HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-12 TranscriptionPage 1
Council Present: Alter, Bergus, Harmsen, Taylor, Teague, Thomas, Weiner
Staff Present: Fruin, Jones, Kilburg, Goers, Fruehling, Platz, Havel, Sovers, Dumachi,
Hightshoe, Sitzman, Lyon
Others Present: Miglin (USG), Zeimet (USG Alternate)
Teague: All right, well, welcome to the City of Iowa City on this 12th day of July 2022. This is
the City of Iowa City's formal meeting and it is just after 06:00 PM and I'm gonna start
with roll call, please. [Roll Call]
2. Special Presentations
Teague: All right, well, we have a full room today. Really appreciate everybody coming into
your city hall, so welcome. Our first- our second item is special presentations, and this is
2.a. This is specal- special recognition for the Iowa City Fire Department and Johnson
County ambulance and we're going to invite Chief Lyon up. Welcome.
Lyon: Thank you. Uh, good evening, council, uh, Mayor and Council. Tonight I share with you a
special event. Uh, it's the savi- saving of a life. Uh, this life-saving, uh, moment is a
direct result of the professionalism and- of- of our members and of, uh, Johnson County
Ambulance and wo- in working together. Uh, Ambulance Director, uh, Fiona Johnson, is
with us tonight. She's going to help handout some awards, as well as, uh, Deputy Chief
Nurnberg. Uh, on May 25th, 2022, uh, Iowa City Engine 4, uh, and the Johnson County
Ambulance were called for a- to a local convenience store, uh regarding a sick person.
Um, while responding, uh, they soon realize that the incident was much worse, and it was
indeed a cardiac arrest. At that time, Engine 1 and the battalion chief were also added to
the event to help out at the scene. Uh, respondent crews arrived on the scene three
minutes and 25 seconds later, uh, so they got there nice and quick after being dispatched
and confirmed that the patient was indeed in cardiac arrest and began CPR. Um, after the
patient received additional medical treatment from folks- uh, personnel, they're taken to
the hospital for further care. Uh, on June 17th, 2022, the patient stopped by Station 4, uh,
to thank the members of the fire department. Um, that, uh, patient is with us tonight. Uh,
Connie is here in the room with us and she'll- she'll come up here in a moment, uh, to
help handout some commemorative coins. Um, the timing of the call on May 25th, uh,
wa- was truly significant. Uh, thirty minutes before the call came out, uh, members of
Engine 4, uh, had just completed CPR and AED refresher training. Um, at the same time,
uh, when the call was received, the Engine 1 crew was heading to Station 4 to receive
CPR training as well. So, uh, needless to say, the- the timing was, uh, quite, quite ironic.
Uh, so tonight we're going to recognize some members, uh, with certificates and
commemorative coins. Uh, Chief, Fiona, Connie. Would you like me to come up there or
stay down? [BACKGROUND] Uh, the first member we'd like to introduce tonight is, uh,
Lieutenant Todd Irwin, Engine 4, [APPLAUSE] Firefighter Larry White, Engine 4,
[APPLAUSE] Firefighter, Glenn Pauley, Engine 4, [APPLAUSE] the Acting Lieutenant
from, uh, Engine 1, Matt Boerjan is unable to be with us this evening, um, as well as
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David Arch from injury. [NOISE] Firefighter James McDonald, Engine 1. [APPLAUSE]
Batallion Chief Zach Hickman, [APPLAUSE] Johnson County paramedic, Wyatt
Glasnapp, I- [APPLAUSE] and Johnson County paramedic, Matt Tracy. [APPLAUSE] I
believe it's super important that we recognize these events, uh, whe- when they happen.
Uh, all to often the outcomes aren't nearly as positive as we'd like them to be. Uh, what
was demonstrated with this event i- is that a quick access to 911 a quick response times
matter. All of these folks gave their all so that, uh, so that Connie could, uh, go on and
live a happy life. Thank you for your time this evening.
Teague:: I want to thank each of you, especially you, Connie, for sharing your story with us and -
and being here tonight. Thanks to each of you and I want to shake each of your hands as
you leave this area. Thank you so much.
Teague: Let's give them one more round of applause. [APPLAUSE] [NOISE] Maybe council can
stand up and join in. [BACKGROUND]
Teague: Can you give council [BACKGROUND]? All right, great.
Goers: Always good luck. [LAUGHTER].
JJJ
Teague: Thank you all. [LAUGHTER]
Goers: These chairs have wheels. You don't want to stand on those? [BACKGROUND]
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3. Proclamations
3.a Roe v. Wade
Teague: All right. We're on to item three.a, which is Roe v. Wade. And this will be read by our
Mayor Pro Tem Alter.
Alter: [reads proclamation] And accepting this proclamation tonight is Stephanie Edmonds, who
is a board member of the Emma Goldman Clinic [APPLAUSE].
Teague: Yes, please.
Edmonds: Hello. I just would like to thank the City of Iowa City for doing this proclamation on
behalf of the Emma Goldman Clinic. We have been fighting for so many years to keep
access available. And it really means a lot during this time to know that the City of Iowa
City supports the women and all the patients at the Emma Goldman Clinic, including the
ones, um, who are coming to our state right now who cannot access that care elsewhere.
So we thank you for this proclamation. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you for all that you do. And Council if anyone wants to have a few words, you
certainly can.
Weiner: I just wanna- I wanna thank you. I wanna to thank the Emma Goldman clinic for the
work that has been doing for so many years. We have never before in the history of this
country has seen a fundamental rights stripped from over half of our population. So we
need to, um, continue to do this work and to recognize that this is -that this is health care.
And this is -it will affect so many different aspects of our community, uh, including our
economy. I don't think people are- are even starting to grasp it yet. So the -the only other
thing I would add is that we talked about Roe v Wade. We did not talk about the Iowa
case. The Iowa Supreme Court also stripped Iowans a week before that of a- of a
fundamental right under the Iowa Constitution. So it's sort of a double whammy, um, for
all pregnant persons and all- all who need, um, the reproductive health care. So thank you
again for the work you do.
Edmonds: Thank you.
Taylor: I'd like to also thank you and your staff past and present for so many years, you've stood
strong no matter what and the supporters have been there and I hope that can continue.
Edmonds: Thank you.
Teague: Thank you so much for being here today.
Edmonds: Yes. Thank you for having me.
Teague: Yes.
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10. Community Comment
Teague: Item number nine is community comment. Oh, sorry. Item number ten. As community
comment, this is an opportunity for folks to come up and talk about any item that is not
on our agenda. You will have up to three minutes to speak and will, uh, go at about 30
minutes. So if anyone would like to come forth, please come to the podium at the back of
the room. There is a sign -in sheet. If people wanted to sign in and place that sign -in in the
bucket, otherwise, you can sign in at the podium. Welcome.
Russell -Curran: Thank you very much for letting me just speak for a few minutes. I miss the
opportunity to comment to the council on the, um, RAL Pool issue and I know the last
meeting had a lot of discussion about that.
Teague: Well, you state your name and where you're from. I mean, state.
Russell -Curran: Yes, of course. My name is Mary Russell -Curran, and I live in- in Iowa City.
Teague: Thank you.
Russell -Curran: And so I have- I have been here for about five years. I've enjoyed living in the
central area of the city. And I think that the RAL pool, in my understanding for- for those
years, has been well used. And unfortunately, I believe a lot of hours have had to be cut
lately. And I believe also that- that it may be that the- the City is, the Commission is not
actually tracking the real numbers of people who show up to use the pool. And- and if- if
hours are cut and lap lanes are cut, um, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. So I would just
think it's a vital part of the downtown and wanted to urge you to do what you can to keep
it and -and improve it so that people in the downtown area can have the benefit of a
facility like that, especially with the warm water that is, um, conducive to so much
pleasure for many people. That's all I wanted to say. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Would anyone else like to address a topic that's not on our agenda?
Welcome.
Michaud: I'm Pam Michaud. I'm from Iowa city.
Teague: Yes, and please. And remember to sign in and.
Michaud: Right. Very close to here. Uh, both my children took twist, uh, swimming lessons at
Robert A. Lee. Um, it's an important facility, not just for high rises at, um, may utilize it,
but a central location for many neighborhoods that is accessible by public transportation.
So it's children can get to Robert A. Lee by themselves, uh, safely on public
transportation or by bike. That is not something they would be able to do if they were
downtown or north side and then bike over to Mercer or City Park, it's just much more
accessible than getting to City Pool. So the, you know, future swimmers is extremely
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important. We only bemoan this when somebody falls into the river and it doesn't come
up again. So swimming lessons are extremely important. A public facility that's in really
good condition should not be demolished. Uh, we need three locations. It's ridiculous
when our town is growing and most of the growth is downtown, that it should be
demolished or otherwise, uh, repurposed. So I would also agree with Mary Curran and
several of my friends who take aquasize here and or other, uh, lessons in the center and a
Robert A. Lee Center. Um, thank you very much.
Teague: Thank you. Will you repeat your name for the record?
Michaud: Pam Michaud.
Teague: Great. Thank you. Welcome.
Campos: Hi. [FOREIGN].
Venegas: [Translator] I'll be translating. My name is Sophie Venegas. This is Ninoshka Campos
and she's from the organization Escucha Mi Voz.
Camopos: [via translator] I applied and received- I was eligible for the- the stimulus check from
Johnson County of $1,400. But, uh, 319 people who were deemed eligible received a
message today that they would not be receiving a stimulus check. And they are being
excluded as they were before ec- excluded again. And it doesn't seem just or right to me
that some people were deemed eligible and others were not. Um, because you guys
already know that the City Council and the City, uh, allocated more than a- allocated
three -and -a -half million dollars for these checks. Uh, that- that mo- that money was
supposed to go to 2,500 people. 2,238 people were, uh, deemed eligible to receive those
checks.But only 1,919 were, uh, selected to get those. So 9- 1,919 out of the 200- 2,238
that were eligible. Uh, this isn't right and this doesn't make sense because Iowa City still
has more than $0.5 million that were supposed to be allocated- allocated to these
individuals, uh, that was not allocated. Um, if three -and -a -half million dollars were
allocated and only 2.7 were given out to members, where is the rest of the money that
was promised, uh, to the excluded workers. And so the just thing would to be to that- to
the 319 people who were deemed eligible but did not win the lottery, uh, be given the rest
of the money that was allocated for this fund to them, uh, and thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Would anyone else like to address this topic or address a topic that is not on
our agenda?
Teague: Welcome.
Colindres (via translator): Good afternoon. My name is Yaneth Colindres. I'm here for the same
reason. I am one of the people who was eligible- who received a message last week that I
was eligible to receive, uh, the stimulus, but then I got a message today that I would not
be receiving one. I work in a restaurant preparing food and I don't make a lot of money
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and it would be really helpful to get that money. It would be really helpful, uh, to be able
to use that money. Thank you very much.
Teague: Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. You- sir. Oh, okay. Yes, welcome.
Gonzalez: [via translator] Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Delcy Gonzalez. I also got the same
message today that I would not be receiving a stimulus check. Um, and it would make a
lot of sense to me and it seems just to me that, uh, those people who were excluded, once
again, uh, to receive the checks because in reality we needed a lot, um, and we didn't
receive any other type of stimulus before. And as a person who is unable to work, um,
this would be- it- it would be, uh, priceless to be able to use this money to be able to live,
and, um, to not be excluded from, uh, once again, from those who did receive the check.
Thank you and I really hope you guys listen to us. Thank you very much.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome. [BACKGROUND]. Okay.
Velasquez: [via translator] Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Nolberto Velasquez. I am also one
of the people who got a message last week that my application was acceptable. And I got
a message today that I would not be receiving any funds. I just want you guys to know
that this is an immense help to us and that we really need it, um, those of us who applied.
And that's my final word for all of you. Thank you
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Garcia: [via translator] Hello, my name is Brisny Garcia. Hi, I'm here for the same reason that -
for my husband and I were both, ah, got the message last week that we were eligible and
the message today that we would not be getting anything. Uh, I wanted- I want you to
know that we need this money and especially because we have children, and if there's
anything you can do to keep- to be able to help us, it would be- it would be an immense
help. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you.
Teague: I'm gonna start this. Welcome. And we're going to make- will you make sure that they
sign their name and put it in the basket? Thank you. And there should be some stickers
on- on the back podium as well. Welcome.
Posas: [via translator] Hi, good afternoon. I was also one of the people who was accepted and,
uh, my application was accepted. And I am an excluded worker of Iowa City. I am a
single mother of three children and, uh, I wanted to let you guys know that this is a great
form and a great way to help us. Those of us who were excluded from government
stimulus checks, especially those of us who were excluded again after this first round of
checks that were given by the City. Thank you.
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Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address? And please give your name and the city.
Perez: [via translator] Hi, my name is Yordy and I- in Coralville. I am another one of the
individuals who got the message last week that I was eligible to receive the $1400 check,
and I also got a message today that I would not be receiving any of those funds. I also
have a family and my father and I work hard, and I just hope that, um, you can listen to
us and God can touch your hearts and help us out. Those 300 of us that did not receive
the- the funds and were eligible. And most of the other 300 people are working parents
like me and were told that they were eligible and that there are applications were, um,
accepted and were waiting on that fun- were waiting on that fund and just now received
the message today that they would not be receiving it. That's- that's all. Thank you and
God bless you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Morales Diaz [via translator]: Hi, good afternoon. My name is Benancio Morales Diaz and I live
in Coralville. I receive the same message as everyone before and I just wanted to come
and say that it's not just for that 300 people were not given, um, their checks even though
they were eligible. And that's why I'm here to hopefully, uh, convince you guys to take
another look and, um, to- to give us the- the money that we were promised. And that's all.
Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Goodner: Good evening. My name is David Goodner and with Iowa City Catholic Worker
House. We knew that the lottery program was bad public policy that was basically
invented by technocrats who have castor oil where their heart and blood should be. Um,
but to have over 172 out of 319 rejected applicants be residents of Iowa City and be
deemed, uh, to lose the lottery when Iowa City is not even spending the 1.5 million that
you all committed to make sure that negatively impacted people in our community
received the $1400 checks that they need. That goes beyond public policy to a broken
promise. And so I don't understand how most of the people in this room, Iowa City
residents lost the lottery when the City of Iowa city has not even spent all of the money
that you committed to spending. How in the world can that happen, and what are you
going to do to fix it? Because we know who these people are. The county has already
vetted them. They're deemed eligible. They've proven all their paperwork. At least 172
out of 319 are Iowa City residents. You have the money, it's money you've already
promised to commit to these people. All you have to do is give the money to the- to the
people like you promised. So let's make that happen and fix this right now. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Tresnack: My name is George Tresnack, Iowa City. I spoke at the last meeting about the
proposed closing of the Robert A Lee Center.
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Teague: Can you pull the mic down, please? Pull the mic down. Thank you.
Tresnack: Since then, things have gotten more confused. Uh, I've swum about one day since then
because the pool is closed, they claimed for repairs, ah, and it was supposed to open
Saturday and they said that no- they- it's close till Wednesday and nobody could give me
any word today whether it was going to be open, ah, and I tried to talk to several staff
members. Nobody there knows anything whether- whether it's going to be open. The
consultants mentioned that one of the problems was- or they implied that one of the
problems was a shortage of lifeguards and it's obvious there's an excessive of lifeguards
and since then, the hours have been cut, ah, and it makes no sense to claim that you have
low usage and cut the hours in the pool when it was opened was totally unused. It sat idle
for the most of the day, uh, and I'm sure other people are in my shoes. I was going
swimming every day. Uh, now, when I wasn't swimming, I- I increase my exercise time
and the- by doubled in the exercise room there, but it still doesn't have the same effect of
swimming on blood sugar and all that. So I'm wondering, uh, who-, uh, what- what the
process is to determine that they have to close the pool or that needs it repairs or
whatever. If- if the- if- if that goes through the consultants or whether that's public works
or whatever. But it would be nice if there was some clarification if it's not gonna be open
so that people would know. That's all I've got to say.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Knapp: Hello. My name is James Knapp. I live at 528 Rundell Street. Years ago, the City of
Iowa City impaired the flow of Ralston Creek, operating on an area that was crossed by
Rundell Street and Muscatine Avenue, which now causes us to be in the floodplain. This
was supposed to be taken care of in April. It isn't. I just got a notice that I've got another
300 and some dollars to pay flood insurance on my property. And everyone else that lives
along Rundell Street, if they have a mortgage, they have to pay 300 and some dollars for
the floodplain which the City of Iowa City should have repaired and they have not done
this. At one time they said they were gonna do it in April. They have not done it. They
now say while we're waiting for FEMA. Well that doesn't help us people that have to pay
$300 for flood insurance when the City is the one that caused the problem in the
beginning. So what are you gonna do?
Teague: Now is an opportunity for you to speak any concerns with council.
Knapp: Well, I just hope that the City is going to do something about it because they were
supposed to in April. And now we're already into July, almost August. And I got a notice
that we have another 300 and some dollar flood insurance to pay on our house. And the
City has caused this problem impairing the flow of roster and Crick and the city should
repair that problem. And so we don't have to do that. Is anybody going to respond?
Teague: Yeah. We can certainly connect with you at a different time.
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Knapp: Okay.
Teague: Thank you.
Knapp: And who will I take my issue to?
Teague: We'll probably have you just contact the city- city clerk's office.
Fruin: we '11 reach out to you, Mr. Knapp.
Knapp: That was supposed to be taken care of by April, but now we're end of July and I get
another notice and everybody along Ralston Creek, around those streets going to have to
pay flood insurance unless their house was totally paid for it and they don't have that.
And I don't need the flood insurance. Ralston Creeks the problem problem, the City was
going to repair it. They should repair it. They should get out there and do it as soon as
possible. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Great. Welcome.
Theisen: Thanks. Good evening, council. My name is Nicholas Theisen. I'm a very recent
resident of the City of Iowa City. I wanted- I had a lot of things that I wanted to talk
about tonight, but you limit these things to three minutes. So I guess I want to focus on
the issue with the excluded workers fund because I just did some- some napkin math
while I was sitting in my chair over there. And the $750,000 that the county is set to
return to you is actually more than enough to cover the, what is it? 319 individuals who
need to be covered like and as David said, just now, you- they've already been vetted.
They've already been identified like all of the actual logistical work has been done. And
from what I recall when this body was still meeting back in the Senior Center and was
discussing how much money to give to the County in order to support this fund, I
believe- correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was Councilor Bergus who said that
you -all wanted to do this precisely because you wanted to include as many people as
possible. And so now we're in a situation where it is entirely in your court where you
could fix a grievous harm that the county is perpetrating on these individuals. What's
fascinating about Iowa City as a location is that it has this weird reputation as this
extremely wealthy and/or boujee place. But what's odd about Iowa City that actually the
data reveal is that of the five largest cities in the state, it actually has the lowest median
income. It also has the highest poverty rate. And it's not even close. So the thing is the
reason why that's the case is because what you have in this county and especially in the
city is extreme wealth inequality. And the individuals who are being excluded from these
checks are precisely the people who make your boujee lifestyles possible. Every single
person is sitting up on that dais doesn't actually have to deal with the bullshit than your
average working-class person has to deal with on a day-to-day basis. So if you actually
have the moral core that you claim to have, you really should be doing the right thing and
saying eff the county and just pay these people yourselves. That's the right thing to do. I
don't really have a whole lot of hope that you're going to do it, but that is the right thing
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to do. Since I do actually have a little bit of time left, I would like to address the parks
and rec situation because from what I recall, I don't remember who it was. But back when
the issue of the winter shelters was being discussed, we heard time and time again that
that is not a service that is traditionally provided by the City. And here, when you're
talking about rec services, this is a service traditionally provided by the city and you're
just going to cut it. So I guess the question is, how much do the poor and lower-income
residents of the city have to suck up in order for you to feel okay with the rules. Thank
you.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address a topic that is not on our agenda? Welcome.
Miglin: Hi, Council.
Zeimet: Hi. My name is Keaton Zeimet. I'm a resident of Iowa City and I'm here to give a USG
announcements; Undergraduate Student Government if you don't know what that is. And
due to an increase in on -campus housing demand, Park- Parkland Residence Hall will be
reopened after closing in 2017. The building will have the capacity to house an additional
137 students. Additionally, tuition will be raised by 4- 4.2 percent this corning year. And
so many students will be facing housing as well as food insecurities. USG is excited to
work with the council on all that we can sup- to support mutual aid efforts in order to
curb these negative impacts. And then a Womens Rights March was held at the
Pentacrest on June 24th to defend bodily autonomy and as a response to the recent
overturned Roe v. Wade case.
Miglin: In light of the constitutional and, or Iowa constitutional as well as SCOTUS actions
against menstruating individuals and their access to abortion, USG stands with the
victims of these actions and those that have fought in years past to make healthcare a
human right. USG hopes to see actions by the state and city to financially support
healthcare providing clinics, such as the Emma Goldman Clinic. Additionally, USG will
be keeping an eye out for any City efforts to fully fund the promised funds for excluded
workers. Wage theft is already a- a national crisis and an Iowa City crisis. When support
is offered to our community one day, it is cruel to change your mind seven days later. We
hope the Council will provide an answer to the delays and vagueness in the fund status.
And then finally, after taking some summer time off, we will be having our first USG
executive meeting later this week, which we will be able to then thereafter relay more
information about our priorities this year, such as night and daytime security on and off
campus, waste reduction, sustainable transportation and more. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address a topic that is not on our agenda? I see no one,
I'm going to close community come.
Fruehling: We do have one online.
Teague: So they're not showing up. All right, sorry, I didn't see it. I'm going to call Dan.
Welcome.
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Kauble: Hi. Can you hear me?
Teague: Yes, sorry I wasn't able to see it on my previous screen, but now I see it.
Kauble: You're totally good. Um, at first I would like to say that it's important for the City to
fully fund- fund excluded workers, something that the Iowa City and Johnson County
governments have said that they will do but they failed at doing so. Um, the County is
reimbursing over $500,000 to Iowa City despite the fact that numerous Iowa City
residents who have been cleared by the County for payments, um, and who had not
received stimuluses originally have now lost out on the county lottery. This is
unacceptable. Um, I fully- I don't- I don't know what you all will do. I hope you guys do
the right thing and fight for these people to get their stimulus payments because it's
obvious that you have the money to do so and if you don't, I mean, you're just going to
live up to all of the bad things that have ever been said about you. Um, regarding the Roe
v. Wade proclamation earlier, I would just like to point out that the Council truly cares
about reproductive freedom. I urge each of you to contact Janet Lyness and Rachel
Zimmerman Smith who's gonna probably replace Lyness, um, urge them to proclaim
their office will not prosecute abortion providers or patients. If they don't, our community
could be a haven for reproductive health care. Lastly, I'm here to talk about ICPD Officer
Jeff Reinhard. Earlier this summer, he was captured on video beating a tiny woman who
was handcuffed, and he did so without justification. Now this has been revealed that his
dubious actions have- in another case have cost the City of Iowa City over $190,000.
This is because he wrongfully and maliciously detained a man with no just cause but
rather because Reinhard pretended in his reports said the man was intoxicated. How
much more are you going to take from this person? I mean, not even morally, but -but
financially. Jeff Reinhard is costing the city money. Um, if he is not fired, Council and
city staff are sending a message that you are okay with your constituents being beaten
and wrongfully imprisoned and more than that, you are okay pissing money down the
drain. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. And I don't see anyone else on online, so we will move forward to our next
item.
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11. Planning & Zoning Items
11.a Zoning Code Amendment — Various Minor Historic Preservation Code
Changes
Teague: Item number 11, which is planning and zoning matters. 11.a Zoning Code Amendment,
various historic preservation code changes, ordinance amending Title 14 zoning of the
Iowa City codes to clarify code language related to historic preservation. I'm gonna open
the public hearing and we're gonna start with staff, welcome.
Sitzman: Thank you. Mayor and Council, Danielle Sitzman Neighborhood and Development
Services. This agenda item is another minor code change of uh, ordinance. It's similar to
the one that you heard last time, which had a variety of other minor code changes
included in it. These are all ones that relate to historic preservation so they were handled
separately because they were routed to the Historic Preservation Commission for
recommendation as well as the Planning and Zoning Commission so they're trailing
behind those code changes by just a little bit. There are four co- code -code changes
included in this ordinance, I'll go through them briefly. As I said, they all relate to historic
preservation and have received a recommendation from that group, as well as the states,
um, historic preservation coordinator. So the four changes include one change which has
to do with a, uh, clarification only. Again, these are minor code changes, these are not
meant to change the function or the intent of the code. There simply ways for our staff to,
um, adopt code changes to make them more clear about what we're doing with the code
changes- with the codes themselves. This change would basically remain consistent with
staffs interpretation of provisions that allow the board of adjustment to grant special
exceptions for properties that are, um, designated historic and clarifying that when we
talk about, um, historic landmarks and properties located in historic preservation districts,
they share the same zoning designation, which is OHD and so that is the purview of the
board of adjustment to- to grant the waivers through special exceptions to. That's what
we've done all along but we just wanna clarify, um, based on the zoning designation that
those two things are the same thing. So again, just clarifying how we're currently
operating. The second code change has to do with removing the list of local landmarks
and historic districts and conservation dis- districts itemized in the code language itself.
Those are displayed on a map and are recorded in the ordinances when they are zoned so
it's unnecessary for them to be in the code language itself and in fact, we don't do such a
great job of keeping that list up to date so it's not actually as accurate as the other items.
We're, uh, proposing to remove that from the code. Those properties would still remain
zoned as they are, they just would be found and referenced, uh, in the maps and the
ordinances. The third change is to add a- a- abbreviation for zoning district that already
exists, but for some reason didn't list its code abbreviation so like all the zoning districts,
they have a name, but they also have an abbreviation. So in this case, we're adding the
OCD abbreviation for the conservation district overlay. And the last change that's
included in this amendment is, uh, to just clarify the public notice procedures that we go
through. We have a set- set of procedures, but they're not itemized clearly in the code
itself, so that would, uh, be included there and then also clarifying that we're not going to
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route things to the State Historic Preservation Office unless the State Historic
Preservation Office is going to comment on them. We'd been sending them everything
that we did and they don't necessarily comment on everything, they just want the things
they want to see so this code change would clarify we're only going to send them those
things. Um, as I said, this went through, uh, review by Historic Preservation and Planning
Commission and they're both recommending, uh, adoption of the- the code changes
tonight. I'm happy to answer questions.
Teague: Any questions for Danielle? Thank you. Any questions from anyone in the public? All
right. Welcome.
Boyd: Thank you. My name is Kevin Boyd, I think you all know that I Chair the Historic
Preservation Commission. I come tonight with two things related to this agenda item, the
first is about process. The city code outlines the Historic Preservation Commission's
mandate. It says in part, the Commission shall, not may, further the efforts of historic
preservation in the city by making recommendations to the City Council and city
commissions and boards on preservation issues. The city staff and Development Services
initially decided three of these four items related to historic preservation cleanup code
should not come before our committee- our commission, uh, despite what city code
requires. I happened to read the Planning and Zoning agenda where these were originally
posted so, uh, items related to historic preservation and thought it may have been an
oversight yet when I reached out to development services, the response was push back. It
was only after I wrote a letter directly to the Planning and Zoning Commission that the
requests got addressed. But as often as the case, many eyes on the proposal made it
better. The discussion at our meeting helped identify an issue, fellow commissioners were
asked where the list of local landmarks would exist if these changes were made. Uh, it
was only really in the zoning maps and the ordinance, not the easiest place for the public
to fmd them. Development Services thought they existed elsewhere and was incorrect. So
the Commission request that was not presented tonight was to include the list on the City
website, along with other maps of historic districts a simple solution to better inform the
public. Which brings me to my second item, a request. I ask that you await on the second
consideration of this item, move this stuff forward tonight before second, um,
consideration until that list of local landmarks is included on the City website. Our
commission has often requested updates to historic preservation website with no staff
follow up, we're often told that our commission requests for staff action, even small
action like this, is only acted on it if council direct staff. So your direction and a deadline
would be good to ensure the public has access to the list of local landmarks. I know this
list was just updated internally in late May, early June for the annual mailing they do to
those property owners. Um, so formatting and putting a website should be pretty
straightforward. I think there's three weeks before your next meeting when second
consideration would be. I hope you honor our request. I appreciate your time and
consideration and service as always. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Would anyone else like to address this topic? Seeing know one, I'm going
to- I'm going to close the public hearing and can I get a motion to get first consideration?
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Thomas: So moved, Thomas.
Weiner: Second, Weiner.
Teague: All right, and council discussion.
Harmsen: Out of curiosity, how much would it- how much would it take to get the- the list that
Mr. Boyd was talking about up on our City website.
Fruin: I have to check if what we have is updated, but I'm looking at a list on the website right
now so maybe it's an issue of whether that's up-to-date or not. Generally speaking, it's not
difficult to add text to a website, but I'm looking at a list right now.
Teague: All right, any other comments? Roll call, please. [Roll Call]. Motion passes 7-0.
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12. Settlement Agreement Approval
Teague: Item number 12 is settlement agreement approval, resolution improving the settlement
of pending litigation. Can I get a motion to approve, please. [NOISE]
Alter: Move to Alter.
Bergus: Second Bergus.
Teague: All right. Anyone from the public like to address this topic? Welcome.
Theisen: Uh, good evening again, Council.
Theisen: Um, it's hard to know where to actually begin with this issue because there have been
so many incidents.
Teague: I want you give your name? [OVERLAPPING].
Theisen: I'm sorry, Nicholas Theisen. I am a resident of Iowa City. The same is true as it was
before. It's hard to know where to begin with this, but much has been made of one of the
officers involved, Reinhard. In fact, a lot has been said on social media and so forth. But I
actually want to draw your attention to the other officer involved in this situation, Travis
Graves. Sony, councilor I'm seeing you confused.
Harmsen: Are we on the zoning issue?
Theisen: You said 12 the settlement agreement.
Harmsen: Oh, I'm sorry, I beg your pardon.
Theisen: Yes, sir.
Harmsen: I was confused.
Theisen: So can I ask the Chair to reset my time, please.
Teague: You can continue.
Theisen: Well, I would like to have my time reset because it was taken by Councilor Harmsen.
Teague: You can continue and we'll give you a few more seconds.
Theisen: Okay. Thank you. In the case of Officer Graves, if he was responsible for assaulting a
black teenager in 2015 in the very rec center that you all want to close down the pool at.
At the time in fact, there was a huge demonstration right out there and I know this
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because I was there. It involved a lot of people who now see- well actually strangely
cared a lot about, um, police brutality at the time, and suddenly when they got into
elected office, stopped caring. We're not going to talk about certain, uh, county
supervisors. But that the issue is, is that that happened in 2015, when he assaulted a kid.
And then two years later, the issue that is underlying this particular settlement happened.
You kept him on for two more years so that he could pull some bullshit, again, and the
thing is this is a pattern of behavior with ICPD. I mean, I know none of you give a crap
about what happened to Chris Williams when I think it was as many as ten local law
enforcement basically beat the crap out of him. I'm not and it was so egregious that a -
that a federal judge literally referred to it as a case of walking while black. And so the
thing is, I wonder at what point this city is actually going to become serious about these
issues. Because the thing is, every time one of these officers does something, we pay for
it. Literally, the city is going to have to pay for this. Travis Graves doesn't have to have
liability insurance to cover. In fact, he's literally covered by a legal doctrine that prevents
any real liability from going his direction. So the thing is, I would think that is great
fiduciaries of the city's finances that you would actually care about these things when
they happen. Because as I said, we end up having to pay for them. And that's all really
have to say about that. I just -I know you didn't give a crap about the protests, and know,
you didn't give a crap about any of the things that happened in the summer of 2020. But I
would think that you would at least care about the money.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address this topic? Seeing no one, council discussion.
Roll -call, please. [Roll Call]. Motion passes 7-0.
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13. City Council Committee Appointments
13.a. Community Violence Intervention Initiative Appointment
Teague: Item number 13 is count- city council committee appointments, and 13.a is community
violence intervention initiative appointment. Um, this is a motion- could I get a motion to
approve one council member? Well, I guess we'll wait for the motion. So this is a proven
one council member to the community violence intervention initiative, and now, council
discussion.
Teague: I will just say that this is something that I've been hearing about a little bit about. The -
they've already been an operation awhile, um, and they have some initiatives that, one
they have some money that the county put aside over a million dollars. To maybe help
with some of the initiatives that are created amongst this group. I know that our, um,
police- someone from our police also is involved in this group. I believe it's the police
chief.
Fruin: We have- we have several members of the police department that are active on the
committee.
Teague: Yeah. As well as other I know the county is on there, and I would like that be
considered if council would support me being the representative appointee, but I don't
know who else is interested?
Alter: Actually, Shawn Harmsen and I both, uh, had a brief discussion saying that we were both
interested. But, um, we didn't want to arm wrestle it so that we felt it was best to put it to
council. So perhaps we'll just add you in the mix and- and we can decide our fate.
Harmsen: Yeah, I certainly support- yeah, I certainly support our council having a active
participation, and then coming back. This is a, you know, this is an issue that I've spoken
on and- and- and others have as well many times about the- the violence and- and the gun
violence, uh, in not just our community, but communities all across the country, and so,
um, you know, I would be fine supporting another council member, if we were looking
for somebody to, uh, jump in there, I'd be happy to do that as well.
Teague: Sure
Alter: Same, I actually was- it was just a cool moment because we're at the diversity market, and
actually Kevin Burt was playing, and he talked to me for a little bit and he said this is
exactly what, you know, community -building is, and how you build a healthy
neighborhood. And um, yeah, he just, he- he sort of put to voice in a very concise way
about saying this is what makes a community unique. It's what makes a community feel
invested in itself and neighborhoods. And so I've been a little involved with, um, some of
the, um, Moms Demand Action and some of their community interrupters. And so
anyway, I just I'm very much in favor of the fact that the county, and- and the city are all
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working together to try and look at this from a more root cause kind of a thing rather than
band-aid. So I also -am interested, however, I support strongly whoever ends up being
representative.
Teague: One of the reasons why I want to do it is, because I think some of the solutions that
they're talking about is really being out in the field, and- and reaching community
members, neighborhoods to try to figure out ways that individuals can combat what's
happening in our community. We've known- we all know that there has been an increase,
um, in some of these individuals are, uh, people of color, um, and how do we really
engage with some of those community members. If we're going to be actively asking
them to participate. And so I do think that for this particular committee, when we're
talking about, uh, some of the gun violence that's been happening, uh, within our city. I-
I- I do think that, um, I just have a little, um, additional, uh, experience. [LAUGHTER] I
just I just got back from Chicago to which is a whole another topic I won't talk about
today, but I will tell you that it was a great experience in Chicago. Went to big events and
there was nothing that happened. I wish we could have video showed, videotape that. But
nevertheless, that's the only thing that I'll say is that I- I- I think this will be, um, really a
well-rounded, uh, group and, um, lots of initiatives now. Of course, um, that doesn't mean
that any one council that is apointed to this cannot seek and, you know, share ideas with
other council members.
Taylor: I think rather than each of us, it might be interested in- in- in filling this position, duking
it out or drawing straws. [LAUGHTER] I think it would make sense that, uh, we would
say that it would be appropriate for our mayor, uh, to represent us as a whole, uh, for this
group. I don't know what others think?
Harmsen: I'm okay with that, and I look forward to proposals coming back. So things- concrete
things, uh, from that and other sources that we can, you know, try and move the needle
on this issue as much as we can as a council. So yeah, no. I would support that.
Taylor: Okay.
Teague: And- and I don't know, uh, the- the rules of this group, but we potentially could have
some fill-ins. I don't you know, um, I don't know what this group does. If there's- if
there's an absent- if you're absent.
Goers: I think that's right. Uh, in speaking with Rachel Zimmerman Smith with the Johnson
County Attorney's office who's, uh, um, heading up this group, I got the impression that
unlike a number of entities to which this council appoints a single member in their, you
know, voting rights and so forth, that this is built a little bit more on consensus. Uh, as
Geoff mentioned, you know, there are a number of ICPD folks who are involved, other
agencies involved are the Juvenile Court Services, UAY, Adult Corrections, the
Coralville PD, Johnson County Sheriffs Office, Abbe Center, the School District,
several representatives from the school district, uh, and Royceann Porter from the
County. There are a couple of facilitators I understand, uh, from Cedar Rapids who are
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assisting. So in answer to your question, I think one representative would be great. That
was their request in speaking with Rachel, urn, and I think it would be wholly appropriate
to send someone in your stead if- if uh, our chosen representative is not able to make it.
Teague: And if that's agreeable.
Taylor: Yeah.
Teague: You know I- I know two that are willing I can- there you go. [NOISE]
Taylor: It sounds good.
Harmsen: But do we need a motion to this effect?
Goers: We do need a motion to appoint to that person. We wouldn't need a motion to have a
backup. You are certainly free to if you want to.
Harmsen: I would then make a motion to, uh, apoint Mayor Teague to be our representative to
this body or to that other body?
Alter: Second.
Teague: All right. We have a motion by Harmsen, seconded by Alter. All in favor say aye.
[OVERLAPPING] Aye.
Any oppose? Motion passes 7-0.
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14. Council Appointments
Teague: Item number 14, council appointments. Applicants must reside in Iowa City and be 18
years of age and less specific qualifications are stated. We have 2- 3 tonight.
14.a. Climate Action Commission
Teague: One is 14.a, is the Climate Action Commission. Climate Action Commission, one
vacancy to fill an unexpired term effective upon appointment through December 31st,
2023, and we can go at this one first.
Weiner: At the outset, I just like to say that one of the, um- one of the applicants is no longer
eligible. Um, I- I reached out to Elena Swanson who had said in her original application
that she would be moving from Cedar Rapids, to Iowa City. In fact, she's now in Des
Moines. So- [LAUGHTER]
Taylor: I, uh, ah, found Matthew Walters application interesting because it said he's been part for
a couple of years of the Equity Working Group of the Commission. So I know they have
separate little working groups that have been working in conjunction with them so I
thought he might be a good, uh, fit for the commission.
Harmsen: I would, uh, throw out there too that I thought- first of all, lots of great applications on
this and then the other things we're considering tonight. In fact, it was and- almost an
embarrassment of riches in terms of the kinds of background and enthusiasm that
community members are willing- willing to bring, um, to these- to these- to this
commission work. But that said when they did kinda stick out to me was, uh, hopefully I
pronounced this right, Ethan Turbine, uh, Furman. Um, and what jumped out to me as
Environmental Safety Coordinator at the U of I Environmental Health and Safety Office,
um, and also hadn't had mentioned some stuff in his application I thought was interesting
about doing prairie work and, ah, you know, we've had seen some more and more work
that the City's done in some of our local prairie plantings, which I think are, you know,
look quite beautiful as you drive around town, but also some residents who have- have
tried to look- do some more prairie grasses to convert their, you know, traditional green
lawns. So not just- just throwing that out there as somebody probably worth a second
look by the rest of the council.
Weiner: But there- there were two or three applicants who are connected with the university and
that struck me there. The- they're probably a- their probably wasn't an accident and b -that
it's probably not a bad idea to have more interaction with the- with the- with the- with the
University on this topic in particular.
Taylor: He was one of those question I had with him was how- how strict are we on the Iowa
City address? He has a Coralville address.
Harmsen: Oh, I missed that.
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Taylor: So are we strict on that?
Teague: Yeah. Well.
Taylor: Go ahead.
Teague: We have two commissions that are not- you don't have to be a resident of Iowa City.
Now this might be one except it may only be for, Kellie help us, for those identified, um,
because I know that we have MidAm
Taylor: MidAm and the University.
Teague: And the University of app- appointees. So this- this may not be limited.
Harmsen: If we're catching that, I had missed that, I guess I just kind of assumed that.
Taylor: I mean, just a minor detail because it is very well qualified. And I- echo while we're
looking into this, what, your comment because it was amazing out of all of the
commissions that the ones we were looking at anywhere from being in the community for
only a few weeks to 40, 50 lifelong years. I mean, it was such a span there of- of the life
experiences here and how long they'd been in the community and really wanting
seriously to serve the community. It's- I was impressed, very impressed with each and
every one of them.
Fruehling: Mayor, so for Climate Action, um, it's 11 members, nine at -large, appointed by the
council, one MidAmerican, one University of Iowa. Iowa City residents should be given
preference, but their members are not required to have Iowa City residents.
Taylor: But not required to. Yeah. Okay.
Bergus: I think I like Matthew Walter and the experience that he had on a working group and
maybe moving up from that to- to the Commission.
Thomas: Yeah. I was also leaning a little bit toward Matthew Walter as well.
Teague: So it sound alike, we have majority and I can certainly support Matthew as well. So
Matthew Walter, we will do them all at the end if that's okay with council.
Teague: So Matthew.
Alter: Matthew. Oh, it's just the one. Sony.
Teague: He's only one. Yeah. So Matthew is just one.
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Alter: Got it.
14.b. Human Rights Commission
Teague: Alright. We're gonna move on to 14.b, which is Human Rights Commission. Human
Rights Commission, one vacancy to fill an unexpired term effective upon appointment
through December 31st, 2023. And Council discussion, um, and this again is just one
appointment, no gender balance.
Alter: One person that struck my, I mean, there was so many people who applied who are also
well-qualified. It would be amazing to be able to appoint them all. But one person that
struck me as interesting, but maybe as a fit for HCDC was Kim Gilmore Sr. simply
because he was in the working group for housing on the HRC. So- and I know that there
are- uh, there'll be openings coming up. So given how many candidates there are for us to
consider, this might be one way to be able to help with the desire to serve, as well as sort
of fitting in with a place where he felt that he had a special niche. So I just- I put that out.
I realized that's not where we're at, but just to sort of almost like eliminate and yet not
eliminate someone.
Teague: Do we know in his application that he state he also applied.
Alter: I do more.
Teague: For a HCDC.
Taylor: No, he did- I don't think he did.
Weiner: He or she.
Alter: So, I mean, that also might be his prerogative, obviously.
Teague: Sure. Sure.
Bergus: I thought Kelsey Paul Shantz looked very impressive. I recommend her for appointment.
Thomas: She was on my shortlist.
Weiner: I was- I was impressed with her- with her application in part because it would bring, I
think probably an entirely different perspective of international human rights law and
constantly working in that and so bringing- having a- having a different overlay.
Alter: I was very impressed with her.
Teague: I'm hearing a majority support for Kelsey. Is that what I hear?
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Harmsen: Sure.
14.c. Parks & Recreation Commission
Teague: All right. And then Parks and Rees, Item 14.c, Parks and Recreation Commission one
vacancy to fill that unexpired term effective upon appointment through December 31st,
2025, Council discussion.
Taylor: Kellie, I was confused about Stephen Birds application because his first term was up last
November. But did he rep- apply since then and we didn't accept him. He's applying
again. I was confused.
Froin: I believe that is correct. He termed off and he's a applied to- he's interested in serving
again.
Taylor: Oh, okay. Okay. So-
Fruin: He was actually- I think he was the Chair of the Commission for a while.
Taylor: Right. But then he's been off for a few months and now is interested again. Okay.
Bergus: It looks like the date of his application was November of 2021 so right before his term
ended.
Taylor: Ended, right. Right.
Alter: Someone who actually stood out to me was Connie Moore. I thought that she had an
interesting background that could serve. And of course, I wrote her name down and read
the application with interest, but I didn't give myself any notes so give me a moment.
Taylor: I had- I had two stars by her name also, Megan, and- and just made note. She's a physical
therapist and she has been on the board of Systems Unlimited [OVERLAPPING] and
really believes in the needs of the disabled and she really feels parks. Although, we're
working really hard on getting them all to be inclusive, but she would bring that sort of
perspective to the board and to be interesting.
Alter: And expert kind of immediacy to the discussions.
Taylor: Right.
Teague: Any other suggestions?
Weiner: I also appreciated Mitch Lingos application for a variety of reasons. Sort of multi -
generation, dealing with different parks and so forth in the community. I mean, I'm
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perfectly happy to go with- with Connie Moore. Just wanted to mention that I thought
that was also a very strong application.
Harmsen: Yeah. I was going to say that one also, not- not to- not to necessarily argue against
Connie, but- but just to Mitch's did to- Mr. Lingos did- did jump out at me a little bit. The
multi -generational sort of aspect was kind of a, you know, between the small children,
humanists himself, and his wife's older parents. And that's a newer application so I think
that stays in our- in our mix for a while then.
Teague: Yeah. One- one thing about that, when I was thinking about, um, like the Senior Center
and some of the missions of- his multi -generational efforts as well as, I mean, that's what
our parks and rec is. It's multi -generational on- on a lot of level and so, um, Mitch did
also resonate with me.
Alter: I was also, I mean, again, just throwing this name out here for more conversation, but, um,
Aaron Brooch- Browie- Browish- Broege. All right, I'm sorry, I'm sure that I butchered
that name. But he seems to have a lot of- kind of experiential background, um, you know,
that he was with county parks maintenance in Wisconsin, um, public park development in
the city of Debuque, um, so it seems to me that- that he also is someone who might be
good in the mix. And I'm not sure how the roll -off is working if there'll be other
appointments coming up, but he's someone definitely to keep in mind if not for this time.
Bergus: Yeah, he was on my shortlist also.
Teague: Well, we got a lot of shortlists- [OVERLAPPING].
Bergus: Can I ask Kellie a- process- [OVERLAPPING]
Weiner:- qualified people.
Bergus: Question. When someone's not selected for a commission, do they get any
communication from the City? And in that, do we let them know other vacancies or
opportunities as we're identifying people who we think might be good for other
commissions? Is there any communication that goes to them?
Fruehling: I know it says that, you know, that we'll keep their application on file for a year, um, I
don't know and that could probably be something that we could either add to the email or
the- the letter, like the link to current vacancies. I can't remember off the top of my head
if- if it's already on there or not. Okay. If it's not, we can add it.
Bergus: That might be- or something that a councilor who feel strongly could take it upon
themselves to get in touch with that person and say, based on what we saw here, we
thought you might consider applying for something else.
Teague: Uh-huh.
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Thomas: I'll just- P11 just add Susan Mellerka's name as well. I mean, there were- there were so
many good applicants, but I was, uh, also responded favorably to her- her comments.
Teague: So I'm not exactly sure if I heard majority for Mitch or and Connie tied or if I heard
majority for Mitch.
Harmsen: I think for- for me I [inaudible] kind of, the honorable mention for- for Mitch. I think
Connie also brings that. Somebody else had mentioned earlier about the physical therapy
aspect of it and that sort of- and I think as we take a look at some of our- it's one of many,
many things that will be beneficial to us. I think as a city, as we look at some design
issues, um, I would expect that somebody with that background would have some really
keen insights, um, into, you know, those kinds of aspects of accessibility, which, you
know, I think just has to be one of our top priorities on, you know, everything we do in
our city.
Alter: I would agree with Shawn.
Teague: So you supported Mitch?
Alter: No, Connie.
Taylor: Connie.
Weiner: Connie.
Teague: Connie. Okay.
Bergus: Pm good with Connie.
Teague: All right. So Connie has the majority. So were you talking about Mitch and then
switched to Connie?
Harmsen: I think I was at the end there, yes.
Teague: Yes. Oh, okay. I was like, Shawn was tracking and then he started talking about ADA
and I'm like, well, that's not really- [OVERLAPPING].
Harmsen: No, no, I did. I switched Pm sorry, I didn't make that clear.
Teague: Yes. All right. Now I'm tracking. All right, so Connie Moore. All right, we are ready to
make a- appointments. Could I get a motion to a point to the Human Rights Commission?
Weiner: So I moved that we appoint Matthew Walter to the Climate Action commission, Kelsey
Paul Shantz to the Human Rights Commission, and Connie Moore to Parks and Rec.
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Taylor: Second Taylor.
Teague: Moved by Weiner, seconded by Taylor. All in favor say aye. [voice vote] Aye.
Teague: Any oppose? Motion passes seven to zero.7-0.
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16. City Council Information
Teague: Item number 16, City Council information. What are the updates?
Bergus: Jump in. I just want to make everyone here aware that the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission had a really, really engaging, productive, good work session on Friday
evening, um, because they had an in-person visit from Eduardo Gonzalez and David
Ragland from Think Peace, um, who came- who have spoken to the Commission before.
Janice and I have worked with Eduardo from since, I don't know, probably August 2020,
um, at the time that we were looking to create the commission, um, and he's someone
with incredible credentials regarding, um, peace efforts throughout the world over a long
period of time so, um. I don't know if we'll be getting any kind of update on the work
session per se, but I do think that there'll be a facilitator proposal forthcoming that is tied
to some of the conversation that came from that and their visit to the community. So it
was really an excellent opportunity.
Alter: May I ask? So does it seem worth? Um, I know we haven't done it with other
commissions, but it's allowed or we do it on occasion just to invite the TRC at a work
session just to get a sense of where are you now so that it's not having to wait for a formal
proposal and whatnot just to get a- it's a check-in, quite literally just ask them, can you
come and talk to us about what you've been doing since?
Teague: I don't know that we could actually engage in that type of level of conversation.
Alter: Well, that's what I'm wondering.
Teague: Yeah.
Alter: That's why I asked the question whether that's possible or not.
Teague: If it was on the work session agenda and there was some type of a- a report from
them.Yeah.
Alter: Yeah. Yeah. That was kind of what I was- [OVERLAPPING].
Teague: Yeah. We can't engage in that.
Goers: You mean tonight? I think I- [OVERLAPPING]
Teague: We can't tonight.
Alter: No, no, no, no, no.
Goers: But you're talking about in the future?
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Alter: Yeah. Yeah, say at a future work session would it be possible for us to invite TRC? I'm
sorry, I was not clear, to invite the TRC to give us sort of a- a check-in and an update of
just here's the work that we've been at, here's where we're going, but allow us to be able
to have conversation or whatnot. Um, so that maybe there can be some kind of feedback
if necessary or desired, or just to call a check-in before seeing a proposal in its state
before us for a vote?
Goers: Sure. That would be legally permissible. They would have to notice their meeting as well
as yours and so forth, but otherwise, that's work.
Alter: Well, I guess I'm also, you know, trying to gauge interest from Council as well, and
perhaps it's, you know, not, throwing it out there.
Teague: Yeah, I guess at least for me, um, I think they're having their conversations, and so we'll
be seeing something soon but-
Bergus: I hope they know we're receptive to hearing them.
Alter: Yeah.
Bergus: I think that's what you're getting at.
Teague: Yeah.
Alter: Honestly that is -
Teague: Yeah, that's the bottom line. Yeah.
Alter: It's not- it's not- yeah. It should- exactly.
Alter: Yeah. Thank you, Laura.
Teague: Yeah. Yeah.
Alter: And Mayor.
Teague: Yeah. Any other updates?
Taylor: Janice and I attended, we don't meet very often. I think it's every three months or so that
I'll probably get this wrong. Joint Emergency Commission- Communications
Commission.
Weiner: Yeah. JECC.
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Taylor: JECC. Known as JECC, met and of course, most of the meeting was comprised of
talking about the budget, but then they also, it was very important that they gave us
information on the upcoming 988 crisis line. And I know we've got an IP in the July 7th,
I think, press release on that. Um, it's- it's going to be just a really important, uh, thing for
persons in crisis or, um, their- their friends and their family members. And I just can't
stress enough to, uh, people out there that if you're feeling any sort of distress or sadness,
um, please, please, there are resources out there. Uh, the community crisis line, uh, works
very hard, uh, to help people and they have folks 24/7 out there, uh, to listen to you, so
please, please, uh, seek them out, and once this, um, goes online 9- 988 on July 16th, you
can call directly to that line rather than going through 911. And it actually goes through
our Community Crisis Center here in Iowa City. So please, please keep that in mind.
Weiner: And they- and they stressed as well. They've stressed as well that this is- this is as, um,
as Councilor Taylor said before, you don't have to be in severe crisis. They would like to
prevent you from ending up in severe crisis. They have, I think 100 counselors will be
available to deal with these. So, um, it's a service we should get used to using.
Teague: Great.
Thomas: I'll just mention that over the last weekend Project GREEN had its open gardens tour.
There were 31 gardens throughout the Iowa City metro area. And I served as a garden
host this year, had no idea what to expect in terms of how many people would show up,
and what the weather would be like, and so forth. The weather was- couldn't have been
better. And we had I don't know how- how it went across the 31 sites, but we had over
300 visitors, so it was really, um, an impressive event for us, and, uh, quite enjoyable.
And I must say I was just pleased to see how many people are interested in gardens.
There was one visitor who came from Kansas City.
Taylor: Wow.
Thomas: So, um, yeah, it was- it was a great event. And, um, thanks to Project GREEN for
sponsoring it. And all the sponsors of the event.
Alter: Let's say that I think there's two more Saturdays for the Diversity Market, and, um, they
recently, um, someone I wish I could give credit because I don't remember who, but, um,
worked very hard. And as Kevin Burt was playing last Saturday, Blake Shaw and James
Tuton I believe?
Teague: Tutson.
Taylor: Tutson.
Alter: Tutson. Thank you. They're gonna be playing. Just amazing. And, um, each Saturday that
you go, there's, you know, regular vendors, but they switch some out. Some people take a
break, so come in, so there's something new and vibrant and different each time the
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weather has- actually, I'm not even going to talk about the weather because Ill jinx it.
Anyway, it's just so much fun. And speaking of, there were actually a couple of the open
gardens in the south district that we're walkable from the Diversity Market. So it was just
a really cool, wonderful thing and it remains something wonderful to go. And now there's
live music in addition to some of the best food that you will eat in the entire city.
Teague: Yes.
Bergus: True.
Teague: So we got to meet with the Mandela Fellows. So Yeah, thanks to Councilor Weiner.
They met here in City Hall with a variety of people. Um, and we had, uh, some of our
staff here that was great. Our, um, Sue Dulek, our, uh, assistant city attorney was present
with us. We had a great turnout, they are fabulous people. And then Mayor Pro Tem
Alter joined me at a kind of a welcoming night that the University put on for them. I'll tell
you they were partying in our streets, uh, doing some of the June 19th events in our
black- block party. So it was great to see them not only be engaged at the University,
doing some of the hard work which it was pretty intense for some of them. Uh, I think
they had a business course that was like a crash course within, um, just a few days, and,
uh, they were up studying quite a bit for that. Nevertheless, um, thanks to the Councilors
here that joined me as well as, um, it was a great opportunity meeting these individuals.
Uh, 2030 Better Together. Um, that came out. You should have received some of that in
your packet, councilors. But for the public, um, 20- Better Together is, uh, kind of a
conglomerate of people within the Johnson County area, uh, that has a vision of, uh, to do
something collectively between now and 2030, and super excited for these efforts. And
we have more to do as a community to get us to some of the initial thoughts, um, and
goals. Other than that, any other updates?
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17. Report on Items from City Staff
Teague: Item number 17 is report on items from City Staff or City Manager.
Fruin: I do have one for you tonight Mayor. It seems like a good idea to update you on the latest
with the Johnson County Direct Assistance Program. Um, on April 19th, you
unanimously passed a resolution authorizing an agreement with Johnson County to
supplement their two million dollar direct assistance program with up to 1.5 million of
city funds. That sub -recipient agreement has not been amended and cannot be amended
unless it's by this Council. So you have not seen that on an agenda and it remains, uh, as
was passed on the 19th. There were two uses specified for our up to $1.5 million
contribution. One was up to 10 percent administrative cost to reimburse the county for
their efforts to administer the program. And the second, uh, was direct assistance for
residents of Iowa City. Today we got word on the final numbers from the county and we
promoted those through a- a supplemental press release that- that we sent out to our
audience. Um, I should say, uh, the agreement anticipated after you would subtract out 10
percent of administrated fund- administrative funds, that the city's contribution could
fund up to 964 Iowa City residents that- that applied and were deemed eligible by the
county. Again, that's up to 964. Um, in the counties information that was released today,
they indicated that our funds were used to provide an additional 472 checks to Iowa City
residents. Uh, this tells me that any resident, uh, or any- any applicant, uh, that was
deemed eligible but did not receive funds from the county, uh, would not be an Iowa City
resident. We will certainly follow up with the county to confirm that based on, um,
comments that we heard here this afternoon. Um, but again, if we- if our funds were used
to provide, um, uh, direct assistance for 470 to Iowa City residents and we, through our
agreement, had the capacity to fund up to 964 Iowa City residents, there should be no
Iowa City residents that did not receive the direct assistance. Um, so we will follow up
with the county and confirm that. But I'm- I'm very sure that we're on the same page with
the county. We'll give you a final report after we receive such a final report from the
county confirming, uh, all the numbers specific to our jurisdiction. That's my only update
tonight.
Teague: Thank you.
Fruin: Thank you.
Teague: Our deputy city manager.
Jones: I would just add that I had the opportunity to, uh, visit with a couple of Mandela Fellows
last night. Um, we had a wonderful dinder- dinner and very impressive individuals. And
they were very [inaudible] with, uh, the things that we're doing m Iowa City.
Teague: Great. Great, great. City attorney?
Goers: No report tonight. Thank you.
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Teague: All right. City clerk?
Fruehling: Um, I guess I'll just introduce the Deputy City Clerk, Ashley Platz. You might be
seeing a little bit more of her. We're doing some cross -training. So in case I can't be here,
she can hop right in and not skip a beat.
Teague: Perfect.
Weiner: Welcome. Welcome.
Teague: Bring some coffee. [LAUGHTER]
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of July 12, 2022.