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Home My WebLink About2021-05-20 Info Packet Ci ty Council I nformati on P acket May 20, 2021 IP1.Council Tentative Meeting S chedule Miscellaneous IP2.Memo from D eputy C ity Manager: Tree Planting Highlights 2021 IP3.B ar C heck R eport: April 2021 IP4.Civil Service Examination: B uilding I nspector Draft Minutes IP5.A d Hoc Truth & Reconciliation C ommission: May 13 IP6.Human R ights C ommission: A pril 27 May 20, 2021 City of Iowa City Page 1 Item Number: 1. May 20, 2021 Council Ten tative Meetin g S ch ed u l e AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription C ouncil Tentative Meeting Schedule City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule Subject to change May 20, 2021 Date Time Meeting Location Tuesday, June 1, 2021 4:00 PM Special Formal Executive Session Zoom Meeting Platform Work Session 6:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, June 15, 2021 4:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 6:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, July 6, 2021 4:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 6:00 PM Formal Meeting Monday, July 19, 2021 4:30 PM Joint Entities Meeting Zoom Meeting Platform Hosted by ICCSD Tuesday, July 20, 2021 4:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 6:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, August 3, 2021 4:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 6:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, August 17, 2021 4:00 PM Work Session Zoom Meeting Platform 6:00 PM Formal Meeting Item Number: 2. May 20, 2021 Memo from Dep u ty City Man ag er: Tree Plan tin g Hig h l ig h ts 2021 AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription Memo from D eputy C ity Manager: Tree P lanting Highlights 2021 Date: May 19, 2021 To: City Council From: Ashley Monroe, Deputy City Manager Re: Tree Planting Highlights 2021 This year, the City is undertaking significant efforts to expand and improve the urban tree canopy with just over 1,000 new plantings throughout the community. To prepare impacted neighborhoods, the Parks and Forestry Division habitually reaches out with letters to residents in proposed planting areas. Communications share that, “species diversity is important to limit the impact of any future tree pests or diseases” and, “trees will work to clean the air, soak up runoff, reduce utility bills, increase property values, and beautify the area.” Each of these benefits speak to the City’s environmental, climate action, and social equity goals. W hen the City approaches new tree plantings, we select trees from a diverse species list and consider whether each type selected is appropriate to each planting location, accounting for size, variety, and distance from utilities. The City’s Forestry Division installs the tree and provides ongoing maintenance throughout its life at no cost to the property owner. The following offers a highlight summary of Iowa City’s tree planting in 2021. Mackinaw Village Plantings A variety of approximately 278 shade and ornamental trees are planned for fall planting along Algonquin Road and the surrounding areas. The City planned for planting the maximum number of trees considering underground utilities and services to properties, understanding that some property owners living in single family housing may prefer not to have a parkway tree. Property owners of the single-family homes with planned tree plantings were contacted, locates were completed, and the City contracted for the trees. Infill Plantings A major tree infill planting is planned for this fall along Scott Boulevard. Approximately 412 new trees will span a long stretch of the community’s east side, from N. Dodge Street to where Scott Boulevard meets Highway 6. Another 110 trees will be planted in various locations around the community by contractors this fall. The City typically plants between 100 and 200 infill trees on an annual basis, but this year is supplemented by the larger tree planting projects above. The Forestry division planted about forty trees this spring and plans to add about forty more this fall. Plantings are planned within the parks system as well. This year, every Parks division staff member is tasked with planting five trees at a minimum this year and every year moving forward. If staff accomplishes this goal, the City can annually anticipate approximately 100 new trees throughout our parks. Celebrating spring observances with plantings On Arbor Day, one tree was planted at Willowwind School and five trees were planted at Happy Hollow Park. Not only was April 24, 2021 the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, but the City, with several volunteer groups, planted over 100 trees throughout town. In the Normandy Drive area, University of Iowa students helped plant forty trees and in Court Hill Park, 60 new trees in varied species were planted with the assistance of area Rotary Club volunteers. Additional work in May 19, 2021 Page 2 north and south Court Hill Park included the removal of dead and damaged trees, 24 of which were Ash severely impacted by Emerald Ash Borer. The work also removed honeysuckle and small invasive trees and shrubs in stretches along the creek to promote overall watershed health. Replenishment of this canopy included a planting a ratio of nearly 2:1. Root for Trees Program The City launched a tree planting incentive program for residents to install trees of their choice on their property. Property owners requested a voucher redeemable for up to 50% of the tree cost (up to $250) at two Iowa City landscape nurseries. Residents that would typically qualify for income eligible programs received a 90% discount. Approximately 520 vouchers were delivered to Iowa City property owners and totals redeemed by the close of the pilot program on May 15 are still being tallied. City staff hoped, in the first year of the program to support a minimum of 100 trees planted by residents. Adding new trees to Iowa City neighborhoods will help improve neighborhood health and livability, improve soil, and create shade and weather protection. When community members support these efforts in their own yards, they get a direct benefit of neighborhoods with tree cover and the City has further opportunity to care for the expanding urban forest in the parkway and open spaces. A more detailed follow up program summary for Root for Trees is anticipated later this spring. Item Number: 3. May 20, 2021 Bar Check Rep ort: Ap ril 2021 AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription Bar Check R eport: April 2021 FROM: Sergeant Andrew McKnight RE: Bar Check Report – April 2021 DATE: May 18, 2021 This report tracks the performance of Iowa City liquor license establishments in monitoring their patrons for violations of Iowa City’s ordinances on Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal Age (PAULA) and Persons Under the Legal Age in Licensed or Permitted Establishments (Under 21). “Bar checks” are defined by resolution as an officer-initiated check of a liquor establishment for PAULA or other alcohol-related violations. This includes directed checks of designated liquor establishments, and checks initiated by officers as part of their routine duties. It does not include officer responses to calls for service. The bar check ratios are calculated by dividing the number of citations issued to patrons at an establishment during a period of time by the number of bar checks performed during the same time period. If at any time a venue with a granted exception certificate has a PAULA ratio more than .25 during a 12-month period, their certificate is reviewed for revocation. Note, while the resolution requires that bar checks and citations of the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) be included in these statistics, the DPS ceased performing bar checks and issuing these citations to patrons in May of 2014. **It should be noted that COVID-19 pandemic-related changes and mandates from the State of Iowa greatly impacted businesses and the Iowa City Police Department procedures during the time of this evaluation by reducing person-to-person contact and requiring various business closures. Charts Raw Data • Sorted by PAULA Ratio – high to low • Establishments with exception certificates are listed in RED Bar Check Data – April 2021 Name Checks PAULA UNDER 21 PAULA Ratio Under 21 Ratio SUMMIT 4 0 0 0 0 PINTS 3 0 0 0 0 FIELDHOUSE 1 0 0 0 0 SPORTS COLUMN 1 0 0 0 0 DC'S 1 0 0 0 0 BROTHERS 1 0 0 0 0 ELRAYS 2 0 0 0 0 AIRLINER 2 0 0 0 0 17 1 0 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 AIRLINER SUMMIT PAULA/ Under 21 ratios -previous 12 months PAULA Ratio Under 21 Ratio Bar Check Data – Previous 12 Months Name PAULA Ratio Under 21 Ratio AIRLINER 0.125 0 SUMMIT 0 0.083333333 MICKEYS 0 0 DONNELLYS 0 0 TCB 0 0 JOES PLACE 0 0 BO JAMES 0 0 PINTS 0 0 Fieldhouse 0 0 SPORTS COLUMN 0 0 CLUB CAR 0 0 DC'S 0 0 BROTHERS 0 0 MARTINIS 0 0 STUDIO 13 0 0 ELRAYS 0 0 BARDOT 0 0 DUBLIN 0 0 DEADWOOD 0 0 Item Number: 4. May 20, 2021 Civil Service E xamination: B u ild in g Inspector AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription C ivil S ervice E xamination: B uilding I nspector Item Number: 5. May 20, 2021 Ad Hoc Tru th & Reconcil iation Commission: May 13 AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: May 13 Item Number: 6. May 20, 2021 Hu man Rig h ts Commission : Ap ril 27 AT TAC HM E NT S: D escription Human Rights C ommission: April 27 Draft Minutes Human Rights Commission April 27, 2021 VIA Zoom Platform Commissioners present: Mark Pries, Jessica Andino, Ashley Lindley, Jason Glass, Bijou Maliabo, Adil Adams, Tony Sivanthaphanith, Roger Lusala. Commissioners not present: Noemi Ford. (Electronic Meeting Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8) An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of commission members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19. Meeting called to order: 5:32PM. Approval of the minutes from the March 23, 2021 meeting: Pries moved; the motion was seconded by Lusala. Motion passes 8-0. Public comment of items not on the agenda: None. Introduction of Jane Wilch, Recycling Coordinator for the City of Iowa City: Jane oversees the Waste programs for the City and does outreach to the community on waste reduction and why it is important at the local level. Jane provided information on the downstream and upstream of a product and things a person should think about prior to purchasing a product, such as, whether it is locally made, has recyclable content, is totally recyclable, and whether the product is fair trade. Jane also noted that Rummage in the Ramp will not be held this year but that the City hopes to have alternative drop off sites for community members to leave items they no longer desire. Introduction of Sarah Gardner, Climate Action Engagement Specialist: Sarah reported on recent City initiatives that included over 800 energy efficient home boxes being passed out to residents. Sarah also spoke on electronic cars, and the Climate Ambassador Program, which is a deep dive into the City’s Climate Action Plan where participants learn how to talk to colleagues, friends, and families on it. Sarah closed with a discussion on the “Root for Trees Program”. This program provides vouchers that offer discounts on the price to purchase trees for residents who wish to plant them. Discussion on Including a Land Acknowledgment as part of HRC meetings: Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Rivera and Lindley are still working with representatives from the Meskwaki Nation to provide input on the acknowledgment. HRC Subcommittees: The Housing subcommittee plans to schedule a meeting with Neighborhood and Development Services Director Tracy Hightshoe to learn more about affordable housing in the area. The Health Equity subcommittee no report. Anti-Racism subcommittee plans to hold a film screening of “White Privilege 101: Getting in on the Conversation” on June 3. This is one of several initiatives to bring attention to implicit bias. Commission Statement in Support of Black Lives Matter: Pries sees this statement as a living document, and he has some suggestions for edits to the current document. Pries, Lusala, and Lindley will plan to meet prior to the next meeting to discuss a way to possible streamline the document with current programs, activities, and outreach of the Commission and bring back a proposed updated draft to be reviewed by the entire Commission. Iowa Department of Human Rights Invitation to the May Commission Meeting: Glass who previously served on the state Human Rights Board will invite Deputy Director, Monica Stone, to the Commission’s May meeting to discuss the Department’s current initiatives including but not limited to language access, talent bank, youth programs, and data/demographics. Social Justice and Racial Equity Grants: Successful Living (FY20 recipient) requested an extension on the grant through June 2022 due to the COVID pandemic. Pries moved and Maliabo seconded to grant the request. The motion passed 7-0. (Andino not present). AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate (May 18, 2021): The Commission decided to present two proclamations for the Mayor’s consideration for the May 4, 2021 City Council meeting. One for AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, and the other for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Motion by Lindley, seconded by Lusala. Motion passes 7-0. (Andino not present). Reports of Commissioners: Adams spoke on a recent murder in Iowa City where a young man has been accused of killing his friend, Lindley participated in a news story for KWWL on the increased discrimination and hate crimes committed against Asian Americans and has been admitted into the University of Iowa’s Master’s program for Social Work, Lusala has been out of the country and has only been back about two weeks and is still catching up on things, Maliabo participated in the rally to support Asian Americans that was held on the Ped Mall earlier in the month, Pries recently participated in a discussion on BIPOC mental health, and Glass was recently appointed as permanent faculty at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. Adjourned: 7:30 PM Human Rights Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2021 (Meeting Date) NAME TERM EXP. 1/26 2/23 3/23 4/27 5/25 6/22 6/27 8/24 9/28 10/26 11/23 12/28 Adil Adams 2021 X X E X Jessica Andino 2021 X X X X Noemi Ford 2021 E X E E Jason Glass 2022 X X X X Ashley Lindley 2021 X X X X Roger Lusala 2023 X X E X Bijou Maliabo 2023 X X X X Mark Pries 2022 X X X X Tony Sivanthaphanith 2023 - - - X KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting --- = Not a Member