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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-17 Info Packet City Council I nformation Packet J une 17, 2021 IP1.Council Tentative Meeting S chedule Miscellaneous IP2.2021 S tate of the Cities IP3.Memo from City Manager: One Year Progress Report on Resolution No. 20-159, Addressing the Black L ives Matter Movement and S ystemic Racism Draft Minutes IP4.Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: May 13 IP5.Board of Adjustment: J une 9 IP6.Human Rights Commission: May 25 June 17, 2021 City of Iowa City Page 1 Item Number: 1. J une 17, 2021 Council Ten tative Meeting Sched u l e AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Council Tentative Meeting S chedule City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule Subject to change June 17, 2021 Date Time Meeting Location 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 The Center, Assembly Room 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 28 S. Linn Street Monday, July 19, 2021 4:30 PM Joint Entities Meeting Zoom Meeting Platform Hosted by ICCSD Tuesday, July 27, 2021 4:00 PM Special Work Session The Center, Assembly Room 6:00 PM Special Formal Meeting 28 S. Linn Street Tuesday, August 17, 2021 4:00 PM Work Session The Center, Assembly Room 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 28 S. Linn Street Item Number: 2. J une 17, 2021 2021 State of the Cities AT TAC HM E NT S : Description 2021 S tate of the Cities NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES STATE OF THE CITIES 2021 3| State of the Cities 2021TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Introduction 8 Essential Infrastructure Enables Community Resilience 12 Hard-Hit Budgets Beginning to Stabilize with Federal Funding 16 Reimagining Public Safety a Top Priority for Cities 18 Commercial Decline Hits Smaller Towns Hard 22 Rising Home Values and Decreasing Supply Contribute to Growing Urban-Rural Divide 26 Conclusion 28 Methodology 30 Appendix About the National League of Cities The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence Federal policy and drive innovative solutions. NLC’s Center for City Solutions provides research and analysis on key topics and trends important to cities, creative solutions to improve the quality of life in communities, inspiration and ideas for local officials to use in tackling tough issues, and opportunities for city leaders to connect with peers, share experiences and learn about innovative approaches in cities. Authors Christiana K. McFarland, PhD, Research Director, Center for City Solutions Brooks Rainwater, Senior Executive and Director, Center for City Solutions Erica Grabowski, Senior Specialist, Center for City Solutions Joshua Pine, Senior Specialist, Center for City Solutions Anita Yadavalli, PhD, Program Director, Center for City Solutions Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge Kaelyn Sheehan, who helped collect the data and analyze mayoral speeches. The authors are also grateful to NLC staff for their contributions to the report. NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES © 2021 National League of Cities. All Rights Reserved. 54| State of the Cities 2021| State of the Cities 2021INTRODUCTION that people and economies have shifted between and within urban and rural places, this year’s results are presented for urban core, suburbs, exurbs and rural communities to demonstrate varying impacts where they are evident in order to best inform policy, funding and program responses. Top Mayoral Priorities Infrastructure Budget and Management Public Safety Economic and Workforce Development Housing Top positive conditions that most supported communities through the pandemic Home property values Availability of parks, recreation and green space Access to clean water Remote work Sales tax collections Top negative conditions that most challenged communities over the past year: Affordable housing supply Inactive/vacant commercial developments Infrastructure funding Price of rentals/apartments Total general fund revenue Our analysis of survey results gauges how key conditions in cities have changed over the past year and which conditions have had the most significant positive and negative local impacts through the pandemic. With little surprise, local economic conditions worsened for most cities over the past year, with major challenges reported for affordable housing supply, vacant developments, and rental housing prices. Worsening economic performance is affecting the housing market and residents’ ability to secure affordable housing. In urban cores, many officials reported increases in homelessness, as well as demand for financial assistance, temporary housing, and nutrition assistance. Unemployment in urban cores and new business starts in exurban and rural cities are among the most frequently reported as conditions that have had significant negative local impact over the past year, underscoring business performance as a major issue for cities. Overall, our findings indicate that essential infrastructure enabled community resilience during the pandemic, rising home values and decreasing affordable supply contributed to a growing urban- rural divide, and commercial decline hit smaller communities more drastically than anticipated. WHILE THE DUST has not yet settled after a turbulent year, rapid vaccination and slow reopening indicate that 2021 will indeed be an inflection period in our pandemic history. This year, the State of the Cities analysis of survey data and of mayoral state of the city speeches from over 600 cities reveals that mayors from small towns to large urban cores are prioritizing infrastructure, budgets and public safety this year. The State of the Cities 2021 takes stock of how different types of communities have fared through the pandemic and investigates how city leaders are positioning their communities for the future. We find that experiences and impacts related to COVID-19 are multifaceted. While some striking similarities exist from city to city, important differences also emerged. In particular, survey respondents indicate that clean water access and public spaces have contributed most to community resilience in the face of the pandemic. On housing issues, while home property values increased, affordable housing supply dwindled across most communities. The consequences of these converging trends demonstrate a growing urban- rural divide not only in housing but also resident financial security. In prior years, State of the Cities data and analysis relied entirely on mayoral state of the city speeches. This year, with fewer mayors delivering speeches (likely due to rapidly evolving and more frequent communications as a result of COVID-19), the analysis is based on a survey of local officials from nearly 600 cities, towns and villages, with 57 mayoral speeches assessed to provide context and grounding to our survey results. Additionally, given different ways All Urban Suburban Exurban Rural 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Valor 10 9 8 7 6 4 5 3 2 1 Mayor Priorities Demographics Government Data and Technology Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Health and Human Services Education Housing Economic and Workforce Development Public Safety Budget and Management Infrastructure Update: 07/06/2021 19:27:27FIGURE 1: MAYORAL PRIORITIES IN 2021 FIGURE 4: CITY TYPES FIGURE 2: TOP 5 POSITIVE CONDITIONS (% cities reporting condition as one of five most positive conditions over the past year) FIGURE 3: TOP 5 NEGATIVE CONDITIONS (% cities reporting condition as one of five most negative conditions over the past year) 24%27%51%43%40% Availability of parks, recreation and community green space Access to clean drinking water Remote work Sales tax collections Home property values 37%25%19%18%17% Inactive/vacant commercial developments Infrastructure funding (including climate and resilience-related upgrades) Price of rentals/apartments Affordable housing supply Total general fund revenue 7| State of the Cities 20216| State of the Cities 2021COVID-19 has rocked our community. But we’ve maintained a laser focus on our people and the services they need. Our focus has not wavered, even when faced with plummeting revenues and rising infection rates and shuttered businesses and the rise of unemployment claims to historic levels and the loss of all of our favorite traditions.”1 MAYOR LINDA GORTON Lexington-Fayette Urban Government RURAL • Small, generally agriculture-based cities and towns outside of urban regions • Make up 36% of our sample • Average Population: 1,691 SUBURBAN • Cities that are part of a larger urbanized region but are not the economic core • Make up 31% of our sample • Average Population: 22,820 EXURBAN • Cities that are connected to an urban region but demonstrate rural characteristics and lower populations • Make up 21% of our sample • Average Population: 4,666 URBAN CORE • The largest cities in their region • Make up 12% of our sample • Average Population: 103,341 9| State of the Cities 20218| State of the Cities 2021ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTUREENABLES COMMUNITY RESILIENCE THE PANDEMIC HAS shone a light on the necessity of basic public infrastructure. From clean drinking water to parks and open space, the most crucial elements of community resilience in the face of COVID-19 were aspects of everyday life that we often take for granted. Infrastructure funding, however, ranked among the top challenges facing cities, driving infrastructure to the top of mayoral priorities for 2021. Nearly a quarter of cities experienced fewer infrastructure upgrades over the past year, including those related to climate and resiliency, further reflecting the trend in delayed maintenance resulting from budget challenges. While most infrastructure conditions remained remarkably unchanged over the course of the pandemic, some notable trends emerged (see figure 5). Roads and bridges (39%) were the most widely cited area of infrastructure experiencing declining quality over the past year. In terms of improvements, neighborhood level infrastructure, including availability of parks and green space and quality of pedestrian and bike infrastructure, were reported by more urban (23%, 38%) and suburban (30%, 33%) officials than those in exurban (18%, 14%) and rural areas (10%, 5%). These improvements correlate with the most positive infrastructure conditions highlighted by city leaders, with the top three including clean drinking water, access to parks and broadband availability. Although few city leaders indicated changes in access to clean drinking water over the past year, access to water was reported by 40% as one of the most significant positive conditions supporting communities during the pandemic. This was especially true for exurban/rural communities, with nearly half of city leaders indicating it as a positive factor, as compared with urban core/ suburban cities where only a quarter of leaders indicated it. The importance of handwashing during the pandemic highlighted the critical nature of clean water for overall health and hygiene. To ensure more equitable access to water, many cities instituted water shut off moratoriums, including Atlanta, GA2, Colorado Springs, CO3 and Bowling Green, KY.4,5 In addition to water infrastructure, the pandemic brought into clear focus the value of public spaces that allow for safe distances, physical activity, fresh air and community. It is not surprising, then, that availability of parks, recreation and community green and open space was widely reported (43%) as a top condition that supported communities through the pandemic. “COVID-19 sidelined many of our [Parks and Recreation’s] community programs and patrons in 2020. However, we were still able to operate safe programs and facilities for our community for most of the year,” said Mayor Stephanie Orman, of Bentonville, AR. Recognizing the importance of public space during the pandemic, many cities sought to creatively reimagine city streets to allow for safe outdoor activities. In St. Paul, MN, Mayor Carter announced the closure of several city streets to promote safe outdoor walking and biking during the spring and summer.7 Richmond, VA launched a “picnic in a parklet” program that converted on-street parking spaces into parklets for outdoor dining.8 Infrastructure Conditions Changes Over the Past Year (% of cities) 0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40% Funding for emergency management and/or hazard mitigation Availability of broadband/digital connectivity Quality of pedestrian and bike infrastructure Flooding/Storm water management Access to clean drinking water Availability of parks, recreation and community green space Quality of transportation signals and lighting Quality of public transit Infrastructure funding (including climate and resilience-rela ted upgrades) Funding for recycling & waste management Quality of roads and bridges Update: 07/06/2021 19:27:27 Increased Decreased FIGURE 5: CHANGES IN INFRASTRUCTURE CONDITIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR (% of cities) Increased in more cities Decreased in more cities FIGURE 6: FACTORS MOST IMPACTING INFRASTRUCTURE DECISIONS (% of cities) Insufficient Funding Lack of Pre-Development Funds Essential Services Hiring Workers Skilled for Infrastructure Rebuilding Sustainably Equity amont neighborhoods Shifts in demand due to COVID-19 Responding in Disasters Fatalities on the Road 91%56%31%27%24%18%8%17%3% 11| State of the Cities 2021| State of the Cities 202110 While access to parks is widely celebrated by city leaders, the Trust for Public Land has documented significant inequities related to access and quality of parks and green space. For example, there are 100 million residents without access to a park within a 10-minute walk from their home and even for those with access, the quality of parks differs significantly. Parks that serve non- white residents are generally much smaller and serve a much larger population as compared to parks in majority white communities.9 To broaden access in Little Rock, the city and the Little Rock School District (LRSD) recently announced a community schools initiative to transform the grounds of two community schools into nature- filled greenspaces to allow more opportunity for children to connect with nature.10 With the shift to remote work and online learning, the pandemic elucidated broadband as critical infrastructure. The availability of broadband and digital connectivity improved in about three in 10 urban core and rural communities, with fewer suburban (18%) and exurban (21%) officials reported improvements. Twenty percent of city officials surveyed also identified the availability of broadband as a leading positive driver, while 15% indicated it as an area that posed one of the most significant challenges for their community over the past year. Those communities with strong connectivity noted the critical nature of broadband to sustaining their communities, while those with more limited access indicated it as a significant challenge.11 Orlando, FL launched a Wi-Fi hotspot and tablet pilot program to improve digital connectivity with a particular emphasis on job training and supporting online education.12 Boston, MA announced additional funding for their Digital Equity Fund which is providing $250,000 to support non- profit organizations that work with underserved communities.13 According to Mayor Edward A. Sundquist of Jamestown, NY, “Now, more than ever, we must investigate and invest in municipal broadband for our community. A low cost, high speed option that could provide a free lifeline connection to those in need, and a lower cost option to residents and businesses.”14 Despite the value placed on critical infrastructure and public spaces, prior NLC research indicates that infrastructure and related budgets have been some of the hardest hit during the pandemic.15 Indeed, 91% of officials in the State of the Cities survey indicate that insufficient funding was a primarily factor impacting infrastructure decisions (see figure 6). As such it is likely that infrastructure may very well be poised for significant investments as cities prioritize how they spend new Federal government funding. While many cities are already planning to take full advantage of the funding available from the American Rescue Plan Act, infrastructure investments beyond water and broadband are not permitted, reflecting a need for continued Federal support. Having a reliable water supply is just as important as having sustainable energy. This year, construction will ramp up on our Pure Water project, the largest water recycling program in California and the City’s biggest infrastructure project in its history. It will create thousands of good-paying jobs and will provide a third of our drinking water when it is completed.”16 MAYOR TODD GLORIA City of San Diego 13| State of the Cities 202112| State of the Cities 2021HARD-HIT BUDGETS BEGINNING TO STABILIZEWITH FEDERAL FUNDING THIS YEAR BUDGET and management ranked second among mayoral priorities for 2021. While this is a shift from years prior, where the topic often ranked in the middle of the pack instead of near the top, it is not surprising. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic decimated city budgets. In addition to lost revenue as a result of a slowing economy, many cities also took actions to support businesses and residents that impacted their bottom lines like deferring property taxes, waiving late fees on utilities and providing small business loans.17 Forty one percent of those surveyed indicated a decrease in their total general fund revenues over the past year, with 17% indicating total general fund revenue as one of the most significant negative conditions affecting their communities (see figure 7). Despite the significant share of city officials reporting general fund revenue declines, many indicate that on balance over the year, major components of the general fund, including sales and property tax revenues, had not changed significantly. Meanwhile, many fees, including utility and parking fees, as well as income taxes, demonstrated greater declines. These diverging trends reflect 1) the significant revenue loss experienced by cities early on in the pandemic, particularly sale tax revenue, 2) economic improvements resulting from proactive Federal policy, and 3) the shift in municipal revenue composition toward fees. In April 2020, NLC and U.S. Conference of Mayors surveyed nearly 2,500 city leaders. At the time, nearly all reported experiencing revenue losses, with at least half of cities indicating that revenues from sales taxes, income taxes and permitting, utility and other service fees had seen immediate and significant losses. More than seven in 10 officials reported that sales tax revenues had declined significantly as a result of quarantining and decreased retail activity. Federal policy that subsequently put money in the hands of individuals and families, as well as some access to revenues from online sales, resulted in approximately two in three city officials in our most recent survey indicating no net change or an increase in sales tax revenue over the course of the year, with one in three indicating decline. About six in ten officials report no change in either residential property tax collections (58%) or commercial property tax collections (64%) over the past year, with about two in 10 report increases and similar shares report decreases. While the property market is hot right now, it is more likely that the stability of local property tax revenues is due to the lag between collections and economic conditions, about 18 months to two years, indicating challenges on the horizon.18 Since the property market suffered earlier on in the pandemic, it’s likely that these revenues will see a decline in the upcoming fiscal year.19 Additionally, last year many cities, including St. Paul, MN; Dallas, TX; San Diego, CA; Jacksonville, FL; and Washington, D.C. avoided tax increases. In St. Paul, Mayor Melvin Carter proposed a zero percent property tax increase, noting how his administration is making “many difficult decisions to avoidadding financial stress for residents and businesses who are already struggling.”20 FIGURE 7: CHANGE IN REVENUE SOURCES OVER THE PAST YEAR (% of cities)*Budget Changes in Budget Conditions Over the Past Year (% of cities) 0%2%4%6%8%10%12%14%16%18%20%22%24%26%28%30%32%34%36%38%40%42% Residential property tax collections Sales tax collections Commercial property tax collections Utility bills/other fees collections Income tax collections Total general fund revenue Parking revenue Update: 07/06/2021 19:27:27 Decreased Increased Increased in more cities Decreased in more cities *Does not include those cities that do not have access to the revenue source 1514| State of the Cities 2021| State of the Cities 2021Cities collect roughly $650 billion in total revenue ranging from intergovernmental aid, taxes, fees for the services cities provide, and other sources of municipal income such as from water utilities. While approximately 20 percent of total city revenues come from aid from other local, state and federal governments, the vast majority of city revenues are derived from economic activity within their communities. These “own-source” streams include taxes (sales, property and income), charges and fees for services, and other governmental revenues on fees from utilities, insurance trusts and liquor. Property tax revenues and charges, fees and miscellaneous revenue are the most significant contributors to city budgets. Source: What COVID-19 Means for City Finance, National League of Cities, 2020. MUNICIPAL REVENUE COMPOSITION My top priority is to ensure that the needs of the people of Fort Wayne are being met. Through high- trust partnerships with many organizations, we’ve been able to help make a difference in the lives of residents and business owners. With Federal funding, we’ve sheltered the homeless, implemented business relief programs, supported local restaurant initiatives, and provided grants to small businesses to assist with COVID-related needs. And now, we’re working to get more funds out to families who have fallen behind on their rent and utility bills to help ensure housing stability and prevent homelessness.”23 MAYOR TOM HENRY TEST City of Fort Wayne, IN The divergent trends between general fund revenue declines and stability in property and sale tax revenues reflects cities’ overall greater reliance on fees for services and development (see sidebar). City officials are reporting more broad- based declines to fee-based revenue sources over the past year, including utility fees (31%) and parking fees (37%). As noted by Troy, NY mayor Patrick Madden, “As the pandemic bore down on us it quickly became apparent that it would have a financial impact on the City…We experienced sizeable reductions in State Aid and departmental revenue such as building permit fees as construction slowed and parking fees which we waived to assist those working from home.”21 A greater share of cities with access to the income tax also decreased (23%) revenue over the year than increases (13%). Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, which was passed by Congress earlier this year and allocates over $65 billion in Federal funding to local communities, is helping cities like Grand Rapids, MI. The city estimates Federal funding will cover the $36 million in lost general fund income tax revenues expected between FY 2021 and FY 2022.22 CHARGES, FEES, OTHER TAXES & MISCELLANEOUS SALES TAX INCOME TAX PROPERTY TAX INSURANCE TRUST UTILITIES LIQUOR revenue from own sources FIGURE 8: REVENUE FROM OWN SOURCES 1716| State of the Cities 2021| State of the Cities 2021REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY A TOP PRIORITY FOR CITIES THIS YEAR, PUBLIC safety ranked third among mayoral priorities. America’s cities continue to work toward more comprehensive public safety solutions in response to calls for racial justice and demands to re- imagine public safety.24 Strategies such as de-escalation and implicit bias training, body cameras and independent oversight bodies25 were seeing ubiquitously26 this past year, and plans for the year ahead. For example, Chicago, IL.27 created a Use of Force Dashboard, and Indianapolis, IN28 created a new facility for use-of- force and de-escalation training to better mimic what police experience day to day. The evidence supports these strategies. The Newark Police Department did not fire a single weapon in 2020 after a focus on de- escalation.29 As public trust in law enforcement officers has decreased considerably, cities from Portland, OR to Austin, TX to Philadelphia, PA shared approaches to demilitarize their police forces. “Please know that we have seen and heard the cries of thousands of Philadelphians demanding change and proclaiming a simple but powerful truth: Black Lives Matter,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.30 “We are focusing on reconciliation, on listening—and on taking action for change.” While mayors recognize the need for police reform and efforts to reimagine local systems, public safety did not show up as a top negative condition affecting communities. It also did not show up as a top positive condition.31 About six in 10 city officials note that over the past year, crime in their communities has decreased (11%) or experienced no change (48%). When assessing crime rate by community type, four in 10 urban core officials report an increase in crime over the past year, and fewer from other community types reported increases. General trends indicate that crime has not increased significantly, but some places are experiencing upticks in violent crimes. As noted by Mayor Brandon Scott, city of Baltimore, “Violent crime is our biggest challenge, and reducing it remains my top priority…I established the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement…to implementing our comprehensive violence reduction strategy based in equity, healing, and trauma-informed practices to improve public safety in Baltimore.”32 While public safety will continue to be a vital function of our society, local elected officials are working diligently to engage community members and center racial equity as they rethink public safety and policing. If the pandemic weren’t enough, 2020 brought horrible acts of racial injustice that prompted millions across the nation to pour into the streets and cry out for change. Cary is a diverse community that embraces and celebrates our diversity. There is absolutely no place for injustices of any kind in Cary. [As a result] the town will review police use of force policies and engage our community in a broad range of input, experiences, and stories.”33 MAYOR HAROLD WEINBRECHT Town of Cary, NC 19| State of the Cities 202118| State of the Cities 2021COMMERCIAL DECLINE HITTING SMALLER TOWNS HARD THE CONDITIONS UNDERLYING local economies across the country over the past year demonstrate consistencies in the hardships felt to small businesses, low and mid-wage workers and the commercial sector. A majority of officials reported increases in need for small business emergency assistance (68%) and unemployment among low and mid-wage workers (53%). Not surprising, inactive and vacant commercial developments was the most widely cited (25%) economic development condition causing major negative impacts in cities over the past year (see appendix). On the other hand, as the pandemic has shifted the dynamics of office work, remote work increased across communities, with more than one in four indicating remote work as the top economic development condition driving positive outcomes in communities. As remote work becomes part of the new normal for many businesses and workers, Americans may continue to see smaller cities and towns as desirable places to locate regardless of where their employer is based. Our survey results indicate, however, that the promises of an “outpost economy,” where employment bases are less concentrated in large cities and more dispersed among smaller towns that offer quality of life and greater connections to nature, have yet to take hold at scale.34 Additionally, while much attention has been paid to the plight of hollowing urban downtowns and office districts, small business and commercial decline appear to be hitting smaller towns particularly hard as well. Officials from urban core cities and suburbs are more likely to indicate increases in inactive and vacant commercial developments and commercial foreclosures as well as decreases in downtown development and new business starts over the past year, but nearly one in three also report downtown development as a top positive factor over the past year (see figure 9). Officials from exurban and rural communities are more likely to indicate that these “main street” challenges have significantly and negatively affected their communities. About one in five exurban and rural officials indicate declines in new businesses as a major problem facing their communities, whereas less than 10% of officials from urban and suburban communities report the same. The depth of these challenges for rural communities reflects the reliance on and critical importance of vibrant downtowns to sustaining local tax bases and employment, creating attachment to place and keeping rural communities strong.35 Another area where differences emerge between more urban and more rural communities is economic outcomes for people of color. While declining economic outcomes for people of color is reported by nearly one of two urban city leaders and three in 10 suburban officials, exurban (15%) and suburban officials (9%) were much less likely to report decreased outcomes for people of color. Importantly, much larger shares of officials from smaller communities report not knowing FIGURE 9: CHANGE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR (% of cities) Economic Conditions Changes in Economic Development Conditions Over the Past Year (% of cities) 0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%65%70%75%80%85% Remote work Demand for small business emergency assistance Unemployment amongst low-mid income workers Inactive/vacant commercial developments Commercial/retail property values Commercial/retail foreclosures Downtown development Number of business license applications Number of new business starts Number of business recruitments Number of business expansions Workforce development opportunities Economic outcomes for people of color Health of retail sector Arts and culture Hotel/motel occupancy rates Update: 07/06/2021 19:27:27 Decreased Increased Increased in more cities Decreased in more cities 21| State of the Cities 2021| State of the Cities 202120 While we will continue our efforts to attract new jobs, we know that entrepreneurship also builds wealth and provides stability for families and communities. New businesses are the lifeblood of a city, but the pandemic has exposed the disparities in who’s able to get ahead. This begs the question: what can we do to create new jobs, level the playing field, and reduce economic injustice during this recovery? Little Rock’s answer is BUILD Academy, a 12-week small business incubator to serve as a front door for current and future business owners in our city.”41 MAYOR FRANK D. SCOTT, JR. Little Rock, AR whether outcomes for people of color have improved or worsened. While rural areas tend to be older and less racially diverse than urban centers, 2012 research found that 22% of rural residents are people of color.36 Furthermore, over the last decade, the share of non-metropolitan area populations that are communities of color has exhibited an upward trajectory.37 Overall, despite influxes of people of color to smaller and more rural places as well as stark data demonstrating disparate impact of COVID-19 on people of color, officials from these communities are challenged in measuring economic impact with an equity lens. The lack of available data and knowledge about racial inequities in more rural communities demonstrates the need for greater support and resources to disaggregate economic and other data by race, understand disproportionate impact, engage residents and align local strategies. As noted by The Washington Center for Equitable Growth, “Failing to recognize that certain communities are more exposed to the coronavirus and preferencing “colorblind” policy will reinforce the systemic racism that made these communities so vulnerable in the first place. It will also make those communities more vulnerable in the next crisis.”38 Understanding these challenges, some cities have taken action on disaggregating data during the pandemic to address disproportionate impact. For example, when deciding where to expand testing sites last year, Austin, TX used data to determine those areas of the city most impacted by COVID-19.39 Using data to target resources also allowed the health department to better engage with residents to address the barriers related to transportation, language and misinformation and improve services for lower-income families and communities of colors.40 Extending a data-driven approach to other outcome areas, including economic outcomes, is a necessary step improving the lives of everyone in our communities. Housing and Human Services Conditions Changes Over the Past Year (% of cities) 0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%65%70% Demand for resident financial assistance Home property values Demand for emergency nutrition Price of rentals/apartments Demand for temporary housing Population (change) Homelessness Crime rate Health care access Evictions Residential foreclosures Neighborhood stabilization/vibrancy Residential property vacancy Affordable housing supply Update: 07/06/2021 19:27:27 Decreased Increased Increased in more cities Decreased in more cities 22| State of the Cities 202123| State of the Cities 2021RISING HOME VALUES AND DECREASING SUPPLY CONTRIBUTE TO GROWING URBAN-RURAL DIVIDE WHILE HOUSING RANKED fifth among mayoral priorities for 2021, a deeper dive into the data on changing local conditions further illuminates housing as a key area of focus for cities. Housing rises to the top of both positive and negative conditions affecting communities over the past year. Home prices in 2021 are at a record high,42 driven by a low supply of homes as housing construction lags due to zoning restrictions, a stall in the lumber supply,43 and a boom in demand from households benefitting from more flexibility from remote work, stimulus checks, student loan benefits, and low interest rates.44 As home values and rental prices have skyrocketed, affordable housing supply has dwindled, and residential vacancies, demand for financial assistance and demand for temporary housing have increased. Home property values is the most widely cited (51%) factor driving significant positive local conditions, with 68% reporting that home values in their communities increased this year (see figure 10). Meanwhile affordable housing supply is the most widely cited (37%) factor driving negative local outcomes. The consequences of these converging trends demonstrate a growing urban- rural divide not only in housing but also resident financial security. In urban cores, large majorities of officials reported increases in homelessness (63%), as well as need for financial assistance (92%), temporary housing (74%), and nutrition assistance (73%). Three in 10 indicate homelessness as a major concern for their community. With homelessness so high, many cities are expanding temporary housing and shelters. Decreases in hotel/motel occupancies (51%) due to decreases in travel provided an opportunity for some cities like Baltimore, MD45, Lewiston, ME46, Denver, CO47 to explore purchasing vacant hotels to use as shelters. Other initiatives in Philadelphia, PA48 and Denver, CO49 expand access to vital services (including transportation, vaccinations) to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Eviction rates in 2020 were generally lower than in 2019 due to a Federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the COVID-19 pandemic.50, 51 However, as this moratorium expires this year, evictions are an area of concern. Already, 24% of urban core cities and 19% of suburban cities report an increase in evictions from last year. Cities will need to address this area with urgency, recognizing that evictions are not only a result of poverty but a root cause of poverty and that evictions disproportionately affect people of color. Before the pandemic, one out of every 20 renters faced an eviction each year, including one out of every 11 Black renters.52 Unfortunately, the problem is even more difficult to solve because of lack of eviction data. Thirty-eight percent of rural; 30% of suburban; 30% of exurban; and 22% of urban core city officials report not knowing whether evictions have increased or decreased from last year. Considering the absence of national data on evictions available at a granular level,53 one of the first steps for cities to address in partnership with the Federal government and others is to create timely and reliable data collection processes. With a better understanding of the causes FIGURE 10: CHANGES IN HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES CONDITIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR (% of cities) 25| State of the Cities 202124| State of the Cities 2021and challenges of evictions particular to their city, officials can come up with a plan of action of targeted strategies to keep residents housed. Strategies include mediation services, legal aid to tenants, eviction diversion programs, and emergency rental assistance. Cities like Portland, OR54, Jacksonville, FL55 and others are expanding legal protections and offering legal support for renters now. Additionally, providing tenants the opportunity to pay back rent owed through emergency rental assistance or through an eviction diversion strategy including payment plans can help residents stay housed. Strategies like these have had proven success in Richmond VA56, Newark NJ57, Greensboro NC58, Durham County, NC59, and Palo Alto, CA.60 MAYOR CASSIE FRANKLIN City of Everett, WA [A] priority is housing, and this need has been intensified by the pandemic and its economic toll. I recently issued a housing directive geared at “housing for all,” which seeks to add more housing at all price points so everyone who lives and works in Everett can afford a home and access the great amenities our city has to offer. We also have a growing need for shelter and are moving f orward with new initiatives to expand shelter capacity.”61 2726| State of the Cities 2021| State of the Cities 2021CONCLUSION MAYORS HAVE LED our nation’s cities through one of the most tumultuous times in American history. As we continue to address our collective trauma, vaccinations and proactive policymaking are allowing our cities to move from muddling through to recovery to rebuilding. State of the City speeches provide the pulse of what mayors are focused on accomplishing in our cities. This year they demonstrate this shift from survival to bold thinking and provide a glimpse into what we can expect in the months and years ahead. From Pure Water, a massive sustainable water project in San Diego, to parklets in Richmond, creative reimagining in big and small ways is leading the way. These issues and solutions show up differently in urban and rural communities indicating how geographic differences continue to broadly influence economic and health outcomes, as well as how city leaders are addressing them. Our analysis also reveals that mayors continue to focus on equity. The murder of George Floyd and other Black men by police officers, the racial uprisings and protests of 2020, and the disparate impact of Covid-19 on Black and Brown communities converged over this last year to continue to drive home the critical work to rectify inequities and injustices. This focus on equity, however, has emerged in different ways. For example, communities centered economic outcomes for people of color differently dependent on geography. In large cities and suburban communities, the recognition of disparate challenges was high, but in rural areas, less so. A key piece of this is that much larger shares of officials from smaller communities’ report not knowing whether outcomes for people of color have improved or worsened. Similar challenges were evident in our analysis of evictions. Issues with data create a knowledge gap that perpetuates color blind policies that do not acknowledge or confront racism, systematic or otherwise. Local strategies that create positive outcomes for people of color are necessary to improving equity. These trends point to the need for localized data with more nuanced disaggregations by race. Our nation’s local leaders have been on the front lines this last year, doing all that they can to support residents and businesses in their time of need. As tends to be the case, when our nation is most tested, some of the most valued leadership and innovative ideas percolate from the ground up. Our current circumstance proves no different. Mayors are the leaders our nation needs to continue to succeed and flourish. CHANGES IN CONDITIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR BY CITY TYPE (% of cities reporting) Appendix Top 5 Negative Category Condition All Urban Suburban Exurban Rural Budget Total general fund revenue Utility bills/other fees collections Sales tax collections Residential property tax collections Parking revenue Income tax collections Commercial property tax collections Economic Development Inactive/vacant commercial developments Hotel/motel occupancy rates Number of new business starts Downtown development Workforce development opportunities Number of business recruitments Health of retail sector Demand for small business emergency assistance Arts and culture Number of business expansions Economic outcomes for people of color Remote work Commercial/retail property values Commercial/retail foreclosures Number of business license applications Unemployment amongst low-mid income workers Health and Human Services Crime rate Demand for resident financial assistance (including rental, mortgage and utility assistance) Demand for emergency nutrition Homelessness Demand for temporary housing (including shelters, short termrentals) Population Decrease Health care access Population Increase Evictions Housing and Neighborhood Affordable housing supply Price of rentals/apartments Neighborhood stabilization/vibrancy Home property values Residential property vacancy Residential foreclosures Infrastructure and Resilience Infrastructure funding (including climate and resilience-related upgrades) Availability of broadband/digital connectivity Flooding/Storm water management Quality of public transit Funding for recycling & waste management Funding for emergency management and/or hazard mitigation Quality of transportation signals and lighting Access to clean drinking water Quality of roads and bridges Quality of pedestrian and bike infrastructure Availability of parks, recreation and/OR community green space 0,00% 1,40% 0,47% 2,33% 1,40% 13,49% 14,42% 0,79% 0,79% 0,79% 3,94% 2,36% 13,39% 18,11% 1,66% 1,66% 3,87% 5,52% 9,94% 11,05% 20,99% 2,74% 0,00% 9,59% 1,37% 5,48% 6,85% 12,33% 1,02% 1,37% 2,90% 3,58% 4,78% 12,12% 17,41% 0,00% 3,26% 1,40% 2,33% 4,19% 1,86% 10,70% 9,77% 7,44% 9,30% 13,49% 12,56% 19,07% 23,26% 8,37% 27,44% 0,00% 1,57% 1,57% 1,57% 1,57% 1,57% 9,45% 8,66% 7,09% 11,02% 8,66% 12,60% 20,47% 18,11% 9,45% 27,56% 0,00% 2,21% 5,52% 5,52% 6,63% 11,60% 6,08% 8,84% 14,92% 11,05% 11,05% 12,15% 9,39% 8,84% 25,41% 24,31% 0,00% 2,74% 4,11% 2,74% 1,37% 19,18% 1,37% 9,59% 10,96% 15,07% 5,48% 8,22% 9,59% 6,85% 30,14% 12,33% 0,00% 2,73% 3,07% 3,24% 4,10% 7,17% 8,02% 9,39% 10,24% 11,09% 11,09% 12,12% 15,53% 16,04% 16,72% 25,26% 0,47% 4,65% 6,98% 11,63% 9,77% 2,33% 9,30% 11,63% 16,28% 0,79% 3,15% 5,51% 7,09% 6,30% 9,45% 12,60% 10,24% 15,75% 1,66% 1,66% 2,21% 2,76% 7,73% 12,15% 11,05% 17,13% 12,71% 6,85% 4,11% 4,11% 5,48% 16,44% 30,14% 13,70% 20,55% 26,03% 1,71% 3,41% 4,95% 7,34% 9,39% 10,58% 11,60% 14,33% 16,55% 1,40% 9,77% 7,91% 19,07% 18,60% 38,14% 1,57% 7,09% 3,94% 11,81% 14,96% 38,58% 1,66% 1,10% 8,29% 8,84% 21,55% 33,70% 0,00% 4,11% 0,00% 12,33% 12,33% 32,88% 1,54% 5,97% 6,31% 13,82% 18,26% 36,86% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,93% 1,86% 5,58% 6,05% 4,19% 6,98% 13,95% 15,35% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,79% 0,00% 7,09% 3,15% 4,72% 13,39% 16,54% 25,98% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 1,10% 1,66% 0,00% 6,08% 7,18% 10,50% 14,36% 19,34% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 2,74% 2,74% 9,59% 2,74% 17,81% 15,07% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,85% 1,19% 4,61% 5,12% 6,14% 9,22% 15,36% 19,11% Update: 07/06/2021 19:27:27 2928| State of the Cities 2021| State of the Cities 2021APPENDICES MOST SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE CONDITIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR BY CITY TYPE (% of cities reporting as one of five top conditions) MOST SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE CONDITIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR BY CITY TYPE (% of cities reporting as one of five top conditions) Overall Conditions Category Condition All Inc.Dec.Gap 1. Core Inc.Dec.Gap 2. Suburban Inc.Dec.Gap 3. Exurban Inc.Dec.Gap 4. Rural Inc.Dec.Gap Budget Residential property tax collections Sales tax collections Commercial property tax collections Income tax collections Utility bills/other fees collections Total general fund revenue Parking revenue Economic Development Remote work Demand for small business emergency assistance Unemployment amongst low-mid income workers Inactive/vacant commercial developments Commercial/retail foreclosures Commercial/retail property values Downtown development Number of business license applications Number of new business starts Number of business recruitments Workforce development opportunities Number of business expansions Economic outcomes for people of color Health of retail sector Arts and culture Hotel/motel occupancy rates Health andHuman Services Demand for resident financial assistance (including rental, mortgage and utility assist) Demand for emergency nutrition Homelessness Demand for temporary housing (including shelters, short term rentals) Population (change) Crime rate Health care access Evictions Housing andNeighborhood Home property values Price of rentals/apartments Residential foreclosures Neighborhood stabilization/vibrancy Residential property vacancy Affordable housing supply Infrastructure andReslience Funding for emergency management and/or hazard mitigation Availability of broadband/digital connectivity Quality of pedestrian and bike infrastructure Flooding/Storm water management Access to clean drinking water Availability of parks, recreation and/OR community green space Quality of transportation signals and lighting Quality of public transit Infrastructure funding (including climate and resilience-related upgrades) Funding for recycling & waste management Quality of roads and bridges -14% -16% -4% -5% 2% 3% 5% -15% -40% -29% -11% -14% -26% -17% 1% 25% 25% 6% 16% 29% 22% -46% -24% -20% -9% -1% 0% 11% -46% -50% -41% -11% -24% -35% -15% 0% 26% 21% 3% 23% 35% 26% -19% -10% -12% -4% 4% -1% 12% -21% -44% -36% -12% -15% -31% -15% 2% 34% 24% 8% 19% 30% 26% -7% -20% -2% -2% -1% -4% 7% -7% -42% -26% -9% -12% -30% -12% 0% 21% 24% 7% 11% 26% 19% -5% -16% 7% -7% 1% 12% -3% -5% -33% -22% -12% -12% -16% -22% 0% 17% 29% 6% 13% 28% 18% -45% -44% -35% -16% -12% -14% -10% -9% -9% -7% 19% 18% 22% 42% 66% 83% -51% -4 9% -48% -21% -30% -29% -26% -31% -23% -26% -16% -4% -11% -11% -2% -1% 6% 5% 12% 6% 18% 16% 16% 22% 14% 19% 35% 22% 33% 53% 68% 84% -77% -57% -53% -38% -21% -4% -26% -29% -17% -6% 10% 30% 32% 50% 89% 96% -82% -67% -68% -46% -40% -33% -39% -49% -38% -31% -25% -6% -14% -15% -1% -1% 4% 10% 15% 8% 19% 29% 13% 19% 21% 25% 35% 35% 46% 65% 90% 97% -53% -50% -39% -21% -13% -16% -10% -6% -3% -2% 33% 27% 25% 51% 78% 91% -60% -55% -53% -30% -38% -35% -32% -34% -24% -27% -15% -4% -16% -12% -1% -2% 7% 5% 14% 9% 25% 19% 22% 27% 21% 25% 48% 31% 41% 63% 79% 93% -38% -44% -35% -10% -4% -11% -1% -5% -14% -14% 17% 10% 25% 29% 59% 81% -42% -49% -46% -15% -22% -26% -19% -29% -24% -28% -14% -6% -6% -12% -2% -2% 4% 5% 11% 5% 18% 15% 18% 24% 10% 14% 30% 15% 31% 41% 61% 82% -32% -36% -27% -7% -14% -15% -10% -8% -9% -9% 11% 12% 14% 39% 51% 72% -38% -38% -37% -9% -24% -26% -21% -25% -17% -23% -14% -1% -8% -8% -3% -1% 6% 3% 10% 2% 10% 10% 11% 17% 8% 14% 25% 13% 22% 47% 54% 73% 5% 13% 21% 29% 37% 26% 55% 64% -10% -12% -11% -7% -1% -1% -1% 0% 15% 25% 31% 36% 38% 28% 56% 64% 6% 18% 22% 26% 74% 61% 71% 92% -18% -14% -18% -14% 0% -1% -1% 0% 24% 32% 40% 40% 74% 63% 72% 92% 7% 18% 10% 45% -14% 37% 62% 69% -12% -12% -18% -3% -55% -1% 0% 0% 19% 30% 28% 48% 41% 38% 62% 69% 3% 12% 31% 28% 33% 18% 52% 56% -11% -10% -6% -7% 0% 0% -1% 0% 15% 22% 36% 35% 33% 18% 53% 56% 4% 7% 23% 17% 24% 11% 44% 56% -4% -13% -5% -7% -2% -2% -2% 0% 8% 19% 28% 24% 26% 13% 46% 56% -33% -23% -5% 4% 47% 63% -43% -35% -19% -9% -3% -5% 9% 12% 13% 12% 50% 68% -33% -15% -14% 4% 49% 76% -47% -37% -28% -14% -8% -3% 14% 21% 14% 18% 57% 79% -26% -34% 5% 2% 55% 82% -42% -40% -15% -12% -3% -2% 15% 6% 20% 14% 58% 85% -35% -25% -8% 2% 46% 61% -41% -35% -20% -10% -2% -6% 6% 10% 12% 12% 47% 66% -40% -15% -10% 6% 40% 43% -43% -30% -18% -4% -2% -8% 4% 15% 8% 9% 42% 51% -27% -11% -11% -9% 2% 3% 5% 7% 9% 13% 17% -39% -17% -24% -14% -8% -16% -3% -8% -10% -11% -10% 12% 6% 13% 4% 10% 19% 8% 15% 20% 24% 27% -10% -4% -4% -8% 7% 4% 8% 17% 31% 15% 31% -31% -15% -24% -14% -10% -18% -1% -6% -7% -18% -11% 21% 11% 20% 6% 17% 23% 10% 23% 38% 34% 42% -16% -7% -9% -16% 11% 13% 10% 10% 24% 8% 20% -31% -14% -27% -25% -6% -17% -2% -9% -9% -9% -12% 15% 8% 18% 9% 17% 30% 12% 19% 33% 18% 32% -36% -21% -18% -10% -7% 0% -1% 4% 2% 9% 14% -47% -23% -26% -11% -12% -18% -4% -10% -13% -12% -11% 10% 2% 8% 2% 5% 18% 3% 14% 14% 21% 25% -37% -12% -12% -5% -3% -4% 3% 3% -7% 18% 12% -44% -16% -20% -6% -6% -13% -4% -7% -12% -10% -7% 7% 4% 8% 1% 3% 10% 7% 11% 5% 28% 19% Update: 07/06/2021 19:27:27 Appendix Top 5 Positive Category Condition All Urban Suburban Exurban Rural Budget Sales tax collections Total general fund revenue Residential property tax collections Utility bills/other fees collections Commercial property tax collections Income tax collections Parking revenue Economic Development Remote work Downtown development Commercial/Retail property values Number of new business starts Number of business expansions Workforce development opportunities Arts and culture Health of retail sector Number of business recruitments Number of business license applications Hotel/motel occupancy rates Economic outcomes for people of color Health and Human Services Health care access Population increase Crime rate decrease Population decrease Housing and Neighborhood Home property values Neighborhood stabilization/vibrancy Affordable housing supply Price of rentals/apartments Infrastructure and Resilience Availability of parks, recreation and/OR community green space Access to clean drinking water Availability of broadband/digital connectivity Funding for emergency management and/or hazard mitigation Infrastructure funding (including climate and resilience-related upgrades) Flooding/Storm water Management Quality of transportation signals and lighting Quality of public transit Funding for recycling & waste management Quality of roads and bridges Quality of pedestrian and bike infrastructure 0,00% 1,40% 3,26% 17,21% 12,09% 20,93% 28,37% 0,00% 3,15% 7,87% 12,60% 17,32% 20,47% 18,90% 1,10% 3,87% 4,42% 6,63% 22,10% 21,55% 21,55% 0,00% 2,74% 12,33% 2,74% 17,81% 19,18% 27,40% 0,34% 2,71% 5,93% 11,36% 17,12% 21,19% 24,41% 1,86% 5,12% 5,12% 2,79% 6,51% 3,72% 5,12% 5,12% 8,84% 6,51% 9,77% 29,77% 2,36% 5,51% 3,15% 6,30% 2,36% 8,66% 7,87% 8,66% 11,81% 12,60% 11,81% 29,92% 1,66% 1,10% 4,97% 4,97% 6,63% 8,29% 6,63% 11,60% 11,60% 12,71% 23,20% 20,44% 2,74% 4,11% 8,22% 9,59% 8,22% 10,96% 12,33% 5,48% 5,48% 15,07% 27,40% 30,14% 2,03% 3,90% 5,08% 5,08% 5,93% 7,12% 7,12% 8,14% 10,00% 11,02% 16,61% 27,46% 0,47% 6,51% 13,02% 26,05% 0,79% 8,66% 14,17% 25,98% 1,66% 13,81% 25,97% 19,34% 0,00% 9,59% 15,07% 26,03% 0,85% 9,66% 17,80% 24,41% 6,05% 10,23% 8,37% 42,79% 5,51% 6,30% 13,39% 52,76% 2,21% 9,94% 14,92% 54,14% 1,37% 1,37% 6,85% 54,79% 4,24% 8,31% 11,36% 50,51% 0,00% 0,00% 0,47% 1,86% 2,33% 5,12% 7,44% 6,98% 27,91% 49,30% 40,93% 0,00% 0,00% 3,15% 2,36% 2,36% 3,94% 6,30% 5,51% 21,26% 44,09% 40,94% 0,00% 0,00% 2,76% 3,31% 4,42% 6,63% 7,18% 8,29% 11,60% 30,94% 45,86% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 2,74% 2,74% 6,85% 9,59% 12,33% 15,07% 24,66% 38,36% 0,00% 0,00% 1,69% 2,71% 3,05% 5,59% 7,46% 7,80% 20,34% 40,17% 43,05% Update: 07/06/2021 19:27:27 3130| State of the Cities 2021| State of the Cities 2021THIS REPORT REFERENCES findings from a survey conducted by National League of Cities in March and April 2021 and from mayoral ’state of the city’ addresses given between January 1 and March 31, 2021. The objective of the survey is to determine the top policy areas of priority in 2021 for mayors and city governments, and to explore the landscape of these policy areas by gauging changes in local conditions and which conditions had the most significant impacts. NLC has conducted an annual review of mayoral state of the city speeches since 2011. By assessing the top policy areas identified through the inductive process of speech coding in NLC’s 2014-2020 studies, we identified 10 areas that were most popular among mayors: Economic Development, Infrastructure, Housing, Energy & Environment, Public Safety, Demographics, Budgets & Management, Health & Human Services, Education, Government Data & Technology. In the 2021 survey, we asked respondents to rank the 10 policy areas in terms of priority for their city’s mayor. We identified the top priorities for 2021 by averaging the ranking of each policy area. We also identified indicators, or conditions, related to each policy area (i.e. business starts, remote work, downtown development are related to Economic Development policy area) and asked respondents to report whether each indicator had increased, decreased, stayed the same, or whether they didn’t know. Additionally, of all conditions, we asked respondents to select their the most positive and five most negative conditions affecting their communities over the past year. In assessing the survey results, we wanted to get a sense of how priorities and challenges vary or are consistent across urban and rural cities this year. Our report refers to four types of cities: Urban core, Suburban, Exurban, and Rural, which are defined using a combination of Federal definitions, population thresholds and survey responses asking for “city type.” METHODOLOGY URBAN core cities are the core of a region that is economically connected. Specifically, in this report ‘urban core cities’ are principal cities of a CBSA. SUBURBAN cities, under this methodology, are cities that: are in a CBSA, are not a principal city, and did not select “Rural city or town” in our survey. EXURBAN cities are cities connected to a major economic region but are not as closely connected as suburban or as densely populated. In this report, exurban refers to cities that are in a CBSA, are not a principal city, and did select “Rural city or town” in our survey. RURAL cities are those that are not in a CBSA, or that are in a CBSA but also selected ‘Rural city or town’ in the survey and have a population of less than 1,000. RURAL EXURBAN SUBURBAN URBAN CORE URBAN 12% SUBURBAN 31% EXURBAN 21% RURAL 36% 33| State of the Cities 202132| State of the Cities 20211 Mayor Gorton delivers State of the Merged Government address. (2021, January 26). FOX 56, WDKY News. https://foxlexington.com/news/local/mayor-gorton-delivers-state-of-the-merged-government-address/ 2 Administrative Order. (2020). Office of the Mayor City of Atlanta. https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/ ShowDocument?id=45350 3 Shinn, M. (2020, November 15). Colorado Springs Utilities suspending disconnections during coronavirus outbreak. Colorado Springs Gazette. https://gazette.com/news/colorado-springs-utilities-suspending- disconnections-during-coronavirus-outbreak/article_1253c286-67a8-11ea-8646-7f6cd284f17a.html 4 BGMU, Warren Water, Atmos, WRECC to halt disconnections amid outbreak. (2020). Daily News. https://www. bgdailynews.com/news/bgmu-warren-water-atmos-to-halt-disconnections-amid-outbreak/article_b9b2c14f- eeeb-55eb-96bc-51375fa017ef.html 5 NACWA, & K, S. (2020). Recovering from Coronavirus. https://www.nacwa.org/docs/default-source/ resources---public/water-sector-covid-19-financial-impacts.pdf?sfvrsn=98f9ff61_2 6 State of the City | Bentonville, AR. (2021, February 9). The City Bentonville. https://www.bentonvillear. com/600/State-of-the-City 7 Leggett, P. (2021, April 14). Mayor Carter Announces Temporary Road Closures on Four City Streets To Support Physically Distant Outdoor Activities This Spring and Summer. Saint Paul, Minnesota. https://www. stpaul.gov/news/mayor-carter-announces-temporary-road-closures-four-city-streets-support-physically- distant 8 Office of the Press Secretary to the Mayor. (2021, March 30). Richmond to install five parklets adjacent to local businesses. http://richmondvaannouncements.blogspot.com/2021/03/richmond-to-install-five-parklets. html 9 Mock, B. (2020, May 26). The Toxic Intersection of Racism and Public Space. Bloomberg CityLab. https:// www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html?vid=&uuid=35f268f0-b739-11eb-8a3b-3d839e0de9f7&url=L25ld3MvYX J0aWNsZXMvMjAyMC0wNS0yNi9hbXktY29vcGVyLWV4cG9zZXMtZ3JlZW4tc3BhY2Utcy1yYWNlLXByb- 2JsZW0= Boston University. (2021, April 9). City Leaders Expect New Appreciation of Outdoors to Last | BU Today. http://www.bu.edu/articles/2021/menino-survey-of-mayors-urban-parks/ 10 City of Little Rock and Little Rock School District Collaborate | City of Little Rock. (2021, April 23). City of Little Rock Public Relations. https://www.littlerock.gov/news/city-of-little-rock-and-little-rock-school-district- collaborate/ 11 Cities Can’t Wait for Federal Broadband Investment. (2021, May 12). National League of Cities. https://www. nlc.org/article/2021/05/12/cities-cant-wait-for-federal-broadband-investment/ 12 Mobile Hotspot and Tablet Checkout Pilot Program. (2021, March 17). City of Orlando. https://www.orlando. gov/News/Press-Releases/2021-Press-Releases/The-City-of-Orlando-Works-to-Bridge-Digital-Divide-with- Mobile-Hotspot-and-Tablet-Checkout-Pilot-Program 13 Digital Equity Fund reopened to accept applications. (2021, April 1). Boston.Gov. https://www.boston.gov/ news/digital-equity-fund-reopened-accept-applications 14 Sundquist, E. (2021, January 25). State of the City. City of Jamestown. https://www.jamestownny.gov/wp- content/uploads/2021/01/SOC-2021-Final-Report-with-Cover.pdf ENDNOTES 15 Congress’ Delay Slashes Main Street Investments Amid COVID-19. (2020, October 21). National League of Cities. https://www.nlc.org/article/2020/10/20/congress-delay-slashes-main-street-investments-amid- covid-19/ 16 City of San Diego. (2021). 2021 State of the City Prepared Remarks. https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/ default/files/2021-mayor-gloria-sotc-address.pdf 17 Cities Prepared for Rainy Days, but Not a Fiscal Tsunami. (2020, October 23). National League of Cities. https://www.nlc.org/article/2020/06/08/cities-prepared-for-rainy-days-but-not-a-fiscal-tsunami/ 18 National League of Cities. (2020). City Fiscal Conditions. https://www.nlc.org/wp-content/ uploads/2020/08/City_Fiscal_Conditions_2020_FINAL.pdf 19 The Danger of Conflating State and Local Pandemic Relief. (2021, February 8). National League of Cities. https://www.nlc.org/article/2021/02/08/the-danger-of-conflating-state-and-local-pandemic-relief/ 20 Melo, F. (2020, August 20). St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter unveils budget that avoids layoffs despite deep cuts, no tax increase. Twin Cities. https://www.twincities.com/2020/08/20/st-paul-mayor-melvin-carter- unveils-budget-that-avoids-layoffs-despite-deep-cuts-no-tax-increase/ 21 State of City. (2021, February 4). City of Troy. http://www.troyny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021- 04-05-State-of-the-City-Address_FINAL.pdf 22 Oberle, M. (2021, April 27). Grand Rapids proposed budget shortfalls offset by American Rescue Plan. WXMI. https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/live-at-10-a-m-grand-rapids-city- manager-presents-2022-budget 23 Mayor Henry’s State of the City speech. (2021, February 27). City of Fort Wayne. https://www. cityoffortwayne.org/latest-news/1180-mayor-henrys-state-of-the-city-speech.html 24 Engaging Leaders Voices: New Visions of Public Safety. (2020, October 14). National League of Cities. https://www.nlc.org/article/2020/09/18/engaging-leaders-voices-new-visions-of-public-safety/ 25 Trending Topics: What Mayors Are Tweeting About Shifts in Public Safety Policy. (2020, October 30). National League of Cities. https://www.nlc.org/article/2020/10/30/trending-topics-what-mayors-are- tweeting-about-shifts-in-public-safety-policy/ 26 National League of Cities. (2020b). How State and Local Governments Can Work Together to Create Better, Safer Communities. https://www.nlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NLC2021_ ReimaginingPolicing.pdf 27 Mayor Lori Lightfoot. (2020). Twitter. https://twitter.com/chicagosmayor/status/1272537882658398208 28 Mayor Joe Hogsett on. (2020). Twitter. https://twitter.com/IndyMayorJoe/status/1292967547537698817 29 Tom Moran, Star-Ledger Editorial Board. (2021, January 11). Newark cops, with reform, didn’t fire a single shot in 2020 | Moran. Nj. https://www.nj.com/news/2021/01/newark-cops-with-reform-didnt-fire-a-single- shot-in-2020-moran.html 30 Jim #VaxUpPhilly Kenney on. (2020, June 25). Twitter. https://twitter.com/PhillyMayor/ status/1276242686161367042 31 NLC Assembles Task Force of Local Leaders to Reimagine Public Safety in Communities Across the U.S. (2021, February 16). National League of Cities. https://www.nlc.org/post/2021/02/16/nlc-assembles-task- force-of-local-leaders-to-reimagine-public-safety-in-communities-across-the-u-s/#:%7E:text=The%20 Task%20Force%20will%20work,justice%20reform%20and%20public%20safety. 32 Scott, B. (2021). 2021 State of the City Address. Mayor Brandon M. Scott. https://mayor.baltimorecity. gov/2021-state-city-address 33 Weinbrecht, H. (2021, January 27). State of Cary | Town of Cary. Town of Cary. https://www.townofcary. org/mayor-council/town-council/state-of-cary 35| State of the Cities 202134| State of the Cities 202134 Swehla, R. (2021, March 16). The Rise Of The Outpost Economy: Three Things Causing A Realignment Of The Employment Landscape. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2021/03/17/ the-rise-of-the-outpost-economy-three-things-causing-a-realignment-of-the-employment- landscape/?sh=4089f1284ad2 35 Powe, H. L. A. M. (2020, December 1). Why Main Streets are a key driver of equitable economic recovery in rural America. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/research/why-main-streets-are-a-key-driver-of- equitable-economic-recovery-in-rural-america/ 36 Lichter, D. (2015, October 15). 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National League of Cities. https://www.nlc.org/article/2020/08/25/disaggregated-data-by- race-and-ethnicity-can-help-us-get-closer-to-recovery-from-covid-19/ 41 Scott Jr., F. (2021). State of the City. City of Little Rock. https://www.littlerock.gov/media/8067/2021-sotc- website-script.pdf 42 Giammona, C. (2021, April 27). U.S. Home Prices Surge Most Since 2006 With Tight Inventory. Https:// Www.Bloomberg.Com/News/Articles/2021-04-27/Home-Prices-in-u-s-Surge-Most-since-2006-with- Inventory-Tight. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-27/home-prices-in-u-s-surge-most- since-2006-with-inventory-tight 43 Jaekel, B. (2021, May 10). Lumber Shortage Is the Latest to Exhibit Supply Chain’s Impact. Supply and Demand Chain Executive. https://www.sdcexec.com/sourcing-procurement/article/21427201/lumber- shortage-is-the-latest-to-exhibit-supply-chains-impact 44 Campisi, N. (2020, November 6). Low Mortgage Rates and High Home Prices Shatter Records, But Will It Last? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/low-mortgage-rates-high-home-prices/ 45 M. Scott, B. (2021, April 21). Mayor Brandon M. Scott Exploring City Purchase of Hotels to Provide Short- Term & Permanent Housing Solutions for People Experiencing Homelessness. Office of the Mayor, Baltimore City. https://mayor.baltimorecity.gov/news/press-releases/2021-04-21-mayor-brandon-m-scott- exploring-city-purchase-hotels-provide-short 46 Rice, A. (2021, May 13). Lewiston Ramada hotel wellness shelter will operate through September. Lewiston Sun Journal. https://www.sunjournal.com/2021/05/12/lewiston-ramada-hotel-wellness-shelter-will- operate-through-september/ 47 Swanson, C. (2021b, May 6). Denver to turn hotel into a shelter for some of its homeless population. The Denver Post. https://www.denverpost.com/2021/05/06/denver-buying-hotel-homeless-shelter/ 48 City launches “Help for the Hurdles” to connect more homeless people with jobs | Office of Homeless Services. (2021b, April 6). City of Philadelphia. https://www.phila.gov/2021-04-06-city-launches-help-for- the-hurdles-to-connect-more-homeless-people-with-jobs/ 49 Denver: Accelerate Vaccines for People Experiencing Homelessness. (2021, February 8). City and County of Denver. https://www.denvergov.org/Government/COVID-19-Information/Public-Orders-Response/ News-Updates/2021/Vaccination-Task-Force?BestBetMatch=vaccine|95c94ae0-247e-4b0c-b511- f9439cc122bd|c4f1b630-3cf4-4ec1-8110-c4784b6aa32e|en-US 50 Martin, H. (2021, May 10). Data Updates: Measuring Evictions during the COVID-19 Crisis. Website. https://www.clevelandfed.org/newsroom-and-events/publications/community-development-briefs/db- 20200902-data-updates-measuring-evictions-during-the-covid-19-crisis.aspx 51 U.S. Eviction Filing Patterns in 2020. (2021, April 21). SAGE Journals. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/ full/10.1177/23780231211009983 52 King, N. (2020, July 21). It “Looks Very Scary For Renters” As Federal Eviction Relief Expiration Nears. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/21/893406577/as-protections-expire- millions-of-americans-face-threats-of-eviction 53 Panfil, Y., & Lowery, L. (2021, February 3). We Have to Close the Eviction Data Gap. Bloomberg. https:// www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-03/why-is-it-so-hard-to-collect-good-eviction-data 54 Oregon Eviction Moratorium FAQ. (2021, January 14). Portland.Gov. https://www.portland.gov/phb/rental- services/helpdesk/oregon-eviction-moratorium-faq 55 City, Jacksonville Bar Association Partner to Prevent Evictions and Foreclosures. (2020, November 25). City of Jacksonville, FL. https://www.coj.net/welcome/news/city,-jacksonville-bar-association-partner-to- prev 56 Info. (2021). RVA Evictions. https://www.rvaevictions.org/info 57 Department: Office of Tenant Legal Services. (2021). City of Newark. https://www.newarknj.gov/ departments/office-of-tenant-legal-services 58 Eviction Resolution – UNCG Community Engagement. (2021). UNC Greensboro. https:// communityengagement.uncg.edu/eviction-resolution/ 59 LANC. (2017). Spotlight: Durham’s Eviction Diversion Program. LEGAL AID OF NORTH CAROLINA. https:// www.legalaidnc.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/durham-eviction-diversion-program.pdf 60 Tenant / Landlord Mediation Services. (2021, April 7). City of Palo Alto. https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/ Departments/Community-Services/Human-Services/Tenant-Landlord-Mediation-Services 61 Franklin, C. (2021, January 28). State of Everett 2021. City of Everett. https://www.everettwa.gov/ DocumentCenter/View/27347/State-of-Everett-2021?bidId= THESTATE OF THE CITIES 2021 Item Number: 3. J une 17, 2021 Memo from City Man ager: O n e Year Prog ress Report on Resol u tion No. 20- 159, Ad d ressin g th e Black Lives Matter Movemen t and Systemic Racism AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Memo from City Manager: One Year Progress Report on Resolution No. 20-159, A ddressing the Black L ives Matter Movement and S ystemic Racism Date: June 17, 2021 To: City Council From: Geoff Fruin, City Manager Re: One Year Progress Report on Resolution No. 20-159, Addressing the Black Lives Matter Movement and Systemic Racism On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, City Council adopted Resolution No. 20-159, which outlined seventeen initial actions to respond to the Black Lives Matter Movement and address systemic racism. In the year since this Resolution was passed, substantial progress has been achieved towards these actions including, but not limited to: • A Preliminary Plan to Restructure the Police was introduced with progress made on expanded social service partnerships • An Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established • An independent investigation of the June 3, 2020 BLM protest incident was completed with recommendations for improving future operations • Juneteenth was established as an official City holiday • Multiple trainings and educational opportunities were offered to the public at no cost, on topics such as implicit bias, white privilege, and cultural competency • Changes to the Community Police Review Board (CPRB) Ordinance were adopted, to strengthen the effectiveness and transparency of the complaint process • Updates to several Iowa City Police Department General Orders (G.O.) were completed, including banning the use of chokeholds and revised reporting on compliance with the Body Cameras and In-Car Recorders G.O. • $1 million set aside for racial justice initiatives, including an updated Affordable Housing Action Plan • Several equitable hiring and recruitment policies and practices were implemented • Additional ICPD budget information was released and published online • Signed a Duty to Intercede Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with five area law enforcement agencies and completed department-wide bystander training • Honored Black lives through public art and the renaming of a public park City staff have provided bi-weekly updates on the progress of these 17 initial actions. Some have been completed per the Resolution text and others have evolved into their own, larger initiatives which continue to advance with the collaboration of City staff, City Council, and the community. Attached is a full report for each of the 17 initial actions of the progress achieved in the one year since the passage of Res. 20-159. Although substantial progress has been achieved in one-year, much continued work remains. Resolution No. 20-159 was intended to provide initial actions and has since sparked broader, comprehensive discussion and actions towards the future of Iowa City policing. City staff are committed to addressing systemic racism and reevaluating community policing. Bi-weekly updates of this report will no longer be presented but staff Council will continue to receive updates on various initiatives through staff and your commissions. 2 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) Year 1 Accomplishments • Released a Preliminary Plan to Restructure the Iowa City Police Department. From August through October, the City collected public input on community policing through an online survey and six Listening Posts throughout the City to inform development of the plan. Staff released the Preliminary Plan to Restructure the Iowa City Police in December 2020 and translated the recommendations into French, Spanish, and Arabic. City Council held a special Work Session to discuss the Preliminary Plan in May 2021 and a separate status summary of the initial recommendations was provided and attached to this report. • Increased Civilian Positions to do work formerly performed by officers: o Authorized replacing one full-time officer with a civilian Victim Support Specialist. o Partnered with Shelter House to jointly fund a new Street Outreach & Engagement Specialist. o Partnership with CommUnity and Foundation2 to hire a Mental Health Liaison position to be employed by CommUnity and partner with the ICPD. o Authorized hiring of a new half-time (0.50 FTE) community outreach position focused on the immigrant and refugee population. o Authorized adding one full-time Public Safety Communications Specialist in the City Manager’s Office • Implemented a pilot secondary traffic stop policy to no longer initiate traffic stops based on non-public safety secondary traffic violations in an effort to reduce disproportionate outcomes from minor traffic stops. Note: this policy is under review due to a new State law passed in May 2021 which withholds State funding if a municipality directs officers to not enforce laws. • Adopted an Unbiased Policing Ordinance (No. 20-4841) (12/15/20) Ongoing Commitment City Council and City staff continue to collect input on the Preliminary Plan via an online survey and targeted focus groups to reach diverse populations are planned for Summer 2021. As progress is made on the plan, City staff will provide necessary updates online and through City platforms and channels. Community input will be incorporated, with neighborhood outreach anticipated throughout Summer 2021. Over the past decade, the ICPD has been increasingly shifting operations towards community-oriented policing, taking steps such as mandatory department-wide de-escalation and crisis intervention training and building strong partnerships with community organizations to divert police calls for service to more appropriate channels of care. Examples include the Department’s active support of Housing First projects and the Guidelink Center. The City is committed to continuing to strengthen existing community policing efforts and to identifying functions that can be safely diverted from the duties of officers to other community health professionals. ACTION 1: PRELIMINARY PLAN TO RESTRUCTURE ICPD TOWARDS COMMUNITY POLICING 3 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 (SPI) 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) Year 1 Accomplishments • Developed Affordable Housing Action Plan Committee to help draft a new Affordable Housing Action Plan, anticipated to be completed in Fall 2021. • Pending Budget Allocation to the Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission to carry out fact- finding, truth-telling, and reconciliation activities. Approval of a TRC budget request anticipated Summer 2021. Ongoing Commitment City Council will discuss further allocation of these funds based on the public input received and as the restructuring plan is finalized. Community input opportunities related to the Affordable Housing Action Plan will be promoted as they arise. In addition to this one-time infusion of funds, the City’s annual budget includes considerable expenditures dedicated to social justice and racial equity, including $1 million for Affordable Housing, $725,250 (plus a 3% annual increase) to the Aid to Agencies program, and $75,000 annually for the City’s Social Justice & Racial Equity Grant Program. ACTION 2: COMMIT $1,000,000 TO LOCAL EFFORTS PROMOTING RACIAL EQUITY + SOCIAL JUSTICE 4 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) Year 1 Progress • Hosted Cultural Proficiency and Racial Equity Trainings for Staff: 60 City and County staff participated in a Cultural Proficiency Training in July 2020, 21 City Board & Commission members participated in an Implicit Bias Training in December 2020, and many more staff and community organizations participated in two diversity and microaggressions trainings in February 2021. • Established a staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in July 2020. Members focused on developing DEI educational campaigns and cultural awareness events for City staff, including a presentation from a local mosque on Ramadan and Islam and promoting a 21-Day Equity Challenge. • Developed an equitable City employment opportunities flyer (translated to Spanish, French (Afrikaans), Arabic, and Swahili) and distributed to approximately 300 community organizations who reach diverse populations. • Implemented improvements to make City recruitment and hiring more equitable, including o Requiring all interviews to include at least one question on diversity, equity, and inclusion. o More consistent data collection on how candidates learn about positions. o Providing hiring managers with current employee demographics at the beginning of the hiring process as well as post-hire recruitment analysis reports. o Providing candidates with interview prep time prior to the start of an interview. o Providing candidates with “Interview Tips for Success” when scheduling interviews. o Incorporating DEI evaluation criteria into employee performance evaluations o Effective July 2, 2021: All City positions will be posted externally, eliminating internal only hires and expanding the pool of applicants. Ongoing Commitment Staff have already implemented several improvements for more equitable hiring and recruitment and will continue to actively explore additional opportunities. Diversity among the City workforce will result in better service to Iowa City residents and hiring managers have been directed to consider the value a candidate’s perspective brings when also evaluating skills, experience, and qualifications. Ramped up diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings for City staff has been a priority for many years and will continue to play a large role in staff development and the City workforce. ACTION 3: INCREASE DIVERSITY OF EMPLOYEES, EQUITABLE RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY TRAINING 5 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 June 3, 2020.” (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #4) Year 1 Progress • Received a completed independent investigation of the June 3 protest incident that took place near the Interstate 80 interchange and Dubuque Street (1/28/2021). The investigation was completed by OIR Group, based in Playa del Ray, California) and the final report included recommendations to improve future operations. On March 23, 2021, the City Council held a special work session to discuss the recommendations resulting from the investigation. • Released a statement and video footage related to the June 3, 2020 protest incident in order to promote transparency and engage with the public about improving future operations (9/3/2020). • Received First Amendment analysis of protest activity from the City Attorney’s Office to guide decision-making as future policy and practice changes are considered (4/15/21). • Initiated improvements to protest communication procedures between the ICPD and demonstrators, including revising crowd control policies and the hiring of a new public safety focused Communications position to better assist in communications and public notifications. • Initiated redrafting of relevant General Orders including the Use of Force and All Hazards G.O.’s to clearly define limitations on deployment of munitions or enforcement activity, crowd control, and other related policies. Final consideration of policies anticipated in Summer 2021. Ongoing Commitment City is consistently an epicenter of powerful human rights, climate action, and racial justice movements and the City is firmly committed to supporting and ensuring the safety of all peaceful demonstrations no matter the issue. To ensure that both First Amendment rights are supported and safe, efficient access to critical destinations is maintained, various City departments are collaborating to improve formal policies and operating procedures to streamline communication, street closures, and other actions related to protests. This includes several updates to ICPD General Orders, which will be reviewed by the Community Police Review Board (CPRB) and City Council. After necessary CPRB and Council approvals, the ICPD will pursue any needed changes to mutual aid agreements with other law enforcement agencies with Council approval. Staff will report to City Council as necessary on the implementation of approved recommendations from the independent investigation conducted by the OIR Group. ACTION 4: RECEIVE REPORT ON ICPD INVOLVEMENT IN USE OF GAS AND FLASH BANGS DURING JUNE 2020 BLM PROTEST 6 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) Year 1 Progress • Established an Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission (Resolution No. 20-228) in September 2020, based on extensive community input. The Commission is charged with fact-finding, truth-telling, and reconciliation. Nine members were appointed by City Council to serve two-year terms on the Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission. Ongoing Commitment The Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Comission continues to meet regularly through 2022 and will develop recommendations for City Council consideration. City staff will continue to provide support to the Commission. ACTION 5: CREATE AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION TO CARRY OUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE 7 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) Year 1 Progress • Participated in joint work session between the NAACP and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to identify areas of policy improvement that will mitigate disproportionate minority contact. • Adopted 2021 State Legislative Priorities, which included support for policy changes recommended by the Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform. City staff worked with state legislators, advocacy groups, and the City’s contracted lobbyists to promote these priorities. Ongoing Commitment The 2021 State legislative session adjourned on May 19, 2021 and unfortunately many of Iowa City’s priorities related to criminal justice reform and disproportionate outcomes were not considered or failed to garner support in the Iowa Legislature. Staff will continue to seek opportunities to advocate, educate, and advance these priorities during the interim and during the 2022 Legislative Session. Additionally, the City will continue to identify ways local policies and practices can be improved to mitigate disproportionate outcomes - - through the police restructuring plan and as part of regular reviews and improvements to operations. ACTION 6: ADOPT STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES RELATED TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, CPRB AUTHORITY & DECRIMINALIZATION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA 8 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) Year 1 Progress • Sponsored 10 community cultural proficiency and racial equity trainings, including: o Culturally Responsive Communication Training for area landlords and businesses, approximately 100 participants (7/22/20) o Cultural Proficiency Training for City and County staff, approximately 60 participants (7/29/20) o Know your Rights presentation for area youth in collaboration with the ACLU and Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County (8/26/20) o Culturally Responsive Communication training area landlords and businesses, approximately 45 participants (8/9/20) o Fair Housing Training published online for free, on-demand community viewing (10/13/20) o Culturally Responsive Communication training for area landlords and businesses, approximately 50 participants (10/22/20) o Implicit bias training provided for City board & commission members, approximately 21 people attended (12/2/20) o Diversity and microaggressions training provided to staff, local businesses and community members (2/11/21 and 2/18/21) o Race, gender, and violence training provided to area businesses and organizations, approximately 102 participants (4/29/21) o Power, privilege, and leadership training provided to area businesses and organizations, approximately 72 participants (5/6/21) • Reported on the City’s use of the racial equity toolkit to-date (7/23/20) Ongoing Commitment City staff will continue to report to the City Council as necessary on use of the Racial Equity Toolkit to improve City services and processes. Additionally, the ramped-up equity trainings offered by the City throughout 2020-2021 have been popular and well-received and the Human Rights Division will continue to provide such training offerings free to community, as budget and staff time allows. ACTION 7: CONTINUE USE OF RACIAL EQUITY TOOLKIT USE AND EXPAND TRAINING TO CITY COUNCIL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES 9 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) Year 1 Progress • Implemented improvements to the complaint filing process: The City launched a new online web form option in September 2020. In May 2021, the City Council approved an Ordinance amendment to lengthens the time period to file a complaint to 180 days and allow the complainant to respond to the Police Chief’s report. • Continued Community Forums: In September 2020, due to the increased focus on improving policing, the CPRB held a second forum (in addition to their regular annual forum) to collect public input on the Board’s role and ICPD policies, practices, and procedures. The CPRB held their regular, 2021 annual community forum to collect public input on the Board’s role and ICPD policies, practices and procedures on May 17, 2021. • Published History of the Iowa City CPRB Report: In a comprehensive, 27-year informational review and report of Iowa City’s CPRB ordinance and a history of complaints filed with the Board since it was established. • Received recommendations from the CPRB on proposed changes to the Board. City Council discussed these recommendations during a special Work Session March 23, 2021 and provided direction to staff to proceed with various recommendations. • Increased Transparency of ICPD Complaint and Use of Force Information: Per the CPRB’s recommendation, the ICPD began including additional information in monthly reports (all complaints and compliments filed with the ICPD) and quarterly reports (number and demographics of detained and arrested individuals) to the CPRB. Ongoing Commitment The City is committed to maintaining an effective Community Police Review Board and continues to work towards implementation of the CPRB recommendations that were directed to move forward by City Council. This involves additional legal analysis conducted by the City Attorney’s Office and collecting additional details from the CPRB on certain recommendations. The City will provide updates as necessary to City Council as additional changes are implemented. ACTION 8: INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY OF CPRB, WHERE LEGALLY POSSIBLE 10 Resolution “Direct staff to provide a detailed expenditure summary of the police budget on the City’s website.” (Res. 20- 159, p. 2, #9) Year 1 Progress • Published Additional ICPD Budget Information, including Fiscal Year 2021 police department budget information and Fiscal Years 2015 – 2019 Calls for Service + Crime Information. The Preliminary Plan to Restructure the Police released in December 2020 also contains additional Police Department budget information. Ongoing Commitment City staff are working towards further improvement to published budget information, to make the Police Department’s budget easier to find and understand. This will be accomplished through revised web content and updates to the annual budget book. The new public safety communications position will also contribute to telling the story of where Police Department dollars are spent. ACTION 9: IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY + ACCESSIBILITY OF DETAILED ICPD BUDGET EXPENDITURES 11 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) Year 1 Progress • Mayor Teague Submitted a Letter to the Johnson County Sheriff Supporting Divestment of the MRAP Vehicle (3/17/21) • Published a memo of all federal contracts that provide support to the ICPD, covering contracts from 2017 to August 2020. • Delivered a memo on ICPD military grade equipment to City Council (8/10/20) Ongoing Commitment All action items associated with this resolution item have been completed. City staff will continue to work towards solutions on this topic as directed by City Council. ACTION 10: REVIEW ICPD INVENTORY OF MILITARY-GRADE EQUIPMENT + SUPPORT COUNTY DIVESTMENT OF MRAP 12 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) Year 1 Progress • Review and Adopted Revised Use of Force G.O. to clearly ban any use of chokeholds or any other maneuver that cuts off oxygen or blood flow. The CPRB reviewed and approved a revised Use of Force G.O. on August 19, 2020. The G.O. was re-issued by the ICPD on August 20, 2020. Ongoing Commitment All action items associated with this resolution item have been completed. City staff will continue to work towards solutions on this topic as directed by City Council. ACTION 11: ADOPT ICPD GENERAL ORDER (G.O.) TO EXPRESSLY BAN CHOKEHOLDS & ANY MANEUVER THAT CUTS OFF OXYGEN OR BLOODFLOW 13 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) Year 1 Progress • Confirmed ICPD Hiring and Recruitment Policy Complies with State Code: 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. The Administrative Rules related HF 2647 were released and became effective May 26, 2021. Upon review of the published rules, staff confirmed that the department’s employment and training policies and procedures are already consistent and compliant with the new law (HF 2647). Ongoing Commitment The City will continue to abide by the approved employment and training policies and procedures, which screens out candidates with a history of serious misconduct. ACTION 12: CONTINUE ICPD POLICY + PRACTICES REFLECT IA H.F. 2647, ENSURING OFFICERS HAVE NOT COMMITTED SERIOUS MISCONDUCT 14 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) Year 1 Progress • Issued Revised General Order on Body Cameras and In-Car Recorders that was approved by the CPRB at their September 8, 2020 meeting. The last update to this G.O. occurred on February 11, 2020, which is reflective of the ICPD’s practice to review and revise General Orders routinely. A memo on September 8, 2020 revision to this G.O. was delivered to City Council on September 10, 2020. • Increased the transparency of monthly Use of Force Reports provided to the CPRB. These reports now include whether the body camera and in-car recording policy was complied with in all Use of Force incidents. Ongoing Commitment The City will continue to abide by the approved body camera and in-car recording policies. It is standards ICPD practice to routinely seek CPRB review, revisions, and approval from the CPRB on all General Order policies. ACTION 13: EVALUATE COMPLIANCE + DISCIPLINARY ACTION RELATED TO PROPER USE OF BODY CAMS AND CAR RECORDERS 15 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 “B”” (Res. 20-159, p. 3, #14) Year 1 Progress Signed a Duty to Intercede MOU with five area law enforcement agencies at a June 19, 2020 joint work session between the NAACP and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Re-Issued the Duty to Intervene and Report General Order. The CPRB reviewed and approved this G.O. with no changes at their July 14, 2020 meeting. The previous Duty to Intervene and Report G.O. was already in compliance with the new Duty to Intercede MOU signed with area law enforcement agencies. An executed copy of that General Order is available online and was re-issued to ICPD staff. Completed Active Bystander for Law Enforcement (ABLE) for all officers. The training was created through a partnership between The Georgetown Innovative Policing Program at Georgetown University in partnership with global law firm Sheppard Mullin. Every Iowa City police officer received this eight-hour training in May 2021, which will be a regular training tool used in the ICPD. Ongoing Commitment The City will continue to abide by the approved Duty to Intervene and Report policies. It is standards ICPD practice to routinely seek CPRB review, revisions, and approval from the CPRB on all General Orders. ACTION 14: ENSURE DUTY TO INTERVENE & STOP EXCESSIVE FORCE, BOTH IN ICPD AND MOU WITH AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT 16 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) Year 1 Progress • Approved a Public Art Project Addressing Systemic Racism at the August 18, 2020 City Council meeting. The proposed art project will be located on the stair towers of the Capital Street Parking Ramp along Burlington Street and is being coordinated by the Center for Afrofuturist Studies and Public Space One. Public input opportunities were provided, and implementation of the project includes a mural, paid fellowships for black artists, community conversation, and other public involvement opportunities. • Renamed Creekside Park to James Alan McPherson Park. At the March 16, 2021 City Council meeting, Councilor approved the park renaming in honor of the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and a renowned educator at the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop. Ongoing Commitment The City will continue to seek opportunities to elevate Black artists and sponsor public art and cultural events that address the Black Lives Matter movement and systemic racism. ACTION 15: INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTIC EXPRESSION BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR 17 Resolution “Prohibit the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbangs against peaceful protestors.” (Res. 20-159, p. 3, #16) Year 1 Progress • Redrafting Use of Force and All Hazards General Orders in accordance with the recommendations outlined in the OIR Report and the First Amendment Analysis conducted by the City Attorney’s Office. Ongoing Committment The updated Use of Force and All Hazards G.O.s will go to the CPRB and the City Council for review, feedback, and approval. ACTION 16: PROHIBIT THE USE OF TEAR GAS, RUBBER BULLETS, AND FLASHBANGS AGAINST PEACEFUL PROTESTORS 18 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) Year 1 Progress • Established Juneteenth as an official City holiday: The City reached an agreement with the Police, Fire, and AFSCME unions to officially replace President’s Day (or Washington’s Birthday) with the Juneteenth holiday. The City also made the change for supervisory and other non-bargaining staff. Ongoing Commitment The City will observe Juneteenth on June 19th annually as a City holiday. If June 19th falls on a weekend, the City will observe it on the Friday preceding or the Monday following the June 19th date. The first official recognition of Juneteenth as a formal City holiday will be Friday, June 18, 2021. The City of Iowa City, Iowa City Human Rights Commission, and staff will be supporting, sponsoring, and participating in events in various capacities for the 2021 Juneteenth Celebration in collaboration with Johnson County and many other community partners. ACTION 17: ESTABLISH JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL CITY HOLIDAY BEGINNING IN 2021 Item Number: 4. J une 17, 2021 Ad Hoc Truth & Recon ciliation Commission: May 13 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: May 13 Item Number: 5. J une 17, 2021 Board of Ad j u stmen t: Ju n e 9 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Board of Adjustment: J une 9 Item Number: 6. J une 17, 2021 Hu man Rights Commission: May 25 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Human Rights Commission: May 25