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
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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
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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
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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
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2020 B uilding S tatistics
Item Number: 6.
A ugust 6, 2020
Bar Check Rep ort: J u l y 2020
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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
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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
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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 * * * * * * *