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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-06 Transcription Page 1 Council Present: Alter,Bergus,Dunn,Harmsen, Moe, Salih, Teague Council Absent: None Staff Present: From,Jones, Goers, Grace, Platz, Liston, Sovers, Sitzman,Hightshoe, Lyon,Davies, Turnbull Others Present: LeFevre,USG Liaison, Monsivais,Alternate 1. Call to Order Teague: It is 6 PM, and this is the City of Iowa City Formal meeting on February 6, 2024. I'm going to call this meeting to order. Roll call,please. (Roll Call). Well,welcome to your City Hall, to everybody that is present here in person, and hello to everyone that is joining us virtually. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 2 2.Proclamations 2.a. Black History Month Teague: The second item on the agenda is, sorry,thank you, is going to be proclamations, and we have Black History Month as our fust proclamation. (Reads proclamation)And to receive this proclamation as the Chair of the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Chastity Dillard. Dillard: Good evening, everyone,Mayor Bruce Teague and City Council Members. Again,my name is Chastity Dillard and I am the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Chair. It is my pleasure to accept the 2024 Black History Month Proclamation. I just want to say that Black History Month is when we celebrate African-American accomplishments and the many contributions Black Americans have made to this country. It is also the time to acknowledge the history of persons impacted and traumatized by racial injustice and are so to this present day. To move into a future where someone's race can no longer be used to predict their life outcomes,the Iowa City community must take bold actions to confront privilege, stimulate difficult conversations, and reach and engage a complete cross-section of the community, including those in the community not inclined to engage or resistant to engagement. Celebrating Black lives and history something- is-is something we should do all year long. On behalf of my fellow commissioners,we ask that you study Black history and acknowledge the value Black residents have added and continue to add to the grit and resiliency of this community. Thank you very much. Teague: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 3 2.b Lunar New Year Teague: The next proclamation, 2.b is Lunar New Year. (Reads proclamation). And to receive this is going to be Na Li, President of the Eastern Iowa Chapter Asian and Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association. Li: Thank you everybody. Yes, I'm the President of APAPA. APAPA stands for Asian and Pacific Islander-this is a long name, let me think-Pacific Islander Americans Public Affairs Association. We have more than 30 chapters around the United States. So in Coralville,we have about 2006 Asians, and in Iowa City it doubles,4,260. So we have about 7K Asians in this area who are grateful that Iowa City recognize this most important holiday of Asian countries. And in return,we are going to celebrate it in EnglertTheatre on the Super Bowl Day,which is Sunday. I know you guys love Super Bowl and you also love us, so we hope to see you there. Some of the Councilors went last year and they enjoyed it. And some of the Council members tell me they're coming this year, so I hope to see you there. And also everybody here. Moe: What time on Sunday? Li: It's from 4:00-5:30. The Super Bowl starts at 5:30, so you may miss the beginning. We try to end it earlier. Maybe we can end 5:15, so give you time to go back. Thank you again. Teague: Thank you. All right. And thanks to both of you for coming and accepting those proclamations: This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 4 3-7. Consent Agenda Teague: We're going to move on to our consent agenda,which is Items 3-7. Could I get a motion to approve,please? Dunn: I'd like to remove an item. Uh yeah, if we- if we could,uh, I'd like to remove 6J. Teague: Okay. For a separate consideration? Dunn: Yes,please. Bergus: And I need to recuse myself from that one as well. Teague: 6J? Bergus: Yes. Teague: Okay. All right. Dunn: Perfect. Bergus: Yes. Thank you. Teague: All right. So,um, could I get a motion to approve the consent agenda, items 3-7 except for 6J. Dunn: So moved. Salih: I second. Teague: Moved by Dunn, and seconded by Salih. Um, anyone from the public like to address, uh, any of those topics? Seeing no one in person. And if you're online,please raise your hand and I'll recognize you. Bergus: If you want to. Teague: Your virtual hand, of course. Seeing no one in person or online, Council discussion. Dunn: Mayor, I think we have someone who might be interested in speaking. Come on up. Teague: Oh,please. Yes. If you're wanting to speak on an item that is on our consent agenda, please come to the podium at this time. And we'll ask that,um, there's a sign-in sheet. And you'll be given up to three minutes. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 5 McDowell: Is this the right time for me to speak? Salih: About? McDowell: Can you clarify the actions that we're just taking? Dunn: Which-which action item are you trying to speak on? McDowell: Is it okay if I speak- I speak after? Teague: So- so the-the action items that we're on right now is our consent agenda and they are items 3-7 with the exception of 6J,um. Bergus: Which includes 6K,which is a settlement agreement. Teague: Which includes 6K. McDowell: Can I speak after or? Teague: Which is settlement agreement approval. McDowell: May I speak after or? Teague: You can speak at this time. Dunn: If- if you- Moe: If you want. Dunn: If you want to speak to one of the items that is part of that,you need to speak now. McDowell: Okay. Dunn: Yeah. Teague: Yes. And yep. And there's a sign in sheet,we'll ask that you give your yep. We'll ask that you give your name and the city you're from, and then you'll be given up to three minutes. McDowell: I signed here, so. Teague: Welcome. McDowell: Yes. Thank you. Thank you Mayor Teague and Council. My name is Sadie McDowell,resident of- of Coralville and I am the unnamed former employee of Item 6K. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 6 Um,my story is one of care and appreciation for many aspects of the people and service of the Iowa City Fire Department and a belief that we could be and do better. An example I tried to share over and over again was this. You see,just as we had a policy for backing our ladder truck and fire engines into the base with a spotter, someone who had a different perspective than the driver, a unique point of view to protect and prevent accidents or harm, so too must be said is needed for a quality and safe working environment in the Iowa City Fire Department with a matching service it provides to all. I received all sorts of learning and help from peers in over a decade of living and working together. My belief at the time was that it was a reciprocated exchange that others too, were learning and receiving help from me. In the end,parts of what makes me-me and what makes me different than the majority of the Iowa City Fire Department members, disallowed me from doing my job as both the spotter and the driver. My voice and perspective were silenced and removed from the Iowa City Fire Department. But this does not have to be the end of the story for the evolution of the ICFD and its service to its community. I challenge you one final time,whoever you are,to do what you can to support an equitable culture within the walls of each fire station, and an equitable treatment of all people who ask for help from public servants in Iowa City. Thank you. Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address a topic that is on our consent agenda except for 6J? Seeing no one in person or online virtually with their hand raised, Council discussion. Dunn: Geoff, could we get some more clarification on or yeah like just a better idea of the situation with,where was it, 7.b please? Fruin: Um, I'm sorry. Did you say 7.b as in boy. Dunn: Yeah, it just it kind of confused me a little bit going through it. So if you could just, it's setting a hearing, so it's not that big of a deal. Goers: Right. Uh, sorry. Yes, it's setting the hearing for next,uh-uh Council meeting. And I'll be sending out a memo to Council which will be public to lay out the legal standards that are present for such an appeal. So you will have an idea how that works as will the appellant in that case. And obviously if you have any questions about procedure, I'd be happy to address those. Dunn: Okay. Teague: Hearing no more discussion. Roll call,please. (Roll call) Motion passed 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 7 6.j. Final Plat—Brickyard Hollow—Resolution Approving Final Plat of Brickyard Hollow Iowa City,Iowa. Teague: Councilor Bergus is going to recuse herself. Can I get a motion to approve from the consent agenda 6j? Dunn: So moved. Alter: Second. Teague: Moved by Dunn, seconded by Alter. All right. Council discussion. Oh, I'm sorry. Public discussion. Yes. Throgmorton: Whoops. Teague: Yes. Throgmorton: Good evening. My name is Jim Throgmorton. I live in Iowa City. I was thrilled to hear about the Lunar celebration. Three members of my family are of Chinese descent, so it's pleasing to be able to help celebrate that with them. Uh, I come here as the Chair of the Northside Neighborhood Association with regard to item 6.j.Not to support it,not to oppose it. We don't know enough about it actually to do either one,which actually is why I'm here. We did not know that this project was being proposed until five days ago,when the agenda came out. And suddenly we learned that there was an item on the agenda that involved nine possible lots, and two outlots, a half a block away from where I live,but also right next door to several people who are members of who live in the Northside. So, um,we were surprised. So I just, I'm here to seek clarification,basically. So the surprise for me was that there was no preliminary plat considered. So,uh, I think there's an explanation for that,but I don't know what it is. And I'd like to have it articulated publicly because normally you go through a preliminary-preliminary plat,the public knows what's going on,you have an opportunity to talk to other people about whether it's a good idea or not. Then the final plat comes to the City Council and it's an administrative thing, you just vote yes. But it could,uh,would someone please explain,uh-uh,why there was no preliminary plat?And then the second thing has to do with whether the absence of a preliminary plat represents any continuing thing that would affect all future developments in Iowa City. So in other words,will there be preliminary plats coming forth or just leaping into final plats? So could someone help explain that,please. Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address this topic? Seeing no one in person, and if you're online virtually, again,just raise your hand. Seeing no one online, Council discussion. Dunn: Geoff,would you be able to speak to that? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 8 Fruin: Sure. I'll ask- I'll ask Danielle to come up and help. But this is not a change in practice. This is a routine procedure and Danielle can give a little background on why we're at the final plat stage. Sitzman: Sure. So the platting process, also called subdivisions, is a process governed by our ordinances in Chapter 15. Its purpose is ultimately to provide for the regulation and control of extension of public improvements,public services and utilities, and the improvement of land and design of subdivisions consistent with the comp plan as amended from time to time. This particular property was part of the original plat of Iowa City, drawn up in the late 18- 1800s and recorded in the early 1900s. It's presumed, since it's already gone through a subdivision and platting process,that any process of the day, similar to our process now of preliminary platting,was accomplished at that time. When we have land in the city that's already been platted, a recorded plat on file, if it were to be subdivided further,we consider that a refmal plat. So this is the process of a refmal plat of that land. The current development of that area already has all of the necessary streets installed. So honestly, it's a minor plat at this point. There's not much public infrastructure being added. It's already a block within the city with access to roads. Um, it has several existing homes on it. The additional lots would infill around those existing homes and add approximately six more lots for development and additional park land to be added to the city park adjacent to it. So this is a refinal plat and is a typical process that we go through for, as I've said, land that's been platted once before. Teague: Any questions for Danielle? Thank you. All right. Council discussion. Roll call please. (Roll call) Motion passes 6-0. We are at item#8 which is Community... Grace: Could we get a motion to accept correspondence for 7.a Teague: Yes. Salih: I'll move to accept correspondence. Teague: Yes. Alter: Second. Teague: All right. So motion to accept correspondence for 7a. Salih: Yeah,we moved and second. Salih: All right. So move by Salih- Alter: Second. Teague: -second by Alter. Is that what I heard? (Voice vote). Motion passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 9 8. Community Comment Teague: We're on to item Number 8,which is Community Comment. This is an opportunity for individuals to make a comment on anything that is not on our agenda and this will only be for those that are in person. So you're going to be allowed up to three minutes to speak. And we ask people to sign in and give us your name and city you're from. Welcome. Ross: Hey folks. Brandon Ross from Iowa City. Um, I just want to bring up on African American Month,uh,Martin Luther King said a nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death. He said this in 1967. We know he was assassinated in 1968. Some people think it was because he wanted equal rights. Uh,there were other reasons why. He was criticizing US imperial actions in Vietnam,uh, and he was also speaking about capitalism uh, and that socialistic solutions were better. So he was a very diverse and very rich man and one of the greatest Americans in this country. He also said in 1967,the greatest purveyor of violence in the world is my own government today,the United States. Right now, our government is, is occupying,uh,bombing or arming countries all over the world,but there are four in particular. We're occupying Syria,uh, a larger space of Syria than the Donbas area in Ukraine,which the US says that Russia has,has invaded and occupied. We are-we have actually started bombing Yemen,which is against international laws as well. We are breaking international laws there. We shouldn't be in Yemen. We shouldn't be bombing those people. Those people have not bombed us. Why are we there?Uh, Ukraine,which I've mentioned many times. We basically changed the regime in 2014. We sponsored that we armed the Kiev regime for eight years until Russia interceded on behalf of Eastern Ukraine. That was against international law,that violated sovereignty, that was against US law. Um, and then Palestine, of course,the US right now is arming Israel. Israel is obliterating Gaza and obliterating Palestine. What Dr. King would say to see today would not be very different from what he saw before he died tragically. And that is that the United States is a criminal internationally. It doesn't matter what,what it is,whether it's Democrat or Republican,they're both at fault. I mean, let's face it. I mean, during, during the Bush-Cheney administration,we went into Iraq and Afghanistan. Those were illegal engagements. Internationally,those were illegal. But the UN could do nothing with us,because we have all the money. We have all the power. And you know, then it continued. Barack Obama bombed,bombed eight countries at once, okay?And he actually was the President when,when we changed regime in Libya,we took out Muammar Gaddafi and we killed him. That was international crime. We took out Yanukovych in 2014 in Ukraine. That's an international crime. I say to people,we need to tell our government to please stop arming uh,please stop arming Israel, stop arming Ukraine. Get out of Syria. Get out of Yemen. We are breaking the law and we have to take responsibility. And I just plead with people to do so. Thank you so much. Teague: Thank you. Thank you. Ross: By the way, a good book for you guys to read. Ukraine in the Crossfire. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 10 Teague: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Ross: It explains these things. Teague: Thank you. Ross: Speak up,be heard, act. Teague: Welcome. Rynen: Hello,My name is Clara Rynen, I'm a resident of Iowa City. I didn't have anything prepared today,but I felt compelled to speak after being at the State Capitol today for the subcommittee meeting of HSB 649,which many of my friends and family members in the trans community are calling the pink triangle bill. Because, although the driver's license segment was amended,would still require transgender people to list the sex they were assigned at birth and the gender they have transitioned to as well. I think it's kind of wild to be standing in front of you today to be able to draw such a clear connection to the ongoing erasure of trans people in Iowa and the direct violence that we are seeing the police in Iowa City enact against members of the trans community. I was one of the protesters arrested at Kinnick Stadium on December 9, and seeing the way that the police treated my transgender friends compared to the way they treated me, is absolutely unacceptable. I cannot believe we are even entertaining giving the police more money when the only thing I have seen them do is enact violence,hateful speech, oppression, and a whole list of other things that I consider wildly un-American and wildly unconstitutional. Iowa City has been a place that for most of my life I've held dear. Growing up in Burlington, Iowa,my friends and I would drive to Iowa City on the weekends to watch improv shows,to go shopping for school clothes,to get out of a small town, and be somewhere else where we felt like we would be accepted and fit in and be safe. I would just ask that as members of City Council,you stay committed to protecting transgender Iowans and to protecting marginalized groups of people that are targeted by the police, especially in Black History Month. If there's one thing we've learned, it's that the struggle of oppressed and marginalized groups are not disconnected,they are interrelated. And I guess to finish with another book recommendation,because why not? Um, if you haven't, I would really recommend that you read by Angela Davis,Freedom is a Constant Struggle--Ferguson,Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement. It was very helpful for myself in clarifying how the actions of the Israeli government and the police in the United States are inherently linked. Thank you. Teague: Thank you. Welcome. Please give your name and the city you're from. Rynen: Hi,my name is Maeve Rynen. I'm from Iowa City. We come back again to ask for explanations and increased transparency regarding the city's police department budget. Various work sessions, conversations with City Council and staff, and collective research cannot make up for the lack of information out there regarding how this money is being This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 11 used.Not only do we not know how this money is being used,but it continues to increase as we ask why. In 2022, Iowa City Police Department spent $7 million more on patrol expenditures than any other department. In addition,the police budget has continued to increase in fiscal year'22, '23, '24, '25 and the proposed budget for fiscal year'26 shows no sign of this trend stopping. How can you plan for an egregious $470,000 increase in police expenditures in 2026 when crime, and specifically crime that could be theoretically managed by patrol services has been decreasing for years. Traffic stops, arrests, citations,use of force, incidents, and calls for service have all decreased or stayed stagnant going back to 2016 and beyond. Why then does the budget keep increasing? And while we concerned citizens seek adequate transparency into the details of the report and the budget,the City and Police Department have proposed a budget increase of $40,000 to install license plate reading cameras around town. Multiple council members showed opposition nearly immediately, and we Iowa City residents feel the same way. We were assured that these cameras would not be used to administer tickets. We were also told that they would be managed by a third party. This does not seem like a recipe for success.No one here wants increased surveillance in town, and no one here is naive enough to think that these cameras won't be used against us to further extract money and resources down the line. We have all read through the Strategic Plan at this point. What is the progress being made on the items in the action plan? The plan mentions actions needing to be significant and visible to the community. The paltry scraps you've thrown towards us is neither of those things. How are community violence intervention efforts proceeding?What is the future of community mobile crisis?And how will it be made more accessible?Have we considered or implemented alternatives to routine,non- emergent traffic stops?You need to take our concerns seriously. We are not the fust to ask for more transparency and we will not be the last. With the general fund you have the power to make real,tangible change in people's lives and our community. You need to listen to the residents and to the objective reality that increased policing and police spending is not making us safer. There are so many other ways we can keep all of us safe. Thank you. Teague: Thank you. Thanks to everyone that came and spoke today. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 12 9. Planning& Zoning Matters 9.a. Rezoning—Moss Ridge Rd. - Ordinance conditionally rezoning approximately 61.72 acres of land located North of I-80,West of N.Dodge Street,at the end of Moss Ridge Road from Research Development Park (RDP) zone,Interim Development Research Park (ID-RP)zone,and Highway Commercial with a Planned Development Overlay (OPD/CH-1)zone to Intensive Commercial(CI-1) zone(REZ23-0009). (Second Consideration) Teague: We're going to move on to Item Number 9,which is planning and zoning matters. 9.a is Rezoning Moss Ridge Road - Ordinance conditionally rezoning approximately 61.72 acres of land located north of I-80,West of North Dodge Street at the end of Moss Ridge Road from Research Development Park Zone, Interim Development Research Park zone, and Highway Commercial with the Planned Development Overlay zone to Intensive Commercial zone. This is the second consideration, and the applicant is requesting expedited action um—All right. Dunn: I move that the rule Wait,yeah. This is the first one,right? Teague: Mm hm. Dunn: Okay. I move that the rule requiring that an ordinance must be considered and voted on for passage at two council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed,to be suspended,that the fust consideration and - and vote be waived, and that the ordinance be given second consideration in a vote at this time. Teague: Moved by Dunn. Moe: Second. Teague: second by Moe. Anyone like to address this topic from the public? If you're on- online, please again raise your hand virtually. Seeing no one in person or online, Council discussion. Roll call,please. (Roll Call) Motion passes 7-0. Could I get a motion to pass and adopt? Dunn: So Moved. Salih: Second. Teague: Moved by Dunn seconded by Salih. Uh,Roll call, please. (Roll call)Motion passed 7-0. Could I get a motion to accept correspondence? Alter: So moved. Dunn: Second. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 1 Teague: Moved by Alter, seconded by, I'll give it to Dunn (Voice Vote) Motion passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6,2024 Page 14 10. Regular Formal Agenda 10.a. HOME-ARP Amendment 44 to FY21 Annual Action Plan—Resolution approving Substantial Amendment 94 to Iowa City's FY21 Annual Action Plan. Teague: Teague: Item Number 10.a is HOME-ARP Amendment#4 to fiscal 21 Annual Action Plan -Resolution approving Substantial Amendment#4 to the Iowa City's FY21 Annual Action Plan. Can I get a motion to approve,please? Alter: So moved. Moved by Alter, seconded by Moe. Harmsen: Or me,but that's okay. Harmsen. Seconded by Harmsen. Teague: Seconded by Harmsen. Moe went to shaking his head. Alright. Alright,we're going to have staff come up. So welcome. Turnbull: Thanks Sam Turnbull, Grant Specialist. So this is the third time the HOME-ARP allocation plan has been before you guys. The fust time was the original allocation plan, the second time was an amendment, and this is an additional amendment due to HUD feedback. So Iowa City was awarded $1,789,981 in HOME-ARP funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. That fust allocation plan was approved by City Council on August 16, 2022. Staff has worked with multiple HUD representatives to fulfill the program requirements because they are changing as this is a new program. In August-August 15, 2023 at the regular meeting, a second draft was approved by City Council. This is a new draft with new HUD feedback for us that changes some of the budget and programs planned under our allocation plan. We learned that a couple of our programs were not allowable under HOME-ARP funds, and so we have revised the Shelter House proposed project, and we are funding the United Action for Youth proposed project with local funds instead. And then we also learned that the State HOME-ARP funds no longer need a local match in HOME-ARP, and so we removed that from the agenda, I mean, from the budget. So those are the changes that we made and we reallocated that additional funding to the existing programs in the budget. Salih: I guess my question is,when you say we allocated to the existing programs,they like-they ask for it or? Turnbull: They- a couple of them had asked for it and then we did check with them and make sure that they were able to use the additional funding. Salih: But did you like tell the rest of the community, like I know other programs that do the same thing,maybe they did not receive any fund before and- Turnbull: We didn't do an additional like request for proposals. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 15 Salih: I don't know. I think that is really unfair for the other organizations in the community who are doing, struggling and doing good work in this community. And if they are eligible and we-we fund those organizations in many ways during this, like during ARPA money,that's what I want to say. Fruin: If I could jump in just to clarify, these are not discretionary ARPA dollars,these are funded specifically to the HOME program which focuses very intently on the homeless/neaer homeless population. So service - Salih: I understand that, Geoff. I really do. Fruin: I'm just clarifying for- for everybody. The decision that we made not to go back out was based on the quality of the applications we had,the need that we thought they had, and knowing that there was not a large swath of service providers out there that work with the homeless/near homeless population on a regular basis. Salih: I don't know,not only the Shelter House are working with the homeless,there is many many ho- another type of homeless in this community-. Fruin: And the Shelter House is not the only one receiving this award. Salih: That's what I'm saying,you know, is- Bergus: Maybe, Sam, can you speak a little bit to the eligibility requirements?My understanding is that there aren't a whole lot of organizations in our community that are eligible for these types of funds. Can you speak to that? Turnbull: Yeah. The types of services that we're allowed to fund with this are non-congregate- non-congregate shelter, supportive services for homeless and near homeless,and I believe also low income rental housing. Salih: There is many people that, I'm sorry. Megan ahead- go ahead.No-no,I said something you have to say. Alter: I just wondered about the timeline for when these funds have to be disbursed. Turnbull: Yeah, I would have to check on that and get back,but I know we've been working on the plan for a couple of years now and I think we have, Geoff, do you know for sure when we have to expend these? Salih: In July. Fruin: I assume they're aligned with most of the other ARPA programs which is obligation by the end of the year spent by 26 but we'd have to confirm that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 16 Salih: I- I heard you guys before you said that in many another ARPA fund,you said like I think June or something like that,you have to allocate it by that time. Turnbull: December 2024 is the most ARPA funds. Yeah. Salih: You still have more time to think about this I thinks. Alter: This is a slightly different tact from, I think,where you were going. However, I also- am glad that there's a little bit of time, and I apologize that I wasn't able to request this information in advance of the meeting,but I was wondering if there have been,because I understand that these,has the program for Shelter House,we gave them 1,000,001 last January, correct? Turnbull: I'm not sure what it was. Alter: I believe I believe that's correct,roughly. And so, I was wondering,you know,what metrics do we have for how the program has been doing and equally since there's a sub- contractor component to it with Iowa Legal Aid, as well as themselves having sort of one of their primary services is actually working on eviction prevention as well, I was kind of hoping to get some information about the work that they've been doing with current dollars that they have. Turnbull: I think that's the more than ARP-the regular ARPA funds that theyre funding them with. Alter: That's regular ARPA? Turnbull: Yeah. Alter: Well, I will be honest that I think that would be good information to have based on then what more is being suggested. Turnbull: That's in my ARPA update. Alter: Yeah. Okay. Fruin: Yeah. So we would have presented a little bit on that in I believe late December was the last time we did a quarterly update with Council and we can do a deeper dive with Shelter House if that's required on that eviction prevention piece if you- if you'd like more than we presented at that time. Going forward,we can certainly- Alter: Sure. I mean, I will certainly I'll go back and look at that and thank you for the-the sort of the calendar update of where I can look. I appreciate that. Yeah. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 17 Turnbull: This Shelter House funding isn't actually for eviction prevention. This is for already housed individuals who are at risk of homelessness to receive case management supportive services. Alter: Okay. Bergus: Sam,what was it about the UAY project that, that had to be shifted to local funds and wasn't eligible for this? Turnbull: Yeah. One of- one of HUD's major concerns for a couple of our projects was that we couldn't use HOME-ARP funding for supportive services at a non-HOME-ARP funded site exclusively. So UAY wanted to use the HOME-ARP Supportive Services funding for their existing transitional living program site. And because that site wasn't funded with HOME-ARP dollars, we couldn't use the HOME-ARP dollars for the supportive services at that site. And so that's why,we had been funding the UAY Transitional Living Program supportive services with local funds and we'll continue to do that until we satisfy their request since it's not eligible. The other issue was HUD was concerned that having a preference for youth was a Fair Housing violation, so they didn't let us include that in the plan. Salih: Yeah, I just want to ask you, I think also it will help like- it will- to pay for renter assistance, it will be eligible (can't hear). A I right? Turnbull: Tenant-based rental assistance is a possibility. I don't think it was one of the programs that was funded with this funding. Salih: But still if we allocate that for like renter assistance for like all these kinds, it is still eligible,that- from the way that I read it. Turnbull: It's a HOME-ARP eligible expense,but I don't think it was something that was granted with the request for proposals for this funding. Dunn: She's saying we could do something different. Salih: Yes, that's exactly, do something different. Turnbull: I think to do something totally different,we'd have to redo the allocation plan again, which would take many,many months. Salih: That's fine. We have until the end of the year. Fruin: So recall that these process is working through your HCDC as well. So you're going to want to engage them if you go down this path,but this has been through the HCDC scoring,we put it out for public comment in January and this is where we are today. So if you want to restart that process,you are looking at several months. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 18 Harmsen: Yeah. Could you actually flesh that out more? Could you articulate what the entire process timeline would be or is that something that we should have? Fruin: Um- Fruin: We have to post I mean,typically I think we post 30-45 days to receive proposals for something like this. And then your HCDC would need time to,your staff would fust review those for compliance purposes,we prevent them,present them to HCDC. They would take a meeting or two,however long they need to make recommendations. The amendment process is what we just went through. The staff memo notes that we put the public comment notice out on January 11. So about a- a month or so of public comment, um three, four months at least. Harmsen: Go ahead. Moe: Building on that question of timeline,the- I think that we're talking about just $346,000 that's of concern right now of unallocated funds. That's the batch that you're concerned about. Salih: What? Moe: The $346,739 of unallocated funds or the ones that you are concerned were redistributed without an additional process. Can you distribute the balance of those funds less than $346,000 and do a secondary process for that amount or does it need to be done at once? Harmsen: There's your amount. Moe: 1.4. The 1.4 million can't be distributed immediately and then the remainder done later. Turnbull: We'd have to submit- our allocation plan contains a budget for what services we're providing with each amount that has to go through HUD. And so I don't-we'd have to at least designate what services those funds are going to to submit our plan to HUD and be able to move forward with any of them. Harmsen: It can't be done piecemeal, it has to be done. Is that what you're saying? Turnbull: Yeah. Teague: I guess one question is, of these reallocated funds, is it possible to give that back to HCDC who made the recommendations for,you know,review the applications,made the recommendations to Council? Could we give that back to HCDC just to know that they have,you know, some funds that can be reallocated and then? I guess, one,that is a process that we could take. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 19 Turnbull: Yeah. They meet next in March and so that would delay--we would have them meet in March and do that, and then we would come back to you all and then we would be able to submit our plan to HUD. Alter: So are you suggesting that essentially we send it back to them to say, is this the way that you want to allocate this or look again? Teague: Yes,just look again. Salih: But still that's not going to solve the problem because,what I mean really, let us open it to another,to allocated to something else, or open it to- of course,when you allocate it to somebody,you're going to open it for the public again,that what I mean. But-but now you just like give it to certain organization and that's it. And I just want to tell you something. In this community, like if we talked about the last ARPA funds that have been distributed--we have a lot of low income families that they cannot pay the rent. You can go and ask Crisis Center- Community Crisis Center about their waiting list when it comes to deposit and everything. And you know a lot of people,the general assistance,they be receiving a lot of applications from people in need of like paying the rent. Those people who are living in their house and they can be homeless. And you said the whole goal of this money is to prevent people from become homeless. Which is,there is many things that we can do to do this,but it doesn't have to be like completely homeless so we can solve the problem. And I feel like when it comes to immigrants and people of color,right now for the ARPA money, I don't think those people get anything. Just besides maybe the Center for Worker Justice give for community organizer or something like that. But each of the applications that being applied,the immigrants community are not getting anything from this. You know, it have to be like an organization that led by (can't hear)white people in this community so they can get something. And-and you said you have it on the advertising for one month. Who knew about it?You know, I don't know about it. And I feel like I'm a Council member and at the same time I am a community organizer and I know about the community, and I didn't know anything about this. Teague: So one of the questions I'll pose again is this,HCDC was the one that looked at all of the initial applications? Turnbull: Yes. Teague: So there's,you know two things that I think I would ask Council to consider. One would be we can ask them to look at the,relook at allocating these funds to agencies that have already applied. Just re-pull up the applications. Maybe staff can call and make sure everybody is interested or maybe they have the discussion and you know see if they can reallocate the funds. Or you know the applications could be reopened for the funds that we have remaining and people can either resubmit or submit new opportunities for this fund. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 20 Dunn: A question of clarification. So this would-both of those would entail approximately two or three months. Is that your judgment, Geoff? Fruin: Just to clarify,the HCDC has seen this draft. They,uh were going to meet in January on it and it was canceled due to weather. In order to keep us on the time frame that we're on, the staff sent out a note to HCDC Commission members and said if you have any comments on this,please let us know, otherwise,we're going to proceed in going to Council and to my knowledge,we didn't receive any comments. So this is not new to the HCDC. They have had a chance to see this. They just, they didn't have their meeting because it was canceled. Um, and again, if we just pull this back a little bit, um this plan that's in front of you has already been two,three times approved by Council,so this- there has been a long public process to get us to this point. We are now just at that final stage where we reallocated money that we held back from those awards because we felt they could be helpful if the State put out a program that required a local match. We wanted to have a pot of money to be able to help somebody apply for that State HOME- ARP program. That wasn't needed, so we were going through the process and why we're here today is to say we don't need this local match anymore. Let's further supplement those applications that we have. So those are points of clarification. You can certainly send it back to HCDC but understand they've already seen it. Teague: And- and again, I was just referring to looking at the applications that have already come forth and then HCDC going through the process of,you know,relooking to see how they will allocate this 346. Bergus: Mayor Protem, is your concern that there are organizations who didn't have the opportunity to apply in the fust place, or that their applications were not funded? Salih: Yeah,they didn't have the opportunity to apply. You know,we don't know about it. Some people they don't know about. Some organizations they don't know about it. And- and to be honest with you, if you look at all the application, all the organization that normally apply, it is not immigrants because they don't know about it. They don't know about it. And they are historically are the people who either did receive like minimum amount of funding or not funding at all. Just look at the-the ARPA money the $4 million. Who get that? I understand all of those people,they-they really do amazing job. I'm not disputing that,but I feel like we being- if I look at all the time other organizations that get, and look at the organization that they don't receive any fund or minimum fund will be the immigrant led organization. And this is the ARPA money. I don't think as immigrants, people in this community benefit from it. I was trying when I was even at the Center for Worker Justice trying to apply for ARPA funds, I reached out to all organizations to partner with them. I've been told that they serve different people and we serve different people. Then if they serve different people,that means they don't serve immigrants because we were serving immigrants. You know, I don't know,but this is- this is really something that we have to talk about it,we have to open it. It's a hard conversations. I understand and I value all the nonprofit organizations in this town. They really provide amazing job, amazing opportunity like service for the people in general. But the people This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 21 who are really left, like they pushed out of the margin and they fall on the crack all the time, is the immigrant led organization. That's why I think we are not going to find another opportunity like this opportunity. And we struggle as a City for money. We just said the budget is not enough. We want to do a lot thing,but we don't have money. And if we have some like this money,that opportunity,we can do something that to make all the people feel included. We don't feel included in this community. And I can do a study. If you give me time, I can go and give you a maybe five years of funding. How the organizations are being funded.No representation in commission like CIC, HCDC. Okay. There is no representation. Of course with no representation,nobody will know what the immigrant organization are doing. I don't know,but I'm really sick and tired of seeing this. That's why if we have a power to change something, let us do it. Teague: So I think we're left with the question,uh, Council of,wha-what-you know,what do we want to do for the 346?How do we want to proceed?Do we- I- I-you know, I think there's some avenues. If there can- if I can get one point of clarification. If applications are opened or if applications are reviewed by HCDC,how does that affect you-all? I know that we have until the end of the year we'll say,to allocate this fund? Turnbull: We wouldn't be able to submit the plan to HUD until we have clarification on those project line items. Teague: Oh,You're- okay. Got it. What's the—oh go ahead. Turnbull-so we can't enter any agreements for the- for the funded programs until we have submitted the plan to HUD. Teague: Got it. Alter: And then additionally,you said that,uh, does HUD need to review? Turnbull: Yeah. Alter: And what's the timeline for HUD to review as well? So- Turnbull: They have- I think they have 30 days,but they've told us they're going to be fast because this is our third submission. Alter: Right. Turnbull: So they're very familiar with our plan. Alter: But if it's a totally different plan or a-a substantial- I know that there's a very technical term of substantial amendment. Turnbull: Right. Yeah. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 22 Alter: But I'm using it in a layman's term. So if there's a substantial amendment to it like that, we've done something more creative, opened it back up and it would be different than what they are intending that they'll, assuming that they'll see - Turnbull: Yes-yeah. Alter: -then that timeline could be stretched out,their response time. Turnbull: Yeah,they've looked at this and they've told us this - Alter: Right. But they- if they see something different, it will take them longer. Turnbull: Yeah. Alter: I'm sorry, I drew that out too long. Moe: Ar- are we del- are we delaying distribution of funds to these organizations if we do that? Turnbull: Yes-yeah. Moe: And that's-that's what I have in my head is what pain is causing to the organizations? Turnbull: We funded them in 2021 and we've been trying to get the plan through to HUD since then. Salih:No, can-we cannot do it partially. Like can we s- send the one that we already allocated? Turnbull:Not if we're pulling out other funds and we don't know what they're doing with them, because we have to say what we're doing with the funds. Salih: Can we say we're going to open another process for this amount only? Turnbull: I think if we knew that we were going to use that for supportive services or we knew that we were going to use that for tenant based rental assistance,we could do that. But we don't know what it's going to be for. Salih: But we-we can say that. We- if we want to do it for rental assistance, we can say rent- all the eligible thing that HUD will allow,whether it is rental assistance or just like homeless or anything, can we just say,we're going to allocate that for that. And after that, submit everything and leave this and we can talk about it later. Turnbull: I think we have to put a- a line item-put it on a line item,um, specifying what we're using it for. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 23 Salih: Maybe rental assistance,maybe like yeah, funding organization that,uh, like house people. And I will refer rental assistant even because there is many people you can go and just ask, say like Community Crisis Center, ask General Assistance and see how many people are on the waiting list and there is no fund. Even like Community Crisis Center,they-they-you don't have-you cannot find appointment even because the people are really in great need. I think let us just do like rental assistance for people. And if that will really allow us to proceed fast so that an organization can receive their money. Alter: So it seems like there's a- so there's possible solution by saying, for instance,to-to earmark that money,the 346,000, for rental assistance,right?And you also want it to be opened up so that immigrant organizations would administer that? Salih: So they can apply for it. Harmsen: Or have a chance to apply. Salih: They have a chance to apply. Alter: I see. Okay. Salih: Everyone else can have a chance to apply, and including immigrant organizations. Alter: With this line? Salih: Yeah. I feel just like some kind of assistance for low income and immigrants people in this community. They are struggling too hard. There is many immigrants get to become homeless seven days that they arrive. Teague: This seems like,um,you know,we don't know who submitted applications,you know, right now at this moment? Turnbull: Yeah, I wasn't here at that time, so I couldn't tell you. Teague: Right-right.Not so- Turnbull: We could get you that information,but we don't have it right now. Teague: Yeah. Moe: For me to make an informed decision, I'm just- all I can think about is the timeline of like how much time it's going to take to get there. Because I really appreciate the-the perspective that you brought to this and I hadn't thought of that. And I don't have enough information about your questions to feel really informed, like,what was the process initially and why didn't they apply,uh,the immigrant groups? I- I don't know that. Um, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 24 and what I also don't know right now is how much of the de-how-how big the delay is? I think we've kind of heard six months. Fruin: It's impossible to tell you what that is because we're interfacing with-with HUD. And again,we submitted our original plan in August of'21 and for two years we've been trying to get approval on that initial plan. So we feel like this is the last step and we can start to work on those agreements and get these funds flowing at this point. If we change course,the-there's just a-there-there's a risk that it could take more. It may not. As- as Sam said,HUD's- HUD-HUD is anxious for us to get to the finish line too. So we expect that they're going to,uh,be able to approve it quick,but they also expect us to come back with these final,uh, clarifications. They're familiar with the uses of funds that we're proposing. If we change course,they may not be,um, as quick because they may have to exp- explore,you know, different angles that they haven't done with us before. So I can't give you the exact answer. Salih: You just said-you just said it's okay,you can- if we- if we find out exactly what we're going to-what-what's the purpose of that money which is left,we can still submit the application. Turnbull: I can submit the plan,but it would look different than what HUD's already reviewed. So I'm not sure what they would say back to us. Salih: But if we really just put the information for the- like the eligible criteria,you said rental assistance is one of them,right? Turnbull: Yeah. Salih: Okay. If we know that this is a- an eligible criteria, why we think it will be rejected? Turnbull: HOME-ARP is a program with a lot of rules and it's a new program. And so that's why we've already gotten this plan sent back to us twice, is because they're figuring out the rules as we're writing the plan. Um- Teague: I have a question Geoff. I can- or anyone. I cannot remember how much funding we have not allocated of our 18.3 million ARPA funds. Is it like four million that hasn't been committed? Oh,well, four million,that's- I'm going to the- Fruin:No, it's not- it's not that much. Teague:No, it's not that much? Turnbull: I think it's around two. Fruin: Yeah. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 25 Turnbull: I just did the update that you haven't seen yet. Teague: So,yeah. So we-we have $2 million of the 18.3 million ARTA funds that we can still discuss. All the opportunities,you know,that we-you know, Council went through and outlined that we can use those funds for, I do think,um,we can certainly,um, it- I want to validate,you know,um,what I've heard,um, some of those challenges. Absolutely,we want to make sure that,you know,we are doing the best that we can with this one time opportunity it is. But I- I also know that ther-there pure-you know,there are people that has been waiting for these funds since,you know, 2021. Um I'm, I think I'm more inclined to do,either approve it because,you know,the services are needed. There's no doubt that what the staff,um, is suggesting at this point, there's no doubt that the funds, um, are needed, can be critically used for serving all types of,uh individuals within our community, including the immigrant community. Um,but either we- I'm either okay with,you know, approving this or asking HCDC just to look at the applications that were already submitted and reallocate those funds. That's kind of where I am at this point. Alter: Were you suggesting the-the,um,money that we have not yet spent? Teague: Yes,we can really get. Alter: With-with the ARPA dollars that truly are under our control even though there are still rules,but they're not attached to an agency like HUD where we have a lot more control over how we could do this,that we might be able to take some doll- some. Look at how we could actually very specifically target,um, and- and open up some opportunities for the immigrant communities. Perhaps with ARPA dollars that we haven't yet allocated, rather than use the HUD ARP. Is that what you were suggesting? Teague: Rather than go through this avenue. Alter: Yes. Teague: Yeah. 'cause I mean,we still have some opportunities there. I- I will say that,you know, there was a bunch of needs that we still didn't fund. So that's me making a statement without really looking at all of the great things that we wanted to do. That we still fell short. Salih: I thought the rest of the money would still have many things under it. I thought we still have affordable housing under now money, and we still have like many things that we have to accomplish through the four million dollar left,right? Fruin: Correct. Affordable housing is the biggest category that we're working on right now. Salih: And- and you said 4 million? Fruin:No, it's not 4 million. I think affordable housing was, 1,500,000 roughly is our target. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 26 Salih: And- and we-we're going to take from that money that we thought maybe this is our chance to do some kind of affordable housing, and now we have this opportunity we can do. Bergus: And I think Mayor Pro Tem, it's important at this stage in the process to I mean, I have a real concern about delaying the distribution of this money given that it's been two years and maybe the energy can be around the fact that those who you're concerned aren't being able to receive the funds,right?Um,because I'm hearing two different things. One is immigrant-led organizations,but the other is immigrants in our community who aren't receiving the rental assistance. So the fust one I feel like with this particular restricted pot of funds, I'm saying I'm not comfortable waiting or reopening that. But to the second point, all of these organizations don't exclude immigrants. I understand and I appreciate and I agree with you,that there is a problem with people knowing what's available and having the opportunity to access those funds,right?But at this stage, if the money is about to go out the door, I think we can try and encourage those organizations to ensure that they're doing the outreach to get to those communities that you're concerned aren't being reached right now. Salih: But there is no, like this fund will be for renter assistant? Turnbull: So there's the legal aid,um, the legal program for supportive services for all the qualified populations. So that includes homeless individuals, individuals at risk of homelessness, low-income individuals, and individuals fleeing domestic violence. Salih: I'm familiar with the Iowa Legal Aid, but I'm saying those for maybe like if somebody have a problem. But they are not giving out rental assistancee. Turnbull: Right.None of these programs are specifically rental assistance programs. Salih: That's what I'm saying. Like is still there is no program that will-will help the immigrants. Bergus: I- I think that's not the case. I think that there's not one specifically for rental assistance. That is true. And to the Mayor's point,we have many,many needs that we are not the experts of,those who submitted the application say,here's the need,here's what we can do to meet it. This is the funding that we require for those programs. And those are not excluding immigrants. Absolutely work needs to be done to include them more,right? Salih: I saw this is an opportunity. Bergus: Yeah, I- I understand. I'm just trying to - Salih: I feel like really this is an opportunity and,uh,now you are adding those two organizations like now are you going to send it to HUD,right? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 27 Turnbull: So the plan would be if this is approved,we would send the plan to HUD. Sahli: And- and they would review it, and will tell you- Turnbull: Yes. Sahli: - they're okay with it, or maybe they will send it back to you again. Turnbull: We're pretty confident they're going to be okay with it because they've already reviewed it. Turnbull: Why you are not confident that if you allocated to rental assistance it may not. Sahli: So when we did our needs assessment, actually,the agencies that we consulted with did not identify tenant based rental assistance as a priority for this population. They identified congregate shelter for domestic violence victims. Sahli: Who-who identify that? Turnbull: The folks that were consulted in the need's assessment. Sahli: And who's those folks? Turnbull: It was all the-this- the agencies that serve these populations. Sahli: Oh,you consult those only. Turnbull: It was a pretty expansive,um,needs assessment. It's all in the allocation plan. Sahli: It doesn't matter everyone here how they're gonna vote. I'm going to just voted for a record again. I think this is an opportunity. I feel like all the immigrant organizations or immigrants,they did not benefit a lot from this ARPA money, especially the organization who applied. They did not been like a lot of them,they don't know about it. If I don't know about it,many of them,they don't know about it. So I- I think this is an opportunity and I hope we can do allocate it to rental assistance and submit the application that's way. That's my position. Teague: All right. So any more questions for Sam? Harmsen: Quick one-just a quick one time wise. Uh,we've been talking about timing and the time it's taken so far,uh, and that these ere originally allocated in 21. Um,when was the actual process?Was it also earlier in 21? This kind of predates my time on council. Turnbull: It predates my time working here also. I believe it was in 21. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 28 Harmsen: Okay. I was just curious because it- it didn't come on until after that. Fruin: Probably my guess would be early 21,um, is when we would have started that. Harmsen: Okay. Teague: Thank you. Anyone from the public like to address this topic? Seeing, and if you're online,please raise your virtual hand if you wish to speak. Seeing no one online or in person. Council discussion. Dunn: I just- I think it's just prudent for the record the agencies that were consulted for this,we can run through it real quick. Um,Johnson County-Johnson County Homeless Coordinating Board, Shelter House,Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Iowa Legal Aid, Iowa City Housing Authority,Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inside Out Re-Entry,Johnson County Social Services,Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County,Waypoint. The Housing Fellowship, the Institute for Community Alliances,Anonymous,Veterans Affairs,Abbe Health, United Action for Youth and Amerigroup, as well as NAMI and CommUnity but no specific,uh, comments about priority were given by CommUnity. Salih: And none of the immigrants group was consulted. Always out. Teague: I'm not sure who's all on the Johnson County,um, Coordinating Board. Salih: Mayor. We don't have a lot of immigrant-led organization here. We know them by heart. None of them on that list. Teague: I was referring to the Johnson County Coordinating Board. I don't- I don't know if,um, CWJ is a part of that. Salih:No. Teague: Oh,they're not. Okay. Salih: They are not. Teague: Okay- okay. I guess we're at a-yeah, Council can make comments.But so now-um, once I feel like the conversation is slowing down,then I'll take us to a vote. Alter: I would piggyback on what Councilor Bergus had said that,um,there-there's two streams. One is about the immigrant led organizations and there's one about the needs from different immigrant communities. And having been on HCDC at one point, I'm familiar with how stringent HUD is. Um, often they did recapture funds. Or if the agencies weren't performing in the ways that were expected and staff had to navigate that. I want those individuals to get the help that they need,while also saying there needs to be, I This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 29 believe, a concerted effort to reach out to immigrant communities so that they know that these funds are available. And I understand that it's not rental assistance. But I think in addition, if we can look at what we have not allocated through ABPA dollars,to see in and I know,um, I wasn't like- like Shawn had said I wasn't on- on Council,but I remember actually filling out the survey-the-the public survey about how should ABPA dollars be spent. Um, and there were a lot of different needs and a lot of winnowing down. But I think that that's a place where we could look to see how can we very specifically reach out to those who have fallen through the cracks. Um, so I am in favor of pushing this forward. I had some questions about the specific allocations, so a different,um, situation,um,but given through the-the timeline and the fact that this is attached to HUD,that's the sticking point for me. Um, I'm- I'm- I will approve as is understanding that this is because it will be helping individuals who need it and we need to use our own influence to say that there needs to be a concerted effort to reach out to additional communities. Salih: Yes, can you explain like you said when he was in the commission,you know that this organization have to be complying because of HUD- can you explain that a little bit? Alter: Oh, I'm just saying, any organization- I know that there were um,HUD as a federal agency has a lot of stringent regulations. I'm not thinking of any specific one in general. I just know that there were money-we would allocate HOME funds and,um, for actually a lot- or it was for capital improvement. Salih:No-no are you suggesting that maybe immigrant led organizations,they- I don't have the capacity,they are not complying or I guess,that's the way I understood it? Alter: Oh,no. I'm sorry that you misunderstood that. That's not at all what I was saying. What I was saying is that there were agencies who received HOME funds from HUD who were not able to make the-the compliance or what have you within a time line or usually that was it was within a time line, and so those funds were recaptured or had to be. But no,no I- I apologize if that's what I- if it-that was not what I intended at all. Salih:No problem. Teague: I think you know, certainly you're bringing up,um, a point that needs attention and intentionality. For what's before us today, I think given the time frame and what I heard from you was HUD has some stringent you know,uh,rules,um, and it had nothing to do with any particular entity,but I'm- I'm- I'm going to support this. But I do hear the intentionality of what we need to be doing,you know,to ensure that everyone is included in our community. Harmsen: I think that makes some sense,Mayor, and I think the point about having time to do this, if we were not working with federal- a federal organization, especially like HUD, it would seem like a lot of time. But since it's already taken them three years to get this far, I would hate to see all of this go away,this entire opportunity go away. But I think we This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 30 really do need to take-um,to take a real-real careful listen and directed action as we- as we do this. Um, again, I'm not throwing any stones,but I mean,um,you know, it's a shame this conversation didn't happen back in 2021,um,when we could have,um, maybe made a difference of course,you know um,that's,we probably wouldn't even be having this conversation if HUD was efficient. Like can we,you know,this would have been-been done by now. But-but I think it's an important conversation to have and I'm really grateful to Councilor Salih for bringing that up and then really,really,um,putting a foot down on this issue because I think it's- it's really important. Um, but I don't want to see all these funds,because it takes so long to get through this federal process, I wouldn't just want to see these funds disappear because that would hurt everybody, including the immigrant population that these funds would serve. Uh, and so I will also be supporting it with the caveat out all the things I just mentioned. Dunn: Coun- Councilor Salih,um,would you be uh, amenable to,you know,us taking a look at some of those other unallocated ARPA dollars and exploring other opportunities with those and approving this as it is due to those funky stuff with HUD that's going on? Would that be something that you'd be open to and excited about? Salih: If I'm going to be single out today on voting no for this, and if there is another opportunity, I will say yes maybe one day we can fulfill the need of the immigrants. Dunn: Okay. Salih: I'm not going to objecrt to any opportunity,but still I'm sad this is going this way. Dunn: Um,understood. Teague: Roll call,please. (Roll Call) Motions passes 6-1. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 31 11. Council Appointments ll.a. Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission—One vacancy to fill an unexpired term,upon appointment ending December 31,2024. Teague: We are at Item Number 11 which is Council Appointments. l La is the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission - one vacancy to fill an unexpired term upon appointment ending December 31, 2024. Uh,there is a one male gender required. Um, and we only have two appointments today. So we'll just take them one by one. Moe: Um, I received a phone call from Amos,which he-he got to me before I got to his application. Had a lovely conversation with him. He's deeply familiar and experienced with the TRC. He has a really impressive resume. Um, I feel good-very good about him. Dunn: I agree. Bergus: I agree. Harmsen: I can support that. Alter: He also reached out probably to several of us.Yes,he reached out Moe: Yeah. Salih: I was really trying to appoint somebody but like I want to say Lubna Mohamed,but she is a female. I just believe that also on these commissions,what I've been seeing when the- they came here and present,the only population that they did not reach out to is the Sudanese community. And also like they-they said,they have something in English,they have something like in Spanish and all. So I- she's Sudanese, and I saw if she-but that- I don't know. But at the end of the day,the-the gender requirement. But I believe we should have also representation there. Because those kind of the people,when they are in commission,they would remind the rest of the commission as if I'm reminding you right now about immigrants. So we need that representation in each commissions.But unfortunately, it is gender requirement so- Dunn: He's Kenyan. Yeah. Amos is Kenyan. Salih: I know. We have many African Kenyan there but we don't have Arabic speaker there. Dunn: Yeah, it's true. Salih: That's what I'm saying representation. That's it. Teague: All right. So sounds like there's a majority for Amos. Um,why don't we just go to-we'll just do it one by one. Could I get a motion to appoint Amos Kiche? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 32 Moe: So move. Salih: Second by Salih. Teague: Okay. All right- all right. So moved by,uh,Moe, seconded by Salih. All in favor say aye. Any oppose? (Voice Vote)Motion passes 7-0. I just heard noise from over here. Moe. Sorry. It's become a long day. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 33 ll.b. Board of Appeals—One vacancy for an HVAC or Building Design Professional or a qualified trade representative,with experience and training(if after three months no professional applies or is appointed)to fill a rive-year term, January 1,2024—December 31,2028. (Term expired for Jim Walker) Teague: Correct. Yes. All right, l Lb Board of Appeals - one vacancy to fill, um, one vacancy for HVAC or Building Design Professional or a qualified trade representative with experience and training (if after through okay)to fill a five year term January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028. And there is no gender requirement and there's one applicant. Dunn: Right-right. I think he's pretty swell. I- I support him. Harmsen: Just that-just a quick question. Does that meet the,uh,meet the needs for this position? Salih:No. Harmsen: Just I wasn't 100% clear reading the occupation is attorney. Salih: You mean the gender requirement? Harmsen:No,not the a gender requirement,just the professional requirement. Moe: Does that meet the HVAC professional? Harmsen: Am I right, do I remember that right? Moe: Yeah,you're right. Teague: Or building design professional or qualified trade representative. Harmsen: So I mean,the-the-his occupation is attorney. So I don't know, does that- and this is not a bad thing, I'm not- I'm not dissing the guy, I just don't know if he fits the - Teague: Good question. Moe: Yeah. And I didn't speak with this person. Harmsen: And probably wonderful. I'm just, again,just going off of what the thing says. Alter: The requirements are. . This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 34 Goers: Well, looking at the application,um, I think he may recognize that same limitation. Because when asked about experience and/or activities which you feel qualify you for this position,he said,uh, "Work with building codes and other real estate statutes on a regular basis." I don't know if that gets you there. I think that's open to interpretation and the interpretation should be yours as a Council. Bergus: So this one has been open since the fust appointment date was October. It's been open since a couple, a month or so before then. Grace: The fust deadline was December 5, so we would have. Bergus: Oh,that was the announcement, sorry. Grace: Application deadline was December 5, so we would have had it on the December I think it was the 12th meeting if we had any applications,which we I don't believe we did. Um, and then the January 2,the January 16, and then tonight's meeting. Teague: Yeah. So the-the intro to this in the packet says that if after three months no professional applies or is appointed. So is that- is that why we're looking at this now? Harmsen: When does the clock start? Grace: Typically, and Eric can confirm,we would go by the announcement date. Like with the gender requirement,we go by the announcement date and then 90 days. Goers: I believe that's right. Dunn: I would still question whether he'd be considered a qualified trade representative as an attorney. Bergus: I'd be open to leaving it open. Dunn: Oh, I see, I read it wrong. Apologies. Yeah,that's fine. Salih:Not many people are applying, so. Alter: Yeah. I'm okay leaving it open. I think that there's enough- Bergus: Try to promote it a little more. Alter: Yeah. Teague: It appears that we would only have, I mean,the 90 days have already went by. But if we can give it another month, if we want to just say one month and then- This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024 Page 35 Bergus: Do we know if we have like quorum issues on that board? Grace: So it's a, yeah, it's a board of five. Bergus: Okay. But the other four are filled? Salih: Yes. Bergus: That's what I'd suggest that we maybe leave it open another month and do a couple social media posts about it. Grace: Add it- add it to the March agenda? Teague: Okay. Yes. Grace: Deferred until March. Harmsen: Do we need a motion for that? Fruin: I think it's December 19th. Teague: So- so we'll defer to March. I don't have a calendar before me. Grace: I believe it's the 19th. Bergus:Nineteenth. Teague: March 19th. Could I get a motion,please? Dunn: So moved. Teague: Moved by Dunn. Bergus: Seconded. Teague: Seconded by Bergus. All in favor say aye. All Oppose. (Voice Vote)Motion passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal of February 6, 2024