowa about doing
some in-depth modeling on our infrastructure and just trying to forecast what climate
change could-what impacts it could have on our infrastructure. So a- an example that
everybody could relate to would be stormwater systems,right?You've-you've had a
number of projects before you in the last couple of years,where we're going back into
neighborhoods and increasing the size of our stormwater infrastructure because we are
experiencing heavier rains that are coming in- in quicker bursts than-than we have. So
that was the thought process there. We haven't pursued that more um,we certainly could.
Um,but we could also look at um, other ideas that you-that you have.
Teague: Has the climate-
Dunn: Oh, go ahead.
Teague: I was just gonna ask. Is there any knowledge that the climate commission has made any
recommendations?Yes.
Gardner: Yes, I brought their sheet of recommendations with me.
Teague: Awesome.
Gardner: So I sat down too soon. [LAUGHTER] Um, the Climate Action Commission actually
took up a discussion of ARPA fund use back in July of 2021. And the recommendations
they made. This won't surprise you. Given the presentation you just saw overwhelmingly
focused on increasing our energy efficiency efforts. I would say that was prior to the
launch of our energy efficiency grants. Um, so that conversation probably is ripe for
exploring again. We also had the um,passage of the inflation of Reduction Act,which
includes some significant incentives toward energy efficiency. Um, so I think they might
respond differently having that discussion now than they did more than two years ago.
Um,but they also do talk about things like scaling up our home rehabilitation program,
Um, increasing the energy efficiency offerings there and in particular um, applying it
toward resilience planning. Um,they suggested using it to fund grants for the resilience
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hubs that I had briefly touched on. So those were their chief recommendations,um,but I
know that this is an ongoing conversation. And I will say I'm very happy to bring it to
them again, if you'd like renewed recommendations.
Teague: Thank you. The main reason I asked is because I know that our commission's um, some
of them are specializing um, in- in whatever,um,umbrella they're,you know,kinda
under. And so I don't know, at least for me when I,you know,think about what are some
of the projects that we can be working on, I personally would think that we would,you
know,kind of give that over to our commission and- and our staff to kind of maybe make
some recommendations before,you know,we start thinking about things,pulling them
out of the sky.
Alter: I think one of the things um,that maybe I'll sort of piggyback on sort of the-the questions
and possibilities um, component and maybe that the commission and your department
could- could think through is that Laura and I had talked and she had actually brought it
up um, I think several a couple of years ago, in fact, about e-bikes. And at one point,the
um, our,you know, transportation department,they were absolutely locked and loaded
and we're going to do it. Um, and then the contracts fell through and then COVID. Um, I
discovered recently what Laura had been talking about with possibility of an a-bike
program and vouchers, and Denver has a really successful program. So I think that that's
where- it's one idea and it's one specific idea. But I very much agree with you. I am not
an expert and I would love to see what an um,updated you know list of recommendations
could be. But I would also maybe think that this could sort of be a- a nice stitching
together of sort of the whole ecosystem, a whole community, and the possibility of how
e-bikes might be able to work through climate action, as well as helping with more
accessible transportation. So um, it's a thought, an idea,Laura, if you wanna,because I
know you pursued it a little bit more.
Bergus: Well, I think just in the last couple of years, I just read an article yesterday that said that
um, cargo a-bike adoption is- are like the cargo bikes are selling better than any bikes
have ever sold. And that the adoption of those is not by cyclists, it's by people who are
using them for transportation. And has an a-bike rider who's not a cyclist but uses my
bike for transportation that resonated with me um, and so that is what this, ah,working
group also was talking about. And just thinking of ways to package and incentive,um,
with collaborations potentially,um,through are several bike and a-bike retailers as well
as um,when we're talking about working with lenders to try and package,you know,
small loans that people could sort of see that car comparison and work through that. And
also that the MPO has said 25% of people's,uh,budget or income is spent on
transportation. And we know that people are really housing cost burden. So if we shift
some of that transportation costs down,those are the things that we were talking about in
that working group. So that's where I see maybe collaboration if it feeds into what the
Commission wants to talk about.
Gardner: Um, I can say this is something that our staff has been looking at,particularly in light
of the success of the program in Denver. We took a close look at it. We looked at our
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route for trees program,which has been successful here and thought about, is this
something we could pattern onto that model where we offer a 50%voucher um, for the
community and 80% if- if your income qualified. I will say one of the pinch points we
did run into very quickly was that even when you're subsidizing an a-bike um, let's say
you're paying 50% of it,um,these bikes can cost $2,000. And so that's still a $1,000 that
someone has to pay,which puts it out of reach for um, a number of residents. So then we
started saying,Well,what if we paid for the entire thing,what would that program look
like and how do you apply an equity lens to this effectively?And I think we do have
some exciting possibilities there in terms of maybe, again, going back to our transit
dependent population and seeing if we could fund a-bikes for them,which might um, do
a number of things. So it incr- increased the use of this electric transportation um,while
also increasing transportation options for the folks receiving those vouchers.Um, I will
note it would be a very expensive program,but,you know, sometimes the best work is.
So um, I appreciate your thoughts on that.
Thomas: I think there also, and I'm not that familiar with this. I just had a conversation with
someone who has an a-bike, I think, it was a kit that was installed on his conventional
bike. So there may be,you know, less expensive options. I- I know I even brought this up
during our strategic plan discussions it didn't make the cut. But I do think um,you know
the transportation piece, as we know with our buses, is a very visible expression of our
climate action initiatives. You know doing- doing work on building energy you know
improving on energy efficiency in buildings doesn't really have, other than through our
own efforts to make it evident, doesn't have much presence. And so that's my sense.
Looking at transportation is it's- it's- it's important. Um, I think it has potentially an
equity component to it. And it would be ah I think, a more visible um, indication that
where we're going as a city.
Bergus: Absolutely. I will say, I feel- I feel a little hesitant saying this,knowing your friend has
one of the kits,but um, one of the difficulties we've seen with the aftermarket kits
converting a conventional bike into an a-bike is that those are the a-bikes that have a
tendency to catch on fire. Um, so a little hesitant to embrace that particular technology.
Um,but I will say we discover that through the very interesting conversations we've been
having about forwarding a-bikes in the community and at least one a-bike that we know
we will be helping fund is a book bike for the library,which will be a cargo a-bike,which
we looked at getting a kit for and then quickly decided to go in a different direction.
Taylor: I think the possibility of a-bikes is- is amazing. And I- I see Councilor Bergus, is the
queen of a-bikes around that. And she no matter what the weather, she's out there on her
e-bike and I think that's a wonderful thing. But as you said, it's expensive. But for some
time now over the years we've talked about a bike share program and I know several
things have like fallen through on that and that's kind of a less expensive bicycle option
that I don't know if Geoff or you know, if we're any further on that or if that's still going
to maybe be a possibility for a less expensive means.
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Fruin: Yeah we have taken a couple of runs at that those at least when we were um, investigating
those in the past,we had not focused on a-bikes as much as just standard bikes. And then
ah for awhile there scooters were-were the predominant mode being pushed out by the-
by the bike-sharing companies. We have not revisited that in probably a couple of years,
mostly because the same staff that would manage that we're managing all the transit
improvements and continue to manage some of the transit improvements, including free
fair and Sunday service and late night service. So they're just kind of taking those one by
one um,but we could re-prioritize if council wants to see a bike share. Um,there is a
kind of a constant evolution within that industry. We've seen in over 10 years or so since
they've been prevalent,the industry change quite a bit.
Gardner: Um, I do want to be clear in saying that any of the challenges we've identified,we don't
think of those as deal breakers. We just think of those as things to think through as we
develop a program like this, if that's the direction we want to go in.
Dunn: I think,uh, one idea that I'm interested in exploring,uh,you know, coun- Councilor
Harmsen and I were at a meeting at a mobile home park a number of weeks ago. And
there was a man who expressed that he was really interested in having solar on his unit,
you know, for a lot of these people,they are,uh,you know, constant stable income,not-
not increasing. I'm- I'm forgetting what the term for that is. But fixed income,pardon me.
Uh, or- or otherwise income insecure. Uh, and- and I really like to explore the option for
public financing or granting for different solar projects for low-income families. Um, I
think that would have- it would hold a lot of water for working towards,uh,you know,
our climate action. Making sure that our- our low-income people who are interested in
having,uh,having solar panels,which also work to reduce their utility bills and affect
their-their economic standing in the community. I think that's definitely something
worth, at the very least looking at,um, and I thank Rachel for sending me some
information a few months ago,uh, about our specific programs that we have with
installation. I wish again,you talked about today and it's going very well.
Teague: Can I add onto that. On Facebook every now and then you see these pop-ups about get
solar and it will be virtually free. I don't know if you can speak to any of those. If it's-
what-what's your experience has been or.
Gardner: Um,with Facebook ads or? [LAUGHTER].
Teague: One he's asking if there is some programs out there. We did have,um,we did have a
program many of you might be familiar with. It was originally called Solarized Johnson
County,then it became Gross Solar Johnson and Lynn,which sought to decrease the cost
of putting solar energy onto homes. Um, and I will say we were able to put solar panels
on a number of homes. I- I can't say that they were all necessarily low-income or
moderate income homes. But it was also really a valuable learning experience. Um,we
talked about solar as being a source of free energy because the energy comes from the
sun,but you still have the equipment costs associated with it. And,um,what turned out to
be a pinch point for many folks going through that program,we have actually the specific
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data on how many attended an information session,how many got the consultation for
their home and how many adopted. And you could see it funneling down with each of
those levels,right?And one of the big determining factors is that with solar energy,um,
essentially it's like a prepayment program for your energy needs,right?You make it go
large initial and upfront investment and then your energy usage goes down.Well, it
doesn't really go down,but you get solar energy supplementing the energy you're getting
off the grid. And so a lot of folks,when the proposition is, can you pay for the next 10
years of your electricity use in one check right now,that's a significant barrier would be
for me and for any number of people. And so finding a program that helps reduce that
cost ends up being critical,not just for low or moderate income households,but really for
households across the board. Um, at the same time,you have the consideration of utility-
scale solar. Um, and I will say,um, whatever feelings may exist about utilities one way or
the other,utility scale energy is the cheapest form of energy that's available to any
household generally. And that's because of the economies of scale,right?When they
build a solar array that can feed into the grid and provide clean energy for all of us. It's
just cheaper than,um,what we would pay for a small array on our own homes. And so I
think as you saw with so many things in the progress report,the answer is really an all of
the above strategy rather than this or that. And certainly we continue to explore those
options and look for ways to do that. And I know- as many of you will know we did put
solar arrays on top of two of the houses that were in the south district neighborhood as a
way to explore funding mechanisms for that. And we continue to look for those solutions
and learning opportunities to advance these kinds of efforts.
Dunn: Mr. Mayor, if I may respond to your specific comment about those ads. Um, those are
generally for different solar leasing or renting programs. Basically a company will come
in,they'll install solar- a solar array on top of your house. Um,but they will still own it
and you're still required to pay payments to that company,which can escalate over time,
rather than actually being able to reap the benefits of being able to plug straight into the
grid, get credits. All of that stuff is taken by the company. Same thing with all of the
rebates that you would get for energy efficiency from the federal and state government or
any local rebates that we might have. Um,those are all taken by the company. Um, so
they put a $16,000 roughly investment onto a solar array, let's say,um, in over time,you
know, 20,30 years,you have to pay that back plus interest and you get none of the
benefits of actually owning independent,uh,you know,home-based solar arrays. Even
though you have one. You might be paying less for your utility itself,but you still have to
pay for the rental and leasing fees on those actual structures on top of your house. It's a
very predatory industry sometimes.
Teague: Yeah. Yeah.
Harmsen: Not to-just to,kind of, switch topics just a little bit. And it's something you brought
up earlier in your presentation. And since we're talking about funding and ARPA funding
was that thing,talking about the zero fare bus stop. So it's,kind of, a question for
whomever they can feel that is- is ARPA a funding mechanism we can use to launch such
a program? I realized it's not a sustainable because it's,you know, it's not renewed-
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renewable source. But should that be part of our conversations as we consider the last
part of ARPA funding or should that- should we be thinking about other streams?
Fruin: Well, it's certainly an eligible use and something we talked about in 2021 is helping us get
over that hump. But the transit,um,transit services have received some direct funding as
well for that through other sources from the federal government. So we feel like we
probably don't need ARPA to launch. We've got some launch money within the-the
ARPA, um, transit streams. Uh, that more difficult question will be,how-how do we
continue to sustain that funding once those launched dollars are-those initial dollars are
used?But I don't think we need to probably tap into the state and local relief dollars that
that Kasey talked about earlier for- for fair free.
Harmsen: Thank you.
Teague: All right. Well, thank you.
Fruin: So just to,kind of,put a bow on- on that discussion,um,we were intentionally- staff was
intentionally,kind of,holding off on the climate piece of the ARPA just to see how some
of these bigger,um, categories of- of funding played out. So you have the non-profit
capital grants,we have the underestimated business grants and then our next,um,bigger
effort would be the affordable housing. We had two-and-a-half million slated for
affordable housing. Just because 10 percent, 15 percent overage on any one of those
categories could- could alter,um, some of these smaller categories we were holding off.
Um, do you want us to-to move forward and either engage climate action commission
right now and ask for recommendations or do you want us to stay the path and continue
to work on some of the larger categories first? That's probably most critical for us to
understand now.
Dunn: Do- do we lose anything by asking them to start looking at recommendations?
Fruin:No. I don't think you lose anything,but you might get into a situation, let's say if the
affordable housing opportunity that you really want to pursue is three million or three-
and-a-half million. And we only have two-and-a-half million slotted for it. You may be in
a situation where you have to go back to the Commission or,um,whoever's generating
recommendations for you and say, sorry,we're actually not gonna do what you asked,
were going to pursue this other opportunity.
Bergus: I think when I was hearing is that there are also opportunities that we haven't fully
explored in the Inflation Reduction Act, is that fair?
Gardner: Um,well as the Inflation Reduction Act,uh, such an interesting piece of legislation
covers 134 programs. And one of the things that we've been doing in our offices,
combing through and figuring out which ones are directly applicable to the city. Um, the
majority of them aren't there direct funding opportunities for federal programs. There is
some funding potential under well, a related piece of legislation, the EECGB Funding
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which the Climate Commission also took up and made a recommendation. Um,there will
be some future funding potentially available under the IRA. The difficulty because there's
still a lot of active rulemaking with it. And so we don't know exactly what all those
programs look like or what their participation requirements will be. Um, so I feel like this
is a rambling maybe. I think there are some opportunities. I don't know how big they are,
what they'll be.
Bergus: I guess where I was going with that is that it seems that maybe just having the
commission continuing in their work in prioritizing projects that may require bigger
chunks of funding, even if we don't know if it's going to be this,you know, state and local
relief bucket versus some other bucket or some other grant opportunity. I think just
having that on the Commission's radar as something that I think we want to hear about Is-
is,kind of,what I'm thinking.
Gardner: Just go to the commission and ask them to dream big. I like it. [LAUGHTER]
Bergus: I mean, I think that's kinda the moment we're in. People agree. I don't know.
Dunn: I just have a quick follow up question on something Councilor Bergus' or- one of your
responses to a Councilor Bergus' question. Um,just, again,not super important,but,um,
question about the rulemaking. Is that something that is affected by a divided Congress or
is that something that had happened- is happening through heads of executive
departments.
Gardner: Um,no. It's really following the normal process for this kind of legislation where,you
know,the money gets set aside and you're all very familiar with this on the city level,the
money gets set aside, says we want to allocate X number of dollars for this kind of
programming,right?And then it falls to the staff members, in this case,the federal staff
members to say, all right,well how do we make sure that it's applied equitably and what
are the kinds of reporting requirements we're going to put on it and how do we
administrate a program like this?And so that's all of the-what's happening right now
with a number of those programs. Um, and we expect to get increasing guidance
throughout the course of this year. If you ask me this question again next year, I'll
probably have even an more rambling but more detailed answer.
Teague: Thank you. All right. So one of the questions is, do we want to direct uh,the
commission to kinda- [BACKGROUND NOISE] I mean,this watch is like horrible.
Harmsen: I guess one question I have is, is there a sense-you do talking about like the other big
piece,the affordable housing piece. Is there a sense that we'll have a clear direction on
that at some time?Like for instance, if there was a sense we have a clear direction on that
by summer maybe we wait for that and then in the middle of summer then we-we kick it
back to the climate commission and say, okay,we have a clearer idea of what your
resources are gonna be. What would- I mean is there?
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Fruin: Well,uh, I don't have that clear sense now. Part of-part of where we need to start is just a
conversation with you and say,here-here we have roughly two-and-a-half million set
aside through these ARPA funds,but we also have fee in lieu funds collected in riverfront
crossings. We have some tiff generated affordable housing funds. And you have one of
the larger items in your strategic plan as they think big affordable housing project. Uh, so
we need to engage with you and say,what does that look like? Is that a grant program
that's rolled out? Is that a public housing program? Is that going to involve land
acquisition?Um, so I feel like we need to kinda start at ground level zero uh,wi-with the
discussion with you to-to kinda tease out that strategic plan priority a little bit, and then
we can build from there.
Harmsen: But I think part of the reason I asked that is because my consideration of not just the
financial end of things but also the time of the commission members,right?And I don't
want to have them,you know, I don't want to-to spend that resource uh,unwisely or
without having a clear idea of what direction to give them. I don't know if that makes
sense. Uh,but if we had like a better, I mean, I love that idea,right? I mean, these are
people who have dedicated so much time and energy to it and I want to make sure we
honor the time and energy they dedicate to that work. So I'd hate to say,well,you know,
dream big and then-then have to go back and say,well,thanks-thanks for that but we're
going to have-to have you start over. Uh, if we can maybe avoid that sort of duplication.
A- and that's kinda my thought so maybe-maybe this-the way forward is to start
jumping into some of that affordable housing stuff uh, and some of that ground zero stuff.
But just my thought like for future next few work sessions,but I don't know. Was-what
does everybody else sort of think about that but that's kind of what jumps out at me.
Fruin: You know, I think other thing just a reminder for the- for the ARPAs state and local relief
fund,we had on the set aside 500,000 for climate action. That was our smallest category.
So we- our- our budget with-with programs that we're doing now is roughly in that
range. If you think of root for trees and the business grants and all the great things that
Sarah just described we're already operating at that level. So this would be kind of a
onetime I'm just generalizing here doubling of those efforts, at least with the resources to
support those efforts. So if we are going to ask to think big we just have to make sure that
we're thinking of the revenue sources that could support that because you definitely don't
want them to come back with $5,6,7,000,000 projects and thus to say,well,that's great
but we don't have any way to even contemplate funding those. So I would suggest one or
two things. We either hold off we let some things play out,that's the current path we're-
we're on. Or if you're interested in- in- in getting a refresh of those ideas uh,that the-that
the commission gave us during July of 21 when we were gathering some input. Um, I
don't think that's harmful as long as they-they know the general constraints we're talking
probably about a half million dollars. They've-they've done that recently with the energy
er, efficiency block grant that we'll be getting. They've already kind of started to
prioritize how we would use those funds. So I think it kinda builds naturally on some of
those discussions.
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Alter: I like the uh,what you had suggested Shawn,that I think that given the- I think for all of
us it was almost unanimous in terms of looking at affordable housing in our strategic plan
it was to think big and so I think that let's- let the plan help guide us in this conversation
as well. Especially given that um,while we're saying think big it's almost with a small b,
which is unfortunate. And so it is, it's about honoring time and commitment and energy
and um, a- and making sure that we can follow through on the recommendations and at
the same time, if we are looking at a- a larger um,bucket of money for us to roll up our
sleeves and start thinking about what that looks like in terms of affordable housing
because that's on us to do. So that's I agree with you. Long story, long explanation.
Teague: I- I will say I agree, except I also think it's important for us to visually see within our
ARPA fund dollars that we have some climate action outline things. And so even though
if we want to kinda hold off on that I think if he's going to end up being- I believe we
should allocate some funds and if it's 500,000 that we can-that we're going to allocate
then I don't totally see the harm in asking the commission to go forth and just kinda base
recommendations within uh, $500,000.
Bergus: Yeah.
Harmsen: Within that scale.
Teague: Within-yeah.
Alter: Yeah.
Thomas: Yeah. I like that. It sort of put a focus on our affordable housing efforts that we-we do
need to-to move along on those. But it does seem with a half a million dollar cap that
having that discussion shouldn't be too time-consuming or a heavy- a heavy lift for the
commission.
Teague: And the affordable housing is an initiative is a 2.5 million through the ARPA funds that
we've kinda allocated or set aside.
Bergus: I have a question because I don't remember where we landed in discussing the
possibility of a centralized grant person who could be out looking for money and that
kind of thing.
Fruin: It's- it's part of the uh,FY24 budget recommendations. So as of July 1,we'd have the
resources to hire that.
Bergus: Okay. Was that one that we were talking about delaying though or no. I'm thinking of
something else.
Fruin: Uh, I- I- I kind of caution that we may need to revisit that depending on property tax
reform efforts of the state. But um,probably too soon to tell right now.
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Bergus: I just see that position may be helping inform this kind of thing. Because if we're asking
the commission to think big and then it's like,well,there's federal money out there that
maybe could be directed towards something even larger and we then have suddenly have
the capacity to look forward to go for it. That's a different conversation.
Fruin: Yeah. And I think our staff Danielle has been tracking uh,the IRA stuff really well and
continuing to look for opportunities and to collaborate with other departments. So we're
doing that now but we just don't have that so physician that's solely focused on that right
now.
Bergus: Thank you.
Teague: So what is the consensus? [LAUGHTER]
Harmsen: I think what you said abo- about yes, ask them to-to re-look at that but making sure
they understand the scope we're talking about is not the big scope it's the half a million or
ish.
Fruin: Okay.
Harmsen: Does that make sense?Because we don't really know. And we can tell them we don't
know what that's going to be but it'll be in right now it looks like that range. Tha-that's
what I'm hearing?
Teague:No, and I see heads nodding, so that's what we're gonna go with. Awesome. Anything
else on this item?
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4. Determine City Council Representatives (1 or 2) for the ARPA Underestimated
Business Grant Program Review Committee
Teague: We're going to move on to Item number 4. Thank you so much for being a part of our
discussion today. Item number 4 is determine city council representatives, one or two for
the ARPA Underestimated Business Grant Program Review Committee.
From: So no staff presentation on this. Just recognizing that at your last two work sessions
you've had two different proposals uh, one from the school district and one from the-the
wage supplement or wage enhancement team. Just thought you might want some space to
discuss uh,those work sessions. There's no urgency from a staff standpoint.
Alter: You've moved ahead of us.
Dunn: Oh,jumped ahead of you.
From: [OVERLAPPING] Sorry, I jumped ahead. Yeah.
Teague:No worries. But this is the ARPA Underestimated Business Grant Program Review
Committee. So uh, the last meeting I know that I had um,through my hand up and I
wanted to be one of the representatives and I guess at this time is who else would like to
be a representative. Anybody can. Okay. Okay. So we thinking just one representative.
[NOISE] Okay?All right. I will be the representative.
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5. Discussion of the ICCSD Pre-School Funding Request and Child Care Wage
Program
Teague: We're on to item Number 5,which is the discussion on the Iowa City Community
School District Pre-School Funding Request and the Childcare Wage Enhancement
Program. [NOISE]
Bergus: Well, this is just kind of open discussion. I can give folks an update that I received
today,um, in this other committee meeting,but Katie Gerlach from Better Together was
there and mentioned that yesterday and today there was,uh,yesterday there was a
meeting of the Child Care Coalition and representatives from the school district about the
questions that we had raised of collaboration and kind of being informed by providers in
the possibility of scoping the,um, four-year-old pre-case wraparound services that they
were requesting funding for. So the takeaway that I got from that as well as from our
most recent work session relating to the wage enhancement and the questions of like how
do we pull this all together?What,you know,what information is needed to kind of make
sure we're not,um, I don't know,maybe moving too hastily. Um,the takeaway that I got
is that,you know,the-the wage enhancement will help regardless. And the wraparound
Pre-K still has some pretty significant questions and that maybe we continue let the
coalition continue to work on that with this-with the district and try and shape that up. So
that's at least where I am based on that update,but,um,yeah, I don't know where other
folks might be at.
Harmsen: That's good to hear. That was actually gonna be my question because I know it's one
of things we had talked about during our last work session, last two work sessions about,
um,having different groups coming together and letting the solutions bubble up from the
people that are,you know, ended up to their elbows as opposed to us trying to figure it
out from up here. Um, and so that's great to hear. I think that would be-to me,that'd be
great to hear sort of what more comes out of that. Um, and I don't know if that's
something for like maybe,uh,you know, looking at a couple of work sessions down the
road to sort of get again kind of let- let those that are closely- closest engaged be working
on that. And then,you know,kind of let those solutions bubble up and then we can take
some action on it because it'd be great to take some- some positive action on this issue.
And I know that we're all sort of excited about doing that,um,but make sure what-what
we're doing makes sense for,you know, creates solutions in that new problems.
Alter: I've had a couple of conversations as well and,um, actually was able to sort of
productively go back to when we had COVID,um, I and,um, a number of people in the
community work together to create these micro hubs,um, called,uh,neighborhood
NESTS. And,um,to a certain extent, they were useful. It helped,um, students who
needed certain resources,uh,be able to do their learning,uh, in a way that, um,was best
for them. But what I remember most afterwards,because there were many debriefings
about what worked,what didn't and we did a lot of change on the fly,um,was about the
number of assumptions that we had that we thought, surely this is going to be the right
solution for the people who need it most. What we didn't do is actually talk to the people
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who needed it most. So I may sound a little blunt,but I'm- fust of all, I'm incredibly glad
that the Child Care Coalition and,um,the school district are- are talking because I think
that there is boots on the groundwork and an input that the coalition that has access to
childcare providers,to families who would be impacted across a range of different
experiences. So this is really promising to me. Um, I am not the type of person who says,
um,you know, it has to be perfect. I recognize that's what the enemy of the good. But I
think given the kind of investment and such promise that is in this program and such,
frankly and necessity to help equip families and the community and these kiddos in there
to put their best foot forward. I would really like to see some answers and some
solutioning done,um, in advance of us doing an up or down vote. Um, I would love, I- I
know that when they were here,um, and as well at joint entities,we were told that there
were surveys. Um, and we found out the number of kiddos that we're not,um, currently
getting childcare. I would love to find out from those families. Well,why is that,right?
And not as in, I mean, as a genuine question because there's a number of reasons why
they may not. It might be that it's family oriented. It might be that it's, you know,that
there's,um, a cultural gap between what is childcare mean as we're thinking of it versus
how different,you know, families might understand it and what are the educational
components that are going into it?Um, so these are questions that have kind of bubbled
up and is everything going good to get answered?No. But I do think that these are things
that going back to my best of intentions and helping out the people that I thought needed
the most help through NESTS. There are a lot of assumptions and we would have done a
lot better to reach out to the people who have boots on the ground and to the people who
are directly impacted to say,well,what is it that you need and- and- and why aren't you
getting it?And so I would like the school district to- to pursue that line of thinking a little
bit with a few more partners,um, and then I would feel that much more confident. This is
a tremendous program and I think it's- it has so much potential. I'm just not quite there
yet in terms of feeling like it's got the buy-in and the some of the- some of the data that it
needs to-to- for me to feel as confident going forward, at least right now.
Dunn: I would say just my own separate comment here. I- I still have a little bit of concern with
the aspect that we would be prioritizing and starting the program with large childcare
providers before.
Alter: I'm talking about the,um, school district,not the wage enhancement.
Dunn: I know. Since the item is for both. I'm not directly contracting your comments, apologies
for not clarifying. Um, so just on the general topic of the program,um, I- I am a little bit
concerned. Again- again, clarity going to the wage enhancement program. Here's what
my comments are about. I'm a little bit concerned about the prioritizing of larger
companies that have more resources,uh, and- and kind of just setting aside small families
operations either out of homes or their own independent facilities. Um, it's a concern. I
don't know how to solve that problem. But again, I'm- I'm someone who has a little bit of
a personal,uh, experience with this. My parents being in-home childcare providers for
the bulk of my youth. Um, something like this is going to have a huge impact,um, on
those families. And some of those families are going to be,uh,having childcare facilities
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in their homes for very particular reasons. Maybe they can't leave their home. Maybe
that's the extent of their abilities. I mean,we're going to be seeing certainly people that
have,you know, questions about documentation. So we're looking at impacts to the
immigrant community here and their streams of income. Um, so I'd like to see something
about that either,uh, either a better justification in- in- in my opinion, as to why we
would specifically exclude those people rather than work to bring them into the process
and make sure that they can provide the documentation and other things that are
necessary. Rather than just, in my opinion, centralize public dollars in,you know,
companies that are already seemed to be doing all right.
Alter: I'm pushing back a little bit, larger companies in terms of childcare?
Dunn: Yeah. I'm just saying like more established. That's-that's what I'm saying.
Alter: Okay. I mean,because most childcare places are I mean,A there are many-many
independent facilities and B,we're talking about staff of 20.
Dunn: Sure.
Alter: So I'm not sure. I was just like I just want to clarify a little bit.
Dunn: Yeah-yeah-yeah. Ab- absolutely. But what I'm comparing is my parent's operation was a
staff of like three or four,right?And then we took care of 20 or 30 kids with that. So I'm
just wanting some more answers in that regard. Um,you know,not necessarily saying
that I would vote no,but it- it gets me a little bit uncomfortable. So just looking for more
information in that regard. And again,nobody's making boatloads of money in the
childcare business. I don't want it to be said like that,uh,but I still want to make sure that
when we-we're allocating these dollars,the allocations are equitable and encompassing
the vast,uh,you know,multitude of situations that we have with childcare providers in
the community.
Taylor: I appreciate your-your question, Councilor Dunn because I believe I raised that question
to the group that presented as far as it had they surveyed in-home care providers. And I'm
talking just a mom and paps, sort of, organization that maybe has five or six children and
they hadn't yet,but it sounds like they had plans to try to-try to seek these people out
because I know of some that,uh,they just can't. They can't afford to take,uh, children,
that parents have child care assistance. Uh, so,you know,those are concerns,but I- I
agree that you don't want to pit them against these established businesses that even if they
only have 20 employees,uh,we would consider them that's right, so-.
Alter: Just I was saying for scaling. [OVERLAPPING]
Taylor: Right. Exactly- exactly. But I understand your concern about that. Right.
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Alter: [OVERLAPPING] What constitute large company. I just- I think for, I don't know the
five people who are listening,you know,to talk about a large company with childcare.
It's like that's what we're talking about not necessarily like,you know, 300 or anything.
But totally your point is- is well-taken.
Dunn: And I appreciate your clarification.
Alter: Both of you. Of course. [OVERLAPPING]
Dunn: Yeah-yeah, absolutely.
Bergus: And I think what we heard at the last meeting was,you know,they had to start
somewhere. And that I actually heard it as the wanting to get logistical things figured out
and get the kinks ironed out and then address those that are maybe going to have a few
more,um,just,you know, challenges based exactly on the things that you were talking
about. I mean, one thing, I know I have some clients who are childcare providers is they
don't have a wage,right? The way their business is structured is they pay themselves as
sole proprietors or as distributions through an LLC or something like that. So it can't- it
can't actually be delivered in the same way for all of those folks either. So I think that's
what I heard at our last work session,but I think we'll just keep engaging them and make
sure they know that that's a priority of ours as well.
Dunn: And I- I've certainly appreciate your comments and I- I don't really think that there's a
better course of action.
Bergus: Okay.
Dunn: Rather than to just let them know,hey, like,we-we don't want a large-scale transition
away necessarily from these smaller operations. Again,taking into account the scale of
the operations,uh,we want to make sure that people are treated equitably with this
program. That's-that's the biggest focus.
Bergus: Yeah. Definitely.
Teague: Alright,hearing no other comments we'll go into clarification of agenda items.
Alter: You have to remind me, is this where we talk about- if we want something pulled out from
the consent?
Teague: Formal?
Alter: From format for- f- from formal,yes. Um, I actually would,uh, it's on- I believe it's- sorry
once we get past the cigarette stuff,um,yeah,the 7a, on the rezoning of J. J. R. Davis.
That would be something that I would like to talk about during formal.
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Goers: Just so we're clear, [OVERLAPPING] that the item today is just setting the public
hearing.
Alter: Oh, okay.
Goers: From next time. I'm sure that-
Alter: Sorry [OVERLAPPING]
Goers: Yeah.No,that's fine.
Alter: Thank you.
Goers: Sure.
Alter: This is why-this is why I pull it out and ask the question.
Teague: Yes.
Goers: That's what this is for.
Alter: Thank you.
Alter: All right, never mind.
Teague: Well then,we'll talk about that on,uh,April 4th would be the-
Alter: Okay
Teague: Public hearing.
Alter: Sounds good.
Dunn: Clarification, I guess, on that item. Um,well, the correspondence that we receive when
this actually becomes a council vote issue in- in the preceding,uh,meetings,will the
messages from,uh,Jane Janet,uh, and the rest of the Danes be included in packets
future?
Goers: I'm looking at Kellie because she is actually the guardian of such things.
Fruehling: Um,typically,no,because they are in this packet and you'll accept them in this
packet,um, and then in any new correspondence would be in when we hold the public
hearing.
Teague: Would you like to see anything different?
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Dunn: Uh, I would like,uh, at the very least for, uh,Jane's- it's a four-page letter to be included
when we actually are doing our deliberations if people would be okay with that.
Teague: I think if we accept one correspondence,we would do all.
Alter: And I think that was present,that was within the P&Z Commission packet.
Teague: But it wa- it was also attached.
Alter: It wa- it was attached.
Teague: Yeah.
Alter: Yeah.
Teague: So if- and I would say all correspondence.
Dunn: Sure.
Teague: A- are people okay with that?
Taylor: Yes.
Teague: Alright,you can just make all correspondence. And that would include any late for this
one as well.
Alter: Sure.
Fruin: This is just for this one item?
Teague: Yes. Just for this one item as the request. Anything else with this agenda? [NOISE]
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7. Information Packet Discussion (March 9,March 16)
Teague: All right,we're going to move on to information packet,March 9th. Information packet
March 16th then we went through a lot of that.
Thomas: Well,just-just to start off,um, on that, under,um,pending work sessions,uh,there
were a couple I would like to ask Council to consider for a future work session. Uh, one
would be the Orchard Subdistrict,uh,when we have that on our formal agenda and had
our vote,there was,uh,you know, Geoff mentioned the staff would be interested in
council direction. So I- it seems that the-the-the fust step toward trying to establish what
that direction would be,would be to have a work session to discuss it.
Alter: Wasn't- Geoff wasn't your sense of wanting direction this is just purely,because I don't
know. Um,based on the- on the discussion in the vote for the Orchard subdistrict,was it
about looking back at the-the district plan, or was it about, er, about zoning?
From: Yeag, it could be either,that's-that's one of the questions that staff answers there.
Alter: I'm curious.
Thomas: I'm envision it would be both. [NOISE]
Alter: Okay.
Teague: Larger conversation,yeah.
From: As it is- it a bigger as the vision for the area flawed or as our- our- our components of the
zoning code,um, flawed that-that need to be changed. That's-that's kind of the question.
Taylor: I would be okay with that, done one session on that.
Harmsen: I have no strong opinion on timing,but I do think we do need to give city staff a clear
direction.
Thomas: You know.
Harmsen: Definitely.
Alter: Agree.
Thomas: You know,we-we had devoted a while back. I mean, it- it- I personally would like to
see,you know, it doesn't have to be immediately,but certainly some- some put it on the
radar that it's important that we have it. Uh, and then the second one was it has to do with
the Rochester Avenue natural area,um. That's something that,you know, a few of us
have been working on since August of last year, and,um, I- I would like to have the f- fu-
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,uh, discussion of the full council over that one,um, so I just wanted to-to raise that as a-
another potential work session item.
Bergus: I'm not sure I know what that is. What's the Rochester Avenue natural area?
Thomas: Well, the-the Rochester reconstruction project-
Bergus: Okay.
Thomas: Uh, entails a- an area with a, uh,you know, it's a- it's a natural area along the south side
of Rochester Street.
Bergus: Where we didn't put the sidewalk,where we changed the plants [OVERLAPPING] and
not-yeah.
Thomas: On the- on the south side of the street. A little bit east of Rochester cord, I think it is,
um, if I'm not mistaken,you know,East.
Bergus: Okay.
Thomas: And I don't recall the actual linear footage. Um, and- and it's been,you know,there's
some concerns on- among the neighbors, as to what was being proposed there. Uh, and,
you know,three-three councilors over the last nu-numerous months have,you know,
been engaging with staff and the,um, and the neighbors to try to understand what- if
anything,we could do,uh, in that area in part,the-the- the concern was a,um,retaining
wall,variable height that was gonna be going in there. And,you know,that what-what
can we do to try to reduce,you know,the height and scope of that wall?Um, and so there
was- again, it's been an ongoing conversation and at this point, I- I just felt it was,uh,
something that I would like to have the whole council to be here.
Bergus: Is- is that wall in the right-of-way, or is this on p-private property?
Bergus: It's in the right of way.
Fruin: It's in the right-of-way.
Bergus: Okay.
Fruin: It's not proposed. It's in the approved project.
Bergus: Right. It's in the- it's the engineered plan for the write-up for the retaining wall in our
right-of-way. I- I don't feel like that warrants are additional attention, I feel like we've
kind of vetted that through and approves the plan,they trust our engineers. I think it's- it
can continue forward.
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Teague: So yeah, I think on this- so the question is, is there,uh, suf-you know, council support
for the work session,um. And so I heard Councilor Taylor say yes. I would personally
like to have more discussions outside before bringing it to council with Councilor
Thomas personally. But if there is another third person, alright. So we'll-we'll put it on
the work session agenda for the future. Um, and we'll go from there.
Alter: Is this gonna potentially hold up? I mean,because I know that construction is happening
essentially now. Isn't that going to hold up?
Teague: We can certainly put it on the next agenda on our next work session.
Bergus: To-to what end? I mean,what-what are we talking- going to be talking about?
Teague: Well,we can't discuss that here. And what we're- I mean, it is a work session agenda
item that has been put on the agenda.
Bergus: Okay.
Teague: And the work session agenda and so it'd be,you know,we have to prioritize things
based on a lot of factors. And so maybe that you're wondering what is the content so that
you can figure out and respond.
Bergus: Welll I, Correct.
Teague: Yeah. So what I might suggest is maybe connected with the person who recommended
this work session item to have a conversation with you. But we're going to move on to
the next item. Anything else with March 16th?
Alter: I mean, I think that we should definitely call out the memo from Director of Parks and Rec
since we have the consultant selection process out there. Um,you know, and I
appreciated that given that this has a lot of public interest, I appreciate it that this was put
forward and with a lot of detail. I also have been reading emails from concerned citizens
about the process and,um, I think that having read the letter and I apologize because I
cannot remember your last name or how to pronounce it,but Amy,who is a staunch
advocate of the city Park Pool. Um, I read your letter. I read it through thoroughly and I
read it sort of side-by-side along with what the proposal is. And I feel that many of your
concerns are addressed within this-this memo and also the consultant process, including
and especially the fact that whomever wins this will have BSMI in engineering as well as
in development and design. So I just wanted to call that out because I know that you're
not the only one. There's an advocacy group who is really really interested in does not
want us to forget and we have not. And we said when we approve the master plan,that
there would be follow-ups and a very transparent process. And I just want to say that this
is one very big step in that. It's multiple pages of step-by-step of here's what we're going
to look at. Here's how this is going to happen. Here's how it will get feedback. And just
one point is that there was a question about,well,why would we look for input from
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people who don't use the pool?And it's actually precisely to make sure that we are more
inclusive because there are-we have found from the blast process that there are people
who don't feel that the pool is currently set up for them,whether it's through ADA
accommodations or from it being accessible to them out of comfort and or the types of
things that they want to see. So,um, I just wanted to answer that particular question. I
don't know if you're listening. I'm will be responding in email,but,um, I just think kudos
to staff and to everyone who put this memo together and the process itself, it's very
detailed, it's intricate,but it's also very clear and I appreciate that.
Dunn: Geoff, quick question about this one,um,when will we be tasked with approving this
RF'Q?
Fruin: You typically,this is very rare that we come to you with an RFQ and an RFP that's
typically a staff function. And then you would hire-you would approve the hiring of the
consultants. So what you see here is basically our advertising to the consulting world to
say if you're interested in this project and would like to provide these services,here's how
we anticipate this,um, going. And then Eric's office will work with Parks and Rec and
engineering to actually develop an agreement with the selected consultant that you would
consider in a public session. Three to four months would-would probably be ideal when
that would come back to you.
Dunn: So I guess,um, I- I would echo a lot of the comments that Councilor Alter had,but I've
also had a number of meetings with the-with the folks that are advocating for the pools.
And I think that there's a pretty and then tell me if I'm wrong advocates for the pools
friends or RAL and friends of City Park Pool. I think that what they're asking for in this
point is two things. One, for the original design of City Park Pool to be included as part
of the focus group,which as of present, I don't believe it is. And two, for city- so
basically no change be an option for the focus group. And two, for employees of the city
or their family members to be excluded from the focus groups. Um, I think at the very
least, including the no design change in the focus group is a pretty reasonable request,
especially given how many people have been engaged on this topic. They have a petition
of 900 people. That's no small feat. Um, and I don't think it's particularly a difficult
change either. So I would personally be in favor of making sure that we have those
changes if council would feel interested.
Alter: I would have to be reminded on this and- and I can totally see where you are on- on the no
design change. But there has to be some changes,right?Because it's not ADA-compliant.
Because the pool is 70 years old,right?Yes.
Dunn: Of course, I'm taking that into account.
Alter: Just making sure.
Dunn: Yeah.No, absolutely. Taking that into account. But like-
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Alter: It has to be a zero entry.
Dunn: Yes.
Alter: Which does-
Dunn: Yes. You know, complying with federal regulations, state regulations, all of that,but
otherwise,making that part of the focus group process and then excluding anyone who
works for the city or their family members from being part of that focus group. So that
we're just focusing on that. That I think is part of a discussion because I think there might
be reasons for that. Um,would-would love to hear.
Teague: So I don't know if our attorney has anything to say about that,but I would say-well, I'll
let you respond to that that I'll give my two cents.
Goers: Well, yeah, I'm- I'm hesitant about the excluding all city employees.When I was reading
and I have not read all of the communications that we've received from the advocates for
the two pools and so forth. I understood their criticism to be that the city staff was
overweighted in the focus groups and so forth, and thus felt like the results were skewed.
I presumed,with the notion that,uh, all city staff would be of one mind and I for one, I'm
not certain that that's accurate. Um, so I think that taking the additional step to say not
only that we will ensure that city staff is not over-represented,but that we have no city
staff involved might be going pretty far.
Dunn: Is there a comfortable middle ground that people would feel with- feel good about?
Bergus: So I just wanted to clarify because the way that I read the RFP, the focus groups are only
if we decide that the pool needs to be redesigned. And that's why the focus groups are
about redesign. So if we say, if we want the pool to remain the same,that's the repair
option and we don't get to the focus group stage unless and until we've already decided
we're not going to stick with the current pool. So I just think procedurally that is taken
care of in how the steps are in order.
Thomas: Well, the way-the way I read this or in Amy's comments to us recently, is there-yes,
there is the fust the idea of can- can the existing pool be repaired?And if it can be and
the council agrees to take that approach,that sort of stops the sequence. Amy was also
talking to the thought that,um, let's say, it can't be repaired. You know,what she was
suggesting was one of the three schematic designs would be essentially leaving the pool
as is. Yeah, I just wanted to clarify that. That's what Andrew was referring to and- and I
do think that makes sense. But I would- I think- I think it's important for me, at least for
me to explain what I'm thinking when I say that because,you know,the way I had put it
that shall include one scheme that essentially preserves the existing pool footprint. I
think- I think we all- I certainly would not want to say it has to be precisely the same
footprint of what is there. Second of all, I would say preserving the existing pool
footprint as a foundation for the consideration of additional features. Because in my view,
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I'm sure there are pools of that type that over the years have seen additional features
included in the project. So at least that's my position, is I think it's important to have the
footprint of the pool be one of the schematic design options. But I'm- I'm not viewing that
as something where we just simply do no changes whatsoever,you know,with regard to
any special features that could be included.
Alter: [BACKGROUND INAUDIABLE NOSIE]
Thomas: What?
Alter: Okay.
Thomas: I mean, I- I do think that's-that's seems like a especially given the history on this
project where there's a lot of interest,um, and just keep it the way it is. Um, and that-
that's one of the options not the only option but it would be one of the options,uh,to be
considered.
Bergus: So if we decide not to repair the pool but to renovate, couldn't the consultants come back
within the parameters that are in the RFP? Couldn't one of the designs be to keep it as it is
but still replaced?Like that-that's not excluded.
Fruin: It's not excluditory.
Thomas;No, I think it's just to be clear up front.
Dunn: That one of them should be.
Bergus: Yeah, I feel uncomfortable dictating to experts who were hiring to come in and consider
all of the other factors,right? I absolutely agree there's been a lot of interest expressed us
and,you know,that it should remain this way. I think their job will be to take that into
account in,you know,the work that we've done so far and how that's been expressed and
everything that's,you know, collected in the feedback and all of that that we have. And if
that along with every other factor about the pool that at that point we've already decided
it needs to be renovated. If that makes sense,that will be an option. I mean,that-that's
kind of what I- I feel uncomfortable limiting what a consultant could come back within
that particular way just because I think that's their job.
Thomas: Well it's not limiting them it's just saying of the- of the alternatives,there would be one
alternative that essentially use the existing footprint of the pool as a starting point.
Harmsen: Well, I think I hear what,uh, Councilor Bergus is saying is anybody we hire is going
to be privy to all of these discussions and they couldn't possibly ignore the fact that there
has been an ongoing coming up with some of these design plans so- so I think, and then
please correct me if I'm- if I'm putting the wrong words in your mouth, it's a self solving
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problem, self-correcting in that if- if it makes sense that-that'll be there.
[OVERLAPPING]
Bergus: Yeah, I mean, I guess also when I'm worried about is if there are,you know,we're-we're
looking for an expert to tell us how this pool could be renovated. It can't be repaired, it
has to be renovated. We're asking them to give us three designs of how that could be. If
we say it has to,you know, one of those redesigns has to be this way, are we eliminating
or are we cutting ourself short from opportunities?Like,you know, if we're paying them
for like their-their expertise and we say,you know, one of the three has to be this, it just
seems like we might be foreclosing whereas if- if the,um,you know, at that point the
focus groups will absolutely include,you know,the input that we've been hearing as well,
right,because the focus groups only happen at that point. Um, I don't know. I just- it
makes me uncomfortable to say that [OVERLAPPING]
Alter: And there's some details in here. I know that we have to end but I know that there are
details that say things like keep the-the-the mature trees and,you know,the-there's like
working constraints that actually are talking about keeping that essential for- some of it
that [OVERLAPPING]
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8. University of Iowa Student Government(USG) Updates
Teague: So we-we will take a recess from the work session and come back to this but. Before
we do that, I want to bring up USG on item number 8 for their update.
Goers: And Mayor,while they're coming up let me just supplement the record Amy Kretkowski.
Uh,there's been a number of comments about Amy. I just want to make sure the record
reflects who we're talking about.
Teague: Thank you.
Ziemet: Welcome. Hi Council. I hope you're all having good day. So I just have a couple of
announcement here. First-off, spring break just ended, so students are back and finishing
up the last half of the semester and the Undergraduate Student Government is currently in
its election phase and we plan to know the next year's administration early April.
LeFerve: Yeah. And so in some wider news, obviously, I wanted to throw in this for the next
one. Men's basketball team didn't pass the fust round of playoffs with the women's team
has made it to the Sweet 16. So we were cheering them on. Exactly. Uh, and then
Western news,not Western news,not as happy news. Uh,the current Iowa legislature has
passed,uh, a ban of university funds to DI initiatives,uh, and creating new ones and so
the border regions has recently started reviewing current DI programs. Um,we're
currently working on how USG is going to tackle this and so we'll give you updates as
that goes on.
Ziemet: That on it hasn't been passed yet. It's in the,uh, it's currently being fixed.
LeFerve: Hasn't been passed yet. I'm sorry.
Ziemet: Thank you.
Teague: Thank you.
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7. Information Packet Discussion (March 9,March 16) - Continued
Teague: All right. We're going to recess until after our formal meeting. We are back to our work
session,um, agenda. We were-we left off on information packet March 16th and so we'll
continue whatever discussions that council wants to.
From: Well, if I could just reframe things real quick what-what you're looking at with the RFQ
is the consultant selection documents, so this is the advertisement, excuse me,that we put
out,uh, seeking,uh,uh, consultants,uh,to assist us. The scope of services as we can best
project right now is outlined,um,that helps individual consultants determine whether this
project would be a good fit. But ultimately they will apply and you have to think of this,
uh, some consultants may be full service,uh,they may have architects, engineers,uh,
within the same entity. Oftentimes we will get teams of consultants that will apply,uh,
with a lead consultant. Uh, in this case I would expect an architect probably to be a lead
consultant,but they might have a,uh, engineering firm to assist them or an aquatic
specialty firm to assist them. So again,this is just the advertisement- advertisement to the
consulting world. Eventually,uh, staff will make a selection and bring that to you and
that'll go through the city attorney's office and the exact scope of services will be outlined
in that consultant's agreement at that time.
Thomas: Well,we were at least as I recall, we were-we left off on the question on the,um, its
tell under number 6 on the scope of services regarding the schematic design,um,you
know,whether-whether to include the existing condition as a- as one of those options,
um, or alternatives, I guess you might say. Uh, and you know, as I was- as I was
expressing when we were talking about it earlier tonight I- I- I do think it- it particularly
given the history of the,um, discussion on this to include the existing footprint of the
pool as one of those schematic design options. Um, and as I also tried to emphasize in my
view,that's-that's kind of a foundation for a schematic plan meaning there could be,uh,
modifications that additional features perhaps that-that could be considered for that
option but it would start with the notion that the existing footprint would be the-
essentially the- existing footprint would be the foundation for any other considerations
that might apply.
Dunn: Geoff, I've got a quick question for you. Um, do you know or have any sort of idea about
what kind of increase in cost to us and the taxpayers? It would be to request for
schematics want including basically leaving this as it is now and then also saying one that
is,you know,very much influenced off the current plan of the pool, any additions,
anything that we need to do additional to that? I know that's a really hard thing to say.
From: Hard to say. I can give you an educated guess,um,but that's just what it is, is an educated
guess,um, 5-10,000.
Dunn: I personally think that's worth it.
"Thomas: It's what? I'm sorry.
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Dunn: I think it's worth it. Because we -we have had tremendous engagement over this process.
And if we get to the point where we're already deciding that we're going to be rebuilding
the pool entirely. I think that design should be required to be part of the process, and
required to be part of the focus group. Um,we're not saying that,you know,come the
focus. Let's say the focus group chooses resoundingly a different proposal,you know,
that speaks for itself. Um, it's in we're not requiring or tying our own hands in picking
that design. But I really want to see what people have to say. Um, in addition, if we were
to design it and go againstuh,the current design or change it drastically,that goes
directly against the resolution was passed by the all Historic Preservation Commission
which does kind of concern me,um, in a way. So five to $10,000 to just add it. It's a drop
in the bucket for the whole project.
Fruin: I'd like to just- I'd like to add just a couple of things because I want to. This is uncharted
territory for the council to be weighing in on the RFP on- on sorry,RFQ, and we brought
it to you for this reason so you could have this debate. But,um, as- as you read it,right
now, it sounds like a- a scope that's written in stone,uh,that we're gonna go through
these focus groups,we're going to develop these schematic designs. We're gonna do this
statistically valid survey. Um, sometimes staff will learn things through these consultant
processes,right?We might go through six or seven presentations from consultants that
have designed and built,um, dozens and dozens of these pools across the country. And
they might suggest modifications to this. So I - I just want to caution you on - on getting
too focused on,uh,this,you know,the-the exact type of- of focus groups or the
sequencing of focus groups. In the - in the survey,um, staff is expressing our intent to the
consulting world. But again, I think- I think it's in everybody's best interests to be,um,to-
to remain flexible.Now, I don't have a concern if- if you want to add another schematic
design and- and work within that footprint,that's-that's great feedback. We'll-we'll we
can incorporate that. But,um,you know,when you-when you talk about the focus
groups needing to weigh in on specific designs. That's not-that's not exactly how we've
laid it out here. It could end up that way. But we could also have a consultant that says,
hey,we've-we've done this amazing digital and- and social media engagement campaign
on other pools that's been really successful. But we didn't call for that here, but we might
decide through that process that yeah,that-that will fit here. So for the public, for- for the
council,um,because we don't do this very often. I just want to kinda let you know how
staff,um,views these as being somewhat flexible. Um,but when it comes to developing
schematic designs, if you want one that very closely resembles the-the existing,we can
incorporate that into the question would be, do you want that as well as the three? Or do
you want to move to for an additional.
Alter: Before you get to that. I want to just follow up with a question, Geoff, that it sounds to me
also that this is a process that these potentially the - those who are applying for it, they're
also very familiar with this process. And so they too,they're looking at this essentially for
them to understand parameters and,um,what work has been done to see do they have the
interests. But understanding that,yeah,they might say we've got expertise that you didn't
call out here. Or we have that there's flexibility on both sides. So they're-they are your
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interests,your signaling as a city,this is what we've done,this is what we're interested in.
But,um,there's a sense from if we're going to work together that yes,you may have
some additional things that there's flexibility on both sides. Does that seem to capture it?
So it's - it's just a good caveat for all of us who are new to it to know that this is not just
in lock step.
Fruin: You'll see that, you'll see the exact process laid out when you approve the consultant
agreement. You're seeing what staff is envisioning that process to be,but we remain open
in a project like this in case somebody has some valuable experience that they bring to
the table and suggests slight modifications. You're not going to see anything drastically
different,but you might see some slight modifications.
Dunn: I guess my concern here is that,you know,potential developer or drafter is not going to
go through. You know,how long does this process been in an order,months,year,uh,
multiple years worth of public meetings and documents to understand the kind of public
response that we've had in regard to this. So,you know, at the very least, again, for me
personally,the decision is up to council. I think that we should have some either guidance
or explanation as to what public,uh, comment has been received for this regarding to the
floor plans so that they when we hand them this document. When they read this thing,
they're understanding that there is strong public support,um,you know, in a manner of
speaking for the current design rather than necessarily,uh, setting one requirement. If that
makes sense.
Fruin: Yeah, I'd push back a little bit. I- I we would expect that a consultant that proposes to us
has done their homework and understands that. And - and even we have a section of
additional resources which will include city council minutes and things like that. Um,
staff would absolutely expect that a consultant wouldn't come into this process blind,um,
uh,to -to those community discussions. So,um,yeah. That's something we -we try to
tease out in that process.
Harmsen: I think it's important too to, I certainly would not be in favor of substituting one of the
three designs with something that we are foisting upon not voicing upon. But-but giving
maybe a weight to -to a design,we're really,we're at the stage of the process where we
want to if we're going to spend money to hire somebody to come in with some - some
ideas and we think that they've got some expertise. Um,you know, I feel like we're not
getting the city's bang for the buck. If we said,just give us two designs plus,you know,
go out there and copy and paste from what's already there. Um,then also want-worry a
little bit. If we say,well,we want to make sure and include this design. If- if we're not,
um, signaling that hey,that's probably the one we're going to pick. So don't put your full
effort into these in time and effort into these other three because we're probably not going
to pick them anyway. It just feels like,you know, and they're going to have the public
input. And - and to be able to come up with,you know, another round of public input
that's going to lay into this. And I- I can't imagine that any of the people who are
advocating for anything are going to just suddenly stop,um,you know. Willing to bet the
exactly. So - so I mean, I think some of these things will be self solving that maybe we
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don't need to -to issue an edit,uh, from the council on - on these exact parameters. Um,
that's just kind of maybe we're -maybe the problem doesn't exist as we think,um, or- or
that-that,uh,has been framed. Um,because I mean,this is what the process will reveal. I
mean,we have advocates who are going to advocate for, advocate for various different
things, and are going to be a part of this process. And that's actually what when we were
discussing this last summer. One of the things we had said during our many discussions
was please keep advocating,please keep engaged with the process and - and,uh,you
know, as the design, as we got to a design phase because we weren't at a design phase last
summer so.
Thomas: Yeah, I- I would just simply say that, you know,this is under scope of services so if it-
it does affect the number of alternatives as we're talking about. And so I think and I- I
certainly support the idea of having four. If we want to maintain having three other than
the existing,um. And,you know, Geoff gave up sort of a ballpark notion of what that
might cause. It's a really pretty nominal cost. But I think it's just sort of provides for
clarity,you know,where we're starting with the scope. I- I would also mention,uh,
another item on this. And again,maybe this is I don't know if we need to change the-the
language in this. Um,but I am concerned,uh,with the-where the public participation, at
least in terms of a kind of an in-person public meeting,uh,begins. And it seems to me,
and this in part is- is based on my own pro-professional experience,uh,working on - on
public,uh,recreational facilities. And that is that at the beginning of the project,um,
having an opportunity,uh, for the community to meet as a general public,rather than
breaking down into the-the focus groups. Um, I think would be a useful,um, element in
that it would, first of all,provide an opportunity for those who were participating in the
focus groups to hear from other focus group members or dif- different points of view on
the question of the City Park pool. Uh, I understand the,you know,the-the notion of
focus groups,but I think it's important to also,um, try to provide a forum in which people
can hear from one another. Uh, so that you-you do get multiple perspectives and- and
you can hear back. You know,you may be coming in as say,the-the child care provider
and you have your own particular understanding of the pool and you hear from,you
know, another- another pass holder with-who regularly attends,uh, as a family. And to
try to- [NOISE] through this process,the-the community itself begins to better
understand the,you know,the complexity and diversity of users who use City Park pool.
Um, so you're not-you're not simply approaching this from within your own focus group
as- as we've defined it. Um, and that's the way we would do our work in San Francisco.
We would-we would have a series of meetings actually. Um,you know, at the very
beginning the city would then,uh,provide a kind of a preliminary concept based on what
was heard,receive public comment, and then come back again sort of with the final
preliminary plan based on the comments received at the second meeting. I'm not
suggesting that,but it does seem to me we would benefit from having,right at the
beginning an opportunity for the-the public to kind of way in without the constraint of,
you know,being representative of a particular user group. Um, so I'll just-
Bergus: Yeah, I- I- I agree with that and I think we've had the-we've had that process to get us to
this point when we were going through everything relating to how did we determine that
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either the repair,renovation of the City Park pool would be a thing that we're now
proceeding to this point. I mean, I know we all heard a tremendous amount of input and
the Phase 1 and Phase 2 of that-that process to get to that being a part of the plan. And if
you'll recall,there was that very preliminary kind of drawing,right? That sparked a
whole lot of that input. So I feel pretty good about the level of input that we've gotten
based on that-that idea,right?What if-what if this was what City Park were to look like,
generated a ton of feedback and has informed us getting to this point here. I feel good that
we have met that and,you know, are now at the point where we can move forward with
the idea of, okay,we have all of that,um, input which is not going away,both what
existed in continued advocacy. And so next step so that we can get to the point of actually
having a project that's completed,whatever the scope of that,you know,we decide we'll
be can continue to move forward.
Teague: So it- it seem like there's a lot of discussion and different viewpoints on,you know,how
do we move forward. I guess the question at hand is, are there going to be some edits in
what we,uh,having this document for the- for the consult- for the consults. As I see it,
the-the number one thing under the scope of services is review of previous reports and
public input. Um, and then the fifth thing is,you know,these focus groups. And so this is
a,you know, community of 74,000 people. Um, and there'll be people coming to
represent from their vantage point. I do like the focus groups to be separate, although I do
understand your point as,you know,bringing people together to hear what other people
think. You know, it- it does make a difference in, I wasn't aware that this is important to
you. But I think at this point,um, I feel comfortable with this. Moving forward, again,
the-the review of previous public input is going to happen. There'll be opportunities for,
um, continue input from people in the community. And that's,you know,kind of bullet
number five. And then number six is where the development of these three designs come
forth. And so I feel comfortable at this level,um, starting here. And um-but I do hear the
concerns of those in the community. So I don't know if- if I was doing my count because
it's a part of my job is to do the counts of what do I hear and I think I heard, and I will
just say names,Harmsen,Alter,Bergus, and myself say, at this point, let's move forward
with what's here and then with no edits, is what I think I heard. And maybe people can
confirm that.
Alter: I confirm it to the-because I do think that- I mean that's why I actually asked my follow-
up question about the understanding from the-this is not- again, it's not written in stone
as to this is the exact like thou shalt do this. It is recognizing the needs from the city. And
as you say, it's perfect winnowing experience,you know. If somebody comes in is like,
here, I'm just going to give you Wally World,right?Well then they did not do their
homework. Um, and then likewise, I think that they-John, I think you raised some really
interesting points about the focus groups and the way in which they could happen. I just
don't think that in the scope of services in this essentially, as you said, an advertisement
for qualified,um,people to come in that we need to be that granular at this moment. This
is sort of,here's who we want to make sure we hear from and here's a way in which we
can understand it because we are 74,000 people. However,there's wiggle room in there
too,right? There might be that we do an open house. We-We're doing it for the
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underestimated businesses. Maybe there's an open house for this. I don't know,but I don't
know that we need to have that written here because if we end up finding out that there's
other-we can't account for everything in advance of finding out who we're going to work
with. So this is why I'm okay with it as is as well,um. And so I take your point as well,
Shawn, about wanting to see, all right,what's your game?How-how well can you absorb
what this community wants with its myriad,populations and desires?What is going to-
what's your best?And then the community can respond to that. And so that's where I am
at.
Teague: Unless there's any more comments,um, or change of majority at this point to change
this document,uh, I want to hear it now or else we're going to move on to the next item.
Thomas: Well, I would just say finally that, you know, one- one takeaway I took from the master
plan phase was the-there was the sense that the public wasn't heard. And so that's-that's
one reason why I've suggested those two items,um. If we- if we do not improve on both
the public feeling heard and the,you know,the question of what-whether to consider,uh,
leaving the pool essentially as it is,whether it's repaired or replaced,we will hear that.
You know,no doubt about it.
Teague: And we're going to hear it in- [OVERLAPPING] in step 5.
Thomas: If we're talking scope,there is-there is a cost implication, it's not significant,but yeah.
Teague: It will be heard in number 1,review of previous reports and public input and number 5,
through those focus groups. So it will be heard again.
Bergus:Not to mention all of our meetings.
Teague: Yeah.
Bergus: Which are public and which we-we hear from people.
Teague: Yeah, I mean-
Bergus: And the meetings that we'll continue to have and the emails that we'll continue to
receive. So-
Teague: And those voices are important and I think,um, it-you know, it captures those voices to
have opportunities in this document so- all right if nothing else on this item, anything else
from the March 16th info packet?Hearing nothing else,we are adjourned from our work
session.
[MUSIC]
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