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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-02 Transcripton Page 1 Council Present: Alter,Bergus,Dunn,Harmsen, Moe, Salih, Teague Staff Present: From, Goers, Grace,Jones, Platz. 1. Call to Order Grace: Item number one is call to order. (Roll Call) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 2 2. Consider a motion to appoint City Clerk as temporary chairperson: Grace: Okay. Item number 2 is consider a motion to appoint city clerk as temporary chairperson. Dunn: So moved. Alter: Second,Alter. Grace: Motion by Dunn, seconded by Alter. All in favor. (Voice Vote) Motion passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 3 3. Nominations for office of Mayor of the City of Iowa City: Grace: Item number 3 is nominations of- for Office of Mayor of the City of Iowa City. Can I get any motions or nominations, apologies? Moe: Be happy to nominate Bruce Teague. He's been the Mayor for several years. He's done a great job, and I see him at so many of our community events,be a proud to have him again. Salih: I second that motion. Grace: Okay. Are there any other nominations for Mayor?Hearing none, could I get a motion to close nominations? Dunn: So moved. Bergus: Second. Grace: Motion by Dunn, seconded by Bergus. All in favor.(Voice Vote) Motion passes 7-0. We do need to make an official vote. Teague: Yes. Grace: So our fust nominee and our only nominee is Bruce Teague. Can I get a roll call? (Roll Call). Motions passes 7-0.Now you can clap again. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 4 4. Nominations for office of Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Iowa City: Grace: Item number 4 is nominations for Off- Office of Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Iowa City. Can I get any nominations for Mayor Pro Tem? Harmsen: Go ahead. Alter: I would like to nominate Mazahir Salih. Harmsen: I second. Alter: She has been an extraordinary Mayor Pro Tem in the past. I welcome her back and I'm excited to serve with you and,um, for you to be able to bring the energy and experience to this position. Salih: Thank you. Grace: Are there any additional nominations? Okay. Could I get a motion to close nominations? Dunn: So moved. Bergus: Second. Grace: Moved by Dunn. Seconded by Bergus. All in favor say aye. (Voice Vote)Motion passes 7-0.Now, fust and only nominee for Office of Mayor,Pro Tem. Could I get a roll call? (Roll Call) Motion passes 7-0. Motion passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 5 5. Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem sworn in: Grace: Item number 5 is the swearing in of the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem. And we'll start with the Mayor. (Mayor and Pro Tem sworn in) Teague: Great. Grace: And Mayor,you can take it away. Teague: All right. Well, welcome and Happy New Year to everyone on this second day of January. Um,we will take a quick recess. But before I do that, I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for being present that came into your City Hall just to see this historic moment of,um,me being elected the third time as Mayor of Iowa City. And there's a lot that can be said about this role and this position,but I can do nothing if I don't do it with the people. And so it is so important that we continue to come together and work together on matters that are common to all of us that we see on a daily basis, and we just have to get together and have the conversation. So thanks to everybody for being here, and I'm going to ask that our Mayor Pro Tem give some words. But before I do that, I want to say thanks to Mayor Pro Tem Alter who has been by my side the past two years. Mayor Pro Tem is the assistant Mayor if people don't know exactly what it means. Is when I'm not available,you know,to do the-the request to be out and about in the community that we have someone that are going to represent us. And you have done that exceptionally well. So thank you so much. And all the yes-yes-yes. And I will say to my colleagues, I appreciate your trust in me. I know that,um, we-well,we have a new colleague here, so welcome to Josh Moe,this is his fust time on the dais, so give it up for him. Welcome to this side of the world. But super excited. Thanks to all of my colleagues,um, each one of you. I think,you know--I've spent time with each of you--know how valuable you are to me. I appreciate all of you and to the staff. You are nothing without your staff. If your staff is in confrontation with you,you're going to have a not successful time on some of the things you want to get done. So it's not that we don't have disagreements,but I want to say to our staff, I really appreciate each and every one of you. The ones that are in the room,the ones that are out in the community,thank you all so much, and I'm looking forward to working with our community hand in hand like never before. Salih: Yeah. First, I really would like to thank my colleagues for putting their faith and trust in me and appointing me to this position. Uh,you know, I will promise that I will do my best to help the- like focus on my position for everything and,uh,to do the best for the residents of Iowa City. I think,you know, I have been doing this before. It was during tough time, 2020 and 2021. And you know guys,what happened during that time, everything bad in the world it happened in the same year from COVID 19,to derecho,to Black Lives Matter. Everything happened during that time. So I think Bruce and I,we handled it well. And,you know, I guess it was-by the way, it was the fust black leadership since like the City of Iowa City started. So it is sad to be that,but we are breaking the barrier. And we have people like us in the leadership right now. And I think This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 6 this is by Bruce and I who are the minority on this Council and become the leadership- took the position of the leadership that's sending really a positive message to the community about who Iowa City is. So thank you again for everyone who come out today so. And I will commit to do the good things for City of Iowa City. Thank you. Teague: And with that could I take a motion for a 15 minute break? Harmsen: Go ahead. Salih: So moved. Harmsen: Second. Teague: All right. Moved by Salih. Seconded by Harmsen. All in favor say aye. (Voice Vote) We will be back in about 15 minutes. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 7 6. Consider a motion making two-year City Council appointments: 6.a Better Together 2030 Board(1) All right. We are going to reconvene our organizational meeting for January 2nd, 2024. And the next item is item number 6,which is a consideration for making two-year City Council appointments. I think how we'll do this, we'll discuss each committee and make appointments and just have one motion at the end. All right? Alter: Actually, for a point of clarification, the fust content are-the first consideration is whether we should go for two year appointments, is that correct?And then we'll work through the different committees. It looks like there's two separate things. Teague: So all of our-yes. Alter: Or is everything two year? Goers: I think they're all two year. I'm quickly looking to see,there may be exceptions,but I think in general. Alter: That was my misunderstanding. Sorry. Goers: That's all right. Teague: I see number 6.c there is a one year appointment or where could have been some confusion there. Yes. So no. Good- good point of clarification. All right. We're going to start with 6.a. Better Together 2020,um, sorry,Better Together 2030 Board.Um,we have one, ah,position available. I can certainly state who's been there prior. So Bergus was on prior. Alter: It's a commission I'm interested in. Um, but I realize I'm probably not the only one. Teague: Any other. Bergus: Yeah, I'm interested in continuing,but don't have super strong feelings about it. Teague: Anyone else interested?Are we going to flip a coin?How about we kind of come back to that cause I know that there will be some that people are really interested in. So maybe this isn't one, or is it? Alter: The is a one year? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 8 Teeague:No,no,no,no. Maybe this isn't one where,you know,we're going to have to,kind of, tug-of-war over. Alter: Oh, okay. We can move to the ones that might be more. Teague: Okay. Alter: Easy. Teague: All right. So we'll come back to 6.a. 6.b Community Police Review Board Liasion (1) Teague: Um, 6.b is Community Police Review Board liaison. Bergus has been the appointee for the past two years. Anyone- any nominations for this?Anyone interested? Dunn: I nominate Councilor Bergus. Bergus: I'm- I'm happy to stay on,um, again if anyone else would like to serve,by all means. Teague: Any interest from anyone else or. Hearing none so we'll go with Bergus for Community Police Review Board liaison. I'm going to ask our City Attorney to,uh,keep track of those that we are. Goers: Will do,Mayor. 6.c East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG Policy Board) Teague: Thank you. We're gonna move on to item 6.c which is East Central Iowa Council of Governments,ECICOG. Um, so this is a one year appointment with an alternative. Goers: Well, right. But based on the way the-the position rotates between the cities that are involved, Coralville,North Liberty, Tiffin and Iowa City, no appointment is needed,uh, for this,but we wanted to leave it in so you're aware that that committee is part of it. And of course when we do this two years from now we wanna make sure it doesn't fall through the cracks. Teague: Understood. So let us- so currently has been Bergus with Harmsen as the alternate. So who is interested at this time? Goers: I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. Teague: So you-you're saying we don't even need anyone. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 9 Goers: We don't need any appointment. Alter:No appointments. Bergus: We didn't have anyone on in 2023 either. Teague: Okay. Bergus: So,we won't until'26 I believe. Is that right? Goers: Right. 6.d Economic Development Committee(3) Teague: All right. So we're gonna not have any appointments for 6.a and we're going to move on to 6.d,which is Economic Development Committee. We have Alter,Bergus, and Thomas that had served. Moe: This is one that I would definitely like to be part of I'm very excited about these issues. And I know I talked a lot about that through the campaign cycle. And I also have a good working relationship with Greater Iowa City, Inc. So I think there's a lot of opportunity. Dunn: I would also be very interested. Bergus: This is also the one that I'm most interested in. Alter: I will remove myself so it'll free up at least one other space. Teague: Anyone else interested? Salih: I am interested. Teague: Okay. So I hear four councilors interested in a three seat position. Is there anyone that wants to remove themselves or just want to or we all want to be still considered. Okay. Salih: I would remove myself. That's fine. I've done it before so I can give chance to Andrew and Josh,maybe? Teague: Okay. Salih:Next time. Teague: All right. All right. Thank you. We have for the 6.d, it's going to be Moe,Dunn and Bergus. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 10 6.e Emergency Mangement Commission (1) Teague: We're going to move on to 6.e,Emergency Management Commission. Only one appointee was Thomas,who is no longer on the Council. He retired. Anyone interested? The one thing I will say about this one is during,um, 2020, it was very essential for the Mayor to be very engaged during emergencies. And,um, I also get engaged when there's tornadoes and all types of stuff. I somehow think that I would like to put myself on as a nominee for this. Bergus: Yeah. Moe: That sounds good. Teague: People are okay with that?All right. Great. I almost wonder if we shouldn't just change that being a standard Mayor role,because that's who typically is quite involved. So we'll go with Teague for 6.d- 6.e, 6.e. 6.f Graduate and Professional Student Government Organization (1) Teague: We're gonna move on to 61,which is the Graduate and Professional Student Government Organization. Um, so Dunn was our latest appointee. Dunn: I'd like to continue. Teague: Any other nominations. Hear none,we're going to continue with Dunn as the representative there. 6.g Iowa City Assessor Evaluation Committee(1) 6.h Iowa City/Coralville Visitors & Convention Bureau (1) 61 Johnson County E911 Service Board Teague: 6.g is Iowa City Assessor Evaluation Committee. Um,this is the role of the Mayor, so I will continue in that role for 6.g as well as 6.h is also the role of the Mayor according to our by laws or the CVB by-laws. That is the Iowa City/Coralville Visitors and Convention Bureau, I'll continue in that role. We're gonna go to 6.i,which is Johnson County E911 Service Board. Um,right now,we have our City Manager as the designee and Liston as the alternative. And this is-we would have someone from the Fire and Police. Well, I guess any thoughts on this? Moe: Do we need to nominate them? Teague: We will have to nominate to keep it the same so, so. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 11 Alter: I nominate the City Manager. Moe: Second. Teague: And Liston as the designee or as the alternate. All right. Great. Fruin: Just just to clarify on that one. It'd be the City manager or designee,please. Bergus: Yeah. Yes. Alter: Manager, sorry. Fruin: It'll be the designee. Alter: Yeah. Teague: Great. All right. 6.j Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition (1) Teague: 6.j is Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition. And there is,uh, one opening here, and this is new in 2024. Bergus: I'm interested if no one else is. Teague: Anyone else have interest in the Johnson count-the Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition? Okay. Bergus for 6.j. 6.k Joint Emergency Communication Center Policy Board(2) Teague: 6.k is the Joint Emergency Communication Center Board,the Joint Emergency Communication Center Board-Policy Board. We had two, so we had Taylor and,uh, Weiner. But, um,well,really Taylor and Bergus. So anyone interested in being on this? Harmsen: I could jump into that one. Alter: Yeah, I'm interested as well,but. Bergus: I'm interested in staying on that one. If I mean, I realize I just took the other one that nobody wanted, but this is one that I'm very interested in staying on. Teague: So we have-right now we have Alter,um,Harmsen, and Bergus interested. Anyone else? I mean, I know that it's all very,you know,this is, I think, a critical one, especially This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 12 with some of the things that we have going on here. Um, anyone want to remove themselves before we start, I guess,narrowing down? Alter: So this feels a little bit like horse training but,um, I would- if you feel more committed to JECC, then I would- Bergus: -not Better Together. Alter: Well, I would like Better Together,yes. But I was going to say I could slot into the suicide prevention,but I didn't remember where that was in your priorities, if that was one that you- Bergus: Yeah, I don't think, I said but yeah, I would take this one over Better Together if that's okay. If that's how we can do it. Harmsen: I'm okay with that. Teague: So then it sounds like for 6.a Better Together,um,we will have Alter. Because they were the only-Bergus and Alter were the only two,um,putting their name in for that one. And so then for 61,we're going to have Bergus and Harmsen. Okay. 6.1 Metro Coalition of Cities (1 plus alternate) Teague: Onto 6.1,which is the Metro Coalition of Cities. Um, one plus alternate. So we have From and,um,myself as the alternate as of now. Salih: I want to be on there. Goers: I'm sorry, I just didn't. Teague:No-no-no-no. She,um,Mayor Pro Tem says she wanted to be on this. Um, so this is the weekly calls with the Metro Coalition of Cities. The City is a part of the Metro Coalition of Cities, so there will be opportunities available to all of us. This is more so the,um,weekly calls actually throughout the entire year. So th-that's the difference. Salih: Okay, go on. Teague: So typically the Mayor and the City Manager office is - Salih: Okay,that's fine. Teague: -on this. Salih: I'm talking about the-the whole meeting? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 13 Teague: Yes. Yep-yep-yep.No,you'll-well I'll have access to that. All right. So, um, if people are okay,this will be Frain,um, and then with me as alternate. Salih: Mm-hmm. Dunn: Sure. Teague: Yep. Okay?All right. 6.m Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County (MPOJC—6 + 1 alternate) Teague: We're going to go on to 6.m,which is the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County. Um, and this is six plus an alternate. So all of the Councilors are a part of this except for the Mayor. Um, and then in the past,we've had our alternates as our, um, City Manager, City Clerk, City Attorney as the alternate. So we'll just kinda keep that in place. Okay. 6.n Partnership for Alcohol Safety (1) Teague: And then 6.n is our Partnership for Alcohol Safety. Um,the Mayor co-chairs this with, uh, someone appointed from the,um, from the University,which right now is Vice President of Student Life, Sarah Hansen. Um, so that would remain with the Mayor unless someone has a different idea. Salih: Okay. Teague: Okay. 6.o Rule Committee(2) Teague: And then 6.o Rules Committee. Salih: I wanna be on there,yeah. Dunn: I'm very interested in that. Harmsen: I'm willing to stay on that. Teague: All right. So I hear Harmsen, Salih, and Dunn. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 14 Harmsen: I mean, I can step back. I just want to make sure that,you know, I make sure I'm carrying my load of committee assignments here. So I guess it's up if- if either Councilor Dunn or Councilor Salih feel strongly about it, I'll step back. Salih: Because two of them I want to be on, and I feel like three people want to be on. I couldn't do it. Harmsen: I can step back on this one if you really want to be on the Rules Committee. Salih: Yeah. Yes. To fulfill my obligation for committee. Teague: All right. So it sounds like for the Rules Committee we have Salih and Dunn. Okay. And we're almost there. 6.p Seats Paratransit Advisory Committee(1) Teague: We're going to go to 6.p,which is Seats Paratransit Advisory Committee. Currently,we have Bergus on that. Any nominations for this one?Anyone interested? Harmsen: If your plate feels full, I can hop on this one. Moe: Yeah, I said, I'm willing to do it also if you. Bergus: Go for it. Harmsen: If you want? Go ahead. Moe: I'm happy to do it. Harmsen: There you go. Teague: All right. Teague: So,we have Moe on the Seats Paratransit Advisory Committee. 6.q UNESCO Board of Directors Teague: And then 6.q is UNESCO Board of Directors. And we have Alter there now. Alter: If anyone is interested, it is a great group of people,um, I've been on it for a while. Harmsen: I'm interested in this one. Alter: Yeah. So, I'm happy to step down,um. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024. Page 15 Teague: You've done good with this either way. Alter: They're great. They are great. Harmsen: Do I take UNESCO?But I don't really have a strong - Moe: Okay.No, go ahead. Teague: All right. So we have UNESCO by Harmsen,will be our representative there. All right. So maybe we should just pause just to see if the balance. So I think everyone has to kind of censor their own level of- Alter: Ability. Yeah. Teague: -ability,you know,these are a lot of committees that take up time. Are there any other changes that people want or it will be as is? I think there are no changes being suggested. So could I get a motion to approve the committee assignments? Dunn: So moved. Bergus: Second. Teague: Moved by Dunn, Seconded by Bergus. All in favor say aye. (Voice Vote)Motion passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special formal session of January 2, 2024.