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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-06 Info Packet Ci ty Council I nformati on P acket August 6, 2020 IP1.Council Tentative Meeting S chedule Miscellaneous IP2.Memo from C ity C lerk: City Naming Policy IP3.E vent F lyer: Endless P ossibilities: I owa's A f rican A merican History presentation IP4.P ress Release: City's firsts C limate F est: S ept. 19-26 virtually IP5.2020 Building S tatistics IP6.B ar C heck R eport: J uly 2020 Draft Minutes IP7.Community Police Review B oard: J uly 14 IP8.P ark & Recreation Commission: J une 17 August 6, 2020 City of Iowa City Page 1 Item Number: 1. A ugust 6, 2020 Council Ten tative Meetin g S ch ed u l e AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription C ouncil Tentative Meeting Schedule City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule Subject to change August 6, 2020 Date Time Meeting Location Tuesday, August 18, 2020 5:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, September 1, 2020 5:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, September 15, 2020 5:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Monday, October 19, 2020 4:30 PM Joint Entities Meeting Zoom Meeting Platform Hosted by Johnson County Tuesday, October 20, 2020 5:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Monday, November 2, 2020 5:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 7:00 PM Special Formal Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 5:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, December 1, 2020 5:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, December 15, 2020 5:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Item Number: 2. A ugust 6, 2020 Memo from City Cl erk: City Namin g Pol icy AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription Memo from C ity C lerk: City Naming P olicy Item Number: 3. A ugust 6, 2020 Event F lyer: E n d l ess Possibil ities: Iowa's African American History p resen tation AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription Event F lyer: E ndless P ossibilities: I owa's A f rican A merican History presentation Endless PossibilitiesIowa’s African American History Thursday, August 13 on Zoom from 1-2PM Iowa was the first state in the U.S. to officially integrate its public schools in 1868, just three years after the Civil War ended. Surprised? This and so much more is part of Iowa’s wealth of African American history. From York, the first African American in Iowa and member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, to the first Black president, Barack Obama, African American history is American history and Iowa has many stories to share. Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85793606944?pwd=UGhkWWR5emVidURpa3dHWHExTXg0dz09 Meeting ID: 857 9360 6944 Password: 533712 If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please contact Stefanie Bowers at 319-356- 5022 or stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. @ichumanrights THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF IOWA PRESENTS Item Number: 4. A ugust 6, 2020 Press Rel ease: City's firsts Cl imate F est: Sep t. 19-26 virtu al l y AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription Press Release: City's f irsts Climate Fest: S ept. 19-26 virtually Item Number: 5. A ugust 6, 2020 2020 B u il d in g Statistics AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription 2020 B uilding S tatistics Item Number: 6. A ugust 6, 2020 Bar Check Rep ort: J u l y 2020 AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription Bar Check R eport: J uly 2020 FROM: Sergeant Derek Frank RE: July 2020** Bar Check Report DATE: August 5, 2020 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 A lcohol 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. **It should be noted that COVID-19 pandemic-related changes and mandates from the State of Iowa greatly impacted businesses and the Iowa City Police Department procedures during the time of this evaluation by reducing person-to-person contact and requiring various business closures. Charts Raw Data • Sorted by PAULA Ratio – high to low • Establishments with exception certificates are listed in RED • Bars/Restaurants closed for most of May by state mandate due to COVID-19 pandemic – opened May 28 with capacity/spacing restrictions Bar Check Data – July 2020 Name Checks PAULA UNDER 21 PAULA Ratio Under 21 Ratio 0 Bar Check Data – previous 12 months Name Checks PAULA UNDER 21 PAULA Ratio Under 21 Ratio VAN BS 4 2 0 0.5 0 UNION BAR 41 9 67 0.219512195 1.634146341 AIRLINER 56 11 87 0.196428571 1.553571429 SPORTS COLUMN 40 7 50 0.175 1.25 SUMMIT 69 10 141 0.144927536 2.043478261 EDEN LOUNGE 18 2 7 0.111111111 0.388888889 DC'S 28 3 16 0.107142857 0.571428571 BO JAMES 26 2 21 0.076923077 0.807692308 BROTHERS 37 2 9 0.054054054 0.243243243 MARTINIS 27 1 15 0.037037037 0.555555556 FIELDHOUSE BAR 54 1 86 0.018518519 1.592592593 VINE TAVERN 4 0 8 0 2 PINTS 20 0 5 0 0.25 JOES PLACE 15 0 3 0 0.2 BARDOT 4 0 3 0 0.75 DUBLIN 5 0 3 0 0.6 CACTUS 1 0 2 0 2 BLUE MOOSE 2 0 1 0 0.5 MICKEYS IRISH PUB 1 0 0 0 0 DONNELLYS 3 0 0 0 0 HILLTOP TAVERN 5 0 0 0 0 SALOON 2 0 0 0 0 HY-VEE 1 0 0 0 0 TCB 6 0 0 0 0 CACTUS 3 2 0 0 0 0 BIG GROVE 1 0 0 0 0 STUDIO 13,YACHT CLUB 10 0 0 0 0 CARL & ERNIES 2 0 0 0 0 TWO DOGS 2 0 0 0 0 LA RUMBA 1 0 0 0 0 QUINTONS 1 0 0 0 0 ALUMNUS 6 0 0 0 0 IOWA CITY EAGLES CLUB 3 0 0 0 0 FIELD HOUSE 1 0 0 0 0 GEORGES BUFFET 2 0 0 0 0 GABES 1 0 0 0 0 DAVES FOX HEAD 1 0 0 0 0 SAMS PIZZA 1 0 0 0 0 BLACKSTONE 1 0 0 0 0 DEADWOOD 4 0 0 0 0 COACHES CORNER 2 0 0 0 0 Total 510 50 524 Item Number: 7. A ugust 6, 2020 Community P ol ice Review Board : Ju l y 14 AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription C ommunity P olice Review B oard: J uly 14 Item Number: 8. A ugust 6, 2020 Park & Recreation Commission : J u n e 17 AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription Park & Recreation Commission: J une 17 IOWA CITY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY MINUTES JUNE 17, 2020 Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8) An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due to Concerns for the health and safety of council members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19. Members Present: Stephen Bird, Alex Hachtman, Ben Russell, Melissa Serenda, Angie Smith, Jamie Venzon, Brianna Wills, Members Absent: Boniface Penandjo Lemoupa, Blake Winter Staff Present: Tyler Baird, Brad Barker, Morgan Gerdes, Juli Seydell Johnson Others Present: John Barr CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Bird called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action): None OTHER FORMAL ACTION: Moved by Hachtman, seconded by Wills, to approve the March 11, 2020 meeting minutes as written. Motion passed 7-0 (Lemoupa & Winter absent) PUBLIC DISCUSSION: John Barr, a member of the public, spoke regarding an email that he sent to staff on June 8, 2020. In that email he asked what steps the Parks Department is taking to assure that its standard maintenance practices support the expanding tree canopy as recommended in the Iowa City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. He referred to a City project where several mature trees were removed along a creek bed. Seydell Johnson explained that for this project it was necessary to remove some trees to improve storm water management. She said that this project is in support of the Climate Action Plan in that it allows for more prairie growth. She assured Barr that the staff does not like to remove trees unless it is necessary. Baird noted that staff planted trees with a 1”-3” diameter base as well as many seedlings. He shared that staff have planted approximately 1,800 seedlings this year. Barr encouraged Commission Members to drive by E. Court east of Scott Park. He said that there was a stand of 60 trees which has now been “reduced to 15.” He feels that this is a maintenance issue and that maintenance included removing trees that contributed to the canopy. He feels that this is a radical approach. He also noted that the trees that were removed were not within 25 yards of the creek but near the road. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION June 17, 2020 Page 2 of 6 Wills asked Seydell Johnson if the trees that Barr is referring to were removed by the City. Seydell Johnson confirmed that they were explaining that this was a joint project with the Public Works Department. The trees were removed to open the creek as well as create better storm water management as mentioned. The trees that Barr is referring to are those that were along Court St. in an area that will soon be planted in prairie. She explained that most of the trees removed were scrub trees that contained barbed wire and other fencing materials. Barr commented that it is his opinion that the City had some staff that needed to be put to work and the City utilized them but to the detriment of the environment. He further noted that he has neighbors who are ecologists and foresters who strongly disagree with this method. Bird thanked Barr for his comments. Wills asked if neighbors are notified when a significant number of trees will be removed in their area. Seydell Johnson said when it is part of the general maintenance plan, neighbors are not notified. This project began approximately three years ago but recently picked up pace when public works crews became available to assist. Bird asked if there is an appeal process available for the public. Seydell Johnson explained that when it is a project that is necessary for storm water management, there is not an appeal process available. She pointed out that several parks serve a dual purpose; one as a storm water management area and another as a recreation area. Seydell Johnson reiterated that staff never wants to remove trees and will only do so if it is deemed necessary for the greater good and function of the area. Bird asked if trees are replaced when removed. Seydell Johnson answered that they are and, in fact, when preparing the area for this project trees were planted at a ratio of 2:1. Barr said that there were no replacement trees planted. Seydell Johnson explained that replacement trees were planted on the west side of the trail a few years ago in preparation. It is not always feasible to replace trees in the same space from which they were removed. Barr commented that these maintenance efforts are creating a boulevard/golf course atmosphere. COVID-19 DEPARTMENT RESPONSE UPDATE-JULI SEYDELL JOHNSON Seydell Johnson stated that there have been numerous changes within the department in response to the pandemic and it continues to change. Staff have also been responding to protest clean-up. Below are the most recent updates provided by Seydell Johnson: • Athletic Fields – Baseball and Softball open for youth sports rentals and casual use. Soccer to wait until August. • Park Drinking Fountains – turning on by July 1. • Park Restrooms – Portable units in place. Baseball & Softball complex restrooms open. Limited openings for programs and events taking place. Phased re-opening of City Park, RFX and TTRA by 4th of July. Fair Meadows RR will need to re-open with splash pad. • Park Shelter Reservations – Allowing previously scheduled rentals beginning on June 28. Reservations being accepted for after August 1st. • Playgrounds – Open with Caution signs. • Tennis Courts, Pickleball, outdoor Basketball and skate park - Open • TTRA Lodge & Ashton House – Returning to normal operations by August 1. • Farmer’s Market – In-person, scaled down market to open on Saturday, July 4. On-line last delivery will be June 27. Wednesday night market likely to return in 3rd or 4th week of July. • Juli, Tammy & Morgan – Plan to move back to RALRC on June 29, 2020. • Rec Summer Camp – in progress as of June 15. • No Summer Playground Program this summer. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION June 17, 2020 Page 3 of 6 • Party in the Park – begins Thursday, June 18 • Small group rec skill programs – taking place. • City Park Pool – Closed for summer • Mercer Park Pool – plan to re-open for limited use once lighting project is inspected by State (June 26?) • Mercer – Scanlon Rec Center – Closed to the public to allow for childcare camp and limited pool use through at least July 31st. • RALRC Pool – no date yet for re-opening • RALRC Rec Center – no date yet for re-opening – likely early/mid July for classes, fitness room and gyms. • Splash Pads – Opening by July 1 or sooner at Downtown, Fairmeadows and Tower Court parks. Wetherby will not open as the park will be under construction for the rest of the summer. Wills said she was told that soccer fields could not be reserved. Seydell Johnson reported that they are closed until August for turf renovation. Wills asked when Mercer would open for lap swim. Seydell Johnson said that the current plan it to start limited lessons for the departments day camp first. Other operations will open gradually. Serenda asked if the trails at TTRA are still one-way. Seydell Johnson said that two-way traffic will be allowed again in the next week or so. Seydell Johnson addressed three questions received from Commission. 1. What do we use for metrics? Many of the closures were done per Governor decree and the State Health Department. Other closings were based on staff levels. For example, to prep City Park Pool takes 6-8 weeks of maintenance staff time. Those staff members have been reassigned to clean and disinfect city facilities on a regular basis for those workers deemed essential and who are present in the buildings. They also make sure that there is enough PPE for workers before staffing an area. Staff needs to be spread out 6’ as per social distancing guidelines. Finally, she looks at the budget. There is currently very little revenue coming into the department due to the cancellation of most of the Recreation programs. 2. What about the budget, how is it looking? Seydell Johnson said it is challenging, again reporting that the department has received very little revenue since March 20. Staff is being utilized in other areas as needed. Part-time staff was paid for six weeks and then furloughed. Bringing on temp staff for Parks and Forestry was delayed three weeks. Purchasing of large items has been delayed. There will likely be adjustments made to some larger projects over the next year or so. 3. Do you have an estimate of COVID costs? Seydell Johnson said those numbers are not yet available, however, staff is recording and tracking numbers for both COVID and protest clean-up. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF: Recreation – Brad Barker: • Reopening: Staff is working towards reopening facilities and continues summer program planning. Since the shutdown the department has run a day camp for children of essential workers. This service has been offered to City, County and hospital staff at no cost. Initially there were approximately 7 kids enrolled and eventually grew to over 30. This camp ended in June PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION June 17, 2020 Page 4 of 6 when the regular summer camp opened to the public with 25 kids enrolled to date. The summer camp sessions were altered from the usual one-week sessions to two 5-week sessions. • Dog Parks: The dog parks remain open thereby being one of the few programs that continue to bring in revenue. Patrons are excited about the pond opening and the water being turned on at the dog parks. Park staff has delivered materials for the group who was present at a previous commission meeting offering to do some minor maintenance in the parks. • Garden Plots: Garden plot registration increased to 273 plots which sold out by May. • Moving forward: Staff will begin some youth sports programs next week. The supervisor is focusing on some different programs that will consider the ability for proper social distancing. The first session will include tennis and archery. Other programs being offered include yard golf, lacrosse fundamentals, pickleball and taekwondo. Teen programming will begin in July offering yoga, youth enrichment programs as well as environmental and sustainability classes. Staff is currently creating a process for lap swim appointments. Party in the Park is being planned at a much smaller scale and will begin tomorrow at Riverfront Crossings. In the past this program has been offered at many parks located throughout the city. This season they will be offered at larger parks including Riverfront Crossings, TTRA, Mercer and City Park, creating an environment conducive to social distancing. Staff is beginning their planning for fall activities keeping in mind that class enrollment will be limited to approximately 8-10 participants. Bird asked Barker how staff is planning to maintain social distancing at Party in the Park. Barker said staff will be placing X’s around the grounds promoting 6’ distance. All staff will be wearing masks and will encourage mask use by the public as well as make regular announcements reminding all to wash hands etc. No food will be served at these events this season; however, giveaways will be handed out including items such as bubble wands and hula-hoops. Parks Division Superintendent – Tyler Baird: Baird was welcomed to his new position as Parks and Forestry Superintendent. • COVID Response: Baird noted that to maintain social distancing, staff is limited to one employee per vehicle. Parks staff worked on an alternate every-other week schedule. This worked well leading into the busy season. Forestry has been able to do some tree clean-up on streets and dead- ends due to the lower traffic volume on the roads. Department Communication Updates: Gerdes pointed out that her role has changed in response to COVID-19. Since March activities have slowed and events have been cancelled, therefore, much of her time has been managing department press releases, keeping social media pages up-to-date with current and everchanging developments, and working with the City Communications team in creating signage containing COVID related regulations for playgrounds, trails, prairies and the farmers market. Gerdes has been working closely with City Channel 4 to crease the “Happy at Home” series. Happy at Home is a video series of virtual programming and activities to help keep people active and engaged during the pandemic stay-at-home period. Gerdes announced that publication of a summer guide has been postponed. Activity information will be listed on the Parks and Recreation website and social media pages. Gerdes is working with farmers market and Field to Family staff. Field to Family is a local nonprofit organization that has partnered with the department to run a virtual market. Iowa City Farmers Market Update-Tammy Neumann Neumann announced that with the cancellation of the open-air market season, the department has partnered with Field to Family to offer a virtual market. Field to Family has the program needed to offer vendors an avenue to list their products online and sell direct to consumer. Carts open online for ordering on Tuesdays at noon and close at noon on Wednesdays. Vendors deliver their nonperishable orders to the PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION June 17, 2020 Page 5 of 6 Recreation Center and perishable items are dropped off at the Field to Family food hub location for cold storage on Friday mornings. Orders are assembled at both locations on Friday afternoons. Customers drive through the Chauncey Swan ramp during an assigned time window on Saturday mornings where staff and volunteers place their orders in their vehicles. Both the City and Field to Family have received many positive comments from both the vendors and the public. There are currently 37 vendors who are participating and over 5000 customers have created accounts. An average of 450 orders are placed weekly. Building Projects and COVID-19 Operating Updates (Parks & Recreation Facilities) – Kumi Morris Morris reported that staff is currently working on prepping facilities for reopening. Facilities staff have been busy disinfecting City buildings and will continue this practice. Plexiglass shields have been installed throughout departments within City Hall, the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, Mercer Park Aquatic Center, Animal Services and The Center (previously known as the Senior Center). All departments have been given disinfecting supplies and facilities staff will keep a three-month supply on hand when possible. Staff will open the Fairmeadows and Tower Court splash pads this week. The downtown fountain will open on Friday of this week. Morris also reported that staff had been busy with protest clean-up, noting that there was quite a bit of damage to City Hall. She said that staff receives notification of scheduled protests so have been able to schedule staff accordingly. Other projects include the replacement of a water tank at City Park Pool as the previous tank had several leaks. Robert A. Lee Recreation Center has received a fresh coat of paint to the exterior. The lighting project at Mercer Pool has stalled as two lights were damaged upon delivery. Those have been ordered and are expected to arrive next week. Lastly, the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center racquet ball court remodel has been placed on hold as a cost saving measure. Restrooms, fire alarm system and new signage will proceed as planned. CHAIRS REPORT Bird reminded members and staff that there had been talk of creating and conducting a pool survey as well as discussing other items for future agendas for upcoming meetings. He asked what the status of that discussion is considering the recent changes. Seydell Johnson said that there could be more discussion on these topics once there is more direction and clarity on what the future holds regarding COVID. COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Wills expressed her disappointments that City Park Pool would not be opening this season. She wondered if this may be a good time to complete any renovations or cleaning that need to be done. Seydell Johnson said that the water heater is currently being replaced. She further explained that two issues are that staff is engaged in other higher priority items. Staff have also been asked to cut costs and only purchases made only for necessary items. ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Wills, seconded by Venzon, to adjourn the meeting at 6:07 p.m. Motion passed 7-0 (Lemoupa and Winter absent). PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION June 17, 2020 Page 6 of 6 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting LQ = No meeting due to lack of quorum * = Not a member now NAME TERM EXPIRES 8/7/19 9/11/19 10/9/19 11/20/19 12/12/19 1/8/2020 2/12/20 3/11/20 4/8/20 5/13/20 6/17/20 7/8/20 Suzanne Bentler 12/31/20 X LQ X X O/E * * * * * * * Steve Bird 12/31/21 X LQ O/E X X X X X NM NM X NM Alex Hachtman 12/31/20 * * * * * * X X NM NM X NM Cara Hamann 12/31/19 X LQ X O/E X * * * * * * * Boniface Penandjo Lemoupa 12/31/23 * * * * * X O O NM NM O NM Ben Russell 12/31/21 X LQ X X X O/E X X NM NM X NM Melissa Serenda 12/31/23 * * * * * X X X NM NM X NM Angie Smith 12/31/21 O/E LQ X X X X X X NM NM X NM Jamie Venzon 12/31/20 O/E LQ X X X X X X NM NM X NM Brianna Wills 12/31/22 O/E LQ X X X O/E X X NM NM X NM Blake Winter 12/31/22 * * X X X X X X NM NM O/E NM Joe Younker 12/31/19 X LQ X X X * * * * * * *