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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-16 Info Packet City Council I nformation Packet December 16, 2021 IP1.Council Tentative Meeting S chedule Miscellaneous IP2.L etter from U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Consolidated Annual P erformance E valuation Report (C A P E R) - P rogram Year 2020 IP3.Civil S ervice E xamination: Mechanic I - E quipment IP4.Civil S ervice E xamination: Recreation A ssistant Draft Minutes IP5.Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: December 2 IP6.Board of Adjustment: December 8 IP7.Civil S ervice Commission: December 7 December 16, 2021 City of Iowa City Page 1 Item Number: 1. D ecember 16, 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 December 16, 2021 Date Time Meeting Location Friday, December 17, 2021 10:00 AM Special Formal Meeting The Center, Assembly Room 28 S. Linn Street Tuesday, January 4, 2022 8:00 AM Special Formal (Organizational Meeting)The Center, Assembly Room 28 S. Linn Street Tuesday, January 4, 2022 4:00 PM Work Session The Center, Assembly Room 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 28 S. Linn Street Saturday, January 8, 2022 8:00 AM Budget Work Session The Center, Assembly Room 28 S. Linn Street Wednesday, January 12, 2022 3:00 PM Budget Work Session (CIP)The Center, Assembly Room 28 S. Linn Street Tuesday, January 18, 2022 4:00 PM Work Session The Center, Assembly Room 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 28 S. Linn Street Monday, January 24, 2022 4:30 PM Joint Entities Meeting TBD Hosted by Johnson County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, February 1, 2022 4:00 PM Work Session The Center, Assembly Room 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 28 S. Linn Street Tuesday, February 15, 2022 4:00 PM Work Session The Center, Assembly Room 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 28 S. Linn Street Tuesday, March 1, 2022 4:00 PM Work Session The Center, Assembly Room 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 28 S. Linn Street Tuesday, March 22, 2022 4:00 PM Work Session The Center, Assembly Room 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 28 S. Linn Street Item Number: 2. D ecember 16, 2021 Letter from U.S. Dept of Housin g an d Urban Devel opmen t (H U D): Consol idated An n u al Performance Eval u ation Rep ort (C AP E R) - Program Year 2020 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description L etter from U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Consolidated A nnual Performance Evaluation Report (C A P E R) - Program Year 2020 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Omaha Field Office Edward Zorinsky Federal Building 1616 Capitol Avenue, Suite 329 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-4908 December 14, 2021 Mr. Geoff Fruin City Manager City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Iowa City, IA 52240 Subject: Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report – Program Year 2020 Dear Mr. Fruin: HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development has sought to establish partnerships with state and local governments. The focus of our partnership has been to work with communities to ensure that our joint efforts result in housing and community development programs and policies that benefit and serve low-and moderate-income persons. These efforts occur within the framework of the statutes that we administer and the regulations and emerging policies that are designed to improve program performance. The provisions of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, require the annual submission of performance reports by grant recipients receiving federal assistance through programs covered under these Acts. Additionally, these Acts require that a determination be made by the Secretary, that the grant recipient complies with the statutes and has the continuing capacity to implement and administer the programs for which assistance is received. Traditionally, these determinations were made through the review of annual reports submitted by grantees for each individual program receiving assistance. With the implementation of the Consolidated Planning Regulations of January 5, 1995, the Department is required to conduct a comprehensive performance review of your overall progress at least annually (24 CFR 91.525). The review consists of analyzing your consolidated planning process; reviewing management of funds; determining the compliance of funded activities with statutory and regulatory requirements; determining the accuracy of required performance reports; as well as evaluating your accomplishments in meeting key Departmental objectives. We congratulate you on your many accomplishments during program year 2020 on achieving Departmental objectives. Some examples of the City’s accomplishments are as follows: In 2020, Iowa City expended Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that assisted 3,156 individuals with various public services and provided public facilities with needed improvements. The city met and exceeded the goal of supporting households through rental assistance, production of new units, and rehab and acquisition of existing units by around 270% which equates to an additional 143 units beyond the target. 2 The city continued to adapt to the changing circumstances with COVID-19 response as a high priority goal. Area nonprofits used CDBG-CV funds to provides public services to over 12,000 people. And there were two competitive funding rounds for local nonprofits to apply for public services funds to prepare, prevent, and respond to the pandemic. Additionally, Iowa City worked with two local nonprofits, CommUnity and Shelter House, to provide emergency housing payments for households affected by COVID-19 to prevent eviction and foreclosure. The City also partnered with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) to establish an economic development program for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. 22 of the 27 businesses awarded through the competitive process were owned by women or persons of color. In March of 2021, Iowa Finance Authority presented the City with an Innovation Award through the Housing Iowa Award ceremony, which recognizes, “outstanding programs, projects, and professionals for leadership, and innovation in advancing housing opportunities for Iowans. The City was recognized for the South District Homeownership program which includes acquisition, rehabilitation, and sale of duplex units to existing eligible rents in the South District neighborhood or other applicants meeting the eligibility requirements. The program utilizes HOME funds to provide down payment assistance. The first duplex renovated through the program was sold to two buyers who had rented in the neighborhood for a combined total of more than 21 years, prior to purchasing a home through the program. During the program year, the city also expended HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funding to provide affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income households. HOME funding provided for the rehabilitation of rental units and owner-occupied housing units. The city certified that it would provide overall benefit to LMI persons for program year 2020 of at least 70 percent. The actual principal benefit for the year was 100 percent, which complies with the regulatory standard. The city utilized 14.93 percent of its CDBG funds for public service activities and 17.12 percent for planning and administration. The city worked diligently to meet CDBG timeliness requirements. The city had a balance of 1.29 funds unexpended 60 days prior to the end of its 2020 program year, which meets the statutory standard for timeliness at 24 CFR 570.902. As part of the review of the CAPER, we are required to review the city’s compliance with the Origin Year grant expenditure test at 24 CFR 570.200(g)(1). The city is required to expend no more than 20% of any origin year grant for planning and program administrative costs. In origin years 2015 through 2019, the city is currently in compliance with the expenditure cap on planning and program administrative costs. In conclusion, as a result of our analysis, we have determined that your overall progress is satisfactory. This determination is based upon the information available to this office and does not reflect a comprehensive evaluation of specific activities. 3 If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Ms. Stewart Guderian, Community Planning and Development Representative, at 402.492.3114, or via email at stewart.k.guderian@hud.gov. Sincerely, Tim Severin Director, Community Planning and Development Division cc: Tracy Hightshoe Erika Kubly Francis Tim Severin 2021.12.14 11:29: 54 -06'00' Item Number: 3. D ecember 16, 2021 Civil Service Examin ation : Mechan ic I - Eq u ipmen t AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Civil S ervice E xamination: Mechanic I - E quipment Item Number: 4. D ecember 16, 2021 Civil Service Examin ation : Recreation Assistant AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Civil S ervice E xamination: Recreation A ssistant Item Number: 5. D ecember 16, 2021 Ad Hoc Truth & Recon ciliation Commission: December 2 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: December 2 December 2, 2021 Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes Emma J. Harvat Hall City Hall Commissioners present: Amel Ali, Kevo Rivera, Daphney Daniel (via Zoom), Chastity Dillard (via Zoom), Wangui Gathua, Eric Harris, Clifton Johnson, Sikowis (Christine Nobiss via Zoom), Mohamed Traore. Staff present: Stefanie Bowers. Community members who spoke at the meeting: Nicholas Theisen, Nisreen Elgaali, Tara McGovern, Stephany Hoffelt, Noah, and Annie Tucker. Recommendations to City Council: Yes, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has continued to advocate alongside the excluded workers in Iowa City and throughout Johnson County. Excluded workers are those frontline workers and formerly incarcerated individuals, most of whom are BIPOC and otherwise marginalized members of our community, who have yet to receive any form of pandemic relief, whereas many others in our community benefitted from the receipt of stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment insurance. We request that Council and the City of Iowa City work to promptly contribute the $1.5 million it has previously committed to an Excluded Workers Fund. $1.5 million of Iowa City's allotment of ARPA funds can ensure that undocumented migrant workers and formerly incarcerated individuals in cur community would receive pandemic relief in the form of $2000 checks. For these workers, this is an urgent and time-sensitive issue, and for this to be carried out equitably and justly, these workers should not face restrictions in accessing these payments. We recommend: - that Iowa City work quickly to disburse an Excluded Workers Fund of $1.5 million in the form of $2000 direct payments to excluded workers by December 24, 2021: and - that these direct relief payments must be easily accessible, without extensive paperwork or procedural obstacles. These recommendations are consistent with the charges as set for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as we have listened to the testimonies of racial minority advocates and community members, and we seek to advance racial justice for our community. Motion passed 9-0. Meeting called to order: 7:06. Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Ali read the Land Acknowledgement. Approval of Minutes from the November 18, 2021: Traore moved, and Gathua seconded. Motion passed 9-0. Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: Theisen, McGovern, Hoffelt, Noah, and Tucker thanked the TRC for offering hybrid meetings. Tucker also provided upcoming dates for TRC members to participate in Circles. Community Comment on TRC’s Charges Including Fact-Finding and Truth-Telling: Traore and Harris will both do their truth-telling at the next meeting date. Ali will reach out to Eduardo Gonzalez, Transitional Justice Expert, to get guidance on properly setting up the framework for truth-telling and on establishing ground rules. Ideally the TRC would like to provide a template to their local sponsors with the framework for the truth-telling. The hope is also that the local sponsors can provide insight to the TRC on the sensitive nature of this work. Discussion on Racism within Iowa City Community Schools: The past two school board meetings have had a lot of commentary on this issue. These are not isolated incidents and such incidents influence whether youth of color choose to reside in Iowa City as they matriculate on to higher education. West High School has done nothing to mitigate the issues that are occurring within their halls. The TRC wants to work with the Black Student Union (BSU) formed at West High School to assist them by providing a safe space to speak their truths and to help uplift the voices of students in the BSU. Together they will work for change. The focus is on working together to create better outcomes for youth of color. Elgaali, Co- President of the BSU reports that she was not aware of the truth-telling session scheduled for the week of December 5. Discussion on TRC Local Partner: Ali was able to connect with the Corridor Community Action Network. Representatives from Iowa City Mutual Aid Collective which is a predominately white group want to make sure that they do not overstep their boundaries since they have been invited to the table by the TRC. Discussion on follow-up from the City Council Work Session of November 30, 2021 on the TRC: Theisen was pleased to see the City Council not tripping over themselves at the work session and that they seem to be on board for extending the timeline for the TRC to complete its work but notes the City Council has also done a lot to impede the work of the TRC. Commissioners noted that it has been over a year since the one million dollars was set aside for the TRC to do its work but as of this meeting date nothing has been spent. The City Council needs to provide the TRC with a concrete plan for hiring a facilitator per the requirement in resolution 20-228 that mandates for the TRC to have one. The TRC also needs funding allocations for additional staff and a City Council liaison to counter act the lack of communication between the TRC and the City Council. After the work session, commissioners are left with more questions than answers. The TRC has been treated like second class citizens. The TRC must beg to be heard. The TRC represents the leaders the community needs. The TRC may add more “local” people to the list of persons who can assist with facilitation to the City Council but plans to stick with the persons selected previously who are the professionals in this area. Ali will discuss with Eduardo Gonzalez on this matter in it will be placed on a future agenda. Sikowis inquired if the City Council had any discussion on compensating the TRC members for their service. The foundation of this work is about truth, reconciliation, and reparations and it comes with emotional labor to its members. The discussion on compensation can continue at a future TRC meeting date. The Fund Excluded Workers Coalition Update: The Johnson County Supervisors have approved 2 million and the City of Iowa City has spoken on giving a little over a million for the Excluded Workers but waiting until March to disperse will not help people. The delay amounts to racism against immigrants. Rivera moved and Harris seconded that: “the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has continued to advocate alongside the excluded workers in Iowa City and throughout Johnson County. Excluded workers are those frontline workers and formerly incarcerated individuals, most of whom are BIPOC and otherwise marginalized members of our community, who have yet to receive any form of pandemic relief, whereas many others in our community benefitted from the receipt of stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment insurance. We request that Council and the City of Iowa City work to promptly contribute the $1.5 million it has previously committed to an Excluded Workers Fund. $1.5 million of Iowa City's allotment of ARPA funds can ensure that undocumented migrant workers and formerly incarcerated individuals in cur community would receive pandemic relief in the form of $2000 checks. For these workers, this is an urgent and time-sensitive issue, and for this to be carried out equitably and justly, these workers should not face restrictions in accessing these payments. We recommend: - that Iowa City work quickly to disburse an Excluded Workers Fund of $1.5 million in the form of $2000 direct payments to excluded workers by December 24, 2021: and - that these direct relief payments must be easily accessible, without extensive paperwork or procedural obstacles. These recommendations are consistent with the charges as set for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as we have listened to the testimonies of racial minority advocates and community members, and we seek to advance racial justice for our community.” Motion passed 9-0. Circles: A few TRC members are available to participate in Circles on December 3 and 5. Commission Announcements: Johnson mentioned he is working with the Salvation Army on Toys for Tots and also that the Salvation Army is seeking people who are available to ring the bell at local businesses. Staff Announcements: Staff mentioned the passing of Human Rights Commissioner Adil Adams in late November. Adjourn: 9:17PM The entire meeting can be viewed at this link https://youtu.be/zxpZIfeyT-M. AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2021 (Meeting Date) NAME TERM EXP. 5/27 6/10 6/24 7/8 7/22 8/5 8/19 9/2 9/16 9/30 10/7 10/21 11/4 11/18 12/2 Ali 6/22 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Daniel 6/22 X X X O X O X X X X O X X X X Dillard 6/22 X O X X X X X X X X X X X X X Gathua 6/22 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Johnson 6/22 X X X X X X X X X X O X X X X Harris 6/22 X X X X X X X O X X X X X X X Nobiss 6/22 X X X X O X X X O X X X X O X Rivera 6/22 X X X X X X O X X X O X X X X Traore 6/22 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X KEY: X = Present O = Absent Item Number: 6. D ecember 16, 2021 Board of Ad j u stmen t: December 8 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Board of Adjustment: December 8 Item Number: 7. D ecember 16, 2021 Civil Service Commission : Decemb er 7 AT TAC HM E NT S : Description Civil S ervice Commission: December 7