HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-03 Council minutesr
�_,_ CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 10, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, May 3, 2022 — 4:00 p.m. at City Hall in Emma J Harvat Hall
Council: Alter, Bergus, Harmsen, Taylor, Teague, Thomas, Weiner
Staff: Fruin, Jones, Kilburg, Goers, Fruehling, Davies, Fleagle, Knoche, Havel, Sovers,
Hightshoe, Bowers, Seydell-Johnson, Nagle-Gamm, Ford
USG: Van Heukelom, Miglin
(A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.)
Discuss HRC Recommendation for Additional Social Justice Racial Equity (SJRE) Grant Awards
Mayor Teague welcomed everyone and recognized the Human Rights Commission (HRC) members
present along with commission staff. City Manager Fruin provided a recap from the April 19' City
Council approval and background of funding requests. The HRC recommended to expand the budget
for the grant program from $75k to $150k. City Manager Fruin noted City Council had approved the
FY23 budget that included the HRC Grant funding of $100k. Councilors discussed whether or not to
supplement this year's funding to award a few more applications. City Manager Fruin mentioned the
ability to use Black Lives Matter (BLM) funds for the SJRE grant awards. Individual Council members
expressed their views. City Attorney Goers provided additional information on the funding timeline.
Equity Director Bowers answered questions from Council regarding the application pool and distribution
process.
Action: Staff will ask the Human Rights Commission to consider additional SJRE grant
recommendations to Council with a supplemental $25k in funding. The extra funding will come from the
$1 million BLM funds set aside that Council created in 2020.
Discuss Process for Handling ARPA Funding Requests
City Manager Fruin gave Council an overview of the 5/3 late handout (IP Summary of ARPA Funding
Priorities and Funding Commitments as of May 2, 2022). Council held discussions on ARPA funding
priorities, expenditure deadlines, handling ARPA requests, non-profit emergency request allocation
process, affordable housing initiatives/partnerships, residential climate action initiatives and workforce
development regarding childcare. Individual Council members expressed their views.
Action: Staff will prepare the following:
• An agreement to fully fund the CWJ wage theft proposal. The agreement will be presented for
formal Council consideration in June.
• A memo to Council outlining a recommended process to distribute COVID recovery grant funds
to Iowa City based non -profits totaling $500k from the City's ARPA allocation.
Staff will check with the County and other larger cities in Johnson County to see if there is interest in a
county -wide non-profit needs assessment. If not, staff will report back to Council with a recommended
process for distributing ARPA dollars for capacity building capital projects to our non-profit sector.
Council Work Session
May 3, 2022
Page 2
Staff will also work with the Mayor and Mayor Pro -Tem to schedule a work session presentation from
the local childcare collation and ask them to offer recommendations for potential use of City ARPA
funds.
Clarification of Agenda items
Mayor Pro Tem Alter requested time to welcome the new University of Iowa Student Government
(USG) on the Consent Calendar. Councilor Weiner noted she wanted to comment on item 6.d Energy
Efficiency Grant and its significance.
Information Packet Discussion [April 21, April 281
April 21
1. (IP1: Council Tentative Meeting Schedule). Mayor Teague requested volunteers for the
City Council Listening Post on May 21 at the Public Works Open House.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Alter, Mayor Teague and Councilor Weiner will participate and
will coordinate a time to be present during the event.
2. (IP5: Press Release: Change of date: City's Electric Bus Bash on May 6) Councilor
Weiner confirmed that the Electric Bus Bash would be held in the Chauncy Swan
parking ramp.
April 28
1. (IP5: Memo from Neighborhood & Development Services Director: Affordable Housing
Action Plan) Councilor Harmsen extended a thank you to those working on the
Affordable Housing Action Plan.
2. (IP6: Press Release: Johnson County Direct Assistance Program application process
open through May 23, 2022) Councilor Bergus highlighted the application process and
encouraged people to submit their applications.
University of Iowa Student Government (USG) Updates
Miglin, USG Alternate Liaison and Van Heukelom, USG Liaison presented USG updates. Mayor
Teague presented a certificate to outgoing USG Liaison Van Heukelom.
Council updates on assigned boards, commissions, and committees
Council members reported on various assigned boards, commissions, and committees.
Adjourn 5:40 p.m.