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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-12 Info Packet City Council I nformation Packet December 12, 2019 IP1.Council Tentative Meeting S chedule December 17 Work Session IP2.Work Session Agenda IP3.Resolution 19-294: 2020 L egislative Priorities IP4.Memo from City Manager: Home F urnishing S ervices IP5.Memo from City Manager: Houses into Homes F unding Source [Previously distributed in 11/14 I P (I P 3)] IP6.Pending City Council Work S ession Topics Miscellaneous IP7.Email from Council Member T homas: A dvancing Council's Goals of Ensuring a Diverse Demographic and Housing Choices in the Core Neighborhoods IP8.Memo from Neighborhood & Development Services Director: Recent Changes to the Housing and Zoning Codes to Address Occupancy I ssues IP9.Article from City Manager: K ansas City becomes first major U.S. city to make public transit free IP10.Memo from City Clerk: K X I C Radio S how IP11.T hink I owa City/ C V B A nnual Report IP12.Civil S ervice E xamination: Communications Aide IP13.Bar Check Report: November 2019 IP14.I nvitation: Open House for Mayor T hrogmorton & Council Member Cole Draft Minutes IP15.Airport Commission: November 14 IP16.Community P olice Review Board: December 10 December 12, 2019 City of Iowa City Page 1 Item Number: 1. D ecember 12, 2019 Council Ten tative Meeting Sched u l e AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Council Tentative Meeting S chedule Item Number: 2. D ecember 12, 2019 Work Session Agen d a AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Work Session Agenda City Council Work Session Agenda Tuesday, December 17, 2019 Emma J. Harvat Hall - City Hall 5:00 PM •Discussion of City L egislative P riorities with State Delegation [I P 3] •Discussion of Houses into Homes F unding Request [I P4, I P5] •Clarification of A genda I tems •I nformation P acket Discussion [December 5, December 12] •Council updates on assigned boards, commissions, and committees Item Number: 3. D ecember 12, 2019 Resol u tion 19-294: 2020 Legisl ative Priorities AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Resolution 19-294: 2020 L egislative Priorities Item Number: 4. D ecember 12, 2019 Memo from City Man ager: Home F urnish ing Services AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Memo from City Manager: Home F urnishing S ervices Item Number: 5. D ecember 12, 2019 Memo from City Man ager: Houses in to Homes F u n d ing Sou rce [Previou sl y d istributed in 11/14 IP (IP3)] AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Memo from City Manager: Houses into Homes F unding Source Item Number: 6. D ecember 12, 2019 Pen d ing City Cou n cil Work Session Topics AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Pending City Council Work S ession Topics Item Number: 7. D ecember 12, 2019 Email from Cou n cil Member Th omas: Advancin g Cou n cil's G oals of En su ring a Diverse Demograp h ic and Housin g Choices in th e Core Neighborh ood s AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Email from Council Member T homas: A dvancing Council's Goals of Ensuring a Diverse Demographic and Housing Choices in the Core Neighborhoods Item Number: 8. D ecember 12, 2019 Memo from Neig h b orhood & Devel opmen t Services Director: Recen t Ch anges to the Hou sing and Z onin g Cod es to Ad d ress O ccu p ancy Issues AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Memo from Neighborhood & Development Services Director: Recent Changes to the Housing and Z oning Codes to A ddress Occupancy I ssues Item Number: 9. D ecember 12, 2019 Articl e from City Manag er: Kansas City b ecomes first major U.S. city to make p u b l ic tran sit free AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Article from City Manager: K ansas City becomes first major U.S. city to make public transit free Item Number: 10. D ecember 12, 2019 Memo from City Clerk: K XIC Rad io Sh ow AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Memo from City Clerk: K X I C Radio S how Item Number: 11. D ecember 12, 2019 Thin k Iowa City/ C VB Annual Rep ort AT TAC HM E NT S : Description T hink I owa City/ C V B A nnual Report 2019 was another year of unprecedented growth and success in the hospitality and tourism industry in Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty. Demand for overnight lodging increased an average of 8% per month over the previous year, more than doubling the state average. This demand has spurred $438.8 million in domestic travel expenditures to Johnson County attributing to a 4.7% annual growth. These dollars substantially add to the quality of life we all enjoy while also providing significant tax relief to local residents. This demand will need to continue to grow in order to fill the 1,072 new rooms that will have entered the market between 2018 and 2020. The new Xtream Arena in Coralville’s Iowa River Landing couldn’t arrive at a better time for our area. Opening in August 2020, with 5,100 fixed seats and capacity of up to 6,800, this versatile arena combined with the adjacent GreenState Family Fieldhouse can host any type of sporting event or concert we can throw at it. Both venues will be operated by internationally recognized operator Spectra, who projects north of 500,000 visitors in the first year of operation. This new demand generator combined with ongoing town/gown community betterment initiatives set us up for continued visitor expenditure growth. It has been my pleasure to follow Chris Hoffman as FY20 Board Chair. Our Think Iowa City President Josh Schamberger has assembled a magnificent staff that provides outstanding service to our residents and visitors. It is no coincidence that Travel Iowa and the Travel Federation of Iowa named Iowa City/Coralville/North Liberty as the Top Travel Community in the state of Iowa in 2019. I encourage you to take the time to review this report and connect with me, Josh, or his team to learn more about FROM THEBOARD CHAIR 2019 ANNUAL REPORT FRYfest Pep Rally how we are making our community a better place to live, work, and play. Mark Ruggeberg FY20 Board Chair VISITOR SERVICES SALES & SERVICINGSPORTING & SPECIAL EVENTS 12,0002,500 8,000 FRYFESTRUN CRANDIC JINGLE CROSS $1.53 MILLION MARKETING 13,358 ROOM NIGHTS $3.1 MIL FUTURE BOOKINGS 34,878 MEETINGSATTENDANCE 70 GROUPS SERVICED37,646 TOTAL GROUP ATTENDANCE $4.05 MIL INCURRED BY HIGHESTREVENUE-GENERATING GROUP 203,155UNIQUE WEB VISITORS SOCIAL FOLLOWERS PRINT VISITOR GUIDES PRODUCED40,000 VISITOR INQUIRIES FROM 43 17 STATES COUNTRIES INQUIRIES FROM OUT OF STATE 58% FILM FESTIVAL RECOGNITIONS FOR Cultivation: Writing & Wrestling in Iowa City BEST DOCUMENTARY Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT Snake Alley Film Festival (Burlington) CRITIC’S CHOICE Iowa Independent Film Festival (Mason City) $10.45 MIL DIRECT SPENDING OF SUPPORTED SPORTING EVENTS 45 TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS SERVICED TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT SERVICED SPORTING EVENTS 41,574 [] FY19 RSAD GRANT RECIPIENTS 355 PARTNERS 33 NEW PARTNERS 95% PARTNER RETENTION 0 10 20 30 40 50 1,882+48% 3,084 +9% 2,728+22% *All figures represent FY19 data unless otherwise noted $12.68 MIL TOTAL DIRECTSPENDING Amanda Knight Schany Senior Invitational Armbruster OpenBig Ten Division Water Polo TournamentChamois Time Race SeriesGirls on the Run 5kIowa City Gravel RideIowa Invitational Lacrosse TournamentIowa State Gravel Time Trial ChampionshipsIowa State Road Race ChampionshipsIrving B. Weber InvitationalJingle Cross Cyclo-cross Midwest Kumdo Open InvitationalOld Capitol CriteriumPaddle Palace Hawkeye OpenRUN CRANDICSpecial Olympics Mid-Winter TournamentSpeedo Midwest ChallengeSpeedo SectionalsSplash Out Hunger InvitationalSugar Bottom Scramble MTB RaceUSA Softball State Tournament ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMACT OF CVB-PRODUCED SPECIAL EVENTS $6.2 MILLION[] ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMACT OF CVB GENERATED LEADS 137 RELOCATION PACKETS REQUESTED +55% YOY 412,916 TOTALPAGEVIEWS +48% YOY AWARDS & ACCOLADES Iowa City/Coralville/North Liberty was named the Top Travel Community in Iowa (metro community) by Travel Iowa and the Travel Federation of Iowa TOP TRAVEL COMMUNITY The CVB was named a Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Business by the League of American Bicyclists BICYCLE FRIENDLY Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa awarded CVB staff with an award for the highest percentage of employee volunteer growth EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT The United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties awarded the CVB with the 2019 Trailblazer Award for outstanding creativity to unify our community TRAILBLAZER [] FY19 COMMUNITY GRANT RECIPIENTS Beat the Bitter Coralville 4th FestIowa City Book FestivalInternational Russian Guitar FestivalIowa City Public Library’s LibConMission Creek FestivalNorth Liberty Blues & BBQRiverside Theatre’s Shakespare in the ParkSummer of the Arts FestivalsWitching Hour Festival SPECIAL EVENT ATTENDANCE PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mark Ruggeberg, Board Chair Brown Street Inn Chris Hoffman, Past Chair North Liberty City Council Laura Soride, Vice Chair RE/MAX Affiliates Tom Gill, Treasurer Coralville City Council Peter Matthes, Secretary University of Iowa Dale Arens University of Iowa Athletics Dave Davis Radisson & Hampton Inn Brian Flynn 30hop, Joe’s Place, Tin Roost Kelly Murphy Hawkeye Hotels Royceann Porter, Ex-Officio Johnson County Board of Supervisors Neal Roth Hilton Garden Inn Shanti Roundtree Pearson Josh Schamberger, Ex-Officio Iowa City/Coralville Area CVB Jim Throgmorton City of Iowa City Mayor Luke Eustice Manager of Sports Development Laura Jaime Conference Sales Manager Donna Jondle Visitor Services Assistant Nick Kaeding Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration Clarissa Kane Director of Creative Services Monica Nieves Vice President of Special Events & Communications Nick Pfeiffer Vice President of Marketing & Communications Joe Reilly Iowa City Downtown Nighttime Mayor STAFF Quarterly Room Supply Quarterly Room Demand 40 20 80 60 120 100 Jan 17 Jul 17 Jan 18 Jul 18 Jan 19 Jul 19 Jan 20 Jul 20 Jan 21 +55.66% +51.47% +35.19% HOTEL SUPPLY & DEMAND 59.7%19.7% 6.5% 6.2% 4.6%3.3% FUNDING & GROWTH Expenditures Payroll State Tax Receipts 0.0 0.75 1.5 2.25 3.0 3.75 4.50 5.25 $438.8 MIL+4.7% $68.2 MIL+3.0% $24.7 MIL+1.0% $6.9 MIL+3.2% DOMESTIC TRAVEL IMPACT Local Tax Receipts 3,800 LOCAL TOURISMEMPLOYMENT TO JOHNSON COUNTY Annual report designed by Clarissa Kane YEAR IN REVIEW VIDEO: THINKIOWACITY.COM/2019 2019[] Josh Schamberger President Kate Wilson Director of Partnership & Servicing Hotel/Motel Tax & In-Kind Support Special Event Revenue Partnership Revenue Ad Sales & Marketing Sponsorships Program & Service Revenue State of Iowa RSAD Grant Thanks to MidWestOne Bank for a generous sponsorship of the 2019 Annual Report and Luncheon Item Number: 12. D ecember 12, 2019 Civil Service Examin ation : Communication s Aide AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Civil S ervice E xamination: Communications Aide Item Number: 13. D ecember 12, 2019 Bar Check Rep ort: November 2019 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Bar Check Report: November 2019 FROM: Sergeant Derek Frank RE: November 2019 Bar Check Report DATE: Dec 6, 2019 This report tracks the performance of Iowa City liquor license establishments in monitoring their patrons for violations of Iowa City’s ordinances on Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal Age (PAULA) and Persons Under the Legal Age in Licensed or Permitted Establishments (Under 21). “Bar checks” are defined by resolution as an officer-initiated check of a liquor establishment for PAULA or other alcohol-related violations. This includes directed checks of designated liquor establishments, and checks initiated by officers as part of their routine duties. It does not include officer responses to calls for service. The bar check ratios are calculated by dividing the number of citations issued to patrons at an establishment during a period of time by the number of bar checks performed during the same time period. If at any time a venue with a granted exception certificate has a PAULA ratio more than .25 during a 12-month period, their certificate is reviewed for revocation. Note, while the resolution requires that bar checks and citations of the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) be included in these statistics, the DPS ceased performing bar checks and issuing these citations to patrons in May of 2014. Charts 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 PAULA / Under 21 ratios -Nov 2019 PAULA Ratio Under 21 Ratio 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 PAULA / Under 21 ratios -previous 12 months PAULA Ratio Under 21 Ratio Raw Data Bar Check Data - Nov 2019 Name Checks PAULA UNDER 21 PAULA Ratio Under 21 Ratio MARTINIS 3 1 2 0.333333333 0.666666667 SUMMIT 9 2 19 0.222222222 2.111111111 UNION BAR 6 1 8 0.166666667 1.333333333 BO JAMES 4 0 4 0 1 SPORTS COLUMN 7 0 4 0 0.571428571 AIRLINER 6 0 4 0 0.666666667 FIELDHOUSE BAR 4 0 3 0 0.75 PINTS 4 0 1 0 0.25 DCS 2 0 1 0 0.5 DUBLIN UNDERGROUND 1 0 1 0 1 MICKEYS IRISH PUB 1 0 0 0 0 TCB 1 0 0 0 0 CACTUS 3 1 0 0 0 0 JOES PLACE 2 0 0 0 0 BIG GROVE BREWERY 1 0 0 0 0 BROTHERS BAR AND GRILL 4 0 0 0 0 STUDIO 13,YACHT CLUB 2 0 0 0 0 EDEN LOUNGE 2 0 0 0 0 ALUMNUS 1 0 0 0 0 IOWA CITY EAGLES CLUB 1 0 0 0 0 VAN BS 1 0 0 0 0 COACHES CORNER 1 0 0 0 0 Total 64 4 47 Bar Check Data – previous 12 months Name Checks PAULA UNDER 21 PAULA Ratio Under 21 Ratio VAN BS 8 3 6 0.375 0.75 BO JAMES 46 11 42 0.239130435 0.913043478 SUMMIT 97 20 191 0.206185567 1.969072165 AIRLINER 71 14 122 0.197183099 1.718309859 UNION BAR 70 8 96 0.114285714 1.371428571 MARTINIS 35 3 22 0.085714286 0.628571429 FIELDHOUSE BAR 67 3 112 0.044776119 1.671641791 SPORTS COLUMN 67 3 90 0.044776119 1.343283582 EDEN LOUNGE 26 1 17 0.038461538 0.653846154 DCS 31 1 13 0.032258065 0.419354839 BROTHERS BAR AND GRILL 74 1 19 0.013513514 0.256756757 VINE TAVERN 12 0 7 0 0.583333333 PINTS 33 0 6 0 0.181818182 JOES PLACE 21 0 3 0 0.142857143 BARDOT 4 0 3 0 0.75 DUBLIN UNDERGROUND 12 0 3 0 0.25 BLUE MOOSE TAP HOUSE 3 0 1 0 0.333333333 MICKEYS IRISH PUB 4 0 0 0 0 DONNELLYS PUB 2 0 0 0 0 HILLTOP TAVERN 4 0 0 0 0 SALOON 2 0 0 0 0 TCB 13 0 0 0 0 CACTUS 3 2 0 0 0 0 THE MILL 3 0 0 0 0 BIG GROVE BREWERY 4 0 0 0 0 ST. BURCH TAVERN 1 0 0 0 0 STUDIO 13,YACHT CLUB 14 0 0 0 0 CARLOS OKELLYS 1 0 0 0 0 CARL & ERNIES 4 0 0 0 0 TWO DOGS PUB 10 0 0 0 0 ESTELAS FRESH MEX 2 0 0 0 0 AVOCADO MEXICAN BAR & GRILL 5 0 0 0 0 QUINTONS BAR & DELI 1 0 0 0 0 ALUMNUS 6 0 0 0 0 EAGLES CLUB 4 0 0 0 0 AMERICAN LEGION POST 17 4 0 0 0 0 GEORGES BUFFET 6 0 0 0 0 GABES 3 0 0 0 0 DAVES FOX HEAD 2 0 0 0 0 SAMS PIZZA 1 0 0 0 0 BLACKSTONE 2 0 0 0 0 DEADWOOD TAVERN 5 0 0 0 0 COACHES CORNER 6 0 0 0 0 SHAKESPEARES 7 0 0 0 0 795 68 753 Item Number: 14. D ecember 12, 2019 Invitation : O p en House for Mayor Th rogmorton & Council Memb er Cole AT TAC HM E NT S : Description I nvitation: Open House for Mayor T hrogmorton & Council Member Cole Item Number: 15. D ecember 12, 2019 Airport Commission : November 14 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Airport Commission: November 14 Item Number: 16. D ecember 12, 2019 Community Pol ice Review Board : Decemb er 10 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Community P olice Review Board: December 10 A m4 "'r'°>a'�'l CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa S2240-1826 (319) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.icgov.org City Council Agenda — December 17, 2019 Information submitted between distribution of packet on Thursday and close of business on Monday. Late Addition(s): Consent Calendar Item 8 Correspondence: Item 8.i Lucy Barker & Salina McCarty (�Q): Houses into Homes Late Handout(s): Consent Calendar Item 6.d. Aocepting Outlot for New Park in Peninsula— See correspondence from Karen Kubby Item 8 Correspondence: Item 8.b Gail O'Donnell, Christian and Kathleen Schoon: Deer Item 8.e Carol deProsse Lx2): R!2g products [Staff response incudedl Regular Agenda Item 11. Rental Permit - Radon Testing—See correspondence from the Greater Iowa City Apartment Association Item 12. Repeal Rental Permit Moratorium—See correspondence from Andrew Martin, Leslie Schwalm, Susan Futrell &Will Jennings Information Packet -12/12 Johnson County Master Gardener— 2019 Report Johnson County Master Gardener — 2019 Report Downtown City Gardens State/Local Results: In 2019, Iowa Master Gardeners donated a record 82K pounds of produce to Iowa food pantries. As of Nov. 21, Johnson County ranked fourth in the state with 4,899 service hours (all hours must be recorded by Dec. 31, to count). During a tough growing season, about half of our Johnson County Master Gardeners (JCMG) membership (59) donated more than 1,330 pounds to local food pantries. Downtown City Garden Impact: Part of historic Highway 6, along Burlington Street by Old Capitol Parking Garage, has one of the heaviest traffic counts in the downtown area. Foot traffic is also high - University Late Handouts Distributed ]2-i(e-Iq (Date) Burlington Street of Iowa students walk to and from apartments to classes, and UI staff members walk to work and the University Wellness Center. Three to five dedicated MG and a public volunteer assisted DCG in the 2019 growing season. Garden cleanup concluded Nov. 25 with the removal of hyacinth bean vines from the Secret Garden located in the Dubuque Street Parking Garage with weeding and an application of corn gluten. (Note to self: lobby the University of Iowa Athletic Department to host Homecoming in early September instead of late October.) Spring partnering success activities: JCMG DCG volunteers and Iowa City Park staff worked with UI Swim/Dive team to trim rose bushes on Clinton Street. This was DCG's seventh year to work with student -athletes for the United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties Day of Caring. DCG also provided seeds to Iowa City's South District to plant along Broadway Street (west side). Both activities were completed with UWJWC Day of Caring. DCG worked four weeks with the University of Iowa REACH (Reach Educational and Career Hopes) to plant seeds in the Northside Neighborhood, along Market and N. Linn streets, and near Old Capitol Parking Garage. Three JCMG volunteers and public volunteers helped REACH students complete a block -plus planting of canna bulbs on the south and west side of Old Capitol Parking Garage. This was our 11th year to work with REACH. Fall partnering success activities: In September, 20 JCMG volunteers and trainees helped Iowa City Parks & Recreation staff plant 40 conifers at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area to honor the 100th anniversary of United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties service to the area (photos this page). divided into more than 200 plants.) On a chilly, damp October day, numerous JCMG project leaders worked with Iowa City and 18 Integrated DNA Technology to relocate daylilies from Melrose Avenue to the Johnson County Fairgrounds. (54 daylilies were 2019 — Downtown City Gardens ANNUAL REPORT to Iowa City Growing Together grant success: Early this year, JCMG applied for and received a second grant from Iowa State University Extension "Growing Together" to address food security in Johnson County. The $3,000 grant proposed collaborating with existing partners, Grow Johnson County, area food pantries, Table to Table and meal program providers. Master Gardeners agreed to supply additional produce from project gardens and our own personal gardens. The grant also provided new opportunities for JCMGs and JC Extension to partner with Johnson County Extension to offer Growing Together programming including nutrition and food safety education and instruction for "Grow It; Cook It; Learn it." During the annual Johnson County 4-H/FFA Fair children's activities centered making seed balls to encourage pollinator plants in our outdoor Demonstration Garden Education Center. Seed Share: In March, Seed Share 3.0 was again offered. The effort, supported by nine national proprietary seed companies and local gardeners who save seeds, provided nearly 2,200 packets of proprietary seeds. Johnson County Conservation was a new partner to the project. Sharing events were held at JC Extension Office, Iowa City Public Library, and at the JCMG annual Plant Sale & Flea Market. Remaining seeds were donated to the North Liberty and Coralville Community Pantries. Planning and local invitations were issued to national seed companies in December for 2020 Seed Share (renamed). [See Seed Share (2019) summary report attached.] JCMG Bylaws: A committee of three JCMG project leaders dedicated much of 2019 to draft and present bylaws for the organization that provides for an orderly succession. The steering committee reviewed draft proposals at its August, September, October and November meetings. REMINDER TO IOWA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Downtown Pet Relief Stations are needed in high-density housing areas. Now that the Pedestrian Mall reconstruction is complete, it's important to remember during the construction pet owners had difficulty locating Pet Relief Stations. The lack of wayfinding signage is a hindrance. Signage is imperative to get owners/pets to the desired location. Designated Relief Stations are intended to protect plants from trampling pets and the ammonia in pet urine (which kills plants). In 2018, we reported more signage and communication among building owners/pet owners was needed to maintain a beautiful environment downtown — unfortunately, this has not occurred. Pet owners should avoid using city gardens as much as they abhor using the University of Iowa Pentacrest to relieve their pets. A bettersolution would be a requirement that developers provide rooftop gardens to accommodate pets and their owners. History: Downtown City Gardens (DCG) celebrated 12 gardening seasons in 2019. DCG became a JCMG an approved project in 2016, after undergoing a three-year wait review/period (2013, 2014, 2015) for Master Gardner Steering Committee approval. The project, working with Iowa City officials/staff, debuted in 2008 prior to eastern Iowa flooding. Planting started in the Pedestrian Mall and evolved to Washington Street, Burlington Street and Clinton Street and the Northside, as well as pockets of gardening treasures elsewhere throughout the city. As Iowa City improves utilities in the garden spots in the downtown are revived, renewed and returned to City staff. After more than a decade of working alongside Carol Sweeting, she retired in December 2019, after working for the city of Iowa City for 40 years. It's important to note my appreciation for her efforts to plan, coordinate and bring volunteers to DCG. Additionally, Assistant Park Superintendent Tyler Baird and Horticulturist Steve Erickson continue to be vital contributors to DCG success. My report is in appreciation of past and present, Iowa City staff, Master Gardener volunteers, interns, Extension staff and public volunteers for their continued interest and support to make Downtown City Gardens and the UNESCO City of Literature an inviting, beautiful environment for all to enjoy! Linda Schreiber, JCMG 2013 2019 — Downtown City Gardens ANNUAL REPORT to Iowa City 2 Master Gardeners participate in Seed Share 3.0 New opportunities, partnerships in 2019 seeds and planting instructions. The Johnson County Master Gardeners program "Seed Share" launched in 2017. The program, a partnership between Johnson County Master Gardeners and the Iowa City Public Library, added a new partner, Johnson County Conservation, in 2019. Seed Share offers a no -risk gardening opportunity to encourage gardening and improve fresh food options for the estimated 17,000 people in Johnson County who are deemed food insecure. Gardeners who wish to share their seeds with the public are asked to place seeds in a bag or envelope and clearly label the package with the name of the The project is a component of the Iowa State University Extension and JCMG Growing Together efforts to reduce food insecurity among individuals and families in Johnson County communities and aid those living in food deserts. Nearly 30 varieties of vegetable and herb seeds were available. Nine national seed companies supplied nearly 2,250 packets of proprietary seeds for the program. Master Gardeners also supplied hundreds of seeds for the program. All participants were encouraged to "Plant a Row" and share food with a local food pantry. An early date for the Seed Share 3.0 was selected to allow gardeners to start seedlings indoors before temperatures warm sufficiently to plant outside in mid-May. Planting guides were available for those participating. 1,770 seed packets were distributed at four offerings. North Liberty Community Garden and Pantry took 90 seed packets for an early gardening seminar. Two early dates (March 10 and March 17) were offered to JCMG volunteers to select seeds for JCMG core projects - our annual awards meeting and Education Day - distributing 466 packets. Seed Share 3.0 � J�• - � i>�a &V41 It - I Above left and right: JCMG share garden and flower seeds with the public at an offering at the Iowa City Public Library. Left: JCMG Plant Sale & Flea Market shoppers select garden and flower seeds at the final Seed Share 3.0 distribution. was held at the Iowa City Public Library (March 24) where nearly 900 packets were dispensed —12 Master Gardener volunteers assisted with the project. A final Seed Share 3.0 distribution was held at our Plant Sale & Flea Market on May 11—with 320 more seed packets dispensed. Final distributions of 470 seed packets were made to the Coralville Community Pantry and North Liberty Community Pantry and Garden. 2019 — Downtown City Gardens ANNUAL REPORT to Iowa City Participating businesses include national seed companies Baker Seed Company; Burpee; Grow Organic/Peaceful Valley; Harris Seeds; Peaceful Valley/Grow Organic/Tendergreen; Renee's Garden/Cornucopia; Seed Savers in Decorah, Iowa; Southern Exposure; True Leaf/Mountain Valley; and Victory Seeds. ********************************************************** Grant funding from Iowa State University provided new opportunities for Johnson County Master Gardeners to partner with Johnson County Extension to offer Growing Together programming including nutrition and food safety education and instruction for Grow It; Cook It; Learn It summer camp that will be held in June and July 2019 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. During the annual Johnson County 4-H/FFA Fair children's activities centered on attracting pollinators in our Demonstration Garden Education Center. Linda Schreiber JCMG volunteer Efforts are underway to coordinate 2020 Seed Share in late winter, early spring to allow gardeners time to start seedlings. 2019— Downtown City Gardens ANNUAL REPORT to Iowa City