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2020-10-15 Info Packet
j r rT4A CITY Of IOWA CITY www.icgov.org City Council Information Packet IPI. Council Tentative Meeting Schedule October 20 Work Session IP2. Work Session Agenda IP3. Memo from City Manager: 2020-21 Snow and Ice Operations IP4. BLM & Systemic Racism Detailed Status Report IP5. Pending City Council Work Session Topics Miscellaneous October 15, 2020 IP6. Memo from City Manager: Community Policing Public Input Summary IP7. Memo from Asst City Manager: I ntroduction to solar study concept from Johnson Clean Energy District IP8. Memo from Assistant to the City Manager: 2021 State Legislative Priorities Development Schedule IP9. Civil Service Examination: Maintenance Worker I - Water Plant IP10. Copy of email to Council: Iowa City Named #20 on Livability.com's List of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. IP11. Press Release: Advanced Implicit Bias training available to area business IP12. Press Release: Fair Housing Online Training available 24/7 IP13. Press Release: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, needles collection event at East Side Recycling Center - October 24 Draft Minutes IP14. Planning & Zoning Commission: October 1 October 15, 2020 City of Iowa City Page 1 Item Number: 1. October 15, 2020 Council Tentative Meeting Schedule ATTACHMENTS: Description Council Tentative Meeting Schedule r City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule _ r mow''Subject to *y to change , CITY F IOWA CITY October 15, 2020 Date Time Meetina Location 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 A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Work Session Agenda ATTACHMENTS: Description Work Session Agenda Item Number: 2. It CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington 5trcct Iowa City, lova 52240-1826 4319)356-5000 1319) 356-5009 FAX Electronic wWVv1Cg0v.0rg c • . • -l•• I ��I ' 1J (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8) An electronic meeting is being held because a meeting in person is impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of Council members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19. You can watch the meeting on cable channel 4 (118.2 QAM) in Iowa City, University Heights and Coralville, or you can watch it online at any of the following websites: • hftps://citychannel4.com/live • https://www.youtube.com/user/citychannel4/live • https://facebook.com/CityQflowaCity If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you can call in by phone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting ID 968-7881 7788 when prompted. Attending in person is not an option. • Review recommendations from the Iowa City Area Transit Study • Presentation from staff on operational changes to 2020-21 winter weather procedures • COVID-19 Update • Continue discussion of Resolution (20-159) of Initial Council Commitments addressing the Black Lives Matter Movement and Systemic Racism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police and calls for action from protesters and residents • Clarification of Agenda Items City Council Work Session Agenda Page 2 1. (10/15) IP6 Memo from City Manager: Community Policing Public Input Summary 2. (10115) IP7 Memo from Assistant City Manager. Introduction to solar study concept from Johnson Clean Energy District 3. (10/15) IP8 Memo from Assistant to the City Manager. 2021 State Legislative Priorities Development Schedule Item Number: 3. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Memo from City Manager: 2020-21 Snow and Ice Operations ATTACHMENTS: Description Memo from City Manager: 2020-21 Snow and Ice Operations Snow Routs w/ Index Department Snow Response Parks COVI D Snow r -' CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: October 15, 2020 To: Mayor and City Council From: Geoff Fruin, City Manager Re: 2020-21 Snow and Ice Operations As we head into another winter weather season, staff wants to provide the City Council with an overview of our snow and ice removal operations. This memo summarizes our municipal operations and also details our enforcement of snow and ice removal responsibilities that fall to property owners in the community. Public Streets The Public Works Streets Division is responsible for the winter maintenance of approximately 252 centerline miles of streets in Iowa City. This maintenance is performed by two teams with 13 members covering the City, which is split into 13 snow routes. The Streets Division has a truck equipped with the necessary snow removal equipment assigned to each route. We also have one reserve truck and rent seven front end loaders equipped with plows to supplement as necessary. In a large event, the Streets Division will deploy two pieces of equipment for each route. Due to open positions and accrual use, the Streets Division will borrow staff from other Departments and Divisions as needed. The City's website contains a good deal of information about winter operations, including a snow plow route map, and an FAQ page, that can be found at www.icgov.org/snow. The City streets are prioritized into three categories: Red Routes (102 centerline miles), Blue Routes (78 centerline miles) and Green Routes (72 centerline miles). The first priority is the Red Routes. These streets include the arterial street system and Iowa City Transit routes. The Red Routes are the priority during the snow event with the intent of keeping them open for travel, providing access to emergency medical centers, as well as other key facilities. After the Red Routes are plowed and treated, the equipment operators move on to the Blue Routes. The Blue Routes include the collector street system and those residential streets which have a steep slope and are challenging to traverse. The Green Routes are the last priority. The Green Routes include the remainder of the street system which are lower volume, relatively flat residential streets. Our goal is to have all snow pushed back to the curb and shoulders free of snow, and have all streets plowed and treated within 12 hours of snow finishing. The amount and type of snow in each event has an impact on the duration of the maintenance operation. During the 2019-2020 winter, the City had 16 different storm events. The result of these storm events was approximately 27 inches of snow and one-half inch of ice. The winter maintenance included the use of approximately 3,600 tons of salt and 2,850 tons of sand to clear our streets, sidewalks, trails, and parking ramps. In the 2020-2021 winter, the Streets Division will be introducing salt brine into its winter operations. Salt brine is a mixture of water and salt. To receive the most benefit, the salt brine will consist of 77% water and 23% rock salt. When mixed at that rate, salt brine has a freezing point much lower than water (approximately -6 degrees Fahrenheit). The introduction of salt October 15, 2020 Page 2 brine will improve our snow and ice removal operations and help us better manage both staff and material resources (salt and sand). The salt brine will be used in two forms: Anti -icing and Pre -wetting. 1) Anti -icing - Streets staff will be pretreating the roads before a storm event. This will be the most noticeable time that residents will see the salt brine, because many of the streets in the community will look white from the salt. Applying salt brine before a snow event helps prevent the bonding of snow or ice to the pavement, will increase effectiveness of regular plow operations, and may even prevent staff from coming in during small snowfalls. 2) Pre -wetting - This process adds salt brine to the material as it is getting spread to the road from our trucks. The City has been purchasing needed equipment over the past five years to allow us to carry out the pre -wetting operations. Pre -wetting reduces the amount of material that gets wasted from simply bouncing off the road. Pre -wetting also helps activate the salt, which allows melting to happen faster and minimizes the bonding of snow to the pavement. Downtown, Public Facilities and Parks/Trails The Streets Division, Transportation Services Department, and Parks and Recreation Department work together during and after snow events to clean up the downtown area. The maintenance operation for each event is different and depends on the amount of snow accumulation. During and after each event, the downtown area is reviewed for snow accumulation on sidewalks, the amount of snow around parking meters, how much snow is in the on -street parking areas, and how much snow is stock piled for removal from the area. The Transportation Services Department is responsible for winter maintenance of the Pedestrian Mall, the parking structures and surface lots, and sidewalks adjacent to those facilities. The first priority is the Pedestrian Mall and sidewalks around the parking structures and lots. The second priority is working in the downtown area to remove and stock pile snow from roads, on -street parking areas, crosswalks, and parking lots. This generally happens overnight the first or second night of a snow event, keeping the downtown area accessible. The last priority is removing snow from the top level of the parking structures. The Streets Division, Transportation Services, and Parks and Recreation departments will continue to utilize available staff resources to address clearing of curb cuts at downtown intersections during snowfall events. Last year's addition of a new end loader for downtown operations proved to help immensely with clearing operations. The City is again renting an additional end loader for this purpose this winter. The Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for winter maintenance of trails, sidewalks, facility parking lots and sidewalks, and bridge sections. Their first priority may change based on when the snow event occurs. For example, clearing snow from City Hall may come first based on hours of operation of the building. For this winter season only, the Parks and Recreation Department will be clearing additional trails in the community as time and resources allow. The attached map shows the additional areas that will be cleared. These areas are historically left untreated due to lack of usage or a desire to provide unique snow-covered recreation opportunities. In response to the ongoing pandemic, these areas will be cleared this year only in order to provide additional safe outdoor exercise opportunities for residents. The City also cooperates with other entities during the winter maintenance season. The University of Iowa supplies the equipment to push the transported snow from downtown up into the snow storage area at the old Public Works and Transit Building site. They also help with clearing the downtown area when there is enough accumulation that the stockpiles need to be hauled out. The Iowa City Community School District has also periodically used the snow October 15, 2020 Page 3 storage area. These relationships make the winter maintenance operations more efficient for all entities. Snow and Ice Removal for Private Property Owners State law provides and Iowa City code states that private property owners are responsible for the removal of the natural accumulations of snow and ice from the sidewalks. Staff in the Neighborhood and Development Services Department are charged with enforcing snow and ice removal responsibilities throughout the community. These past two years have seen more difficult winters, especially the 2018-19 season. To provide some perspective the table below provides information on public complaints received regarding the condition of sidewalks, the number of work orders the City placed with our third - party vendor to clear sidewalk for a private property owner, and the number of citations issued to private property owners. Snow Season Complaints Work Orders Citations Issued 2019-20 838 169 6 2018-19 1,294 420 8 2017-18 459 40 0 2016-17 326 32 0 2015-16 932 128 0 2014-15 591 73 0 The 2019-20 snow season generated 838 complaints from the public. Before the 2018-2019 season, a particularly difficult winter, the prior 4 -year average was 577. With the inclusion of that year, the 5 -year average raised to 720. These high numbers of complaints resulted in hundreds of hours of staff time performing inspections and ultimately creating 169 work orders to have non-compliant properties cleared by a city contractor last year. The City issued six citations this past winter. City Policies and Enforcement Practices The Iowa State Code (Section 364.12) states that the abutting owner is responsible for the removal of the natural accumulations of snow and ice from the sidewalks within a reasonable amount of time. Iowa City derives its powers to set policy on sidewalk clearing from this code section. The following outlines the City's policies and enforcement process to remove snow and ice from sidewalks. City of Iowa City Code and Policy Section 16-1A-8, Snow and Ice Removal, of the City Code states the following: A. Removal Required: No owner, tenant, responsible party or person in possession or control of property shall allow snow or ice accumulations to remain upon abutting sidewalks for more than twenty-four (24) hours. B. Removal by City: Snow orice accumulations which have remained on any sidewalk for more than twenty-four (24) hours may be removed by the city. If the property owner fails to pay the costs of removal, after written billing, the City may assess the costs against the property in the same manner as a property tax, as provided by state law. October 15, 2020 Page 4 C. Removal by Persons Other Than City: 1. It shall be unlawful for any private property owner or person in possession or control of private property to deposit snow and/or ice from private property onto public right of way. 2. It shall be unlawful to remove snow or ice from public right of way in a manner which interferes with or unduly restricts vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic. 3. This subsection shall not apply to or limit the city's snowplowing operations. The enforcement of this Code provision is guided by the sidewalk removal policy adopted by Council in Resolution No. 08-326. The City initiates enforcement of snow and ice removal twenty-four hours after a recorded snowfall of one inch or more or any amount of ice has ended. While we do, at times, complete pro -active enforcement in areas where frequent complaints are received, the vast majority of enforcement actions are initiated upon receipt of a complaint from the public. All snow and ice complaints are forwarded to the City's Neighborhood and Development Services Department. Housing inspectors then investigate and enforce our policy. Upon investigating the complaint, the enforcement action may not be limited to the specific address provided by the complainant but may also include the entire frontage from intersecting street to intersecting street if snow and ice have not been removed on adjacent properties. The entire width of public walks must be completely cleared down to the concrete and suitable for safe public passage by all persons, including those with mobility limitations. If the inspector finds that the public walk has not been properly cleared of snow and ice as required herein, the following procedures are followed: 1) The property is immediately posted with a notice on the front door informing the occupant of the following: a) the code requirements to clear the sidewalk; b) a reinspection will occur within 24 hours; c) the City will clear the sidewalk at the owner's cost if the sidewalk is not cleared; d) subsequent violations will be abated without further notice; and e) a telephone number to contact with questions. 2) The property owner is sent a notice of violation by regular mail providing the same information as contained in the notice left on the front door. Additionally, the notice informs them that subsequent violations may result in a citation for a municipal infraction. For rental properties, an email will also be sent to the owner and local agent on file with the rental permit concerning the violation. Any subsequent violation will be abated by the City with only an email notification. 3) The City will attempt to do a follow-up inspection within twenty-four hours after notice of the ordinance requirements has been left at the property to see if the removal of the snow and/or ice has been done per our requirements. Due to a lag in mailing time and notification to the owner, it may take closer to 48 hours before the follow-up inspection is completed. a. If the snow and ice have been removed in compliance with this rule, the enforcement is terminated. No municipal infraction is issued to the property owner and an inspection fee is not imposed; however, subsequent violations will be abated without further notice or with only an email notice for rental properties. b. If the ice and snow have not been cleared as required, the inspector will authorize an approved snow removal contractor to remove the snow and/or ice from the sidewalk and invoice the City for the work. The City's Finance Accounting Division will then invoice the property owner for the expenses October 15, 2020 Page 5 incurred which includes both the charges from the contractor and a $100 administrative fee from the City. 4) The Housing Inspectors have discretion to issue a municipal infraction to those property owners that are habitual offenders and are not making a sufficient effort to adhere to the City Code. The civil penalty for first violation is $250 plus court costs. If a property owner fails to pay the costs of the removal and administrative fee, then the City will move to have such charges assessed to their property. This requires City Council action and provides the owner an opportunity to protest the charges before the assessment is made. Notification of Property Owner Responsibilities The public is notified of our sidewalk clearing procedures beginning each November and throughout the snow season as weather dictates. For the 2019-20 snow season, the City issued five news releases (November, January and February), seven Facebook posts, eight Twitter posts, three Instagram posts, and three NextDoor posts all focusing on sidewalk clearing responsibilities. Our notification process has changed based on the feedback received from property managers of rental properties. Staff will email the owner and local agent on file with the rental permit for each violation. A mailed notice is also sent on the first violation, but for subsequent violations only an email notice will be provided. The public will also be able to see the complaint and its status on the Customer Self Service portal on the City's website at hftps:Hegov.iowa- city.org/energovprod/selfservice#/home. Curb Ramps Our ordinance and policies relate to the public sidewalks. The City, in our press releases and social media, ask that adjoining property owners clear curb ramps at intersections, but the City has no enforcement mechanism to require it. As noted earlier in the memo, City staff will monitor and clear crosswalks / curb ramps in the downtown area as time allows. Attachments: Snow route map, City department winter maintenance responsibility map, Park and Trail Snow Clearing Map ;.PeP.$Ea%Yead38"e:£aPe: v48aa9::P:�b y°Paill:ea sT3atj$ ".?.il edaFs P.Et°Eixa::Y.E5ssa1 �Y eaYE I:!da3Y1s P'BazPi€:Yr9aYF8nde?H.:aeP°y�6ve;z%adaaea�l iirt8s� psaEaElaPdBPE all a4 5. 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I N C9 LO (D r � I �uu b ` -+• r 7�77- Jill r � A` F'y _ 1 _ lull a A _ e Item Number: 4. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 BLM & Systemic Racism Detailed Status Report ATTACHMENTS: Description BLM & Systemic Racism Detailed Status Report City of Iowa City COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING BLACK LIVES MATTER & SYSTEMIC RACISM Resolution No. 20-159 CITY OF IOWA CITY UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE Status Report October 141 2020 1 CITY OF IOWA CITY SUMMARY OF COMMITMENTS The City of Iowa City is committed to embracing the Black Lives Matter Movement and addressing Systemic Racism. The City Council unanimously passed Resolution No. 20-159 on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 which outlined seventeen initial actions. A copy of that signed resolution, along with other related resources, is available at www.icgov.org/BLM. The seventeen actions have been identified in this initial commitment and are summarized below. Click on an action to be taken to the status report page for that item: Policing & the Future of Public Safety • Develop a preliminary plan to restructure Iowa City Police Department (ICPD) towards community policing. • Receive a report of ICPD involvement in use of gas and flash -bang devices during a June 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Iowa City. • Increase accountability and oversight authority of CPRB, where legally possible. • Improve transparency and accessibility of detailed ICPD budget expenditures. • Review inventory of military grade equipment in ICPD, evaluate federal contracts with the ICPD and express support for divestment of the Johnson County Sherriff's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. • Enact ICPD General Order to expressly ban the use of chokeholds & any maneuver that cuts off oxygen or blood flow. • Continue ICPD policy and practice to be consistent with IA H.F. 2647, ensuring police officers in Iowa have not committed serious misconduct. • Investigate compliance and evaluate disciplinary action related to proper use of body cameras and vehicle recording devices. • Ensure the duty to intervene and stop excessive force, in both ICPD General Order and an MOU with area law enforcement agencies. • Prohibit use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs against peaceful protestors. • Adopt 2021 state legislative priorities related to criminal justice reform, enhanced authority of the Community Police Review Board (CPRB), and decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. Truth & Reconciliation • Create an ad hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission to carry out restorative justice. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion • Commit $1,000,000 to local efforts promoting racial equity + social justice, including development of a new Affordable Housing Plan. • Increase opportunities for artistic expression by communities of color. • Establish Juneteenth as an official city holiday beginning in 2021. • Increase diversity of City employees, expand equitable recruitment efforts, and elevate organizational equity training, policies, and procedures. • Continue use of a racial equity toolkit use in all city departments, expand training to the City Council, and educate and train the local business community 2 Lost Updated: October 14, 2020 ICPD G.O.: Chokeholds and airway restricting maneuvers Awaiting City Planning or action ICPD G.O.: Police misconduct related to IA H.F. 2647 Council action currently underway Policing &the Future of Public Safety Plan to restructure ICPD towards community policing 0 Report an gas/flash bang use an protestors 0 Increased oversight authority for CPRB 0 Transparent and accessible ICPD budget details 0 Military -grade equipment inventory review, MRAP Letter ICPD G.O.: Chokeholds and airway restricting maneuvers ICPD G.O.: Police misconduct related to IA H.F. 2647 0 ICPD G.O.: Body camera + car recorder compliance ICPD G.O.: Duty to Intervene 8 stop excessive use of force ICPD G.O.: Tear gas, rubber bullets, flash hangs in protests 0 2021 legislative priorities supporting racial/social justice 0 Truth & Reconciliation Develop Truth & Reconciliation Commission 0 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion $1 an. committed to SIRE efforts + Affordable Housing Plan 0 Equitable recruitment, hiring, staff training 0 Racial 8 Equity Toolkit expansion of use + education 0 Increase art + celebrations of communities of color O 0 Establish Juneteenth as official City holiday 0 *Note: Actions showing multiple icons have some council directives accomplished and others underway; details are provided on each action's page. 4 Action(s) completed Action(s) in progressO Awaiting City Council action 3 Resolution "By December 15, 2020, develop a preliminary plan to restructure the Iowa City Police Department (ICPD) towards community policing, including, but not limited to, reduction of the public's reliance on police in non- violent situations through use of unarmed professionals, and consideration of community policing initiatives in other cities, including, but not limited to, Minneapolis, MN, Camden, NJ, Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA." (Res. 20-159, p. 1, #1 ) Status Summary City Council held a series of six listening posts on community policing. Each event featured a different area of focus, and local service providers were present to contribute insight and expertise to the conversation. Additionally, input was collected via an online public input form, from August 25 until October 15, 2020. City staff have prepared a summary report of the public input phase, which is included in the October 15, 2020 City Council Information Packet. City Council will discuss the next steps in the development of the preliminary plan and provide direction to staff in upcoming work sessions. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) Dec. 10, 2020 Deliver preliminary plan to City Council I Staff, Council, Public Accomplishments • September 1, 2020: City Council approved the replacement of a vacant, full-time police officer position with a civilian Victim Support Specialist position. More information is available here. • Sept 16, 2020: Listening Post #1 on mental health and crisis (approx. 40 in attendance). • Sept. 21, 2020: Community Police Review Board community forum, via Zoom. • Sept. 23, 2020: Listening Post #2 on special needs population (approx. 16 in attendance). • Sept. 26, 2020: Listening Post #3 with UI Students (approx. 10 in attendance). • Sept. 29, 2020: Listening Post #4 on victims of abuse (approx. 40 in attendance). • Oct. 5, 2020: Listening Post #5 on the condition of homelessness (approx. 8 in attendance). • Oct. 8, 2020: Listening Post #6 on youth engagement. • Aug. 25 — Oct. 15, 2020: Comments welcomed through an online public input form. • Oct. 15, 2020: Staff delivered a memo to City Council which summarized the comments received via the listening posts and online form during the initial public input phase. 2 Resolution "Allocate City funds in the amount of $1,000,000 during Fiscal Year starting July 1, 2020 for efforts to promote racial equity and social justice, including expansion of the Special Populations Involvement (SP1) program, creation of a new robust affordable housing plan, including, but not limited to, housing in the downtown and core neighborhoods, support of the to be determined efforts of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and hold a Council work session on or before August 1, 2020 to address specific allocations." (Res. 20-159, p. 1, #2) Status Summary Allocation plans for these funds are pending further City Council discussion. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) TBD Hold City Council work session to address specific allocations ICity Council Accomplishments August 18, 2020: City Council agreed to contribute $25,000 in funding to assist the Iowa City BIPOC and Immigrant -Owned Businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, in collaboration with ThinklowaCity and Project Better Together's Holding Our Own program. This funding is separate from the $1 million commitment. View a list of funding recipients. Resolution "Elevate the City's commitment to racial equity and social justice, including expanding efforts to increase the number of minorities employed by the City including eliminating barriers to applications, increase resources devoted to those efforts as needed to better train all city employees and coordinate and report on the use of funds dedicated for racial equity and social justice." (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #3) Status Summary Staff continue to actively explore opportunities for equitable hiring and recruitment policy and practice improvements, such as those ideas outlined in the staff report. Recently, updates to the City's interview process were implemented. These changes impact all interviews conducted with job candidates, and include: requiring at least one question focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; more consistent data collection on how candidates learned about positions; providing each candidate with 'Interview Tips for Success' when scheduling interviews; and providing candidates with interview prep time prior to the start of the interview. The Human Resources Division is working with hiring staff to implement these changes as new vacancies are filled. Additionally, in an effort to increase applicants from diverse populations for City job opportunities, the Human Resources Office has created a new employment opportunities flier, which is available in English, Spanish, French (Africa), Arabic, and Swahili. The flier was initially distributed to approximately 300 community organizations and local contacts who reach diverse populations. Staff also continue to seek additional diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) trainings that could benefit employees, board and commission members and the City Council. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) Ongoing, Monthly Staff Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee Staff meetings and efforts Ongoing Diversity and equity improvements to hiring and All recruitment policy and practices. Accomplishments • July 29, 2020: Approximately 60 City and County staff participated in a virtual Cultural Proficiency pilot training. • August 2020: New staff DEI Committee was formed, with a mission to discuss opportunities and plan for improving workplace culture related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This committee will continue to meet monthly and seek progress in these areas. • August 20, 2020: Staff completed a report on Iowa City employee demoarwhics, recruitment efforts, and staff diversity, equity, and inclusion traininas. Resolution "By August 1, 2020, receive a report from the City Manager on the ICPD's involvement in the use of gas and flash -bang devices during the protest in Iowa City on lune 3, 2020." (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #4) Status Summary OIR Group (based in Playa del Ray, CA) is currently conducting an independent investigation of the June 3, 2020 BLM protest incident that took place near the Interstate 80 interchange and Dubuque Street. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) TBD Deliver report from OIR Group to City Council Third Party Accomplishments • September 1, 2020: Councilors approved a contract with OIR Group (based in Playa del Ray, CA) to conduct an independent investigation of the June 3, 2020 BLM protest incident that took place near the Interstate 80 interchange and Dubuque Street. • September 3, 2020: Per City Council direction, the City released a statement and video footage related to the June 3, 2020 BLM protest incident. 7 Resolution "By October 1, 2020, create an ad hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission to bear witness to the truth of racial injustice in Iowa City and to carry out restorative justice, through the collection of testimony and public hearings, with such work to include a recommendation to the Council of a plan for dedicating and/or renaming public spaces and/or rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement." (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #5) Status Summary At the September 15, 2020 regular meeting, City Council adopted a resolution establishing a Truth & Reconciliation Commission. Vacancies for this commission were announced at the October 6, 2020 City Council Meeting. Individuals interested in serving on the commission may apply online or print and return an application to the City Clerk's Office, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa. Applications will be accepted until November 10, 2020. To learn more about serving on a board and commission, please visit the Boards Commissions and Committees webpaae. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) Nov. 10, 2020 Deadline to apply for the TRC. Interested applicants can visit Boards. Commissions and Committees webpage to apply. Public Nov. 17, 2020 City Council may begin making appointments to the TRC City Council Accomplishments • July — September 2020: Continued collaborative efforts to collect ideas and input from members of the public, including councilor meetings and sustained communication with members of the Iowa Freedom Riders (IFR), input from other community groups, and individual input collected via e-mail, phone, and in-person at City Council meetings. • July 21, 2020 — Public input opportunity at the regular, formal City Council meeting. • August 18, 2020: Councilors Bergus and Weiner introduced a draft resolution. • September 1, 2020: Councilors received public input and made plans to discuss further at the next City Council meeting. • September 15, 2020: City Council adopted a resolution forming a Truth & Reconciliation Commission. • October 6, 2020: TRC vacancies announced at the City Council meeting. D Resolution "Make it a 2021 City Council legislative priority to advocate for and support our state delegation in enacting criminal justice reform, eliminating the war on drugs and making changes to state law that enable the City's plan to restructure the police department, enhance the authority of the Community Police Review Board (CPRB) and reduce disproportionate minority contact, including support of state legislation decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana." (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #6) Status Summary Prior to the start of the 2021 State of Iowa legislative session, the Iowa City City Council will adopt, by resolution, state legislative priorities, and share those with our elected state delegation. Staff are actively monitoring progress of the Governor's FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform and the NAACP / Iowa Police Chief's Association Equity Committee. Discussion of the 2021 state legislative priorities will take place during upcoming work sessions, with a goal to consider a resolution adopting 2021 state legislative priorities at the November 10, 2020 regular City Council meeting. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) November 10, 2020 City Council to consider a resolution adopting the City of Iowa City's 2021 state legislative priorities Staff, City Council December 1, 2020 Adopt 2021 Legislative Priorities City Council Accomplishments Participated in June 19, 2020 work session between the NAACP and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Committed to working collaboratively on local and statewide reform and accountability measures through a new Equity Task Force co-chaired by the Iowa Police Chiefs Association and the Iowa/Nebraska NAACP. A summary of this first meeting is available here. Resolution "Continue use of the racial equity toolkit by city departments and expand such training to the City Council, and work with our local business partners to educate and train the business community on use of a racial equity toolkit." (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #7) Status Summary City staff will continue to expand knowledge and use of the toolkit and update City Council as appropriate. Additional racial equity toolkit training will be prepared for both City Council and the business community. Several trainings and education and engagement events are scheduled to be hosted or sponsored by the City of Iowa City in the coming months. For a list of upcoming events, please visit www.icgov.org/blm and check under the "Upcoming Education + Engagement Events" section. To stay up-to-date on City events, follow �iQ CityoflowaCity on social media. and Sian -up for e-mail or SMS/text messaae notifications (visit www.icaov.orci/e-subscriptions, enter your preferred method of contact, and select "Equity and Human Rights" under "News and Events"). Accomplishments • July 22, 2020: Culturally Responsive Communication training delivered to 100+ members of the local business community. • July 23, 2020: Staff presented a memo on the City's use of the racial equity toolkit to Council. • August 26, 2020: Staff, in collaboration with the ACLU, conducted a Know Your Rights presentation with area youth through the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County. • September 9, 2020: Culturally Responsive Communication training delivered to area property managers and businesses. Approximately 45 individuals participated. 10 Resolution "Request and receive, by January 1, 2021, a report and recommendation from the CPRB, in consultation with an attorney of its choice, regarding changes to the CPRB ordinance that enhance its ability to provide effective civilian oversight of the ICPD, including but not limited to those that address compelling the testimony of officers, with the report to include a summary of measures considered and rejected by the CPRB, whether it be for policy or legal reasons." (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #8) Status Summary This action will be coordinated directly by the City Council's Community Police Review Board (CPRB). Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) December 31, 2020 CPRB to deliver report and recommendation to the City Council CPRB *CPRB meeting dates subject to a quorum of members Accomplishments • September 2020: Complaints can be now be filed with the CPRB using a new, online web form. The option to submit a hard copy form remains. • September 21, 2020: Virtual Community Forum held by the CPRB to collect public input on the Board's role and ICPD policies, practices, and procedures. • October 9, 2020: An informational report summarizing the 27 -year history of the CPRB ordinance and a history of complaints filed with the Board was included in the CPRB agenda packet. 11 Resolution "Direct staff to provide a detailed expenditure summary of the police budget on the City's website." (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #9) Status Summary Additional budget information was added to the Iowa City Police Department webpage in June of 2020. That information is available on the Police Budget weboaae. Staff will continue to increase transparency about the Police Department operations through revised web content. Additional budget information will be added with the release of staff's proposed fiscal year 2022 budget. In September 2020, additional information on ICPD calls for service and crime statistics were added to the Police Department's website. This data supplements existing statistics available on the Police Department's website and in the ICPD Annual Report. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) Dec. 15, 2020 Update Police Department website with additional budget and operational details Staff Accomplishments • View additional fiscal Year 2021 police department budget information (published June 2020). • View additional fiscal Year 2015 — 2019 Calls for Service + Crime Information 12 Resolution "Send the letter attached as Exhibit "A" to the Johnson County Sheriff supporting divestment of the MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle and obtain a report from city staff on the military grade equipment in the ICPD's inventory and the federal contracts that provide support to the police department." (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #10) Accomplishments • June 17, 2020: Mayor Teague submitted a letter to the Johnson County Sheriff supporting divestment of the MRAP vehicle. A copy of the letter can be viewed here. • August 20, 2020: City staff prepared a memo outlining federal contracts from 2017 to the present, that provide support to the Iowa City Police Department. • Staff delivered a memo on ICPD military grade equipment to City Council on September 10, 2020. 13 Resolution "Direct the City Manager to expressly ban, in the ICPD's general orders, any use of chokeholds or any other maneuver that cuts off oxygen or blood flow." (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #11 ) Accomplishments • CPRB last reviewed the Iowa City Police Department's General Order on Use of Force at their October 8, 2019 meeting. The board recommended changes and those were incorporated by the Iowa City Police Department. The General Order was re -issued by the Police Department on October 23, 2019. • The Community Police Review Board approved an updated Use of Force General Order (G.O.) at their August 19, 2020 meeting. The G.O. was re -issued by the ICPD on August 20, 2020. 14 Resolution "Direct the City Manager to ensure the ICPD's policy and practices regarding employment of officers is consistent with the goals of recently enacted Iowa House File 2647 to ensure that officers working in Iowa have not committed serious misconduct, as defined therein." (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #12) Status Summary The Iowa City Police Department recruitment process already contains a robust background check process that includes a review of past employment history. Candidates with a history of serious misconduct are not considered for employment with the Iowa City Police Department. As the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy develops rules for the implementation of House File 2647, staff will adjust policies accordingly to ensure complete compliance with the new law. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) TBD — Dependent Update Human Resource policies as needed to ensure Staff upon when the State compliance with HF 2647 of Iowa releases rules Accomplishments 15 Resolution "Direct the City Manager to review the systems and reporting mechanisms in place at the ICPD for evaluating compliance with the ICPD's Body Worn Cameras and In -Car Recorders general order, ensure that such systems result in consistent compliance with the general order, revise as necessary to achieve that goal, include real consequences for non-compliance, and report back to the Council upon completion of the review." (Res. 20-159, p. 3, #13) Accomplishments • The Community Police Review Board reviewed and approved the General Order on Body Cameras and In -Car Recorders at their February 1 1, 2020 meeting. • The Community Police Review Board reviewed and approved an updated General Order on Body Cameras and In -Car Recorders at their September 8, 2020 meeting. • Staff delivered a report on the revised General Order related to body worn cameras and in -car recorders, to City Council on September 10, 2020. 16 Resolution "Direct the City Manager to revise the ICPD's general orders to require officers to intervene and stop excessive force used by other officers and report the incident directly to a supervisor, and enter into a memorandum of understanding with other law enforcement agencies regarding such intervention when the excessive force is being used by an officer of another agency such as that currently being discussed and circulated among area law enforcement attached as Exhibit "8"" (Res. 20-159, p. 3, #14) Accomplishments • June 19, 2020: ICPD staff participated in joint work session between the NAACP and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. At the joint work session, Iowa City joined five area law enforcement agencies in signing a Duty to Intercede MOU. • On July 14, 2020, the Community Police Review Board (CPRB) approved, with no changes, the new Duty to Intervene and Report General Order provided by staff. An executed copy of that General Order can be viewed online and has been issued to ICPD staff officers. 17 Resolution "Request and receive a report and recommendation from the City's Public Art Advisory Committee, after input from and consultation with local Black artists, on measures Council should consider to provide opportunities for artistic expression by the Black Lives Matter movement and communities of color, including but not limited to visual arts as well as a public festival dedicated to the celebration of Black culture." (Res. 20-159, p. 3, #15) Status Summary At the August 18, 2020 regular meeting, City Council considered a recommendation from the Public Art Advisory Commission (PAAC) to proceed with a proposal for a mural honoring the Black Lives Matter Movement. The recommendation included a presentation from the Center for Afrofuturist Studies on the process of the project, which includes plans for public input and participation. City Council approved a resolution to proceed with the project. Additionally, City Council discussed the naming of a park after James Alan McPherson, a former resident of Iowa City who was the first African-American writer to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and an influential former professor emeritus at the Iowa Writer's I The mural is proposed to be located on the stair towers of the Capitol Street Parking Ramp along Burlington Street. Workshop. Council members invited the Parks & Recreation Commission to develop and introduce a formal recommendation. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) TBD City Council to consider a recommendation to name a city City Council, Parks and park after James Alan McPherson. Recreation Commission TBD Community involvement in the public art project; details PAAC, public, Public forthcoming from the sponsoring groups. Space One, Center for Afrofuturist Studies Spring 2021 Creation of the public art project, with expected completion PAAC, Sponsoring Groups, by the Spring of 2021. Artists In Resolution "Prohibit the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbangs against peaceful protestors." (Res. 20-159, p. 3, #16) Status Summary Immediate direction has been provided to the Iowa City Police Department. Any policy update on this item is on hold until the completion of the investigation in action item #4 of this resolution. Staff will use the report of the June 3, 2020 events and City Council's related discussion of these reports, to inform their review of all policies and ensure any relevant updates to policies are completed. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) TBD Receive and discuss report on June 3, 2020 protest response City Council Accomplishments 19 Resolution "Beginning in calendar year 2021, Juneteenth, June 19, shall be a city holiday and shall replace an existing city holiday." (Res. 20-159, p. 3, #17) Status Summary Under State law, holidays are mandatory subjects of collective bargaining for public safety unions and permissive subjects of bargaining for non-public safety unions. The City Manager's Office will collaborate with all three unions representing city employees to request that Juneteenth replace an existing holiday. Next Steps Target Date Milestone Action Group(s) October 1, 2020 Obtain needed agreements from unions to replace an existing holiday with Juneteenth Staff Accomplishments 20 Item Number: 5. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Pending City Council Work Session Topics ATTACHMENTS: Description Pending City Council Work Session Topics I � F CITY OF IOWA CITY UNESCO CRY OF UTERATURE PENDING CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topics October 14, 2020 November 2, 2020 1. Discuss 2021 State of Iowa legislative priorities Other Tonics: I. Evaluate need for a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) and other alternative revenues 2. Consider a plan for rubberized surfacing at park playgrounds and develop strategies to address equity gaps noted in the Parks Master Plan and plan for the equitable distribution of destination parks within an easy and safe distance of all residents. 3. Discuss alcohol usage policies in City parks 4. Discuss possible changes to residential zoning classifications to allow and/or require a greater diversity of housing types (i.e. missing middle) 5. Consider establishing a cost of development framework that can help guide decisions on how best to accommodate future growth 6. Discuss development of a new comprehensive plan to promote housing affordability throughout the City 7. Explore text amendments to facilitate more neighborhood commercial in residential areas Item Number: 6. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Memo from City Manager: Community Policing Public Input Summary ATTACHMENTS: Description Memo from City Manager: Community Policing Public Input Summary I - -4 CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: October 15, 2020 To: City Council From: Geoff Fruin, City Manager Re: Community Policing Public Input Summary Introduction On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, City Council adopted Resolution No. 20-159, which outlined seventeen actions to respond to the Black Lives Matter Movement and address systemic racism. Updates on the City Council's progress can be viewed at www.icgov.org/blm. Item number one of this resolution commits to the development of a preliminary plan to restructure the Iowa City Police Department (ICPD) towards community policing, by December 15, 2020. Attached is a summary of the City Council led public input phase which initiated the plan development. Background Throughout September and October, the City Council held six listening posts on community policing at various locations. Each listening post emphasized a specific area of focus, although public comment was welcomed on any issue related to community policing. Two or three Councilors attended each event and local community service providers and ICPD staff were invited to provide perspective and respond to questions from the community. Staff from the City Manager's Office also attended all sessions to listen and document the input received. Listening Post Councilors in Attendance Presenting Service Providers* ICPD staff in Attendance Focus: Mental health, crisis intervention, addiction Teague, Bergus, CommUnity Crisis Services, Otc. Fowler Wednesday, Sept. 16 - 5:30 p.m. at Mercer Park Weiner Prelude Behavioral Services Sgt. McKnight Focus: Special needs population Mims, Thomas, The Village Community, Access 2 Ofc. Hayes Tuesday, Sept. 22 - 5:30 p.m. via Zoom (virtual) Weiner Independence Daisy Tones Focus: University of Iowa students Teague, Taylor, University of Iowa Student Interim Chief Saturday, Sept. 26 —10 a.m. at Hubbard Park Weiner Government (USG) Brotherton Focus: Abuse and victim services Teague, Bergus Domestic Violence Intervention Sgt. Stevens Tuesday, Sept. 29 — 5:30 p.m. at Wetherby Park Program, Johnson County Ofc. Clarahan Attorney's Office, Nisaa African Ofc. Nieland Family Services, Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity Focus: People experiencing homelessness Mims, Thomas, Shelter House, Guidelink Access Ofc. Schwindt Monday, Oct. 5 — 5:30 p.m. at Chauncey -Swan Park Taylor Center Sgt. McKnight Ofc. Fowler Focus: Youth engagement Teague, Bergus United Action for Youth, Dream Sgt. Bailey Thursday, Oct. 8 — 5:30 p.m. at Dream City City Daisy To *Note: In addition to the presenting service providers, other local service providers attended various meetings and answered questions and shared thoughts and perspective. October 15, 2020 Page 2 City staff promoted the listening posts using a variety of mediums to inform the public of each event's date, time, and location. Listening posts details were promoted via: • Seven separate news releases and news articles (approximately 8,712 reads in total). Many of these news releases or event details were also printed or broadcast by local news media. • Facebook Events for each listening post (13,606 people reached in total, and 218 responded as going or interested). • 10 unique Facebook posts (9,208 people reached in total). • 10 unique Tweets (16,457 impressions total). • Two Instagram Stories on the days before the listening posts which were targeted towards younger audiences (UI students and youth engagement). • Four separate Iowa City Update videos (published on YouTube, Nextdoor, Facebook, and Twitter). • The City's Black Lives Matter webpage: www.icgov.org/blm (average of 264 page views per week). • Announcements of upcoming listening posts during City Council meetings and at the end of each listening post for the next scheduled event. Listening Post Promotion Schedule - In addition to the listening posts, comments were also collected via an online public input form on the City's Black Lives Matter webpage. This form was made available on August 25, 2020 and closed on October 15. The online form was promoted in each of the seven news releases issued for the listening posts, announced as option by Councilors at the events and during City Council meetings, and included as a link in the Facebook Events. General Summary In total, there was an attendance of approximately 138 between the six listening posts. While this is a very small fraction of our population, the numbers are more or less in line with our expectations based on past outreach events and considering the challenges of the pandemic. An additional 57 submissions were received through the online public input form. In each listening post it was evident that the Iowa City Police Department has a strong foundation of community partnerships with many local social service agencies. These agencies, along with the Police Department and the attending members of the public all expressed a clear desire and need to expand and invest even more in these relationships in order to best serve those in need and the community in general. As the City now begins the work of drafting preliminary plan toward more community policing, bolstering these already strong partnerships should be a cornerstone of the plan. Facebook Twitter News Release Listening Post #1 (Sept. 16) Sept. 10, 15, 16 Sept. 10, 15 Sept. 10 Listening Post #2 (Sept. 22) Sept. 17, 22 Sept. 17, 22 Sept. 16, 22 Listening Post #3 (Sept. 26) Sept. 24, 25 Sept. 24 Sept. 23 Listening Post #4 (Sept. 29) Sept. 26, 27 Sept. 26, 27 Sept. 24 Listening Post #5 (Oct. 5) Oct. 1, 3 Oct. 3, 5 Sept. 28 Listening Post #6 (Oct. 8) Oct. 5, 6 Oct. 6 Sept. 30 People reached: 9,208 16,457 8,712 In addition to the listening posts, comments were also collected via an online public input form on the City's Black Lives Matter webpage. This form was made available on August 25, 2020 and closed on October 15. The online form was promoted in each of the seven news releases issued for the listening posts, announced as option by Councilors at the events and during City Council meetings, and included as a link in the Facebook Events. General Summary In total, there was an attendance of approximately 138 between the six listening posts. While this is a very small fraction of our population, the numbers are more or less in line with our expectations based on past outreach events and considering the challenges of the pandemic. An additional 57 submissions were received through the online public input form. In each listening post it was evident that the Iowa City Police Department has a strong foundation of community partnerships with many local social service agencies. These agencies, along with the Police Department and the attending members of the public all expressed a clear desire and need to expand and invest even more in these relationships in order to best serve those in need and the community in general. As the City now begins the work of drafting preliminary plan toward more community policing, bolstering these already strong partnerships should be a cornerstone of the plan. October 15, 2020 Page 3 Other key takeaways from the public input received is a desire to continue to consider how critical preventative and follow-up care services are to limiting calls for assistance from those in crisis. Examples such as CommUnity's 24/7/365 Mobile Crisis Outreach Program team, Shelter House's Cross Park Place and the soon to open GuideLink Center were referenced by service providers as being key contributors that have or will ensure that the need for police involvement will be minimized for individuals in crisis. The City has been a partner in all of these projects and continues to be a key player that advances these and other critical wrap-around services. Finally, there was consistent support expressed for making certain that people experiencing a crisis receive care from the professionals who are best -suited to provide a safe initial contact and long-term care and support for their individual situation. This would include an effort to divert calls from law enforcement officers whenever possible through promotion and enhanced utilization of existing civilian mobile crisis teams or civilian staff employed by the City. Secondly, when a law enforcement presence is required for safety reasons, an analysis is needed on how best to maximize the opportunity for crisis professionals to intervene safely and effectively in the presence of law enforcement. Lastly, for calls in which the police are the only suitable responders, the City must continue to make certain that those responding receive frequent training and support to deescalate the situation and safely connect the individual in crisis with professionals that can step in and explore the most suitable follow-up care for each unique situation. The conversation at each listening post is summarized in the following pages. In some instances, we have added some data that may help the City Council and the public understand the state of current operations. A more detailed account of the listening posts and verbatim online public input submissions are also attached. October 15, 2020 Page 4 Area of focus: Crisis intervention, mental health, and addiction Presenting Service Providers: CommUnity Crisis Services, Prelude Behavioral Services Estimated Number of Public Attendees: 40 Discussion Summary Service Providers in attendance (presenting providers and others): • Mental health calls for service are complicated by other needs, such as housing, transportation, and food security as well as social obstacles, such as stigma. • Jail and hospital diversion efforts have proven to be successful & mental health referrals by police increased after law enforcement's Crisis Intervention Training initiative. • Demand always outpaces supply of social service providers, so incident response times from these agencies are often slower than the pace police can respond. • Guidelink Access Center will be a valuable new resource for those experiencing crises. Members of public in attendance: • Multiple mentions of response models which emphasize mental health and crisis intervention professionals in responding to these types of calls. • Several supportive of increased funding for social service agencies and more strategic and innovative partnerships to limit when police need to be involved. • Need to address implicit bias and systemic racism. Police officers in attendance: • Excited about prospect of co -response program and supportive of increased crisis intervention training for officers. • Prefer to have public health professionals involved and view officer role as de-escalating the situation in order to get individuals to providers and health professionals. • Need a solution/provider for involuntary patients, so officers do not have to be involved. Supplemental Information [The following data maybe a helpful supplement to the listening post discussion.] Based on calls for service between 2015 and 2019, the ICPD responds to an average of 8,622 calls for service each year that could be considered "crisis or behavioral health" calls. These types of calls account for approximately 11.97% of all calls between 2015 and 2019. The split by type of these calls includes: 36.1% suspicious activity, 26.5% public assistance, 13.4% welfare check, 7.5% intoxicated pedestrian, 4.2% vagrant/transient, 3.2% suicide, 2.9% mental impairment, 4.5% medical, and 1.8% unknown. Most of these calls result in a non -criminal resolution, such as a referral to a service provider or a verbal warning. Crisis/Behavioral Health Calls by Disposition 2019 8,788 (97.7%) 210(2.3%) 2018 8,675 (97.8•l.) 197(2.2%) 2017 8,365 (97.2%) 242(2.8%) 2016 8,511 (96.7%) 291(3.3%) 2015 7,527 (96.1%) 304(3.9%) - 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 5,500 6,000 6,500 7,000 7,500 8,000 8,500 9,000 Non -Criminal Resolution Arrest Made October 15, 2020 Page 5 Area of focus: Special Needs Population Presenting Service Providers: The Village Community, Access 2 Independence Estimated Number of Public Attendees: 16 Discussion Summary Service Providers in attendance (presenting providers and others): • Have partnered successfully with ICPD to proactively expose clients to positive police interactions and continuing to foster these existing relationships is critical. • Diversity of disabilities prohibits a 'one -size -fits -all' approach, but if police can enter a situation knowing a person has a disability and what their related behaviors/communication styles are, that response is better. • Currently engaged with ICPD to launch a pilot, voluntary disability identification program. • Familiar people are important to an individual with special needs experiencing a crisis. Members of public in attendance: • Inquiry about the possibility of a CIT unit separate from police that focuses on de- escalation and the relevant trainings provided to ICPD. • Questions about the most important traits of a successful response to an individual with special needs and how existing services function (i.e. Project Lifesaver). • Interest in how police restructuring plan will help with other institutional punitive culture. Police officers in attendance: • Extensive outreach with special needs population (i.e. Coffee with a Cop) to help these individuals become comfortable with the police and the idea of asking them for help. • Project Lifesaver and LOST Program are two existing resources for this population. • Training never stops: "Every day is a training day, with every call." • If officers can be informed of an individual's disability and related behaviors, they can provide more efficient and better service when responding to the call. Supplemental Informatlon /The following maybe helpful in addition to listening post discussion summary] • Project Lifesaver: An international program that the ICPD participates in which allows caregivers to enroll individuals at risk of wandering, so police can quickly locate the individual if this occurs. [www.projectlifesaver.org] • Loved Ones Safe Together (LOST) Program: Existing, free program that is a joint - initiative of the ICPD and area caregivers to help locate enrolled individuals who have been separated from their families or caregivers. [www.icgov.org/LOSTprogram] • Project Blue Able: Pilot project in the planning phase which would provide drivers with disabilities a way to voluntarily identify their disability and communication tips with an officer during a traffic stop. October 15, 2020 Page 6 Area of focus: University of Iowa Students Presenting Service Providers: University of Iowa Student Government Estimated Number of Public Attendees: 10 Discussion Summary Service Providers in attendance (presenting providers and others): • More resources are always needed for stability and to expand services, especially after- care services (mental health care, drug court, mental health court, etc.) — the call for service is the beginning, not the end. • There are existing UI staff dedicated to substance abuse and alcohol safety, but more support services from professionals, and training within the community on how to respond/intervene would be beneficial. • Mobile Crisis Unit cannot respond to situations involving involuntary committals. Members of public in attendance: • Questions about the roles USG and UIPD play in responding to various public/student safety issues. • Interest in response models which involve trained mental health professionals. • Inquiry into current mental health calls received by police — including types of calls received and ICPD's existing workload. • Focus on systemic issues and address existing, non -police related gaps in services such as housing and food insecurity. ICPD in attendance: • Existing partnership with Mobile Crisis Unit has yielded good results, and a need to focus on aftercare services and an expansion of resources remains. • Officers enjoying helping others and want everyone to feel safe asking the police for help. October 15, 2020 Page 7 Area of focus: Abuse and victim services Presenting Service Providers: Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Nisaa African Family Services, Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity, Johnson County's Attorney Office Estimated Number of Public Attendees: 40 Discussion Summary Service Providers in attendance (presenting providers and others): • Existing partnerships have been beneficial and continue to improve, but opportunities remain to strengthen these even more and increase use of referrals. • Need to further consider how personal characteristics, demographics, language, and cultural experiences impact an individual's trust in systems & ability to reach out for help. • Important to confront biases, challenge systems, and have tough conversations. Members of public in attendance: • Inquiries about ICPD's use of social workers and increasing this type of assistance. • Discussion of how to support victims dealing with trauma or who are uncomfortable reporting abuse. Police officers in attendance: • Important to remain culturally humble and work to understand biases. • Partnerships are critical and valued by ICPD and hope to expand and strengthen these. • City has had domestic violence position since 1997 + dedicated sexual assault detective — ongoing efforts include better partnerships, a social work intern program through UI, and victim services position, but continual improvement is so important. • Policing is more than just law enforcement. Supplemental Information [The following maybe helpful in addition to listening post discussion summary] Number of Domestic Violence Calls for Service 800 713 700 579 602 624 651 600 500 400 300 200 1000 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2014 - 2018 Average Race/Ethnicity of Domestic Violence Victims 350 300 286 264 250 200 150 100 50 0 49 ■ 15 5 3 e0t t` Sir\ ��2 Qat P'�a J October 15, 2020 Page 8 Area of focus: People experiencing homelessness Presenting Service Providers: Shelter House, Guidelink Access Center Estimated Number of Public Attendees: 7 Discussion Summary Service Providers in attendance (presentinq providers and others): • Service providers do more than just provide shelter: wraparound services such as mental health care, rehousing/stabilizing housing, meals, and job training and placement are all ongoing and have continued need for expansion. • The ICPD position created to focus on community policing in the downtown district helped improve relations with those experiencing homelessness and helped provide the data and perspective needed to move forward Cross Park Place and Guidelink. • Significant (and unique) collaboration occurs in Johnson County between law enforcement and service providers to divert individuals from jail and hospitals. • Situations in which agencies may ask for police assistance include involuntary committals, violent situations, and for de-escalation until care providers can respond. Members of public in attendance: • Discussion of police officer's role in responding to these crises and determining what type of care/referral the individual needs. How would alternative response models work? • Questions about how existing resources operate (Cross Park Place, Mobile Crisis Unit, Shelter House, etc.) and how the Guidelink Access Center will work as a new resource. Police officers in attendance: • Downtown liaison position was critical to improving trust with these individuals, and data shows the success of Cross Park Place in providing an alternative to jail or the ER. • Meeting with other cities who have co -response models to learn more; police prefer mental health professionals respond to mental health calls, but often these providers do not want their staff to go without police when safety concerns are present- Supplemental resent. SupplementaI Information [The following may be helpful in addition to listening post discussion summary] Nights Spent in Jail for Individuals Who Moved into Cross Park Place: Before and After Cross Park Place Opened ti 4 c Park Place opens IB The number of nights spent in jail was tracked for residents who moved into Cross Park Place for the 3 years before Cross Park Place opened (indicated by dotted line), and in the nine months after it opened. October 15, 2020 Page 9 Area of focus: Youth Presenting Service Providers: Dream City, United Action for Youth Estimated Number of Public Attendees: 25 Discussion Summary Service Providers in attendance (presenting providers and others): • UAY has found success in partnerships with ICPD such as the shoplifting diversion program; Dream City is interested in exploring ways to partner that give both youth and police an opportunity to reconstruct their perspectives of one another. • Community input is essential for service providers to understand what resources, support, and programs the public want and need. • Increased education for the community is critical — black voices have been asked to come to the table for years, but fear of people of color persists. Cops are part of the conversation, but so are the people who are calling the police on persons of color. Members of public in attendance: • Discussion of Iowa City Community School District's role in addressing systemic racism. • Expression of the need for white people to educate themselves and confront implicit biases — Why are white people calling the police on persons of color? • Discussion of community -driven solutions, such as the active South District Neighborhood Association and informal mediation options, healthcare and crisis worker response models. Police officers in attendance: • Calls about "suspicious" persons of color are a real phenomenon. Officers respond to all calls for service, but if supervisors hear this type of call, they will often the direct the officer to just drive by and assess if there is a threat and not make contact. • Gaps: Only supervisors can give this direction, and they aren't able to hear every call that comes in. Impossible to know the perspective or motivation of the caller, therefore it can be difficult to make a judgement call about how to respond. Councilors in attendance: • This is a unique opportunity Councilors are committed to — notjust'checking a box.' • Public input is first step and there is a lot of work left to do, mistakes might be made and coming back to the table again and again is likely. Public participation is key. Supplemental Information [The following maybe helpful in addition to listening post discussion summary] In 2019, the Southeast & Grant Wood neighborhoods had the highest numbers of juvenile calls for police department service. While four of the five top neighborhoods showed a decline between 2018- 19 the Southeast neighborhood increased by almost 100%. .. 5 Neighborhood Neighborhoods 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 % change from 2018 to 2019 Southeast 23 55 50 34 32 63 +96.88% Grant Wood 32 75 79 87 71 60 -15.49% Downtown 40 47 30 58 57 53 -7.02% Wetherby 42 63 79 71 58 46 -20.69% Lucas Farms 16 22 37 50 47 45 -4.26% October 15, 2020 Page 10 Number of Submissions: 57 Form location: www.icgov.org/blm Input Summary Individuals had the opportunity to submit input through an online form, with no restrictions on the number of submissions and the option to submit anonymously. The submissions included a variety of opinions and ideas about policing in Iowa City. Ordered by an approximation of frequency, the most common sentiments are summarized below: • Support for a shift of responsibilities to social service providers and the corresponding investment needed to support this shift. • Support for maintenance of existing policing levels, citing crime and public safety. • Support for various alternative response models, including those which involve mental health and crisis professionals, peer response methods, and co -response models which emphasize a mental health -first response and optional police support. • Increase informal, non -enforcement outreach and engagement by police officers to build relationships in neighborhoods and spend more time outside the vehicle. • Avoid a dichotomized approach and address both the value of good policing and the need to re -imagine new strategies to find a fit unique for our community. • Address policy and procedure issues such as hiring practices, broadening training, de-emphasizing weapons, and ensuring options other than use of force. All online responses received are included at the conclusion of this memo. October 15, 2020 Page 11 Next Steps Upon review and consideration of the public input received, the City Manager's Office is prepared to develop a preliminary plan for City Council and public review. Prior to staff starting work on the plan, the City Council should discuss and express to staff any specific expectations for the plan. The recommended next steps include: • October — November 2020: Staff acts under City Council direction and in response to public input to develop a preliminary plan. • December 2020: Preliminary plan presented. • Winter 2021: Additional public input solicited on the preliminary plan that is presented, and any corresponding refinement of the plan. • Spring 2021: Adoption of final plan. LISTENING POST TOPIC: Crisis Intervention/Mental Health/Addiction COUNCILORS IN ATTENDANCE: 0 TEAGUE ❑ SALIH ❑ MIMS ❑ THOMAS ❑ TAYLOR 0 BERGUS 0 WEINER CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Geoff Fruin, Officer Fowler, Sgt. McKnight SERVICE PROVIDERS IN ATTENDANCE: CommUnity Crisis Services, Prelude Behavioral Services ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLIC ATTENDEES: 40 (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COM ME NTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT (PUBLIC' REFERS TO AM EM BE R OF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PERSONAL EXISTING QUOESTION// SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN CommUnity Staff* - Overview of Crisis Intervention Service, ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ including suicide hotline. CommUnity Staff* - Explanation of Mobile Crisis Services. Prelude Staff* -Overview of Prelude Behavioral Services. ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ CommUnity Staff* - Description of crisis Intervention Services, ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ including emotional services support. Public: For Mobile Crisis Unit —what is going well and what are ❑ 0 ❑ 0 structural obstacles? CommUnity Staff* - Obstacles include that mental health resources are complicated by housing, transportation, food insecurity, etc. and promoting service to the community is difficult. What works well is that jail/hospital diversion rates are good and follow-up services are strong & effective. Public: What are mental health services for people in the judicial ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ system? Prelude Staff* - Description of jail alternatives program. Public: What about prevention services? ❑ 0 ❑ 0 Prelude/CommUnity Staff* - Overview of 40 -hour Crisis Intervention Training provided to law enforcement, which includes role playing. Aftertraining— mental health referrals went up Prelude* - One structural obstacle is stigma from families and friends. Provided example of ClTtraining being used with good (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COM ME NTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ('PUBLIC" REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PERSONAL EXISTING QUOEST ON/ SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN outcome. Talked about Iowa Youth Survey and improved outcomes due to prevention services. Public: If officers are getting training, why are there still lack of ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ resources? Prelude Staff* - Guidelink center will help by providing more options to police and more services to the public. Public: Can 911 dispatch other services ratherthan police? ❑X ❑X ❑ ❑ CommUnity Staff* - Incident response rate can be slow because counselors are often on call and not ready for action. Guidelink Center will help and need to make sure that operation is adequately funded. There always will be a mental health counselor at that facility. Public: Is the city looking at co -response model? Ex: CAHOOTS 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ program in Oregon. Public: Based on personal experience with both non-profit and ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ law enforcement, individuals are more willing to work through issues with non-profit than law enforcement. Public: Can we set a limit on how many officers can respond to a ❑X ❑ ❑ 0 call? More officers leads to escalation. What type of force needs to be used? Public: Lack of funding is a problem. Funding needs to be 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ redirected from ICPD to non -profits. Public: 40 hours of crisis training per year is not enough. ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Public: Has experience as counselor and educator (With Nisaa). ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Make sure African immigrants are represented, Nisaa did not get invited to tonight's event. Need to work harder to improve relationships with marginalized population. Public: Barriers are at the state and federal level. People need ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ to advocate at state and federal level. Locals are supportive. Personal positive experience with local police during crises with son. Public: Help us understand legal implications of changing 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ dispatch system. Public: Funds should be reallocated from police to mental health 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Public: Issue with public intoxication arrests -- discuss with law 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ enforcement and county attorney on how to reduce those charges and use Guidelink Center instead. Public: Pursue innovative programs here even if numbers don't 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ fully meet criteria to launch program. Be a leader. (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COM ME NTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ('PUBLIC" REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PERSONAL EXISTING QUOEST ON/ SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Public: Can prelude and mobile crisis work together and not call 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ police? Public: New police chief should support co -responder plan and 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ bring forward restorative justice programs. City should communicate with community on those issues. Public: Society's problems shouldn't all fall to police. 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Sympathizes with the police, people need to call who is most responsible for the issue. Public: Students have been drugged against will. Need better ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ options than jail or hospital. Public: Upset with different response in judicial system and/or ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 police for people with different color skin. Need to solve implicit bias. Public: Did police contact Prelude with crack epidemic or just ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ meth? Systemic racism exists. Sgt. Mcknight*: Involved in implementation of the CIT program ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ for ICPD. Personally has 200+ hours in training. More training for officers is always better. Supportive of a co -responder model and the department is excited about the possibility of a co - responder program. Law enforcement can be overwhelmed and want to provide the public with better service. Officer Fowler* - Officer's job is not be a counselor. Our job is to de-escalate and get people to providers. We don't want to criminalize mental health. Fowler* — Involuntary patients have to involve PD. Can that 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ obstacle be removed and another service provider work with involuntary patients? Public: What level of force is needed? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Fowler* - Always as little as necessary. Public: Officers don't want to escalate, but that may be ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 unavoidable in cases. PD needs more training. CommUnity Staff* - Public can volunteer with Crisis Center. You 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ don't need to be a professional to have an impact. Prelude Staff* - Guidelink Center overview: includes sobering ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ unit, detox services, crisis stabilization/observation, and winter shelter. Councilor Weiner* - Offer to be French translator for African 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ immigrants. 8:00 p.m. Meeting Concludes. One on one conversations with elected officials, service providers and police representatives LISTENING POST TOPIC: Special Needs Population COUNCILORS IN ATTENDANCE: ❑ TEAGUE ❑ SALIH ❑X MIMS ❑X THOMAS ❑ TAYLOR ❑ BERGUS ❑X WEINER CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Daisy Torres, Officer Hayes, Geoff Fruin, Rachel Kilburg SERVICE PROVIDERS IN ATTENDANCE: The Village Community, Access 2 Independence (A21) ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLIC ATTENDEES: 16 (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT (PUBLIC' REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM SUMMARYOF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA PERSONAL EXPERIENCE EXISTING SERVICE RUESTIONCONC RN/ A21 Staff*: Overview of A21 functions, including independent ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ living training/transitions, advocacy, and resource center. Prelude Staff* -Overview of Prelude Behavioral Services. ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ The Village Community Staff*: Overview of The Village ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Community services: disability advocacy and service organization focused on community living and residential services. Also is the parent of adult children with autism disorders, who had several interactions with ICPD due to autism disorder behaviors. o What has worked: Village Community interactions with law enforcement have been positive, with many successful proactive efforts: clients participate in Coffee with a Cop, Officer Hayes has done extensive outreach, and the ICPD is heavily involved with the Special Olympics. o Areas for improvement: Continuing to foster these existing relationships as they have been is important. CIT Training should be continued, and disability -specific training opportunities are available if additional training needs exist. A21*: Working with Torres and Officer Need on Project Blue 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Able, which would create a disability ID card to help individuals self -identify with a disability and help officers understand better how to interact with the individual. Received positive feedback for this type of program from the community, but the pandemic has halted the project for now. (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ('PUBLIC" REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA PERSONAL EXPERIENCE EXISTING SERVICE QUOEST ON/ CONCERN Torres* (ICPD Public Outreach Assistant): Project Blue Able idea ❑X ❑ ❑ ❑ sourced from the State of Connecticut's Blue Envelope Program and felt it would be a positive proactive action to implement a similar project locally. Also important for the Police Department to have frequent, friendly, and informal interactions with these populations. Officer Hayes*: Served as Community Relations Officer for 4 ❑ ❑X ❑ ❑X years and developed a good relationship with The Village Community. Coffee with a Cop was very popular with clients -- they became comfortable approaching officers, trusting officers, and understanding that an interaction with an officer in uniform is not something to fear. All police officers continue to participate in trainings which help officers identify triggers and behaviors and how to respond to these crises. Also helps families understand programs like PLI and LOST. Public: (Intern at Successful Living) What are efforts to respond ❑ ❑ ❑X ❑X to mental health crises in the community? Hayes*: All officers have gone through 40 hours of initial CIT training and have ongoing trainings & talks about what a crisis can look like and what appropriate behavior is during a crisis for both the officer and the individual. Officers also conduct proactive outreach and informal conversation and relationship - building in the community, so that a crisis isn't the first-time people have contact with a uniformed officer. o CIT training focuses on: listening to the individual in crisis and caregivers, developing a longer-term plan to help recurring individuals get to a stable place without having police contact every day, and learning effective referral strategies and resources. Mims*: Guidelink center will be opening in 2021 and be a place for adults experiencing a crisis to get the care, treatment, and attention they need; diverting them from the ER and jail. A21 Staff*: Police currently has a robust jail diversion program, specifically for individuals experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues, in which a social worker is assigned to recurring individuals so they can get the health and treatment they need The Village Community*: Experience with the CIT training that ❑ ❑X ❑ ❑ police receive is that it is very robust and covers the needs of this population. (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ('PUBLIC" REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PERSONAL EXISTING QUOEST ON/ SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Public: Is council considering a CIT unit/team separate from 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ police that focuses on de-escalation? (root problem: intersection b/t mental health and race. Personal experience: son has mental illness and sight of police during a crisis can invoke panic). Mims*: Interested in the idea. There is an existing Mobile Crisis Unit (through Community) and wants to learn more about how could that be expanded or better integrated with the ICPD. Improving the categorizations of 911 calls at dispatch phase is important, so the data can help us understand needs. Weiner*: Also interested in the model of including a mental health professional and non -uniformed officer on crisis calls for service, to help de-escalate the situation. Public: Appreciative of councilors doing listening posts and ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ would like to see increased efforts to promote these events. Weiner+ Mims*: LP info being pushed out via news release, social media posts, and online, but will evaluate if there are other ways to do so also. Reminder to subscribe to City notifications and follow on social media. Public: What are most important things for a first responder or ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ standard citizen to know and/or understand when an individual in special needs is in crisis? The Village Community*: The individual in crisis will benefit from having familiar people around during the experience, so partnering and cooperating with first responders is important so that the technical medical care + personal social knowledge work in tandem. A21*: De-escalation tactics are critical to get the individual out of crisis so they can feel safe and communicate more effectively. Hayes*: If someone is with the individual in crisis, it is helpful if they can notify dispatch of any triggers or behaviors, so responders are prepared (i.e. Does individual dislike lights/noises? Then, officers won't use lights/siren. Does individual not like to be touched? Then officers will keep a comfortable distance. Do they like Kum & Go drinks? Officers will respond with a Kum & Go drink). Also, Officers don'tjust respond with the intention of taking action —they will let the individual do what they need to do to feel comfortable. So, If the individual in crisis is in a situation where they are safe and can move out of their crisis through physical exertion, the officers will allow them the space to do that. (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ('PUBLIC" REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PERSONAL EXISTING QUOEST ON/ SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Public: In ICCSD climate surveys police presence in schools often ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 comes up. How will police be restructuring help with institutional punitive culture? Mims*: Feels the current social climate is conducive to re- evaluating these systems and implementing real change. We have an opportunity to lead there. Public: How to sign up for Project Lifesaver? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Hayes*: Can sign up anytime on the city website. After completing an application, the app is processed and then officers and applicant meet in-person about why participation in the program is a good fit and to better understand why individual is getting on the program and what true needs are. Note: Project Lifesaver not catch-all, sometimes people do not to like to wear the band/necklace so then officers look at other alternatives to find a better fit for them. If interested, can find more info online or stop at police department for assistance in signing up. Hayes*: Overview of how Project Lifesaver works. Every officer ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ is trained and does practice test twice a year. The Village Community*: Not many PDs in Iowa that have the PLI program, so appreciative that ICPD put in the effort to bring the program here. Public: What type of training is mandatory for police and are ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ trainings one-time or ongoing? Hayes*: Training never stops (occurs daily in meetings, policy updates, formal trainings). "Every day is a training day, with every call." Required monthly to do police legal science trainings, additional training opportunities are optional or highly encouraged. All officers trained in CIT (40 hours initially, refreshers annually). Public: Other trainings in partnership with non -profits? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ The Village Community*: ICPD has done work with Alzheimers Assoc. Non -profits also table at CIT trainings to meet with and talk to officers. Torres*: All area law enforcement agencies attend MATS ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ annually (Multi -Agency Training Sessions), which is mandatory two-day training with local organizations and service providers. Thomas*: What is a traffic stop like for a person with special ❑ 0 ❑ 0 needs? A21*: There is so much variety in the disability community, so each stop looks different depending on an individual's specific disability barriers. This is why the idea of a disability ID card was (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT (PUBLIC' REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PERSONAL EXISTING QUOEST ON/ SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN floated. Example: individual with brain injury may express behaviors of an intoxicated individual, although it is typical behavior for them. The Village Community*: Has a son with autism disorder and finds it important to notify officer as they are approaching the vehicle of what type of behavior her son may be exhibiting. Illinois had yellow dot program in which an individual with a disability can request a yellow dot sticker from the DOT to put on vehicle and provide visual indicator to officer. Hayes*: Encourages use of Road ID, which is a band that provides name, DOB, and custom info (such as disability). This can help the officer understand the situation better and respond appropriately, especially in situations where the individual is non-verbal. Mims*: The more info officers can have and the sooner they can ❑X ❑ ❑ ❑ get it will help the response be more effective and efficient. Councilors: Wrap-up and thank you. ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ The Village Community*: Appreciative of interactions her family/clients have had with ICPD— always find them helpful, prepared, and professional. 7:00 p.m. Meeting Concludes. LISTENING POST TOPIC: University of Iowa Students COUNCILORS IN ATTENDANCE: ❑X TEAGUE ❑ SALIH ❑ MIMS ❑ THOMAS ❑X TAYLOR ❑ BERGUS ❑X WEINER CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Interim Police Chief Brotherton, Geoff Fruin SERVICE PROVIDERS IN ATTENDANCE: UI Student Government, UI Police Department, CommUnity ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLIC ATTENDEES: 10 (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT (PUBLIC' REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA PERSONAL EXPERIENCE EXISTING SERVICE QUESTION/ CONCERN Mayor+ UISG welcome Public: How is student government involved in process to 0 ❑ 0 0 evaluate public safety? UISG*: Focus is primarily on campus. Two liaisons to City Council that are engaged in city discussions. Focus on mental health services and residence hall interactions with police. Public: Students should connect in with Guidel-ink Center and 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ see what partnerships can develop. Public: What resources are in place for students struggling with ❑ ❑ 0 0 alcohol issues? UISG*: Trained staff available to work with students with substance abuse issues (out of IMU), lots of non -alcohol centric programming. Full-time staff on prevention (Partnership for Alcohol Safety). Public: What would UISG do with unlimited funds? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ UISG*: More support services from professionals, alternative programming, training bar staff on how they can intervene (medical amnesty). Public: Feels there is widespread community support for mental 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ health professionals to respond to crisis calls. Examples: CAHOOTS (Eugene, OR), CCIT NYC program (New York). Explanation of CAHOOTS program. CommUnity Staff* — Explanation of local crisis services and ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ needs, including Mobile Crisis Unit. Good relationship with ICPD and fortunate that Johnson County has invested in CIT training. Mobile Crisis funded through Mental Health Region and need more investment to create stability and expand services. (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ('PUBLIC" REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PERSONAL EXISTING QUOEST ON/ SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN ICPD* - Explains existing Data Driven Justice Initiative (DDJI) ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ efforts and collaboration with Mobile Crisis, Guidel-ink, Cross Park Place, etc. Officer training includes how to use these programs. Public: 40 hours of CIT not appropriate to provide care needed. ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Need response from trained professionals, not ICPD. Councilor Weiner*: How do involuntary committals work? Can ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Mobile Crisis response to these types of crises? CommUnity Staff*: Mobile crisis cannot respond to these crises -- must be law enforcement. Probably a state law issue. Public: What is breakdown of calls for service? How many are ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 mental health related? Police*: Calls are complex and involve multiple issues (e.g. domestic situation with alcohol abuse, shoplifting with mental health, etc). Public: Do officers like responding to mental health? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Police*: Like helping people and hire compassionate people who want to help all people and find best solution with our available resources. Public: Are police overloaded? 0 0 ❑ ❑ Police*: Focus needs to be on aftercare services. Need more resources (i.e. Guidelink Access Center, more mental health beds, drug court, mental health court) Public: Some individuals are uncomfortable calling the police. ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 ICPD*: We really focus on providing exceptional care and want everyone to feel safe. Need to change narrative that calling the police is unsafe. We are here to help and people should feel safe asking for us to help. CommUnity*: Loss of mental health beds has hurt us. Agree ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 with ICPD that more aftercare services are really needed. The call for service is the beginning and not the end —that's what gets the individual in need connected to the resources. UIPD*: UIPD constantly re -imagining services as new students ❑ 0 0 ❑ come in with more ideas. Percentage of calls is very low for mental health, alcohol. Officers good at going into tense situation and de-escalating. Agree there is need for aftercare services to help people, repeat callers are an issue because of lack of aftercare. Mobile crisis has been a 'godsend' for law enforcement. LI Is there an update on changes with police department 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ and what's being done across the country? (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ('PUBLIC" REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PERSONAL EXISTING QUOEST ON/ SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN UIPD*: Too early to tell where UIPD is going. Mental health response units are already being developed and have been. Must really focus on victim services to help them — in part to avoid them falling into crisis. Also new programs always being developed — medical amnesty practice, SHOUT program, etc. We are heading down the right path and excited to go down the path of reimagining and strengthening our service. UISG*: Do we talk to other Big 10 cities about these issues? ❑X ❑ ❑ ❑ Suggestion to bring student government into conversations with other cities. UIPD/ICPD*: We have an annual meeting and ongoing listservs to share practices. These partnerships drive innovation. Councilor Weiner*: Need a drug and mental health court. ❑X ❑ ❑ ❑ UIPD/ICPD*: Agree that those are needed services here. UISG*: Does alcohol enforcement downtown can create tension ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑X with PD? ICPD*: Downtown used to be an unsafe environment due to excessive alcohol. We are there to help people stay safe. UISG*: Could bars police themselves? ICPD*: Alcohol Beverage Division's training programs, such as TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) aimed to do that. Public: Budgetary hole that fosters these problems. Need to ❑X ❑ ❑ ❑ think more about front end services so that the calls are avoided (housing, food security, etc.). Public: Focus on societal problems before calls are made. Need ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑X to understand experiences of persons of color. Personal experiences with police are positive, but what about BIPOC experiences with police? Every year that changes with new students and the experiences they bring with them. ICPD*: Agree and community outreach officer role intends to help with this issue. Public: Think of big problems and existing gaps (e.g. food insecurity). What struggles that people have can we help with as a community? Let's solve those problems. MEETING CONCLUDES AT 11:15 A.M. WRAP-UP AND THANK YOU. LISTENING POST TOPIC: Abuse and victims of abuse COUNCILORS IN ATTENDANCE: ❑X TEAGUE ❑ SALIH ❑ MIMS ❑ THOMAS ❑ TAYLOR ❑X BERGUS ❑ WEINER CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Sgt. Stevens, Officer Clarahan, Officer Nieland, Geoff Fruin, Ashley Monroe SERVICE PROVIDERS IN ATTENDANCE: Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP), Nisaa African Family Services, Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLIC ATTENDEES: 40 (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ('PUBLIC" REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM PERSONAL EXISTING QUESTION SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Councilor welcome DVIP*: Overview of services and importance of partnerships. ❑ 0 0 ❑ Public: What does DVIP want to see from a reimagined police ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ department? DVIP*: Work with ICPD and has for 20 years. A lot of improvement has been made, continued growth is important particularly with race and poverty. City made big step forward with Victim Services Coordinator position approval. There is a big population that is not able to or not willing to accept services from DVIP. Need to improve that offering. RVAP*: Overview of services for victims of sexual violence. ❑ 0 0 ❑ Race, gender, age and other personal characteristics all matter and it is impossible to erase violence. Partnerships are necessary. We need to challenge systems (e.g. hiring processes) and challenge ourselves. Nisaa*: Overview of services: Focus on African Immigrant ❑ 0 0 0 services and culturally -specific responses. Work on sexual violence, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Language translation services important and system mistrust is an issue that they help victims through. Need help building awareness of services throughout entire community. Need more conversations — including uncomfortable ones. Important to acknowledge racial bias. There is a fear for victims to call police because of fear of violence from police... even though it hasn't happened in Iowa City. The belief and fear is real. If you don't speak the same language you don't get the same level of service (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COM ME NTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT (PUBLIC' REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PERSONAL EXISTING QUOEST ON/ SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN — Nisaa helps bridge this gap. Cultural competency training is very important. Police bringing in a social worker is a positive step forward. We are talking with police about this position and building relationships, the social worker will help create a comfortable environment for victims. Those discussions have been ongoing for a few years, not just a new initiative. Outreach assistant is working with us on educational efforts on U.S. laws because cultural disconnects can occur. Nisaa also works on human trafficking issues with ICPD. Need to intervene and communicate with each other early to best help victims. Public: What are biggest obstacles to serving this population? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Nisaa*: Uncomfortable conversations can be a barrier, community needs to be open to discussions. Also, referrals are important and currently working on that with law enforcement and court systems. Language barriers are big problem too. There is trust with systems and racial injustice and we need to continue discussions after listening posts. Public: Personal experience with sexual abuse, thankful for ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ those who support victims. Sgt. Stevens*: Career focused on victim support and domestic ❑ 0 0 ❑ assault specialty. So important to be culturally humble. City has had a domestic violence position since 1997 and has a dedicated sexual assault detective as well. Johnson County has sexual assault response team. Overview of grant with focus on gender bias and LGBTQ support, and of Victim Support Coordinator position. Partnerships are so important, we value existing partnerships and want to improve. Continual improvement is key. Public*: Will ICPD look to more social work assistance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Sgt. Stevens*: Current relationship with UI School of Social Work to continue intern program. Would love to see a whole division of social work in the ICPD. Noted Chattanooga, TN as a model police department in this area. Public: What about social work response to calls? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Teague*: Have heard from the community that this is important and will continue to explore it. Public: What is status of hiring full-time social worker? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Sgt. Stevens* — In progress right now, currently have an intern and volunteer on board. Public: Is it normal for a sexual assault to take a year to ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 investigate and process? (COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COM ME NTS DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ('PUBLIC" REFERS TO AM EM BE ROF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM PERSONAL EXISTING QUESTION SUMMARY OF LISTENING POST CONVERSATION: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Sgt. Stevens*: Yes, sometimes lab result can take many months. Delayed reporting, evidence availability, etc. all impact timing. Public*: What would community policing look like to you? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Sgt Stevens*: Policing means more than law enforcement. These conversations need to take place to identify positive "policing" techniques. DVIP*: Adding a social worker is an important element but not ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 enough. We also need to carefully evaluate how inserting a one profession into another potentially changes services and we need to address key issues of housing, substance abuse, etc. Public: Support CAHOOTS model (Eugene, OR). What support 0 ❑ 0 ❑ exists for those traumatized from interactions with police? ICPD/City Staff: Space to make people comfortable talking at police department and opportunities to include outside organizations and Human Rights Office. RVAP*: Survivors want acknowledgement and accountability. ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 What is one thing inside the police culture that you can do differently to help build bridges and continue with accountability? Teague*: We need to have police continue to hear stories of negative interaction. Sgt. Stevens*: Understanding bias is a big component. Public: how do we continue conversations after this series? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Teague*: This is a long process and council is committed to navigating it. Public: Advocate for RVAP —survivors don't often report. Need ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ transformative justice approaches. Cautious about pairing police and social work based on Des Moines experience. Lost trust after tear gas incident. Nisaa* — Must address racial profiling. ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 MEETING CONCLUDES AT 7:15 P.m. WRAP-UP AND THANK YOU. LISTENING POST TOPIC: People experiencing homelessness COUNCILORS IN ATTENDANCE: ❑ TEAGUE ❑ SALIH ❑X MIMS ❑X THOMAS ❑X TAYLOR ❑ BERGUS ❑ WEINER CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Sgt. McKnight, Officer Schwindt, Officer Fowler SERVICE PROVIDERS IN ATTENDANCE: Shelter House, Guidelink Access Center, Mobile Crisis Unit, United Action for Youth ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLIC ATTENDEES: 7 (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ("PUBLIC" REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM PERSONAL EXISTING QUESTION PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Shelter House*: Overview of Shelter House services — provide ❑ 0 0 ❑ year-round 70 -bed emergency shelter for single adults + families with children, low -barrier winter shelter, short-term rental assistance, help people find and retain housing, own 46 rental properties, eviction prevention and homeless prevention programs. Overview of Cross Park Place —24 units forthose who are chronically homeless, partnered with police to ensure being homeless isn't a crime in Iowa City. Work with police in a lot of programs and services. ICDD + ICPD created a position in 2013 to focus on community policing in downtown, and this position frequently interacted with individuals experiencing homelessness, which helped to reveal needs of homeless and how police and agencies could partner to address these needs and determine how Cross Park Place could work best. Councilor Mims*: Cross Park Place is an example of some of ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ the partnerships that have been going on for a long time. Number of nights in jail + number of times individuals were in ER were 2 important data points in understanding what was needed in starting this project. (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ("PUBLIC" REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM PERSONAL EXISTING QUESTION PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Guidelink Representative*: Overview of County's jail ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ alternative efforts & post -booking jail diversion program. Johnson County was one of first communities in Iowa to adopt the full 40 -hour CIT training. All hired officers have completed training (except new hires since COVID) and staff are currently working on continuing education/training opportunities. Overview of Guidelink Access Center - in the works, will provide crisis observation, crisis stabilization, sobering and detox, and near winter shelter. In the past, jails and ERs were the only place for people to go if they needed somewhere safe —Guidelinkwill provide a more effective alternative. Many ways to access the center including referral by other agencies or police, referral by friends/family, walk-ins, self -referral. No wrong way to get the help/resources you need. Officer Schwindt*: Was first downtown district liaison, did ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ foot and bike patrol full-time in downtown district. PD had been receiving a lot of complaints related to homelessness so spent bulk of time in this position doing outreach and having conversations with individuals who are homeless. At first, they would scatter b/c they were used to police only showing up when there was a problem. However, consistent relationship - building and trust -building with these individuals allowed them to begin feeling comfortable approaching police. Also was involved in data collection for Cross Park Place project. Guidelink will be alternate option to jail or ER for police, which has traditionally been o the only options for officers. Found that before Cross Park opened, residents spent 107 nights every quarter in jail and half a year after opening this number had dropped to 5. Mims*: Cross Park also has partnerships with UI and has ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ mental health caregivers come and provide services for residents. Public: What is available for runaway youth? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 UAY*: UAY has a program for homeless youth, which is meant ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ to be an independent living program. If shelter is needed, refer to Foundation 2 in Cedar Rapids or Shelter house/Cross Park for those over 18. Currently no emergency youth shelter in Johnson County. Public: How long can people stay at Cross Park Place? ❑ ❑ 0 (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ("PUBLIC" REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM PERSONAL EXISTING QUESTION PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Shelter House*: It is permanent housing. We expect many people to live there the rest of their life. Some may live there for a while and then decide they don't want that level of support and move into an affordable independent housing option. But residents can live there as long as they want. Of course, 24 units isn't enough so exploring ways to increase this service since it has shown such good results and outcomes. Have been awarded funds through national housing trust fund and are hoping to build approx. 36 more units within next year or so, but still some things that need to be worked out before this goes forward. Public: What types of things does Shelter House or Cross Park ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ staff need to call police for? Shelter House*: Staff are trained to de-escalate situations. If a situation gets dangerous, they call law enforcement. If it is a safety issue and staff don't feel they can handle it or fear violence may happen or is happening, that is when they rely on police and their skills. Public: When the Guidelink Center opens, will there be an ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ opportunity for the public to tour it? Guidelink*: Slated to open in Feb. 2021. With COVID in mind, there will be some smaller open houses, details TBD. Mims*: During work on Cross Park Place (CPP), learned an ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ individual cannot get into assisted living unless they have a permanent address. An example is of one individual who was in CPP for only a month, but that allowed them to establish a permanent address and get into an assisted living facility. Public: With new Guidelink Center— if an officer is called, how ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 do they determine where to take someone? Guidelink*: It is a voluntary facility so individual must be willing and aware that's where they're going. Must also be non-violent and medically stable. So, if they are free of concerning injury and are agreeable to go there, they can go. Shelter House*: A front desk/triage system will help determine what people who come in need. Is it crisis stabilization, detox, shelter, etc.? Staff will work with officer to determine which type of service the individual needs. (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ("PUBLIC" REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM PERSONAL EXISTING QUESTION PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Guidelink*: Mobile Crisis Unit is another resource which helps determine where the individual should go. Public: What is Mobile Crisis Unit? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Community*: Teams of mental health counselors who will respond to a crisis. The team will assess the situation and determine what types of services may be needed. The goal is to not call police and not send to hospital — 88% rate of hospital diversion. With Guidelink, everyone will be seen by Mobile Crisis team, who will help determine best type of care and service for the individual. Will work both in access center and also still out in the community. Public: Does the Mobile Crisis Unit respond to people even if ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ they aren't home? Community*: Yes, have responded to hospitals, schools, other agencies, and just on the street. They will go anywhere to respond to people as they need to. Public: What additional efforts are being made with COVID ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 and colder winter months to get homeless people somewhere safe during the day? Shelter House*: A lot of public facilities are closed so people don't have the same options they did in previous years. A group of providers are collaborating right now to determine what we're going to do this winter. Public: Are we housing anyone outside Johnson County jail? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Johnson County*: We are still housing some individuals out of county. The services we're talking about tonight are helping to reduce the numbers. Every week, meet to discuss how recurring individuals can get into diversion and stabilization programs. Shelter House*: There is a group who meets with individuals who are currently homeless or having a housing crisis to learn what the best response is for them. Agencies also get calls from law enforcement when there are people are in jail who the officers do not feel needs to be in jail, but just needs a stable housing situation. Unique that we have jail diversion staff involved in these meetings, many communities do not. (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ("PUBLIC" REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM PERSONAL EXISTING QUESTION PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Public: Whenever people are being cared for, there is ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 opportunity for abuse. How do we prevent that at Shelter House and CPP? Shelter House*: The people we work with are not in dependent adult caregiving situation, but we also have people under the roof who are not our employees (i.e. nurses, mental health professionals, etc.) who can provide checks and balances. Have processes for reporting or grievances if people feel they've been mistreated. Mims*: Guidel-ink is for people 18 and over. Aware there is a need to have an option for people under 18. Public: Has anyone who entered cross park place left? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Shelter House*: Nobody else left by their own volition, and if they had to leave, they saved their unit for them until they could come back. Public: Statement of support for IFRs stance on policing and 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ mental health. Does not feel cops are trained as mental health professionals. CAHOOTSs model suggested (Eugene, OR). Public: Do people who live in these facilities have jobs? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Shelter House*: At Shelter House many people have jobs and want to have jobs and are able to have jobs. Also have 'job lab' at shelter with a staffer dedicated to helping people find jobs. At Cross Park, mental health needs or other situations make it a little harder for people to find work. So we started our own contractual janitorial service where many CPP residents work. Also have a job coach who helps make sure job is done, but also handles any mental health issues that impact the group and/or the work. Fresh Starts program has been going on for 8-9 years and been a way to help employ people who struggle or have struggled due to their disability to keep job. There are also some who are not employed. (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ("PUBLIC" REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM PERSONAL EXISTING QUESTION PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Mims*: Thank you to providers. They have expertise and do so ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ much to bring this all together. With Guidelink the emphasis is to make sure people are connected to other services, so when they leave they have a "warm hand-off so they aren't just back to where they were before. Programs and services are designed to help people avoid revolving door as much as possible. Public: Can you explain Shelter House services and meals? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Shelter House*: Shelter serves breakfast and dinner and many use Free Lunch Program. Salvation army also serves dinner for people not in shelters. At Cross Park, each unit has kitchenette -- meals aren't provided but staff provide education about nutrition and how to make meals and buy groceries or access other resources. Other services - Rapid re -housing program. Try to make episodes of homelessness end as quickly as possible and help people with short-term with deposits and rent and then other wraparound services to help them maintain housing. Many are able to retain their own housing after a year. Public: As we consider CAHOOTS model, important to 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ remember we have resources and expertise in our community to do this. Be intentional about who we are sending — not sending police at all to these calls is an idea and models exist for this. Schwindt*: Has been in touch with the organizations in Eugene who are running CAHOOTS. The Eugene PD does frequently respond with CAHOOTS team -- CAHOOTS team is primary contact but they are very often dispatched together. Police would love if mental health professionals could respond to mental health calls, but many times mental health professionals do not want their staff to go alone for safety reasons. Public: Heard that in Eugene, 1 in 80 calls involve asking PD for backup. When it goes through dispatch, PD hears it and can be on standby if they are needed. Discretion on when to bring in PD should lie with peer professional instead of officer. (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT ("PUBLIC" REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC) ROOT OF PROBLEM PERSONAL EXISTING QUESTION PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE SERVICE CONCERN Schwindt*: Noticed there is significant difference between the data that is provided by CAHOOTS clinic and what is provided by Eugene police. Likely because they were originally doing this model for their community's unique needs, and didn't know they would be a model for others so data collection wasn't a top priority. Would be happy to discuss further. MEETING CONCLUDES AT 6:30 P.M., WRAP-UP AND THANK-YOUS. LISTENING POST TOPIC: Youth engagement COUNCILORS IN ATTENDANCE: 0 TEAGUE ❑ SALIH ❑ MIMS ❑ THOMAS ❑ TAYLOR ❑X BERGUS ❑ WEINER CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Sgt. Bailey, Daisy Torres, Ashley Monroe, Rachel Kilburg SERVICE PROVIDERS IN ATTENDANCE: Dream City, United Action for Youth ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLIC ATTENDEES: 25 (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE NCE ONAL EXILE ROOT OFPER/ CONCERN UAY*: Overview of UAY services -- have been partnering ❑ ❑ 0 0 with ICPD on shoplifter diversion program. COVID-19 spawned start of coordinated truancy outreach program. Dream City*: Youth programs designed to keep youth out of ❑ 0 0 0 systems. Currently operating a Return to Learn program, providing school space for youth and working with young fathers. Interested in doing a partnership with the ICPD to start addressing police relations with young, black men — helping both sides to see each other in a different light and change perceptions/build relationships. Example: invited families to this event, but there was resistance to being involved in anything with/about police. Public: How would Dream City reimagine relationships with 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ police? Dream City*: Basketball was great but the teams were small and not many could play; seeking new options to have more people participate. Need to identify why there is fear about even having conversations. UAY*: Agreed; events that invite police can lead kids to dismiss value; youth will say "this is great but it's not how they treat us in our neighborhood." Public: Recommends documentary "Ernie +Joe: Crisis Cops"; 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ NAMI is sponsoring film in spring. (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE EXILE ROOT OF/ CONCERN Torres* (ICPD Community Outreach Assistant): In her ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ experience uniform can be scary for some populations, need to break down those walls, being face-to-face and going to groups where they're comfortable has been best; first impressions of police on youth so important Public (teen services, ICPL): Is there a way to see how we're doing with policing? Torres*: Annual report, website UAY*: We can design the programs we think you need, but 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ community input is so important so we know what you need and want for our youth.; honest dialogue needed, "fear all around" and have vulnerable conversations Public: Overview of CAHOOTS model (Eugene, OR) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Public: Need to increase direct neighborhood outreach, not ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 many members of the neighborhood here. Public (Member of South Dist. Neighborhood Assoc.): That's why we created the South District Neighborhood Assoc. and what we've been trying to do. It's in early stages but it is working, the new mural is a good example. Public/Lori: County DMC Committee and ICCSD Youth ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Development Policy Board are good ways to continue this conversation Public: In 2008, we had a discussion with the schools on disproportionate expulsion and discipline and 10 years later, we're having the same conversation. Need to get POC at the table and be ready to talk about difficult things. (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE EXILE ROOT OF/ CONCERN Dream City*: Black voices have been saying the same thing ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 for so many years —why should they keep coming to public input meetings and saying the same thing when we know what the problem is. Also, focus keeps getting put on cops, but who calls the cops for issues at school or community? The community—they are scared of POC. Public*: Police is important part of convo, but what are White people doing to educate themselves? White people need to understand more about social injustices, historical inequities. White people call police on Black people. Everyone pays taxes, but only one race can call the police for help. Are these efforts just checking a box? Mayor Teague: City Council is not considering this "checking a box." We're committed and this is a unique opportunity. COVID has offered a time for the community to reflect. This won't be a'one and done'thing — we'll make mistakes and have to come back to the table, but [action] starts here. UAY*: How do we get white people to do the work and ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ explore bias without putting pressure on black people to lead that? We love Iowa City but we are not untouched by racism. LAY is putting out some trainings. Public: Ref. Robin D'Angelo: 'progressive, White people are ❑X ❑ ❑ 0 barrier to ending racism: We feel so good about going to meetings and feeling like we're doing something that we forget how we need to be an ally. Public: Not just ally, but accomplice. Idea —could develop a rating system, like LEED, but for diversity and inclusion. Public: What about courses taught at school? Is there anything (cited Southern Poverty Law Center curriculum) about tolerance, history of race? In US? Students are asking for these topics. Cordell Campbell (ICCSD): Next step is to create an action ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 plan. As a social worker, sees that excessive Use of Force is one of the biggest problems (with kids), what is PD doing to address UoF? (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE EXILE ROOT OF/ CONCERN Public: Why is this time going to be any different? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Mayor*: Floyd video broke through -- 2020 has been hard but its forced us to slow down, thus everyone is experiencing and processing this differently than in the past. We have a lot to do, but City has used racial equity toolkit to make meaningful change. Public: Thankful for council starting this, but people need to ❑X ❑X ❑ ❑ keep showing up to support them in this work. Has personally witnessed excessive use of force against POC in Iowa City. Bergus: Iowa City is majority White and a lot of times White ❑ 0 ❑ 0 people will call the police on Black people -- not intending harm, but it can lead to that. Does ICPD see this? Sgt. Bailey*: That is a real phenomenon. If he hears this on the radio, he'll usually tell officers just drive by, don't make contact but supervisors can't listen to dispatch 24/7 to give that direction. PD does not have time to make contact for every call, so they let things go that may have otherwise resulted in a positive or negative interaction. These calls don't happen every day, but often enough. It can be hard for POD to know what the caller is perceiving and make a judgement call based on assumptions. Mental health resources are important. Public: Works and lives in area of affordable housing and ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ had been getting about 4 calls a day to his properties— a lot unjustified. In response, they created "community boards" so complaints would go there to get mediated by the community before police engagement—action has resulted in approx. 70% drop in calls to police. Solved by "community nourishment and personal level education." Also has construction business and recruits young, black men and has found success in teaching youth what officers' goals are — not always ticket, punishment. Public: Can next work session be an update on what 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ councilor's are thinking about CAHOOTS model? Mayor*: Need to digest public input, not everyone attended every session. We know CAHOOTS has been mentioned, but it's not the only model. This needs to be a full council discussion about next steps. But still a lot of work to do and a lot of time to talk to us. (DENOTE COUNCILOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER COMMENTS WITH AN ASTERISK"") TYPE OF COMMENT PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY: IDEA EXPERIENCE EXILE ROOT OF/ CONCERN Public: school curriculum very important to address topics of ❑X ❑ ❑ ❑X systemic racism. "Oppression is learned very young". Mayor*: Thank you and wrap-up. Long way to go, but it will ❑X ❑ ❑ ❑ result in a plan that is the best fit for our community. MEETING CONCLUDED AT APPROXIMATELY7:.3O P.M. Community Policing Online Public Input Form — Summary of Submissions Collected: August 25 — October 15, 2020 Date Submission Text 3 -Sep Anyone that says the ICPD is perfect is wrong. Literally nothing is perfect but there are things that can get pretty close. ICPD has a lot of untapped potential and some things that could change. Also the fact that I've not heard ANYONE from the City or Council come out and say more than a subtle comment in favor of this police department blows my mind. There are a lot of things they're doing right and one of the only PDs in the state doing. I would like to see more outreach being done. I see the same few people and it looks like it's those few people that carry outreach efforts. Iowa City is big enough that to make the work impactful and not overbearing for the people doing it there needs to be a legit team. Also why are they at the rec center in like a closet? I used to go to RAL all the time before COVID and noticed the like 1 or 2 people that do outreach were in basically a closet. Regular patrol people should be going to stuff too and if you have the outreach people in a whole different building I don't know how much harder they have to work to be seen by coworkers. I'm not against them being there but you'd think they'd all be housed together. I've been harassed by bad cops in the past and I can tell you ICPD doesn't have them. They have maybe a few that enjoy their job a III too much but none that I'd be scared to get shot or killed by. Like literally not one person has died here from police brutality in the last like 20 years. I'm for change but yall need to take a look at what you have locally rather than makin decisions based on stuff hundreds of miles away. We have it really good here and it could be better but only listening to the turds in the street doesn't help. They hate police way more than they care about black lives. 11 -Sep It seems to me that we can sample the activity log and develop profiles of the types of police calls we actually have across seasons and years, and restructure the police department accordingly. By which I mean that many of the calls clearly do not need the attention of armed officers or people trained in violence. Once we knowthose proportions, we can reallocate the budget accordingly, hire medical and social workers and mediators in the numbers we need, and lookfor people and communities that manage to police violent crimes and situations well so that we can learn from them. I would also think that when we say "law enforcement can rarely solve complex societal problems alone," if we mean there "normal police can rarely solve ... alone" at that point we're talking about the proportion of calls that actually are violent or likely to be violent, and then that's the part we're looking at here. I don't think this meeting should be about the entirety of police responsibility as we have it described now. So - bit of cart before horse, then. 12 -Sep ICPD would open a dedicated office for training officers in local community relations. This training would be fieldwork and would be reclaimed as credit hours for counting towards an officers resume. Effective Training is arguably even more important than careful recruitment, in part because its a more pragmatic solution. This training in particular would involve field work with medical users for education on marijuana and its application with the medical community, immigration counseling with refugees or asylees with limited english proficiency, job shadowing domestic abuse neighborhood counselors, speak at LGBTQ advocacy agencies, and engage BLM initiatives. Their role in practical training would consist of individual officers being assigned and effectively taking part, and participating in several initiatives with the community at large in connection with those issues, instead of just low income neighborhoods, since those typically already suffer from a stereotypical relationship with the police, and consequently should not be used as pilot studies for yet another experimental program. The options would be diverse. This would happen during office hours. This training could eventually help officers establish community relations with residents in a more personable and non confrontational way. Outcomes of such reassignment of officers during work hours hypothetically comes at a price of having less officers patrolling, but regular program evaluations would determine if this would indeed affect their typical policing work alongside communities, compared to a fully deployed police department doing typical police work. Some previous adjustments could be made, i.e. different precincts could make up for each others staff shortages in between reassignments. The bottom line is: the PD at large, not only in Iowa City, should want to expand their levels of expertise and influence in the communities, and only they have the resources, and its in their own interest for acting towards that. Any arguments that this is a two way street, and how the police has a good part of the constituency always supporting what they do regardless, will only result in procrastination. This is an opportunity for the police to rise to the occasion, not a contingency, and in fact also a unique opportunity because the alternative of working together with the communities, is to continue to work with or without them. 13 -Sep 1) The CPRB should be expanded to allow for complaints into other areas of city government (housing ect.) 2) There should be a formal process by which members of the CPRB can be removed if necessary. 3) Officers should hands on training in physical restraint tactics (wrestling ect.) 1-2 times a year minnimum 14 -Sep First off, I want to make sure it's clear that I don't support defunding the police (when defund means abolish). Restructuring to include more community policing is the way to go, and I think Iowa City is already doing a good job of doing this. I think community policing means more collaboration between the police department and our local social service agencies. I think it would be great to have someone who specializes in mental health/crisis situations on the police force who can tag team with police officers in responding to mental health calls. Same could go for responding to sexual assault situations and domestic abuse. Community police liaisons, similar to what you have in the Iowa City Downtown District. Have someone who is directly assigned to a neighborhood, that is trained in mental health situations/abuse/etc. Serve as a connector to resources, builds positive relationships with the neighborhood constituents. I do think they need to have all of the skills/training of a traditional police officer too though in case they encounter a dangerous situation. You may do this already - but I think you should pay police officers to take time to volunteer at a local nonprofit every month. Dream City, Shelter House, Free Lunch Program, Harm Reduction Coalition. Building positive relationships (especially with the youth) is key. Thank you to our police for everything that they do! 15 -Sep For the sake of citizens as well as the police, mental health professionals should respond to mental health calls. Mental health professionals deal with these issues on a daily basis. Once they respond, they can properly determine if and when the police may need to be involved. The goal is to avoid situations like the Daniel Prude police response in NYC and the George Maser police response in Coralville earlier this month. Seeing uniformed police can create fear and unnecessarily escalate a situation. A person in mental health distress needs to be calmed down. Police do not have the same professional training in this area as do Mental Health professionals. 16 -Sep Please note that doctors and nurses in hospitals and ER rooms deal with individuals undergoing mental health distress constantly. Yet they are almost never injured or in any real danger. What is the difference between this scenario and when police respond to an incident with a mentally unstable individual or someone having an acute event? The answer is the weaponry and dominance inherent in the police system in the US. When they respond to a scene, they automatically escalate whatever was happening before they arrived. People involved in mental health crises, addiction crises, and even most domestic disputes need a calming authoritative presence -- not an officer with a gun, taser and the attitude that someone is doing something wrong and needs to be stopped. This is how we end up with many of the high-profile incidents we see in the news these days --- and many, many more of the low -profile cases we don't ever see. There are not only two options: (1) keep supporting ICPD as usual or (2) completely dismantle the police with nothing in its place and don't prosecute any violent crimes. That is how some people wish to frame it, but think of the million variations on these themes that fall somewhere between the two. Let's be innovative, look at the data and research, and make the changes necessary to keep our most marginalized citizens safe. 16 -Sep Mandatory ride alongs for City Council members and those involved in police budget decisions. Also better communication and stories from Iowa City Police on the threats they face every day. The general public probably has no idea. 23-Sep fuck the police. fuck the institution that allows innocent people to die before a verdict is met. fuck the institution that allows breonna taylor's killers to roam free. there is no such thing as good policing or a good cop. the only thing to do is to abolish the police. to have police is a form of white supremacy and danger. it's disgusting 24-Sep Police are currently entrance screened to obey orders > obey conscience. Reverse this. I want the council to change the police entrance screening format in order to admit recruits who will obey their conscience over their orders. 25-Sep Please consider hiring social workers who are trained to respond to such situations such as domestic violence and issues related to mental health calls. The social worker would accompany a police office to respond to these calls. The social worker would know what resources (other than getting arrested) that are available to help the citizen in these predicaments. Thank you for all you do to keep the citizens of Iowa City safe. 25-Sep so many calls involve people in mental health related crisis so we need a first response team of mental health providers to be one of the first on scene. They need to be certified and uniformed i.e., Ghost Busters. Implicit bias needs to be addressed. Its real and systemic and unfairly impacts lower socioeconomic groups. 25-Sep We need to habe specfic officers assigned to neoghborhoods. Like Ofc Jones, Smith and Cary are all assigned to a specric quadrant of Iowa City ... they are the ones dribing around, rhey are the ones that respond to misiance calls, they are the onesthat respond to the achools in the neighborhood. Also if a disabled person or some with like say Autism is having a moment or melt down, and they specfically ask for their neighborhood officer, they will come to the location. A familiar face will diffuse the situation quickly and safely. Yes, if there is an emergency and a police officer needs to be there now, of cpurse the first available will go, but the neighborhood officer will need to be there too. Oce cream socials for school, Party at The Park events etc that are neighborhood specfic, the orficer should make an appearance. There needs to be a more neighborhood community approach to policing this city, everything else if broken down by neighborhoods (Northside, LUcas Farms, Morningside, etc) the police need to be too. 25-Sep I would like policing in Iowa City, and in general, to be focused on crime and those who commit crime. I'm certainly not opposed to the city trying some new models of policing, including social service providers responding to calls that would fit their expertise more closely. However, and as unpleasant as it may be, there are those who choose to commit crime, those who habitually choose to commit crime, and there are real victims of that crime. We currently live in a safe community were violent crime is rare, and I think this is in part because we have a professional, well trained, and well led police force. My interactions with Iowa City police during my time here (15 years), have been typically marked by courtesy and professionalism. I see no need to dismantle, defund, re-imagine,... or any other current term of art, the current policing structure in Iowa City. In fact, I think it is time that we could all consider leaving the bitter language and slogans, i.e. "F... the Police", "ACAB", etc... behind and try to speak a bit about the difficult and important role that police have in our community and society in general. 25 -Sep Those trained in mental health and social services would work together with a police escort on calls pertaining to those issues. No funding for riot gear and military weaponry/ vehicles. Police walk beats, communicate and get to know neighborhoods where they live and work. Deescalation and non -lethal methods of policing used whenever possible. 26 -Sep Iowa City community policing should center on the community more than on the police. It should prioritize the preferences and values of the many neighborhoods in IC, and respect their differences and the different ways they want to interact with, or NOT interact with, the police. It should include full transparency and accountability for police officers and other city employees with respect to the use of force (including discharge of firearms AND crowd control devices), racial disparity in policing acts (including those that do not result in citations), and other abusive behavior while on and off duty including domestic violence. Rebuilding and maintaining the trust of all those who live and work in Iowa City is essential, and greater transparency and accountability are crucial, more important than positive interactions with police officers. It should also include far greater investment in community mental health, substance abuse, food banks, and other community resources, especially crisis counselors and conflict resolution experts who are not police officers. 26 -Sep Don't get rid of police. Don't switch to community policing. Let them do theirjobs or you are going to make the entire community unsafe and not worth living in and people of many races will move away from areas without justice. Stop focusing so much on race and let the police focus on justice. Don't change the police. You don't need police reform. You already have good police. Stop trying to follow trends like this of big cities that most people don't want. Don't let BLM represent the majority because they don't represent most people here or their desires so if their will is carried out you would not be representing or pleasing the majority of people. Listen to the citizens that aren't defacing public property but are building up the community through work and paying taxes that are of the majority or quite frankly, the city will reflect the changes by becoming much lower quality. Consider alternative opinions to the popular but fleeting trends that don't consider the reality of those trends. If you dismantle police, or fundamentally change police so they can't carry out justice, you will make a much less safe community. You will make this an undesirable place to live. 27 -Sep We need real accountability to the community. No profiling, no being pulled over for minor infraction because the person is not white. We need the police to be working with our citizens not against them. (that is no violence! tear gas toward individuals just attempting to exercise their first amendment rights is wrong!) Many riots across this nation have been a threat to their communities but many of them are instigated by the police. This cannot happen in Iowa City. I would like to see city budgets evaluated for a future beyond policing... more community safety and partnering. Trust must be developed. Other organizations, maybe even churches need to be involved besides the police. I am glad to hear the city talking about root causes of crime. This is an importance facet. And I agree that law enforcement should not be solving complex societal problems alone. Officers need more training about how to socially interact with citizens. I do not know what the requirements are to become a police officer, but I think more than attending police school is in order. Possibly a college degree. I would like to see a citizens review board that really has teeth, not a rubber stamp. We need peace officers, not police bullies. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my concerns. 27 -Sep I have lived in Iowa City for 59 years. When we moved here in 1962 there were less than 10 black families living in Iowa City. Two of those families had children that were classmates of mine. One was from 5th grade onto high school graduation and one from 7th grade on. Both of these classmates have achieved a high level of success in life. One has been a US Ambassador and the other a successful well known attorney. These two classmates as well as all of the other (to my knowledge) blackfamilies had one thing in common. THEY HAD PARENTS THAT VALUED EDUCATION AND CITIZENSHIP! Raising children to respect authority is "the elephant in the room." Lack of respect for parents, elderly, teachers, elected officials and POLICE is the the real systemic problem. You may not always agree with these important people in your life but the level of disrespect that is rampant today IS a root cause of societal problems. I have known several police officers during my life in IC and they have been really solid members of this community. I don't think most people really care about what color your skin is. I think most people care about people's behavior. When I saw the sickening spray painting of FUCK ICPD in many places this summer it was very unsettling to me. THIS LEVEL OF DISRESPECT is not systemic racism but systemic BAD PARENTING! 28 -Sep I would like to see police funding completely redistributed to social service organizations included but not limited to: DVIP Shelter House Prelude CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank NISAA NAMI RVAP The Housing Fellowship "Crime" is often the result of unmet needs like mental health diagnoses, homelessness, poverty, trauma, food insecurity, and other unmet basic needs. These issues should be left to professionally trained counselors, social workers, therapists, advocates, etc. 28 -Sep I am very supportive of Iowa City addressing the 17 point BUM plan. I think city officials should work with the Iowa Freedom Riders and other BIPOC community leaders to insure their input into proposals to comply with the 17 points. I believe it is time to restructure the police department in order to insure that community services which do not focus on enforcement of the law can work toward a healthier, more inclusive community. Programs to provide housing, food, legal aid, reentry counseling, health care, education (including vocational training), and employment need substantially more funding than they currently receive. I believe that it is appropriate to allocate some funding currently allocated to law enforcement to these community services. 1 -Oct I have lived in Iowa City most of my life. It has always been a city filled with diversity due to the University. I feel that while changes are often necessary that listening and responding to one side of the scenario does not always provide all the fads. There are always 2 sides to a story and for now it appears the information being received is primarily 1 sided. When it comes to making drastic changes to our police force- I feel that defunding is not going to correct the problems but in a sense create more. We have had more instances of reports of shots fired and violent crimes than in any of the years I can remember. I can't imagine sending anyone but a police officer out to check on those calls. I also understand the need for have social workers and mental health professionals involved but I can't imagine sending them into that situation without a police officer because although they are trained to help deal with people with mental or social issues they could easily become the next victim of a violent crime by the person they are there to help. The police should have equipment available to keep our community as well as our police officers safe. Crime is not going to go away by defunding the police. Evil is not going to go away. There are good and bad people in all professions. I understand the frustration and anger on both sides. But I also feel the police are doing a good job in remaining calm when confronted by large groups that are in a sense advocating for harm to them. They still have a job to do and if someone is injured or harmed by them not doing their job then they will be blamed for that as well. Without support people are less likely to do a good job because why would they care. It is time that we show support for our police and help to involve them in the community to build support and trust. Any changes should be put on a ballot and/or surveys should be sent out to get the opinion of the entire community. I agree with having a fair and impartial review board to oversee disputes and make recommendations for areas of improvement. At this time the city council should not make changes without asking for all communitv input. 2 -Oct I would like to start off by saying that as a tax payer for the City of Iowa City for over 23 years, I believe that the Police department should stay funded. I do think we need more Police officers for this growing city. Life would be so much simpler if everyone were law abiding citizens. But as you know in today's society, that is not the case. We have laws that make it hard for law enforcement to do there jobs. The law that permits the public to carry guns on there person is a very big problem. This makes it difficult for police officers to make a clear "judgment call" as to the intent of individuals who are carrying a weapon. On the other hand, I think under those circumstances, I feel that local government "elected officials" who serve the public, need to come up with solutions to better provide our law enforcement officials with better resources to do there jobs affectively. Community involvement activities is one idea. A larger presence of officials in the public eye is another idea. Extensive frequent training for officers and security officials is another. Also, to hold bad policing personnel accountable, like anyone else would in there place of employment. In closing, this is not going to be an easy task to get started. But I believe defunding the police force is not the way to go, because as a tax payer and law abiding citizen of this city, I have the right to stay safe in my neighborhood and in public. 2 -Oct I would like to start off by saying that as a taxpayer for the City of Iowa City for over 23 years, I believe that the Police department should stay funded. I do think we need more Police officers for this growing city. Life would be so much simpler if everyone were law abiding citizens. But as you know in today's society, that is not the case. We have laws that make it hard for law enforcement to do there jobs. The law that permits the public to carry guns on there person is a very big problem. This makes it difficult for police officers to make a clear "judgment call" as to the intent of individuals who are carrying a weapon. On the other hand, I think under those circumstances, I feel that local government "elected officials" who serve the public, need to come up with solutions to better provide our law enforcement officials with better resources to do there jobs affectively. Community involvement activities is one idea. A larger presence of officials in the public eye is another idea. Extensive frequent training for officers and security officials is another. Also, to hold bad policing personnel accountable, like anyone else would in there place of employment. In closing, this is not going to be an easy task to get started. But I believe defunding the police force is not the way to go, because as a tax payer and law abiding citizen of this city, I have the right to stay safe in my neighborhood and in public. 4 -Oct Community policing as we've done it so far isn't enough. We've talked about this for decades, and there has been some progress, but it's not enough if poor and/or Black or Brown people still get over -policed by officers who live in their communities. Mental health calls, trafficviolations, code violations (loud house calls and the like), really ALL nonviolent offenses, should be responded to by people who are unarmed and not part of the police department. Cameras should do the traffic monitoring, and they should be placed by physical city area and not demographics. Patrols should not be planned by how many offenses were committed in an area in the past, but by geographic area and population density. The number of police officers on patrol should be reduced. 911 calls should be triaged to non -police emergency responders when appropriate, and response times should be short. I don't necessarily think that the police budget needs to be cut, but the responsibilities of the department should be more limited. We can't get there from here if the philosophy still is that pro -social behavior should be enforced by the police. Real change is more fundamental than a PR campaign. 4 -Oct Community policing as we've done it so far isn't enough. We've talked about this for decades, and there has been some progress, but it's not enough if poor and/or Black or Brown people still get over -policed by officers who live in their communities. Mental health calls, traffic violations, code violations (loud house calls and the like), really ALL nonviolent offenses, should be responded to by people who are unarmed and not part of the police department. Cameras should do the traffic monitoring, and they should be placed by physical city area and not demographics. Patrols should not be planned by how many offenses were committed in an area in the past, but by geographic area and population density. The number of police officers on patrol should be reduced. 911 calls should be triaged to non -police emergency responders when appropriate, and response times should be short. I don't necessarily think that the police budget needs to be cut, but the responsibilities of the department should be more limited. We can't get there from here if the philosophy still is that pro -social behavior should be enforced by the police. Real change is more fundamental than a PR campaign. 6 -Oct I would just ask that city leaders and others involved in this decision making process spend a proportional amount of time listening to the police officers as well and gathering their thoughts and opinions too before any "defunding" goes on. I think every council member needs to go on a ride along and see policing in our community first hand if they haven't already to get a better idea of the challenges they face in performing the job and what some of the public's proposed ideas would actually mean for them on the back end. Even if they have rode before, that's not something that should be done just once or twice just to check the box. These are the people who are in it every single day and so to not consider or take time to hear directly from them through their own listening posts where officers can be free to really speak their mind to staff and council in a private setting and NOT a public setting where they have to be politically correct cause that's what we expect of our officers would be an unfortunate shame. I'm sure they have a pretty good insight on whats been done in the past, what's worked, what hasn't, and what would be best for all parties in our own community moving forward. I really hope this is already being done, but saying it nowjust in case it isn't. 6 -Oct I would just ask that city leaders and others involved in this decision making process spend a proportional amount of time listening to the police officers as well and gathering their thoughts and opinions too before any "defunding" goes on. I think every council member needs to go on a ride along and see policing in our community first hand if they haven't already to get a better idea of the challenges they face in performing the job and what some of the public's proposed ideas would actually mean for them on the back end. Even if they have rode before, that's not something that should be done just once or twice just to check the box. These are the people who are in it every single day and so to not consider or take time to hear directly from them through their own listening posts where officers can be free to really speak their mind to staff and council in a private setting and NOT a public setting where they have to be politically correct cause that's what we expect of our officers would be an unfortunate shame. I'm sure they have a pretty good insight on whats been done in the past, what's worked, what hasn't, and what would be best for all parties in our own community moving forward. I really hope this is already being done, but saying it now just in case it isn't. 9 -Oct Iowa City needs some sort of a crisis response team comprised of mental health professionals. This is the team that should then respond to any kind of mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, other social issues to provide assistance and support. Not the police! People in crisis situations such as these do not need enforcement they need compassion and care. 9 -Oct I would like to see policing restructured to reinvest a significant portion of the ICPD budget to social services. This should be designed as a way to address the core problems that led to social issues that are often addressed by police, such as homelessness, substance abuse/addiction, and mental health crisis by providing meaningful assistance and preventative measures, rather than using law enforcement as a way to deal with the public consequences of these situations. I also support the implementation of a crisis response system that follows the model of CAHOOTS. 9-Oct I FR strongly supports Iowa City adopting a peer-response model for non-violent calls for emergency response. CAHOOTS is one model of this, but the broad model involves not sending police on non violent emergency calls, but instead sending a team of a medic along with a peer professional trained in crisis response, compassion, and resource provision. Some models also include a licensed mental health professional in this team. There are many types of calls that this team can respond to, including wellness checks, mental health concerns, homelessness concerns, substance use, interpersonal conflict, traffic/road safety problems, resource/food/shelter needs, short-term safety, and much more. A co-responder model that pairs a police officer with other support will be firmly rejected. This model has been denounced by local clinicians, community members, national groups of mental health professionals such as NAMI, the American Psychiatric Association, and many others. It has also been denounced by CIT International, the group that our police hold up as the gold standard for crisis intervention training. Iowa City has many local organizations that already does, or is prepared to do, crisis and rapid response. The research and local opinion also favor this model. The only thing missing is the political will to fund this effort. These local organizations need to be funded so they can adequately handle the new workload, and local dispatch needs to be updated to be able to respond to new demands that will require appropriately filtering non-violent emergency calls to unarmed and trained crisis response teams. Since the police are funded at approximately 50% more than the second highest funded government department, funding must come out of their budget and into the new, emboldened response teams, since police will no longer need to respond to these calls. 9-Oct Stop funding military-type equipment, and focusing on Pot and DWIs. Get rid of the stealth white cruisers. Get out of cop cars and walk the beat. Get to know the neighborhood. Require officers to live IN Iowa City. 9-Oct Mayor pro tem, we see your anti police rhetoric that you post and I've downloaded your videos from the protests you deleted..... 9 -Oct I picture something akin to community safety on colleges and other local spaces, where figures are elected or appointed by an official who is elected by a neighborhood. 911 directs calls depending on the type of emergency. A social worker, crisis worker, housing advocate or mental health professional would handle most calls. If there is a real, necessitated use of force that the victim or caller is asking for, community armed, elected and responsible safety agents would be trained in how to de-esculate the conflict and hold a weapon in case of an extreme incident. There would be no police culture or incentives to use force, violence or cite anyone unjustly for crimes that are not violent. The hierarchical system would be deconstructed. Agents would be held accountable for an imporper conduct. Victims of violent crime would be given resources and constant support; including the ability to contact an organization like Common Justice of New York City to ensure a transformative process alleviates any leftover trauma or pain from the incident. Minor offended such as speeding and other things to do with property can be taken care of by any trained officials; carrying guns isn't warranted. That's the future I envision. A decentralized, local and remote force of elected and accountable community members able to respond to only the worst calls. Other funding would go towards what we know decreases violence in the first place: affordable housing, healthcare and community support. That's the thing about community: Communities take care of themselves. It is the ongoing eviction crisis and destitute poverty that leaves people placeless and unable to look after their neighbor in favor of their own(urgent) needs. Let communities do their own work. This doesn't mean "police" in the way we know it; it means true democracy, decentralization, and lots of care. Thanks for reading. For any questions or concerns, I'm contactable at: 9 -Oct Would like to see ICPD's budget reduced in order to cover the costs of a CAHOOTS style mental health response team composed of unarmed people who have been specially trained for this - not police. I would also like to see marijuana enforcement depriortized and the removal of access to militarized equipment includingtear gas and rubber bullets and MRAPS. It's just simply not how I want my tax money spent. I'd also like to see requirements for police to file substantial paperwork every time a weapon is charged. I'd also like to see the road infrastructure changed to the police- itself plan to reduce the disproportionate minority stopping. 9 -Oct The PD is doing just fine. Keep the policies in place that hold officers accountable, you don't need to reinvent the wheel. There is not "systemic racism" in policing. Icpd has some of the most liberal and forward thinking, well trained officers in the state and midwest. Don't let the IFR continue to bully thier way into this conversation by using a platform that is based on LIES 9 -Oct Officers, citizens, and suspects shall never be placed in danger in the name of diversionary tactics. Iowa city has community service officers that can be trained to increase their responsibility beyond parking calls to help meditate simple non violent disputes. Trained social workers like the crisis intervention teams that police already use, could be closer integrated within the department to decrease response times to mental health crisis issues. If there is any question of scene safety, officers need to continue to respond. Officer foot patrols of the neighborhoods they work in should be encouraged whenever possible with a focus on community engagement. 9 -Oct The city of Iowa City (excluding the PD) have let the IFR and the BLM movement destroy the city. The taxpayers are responsible for paying over $1,000,000 in damage because of coward city officials. I pray every night for the police officers in the Iowa City area, including the surrounding communities. Nearly all of the city leaders offer no support to these fine men and women. Turn Iowa city around. It's quickly turned into the armpit of Iowa. It's the city where I will never raise my family in. Bring police into the schools. Build rapport with the students of different ethnic groups. Get a school resource officer. Get an explorer program. Most of all, give the police more resources to reach out into the community. Instead of "defunding the police", increase their funds for more training to build relationships within the community. 9 -Oct ICPD and UIPD do a fantastic job as is, I encourage them to continue with their compassion, professionalism, and diligence in pursuing public safety. My family came to this country for the kind of safety, opportunity, and community that I see here in Iowa City and the surrounding towns that make up this community. Law enforcement included. The answer doesn't lie in police reform in Johnson county but in resources from the state for mental health. 9 -Oct Stop being soft and let the police do their job. 9 -Oct Iowa City needs to stand up to the bully tactics of BLM. They are a terrorist group who incite riots and intimidate government and its citizens. The police enforce the laws put in place by elected officials. Period. Do not cave their demands. Enforce the laws! 10 -Oct On a simple level, having more officers walking the streets, unarmed, would help deescalate the threat ICPD has posed to the citizenry both in terms of optics and functionally. Would also help enforce the mask ordinance that so many are ignoring openly, in public, with no repercussions. Like the majority of the protesters in town, I support the CAHOOTS style crisis response system, which functions similarly to crisis response in the European countries progressives often look to for more stable, people - prioritizing government. I would like to see the majority of officers given the opportunity to train for. and work in non -confrontational public service positions; such as assisting therapeutic and psychiatric public servants in mobile and office settings. If "policing" is to be accepted as a public program as much as the current desire for abolition and anew self-defense force, then "policing" must be redefined as a resource, and not an authority. The growing public protests are demanding a change in power dynamics on a fundamental level, and that requires fundamental changes, such as power in the Community Police Review Board to not only hold officers accountable, but institute changes in how the police department operates. It is currently operated similarly to a private business, with top-down hierarchical power, and citizens only having a say indirectly via elections. 10 -Oct I believe reform is needed in order to address the response to non-violent crises across Iowa City. I believe we need a response team trained in de-escalation in order to protect the community and at -risk individuals, primarily people of color, who are targeted by implicit racial bias among police officers. I also believe that police officers must undergo significant re-training and evaluation to filter out those with such implicit bias and whose presence and actions escalate a scenario to violence rather than de- escalate. I believe that a community -centered approach is the best way to move forward in service to the community while protecting people of color from implicit bias in policing. 10 -Oct The city already implements community policing. I have personally seen positive police interactions with the public at numerous community events. What I would really like is to be able to take my family downtown without seeing the "Y' word all over buildings and calling for the killing of police officers. I have also heard the city Officials have told law enforcement to stand down in regards to enforcement of this kind of activity. This is really a shame. As a long time member of the community, it is really sad what this city is starting to become. I would personally like to see it be mandated for city counsel members and elected city government leaders have to complete a ride along shift a month with ICPD. Maybe this would help determine if social workers or other options could handle certain situations. Thank you for your time. 10 -Oct No guns. I'm serious. The majority of police interactions do not require the use of guns, and the presence of a lethally -armed officers needlessly escalates the majority of these non-violent interactions. Even as a white person, I'm terrified of the people who are supposed to protect the community because they all carry deadly weapons. Now imagine how our black citizens feel when they see an armed officer, after they've watched video after video of people of color being gunned down by officers. You can keep your tazers, you can keep your batons, but you should leave your guns in the squad car or at the station. If you're responding to an event you know is lethally violent, then sure, bring your gun. But routine traffic stops? Community patrols? Non-violent drug offenses? You don't need a gun, and if things do escalate you'll still have your tazer, melee weapons, police training, and backup. Simply taking guns out of the equation would go a long way to improve our community's trust of the police. 10 -Oct I think the Iowa City Police did a great job before all this and would have probably liked to do even more. I appreciated getting to know the officers when they were able to do foot patrols down on Taylor Dr. ICPD regularly attended events and meetings put on by the S.E. Neighborhood association. They even held annual spring events with the youth at the R.E.0 centers. People are quick to forget all the good they've done and focus on the bad several states away. I encourage more activities like those they've done in the past. I look forward to meeting some of the new officers. 10 -Oct The Iowa city police department already does an oustanding job of bridging the gap between the police and the public. They deserve more funding, not less. 10 -Oct I support the demands of the Iowa Freedom Riders to divest a large chunk of the ICPD's budget away to social services that will help the community more than policing has. It makes more sense to empower those who are trained to deal with mental illness, poverty, and other social issues than it does to pay for more gunds and boots on the ground. 10 -Oct Black Lives Matter is a domestic terrorist group, along with ANTIFA, is destroying our communities and causing animosity among all groups. Instead of focusing on how to improve community policing, focus on how city government can grow a backbone and deal with the real problem and get rid of these terrorists. 10 -Oct I support the demands of the Iowa Freedom Riders to divest a large chunk of the ICPD's budget away to social services and to institute a CAHOOTS style response program. 10 -Oct Invest in social workers to respond to most calls. Please save police response for instances where it is really needed. No chemical weapons! No rubber bullets! No shooting ANYONE who is not actively in the process of trying to kill someone and then only as an absolute last resort if the area cannot be safely cleared. No intimidation/violence/arresting protesters! PLEASE listen to the demands of the Iowa Freedom Riders and BLM activists. 10 -Oct I would like to see rational discussion about all issues not bullying that causes fear of a real discussion because those who disagree will be called racist. 11 -Oct I support IFR because I support Black lives in my community. IFR strongly supports Iowa City adopting a peer -response model for non-violent calls for emergency response. CAHOOTS is one model of this, but the broad model involves not sending police on non violent emergency calls, but instead sending a team of a medic along with a peer professional trained in crisis response, compassion, and resource provision. Some models also include a licensed mental health professional in this team. There are many types of calls that this team can respond to, including wellness checks, mental health concerns, homelessness concerns, substance use, interpersonal conflict, traffic/road safety problems, resource/food/shelter needs, short-term safety, and much more. A co - responder model that pairs a police officer with other support will be firmly rejected. This model has been denounced by local clinicians, community members, national groups of mental health professionals such as NAMI, the American Psychiatric Association, and many others. It has also been denounced by CIT International, the group that our police hold up as the gold standard for crisis intervention training. Iowa City has many local organizations that already does, or is prepared to do, crisis and rapid response. The research and local opinion also favor this model. The only thing missing is the political will to fund this effort. These local organizations need to be funded so they can adequately handle the new workload, and local dispatch needs to be updated to be able to respond to new demands that will require appropriately filtering non-violent emergency calls to unarmed and trained crisis response teams. Since the police are funded at approximately 50% more than the second highest funded government department, funding must come out of their budget and into the new, emboldened response teams, since police will no longer need to respond to these calls. 11 -Oct Don't change a thing. They are doing a great job. 13 -Oct I would like police officers to be reserved for dangerous criminal scenarios- not for mental health, substance use, homelessness, or traffic/vehicle maintenance issues. I would like to see response teams created for those situations that involve appropriately trained professionals with a problem -solving and helping focus rather than a punitive one. Police officers should not be a part of these teams. Cahoots is a good example. I would like to see funding redirected from the police department and towards setting up these programs, working with existing agencies such as Community Crisis Center, DVIP, Shelter House, and Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition. 14 -Oct Dramatically decrease budget for police and instead spend those funds on expanding social safety nets and programs such as after school activities, homelessness assistance, and free public access spaces. Instead of dispatching police to mental health crises or homelessness calls, send social workers and others trained in handling these issues. Expand access to essentials such as internet, clean water, shelter, and hot meals. Dismantle the new downtown "anti -homeless" architecture benches. 14 -Oct Hello, thanks for providing this submission form since I could not make it to any of the in person events! I think our goal should be to funnel funding away from the police department and into social services that operate independently from the police. It is imperative that the new systems send independent peer -based crisis responders without a police escort to non-violent situations. CIT, Crisis Intervention Training, is also against sending police alongside peer crisis responders. This will relieve the police department of their currently unwieldy burden and conflicting roles of enforcing laws and while attempting to urge people to get the help they need. This restructuring will also give ICPD more time/capacity to focus on investigations rather than patrolling the streets, as they will not be called on as much as before. Main priorities for reinvesting would be public affordable housing, public transit, mental health and substance abuse services, education, immigrant and refugee support, and other holistic supports for the low-income and working class people of Iowa City. A good place to start would be to get the ICPD budget back to where it was in 2011. 1 think IFR also pointed out that ICPD receives 50% more funding than the next highest funded government department. I'd also like to see the ICPD give up it's military grade equipment, including tear gas, as tear gas has been outlawed in the Geneva Convention. Overall, I can say that I have read the Iowa Freedom Rider's Phase 1 plan for how community wellness and accountability should look in the future and I support what they have proposed. Their proposal is similar to the CAHOOTS system, which I believe is used in Oregon. I know currently the city is also working with them on a Truth and Reconciliation Committee, which must have power to make systemic, reparative changes, or else it will not be able to work towards reconciliation at all. I think it is interesting that this form asks for race, but no other identifiers, though queer people, trans people, working class people, and folks with disabilities are also disproportionately affected by over -policing. I certainly have much privilege as a white, able-bodied person, but as a non -binary and working class person, I have solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and disabled folks on this issue. Thank you for continuing to investigate the events of lune 3rd, and for delaying the purchase of new tasers, I have high hopes for what you can do next. Item Number: 7. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Memo from Asst City Manager: Introduction to solar study concept from Johnson Clean Energy District ATTACHMENTS: Description Memo from Asst City Manager: Introduction to solar study concept from Johnson Clean Energy District CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: October 15. 2020 To: City Council From: Ashley Monroe, Assistant City Manager Re: Introduction to solar study concept from Johnson Clean Energy District Introduction The City Manager's Office was contacted in late summer this year by members of the recently established 501c3 Johnson Clean Energy District (JCED). JCED is an organization led by technical experts and environmental enthusiasts emphasizing climate actions that reduce energy usage through community and individual action. The proposed project can be summarized as an opportunity to fully explore the projects and concepts identified in the City's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and the Accelerating Iowa City Climate Actions report related to photovoltaic solar installations throughout Iowa City. The proposal includes a gathering of community stakeholders, with Iowa City planned as the lead agency in the effort to assess current land available for future solar installations, analyzing necessary system requirements for pursuit of large scale or a community solar project, and defining an approach to the community engagement needed to garner support and understanding of these types of projects. JCED envisions installation of as much as 100 MW of renewable energy communitywide, within the next ten years. The initial intent of the study would identify at least one solar project the City could implement in the near term and create a long-term vision for the Iowa City community to draw from as further use of solar installations is explored. To undertake such a comprehensive measure, both technical feasibility and community buy -in must be in place. JCED and comments from the Climate Action Commission assert that enhanced awareness, engagement, understanding, and preparation for solar will help the Iowa City community more quickly and fully embrace the technology. Background JCED brought this concept to the City Manager's Office, and while we are open to the suggestion of a community group supporting the City's climate initiatives, a utility scale solar project in coordination with MidAmerican Energy had not been approved earlier in the year. To confirm more direction and support from elected and appointed bodies earlier in the process of pursuing solar projects, we directed JCED to further explore this study concept with the Climate Action Commission. Members of JCED spoke during community comment during the September 8 meeting of the Climate Action Commission and was invited to further explain their project as part of the October 2 agenda. Commission feedback centered on the benefit of engagement and preparation for determining appropriate locations for solar fixtures on public and private property. At the October meeting, the Commission made a unanimous motion that JCED should seek audience with City Council to receive any feedback about the project before commencing. Attachments to this memo provide more detailed information and the following summary outlines the project concept, an immediate timeframe and long-term objectives of this initiative. Proposal Highlights Project Elements: General assessment of system demands, feasibility, and placement of hosted solar photovoltaic systems ranging from the smaller end of the spectrum (residential, commercial, October 15, 2020 Page 2 industrial, civic, school) to larger projects, such as a community solar project or solar farm style installation Assessment of environmental justice and equity as they apply to accessing benefits of solar energy and as they apply to use or location of such systems that negatively impact persons or places Guiding economic, legal or regulatory and environmental impact information Devises key components to an open and transparent public educational and outreach campaign to consumers and investors Estimating costs of system installation will not be included in this assessment, as the timing of any solar project is uncertain. The predominant purpose is to determine whether the space and infrastructure system on properties throughout Iowa City could support solar installations and, after determined "feasible" the study outcome would introduce the possible locations to the community. Any necessary education and engagement processes would align with execution of identified projects at the time of implementation. Participants: JCED has contacted several community stakeholders and have gathered general support for exploration of the solar study concept. Other groups are still in the process of coming onboard but have been identified as ideal partners at varying levels of participation. Ideal partners include: • City of Iowa City (Project Lead) • Johnson Clean Energy District (secondary partner/lead technical) • Johnson County • University of Iowa (various areas of concentration, staff, faculty and student support) • Iowa City Climate Action Commission • Iowa City Community School District • MidAmerican Energy (Utility) • Eastern Iowa Light and Power (Utility) • Additional stakeholder advisory partners may include financial institutions, environmental and social equity organizations, and other technical energy, scientific, or social experts, TBD Proposal Costs: The proposal (attached) provided by JCED includes a breakdown of study elements and basic estimates for aspects of the study. Not all elements are anticipated to incur a cost, giving a range of funds needed to complete the study. Stakeholder and participant meetings will define which elements of the study may require funding and which would be attainable within the participating organizations or by volunteer action. If pursued, the City would act as primary project funding source using Climate Action funds dedicated to projects such as this. It is possible that bringing in additional local partners could result in sharing of costs, based on project needs. Timeframe and Next Steps: This project could commence upon support from Iowa City City Council and direction that staff move forward in planning for a community -led study of potential solar infrastructure. If Council is supportive of this initiative, including a willingness to explore installation of future City or community -initiated solar projects, staff and JCED will invite community stakeholders listed above and conduct an initial meeting in November. The meeting will involve project introduction, define participation and roles, as well as further definition and clarification of study elements that will move the coordinated study concept forward. Proposed: Iowa City and Johnson County Solar Energy Planning Study Objectives: 1) Develop pertinent technical, landscape, and economic information to accelerate solar energy production in Iowa City and Johnson County; and 2) initiate a dialogue among government, private sector, and residents about strategies for on-site and off-site (grid -connected) solar projects. Project Description A group of citizens and organizations have put together ideas for a study of solar energy demand, options, siting, interconnections, technologies, and financing in Johnson County, with an initial focus on Iowa City and surrounding area. A well-designed solar energy program would help the City meet its climate action goals by diversifying the energy supply and reducing greenhouse gases and other pollutants. It also has the potential to reduce energy costs for a broad cross-section of area residents, businesses, industries, and public entities; support local economic development; and provide social equity benefits to neighborhoods. Four models exist for distributed (on-site) and centralized (grid -connected) solar energy: site solar, solar schools, community solar, and solar farms. Site solar-- small, distributed photovoltaic (PV) arrays for homes and businesses — is the focus of the popular county -led "Solarize Johnson County" program. How could this be expanded to include more businesses and other "large roof' buildings? School solar are projects led by community school districts to provide electricity and educational opportunities for students and communities. What potential exists in the ICCSD? Community solar refers to centralized, grid -connected PV arrays ('"100 kW -2 MW) jointly owned or leased by individual homeowners, renters, and/or businesses that lack the roof or ground space for solar but are interested in low-cost strategies to tap into it. Are neighborhood solar projects possible here and, if so, where? Solar farms also refer to larger, centralized installations (1— 5 MW) owned by governments, utilities, or third -party investment groups to supply large energy users with specific load, interconnection, and business requirements. Bloomfield and State City, Iowa have constructed municipally -owned solar farms (1.8 and 1 MW, respectfully) to help meet their energy -independence goals. Identifying larger tracts of land appropriate for solar farms would provide a pathway for future development. The initial focus of this assessment will be on (1) quantifying energy demand of commercial, industrial, residential, and public facilities; (2) technology infrastructure issues, including interconnection and capacity requirements; and (3) reaching out to private and public landowners to identify potential sites for solar projects. The study would also provide economic, legal/regulatory, and environmental impact information. An open and transparent public educational and outreach campaign to consumers and investors is a key element for future success. Participants We propose that this study be a collaboration between the City of Iowa City, the Iowa City Community School District, Johnson County, the University of Iowa, energy companies, and the Johnson Clean Energy District, which coordinated development of this proposal. Timeline: Fall 2020 — Spring 2021 Solar Energy Planning Study/ Scope of Work/ September 2020 A study to investigate solar energy options for residential, commercial, industrial, and public buildings in Iowa City and Johnson County. Investigation includes both site -solar (on-site at individual buildings) and utility -scale systems (off-site community solar or solar farm). It will assess energy demand and goals, technological requirements of different options, and key economic, environmental, and social equity considerations N8: For budgetary and other reasons, this study may be broken into 2 phases, beginning with crucial technology/siting issues, and followed by UI -assisted economic, environmental, and social impact studies. We are also identifying information and analysis that can be produced without need for hired consultant. Study contents (proposed) • Energy loads — identify and quantify major electrical users. Determine RE goals (example: 20% RE by 2030, with related GHG reductions) o Residential • Low -Moderate Income areas or buildings • Multiple family buildings • General o Commercial o Industrial o Public facilities, schools, churches, hospitals, etc • Site -solar systems (on-site, behind -the -meter) o Potential site -solar locations, by use sectors (see above) o Greenhouse gas emission reduction potential o Social equity, economic, environmental impacts • Utility -scale systems: community solar and solar farms o Transmission and distribution factors • Locations of substations, transmission, and distribution lines in county • Transmission requirements and line load capacities • Connection costs o Sites and capacities • Interconnection requirements and line load capacities • Site factors (water, road access, size) • Solar resource (solar panel production) • Greenhouse gas emission reduction potential • Environmental, economic, and social equity impacts • Economics o Site -solar • Project savings, including avoided costs for landowners • Incentives (similar to Solarize Johnson County) • Net -metering o Communitysolar • Ownership models • Economic benefits to participants • Net metering o Solar farms o Project finance options • Government grants, loans, tax incentives, etc • Public/private partnerships • Private investors • Legal/ Regulatory status o Franchise Agreements o State o Local (county, municipal) o Utility considerations: siting, permitting, utility costs, other • Public information and input process o Community information and outreach, including to stakeholder and advocacy groups o Outreach to potential solar energy users or "loads"; o Outreach to landowners in fringe area to solicit sites of 1-5 MW solar installations o Reports to relevant City and County agencies and commissions Not included • Engineering feasibility study • Full economic assessment • Project management • Regulatory status Budget: TBD T a W 0 Y Y O Y Y Y Y N N V) N -Zt V y I I I I I I N y .ti tD m O N O N P c c v to c c CL v U v W0 c i= m CL CL m m 7 V co V C w 7 7 V 7 7 C7 V 0 0 n m E o Y Em m E m m m E ooz Y Y Q u p o p "6 c 30 V C p vYi - E t V O w O w O C7 C7 C7 +' 2i u u u v� m Ti '^ �i `^ a Ti Ti Ti H v7i N v Y 7 N Q y E_c > v a) Q) y > L E 3 c N v Y O N CL � O J c m m U -p U •3 -6 E E a c c n a c m L y U7 bD m D) 0 CLL DI O 'O Y •L '6 N O i •N O c — O y U c •N EE E C^ L Y oiS ^ T - N N 7 m T N O v �n O L O N Q Y aL+ u m O Q c m Q U o m-0 o E c a" L° tkoiri _L L O D) N p -O b0 -r- Q m o_ N i 7 O c p vii N '6 O N ?� _ m N U o — E c O 7 7 N O 7 -0 c �n p > O_ L (v L O m Ql Y m Y _ O Ql U bD m O U '� �N�( W Y y L m Vi m N U) O b0 N N m (v Y L N o p -6 c N Q Vi -O b0 Q L 00 N .-. .. > Y N C C N c 7 E E m E v m — c-> c- N o O w E w �' c v m 0> b 3 a`o O m c m D u O p O m L DI p c O a m y v O L O m O> E £ m iZ '-' U '^ Y Y m E L D) O c m S m O N (v p m E m O N p a.+ DI DI Q N c aT+ L Q c U l7 C N C VI L m E a E O Q 2 n m Q tko M O U m N N •- c Q O N L .. 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A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Memo from Assistant to the City Manager: 2021 State Legislative Priorities Development Schedule ATTACHMENTS: Description Memo from Assistant to the City Manager: 2021 State Legislative Priorities Development Schedule r �®,,CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: October 15, 2020 To: City Council From: Rachel Kilburg, Assistant to the City Manager Re: 2021 State Legislative Priorities Development Schedule Introduction Prior to the start of each State of Iowa legislative session, the City Council adopts state legislative priorities and communicates the City's positions on those issues to our elected delegation. Discussion City Council is scheduled to discuss the 2021 legislative priorities at the November 2, 2020 work session. Following this discussion, staff will prepare a resolution defining City Council's final 2021 state legislative priorities for consideration at the November 17, 2020 formal meeting. Staff would like to offer City Council the opportunity to meet with our elected delegation to the Iowa legislature regarding the 2021 state legislative priorities, after formal adoption of the resolution. Staff will also request the City's state legislative lobbying consultant is present at this meeting. Recommendation Staff requests direction from City Council regarding the proposed meeting with our elected delegation on the following items, in order to proceed with scheduling: • Is it of Councilors' preference to meet with the delegation as a full Council or to designate a small group of members? • Is it of Councilor's preference to meet with the delegation during a regularly scheduled work session or to schedule a special meeting? Item Number: 9. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Civil Service Examination: Maintenance Worker I - Water Plant ATTACHMENTS: Description Civil Service Examination: Maintenance Worker I - Water Plant IMF�� CITY Of IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Strect Iowa City, Iowa S2240-1826 (3 19) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.1cgov,org October 5, 2020 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination — Maintenance Worker I — Water Plant Under the authority of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, I do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Maintenance Worker I —Water Plant. 1. Daniel Isabel 2. Bradly Exline 3. Kirby Callahan 4. Roger Roller Iowa City Civil Service Commission Meliss Jensen, Chair Item Number: 10. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Copy of email to Council: Iowa City Named #20 on Livability.com's List of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. ATTACHMENTS: Description Copy of email to Council: Iowa City Named #20 on Livability.com's List of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. Kellie Fruehling From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments: A Congratulations! Livability.com <info@livabiIity.com> Thursday, October 8, 2020 12:03 PM Council Iowa City Named #20 on Livability.com's List of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. 20CityBadge2020_lowa City jpg Iowa Citv has been named one of the 2020 Ton 100 Best Places to Live by Livabilitv.com, outpacing more than 1,000 cities with populations between 20,000 and 1,000,000 in this data -driven ranking. "The pandemic and ensuing economic turbulence made people rethink their commitment to big, expensive cities, and the rise of remote work provided a unique opportunity to live anywhere," says Winona Dimeo- Ediger, Livabilitv.com editor-in-chief. "The dust is still settling, but the chaos of this year made the things that have always mattered — affordability, safety, community and opportunity — matter even more. These 41.r. TOP 100 100 fantastic cities offer exactly what people are looking for right now." This year's rankings were informed by each city's "Opportunity Score," which consists of several variables centered around the economy, job opportunities and growth. When combined, these points offer a snapshot of the opportunity landscape of each city, and the potential for businesses and residents to thrive and grow. Iowa City is a fun, smart and easy -to -live-in city. It has the energetic, youthful vibe of a college town mixed with a sophisticated and curious culture filled with excellent restaurants and famous bookstores. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong here and the city is consistently ranked highly as a great place to start a business. Here are a couple of ways to spread the good news: • Share the good news on social media. o Sample post: Iowa City was named #20 on @livability's list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live list! Check out the full write-up here: hftos://bit.ly/2HZVcKM #bestplaces2020 • Share Livability's personalized badge for the Too 100 Best Places to Live on your website, email newsletter or directly with stakeholders and local leaders. • Sign up for our city leader newsletter to stay updated on future rankings and other relevant news. • Forward this email to colleagues, friends and local influencers —we're sharing your good news too! Again, congratulations on making the 2020 Too 100 Best Places to Live list. You can find the national press release here: https:Hbit.ly/36CwSJ7 For more information about the rankings, or if you have any questions about the list, please contact: Winona Dimeo-Ediger, editor-in-chief, at wdimeo-ediger(a)livability.com. About Livability com: Livability.com highlights the best small to mid-sized cities and what makes them great places to live, work and visit. Through research and original content, we examine issues such as affordability, cultural amenities and talent attraction, and celebrate the accomplishments of these cities through top 10 lists, our annual ranking of the Top 900 Best Places to Live, and articles exploring the who, what, why and how behind the "where. " Livability.com is a division of Journal Communications, Inc. If you would rather not receive future communications from Journal Communications, let us know by clicking here. Journal Communications, 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067 United States Item Number: 11. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Press Release: Advanced Implicit Bias training available to area business ATTACHMENTS: Description Press Release: Advanced Implicit Bias training available to area business Ashley Platz From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 8:04 AM To: Kellie Fruehling; Ashley Platz Subject: FW: Advanced Implicit Bias training available to area businesses Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged For the IP From: City of Iowa City[mailto:CityoflowaCity@public.govdelivery.com] Sent: Thursday, October 8, 202012:02 PM To: Geoff Fruin <Geoff- Fruin @ iowa-city.org> Subject: Advanced Implicit Bias training available to area businesses Q SHARE Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. amd IOWA CITY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 10/08/2020 Contact: Stefanie Bowers, Equity Director & Human Rights Coordinator Phone: 319-356-502 Advanced Implicit Bias training available to area businesses F1 W M F-4 IftMn tiiJL l:i Wiir , s U, Implicit Bias 201 An advanced program is being offered by the Office of Equity and Human Rights to broaden understanding on the topic of bias to positively inform future behavior. Implicit Bias 201 will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the event will be held virtually through Zoom, with pre -registration required. The program presenter is Thomas Newkirk, who is a specialist in both implicit bias and in breaking down barriers that prevent us from taking that next step. About the program Implicit bias is the primary cause of differences in how we treat women and persons of color in our society. It is a prime cause for the failure to promote women to certain key positions and to pay women equally. It is the primary cause for differential treatment specifically in school, healthcare, and the criminal justice system — if not society in general - for African Americans and other persons of color. Despite the science that confirms that bias exists and the data showing harm from implicit bias, as a society we seem incapable of dealing with it. Protests and media attention now drive us all to find an answer, but the question remains, "where do we go from here?" This advanced bias program is intended to take a step toward that answer. It begins by introducing the five barriers that stop us from moving forward, which include defensiveness and how we polarize questions of race and gender. It will delve into the lack of knowledge of where implicit bias comes from and how bias works in the real world. This program goes well beyond "bias 101" and explores the decision points most at risk from bias in business, medical care and criminal justice. It examines the nature and source of bias and describes how those sources connect to real world decisions. Understanding these issues can make it possible and more efficient for us to eventually manage or control our biases. Participants can expect a level of readiness to take that next step toward a higher level of awareness. If a pill, a vaccine or a remedy for bias is someday achievable, it can only begin with first breaking down barriers that have stopped us and then, working together to find and implement a solution. "We all have a duty to be aware and to take steps to reduce and manage our biases, just as we take care to cover our mouths when we cough or stay home when we are sick. Accepting that responsibility will help us bridge the gap toward full equality in our society for women and persons of color. Increasing our knowledge of bias and accepting responsibility can provide a real answer for those protesting and for all who support change. It is possible to trade the divisive labels of racist or sexist for a common duty of responsibility. There is a way forward without shame or blame that will permit us to embrace a more empathic appreciation for the risks of implicit bias, and to then take proactive steps to reduce those risks for the benefit of everyone." Thomas Newkirk How to participate This advanced bias education session is open to all, including those who may not have been exposed to this concept, but is primarily offered to those who have attended other presentations offered by Mr. Newkirk, or who have a basic knowledge or acceptance of implicit bias as a problem that warrants our time and attention. To register, visit: hftpsa/zoom,us/webinar/registerAtVN ovzlnJwOTu2Q-poD Lawop, Meeting ID: 975 9207 3739 Duplicate registrations will he deleted to afford this opportunity to as many participants as possible. You can also call in by phone at 312-626-6799, ID 926 7577 9709. If you will need disability -related accommodations in order to participate in this programlevent, please contact Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at 319-356-5022 or stefanie-bowers(a)iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. Questions? Contact Us CITY Of 10WA CITY UNASkOC111VIDIF 011RAIMMI STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences I Unsubscribe I Help This email was sent to geoff-fruinfg2iowa-cdv.org using Gov Delivery Communications Cloud on behalf of City F of Iowa City 410 E Washington street Iowa City, IA 52240 90MUNM Item Number: 12. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Press Release: Fair Housing Online Training available 24/7 ATTACHMENTS: Description Press Release: Fair Housing Online Training available 24/7 Ashley Platz From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 8:04 AM To: Kellie Fruehling; Ashley Platz Subject: FW: Learn about fair housing issues with free 24/7 training sessions Follow Up Flag: Fallow up Flag Status: Flagged For the IP From: City of Iowa City[mailto:CityoflowaCity@public.govdelivery.com] Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 8:01 AM TO: Geoff Fruin aGeoff-Fruin@iowa-city.org> Subject: Learn about fair housing issues with free 24/7 training sessions © SHARE Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. City of IOWA CITY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 10/1312020 Contact: Stefanie Bowers, Equity Director & Human Rights Coordinator Phone: 319-356-5022 Fair Housing Online Training available 2417 � The Office of Equity and Human Rights recently created an online fair housing training that can be completed 24/7. This training provides an in-depth look at many local fair housing laws and best practices, including state and local protected categories, reasonable accommodations and modifications, prohibited activities, assistance animals, service animals, and much more at no cost. This imthe perfect training opportunity for those in the housing industries or for persons who want to know their rights as they relate to fair housing. The training takes approximately 35 minutes to complete. Participants have the option of receiving a certificate of completion by taking the accompanying test and receiving a passing score, The training is available at For questions, contact Equity Director Stefanie Bowers m\319-358-5022mremail shef@nke- Questions? Contact Us CITY01 IMA CITY wvomcO(n,monnovgA«mNv STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: This email was sent to geoff-fwin(ajtowa�city.org using Gov[Delivery Communications Cloud on behalf of City of Iowa City .410 E Washington Stneet Iowa City, IA52240 Item Number: 13. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Press Release: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, needles collection event at East Side Recycling Center - October 24 ATTACHMENTS: Description Press Release: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, needles collection event at East Side Recycling Center - October 24 Ashley Platz From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 8:04 AM To: Kellie Fruehling; Ashley Platz Subject: FW: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, needles collection event scheduled for Oct. 24 at East Side Recycling Center Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged For the IP. From: City of Iowa City[mai Ito: CityoflowaCity@public.govdelivery.comj Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 8:02 AM To: Geoff Fruin <Geoff- Fru in@iowa-city.org> Subject: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, needles collection event scheduled for Oct. 24 at East Side Recycling Center 0 SHRRE Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. �M� IOWA CITY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 10114/2020 Contact: Jennifer Jordan, Resource Management Superintendent Phone: 319-887-6160 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, needles collection event scheduled for Oct. 24 at East Side Recycling Center � n������tA��L ^� ��8�� � W Saturday, October 24 110 a.m. — 2 p.m. DEATak B k Johnson County residents can properly dispose of unwanted or outdated pharmaceuticals and needles at the City's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event, from 18a.m.h)2p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in the parking lot of the East Side Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd. SE. To protect our community, face coverings are required at this event, per the Please plan to stay in your vehicle and hand items out to staff or plan to direct staff towhere inthe vehicle your items are located. The event is organized nationally by the US Drug Enforcement Agency. The Iowa City Police Department and the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center partner to offer the local event. Events for pharmaceutical collections in other communities can be found online. The National Prescription Drug Take Back addresses avital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets past their need are highly susceptible todiversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due tothese drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away, both potential safety and health hazards. How to safely transport needles and sharps Pharmaceuticals should be in the original containers with names blacked out or in plastic baggies with no personal patient information. Sharps/needles should be in sealed, rigid plastic containers with firmly attached lids, such as coffee cans nrlaundry detergent bottles. Mamticountoin+ronoadeofthinnerp|oobc,|ixmmi|kjugu`$hou|d not be used. Needles and sharps that come in unsafe containers, like cardboard boxes, milk jugs, or plastic bags, will not be accepted. Needles can only be accepted from residents; businesses and non-profit organizations, please call 319-8D7-018Ofor disposal options. Household sharps/needles and non -controlled substance medications are also accepted year-round Event information and questions For questions about the local take -back event, contact Iowa City Police Detective Ryan Wood at roan-wood(UNowa-citv.oro, or Resource Management Superintendent Jennifer Jordan at iennifer- I o rd a n (a)i owa-c i t V. o rg . � rlirwir.�C :Y M +11rwr�� j Questions? -• Contact Us cl])"QEF i{)t!`t1C'tTl' u%isto1ltll of 111[1K\tURI STAY CONNECTED: ,' i in 'fa," f r, SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences i Unsubscribe I Help This email was sent to geoff-frui (d0owa-city.om using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of City of Iowa City 410 E Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 ,,„,- M-- tIEW Item Number: 14. A CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org October 15, 2020 Planning & Zoning Commission: October 1 ATTACHMENTS: Description Planning & Zoning Commission: October 1 MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMIS OCTOBER 1, 2020 —7:00 PM ELECTRONIC FORMAL MEETING STAFF PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT; �a� Susan Craig, Mike Hensch, Phoebe Martin, Mark Nolte, Mark Signs, Billie Townsend Sara Hektoen, Anne Russett Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8) An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person is impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of Commission members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19. RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL: By a vote of 6-0 the Commissions recommends that the zoning code be amended as illustrated in the staff report to help invigorate neighborhood commercial districts and empower new small neighborhood commercial nodes by allowing the Board of Adjustment to provide flexibility from zoning regulations in certain commercial zones. By a vote of 6-0 the Commissions recommends to amend Title 14 Zoning to allow parking reductions of up to 50% of the required number of spaces through a minor modification process in the Mixed Use (MU), Commercial Office (CO -1), Neighborhood Commercial (CN -1), Community Commercial (CC -2), Central Business Service (CB -2), and Central Business Support (CB -5) zoning districts. CALL TO ORDER: Hensch called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: None. Planning and Zoning Commission October 1, 2020 Page 2 of 13 CASE NO. REZ20-0006: Commercial Reuse Exception Ordinance Consideration of the Commercial Reuse Exception Ordinance, which amends Title 14 Zoning to allow exceptions to zoning regulations for alterations and expansions to existing buildings due to building and/or site constraints in the Mixed Use (MU), Commercial Office (GO -1), Neighborhood Commercial (CN -1), Community Commercial (CC -2), Central Business Service (CB -2), and Central Business Support (CB -5) zoning districts. Russett stated in terms of background, the City actually received an inquiry from a developer about a long vacant building located at 1120 North Dodge Street, and what was being proposed required flexibility from the City's zoning regulations. There are also other underutilized commercial properties that have experienced issues meeting zoning regulations due to existing physical and site and building constraints. The proposed amendment would support the reuse of existing buildings by providing flexibility from zoning regulations due to building and site constraints. There is existing flexibility incorporated into the Code now that provides some flexibility from zoning regulations. These are reviewed administratively through the minor modification process. There's also minor adjustments which staff can review in the Riverfront Crossings District and there are also some special exceptions that the Board of Adjustment can review for providing waivers to zoning regulations, particularly for historic properties. Russett explained this proposed amendment would expand upon those existing provisions in the Code. In terms of a summary of the ordinance, the goal is to address barriers for small scale commercial areas that have site constraints by providing flexibility from zoning regulations, so that means flexibility from parking standards, setback, lot coverage, etc. The focus is on lower intensity commercial zones that typically serve neighboring residences. It would allow alteration and expansion of existing structures, it would not allow the demolition of existing principal structures, and it requires the review and approval by the Board of Adjustment through a special exception process and there's specific approval criteria outlined in the draft. Next Russett discussed the applicability of the proposed ordinance, there are certain commercial zones that are eligible and certain zones that are ineligible. She showed there are six eligible zones, which are lower intensity commercial zones. The ineligible zones include Intensive Commercial zones, Highway Commercial, and the Central Business, CB -10 zone. Those three zones are higher intensity and have been excluded because they typically don't provide commercial uses to neighboring residential areas. In addition, the project must result in an alteration or expansion of an existing structure, it can't result in any demolition of a principal structure. Finally, the property cannot be designated as a historic structure and that's because there are existing Code provisions that provide flexibility from zoning regulations for historic structures. In terms of potential waivers, Russett noted the list is pretty extensive. The waivers that could be requested include waivers from specific approval criteria. These are approval criteria for specific land uses, for example, density standards for group living uses or requirements for multifamily uses. Also, approval criteria for accessory uses would be eligible. This includes things like drive setbacks for drive throughs, or size requirements for accessory retail uses, and will also allow waivers from commercial zone dimensional requirements. That includes things like lot size, setbacks, height, open space, as well as site development standards, both commercial site development standards and general site development standards. This includes things like Planning and Zoning Commission October 1, 2020 Page 3 of 13 parking area setbacks, screening, access, and circulation. In terms of general site development standards, this includes things like parking, landscaping, screening, outdoor lighting. Russett stated there are certain waivers that are not eligible for this request and that includes the minimum separation distance standards that are in the Code for drinking establishments, as well as separation distance requirements for adult businesses. Additionally there are sensitive areas ordinance and floodplain management regulations, and waivers from those standards could not be requested through the proposed ordinance. The proposed ordinance also includes a list of specific approval criteria, Russett showed the approval criteria that staff would review the application against as well as the Board of Adjustment. All of these criteria must be met in order for the project to be approved by the Board of Adjustment. The first approval criteria is that the exception is necessary because of existing building or site constraints that make meeting the standard difficult. In addition, the exception must be compatible and/or complimentary to adjacent development in terms of mass and scale, open space, traffic circulation, general layout and lighting. The exception cannot adversely affect views, noise, storm water, light and air privacy from neighboring residences. The exception cannot be contrary to the intent of the standard and it must be in the public interest. Staff reviewed and did an analysis to identify the parcels that would be potentially eligible to request a waiver, and most neighborhood commercial areas are eligible. This includes the Northside Market area, Towncrest, Old Town Village and Pepperwood Plaza. There's also some other pockets of commercial that would also be eligible such as the area on North Dodge, for example, Hilltop Tavern. Russett noted this does not provide any flexibility from standards for businesses that are located in residential zones. She showed a city-wide map that shows some potential eligible properties, they are parcels that have a structure on them and no vacant lots are included and any properties that are historic or located in a historic district have also been excluded. Russett noted they can see from the map that there are some commercial areas that would be eligible that are not what one would think of a small scale or neighborhood oriented commercial. That includes the North Gate Business Park, as well as the intersection of 218 and Highway 1. In these cases, the amendment would rely on the approval criteria which would be evaluated on a case by case basis and they must address any compatibility standards related to surrounding properties. The burden of proof to meet those specific approval criteria is on the applicant and large-scale commercial properties may have a difficult time meeting some of those standards. Staff has reviewed this against the Comprehensive Plan and the proposed amendments supports the City Council's Strategic Plan, as well as several policies within the Comprehensive Plan related to encouraging compact and efficient development and a healthy mix of independent and locally owned businesses, and improving environmental and economic health of the community through efficient use of resources. The flexibility would allow existing commercial buildings to be efficiently utilized to promote economic activity throughout the community. Staff thinks that this would be primarily used by local businesses on unique infill lots. The role of the Commission tonight is to review the proposed zoning code text amendments and its consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and provide a recommendation to City Council. Staff recommends the Zoning Code be amended as illustrated in the staff report to help invigorate neighborhood commercial districts and empower new small neighborhood commercial nodes by allowing the Board of Adjustment to approve flexibility from zoning regulations in certain commercial zones. Planning and Zoning Commission October 1, 2020 Page 4 of 13 Hensch asked if the impetus for this amendment the strategic plan the City Council approved. Russet stated it is a combination of things. They've received inquiries for infill sites over the years that have had a challenging time meeting standards. The most recent one was a request for reusing the building on 1120 North Dodge. Hensch asked if all these waivers have to go to the Board of Adjustment or is there a process where some of the minor modifications can just be administratively approved by staff? Russett replied the existing minor modifications will stay as is in the Code. However, the proposed amendment would require review and approval by the Board of Adjustment through a special exception process. Hensch asked if the maps Russett showed were for illustration purposes only or did they in fact contain all the applicable zones? Russett said they included all of the applicable zones and also removed any properties that were vacant. They wanted to show all those zones that were eligible that had existing structures on them. Hensch also asked about the stormwater waivers and would the Board of Adjustment be able to waive a requirement of the city engineer. Russett stated the stormwater management regulations are in a different title of the Code, and that would not be eligible under the proposed amendment because the stormwater management regulations are not in the Zoning Code. Signs noted Russett mentioned infill several times and are these special exceptions available on an empty lot and not just for reuse in properties that are reusing an existing building. Russett confirmed empty lots are not eligible. Craig questioned how this will affect things in the long term, if someone has a use, they have the property, they get the special exception, and everything goes fine with their commercial enterprise but six years later they're moving on, they've grown and they're going to a new building, or whatever. Is that building then available for a different use or do the people who want to use it for something else now have to come back and get a special exception as well. Russett said this ordinance isn't changing what uses are allowed in these commercial zones, it's just providing flexibility to specific standards, but not uses, and the special exceptions go with the property, not the ownership. Townsend asked if there is a property that's not on this list or map, how can they take advantage of these exceptions. Russett said if something comes available that's meets these requirements and is in an eligible zone with an existing structure and there's no demolition, if they meet the approval criteria, they could request a waiver. Townsend asked if there was a good neighbor held for special exceptions. Russett said it is encouraged and explained there's a public hearing, there's notification, there's signs, very similar to zonings and subdivisions. Hensch opened the public comment. Hearing no comments, Hensch closed the public comment Nolte moved that the zoning code be amended as illustrated in the staff report to help Planning and Zoning Commission October 1, 2020 Page 5 of 13 invigorate neighborhood commercial districts and empower new small neighborhood commercial nodes by allowing the Board of Adjustment to provide flexibility from zoning regulations in certain commercial zones. Townsend seconded the motion. Hensch noted he really likes this and thinks they need to find a way to work on neighborhood commercial. He hopes this is something that can really help entrepreneurs and developers to be able to reuse some of these properties, particularly in the neighborhood commercial areas. Townsend agreed and noted there are a lot of places that are vacant now and it would be nice to get them filled up. Especially the Marketplace Mall, it is such a big, beautiful mall, and there's nobody in it. Signs agrees that there's a lot of vacant and underutilized properties in quite a few areas and unfortunately, there's a chance that they'll see more vacant properties in the in the near term so making it potentially easier for a new person to come in and start a new business is a positive thing. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. CASE NO. CREZ20-0007: Parking Reduction in Commercial Zones Ordinance Consideration of the Parking Reductions in Commercial Zones Ordinance, which amends Title 14 Zoning to allow parking reductions of up to 50% of the required number of spaces through a minor modification process in the Mixed Use (MU), Commercial Office (CO -1), Neighborhood Commercial (CN -1), Community Commercial (CC -2), Central Business Service (CB -2), and Central Business Support (CB -5) zoning districts. Russett began with background stating this again is related to barriers to infill development and minimum parking requirements can be a barrier to developing and redeveloping infill commercial properties. Russett stated this would apply to vacant lots and the proposed amendment could support the development of vacant infill commercial lots by providing reductions to parking standards. Russett noted there are some existing provisions in the Code that provide reductions to parking standards but there are also gaps, which this amendment is trying to address, the Code often does not apply reductions to multifamily parking for mixed use development in commercial zones and sometimes the reductions are limited to small amounts that wouldn't be beneficial for commercial properties. In terms of a summary of the proposed ordinance, staff is proposing to replace an existing provision in the Code that applies to CN -1 Zones, the Neighborhood Commercial Zone, which was adopted in 1995 and it allowed land banking to reduce parking. Russett noted how that provision is structured is that it allows reduced parking to promote neighborhood commercial uses. It could require that up to 30% of the land that would otherwise be needed for onsite parking remain as open space and then if that area was needed in the future, the City could require the owner to construct the parking. The CN -1 Zone is not heavily utilized throughout the City and staff did a search and couldn't find any examples of this provision ever being used since Planning and Zoning Commission October 1, 2020 Page 6 of 13 it was adopted in 1995. Therefore, staff is proposing to get rid of that land banking requirement and revise it to allow a reduction that would be available for new construction, redevelopment, alteration or expansion of projects for residential and commercial uses within again, similar to the last ordinance, these lower intensity commercial zones. This would not apply to the Central Business District Zone or Intensive Commercial or Highway Commercial. The parking reductions could be requested for both commercial and residential uses, up to 50% of the required parking could be waived, no land banking would be required and it would be reviewed through the City's minor modification process which is an administrative staff level review but does require notifying neighbors of the request and an administrative hearing. Staff has identified some approval criteria that they think would be appropriate for staff to review in any requests for parking reductions. To ensure that this really assists smaller scale neighborhood commercial buildings, they want to limit the footprint of those buildings to 5000 square feet. They would like the applicant to submit a parking demand analysis that demonstrates the proposed parking will meet the demand. Also the ordinance would protect historic, or potentially historic structures by not allowing their demolition. Again, staff looked at the areas that could be eligible to request a parking reduction and it includes Pepperwood Plaza, Old Town Village and it would also be useful in areas where commercial lots remain vacant, like 2229 Muscatine Avenue and 620 South Riverside Drive. Russett showed a couple maps that showed the parcels that have the eligible zoning district. It includes vacant lots and includes lots with structures on them. Russett noted similar to the last ordinance, there are some commercial areas that are eligible but may not be areas that one would think of as smaller scale commercial, like the North Gate Business Park, and if a request for reduction was requested and it would rely on a case by case review and building size limits that staff would review by each request. Some of the benefits are it would reduce costs of businesses, it could potentially encourage other modes of transportation, it would be less impervious surface and less runoff and a more efficient use of the site. The proposed amendment does support several Comprehensive Goals and strategies as well as the City's Strategic Plan and Climate Action Plan. The role of the Commission is to determine if the proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and make a recommendation to Council. Staff recommends the Commission recommend approval of the proposed ordinance as presented in the staff report. Hensch asked on the parking demand analysis, is that just something as simple as they could just give like a prediction of their parking demands or the historical parking demands, or would they need to retain a consultant to develop that. Russett said it wouldn't be required but the ordinance will give staff flexibility to request a more robust study if they felt it was necessary based on the proposal. Hensch asked if there is anything the MPO does, because they do all that traffic analysis, in terms of a parking analysis or where do those numbers come from. Russett replied the applicant has to provide it. Hensch then asked if there's retail on the first floor and housing units on the second floor is that Planning and Zoning Commission October 1, 2020 Page 7 of 13 taken into consideration to make sure there's enough parking provided for residents, could they decrease those numbers. Russett said the applicant could request a reduction up to 50%. Finally, Hensch asked if the environmental improvement is simply because of the reduction of impervious pavement. Russett replied that is a benefit but it can also potentially mean more people might bike or walk and therefore could be help with emissions if there's less car traffic. Hensch opened the public comment Having none, Hensch closed the public comment Craig moved to amend Title 14 Zoning to allow parking reductions of up to 50% of the required number of spaces through a minor modification process in the Mixed Use (MU), Commercial Office (CO -1), Neighborhood Commercial (CN -1), Community Commercial (CC -2), Central Business Service (CB -2), and Central Business Support (CB -5) zoning districts. Townsend seconded the motion. Hensch stated he thinks this is a great idea as he thinks they really need to decrease the amount of concrete and the creation of stormwater runoff and find ways to green the City and this is a way to do it. Martin stated she is always in favor of less parking, because she likes encouraging less driving but also wants to be on record that she hopes the City is also looking at bettering the bike lanes, and some sort of patrol to make sure that cars are respectful of those bike lanes. She really hopes that this spurs a further conversation about making sure that the City does have the connectivity that they've been talking about for years, whether it's pedestrian or bicycle, a further conversation does need to happen. Overall yes, she wants less parking and less concrete but to not forget the big picture. Townsend respectfully disagreed with Martin, for example on Muscatine there is not a lot of places to park, there is a CVS and a Walgreens but as far as on -street parking, there is none for any small business, and biking is not always an option for more mature individuals. She agrees there is a need for both, yes they need safety for bicycles and safety for walking, but also places for those who do still drive to be able to park and not have to walk a mile to get to those businesses. Signs stated he has been on record before expressing his concerns about the continued parking reduction efforts throughout the community. He is not a bike rider but looking at some projects where things have been put in with parking reductions such as what happened on South Gilbert around Big Grove Brewery has caused issues. Also on Summit Street, he has seen issues around Deluxe Bakery when it's busy, therefore a 50% reduction concerns him. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. Planning and Zoning Commission October 1, 2020 Page 8 of 13 DISCUSSION ON THE GOOD NEIGHBOR PROGRAM: Russett discussed the staff memo regarding the Good Neighbor Program. She explained it a voluntary approach to ensure that there's dialogue between the development community and neighboring residents. She reiterated it's a voluntary program that the City encourages developers to do. Russett stated it is the applicants meeting, but they coordinate with City staff. The Good Neighbor Program was created in 1998 and in 2013 the program was reviewed by staff and they recommended that it maintain its voluntary status and the Council agreed. Last year, staff reviewed the Good Neighbor Program and came up with the same conclusions that it should be voluntary, and that staff should continue to work with applicants on encouraging these meetings. When the Commission discussed this at their meeting in August there were four recommendations that came out of that meeting. The first is that that the Good Neighbor meetings should be required for most land development projects but there may be some exceptions, and that in some cases, a second Good Neighbor meeting should be required such as if it spans multiple years; second that staff should look at ways to notify renters in addition to property owners; third they should increase the notification radius from 300 feet to 500 feet; and fourth that they should ensure that there's coordination with neighborhood associations. First Russett wants to discuss voluntary versus mandatory. Staffs thoughts on a mandatory meeting is that if they go the route of having a mandatory program then they need a clear policy that's easily understood, that it's limited to projects that have the most impacts, which are changes to land use policy, so Comprehensive Plan amendments, or rezonings that are project specific, staff would not recommend mandatory meetings for more technical reviews, such as subdivisions, or vacations or the applications reviewed by the Board of Adjustment. Russett showed a slide to outline what they would specifically require. They would want to see mandatory meetings for annexations and maybe a second meeting for annexations if there were two rezonings that were associated with that. Their thought on that is typically when land comes into the City it's rezoned to an interim development so there might not be any development project in mind at the time, there might not be a concept, that might come later and at that time there should be another rezoning Good Neighbor meeting held. In addition, they could be required for a project specific Comprehensive Plan amendments and associated rezonings, but again not for subdivisions, vacations or Board of Adjustment applications. In terms of notifying renters and the notification radius, staff supports the Commission's recommendation to increase it to 500 feet and they also want to work to notify renters. They are however concerned with the amount of staff time that it could potentially take to notify renters so they want to limit it to notifying those where the data is easily available to staff through the assessor's site. Lastly, if they increase the notification radius for Good Neighbor meetings, this is also going to impact the letters that staff sends out in advance of Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. Those radiuses need to be the same so if they increase the radius to 500 feet for Good Neighbor meetings, they need to increase the radius to 500 feet for the mailings that staff sends out. Staff looked at a couple examples to figure out how that increase would affect the number of letters and mailing cost. With a downtown example, because of the density of downtown, the increase in letters seems like a lot, from 300 feet just being property owners, it's 93 and at 500 feet and including owners and residents, it's 508. The increase in the number of letters and the increase in the cost and postage is a lot and that would take quite a bit of staff time. They don't have administrative staff support for planners available for that so planners and interns would have to do that, but it's probably manageable. Planning and Zoning Commission October 1, 2020 Page 9 of 13 In terms of additional notifications, staff will continue to work with their neighborhood outreach coordinator to notify the neighborhood associations and they will continue to post signs. Russett added they also have a new customer self-service portal that was launched a couple months ago, it's publicly available, and it is a website to search for projects that are going on in the City. They'll continue to use that as a tool and also look at ways to improve electronic notifications. In summary, Russett noted staff supports some changes to the Good Neighbor Program to help ensure that more people are aware of proposed development projects in their neighborhood, but they do have some concerns on how the changes could impact staff times. Based on experience, they have been able to work with applicants and applicants have been willing to hold good neighbor meetings when they're proposing a project that is a larger scale and has a greater impact. Staff also feels that they need input from the development community on this if they're going to make it mandatory. It would also require a Code change. Additionally, staff hasn't really heard one way or the other from members of the development community on this proposal. Russett reviewed the pros and cons, the pros are that more people would be notified, it would clarify the expectations of the Planning Commission, and they have a clear policy. Some of the cons are that it is an additional requirement for the development community that they've typically been willing to do when it's voluntary, it could increase the time for review of these applications, it's going to increase staffs time on administrative tasks, and there is going to be some financial budget impacts to the City in terms of postage. Townend asked how the Good Neighbor Meetings would affect areas outside of the City and into Johnson County if the radius was enlarged to 500 feet, would the County people be informed as well. Russett confirmed they would. Hensch stated he really likes the recommendations staff developed and concurs that since they're asking for the increase in communication with neighbors, they should also make sure they're communicating as well with the development community, to let them express their thoughts on this also. He just wanted to add for the long term members of the Commission this is just a recurring problem, they've heard so many times people saying "they weren't made aware of these developments, or applications as they're coming through" and he just feels like they really need to find a solution to it or address that issue. He does like the way staff have to address this. Hektoen noted its worth pointing out to that the State Code allows if 20% of the property owners within 200 feet of the property to object to a rezoning and that objection could trigger a supermajority approval at the Council level, and this will in no way impact that requirement. This won't give anybody any greater rights to require a supermajority vote. Signs asked if staff is recommending making the meetings mandatory in limited circumstances. Russett said if they're going to the mandatory route, they need a clear policy. What concerns her is requiring two meetings in certain instances based on the time period of the project, that would require monitoring the project and how long it's been going on and if they need to have another Good Neighbor meeting, she doesn't want staff to be spending time doing that. If they're going to require it, it should be when these major changes are proposed related to land use. Hensch agrees and wrote a note down on the annexations because typically the land use doesn't change on those so he is not sure that's particularly important but the second land use change is the important one. Notifying people that land is getting annexed into the City is Planning and Zoning Commission October 1, 2020 Page 10 of 13 important, but he is not sure that Good Neighbor meeting is quite as necessary in that scenario Additionally, Hensch is very sympathetic to the demand on staff time and if the time comes, they certainly can make a request that the City has additional staff. Signs would certainly support tacking on just a recommendation that the drain on, or the change on staffs time be monitored and that the Commission acknowledges there may need to be staffing adjustments to accommodate these changes. Hensch noted one thing he thinks they've learned, or heard loud and clear in the recent community protests, is people want to have a voice, and people want to be heard so it's our responsibility as community representatives to amplify that. Hekteon stated another option might be to increase the application fee, maybe to absorb some of that actual cost that the City is going to incur. Hensch would certainly endorse whatever recommendation staff gives to assist with the additional staff time and costs because the answer isn't just to keep giving more tasks to staff and they want to be very sensitive to that. Townsend stated however, in the long run with the Good Neighbor meetings they get to find out what the neighbors are thinking and if there are concerns before something that comes up at a Commission meeting. The Commission only gets one side of the story unless they hear from those neighbors that are going to be affected by it, yes it's more work but in the long run it'll save all a lot of time and a lot of headaches. Hensch agrees and thinks it is actually to the developer's advantage to have good communication with the neighbors but not everybody sees it that way. Townsend had a question about in the memo where staff talk about next steps, to make this mandatory it would require an amendment to the City's Zoning Code but the rest of this, like expanding from 300 to 500 feet is purely administrative correct, so what does the City Council have to approve to begin making changes. Russett confirmed to make it mandatory they would need a Code change. Regarding radius the standard now is 300 feet but there are several examples of Good Neighbor meetings where they worked with the applicant, and they've expanded that radius. So even though they don't technically require 500 feet, staff is always asking them to do more. Townsend asked though if they're going to codify 500 feet she wondered if the Council had to do that before staff could start requiring it, but it appears it is an internal thing and staff is already suggesting it to applicants. Russett said they have a published pamphlet that sets forth the Good Neighbor policy so it is articulated in a public manner and provided to the developers. In terms just amending the policy itself that could be done and Council does need to adopt the policy, but it's not an ordinance, it would just be approval of a resolution. Townsend asked what action is needed tonight to endorse what the staff has recommended. Russett said staff is going to have to take this to Council for their feedback. The last time they discussed the Good Neighbor policy the discussion ended up at Council, she is not sure if it will get on a work session as they have a very packed agenda lately, but she can keep them posted Planning and Zoning Commission October 1, 2020 Page 11 of 13 on that Townsend had one more question regarding sending out the notices to the renters, if they don't have to have the names of the renters can they just send it to the addresses. Russett agreed they could. Signs feels like they need to make a recommendation or endorse a proposal or something to Council so that it gets action and they resolve this issue, because it does seem to be kicking the can down the road here for a couple years. He thinks it's incumbent on the Commission to make a recommendation to Council. Hensch stated because Council's agenda has been really packed lately perhaps the Commission should put it on the agenda for another meeting and discuss it again briefly and make a recommendation to take to an informal Council meeting to get direction from them when their agendas are a bit less packed. Hensch opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments Hensch closed the public hearing CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: AUGUST 20,2020: Townsend moved to approve the meeting minutes of August 20, 2020. Signs seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION: Hensch first wanted to acknowledge how very surprised and saddened he was to hear of the quite unexpected death of Carolyn Dyer a long-term Commission member. She was always looking out for the little person and the Commission could really appreciate her input in her presence. Russett gave an update on the Forest View project, in terms of the proposed development, there's nothing new to report. The rezoning was approved last year but they still need approval on their preliminary and final plat as the City has requested some additional information from the applicant but hasn't received it. Russett did want to let the Commission know that the City has provided some funds to the Forest View Tenants Association to help them weatherize their mobile homes for the winter. Additionally, toward the end of this month the property owner is going to start removing some of the abandoned mobile homes from the property so there may be a little activity in that area, but it's not going to be related to the project. Next Russett discussed the South District Form -Based Code, it is an ongoing project. They got a revised draft of the Code from the consultant in July and they've been working on reviewing it and have provided some comments back to the consultant last week. As soon as all their Planning and Zoning Commission October 1,2[8U Page l2om13 comments are addressed and they have a workable code they can release that to the public Lastly, Russett stated the conditional use permit for the kennel inthe unincorporated 8re8th&t the Commission recommended against e8the last meeting, the City Council actually ended up recommending approval of that with one additional condition related to incorporating sound deadening material between the outdoor exercise areas and the adjacent residential properties Therefore thGr||have tocome back tuthe City and they'll review mtthe staff level. Signs asked about the new self-service portal and wondered if at a future meeting where they didn't have a really full agenda, staff could give the Commission a quick tour of that. Russett agreed. Nolte moved toadjourn. Signs seconded. z O _N 9� 20 (' w N ZW N Z Z N NON 06 z o W z z Q Q J CL liiiiiii I I NO ON milloill mililill milli 1111111 oil oil I I III III I