HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-22 Info Packet � r
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CITY OF 10"IA CITY June 22, 2023
Council Tentative Meeting Schedule
IP1. Council Tentative Meeting Schedule
Draft Minutes
IP2. Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: June 15
IP3. Library Board of Trustees: May 25
June 22, 2023 City of Iowa City
Item Number: IP1.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
June 22, 2023
Council Tentative Meeting Schedule
Attachments: Council Tentative Meeting Schedule
City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule
Subject to change
CITY IOWA CITY June 22, 2023
Date Time Meeting Location
Tuesday,July 11,2023 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street
Monday,July 17,2023 4:30 PM Joint Entities Meeting TBD
Hosted by Johnson County
Tuesday,August 1,2023 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street
Tuesday,August 15,2023 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street
Tuesday,September 5,2023 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street
Tuesday,September 19,2023 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street
Tuesday,October 3,2023 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street
Monday,October 16,2023 4:30 PM Joint Entities Meeting TBD
Hosted by Iowa City Community Sch Dist
Tuesday,October 17,2023 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street
Monday, November 6,2023 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street
Tuesday, November 21,2023 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street
Tuesday, December 12,2023 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street
Item Number: IP2.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
June 22, 2023
Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: June 15
Attachments: Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: June 15
June 15, 2023
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall
Commissioners present: Chastity Dillard,Wangui Gathua, Marie Krebs, Lauren Merritt, Clif
Johnson, Sikowis Nobis (via Zoom).
Commissioners not present: Eric Harris.
Staff present: Sophia Gluba, Redmond Jones.
Meeting called to order: 7:09 pm.
Reading of Native American Land Acknowledgement: Dillard read the Land Acknowledgement.
Approval of Minutes from June 1, 2023: Dillard moved, and Merritt seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: None.
Follow up on Communications with the ICCSD:There were no updates.
Dates for Think Peace Retreat: Staff will send out a second poll to see what days and times work
best for members of the TRC to meet with Think Peace for a two-day retreat to train on
educational materials that will be useful for them and community members. The training will be
in-person and held in Iowa City. The training will be approximately 5 hours each day. Possible
dates are August 2nd through the 5th. Once a date is established the TRC will work with Think
Peace to cocreate an agenda for the two-day training.
TRC Commission & Facilitator Work Plan on Phase One: All commissioners agreed to complete
the workplan on their own before the next meeting. Commissioners will discuss and review the
work plans at an upcoming meeting.
Commission Announcements: Commissioner Johnson mentioned that a billboard at Film scene
would help spread the mission of the commission. Commissioner Dillard and Commissioner
Johnson inquired about the budget of the commission. Commissioner Krebs announced that the
U.S. Supreme Court's decided to leave intact the civil rights law called the Indian Child Welfare
Act (ICWA). This decision will bolster ICWA's ability to endure any constitutional challenges in the
future.
Adjourned: 8:02 PM.
City Board and Commission meetings are recorded and can be viewed in their entirety by
visiting this link.
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Item Number: IP3.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
June 22, 2023
Library Board of Trustees: May 25
Attachments: Library Board of Trustees: May 25
IOWA CITY
41W PUBLIC LIBRARY
Iowa City Public Library Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes
May 25, 2023
god Floor - Boardroom
Regular Meeting - 5:05 PM
DRAFT
Carol Kirsch - President Joseph Massa John Raeburn
Tom Rocklin -Vice President Claire Matthews Hannah Shultz
DJ Johnk - Secretary Robin Paetzold Dan Stevenson
Members Present: DJ Johnk, Carol Kirsch,Joseph Massa,Claire Matthews, Robin Paetzold,John Raeburn,
Hannah Shultz.
Members Absent:Tom Rocklin, Dan Stevenson.
Staff Present: Elsworth Carman, Sam Helmick,len Miller,Angie Pilkington,Brent Palmer,Jason Paulios,
Katie Roche.
Guests Present: None.
Call Meeting to Order. Kirsch called the meeting to order at 5:13 pm.A quorum was present.
Approval of May 25, 2023 Board Meeting Agenda. Massa made a motion to approve the May
25,2023 Board Meeting Agenda.Johnk seconded.Motion passed 7/0.
Public Discussion. None.
Items to be Discussed.
Policy Review:815 Internet Use.Johnk identified policy line 815.5 and felt the intent was in regards to
pornographic materials.Johnk shared concern for the language,"limit images displayed on screens in order to
ensure the secure and comfortable environment of the library"and worried about the breadth of discretion
involved and what accommodation would entail. Johnk said he understands in a very real sense we need to
maintain the library atmosphere but at the same time it is at odds with total openness.Shultz asked whose
comfort are we protecting.Johnk assumed library patrons.Paulios said this policy line has stood unchanged
since 1995 and felt leaving the policy language broad allows staff to use privacy screens.In practice,if staff
notice pornography on a computer or if a patron notices it and notifies a staff person,staff will change the
patron's environment in some way.Staff proactively ask patrons to use caution with what they're viewing or
use another website.Johnk appreciated the intent but voiced a concern there might be too much leeway.
Carman shared age restricted material is problematic,especially things that are not illegal but might need to
be regulated.Staff handle these situations by explaining other options for access like a private study room.
Carman felt the current practice works well but sounds complex on paper.Carman has observed staff navigate
I f you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting,please contact Jen Miller,Iowa City
Public Library,at 379-887-6003 orjennifer-miller@icptorg. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
IOWA
PUBLIC LIBRARY
complex conversations very well. Massa asked if there are any filters on library computers.Carman said there
are no filters and that is the norm supported by the American Library Association. Massa asked if someone can
come into the library and watch pornography.Carman said the internet is not filtered and the library is a public
space.Massa did not agree with this practice and had concern for children.Matthews asked if the computers in
the Children's room were filtered.Carman shared the computers are not filtered but there are AWE computers
which are not connected to the internet.Massa asked if there is funding that can be used for privacy screens.
Carman said there is funding available but not filtering the internet is absolutely the norm in public libraries,
and there aren't many in Iowa that do this.Carman shared there is funding available from the State Library to
filter the internet but Carman is not aware of any big libraries that do this.Massa felt there must be a way to
prevent children from interacting with it. Helmick shared their experience with filtering internet when working
at the Burlington Public Library.Helmick said it is very difficult to filter the internet for pornography and not
create additional barriers to information and gave the example of someone searching for medical information
such as mammograms.Helmick shared patrons will lose access to information if the internet is filtered and this
action doesn't support the library's intellectual freedom values.Matthews shared they work at the Iowa City
School district where internet is filtered.Matthew said it is a blanket system that blocks everything,you have
to piece by piece unfilter the parts that you need,which is part of the problem with filtering internet.
Matthews said it is a tricky way to do things because if you block one thing it ends up being a huge umbrella.
Massa understood and wasn't in favor of blocking information but felt the library should ensure the privacy of
patrons using computers. Pilkington shared we do not have privacy screens but patrons can use a study room.
Matthews said the policy leaves the interaction open to staff discretion.Pilkington said ICPL did have privacy
screens at one time but they inhibit staff from helping patrons because they can't be removed and staff have
to get very close to patrons to assist them.Massa felt using privacy screens could help library staff avoid
uncomfortable situations. Massa said he isn't a fan of censorship but is uncomfortable with children observing
adult material in the library and thinks the library has a duty to protect them.Carman felt the library has a duty
to provide access overall and library staff encourage adults to be active in their youth's library experience.
Carman said the responsibility of limiting access falls to the adult caregivers.Carman believes library staff
would prefer accessibility when assisting patrons and it would be far more taxing for staff to regularly unblock
medical information or sexual violence information than occasionally asking patrons to view a different
website.Carman understood Massa's reaction but felt strongly the library should err on the side of access.
Massa shared his reaction to the policy language was coming from a parental reaction and wonders how the
general public would view this. Helmick expressed gratitude for the important conversation that was
unfolding as everyone was representing community ideals. Paulios shared staff communicate with patrons
when it is time to get off of a website.Paulios shared privacy screens are problematic for the patron user
experience. Patrons complain about them, remove them,break them,and they are expensive.Raeburn asked
how often this happens,Paulios said quarterly. Raeburn asked if staff initiate the conversation or if it is a result
of a complaint.Paulios said it depends on the issue.Raeburn asked if we're talking about 46 times a year and
Paulios agreed. Raeburn said the question really is are children seeing it.Raeburn said we don't have a
problem with adults seeing it because it is legal,but we are concerned with children viewing it because it is
illegal. Raeburn suggested changing the language to"adult-images".Johnk said it starts down a good path but
felt images of violence or war could also be included.Matthews said the policy language is sufficiently vague
because it lets patrons know there are limits to what is allowed without defining how that might be addressed.
Matthews asked if the policy pops up when a patron is logging on and Paulios agreed yes.Carman said there is
no perfect solution to the situation but the larger issue is when reading,viewing,or thinking about something
leads to inappropriate actions which is easier to navigate with the Library Use policy.Johnk said the policy as
is, is a middle ground which everyone can agree on. Kirsch noted that the conversation initially began about
limiting images but wasn't focused on limiting images,it was about requesting that patrons be
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting,please contactlen Mister,Iowa City
Public Library,at 319-887-6003 orjennifer-miller@tcpLorg. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
IOWA CITY
rAW PUBLIC LIBRARY
accommodating so that children don't observe adult materials. Kirsch said the problem is not on the first floor
of the library near the children's room. Paulios said there are internet enabled computers on first floor.Carman
could only think of one example of four middle school boys who were acting out in the Children's room and
pulled up adult material,with the intention to grab attention, but staff shut it down immediately.Pilkington
said there are 10 internet computers which are strategically located very close to a staffed desk.
Carman asked if there were previous Library Board conversations about filtering the internet. Paetzold shared
a similar conversation ensues whenever the policy is up for review. Paetzold said the Board historically has
recommended to support access with the caveat that if behavior is disruptive staff stop the behavior. Paetzold
said adults using computers in the children's room stand out.Paetzold felt adult caregivers should be
responsible for their children.In the instance of children in an adult area of the library there is a library policy
for caregivers supervising children. Paulios suggested adding to the policy,"See related policies:Collection
Development"to address Johnk's concerns about censorship.Paulios shared the Collection Development
policy supports the Freedom to View language from ALA.Paetzold emphasized that the library is a public
building and we're serving the public.There may be things at the library that Paetzold doesn't like that other
people do, it's important to be tolerant and remember as a member of the public we need to live with other
people. Helmick read a line from the Library Bill of Rights. Palmer said computers have no audio available
outside of headphonejacks and the computers restart if there is audio. Carman said this issue speaks to the
digital divide and there are many people who don't have access outside of the library.We serve the whale
community including people who only have access to computers at the library.
Kirsch asked if there was a consensus to add the language"See related policy:Collection Development"to the
policy.Johnk agreed this would be a good addition.Matthews made a motion to approve the Internet Use
policy with the additional suggested language.Shultz seconded.Motion passed 710.
Policy Review:705 Naming and Recognition. Raeburn asked about line 705.5 in regards to the importance
of anonymity and confidentiality during the review process. Roche explained in a previous job she once
accepted a million-dollar gift that is still confidential today because the donors didn't want to be contacted by
other development officers.Roche could imagine a similar instance occurring during the naming process.
Raeburn said the name may remain confidential during the review process and wondered why anyone's name
should be shared.Kirsch said the donor may want to share that information. Roche said it is good to have a
choice for the donor and usually,a donor name is going to be shared. Paetzold said this was a contentious
issue when naming the Teen Room because there was a donor who wanted their name on the Teen Room and
wanted approval.Paetzold was uncomfortable saying yes without knowing whose name it was in case there
was a concern.A potential donor might not have the same values of the library and Trustees could be in a
position of accepting a name without knowing who the individual is. Paetzold explained a situation where this
happened at the University of Iowa Public Health School. Paetzold said if we are naming a part of our
institution we need to know who we are naming it after.Carman said there are two Library Board members
who sit on the Foundation Board. Paetzold said trustees have a responsibility to protect the mission of the
library.Paetzold said there is a vulnerability in naming your institution without knowing what the name is.
Raeburn agreed.Roche clarified the role of the Friends Foundation Director is to vet the donation process and
speak to any concerns they might have in accepting a gift. Roche understood the concern and thinks it is the
role of the Development Office to assist in making a good choice. Paetzold said she trusted Patty McCarthy
and now Roche in that role but felt it was the responsibility of the Library Board of Trustees to make that
decision.
Carman said part of the conflict is discussing an anonymous donor in an open meeting. Paetzold agreed that
was an issue and believed the Open Meetings Law allows you to close an open meeting when discussing
financial issues. Kirsch felt it wasn't necessary for the entire Board to be part of the approval process.Kirsch
explained when Carman was hired it was a search committee that did the work of hiring the Library Director,
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting,please contactien Miller,Iowa City
Public Library,of 319-887-6003 orjennifer-miller@icpl.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
OW PUBLIC LIBRARY
who then made a recommendation to the Library Board,who then approved it.
Raeburn asked if Roche was concerned a donor name would get out if given to a Board. Roche said it was a
concern.Raeburn asked if there was a gift acceptance policy.Roche said there is and the Friends Foundation
Board maintains that policy.Matthews noted policy line 705.10 in which the Board may terminate a name
under extraordinary circumstances and wondered if that covers the concern of naming something after an
unknown donor.Paetzold agreed Trustees have the power to un-name but not to name a library space. Kirsch
said the Board is informed of the name and could later undo it.Shultz suggested adding the language,"the
Board has veto power"to the policy. Raeburn said the Board needs to confirm the recommendation.Matthews
noted that part of the Board is on the naming committee with approval power. Roche suggested someone
could donate and want to remain anonymous but may want to name a space after someone else.Paetzold
suggested checking in with legal to see if this qualifies for a closed meeting of the Board.Johnk agreed. Kirsch
suggested tabling the discussion until the June meeting with feedback from legal.Carman verified there were
no inconsistencies with the City of Iowa City naming policy. Matthews asked if the Library policy matches the
City's.Carman said the City retains the right to name the Library building itself.Carman said he can provide a
copy of the City of Iowa City naming policy in next packet.
Staff Reports.
Director's Report.Carman hoped to have a draft of the Strategic Plan ready for the meeting but will bring it
back next month as he is still collecting feedback.Carman said if the Board doesn't wish to approve the plan in
June approval can be rolled into July.
Johnk liked the design of the Summer Reading Program.Helmick said the Library Graphic Design Intern,
Yvonne,designed the guide.Carman said the Summer Reading Program guide is not being mailed this year.
Kirsch noted the legislative update and said at this point we don't know the effect of the property tax revamp.
Massa said currently Iowa City maxes its general fund levy and asked if our tax rate will go down with the loss
of the library levy.Carman agreed and shared we are no longer eligible for levees.Helmick said ILA recently
made a statement and 97 libraries in Iowa will being affected.Massa said this really becomes a conversation
with City Council. Matthews said we are lucky to be a City of Literature and have many library and literary
supporters in town. Paetzold said there will be a finite pool of resources,any resources that go to the Library
will be taken from another community resource,it's not going to be a given.Matthews said it will encourage
fighting between local city services.Carman said this will add a level of competition and volatility.Carman has
been in conversation with City Manager,Geoff Fruin,about this.Carman said it will affect budget cycle FY25
and there will be a four-year sunset of the money.Carman is thankful for a City Council that supports library
services.Carman said a big challenge will be navigating the general fund and Board controlled funds.The
library levy was intended to maintain services not to be extra funding. Board controlled funds allows the
library that extra reach. Paetzold said this could mean a real tightening of services and could mean reduced
hours of operation and staffing.Carman said the Library Levy accounts for 17.5%of the current operating
budget.The library is also 20 years old and there will be necessary building repairs that will be required.
Departmental Reports:Adult Services. Kirsch said the volunteer event was very nice.
Community&Access Services.Helmick invited Trustees to participate in the Pride Parade with the Library.
Development Report.Paetzold asked what would happen to a financial gift if a naming recommendation was
not approved. Roche said we would maintain the gift.
Miscellaneous:News Articles. None.
President's Report. Kirsch shared Rocklin,Carman,and Miller are planning a Board Recognition event.
The Finance committee members will be leaving in June and Kirsch will leave appointing a new committee to
Rocklin in July. Kirsch shared three Trustees have terms ending in June and will be rotating off the Board:
Paetzold after 12 years,Kirsch,and Matthews.Kirsch encouraged the Trustees to invite others to apply for the
if you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting,please contact len Miller,Iowa City
Public Library,at 379-887-6003 orjennifer-miller@icpt.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
Aft IOWA
OW PUBLIC LIBRARY
Library Board.Paetzold said there is a different process for Johnson County applicants and you need to apply
through their website.Miller said application information is available on the ICPL website. Kirsch said City
Council appoints the new Trustees.
Announcements from Members.Johnk said there is a strategic plan meeting on Monday for the
Friends Foundation.
Committee Reports. None.
Communications.None.
Consent Agenda.Kirsch was pleased with Miller's May meeting minutes.Johnk made motion a to
approve the Consent Agenda. Paetzold seconded. Motion passed 710.
Set Agenda Order for June Meeting. Kirsch said the Board will revisit the Naming and Recognition
policy, review the new strategic plan,and review the NOBLI budget request.
Adjournment. Kirsch adjourned the meeting at 6:24 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jen Miller
if you will need disabilityrelatedaccommodations in order to participate in this meeting,please contactien Miller,Iowa City
Public Library,at 319-887-6003 orjennifer-miller@icpLorg. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
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