HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-19 Council minutesCITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 26, 2016
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, January 19, 2016, 6:05 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall
Council: Botchway, Cole, Dickens, Mims, Taylor, Thomas, Throgmorton
UISG: Neal, Simpson
Staff: Fruin, Dilkes, Karr, Andrew, Korpel, Havel, Yapp, Boothroy, Bockenstedt, Morris,
Ford, Bollinger
A transcription and power points are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.
[Work session started after Conference Board; special Formal and Executive Session]
Mayor Throgmorton welcomed everyone to the first televised work session and welcomed
feedback.
QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
1. (Item # 5 — Washington Street Streetscape Project) In response to Council Member
Dickens, City Attorney Dilkes stated she did not think he would have to recuse himself
simply for the purposes of the hearing on the project and awarding the project. She
noted other issues may arise later that may would have to be considered at a later time.
2. (Consent Calendar item # 2d(1) — Prairie Hill Final OPDH) Council Member Thomas he
had a conflict of interest and would be abstaining; and requested the item be removed
for separate consideration. Majority agreed.
3. (Consent Calendar item # 2d(11) — 2016 Legislative Priorities) Council Member Thomas
asked that the item be deleted for separate consideration. Majority agreed.
4. (Consent Calendar item #2d(13)— ICDD Fundraising ... art work portion of the North
Pedestrian Mall Improvement Project) Council Member Thomas asked that the item be
deleted for separate consideration. Majority agreed.
5. (Consent Calendar item # 2d(2) — Sidewalk Cafe Policy) In response to Mayor Pro Tem
Botchway, Asst. City Manager Fruin clarified that the recommendation was to waive the
fees because of street construction limiting the use of the cafes and the expected noise
and dust.
6. (Consent Calendar item # 2d(11) — 2016 Legislative Priorities) Mayor Throgmorton
suggesting talking about the item during the work session. Council Member Thomas
suggested a language change by revising the last sentence under "Increase
infrastructure funding that supports a diverse transportation network" to read:
"...diversification measures include pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit
accommodations, as well as regional passenger rail". Majority agreed to remove
the item for separate consideration and move approval as amended.
Council Work Session
January 19, 2016
Page 2
7. Mayor Throgmorton reported he and Asst. to the City Manager Andrew participated in a
phone conversation with Governor Branstad and four other Mayors from the
Metropolitan Coalition about the proposed school tax water quality initiative and
suggested adding the item to a future work session. Asst. City Manager Fruin said that
frequently topics are discussed by members of the coalition and staff will keep Council
informed and report back as proposals get shaped.
8. (Consent Calendar item # 2d(13) — ICDD Fundraising ... art work portion of the North
Pedestrian Mail Improvement Project) In response to Mayor Throgmorton, Council
Member Thomas stated he suggested separate consideration as it related to the budget,
and suggested he would be asking for deferral. Individual Council Members expressed
their views. City Atty. Dilkes noted the item was noticed on the agenda and suggested
getting public input at the formal meeting and then discussing whether to defer or not at
that point.
9. (Item # 7— Council Appointments) A majority agreed to reappoint John Forman Gay to
the Board of Appeals and re -advertise other vacancies.
10. (Item # 6 — Housing Choice Voucher ....) Mayor Throgmorton stated the item would
not be acted upon at the formal meeting and rescheduled to the February 2
meeting.
11. (Item # 4f — rezoning along Mormon Trek Boulevard south of Hwy. 1 .... Ordinance ... )
City Clerk Karr noted the applicant had requested deferral to May 3.
12. (Item # 4g - vacating air rights over alley .... Ordinance ... ) City Clerk Karr noted staff
was recommending deferral to February 2.
USE OF CITY LETTERHEAD (IP # 3 Info Packet of 1/14)
Mayor Throgmorton noted that a Council Member had requested use of City letterhead and he
became aware of a Council policy on the issue. After discussion, a majority agreed to retain the
current policy. City Attorney Dilkes clarified the policy does not relate to emails and applies to
the use of City letterhead only.
STAFF ACTON: None at this time. (Karr)
* The rest of the work session items were discussed at the end of the formal meeting.
Please see formal minutes for discussion.
JOINT MEETING AGENDA ITEMS [IP # 9 INFO PACKET OF 1/71*
INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION [January 7.141*
COUNCIL TIME*
MEETING SCHEDULE*
PENDING WORK SESSION TOPICS [IP # 4 INFO PACKET OF 1/141*
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS/COUNCIL INVITATIONS*
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS / COUNCIL TIME
Meeting ended 6:45 PM.