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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-02 Transcription Page I Council Present: Alter,Bergus,Dunn,Harmsen, Moe, Salih, Teague Staff Present: From,Jones, Goers, Grace,Knoche,Nagle-Gamm, Sitzman,Hightshoe, Yoder,Davies,VanDyke,Ralston Others Present: LeFevre,USG, Monsivais,Alternate 1. Discussion related to Sister City programs Teague: Well,we're going to start our work session for the City of Iowa City on April 2nd,2024.It is just after 4:00 pm and our first item is to discuss related items to Sister City programs.And we have our Deputy City Manager here to lead us in that discussion.Redmond Jones.Welcome. Jones:Mayor,I want to go down to the podium Teague: Great. Jones: So,I've been asked to talk a bit about Sister Cities program. Uh,we may have recall a memo that I put out in IP talking about the Sister Cities program.We had some supplemental information with that as well.I may also remember,uh,Friday update not too long ago,where I found myself,uh, entertaining a delegation from China,which basically kind of fell in our laps only with kind of like two weeks notice. And so it turned out to be very excellent,uh, exchange,uh,which opened the door to have more conversation about the Sister Cities program. So,um,I-I got a couple of slides that I-I want to take the council through,and then we'll have a chance to have any kind of Q&A and any kind of discussion,uh,following that. So introduction to Sister Cities. First,what is Sister Cities International? So it was founded in 1956. Sister Cities International,also known as SCI,is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between the United States and international communities. SCI's mission is to promote peace through mutual respect,cooperation,and understanding one individual,one community at a time. President Eisenhower founded SCI in,um,the post World War II environment in the hopes of preventing,uh,another outbreak of a World War.For this reason,you'll fmd that SCI has a large number of its partnerships in,uh,those-those countries involved in that conflict.Particularly Germany,uh,Japan,Italy,uh,and France. However,these partnerships are,uh,involving 140 countries and over 200-2000 cities around the world.Eisenhower believes strongly in the concept of citizen diplomacy. What is citizen diplomacy?Well,according to the US Council on Citizen Diplomacy,citizen diplomacy is a concept that individual-that each individual has the right, even the responsibility,to help shape US foreign relations. One handshake at a time. Citizen diplomats can be,um,students,teachers,athletes,artists,business people,humanitarians, adventurers,and tourists. They-they are motivated by the responsibility to engage the rest of the world in meaningful mutually beneficial dialogue. What is the Sister City?Well,a Sister City organization is a volunteer group of ordinary citizens who,um,with the support of their local,uh, elected officials,form long term relationships with people and organizations,um,in cities abroad. Each Sister City organization is independent and pursues the activities. And the math-I practiced this word and I was going to knew I was going to mess it up. The thematic areas that are important to them and their community,including,uh,municipal business,trade,and educational and cultural exchanges with their Sister Cities. Sister City organizations promote peace through people to people relationships. How do Sister Cities begin?Well, cities can and often do create their own criteria for requirements for a new Sister City. All Sister Cities are formalized and,um, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 2 by an agreement between the two highest elected appointed officials. Cities and-and local programs are one of the-are the ones that ultimately decide whether to partner and,um,under what circumstances they're willing to partner under. Uh, SCI offers as a part of its membership assistance in building partnerships,helping troubleshoot,explain the process, assist in narrowing down possible partners and reaching out to cities on behalf and utilizing their network Who can be a part of Sister City program?Well as these pictures show anyone,um,city officials,students, um,professors,local businesses,religious groups,artists,musicians,local institutions of everyday citizens.Uh,the most successful and stable programs have volunteers across,uh,all these sectors. Sister City programs are not just for high school students or nonprofits,or municipal government. So happens that in-in- in these photos actually was,uh, a-a small business person at the time,uh,wasn't related to a government at that-at the moment,but was able to,um,be a leader in,uh, Sister Cities and sister states. So the top picture is- is a picture of me with the-the Mayor,Francis Chown and Boswana.Interesting enough,they can their Mayors Worship,so it took me,uh,a little bit to get used to that.Um,and the bottom picture is the ambassador of Botswana,which was entering a sister states relationship with the state of Iowa. So,uh,regular people can make those kind of connections happen. How,uh,to structure Sister City programs?Well,most of the Sister City programs have a core,uh,group of volunteers for each partnership.It's not uncommon when multiple Sister City partnerships are formed,uh, for volunteer groups to focus on their specific Sister City relationship while accepting,support and guidance from an overarching,uh,local Sister City hub or civic group that helps seek funding, uh,assist with administrating,uh,exchanges or activities their Sister City subgroups or committees may need. The best programs,again,have different layers of engagement. Diverse programs are typically more active,uh,respond better to challenges, and are less likely to become dormant. How do,uh, Sister Cities begin-our partnerships begin? The relationship is formally created by the Mayors or the highest elected officials in those communities.Uh,two communities sign a memorandum of understanding establishing the Sister Cities partnership. Sister Cities relationships may develop from several forms, including,uh,pre-existing mayoral relationships, trade relationships,historic connections,new immigration-new immigrant populations, demographic connections,shared challenges, faith based groups,and personal experiences that range from work study,uh,abroad to marriages. Frankly,there's just no one path in developing a Sister City. What do Sister Cities do?Well,uh,first,they conduct,uh, a cultural exchange,uh, that can be,uh,the center around arts,music,traditions,customs,performances,youth education and study abroad,virtual exchanges,learning opportunities, and leadership building. Uh, Sister Cities also assist with community development,municipal and technical exchanges,best practices,policy exchanges,and,uh,staff- staff development,um,opportunities.Um,just one example of that.I have a colleague that,um,after,um,Desert Storm in Iraq,and when they were setting up the local governments,um,city managers went down to help,uh,many of the,uh,local communities in Iraq,uh,established local government. So those opportunities come up in a number of different ways,and that was,uh,a combination of partnership with Sister Cities and ICMA. Sister Cities also assist with,um,business and trade delegations and,uh,business incubation,import export assistance,and other economic development opportunities and activities. Uh,emphasizing,uh,leading programs,uh,do activities in all of these areas,and I understand that,uh,some of these areas may overlap with one another. Cities set their own agenda and all activities go both ways. So in Iowa,um,there's about 30 communities that are currently in the Sister Cities relationship based on the SCI's website. Uh,and these are just a few highlighted on the screen,but Coralville is one of them as well. So,um,there's a lot more information,uh,that it provided,but this also wanted to provide-kind of focused on the diplomacy portion of it.But there's also economic,um,advantages and benefits. And although the study is a little dated,uh,there's a study,uh,that was done in 2014 that,uh,did a third party, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 3 did,uh,an examination of the economic benefits and some of the Sister Cities that were highlighted in that study. So I just thought that would be interesting to share.And we also,uh,are lucky to have,um,one of the Sister City,um,International board members really close by in Muscatine,uh,John Dabeet. So,um,he said it was okay to share his phone number if you had any,um,detailed questions for him as well. So with that,any questions? Teague: Well,I appreciate you kind of taking council through,uh,what it means to be a Sister City. One of the questions I have is,do we know,um,if Coralville is an official Sister City? Jones: Yes. They-they are and have been for eight years. Teague: Okay. Jones: Um,their activity levels as you would expect,is it matches the,um,energy of the volunteers. And so,ah,you would hear about it more than other times.But they have been,um,formed and active for eight years. Yeah. Alter: Who is their-I'm sorry. Who is their? Jones: I. Alter: Sister. Jones: I don't-I don't want to try and pronounce it,but it's a city-it's a city in China. Alter: Okay.And is there an ask,or is this just informative?I know that there's-there's interest in creating. Teague: Yeah. I think-yeah. Alter: Hold us in. Teague: Yeah. I think if the council- a part of this presentation is just to say to the council,hey,we certainly can go into this opportunity of becoming a Sister City. One we would need to establish what would be our goal for the program. And then if we want to move forward,then there would need to be a decision based on how will we set this up. Will this be a community ran type of Sister City where we would have volunteers from the community?Um,there's always the potential of having Council appointees on there. Um, so I do think that that would be a part of this discussion,should we want to go there. I did have one question about membership for the Sister City International. Is there a cost for that?Do we know that information? Jones: Yes. And it's under$1,000. Teague: Okay. So there a minimul? Jones: Yeah. Teague: Yeah. I know that Mayor Pro Tem talked about Sister Cities in the past when she was on council, um,and I think we had a 2019 discussion on the council.My memory serves me that it-it seemed This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 4 like back then,at least from my understanding,it was going to be a lot of up,a lot of work on the staff part.But it's very clear to me that there are more than one option to being in a Sister City and- Salih:But it was not like that mayor.I remember I brought this up,but it's completely different than now because I'm the only one was talking about it.I was talking about this is not going to be through the staff. It could be a nonprofit organization.And actually I went back to the video and you can go to that,but it wasn't any interesting.Nobody was-the staff was not in board,the council was not in board. I'm glad to see this happening,but this is kind of the thing sometime when the staff involved things will go through. And when one council member brings something,the same thing I brought it here and I said we want to do it. And it's been rejected by both,staff and council. I'm glad to see it here.But also it's very disappointing that when somebody like me brings something, it's always denied. So I'm glad you guys are bringing it now. Teague: I do think it's a great opportunity if we should move forward with it.And,um,I think some of the things that I'm,you know, learning through this process is we'll have to determine what communities and maybe that's up to the,you know,the- if we should move forward with this. The body that is developed will have to determine,you know,who is the first Sister City they'll,uh, develop a relationship with.But there are a lot of benefits from having a Sister City. You talked about some of the exchanges cities can have.But can you speak a little bit to maybe business interactions as well as students,um,whether they'll be in high school or in college? Jones: Yeah, sure. So I think probably the-the one benefit that you'll see almost-almost immediately,um, is the opportunity for exchanges at the student,uh,student level. And that's both university and, um,high school level.Um,I know just China is a one- one example. There's a mandate that the- the president of China Xi has mentioned having,uh, 50,000,um,exchange opportunities with the US in particular. That's a mandate from China government. So they're very eager,all of these smaller subdivisions of government are very eager to find those exchange opportunities,uh, because it's a mandate from- from their version of national government,federal government.Um, so those are-those opportunities,um, and I've shared a little experience that I had as an individual business person,uh,before that,uh,with the city of Davenport, St. Ambrose was always taking advantage of-of student exchange programs. On-on the business side and,um,there's always the big-the big opportunity,uh,that economic development you kind of,you know,focus in on. I know,uh, at one time Volk-Volkswagen was looking at a potential auto plant. And Davenport was in that conversation and a lot of it had to do with the-the connection with Sister Cities.Um, that discussion,uh,put Davenport on a map for- for Volkswagen to consider. Uh,it didn't wind up happening,but,um,that Sister City relationship had garnered that conversation and there was direct communications,uh,about that opportunity,um.From a smaller- small businessman standpoint,um,I-I was working in a consulting firm that,uh,worked with the Coop of Fanners that,um,found themselves with a lot of soy because,um,one of their markets,um,couldn't accept it and a whole new market was able to be developed to take that soy and that was with Botswana. So that-that was a business trade opportunity that came up through Sister Cities. Uh, so there-there's-there's opportunities even for professional development,I've seen where,uh,if there's like water sewer challenges or landfill challenges,uh,that communities can exchange professionals to,uh,learn,uh, from each other about those particular challenges and hopefully work on solutions together. Or if not,give insights to,uh,the communities that need those insights to better improve services. So all those opportunities,uh, come,but it takes an environment for those things.And a lot of times there's,uh,opportunities that come up that you- This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 5 you won't,you know,recognize when,uh,you write it all out.But you-you place yourself in a situation where,uh,you can take advantage of those opportunities when they arise. Moe: Do we know if there is a group of citizens who have developed a desire to do this and want to organize as a not for profit? Or is this something that,I guess we're learning,that we could be the organizers or we could support another group. What do you know? Teague: Well,I think both Mayor Pro Tem and I have been in conversation.Maybe you can speak to that a little bit. Salih: Yeah.With Tony.What-what was his last name?I. Teague: Johnson. Salih: Johnson,Tony Johnson. Yeah. He-he reached out and he have interests of putting together a group of people and forming like commissioner or number of the organization kind of to-to lead this for the city. So maybe one time we can come and ask him to come and speak about how are going to be doing this.But yes,there is a group of people want to do this. Teague: And he's been involved in,uh, Sister Cities in other communities,but. Salih: Yes. Teague: He is living here in Iowa city. And also there is Denby,Demi,sorry. Salih: Demi. Teague: Demi from the University of Iowa who is very active with,um,international relations and also has great interest,um,in being,uh, supportive of this effort. And I think some of the councilors probably know Demi in-in several ways. Salih: And last time when I was trying to do there is Kirkwood Community College like the international students and the University of Iowa international students,there was very interesting thought they can have like some kind of exchange students through that programs. Teague: Yeah. Harmsen:At what stage in the process then would the city-like-uh when would we be looking at taking some kind of action?I was trying to look through the different possible like forming a corporation. Doing it through the city,like the three or four different ways in the material you shared with us. If we have a group of people,do they get the ball rolling form and then we give them affirmation?Do we start off with the Sister City agreement with the understanding that then somebody local here will take that ball and run with it.I'm just-just want to know what the timeline could potentially look like. Jones: And I hate to be elusive,but it actually depends.It could- it could be all of the above on how we go about structuring it,and it can also be more than one Sister City. Uh- so,there is-there is- in-in that tool kit that I provided shows potential structures on how that might look like.But-but a- This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 6 again,it's usually formated or formalized with a memo of understanding um,that would come from the mayor.With the-the Mayor of the two communities coming together and formalizing. Salih:But that's after we, as a council established the program itself, say yes,we want the city to have that program. Harmsen: That's my question. Salih: Yes. Jones: We certainly do that and how full that's filled out,it could be a-a evolution of process,right, so especially if you want to have multiple Sister Cities and multiple groups,they tend to-to recommend that um,you have volunteers that focus on that particular relationship,so if- if there's interest in,um,China,um,citizens interested in China,uh,exchanges,they kind of zoom in on that. If there's interest in,um, folks in Sudan or there's connections there,there's a group of citizens that would focus in on that relationship. Ah-I know I also got a phone call from someone that was interested in relationship in Kosovo,um,so there's all those kind of opportunities and- and those groups come together to share overall highlights and big picture,and usually,um, there's maybe a city staff person that assists overall picture in helping prepare budgets and helping them with basics to operate. Alter:Moving into that,and I know that it is and it depends,because you were saying it can be as active as the participants are,what would be the lift for staff or is that to,and it depends on the level of engagement. Jones: Yeah,I-I think that's-had been talked about. This certainly can be driven by volunteers usually. That's the most successful models.Right Alter: Okay.Yeah. Jones: The most active models and I think staff is-is really there to help with things like. Alter: As needed. Jones:Managing the relationship with Sister Cities International. It might be a contract relationship. Um, putting together a memo of understanding those kind of administrative type of tasks I think staff would be good with,and that would potentially be pretty light depending on how active the groups are. Alter: Okay. Thank you. Bergus:Excuse me,I recalled the conversation in 2019. I wasn't on the council at the time but was,you know,attending the meetings and- and watching that and,um. I think one of the questions that was in my mind and at the time is,that I bring up again is just,since then,the world has changed a lot,and I think international relationships have changed a lot,in the way in which,um,different you know,sort of,actors in all the different spheres that may interact across borders have changed a lot,and I have some concerns with, frankly an Eisenhower Era program that from the research that I've done,doesn't necessarily-you know,there isn't like a subject matter area. It's very open, as you were saying,it's very much just whatever individuals may want to relate with each other This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 7 on, so I personally would be very hesitant to have the city support that or be involved in that without maybe some guard rails,without a better subject matter understanding. Um,I think you know we are very overcapacity as staff and as elected officials,and it sounds like this is something that if there's interest in the community for volunteers to head up,they absolutely could.But I see some real potential pitfalls with a totally wide open international relationship program,um,just given the political environment that we're in quite frankly,I think there are international networks,for example,If this was something that our leadership Mayor,Mayor Pro Tem,wanted to participate in,you know,um-I think it's called the United Council of Local Governments or Governments and Local Units. It's the CGLU, sorry,my brain,um,that has much more like orientation around,um,democracy and information sharing in ways that are intended to support human rights and,um,sort of the universality of what I think our values here in Iowa City are, so I realize that's kind of amorphous what I'm saying.But I have some concerns with a really wide open relationship with some random city in some country. Dunn: I would agree with that. Teague: I do think that a part of what the council can do is set up those guard rails that you talked about, so what is the goal of the program that we're wanting and,um,also what is the,you know,what is the makeup of the group? So it does not have to be with no parameters to it. Salih: I think it'd have to be with parameter,you know. And I don't know what the Council Bergus means by random cities.Because I think there is an evaluation like on that-not like any city will be aliable,I think,and not like there is some-not any country will be aliable.All this we're going to be like taking in consideration,I hope on the like regulation of who should be Sister City. Bergus: I'm sorry,I didn't mean to say that.It would just be like-we wouldn't even know,just be totally random.What I meant was I wouldn't want to approach something-I wouldn't want to use our resources for something like this,that at this stage doesn't have intentionality around subject matter. That's what I meant. Salih: I think all this is going to be like learning experience-before we can even have an agreement with the Sister City. We have to come up with all these parameters and everything and everybody agree into it,and after that,we will be. Bergus: And I think if we can see where that fits in our current committed strategic plan goals and what we're going to be taking off the table to expand the energy to do that,I'd be glad to have that conversation.I just don't see that right now. Teague: I think a part of it is,we can and we heard from Redmond that he can help with this process at bringing us some initial information. And if the council is more leaning towards this community led effort,then we can determine what is the council's involvement,if the council wants to have the community do whatever they-or some parameters work within their scope,and then they want to identify a Sister City that they want to partner with. Then they can come-the council can have it where they come and get approval from the council after they've done that approval themselves, as well as what would those relationships entail. Salih: And also my question will be,to,Redmond,you being involved with like Sister Cities before and now we are thinking this is not like staff led Sister City program. It will be like outside,like This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 8 number of it or group of people we're going to do this. Can you tell me if that's going to be the model,how much will be on the staff? Jones: Well-well,my experience was-when I was involved-I was and again, small business person. I had a meeting with Davenport staff at that time. They prepared an agenda for a meeting. There was a board and I presented to them,they said yes,go ahead and-and pursue it. And that was the last I've seen of them. Salih: Oh,okay. Then-then it did not last long Jones: So in-that that situation,it was all driven,of course,there was a group of- of- of individuals that were private individuals that had organized meetings with the governor,organized meetings with, um,the-the mayor or the-his Worship in Botswana. And when it came down to having a document ready and prepared,then took that back to the staff,staff got that to the Mayor,they reviewed it,and that ultimately came together. So- and in my experience,in that situation,the way that was structured,uh,staff had very minimal,um-um. Salih: So we don't need to take something from their plate so we can have this inside. so I-I Jones:Now pose on the other side, forming a city commission with staff being assigned to it,having min- minutes taken up on every meeting. You know,that-that's on a heavy side,but the example that I had familiar- familiarity with was very minimal. Salih: Uh-huh,thank you. Harmsen:It sounds like some of this hinges upon,uh,sounds like there's a few members of the community who are interested,uh,which is-that's a great start. Part of this might hinge on is there enough to form a body of community members who would be willing to do that? So it seems like-like,I don't know if there's like beyond the couple of names that have been mentioned,um,if that seems like probably next,you know,-next step if this was to move forward is to make sure of that. I wonder two things or one thing talking about resource allocation,um,if there are things that the city would need to fund as part of this. I don't know if-I've skimmed through this,I didn't see anything.But I just want to make sure that there's some sort ol�uh-uh, enrollment fee or a certain amount of financial contributions for travel and things that are customary with city participation in this program.And then as I saw in here too,there was you can make your own by laws.Um,is that something that the- if we have a community group do it, could the city still help with the formation of those by laws?Which I'm-not 100%sure,but if I understood some of what Councilor Bergus was talking about,um,putting some of those guard rails,uh,would that be a place to do it? So that second question might be a little harder to answer. So maybe the first one,resource allocation related question. Jones: Yeah. Well,I-I was speaking to the membership aspect of it. It wouldn't be the membership of the smaller citizen groups. It would be more so the cities take having a membership with Sister City International,and- and under that,those small groups can access,um,assistance from Sister Cities International. Sister City International also plays a role in helping,um,stake out cities if like,hey,we want to have a relationship,we just don't know what.But we might have certain values or whatever,um,human rights values or whatever those are,we want to find a community, uh,that reflects those kind of values Sister Cities uses its network and its connections to find that appropriate mix if you so desire. Or those relationships could happen from grassroots up. I This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 9 mentioned immigrant communities,uh-uh,you could have just folks that have a family connection that want to have a connection to their homeland or what have you,um,that it can come up through there as well. So there's a lot of-a lot of-of room and basically the city can customize how it wants to go about that relationship.And no relationship is forced on any community,uh,it is definitely volunteer on both sides. Dunn: So I guess I'll just say some- some general thoughts.I do think there's-there's plenty of people in this community who would be able to and who would be ecstatic to be part of something like this. Um,I think it's worth pursuing.And when-when I say pursuing,I see that as I think that you've, um,portrayed it to the public and to the council here.Basically,we started out,we lend resources, you know,minor resources to help facilitate things at times,um,but we generally make an independent organization. Um,I think that a great first step,unless you've already done this,or you know,unless people have had this conversation already,would be to reach out to organizations like the JCUNA,Global Ties Iowa does a lot of this stuff too. And they would also be very well connected to-to a network of people who might be interested in being leaders on this type ol�uh,type of project.But I do think it's something that's worth us doing. I do think it's something that's worth having continuing conversations about being intentional as councilor Bergus has said,um,about,the-the,you know,the confines of what our relationships are.But, you know,broadly speaking,I'm-I'm very supportive. Moe: Can we talk a little one of the guard rails that I'm interested in is duration. Can you talk about like if this is a program that we enter into and it's- let's say we lose community interest,is it easy to get out of or is this something that we are forever a Sister City? Jones: I've-I kind of have to ask a question.I have not seen a Sister City.Well,no.Yes,I have. Actually, I was going to say I hadn't seen a Sister City dissolved,but actually Des Moines just dissolved a relationship that they had with a city in Russia. So that-that can happen and it's-it's a memo of understanding. So these are agreements that aren't like contractually binding. There's not like damages or anything. If you-if you choose to decide to dissolve on either side of that partnership um,so that-that can be done.I don't normally see,uh,that happen though,um,most of the time, if there's in-inactivity,it just becomes dormant until another group picks it back up and-and,um- um-um,reactivates it. So- Dunn: And I would say that just aside from just Des Moines,that was a very widespread response,um,to the-the war in Ukraine. There was a lot of Sister Cities around the world and this was really the first time since the program began that-that really was observed that the Sister Cities agreements were-were terminated. Teague: Uh-huh I'll also add that the city of Iowa City continues to have international relations,often with various people coming to the city to look,you know,look at a lot of things. This year alone,I've hosted three-been a part of three international groups here in city hall. And so it's very-we are only in April. So it's- it's very normal for the city to have international relations.And one of the things I remember,um,because I've been on council since 2018,but there's been a lot of interest in our just to see our water plant. So people have done tours there. They've done tours,um,I-I think housing is also something of interest,um,for folks, so there are lots of opportunities that we've already had and I think,this just um,maybe allows for our community to have one point of contact where they're coming back with policy questions. The last one that we had here,um, Global Ties,was the one that hosted,um,they're from Georgia,but the topic was promoting human rights and civic engagement for the LGBTQI communities. And this was in Georgia,and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 10 so we continue to have,um,this international,um,opportunity. One of the questions I had when I first started this engagement again was we already have this,you know,opportunities and connections.Why would we need to become an official Sister City if we still have this,um, opportunity without being labeled a Sister City?I think there's,um, some benefits to being labeled as Sister City as recognized by communities,when you say you're a Sister City.But also I think it gives them,um,memoranda of this is who we're connecting with in the US and,you know,internationally. And when there are needs that come up,you have your Sister City to reach out to and say,hey,um,and it may not be city related, it could be something,you know,totally different from,you know, interactions with the city that needs to happen. So I wonder if the council-because part of what-you today is,we have the discussion and I wonder if the council is- if the majority are comfortable with what I would consider to be the next steps,um,which would be really to bring back to council,you know,the initial information from the Sister City because that's who we were. Sister City Intemational we aren't even talking specific cities at this point, community. So it would be, if-if the majority is in agreement,then we'd say to staff,you know, move forward with the next steps in developing a Sister City relationship and bringing that information back Dunn: I-I would say also to,you know,just be,you know,comprehensive in what we're looking at here. And also include like an assessment of the,um,the program or organization that Councilor Bergus brought up as well. Teague: If I understand the program that she brought up,that was more for individual elected officials to be a part,but not for the community to be apart. Sure. Okay. So I do see that as just a different opportunity,but certainly one that we can certainly continue to look at outside of a council meeting. Bergus: And I think just with the um questions that we've had about our level of investment and what that would take,I sort of saw this presentation as um the initial-that initial,here's how you might go about it if you wanted to. I think what I would like to see as a next step is for community members who are interested to say,hey,yeah,and we have some ideas about what the city could be. I think,you know,we've gotten the information related to the Intemational Sister City Organization that's been provided to us,and I don't know-I guess I'm just not sure how much further we could go on that if we want it to be a community driven thing.I guess I'm saying I want it to be a community driven thing. Moe: Sure and I agree with you,Councilor Bergus,that I would like it to be a community driven thing, that we support,that we empower.But I don't like the idea of it being perhaps another commission or something,I feel like we would burden the staff too much.But also we have a hard time getting enough commissioners for all of our commissions as it is,and pay- and giving them enough attention that they deserve. So I'm-I'm kind of not in favor of adding a commission for this,but if there's a community group that comes forward,I would very much support empowering them and be um flexible,I guess,with which-how they choose their city and how they operate.But to see the community come to us would be,to me,the next step I'd like to see. Dunn: And I guess. Salih: I think some of the people who are going to put this committee together are already being involved in Sister City. So they know like uh examples. So we have an example and maybe the-the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 11 community and the city can just look into those example and see like how we're going to add to it or modify it or just see if we can adapt it or we may-maybe change it. Moe: Sure. Salih: Yeah,that's like a start point. Teague: And I don't think there will be a shortage of uh interested community members and it will not and what's being proposed is not a commission,so the-the council won't even be having outside of maybe the initial um should we choose to be a part of that initial set up um this will all be on that community. Salih: Yeah. And even if-if we-if we need like somebody to be organizer,so if this is like burden on the council,I will be more than happy to be that person. Dunn: Um I mean in thinking about a couple things here,you know,my personal thought is that um I think that council,or at the very least the city should have a role in forming this group,um as a community group.Right?You know,put together the structure hand-off,right? So you know give it the guardrails that we're talking about,um give it a vision goal for existence in cooperation with people in the community who want to do this.Um and then,you know,we-we provide some institutional support to make sure that structure is successful um in the long term and then we can cooperate from there um. Salih: It should be like you just said earlier,it should be like community or somebody said community. Dunn:Really? Sure. Salih: And it will be assistance,I think support from the staff by like logistic and maybe rules and regulations. Dunn: Absolutely. Salih: All this. Yeah. Dunn: That's the way I see it,right,is we-we-we help the community start it up. Um and,you know, from there we just provide the logistical support as necessary. Um another statement that was um mentioned that I didn't quite sit right with me was um have the community come to us. Um we have a hard enough time getting the community to come to this room.Uh so I think that we should,as a Council, if this is something that we choose to pursue,um we should give clear directive to kind of get the word out to relevant interested groups like JC UNA like Iowa UNA, like global ties and have them kind of put the feelers out as well,or request that they put the feelers out as well to-to try to help get this going.Um but to just expect,oh yeah,people should just come to us.Um I just want to make sure that we're doing just a little bit more than that. Alter: And just sort of a yes and it sounds to me like there's already a ground swell of some people who are. Harmsen:Yeah. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 12 Alter: What community and already invested in doing this. So I think that it's um in looking through the memo and the Oh,Good Lord,I'm sorry,and the attachments that are elbow dial. Through,the um attachments that are in the packet,that it seems like there is already a framework for the types of ways,right? There could be an association that's super loose. That seems like we might want to have a little bit more structure too.Um there's a commission,we sound somewhat like that may not be the right way to go,but then there's also a nonprofit. So there's-there's options that are. It's in some ways,I think that we've-we've-we're ahead of where this initial roll-out that is incredibly informative,but it sounds like there's been all this background work and that there had been work prior to this as well. So I think we just need to tap into that and coalesce it and then we can find out as well. So it's a yes and where we do talk to-and put the word out to these other folks to see if there's interest in- from these other groups in helping support this.But I think we really need to start with the germ,the core of the people who've already been expressing interest in it.Right?Who are already here in the community,if I'm understanding the background that Councilor Salih has been saying. So I'm agreeing. Teague: So for clarity um because I think our staff needs to walk away with uh you know,what is the um consensus of the council. So if I was to paraphrase,what I've heard up here is there can be work done at preparing the City of Iowa City to become a Sister City. With bringing back to Council all the documents that were mentioned for some of those guard rails and just our operating the operations for this community um organization that's gonna be formed. And my thought is um I wonder if this council,and we don't have to determine this today,um if we want to you know give a number for how many community members this should have,um and if they should have some council appointees um.I don't feel strongly about it but- Dunn: I-I personally think it might be unwise for us to set those numbers at this point. I think something that is at least important to me is that,you know,we-we set the guard rails and that ultimately either council or,you know,however it is decided,you know,is the final decision for we're going to enter a Sister Cities agreement,um,that's really what's important to me personally. Salih: And all this work,I think we leave it to the people who really have experience on this,and they can put up the numbers they know like which one works in the city,which one does not work,and maybe they can just set the ground for that and bring it to us. If we saw like something really odd on there we can talk about it,but let us make the people who are working on this to continue give them the green light,if we are in consensus. Teague: So it sound like what you're mentioning certainly there could be some work with Tony and with Demi just to work with Redmond on some of the language.And then it'll come back to Council- the proposal of our bylaws, and then it sounds like we would then determine if we want to enter into the Sister City International Agreement Contract and then from there we'll set up this community group that will have whatever parameters we've set for them at that point, so we're not all the way down the road with the steps but I think we have a-a temporal end in sight,so okay. Any other questions for Redmond?All right thank you. Jones: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 13 2. Clarification of Agenda Items Teague: All right. Clarification,we're going to move on to item Number 2,clarification of agenda items. Salih: I think I will be recusing myself from 10b or 10- 10b I think Teague: l Ob? Salih: Okay. Dunn: I'd like to pull 5b from consent. Teague: Okay. Goers: I'm sorry,can you say that again Councilor Dunn? Dunn: I'd like to pull 5b from consent. Salih: Is not 10b. Dunn; Okay. Salih: Is 10h I would be recusing myself. Teague: Okay.Any other items? Moe: The appropriate time to talk about 9a as supplemental information now or during the meeting. That we received protests of rezoning. Harmsen:During the meeting. Moe: Discuss during the meeting or no? Goers: Well,I'll certainly-I'm happy to do it here and then we'll certainly want to make it clear at the formal but what Council Moe is referring to is that the property owner involved in 9a has filed a protest that would necessitate a super majority of Council in order to approve the rezoning,That is six out of seven and when the Mayor turns to his left and right to see if there's an informal consensus to see whether a consult with P&Z is warranted or not. He will be looking for six heads to be nodding or not nodding instead of the normal four. Moe: Thanks. Teague: Yeah so typically,you know,as long as I get to four I really don't have to look at both sides.But for this I'm going to need everyone to kind of signal,if they will be in support of P&Z's recommended vote. Any other items from the formal agenda to note? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 14 3. Information Packet Discussion [March 21,March 281 Teague: All right,we'll go to Information Packet discussions March 21st. Moe: I wanted to highlight IP2,just the development and permit trends,I just wanted to highlight that, you know,we have this target of developing 3,500 units and according to that report we are really-really short. And so something that I know all of us care about is providing housing in the city and it's something we need to keep working at. Alter: I was just going to add that um,our focus has to be multi fact faceted. Moe: Yes. Alter: And that so much of what we discuss and rightfully so,because we are under a real sense of urgency if not crisis about affordable housing,but we are also trending in a situation of crisis where we will not have enough housing across the board,and that does a lot for the health of any city in the long-term. And so it's just sort of a-a reminder as an overall thing not to council but to the public that we have to remain laser focused on affordable housing and we also have to encourage and find ways to support more housing across all price points,so that Iowa City can retain its health in the long-term. Teague: And I would agree,I think it's looking at all facets of housing and including affordable housing as Council Moe mentioned kind of the trends that we're seeing so, if permitting trends from the 2020 through 2023 continue,the city is expected to only meet 77% of its demands for new-new housing by 2030 with a deficit of more than 1,000 dwelling units.Now,that's just new, so I do think that we are definitely in a position where we're going to have to look at every opportunity that-that we can,to make sure that we have housing in this community. It is not only do we need single family dwellings,but uh,we need four bedrooms,that's the deficit. Salih: Yeah families, for families. Teague: Yeah for families and also single,you know,one bedroom dwellings as well. I- so it's multifaceted I think um,as we continue this journey,we're just going to have to look at various opportunities and be open to maybe not always the status quo. Salih: I think we just need to go ahead and put a goal by 13 years that to how many affordable housing we need in this city. You know now the market price and even,you know, Section 8 voucher and the market price is completely off. Three bedroom is $2,000 now, and you know for three bedroom this could be a family of five only,so three bedroom. And just talk about family of six, seven and I think we have a lot of low income in this community,they need that.I'm-I'm being like through the organization I'm volunteering with,we house people and we cannot really find affordable housing and I don't know if the Council know,but there is 20 people who have Section 8 voucher of 14 I thinks. They would be displaced,ah you know,because the-the-the-the city-the Housing Authority terminate their lease with the landlord,the landlord is not a good landlord, so whatever step the Housing Authority took is great step and it should be done.But those people are renting for three bedroom for$1,400.Now looking for another,you know,Place is$2,000 and the voucher says around$1,40041,700 so it's not enough. I don't know,this is really crisis, affordable housing,we've been talking about it every single one in this Council can be on This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 15 affordable housing,but we need really to be bold about it and just try to make sure we have more affordable housing in this community. Teague: We're going to move on to information packet,March 28th. Dunn: I'd like to talk about the,um,I don't know which IP it is,uh,the memo from the- so sorry, neighborhood development services director,um. Harmsen: Sure. Dunn: If we could just,um,have a little bit more information as to how these numbers,uh,came forward or how they were developed,that would be really appreciated. Um,yeah,Tracy,I think you got a contact from- from Ellen Mccabe with,um. Alter: The distribution form. Dunn: Yeah. Teague: And that's IP6. Dunn: IP6. Hightshoe: Sure. Let me pull up the memo.We've had the Affordable Housing Fund since fiscal year 17. Um,we've had the existing formula distribution formula since fiscal year 20.You're going to see an increase in fiscal year 25 of 30,000. So we've increased the affordable housing budget in the proposed budget by 3%, so that's the additional 30,000. Council,we've committed more money to the winter shelter.Um,we're going to commit 100,000. So that required an addition-us to look at our distribution formula and how we incorporate the winter shelter. And I did just get the winter shelter report up through the end of February. They accommodated shelter for over 5,000 nights of shelter in the winter shelter in the overflow of 429 Southgate. So as soon as we get the final numbers from March up till March 18th,you'll be getting that in your next IP packet. So to accommodate that 100,000 we looked at where we could take and where we could arrange the numbers,um,the amount.Right now,the Housing Trust Fund gets the lion's share funding. They get 70%of the prior existing formula, so they were being allocated 700,000. So we looked at what we could do.We reduced the LIHTC portion by 50,000. Um,the housing or the Housing Trust Fund gets more administrative dollars on their regular pot,the$500,000 set aside. So we took it from the LIHTC. If there is a LIHTC application,a low income housing tax credit application,they can always also utilize the regular set aside that 500,000,and they have done that. We also don't always get a LIHTC application every year. So sometimes,you know,we might get one once every three years or that we fund or one that moves forward. So that's- so we took 50,000 from them. We looked at the opportunity fixed. We didn't want to decrease opportunity fund because we don't know what opportunities we're going to get throughout the year. So we've had history.We-we purchased 724 Ronald Street for the Housing Fellowship in partnership with Iowa City School District for the student built house. We use these funds for the relocation assistance for Forest View,for those that weren't eligible for ABPA,and we used it to fund additional security deposit assistance during the pandemic. So you get various needs that come at us during the year.And it's nice to have this pot of money to use for things that,um,that we have no other pot of funds for.Healthy Homes we have seen a reduction in referrals from school based clinics. So we reduce that by 30,000,but we still wanted to keep some of that fund This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 16 because when we go out and do we do a home CDBG or group project,we fmd that a lot of tenants are fmding it common that,um,children will have asthma,adults have COPD, so there's things that we can't do with those federal funds. So we'll use it to do a new Hvac system,new air conditioning. We'll use it to replace old carpet with vinyl plank flooring. So we still want the flexibility to use those funds. So when we do get a referral,when we do see that problem,we have the fimds available.We've also used fimds to help the Housing Fellowship with their radon mitigation because it addressed air quality. The placement services,we're finding a huge demand remains for security deposits.Um,they're running out of their funds way before the end of the fiscal year, so we didn't want to take money from there. In fact,we increased it by 10,000. The landlord risk mitigation,we have capitalized that fund, Shelter House administers it. We've not had a claim on that fimd yet. So in our distribution formula,we recommended that we look at the prior year. And if no claims have been,um,allocated,we spend that balance on security deposit assistance.Um,since I've been at the city for the last 20 years,it's always been a large barrier for somebody to get into housing is to come up with that initial security deposit assistance. And Crisis Center community crisis services had to reduce,uh,they run out of funds,they've reduced it to a cap of$1,000,and they're-they're-they're requesting additional funds, and we fmd the need is there. The emergent situation,we wanted to keep that at 50,000 too because we don't know what emergent situations are going to happen. So,in the past we've used this funds for relocation assistance to income qualified residents to move to a redevelopment project,our mobile home park closure.We did-we use these fimds for the Hawkeye Mobile Home Park,the relocation assistance,not only the assistance,but hiring a non-profit to help them with housing placement services. We use this fund for winterization of mobile homes in Forest View when there's no other source of fimds. So we really wanted to keep that pot of money available for the emergencies that we see.If there's any pot of money in Healthy Homes or emergent situation at the end of the year,they go into the Opportunity Fund. So it stays in the housing,and it's available for housing.I think the balance in the Opportunity Fund right now is 208,000,but that's also a carry over from when we had land banking. Um,so- and then the 10%Winter Shelter would be 100,000. So that's how we came up with 1,030,000 Teague: One quick question for you. So if the LIHTC program, if you don't get an application for the year,what happens with that allotted fimds? Hightshoe: It stays in that pot. And then I think we did an amendment with the trust fimd that after the second year,if there's not a LIHTC application,they can use that money in the regular fund. Teague: Okay. Dunn: What did we use,um,the$50,000 if at all for emergent situations last year? Hightshoe: So in fiscal year 23,we used it because of the home art fimds were so delayed,we could not get approval from HUD, and so for the United Action for use for their Transitional Living program,we spent money. Um,we spent 12,000.Um,and then at the end of 23,we had 38,000 leftover,so that went to the Opportunity Fund. Dunn: Has that been spent? Hightshoe: The Opportunity Funds,there's two-there's a balance of 208,000. Dunn: Two hundred and eight thousand? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 17 Hightshoe: Two hundred and eight.Um,the year before that,we used it for Habitat to fix repair, weatherization of Forest View,mobile homes and Center for Worker Justice for application assistance.And we only had a remaining balance of 15,000. Uh,the year before that,we used it for community assistance,provided,uh,for emergency assistance and eviction diversion program. So we've used it for different things that there was no money available,other-other pot of fimds,or they wouldn't have time to wait for another allocation or a funding cycle. Alter: You're-let me just-just the clarifying question. You were very clear in your explanation,but somehow my brain fizzled. Can you- so,um.You're allotting 75,000 in the opportunity fiord but it rolls over if it hasn't. Hightshoe: Yeah.It started over. Alter: The emergent money also can roll into it if it hasn't been right. There's currently 208,does that hole -I guess I'm -I'm curious about what happens to the excess of the 75,000 if currently there's 208,000 in the-. Hightshoe:Reason why we have such the balance is because this is the former land banking funds. Alter: You said that? Hightshoe: It was in that money or that's the reason why we had such a warrant afterwards. Alter: That's left over. Hightshoe: Yeah. The only -yeah. That was -we started land banking back in fiscal year 17.We only bought that one land or lot Lindeman. Alter:Right. Hightshoe: We used to allocate a lot more. So all that balance remained,it's still in there.And then we add 75,000 to it every year based on this distribution formula. Alter: Okay. Hightshoe: And if there's any balance left over at the end of year for Healthy Homes or the -the emergent situations,then we apply that to Opportunity Fund. Alter: Okay. So but there is less $75,000. There is a chunk of money that was from land banking that's just sitting there for-. Hightshoe: Well,we bought the Ronald Street lot with it. Alter: That's what I mean is for those that have - Hightshoe: It's for opportunities that come up through the year. Alter: Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 18 Hightshoe: So we can take advantage of those opportunities. Alter: And it just that money will continue to stay there and roll? Hightshoe: Yes. Alter: Okay. Hightshoe: Yeah. Alter: Thank you. Hightshoe: What's it in the Affordable Housing Fund it stays for Affordable housing. Alter: Okay. Salih: And for the- for the LIHTC programs,I just want to ask you,the - The Housing Trust Fund,they also have application. They come to them for LIHTC programs? Hightshoe: Yes,they have one set annual allocation for Housing Trust Fund or for LIHTC projects,but I talked to Ellen today. You can apply for LIHTC projects anytime during the year.They have four. They have a quarterly application,but one is dedicated to low income housing tax credit applications,because the state only typically accepts one fixnded a year. Sometimes we have applications, sometimes we don't. Salih: Sure. Dunn: What is the advantage to us, let's say like be realistic about this budgeting for an emergency situation versus addressing that problem as it arises. Hightshoe: Sorry,what was the question? Dunn: So the emergent situation fund is $50,000 right?What is the-the advantage like?What's the calculus that goes into place for us to budget for that rather than utilize that towards things and then address them additionally as Council like amend the budget in the fixture as that problem arises. Higthshoe: They are for those-basically,we advertise it. It's for those opportunities or those challenges that we get.Like we just use it for Big Brothers,Big Sisters that emergent like something has happened outside of their control. They don't have time to apply for a funding round. Those things do happen from time to time. So we have funded,I think,Houses into Homes, Center for Worker of Justice,Big Brothers,Big Sisters. So if you don't have that funding available and- and budgeted,that means each of those requests have to come to you and then you'd have to find some way to finance it. So that's just that-those are fixnds that are available. Salih: Okay.And also, can you talk about the Landlord Risk Mitigation what that? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 19 Hightshoe: The Landlord Risk Mitigation is a fund that is established so for landlords who are going to provide housing for like our emergency vouchers,mainstream vouchers,rapid rehousing,those people that have the most barriers to housing that they can guarantee,up to,I think it's $3,500 to the landlord that if they're missing rent due to client leaves early or tenant leaves early,they damage the unit. There's legal fees that we will reimburse up to 3,500 so that they'll accept that tenant and that we can get them housed. Salih: And who is housing that money? Hightshoe: Shelter House is administering it,but we've had no claims in fiscal year 24 to date. So the money sits there. So what we're proposing that we look at- so for fiscal year 25,if that 30,000 is still sitting in a Shelter House and there's been no claims,then we allocate that to-to security deposit assistance. Salih: And- and I'm sorry,Can you just repeat who is eligible for it?Because I-I never heard about it. Okay. Hightshoe: It's for those landlords that rent to people with emergency vouchers,mainstream vouchers, rapid rehousing those tenants that usually that they're coming through the continuum care of the coordinated entry process into that have those vouchers. So not just we haven't opened it up to just any housing choice voucher tenant. So it's those clients that have significant barriers to housing and that we find that landlords are reluctant to house. Salih:But what about the people who are sometime like new immigrants who don't-when they go and apply for housing,they told them you have new credit,you have to put all,just like sometimes they ask them to pay six months toward of rent or pay three months deposit or something like that. Are those going to be eligible for this Landlord Risk Mitigations? Hightshoe:Not right now because this is just a pilot program and we were seeing how well it went,so we were limited to landlords that were willing to accept those higher risk emergency main street vouchers.Because those are people who serve people that are unhoused or that they've had like a series of homelessness.Now,the folks that you're talking about would be eligible for security deposit assistance to the Community Crisis Services,so they could go to community and apply for security deposit assistance. Salih: Yeah,I know they've been amazing,but they only have$1,000 limit and that's not going to help.I guess mean how long this program been around because you said Yes. Said this pilot. Hightshoe: Just this past year. Salih: One year? Hightshoe: Yeah.It went last year. This is fiscal year 24 is the first year. Salih: I think it's really good,and-but I know it's just only$30$10,000. Hightshoe: I think as it goes,we'll have to tweak it.We will adjust eligibility criteria,but it's only to reassure the landlord that if something happens that,you know,they don't pay rent,the -the tenant leaves,the tenant damages the apartment that we will-we will reimburse that claim. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 20 Salih: Yeah. The only thing is only like available for certain people who work with the Shelter House but people outside that- Hightshoe: Um,through coordinated entry probably. And our emergency and mainstream vouchers. Salih: Yeah. Hightshoe: And record re-housing folks. Salih: I think we just need to open it,because sometimes you said if it's not nobody used it and patrol over,you know it. Hightshoe: Yeah. Salih: So if nobody is using it as it is,somebody outside that circle needed it. Hightshoe: Yeah.Well,nobody submitted a claim yet. Salih: Yeah.But how do people go and submit a claim if they -they cannot go through like coordinated entry? Teague: You're referring to the landlord.No landlord has submitted a claim. Hightshoe: Yeah -Yes. Salih: Yes. Teague: Well,that's positive. Dunn: That's really good. Teague: Yeah. Alter: Yeah. Dunn: That means that the tenants have been dependable,paid things not damaged enough for them to go for household. Hightshoe: I mean,not that many clients have been -I don't believe we've -that many have committed yet.Landlords have committed.We'll have to talk to Crissy about how we get more landlords involved,how we advertise it,how we market it,how we ensure that the landlord knows about the program,and that they have greater assurances that we will come through with these funds if there is a claim.But right now,no claims have been submitted against the fund by a landlord. Salih: And is this like going to come back?The fund will be like just as a deposit and it will come back or if they are-they are person paid everything they did not do anything bad? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 21 Hightshoe:No.If- if- if they are a tenant that follows all rules,they don't damage the unit.Nothing was paid by us,nothing left. We were just basically a guarantee or kind of like insurance that if something happens,we'll pay for the loss. So if nothing happens,then nothing comes out of that fund. Salih: Yeah -yeah,that's what I mean,like-but no another landlord on out side this could do that. Hightshoe:Not right now.It's limited. Salih: That's what I want to know. Hightshoe: Yeah. Alter: So,this is kind of a pivot,so I don't want to interrupt the current okay. So at the top of your sort of talking to us,you mentioned that there was approximately 5,000 nights of shelter. Hightshoe: Of Shelter,and overflow at 429 Southgate. Alter: Okay.And I'm assuming that once you get the final numbers,it's sort of like you're going to do quite literally,kind of put the math about like this -this is how many people were served and-. Hightshoe: Yeah,shelter has to break out each month of how many nights of shelter we provided for how many people? Alter: Yeah. I mean,it was - Hightshoe: Duplicated account? Alter; I don't.Right-right. Hightshoe: I didn't break out like - The same- same way person was there for two months.But every night is shelter provided account. Alter: Yeah. I mean,where this seems to be leading is,I mean,it's a horrible calculus to have to sort of look at the cost benefit analysis of the emergency shelter versus,you know,having 30 years of another ol�you know,a home that is protected from - from,you know,increasing affordability. So -. Hightshoe: Yeah,the funds all go to a good purpose. Alter:But it seems to me that that's kind of where this is going to a certain extent. Salih: You said 500 people or 5,000? Hightshoe: 5,000. Salih: 5,000,do you know how money- Hightshoe: So far as 5,027. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 22 Salih: Is this during only one winter season or? Hightshoe: Just this winter season and December through February,I have numbers to the end of February,so I don't have the March 1 of March 18 numbers yet. Salih: Oh,that's really bad to hear that we have 5,000 people,did not fmd a list with -. Alter: 5,000 nights. So it's sort of like of capacity right? Higthshoe: After 15 weeks, 5,000 nights.But it could be Oh. One person using the shelter. Salih: 5,000 night,not mean 5,000 people.Not people. Oh my god.Right. Yeah. And do you know like also,I -I would love to know how many family,like individual and family being like housing there. Hightshoe: That,I don't know. Salih: Yeah,If you can get us that number will be great. That would give us an idea about like how many people would have that time. Teague: Yeah. I think one of the issues with the distribution is that you all started this last year. Hightshoe: We started the existing distribution back in fiscal- fiscal year 20. The proposed distribution would start in fiscal year 25. Teague: Okay.I think one of the challenges with this is we -as we all know,winter shelter wasn't a part of the million dollar. Hightshoe: Yeah,it wasn't until fiscal year 25. Teague: Yeah. Hightshoe: So then we had to figure out how do we incorporate that since we're fimding it now.We've committed to funding it on annual basis. Teague: Yeah -Yeah. Which I assume that my colleagues are all in agreement with that on an annual basis.It seems to me that,you know,that million dollar commitment that was made back when-I think it was made right prior to me being on Council.But we voted on it in 2019 for our budget. And I think that's when it became$1 million line item that would not be negotiated. It was actually proposed by Mayor Pro Tem and the council,you know,made that commitment for$1 million.Because the Shelter House is being added to what we believed,you know,these services have-they're really good.I wonder if the council wouldn't be amendable to trying to figure out, you know,if we want to commit$1 million - 100,000. I know that there's a 3%increase,the 30,000 that's still there,but I wonder if we wouldn't consider adding that 100,000 so that the winter shelter can be annually a part of this and not take away from some of the other services that we know have been beneficial to the community and to the housing dilemma that we just fmished talking about. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 23 Salih: Yeah -yeah,I think that's a good idea.Not only for that,I think the Affordable Housing Fund,this is now-we are funding Housing Trust Fund. They are also funding people who are doing affordable housing. The affordable housing self being increased. The houses is like cost is being increased,rent being increased. Everything has been increased.But our 1 billion sitting there since 2019,I think we need to maybe 10%every year to increase it,which is 1,000- $100,000. Alter: Well,and yet I mean,I know that we've got within the-oh my gosh.Um,Help me out on Gilbert South.What's that district River Front Crossing things?We have like$4,000,000 in that. Hightshoe: Over 5 million. Alter: 5 million.I mean,it's not so -We do have that million and I'm agreeing with you that I think we need to look at,you know,increasing it,um,but we've also got other areas where we have. Hightshoe: We have other pots of money. So we have over 5 million,It can only be used in the Riverfront Crossings. Salih: Sure. Hightshoe: We are working with a realtor to identify lots that we can buy and move forward with a project. We have funds under the Foster Road, TIFF,the residential TIFF for affordable housing that we can use city wide.And I think there's over 200,000 in that pot of funds.And then we have our CDB,Jen home allocations that we use. So we have different,various pots of funding for different-different affordable housing. Alter: Um, cash just allocated to different neighborhoods. And I wasn't saying that to you. I know,you know that. I meant it more for like the public to -because I think that there is a sense of like,oh, there's only$1 million for affordable housing and yet we have it in other areas that are -It's more attached to specific parts of the city. So it was not to you,Mayor Pro Tem. Salih: Yeah but that's also,you know,that's great to have but that's -that's not budgeting on the year that's if we have Fee low from somewhere or if we have TIFF somewhere. Hightshoe: And Foster Road,TIFF is a 10 year TIFF. So we get out 125,000 each year. And as we in development,that'll increase and that can be used citywide. Salih: Yeah,that's what I mean,like that.But when we budget something,we're going to have it every year.But those we're going to depend on like if we have a project,we get money out of it.Like for example, a fee low TIFF money or something like that. Dunn: Shelter House isn't in Riverfront Crossings,is it? Salih:No. Dunn: Okay. Salih: Yeah. Dunn: It's really close. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 24 Hightshoe:No.It doesn't extend past Highway 6. Salih: I hope that$5 - 5,000 - 5 million I mean to be really used for affordable housing that will be affordable for ever.Like city built many by like something like housing. A number of organization that Housing Fellowship and those kind of things.And this will be in River Front Crossing. Hightshoe: That's for Riverfront Crossings and council will have to approve it. So. Salih: Yeah. Hightshoe: I'm assuming that yes,you will move towards permanent affordability? Salih: Yes,I hope so because,you know,those 10 years, affordability,20 years,it will go by quickly and we will end up not having anything. Teague: Yeah Dunn: I would-just going back to the conversation brought up by the Mayor,I would fully support that. Um,I really don't like the potential long term effects that bringing down funding for these other important projects an organization might have. So I would fully support either bringing it up to 1.1 million for this upcoming year and then however long that policy is maintained by council or 1.13 whatever the calculation is absolutely. Teague: And I'll also remind Council we don't have to determine where the money comes from,we just have to give that direction to staff. Salih:But keep in mind that 50%of wherever you get it will go - 50%will go to Housing Trust Fund. So if we need to add more so that can go to Housing Trust Fund and go to the Trust would be great. I don't know. Hightshoe: They get more than 50%because both the Light Tech and the Housing Trust Fund all go to the Housing Trust Fund. So percent get. Salih: So even 20%of it. Hightshoe: Yeah. So right now they get-in our prior,they get 700,000 out of the million. In this one they would get 650,000 out of the 1.3. Teague: Which is what-I mean,we were used to that. It's not different.I think that the winter shelter coming on just- it's needed. We needed to actually have a contract to have that winter shelter every year.And um,I think we benefited from having that contract. And I think,you know, il�I don't know if,you know,there's others that would be supportive,you know,to try to,you know, keep the existing levels where they are.Now,Healthy Homes,you know,maybe you can speak to that a little bit. Um, The usage of the Healthy Homes funds at 75,000 now it's down to 45. If you can just remind us what you mentioned about the usage of those funds. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 25 Hightshoe: We're getting less referrals. However,we have assisted the Housing Fellowship to meet all the radon mitigation because it was an unplanned expense for affordable housing provider. So I think last year we spent 68,000 of that fund.But we are seeing when we go out to do our regular owner occupied rehab,or when we're out in mobile home parks doing owner occupied rehab,that we find it typical that you have a child with asthma or you have an adult with COPD. So we're doing things with the Healthy Homes funds that aren't allowed under,or we've capped our federal funds. So we'll do new HVAC,a new air conditioner.We will remove mold,whether it's to be from like a leaky faucet or-we remove mold.We get rid of old carpet,things that we don't have the budget to do with our federal fimds. So we'll be like more flexibility. The reason why I reduce that is because if we do get short of 45,000 we could tap into the Opportunity fund too. Teague: Got it. You have another source. Okay. So I would be all right with the Healthy Homes staying at 45,but just making sure that we,you know,I just make the other-others whole,which at this point it would just be the Housing Trust Fund. Salih: I think also like speaking about Housing Trust Fund, since they get 70 percent out of this one million,I would love to know like how many permit affordability of affordable housing they accomplish. Hightshoe: For the Housing Trust Fund. Salih:Mmh. Hightshoe: They do submit an annual report that you guys receive every year,probably in January, February. Moe: Hey July-July. Bergus: Helen is behind you mouthing July. Different chance. Once a year. We all look at that one. Hightshoe:Now you could-we did increase money for security deposits. If we're- if there's no claims, we could reduce that back to the 100,000.And then still security deposits would get more money because we didn't pay out any claims. And so that 30,000 would go to security deposits. So there's some money to move in that category too. And then you'd still increase security deposit assistance.But um. Salih: When you received the Housing Trust Fund that report,do you like look at maybe last July?I didn't -I wasn't here so to look at it.But do you look at the permanent affordability of like some housing that they accomplish? Hightshoe: We don't require permanent affordability. So typically you'll see depends on the amount of assistance per unit.It can go from 5,10,15,20 up to 30 year affordability period for a low income housing tax credit project,but not all project.All units in a LIHTC project are at 30,40 percent This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 26 median income. You see a lot of units in a LIHTC projects that are at 60 percent and I know there's been criticism that's a very high rent at 60 percent. Salih:Minh. Hightshoe: And sometimes the market rate or the fair market rent could be even cheaper.But you do get a certain percentage of-of units at that 30,40. That'd be affordable for that 30 year period. Salih: I don't know,but I really love to have permanent affordability. You know,maybe. I don't know. We want to see that increasing because the price is really going - are going crazy every year. Now,two bedroom is $900 so. Teague: If you can find that. Salih: Yeah. Hightshoe: I mean,it's hard to do permanent affordability unless you're -you're providing a project debt free. If it's debt free,then all the rents that you collect go into the ongoing maintenance. How much debt a housing project incurs or how much they have really depends on how long it can be affordable for. Salih: Yeah,Maybe the Housing Trust Fund will figure it out. So Salih: Some projects could be better or something like build city on things or Housing Trust Fund on things. Dunn: So I'm just,um,trying to put some numbers together here just so that I think I understand what we're talking about. Teague: Sure. Dunn: Um, and so I'm just gonna go over this. So what we are potentially directing is- and that's my understanding,is 500,000 for Housing Trust Fund for the first section,200,000 for Housing Trust Fund for the second section,Uh,75,000 for the Opportunity Fund,45,000 for Healthy Homes, 100,000 for housing placement services,um,50,000 emergent and 100,000 winter shelter is that what's everybody is talking about or-what-where am I? Teague: I think we would do the 110. Dunn: Hundred and ten? Teague: Yeah,um, increase. Salih: Of the housing. Teague: Housing. Alter: I thought it was more simple that it was that the Mayor had suggested that we direct staff to find $100,000 to just add to it. That it would be 1.13. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 27 Teague: Yeah. And- and right. Uh,a part of the,you know,how this all came up is that winter shelter came with$100,000 addition to this.But if we were to look at,um,where the deficit is because there is $50,000 everything else has increased there to 3%of 30,000. So we-so I think what I'm proposing is more of a$50,000,um,find. Dunn: Yeah. Salih:But I-I really would-I-I wouldn't know that we gonna be a bit,but I wanna talk about the 70,000 security deposit. You know,the-the Crisis Center-the Community Crisis Center is really doing an amazing job of doing this.But,you know, like I-I refer people there to get this$1,000 but now they are out of it. They-they are out for six months later from you give them the find. So the need is great out there and I-I will really see and if- if the-if,uh,the medication risk that,it's- now's a pilot program.You guys are examining to know what it is and we cannot refer more people. I think we should increase the 70,000-100,000 for security deposit because only cover them six months and they are out. I call them like that as a day they are out. Hightshoe:Right now,if you're- if you're talking about the distribution proposi-that we're proposing, since we've not used any of the 30,000 in Landlord Risk Mitigation finds,that 30,000 would be added to the 80,000 security. So they'd be getting 120,000 So that is money in addition,so if you wanted to play with that money that's on the table.Um,so it's because we're not allocating that 30,000 to Shelter House again because there's been no claims taken. So you have-you have the flexibility of where you put that 30,000 already up to 10,000 so it's 80,000. Teague: So when can they use the 30,000? Hightshoe: July 1st. This upcoming July 1st. Salih: And-and what about right now? Hightshoe: Well,you've not proposed the budget. So you've not approved the budget so- Salih: Are you saying- Teague: Are you saying that there's no more funds and they're depleted? Salih: Yes, since January. Hightshoe: They are depleted right now. Salih: They are. Yeah,and- Dunn: That would-that would be a budget amendment for fiscal year'24. That wouldn't be a budget amendment for fiscal year'25,which this is applicable to fiscal year'25,correct? Hightshoe: This is fiscal year'25. Dunn: Yeah. So it's a different conversation? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 28 Hightshoe: Yes. Salih: Yeah,I-I forget that even this is for'25. Hightshoe: Yeah,so this start July 1st. Salih: Yes. Hightshoe: We-we enter a contract with Community Crisis Service.We did a five-year agreement, so after this year,we have to do another RFP for prof- for a basically a nonprofit to run the program. I'm sure Community Crisis Service will apply again to run the program,but yes they do run out before June 30th directly. Salih: That's true. And the-the emergency fixed from last year.Do we have money still there because- Hightshoe: We have only 9,500 right now. Dunn: Thanks. Hightshoe: In the emergency situation because we've-we've spent money on United Action for Youth Transitional Living Program and,um,7,500 to Big Brothers,Big Sisters.And so we only have 9,500 available. Dunn: Tell us about the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. Hightshoe: It is in your emergency fixnding. Uh,it's kind of your catch-all. We don't budget for it anywhere else.It's typically housing-related.But since Big Brothers,Big Sisters,um,they had an emergency,they applied for emergency funds because the Johnson County Ag extension,they could no longer go under their insurance. So they had to create a nonprofit like within like,I can't remember the time period,but like 10 weeks. So it was very sudden and they were having a hard time even fmding insurance.And I think it's because they serve youth in mentoring that insurance premiums were very high,so we- Teague: And they disconnected I think from-the state. Alter: The state disconnected from them I think. Teague: Correct,yeah. Hightshoe: So it's a pot of fixnds that's available for crisis. Like I said,uh,it happened suddenly. It was beyond their control and they can't wait for another fixnding source to kick in. Teague: So I kind of wanna bring the Council back to,um,what-what people-what people are thinking as far as the proposal of$50,000,um,for the staff to add it so to be 108-I'm sorry,$1,080,000 is there. Dunn: Yes. Teague: Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 29 Alter: For which one? Teague: Um,we're gonna add for fiscal year 2025.For this so it'll be adding an additional 50,000,um, that I see the majority of Council is directing staff to do at this time. Salih: Fifty or 100? Teague: Fifty. We only need 50 more. Salih: Yeah.But also we need to talk about the 30,000 giving it to the security since they are not using it. Alter: That's good. She said there's the wiggle room that they can- Salih: They can or we have to approve it. Teague:No,it's gonna automatically happen on July 1. Hightshoe: On July 1,automatically happens. Teague: They'll have 120,000 for the security deposit and not,um-Yeah. Alter: For the risk management Hightshoe: We've already authorized,we've already paid Shelter House the 30,000 for fiscal year 2024, so that money's gone. So it would have to be- Teague: And since it's not used,it switches over,which is great. Alter: In '25 it'll switch. Hightshoe: Yes. Alter: Is that right? Salih: On July-the July of this year. Hightshoe: I think then Geoff would have just tweaked however he tweaks the budget for your fiscal year '25 that you should not approve yet. Teague: Sure. Okay. All right. Thank you. Hightshoe: You're welcome. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 30 3. Information Packet Discussion Teague: Any other items from,uh,March 25?I do know that we have our Joint Entities meeting on March-I'm sorry,April 15. Um,are there any agenda items that council want to put on for that meeting? Salih: Who is the 15th join entity meeting? Teague: It'll be Monday,April 15th. Salih: Yeah. Teague: Thank you. Salih:No,I saw we have a city council meeting the same day. Teague:No-no-no. This will be on Monday.Hearing none it will be at Iowa City.And so I'm sure there's-um,if something should come up,I think we still have time to- Alter: Let me just email Kellie. Teague: Email Kellie.We will still need to have,um,at least,you know,Mayor Pro Tem and I to kind of also agree on that topic. All right.We'll go on to Item Number 4 which is University of Iowa, Student Government Updates USG.Welcome. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 31 4. University of Iowa Student Government(USG) updates LeFevre: Hi,Council. Teague: Hello. LeFevre: All right. So first off,we'll start with our big student government news,USG elections happened last week Um,we have a whole bunch,I believe,40 senators in total. Um,next year,Addison Eckert,the current Speaker of the Senate,and Brenda Ramirez,Director of External Relations, will be the new President and Vice President of Student Government. Um,they will be working on building their cabinet in the next coming weeks. Monsivais: Iowa Women's basketball delivered an upset to LSU,uh,on-what night was that?just last night. It was a great night in Iowa City. Um,they will move on to the final for March Madness playing Yukon on Friday. Tomorrow is Hawkeye Caucus Day where a bunch of Iowa staff representatives and USG will go to the Iowa State Capitol to lobby for more funding,building connections with legislators and a lot more than that. LeFevre: Awesome.I also just wanted to inform the council that this is my second to last council session. Um,I'll have a more soppy speech,um,next week obviously,or next session,I guess. Um,but that being said,uh,if you have any recommendations or questions for the renters guide that you still have or I haven't heard yet,please let me know. I'm working on that as my last initiative. Teague: Great. LeFevre: Thank you. Teague: Well,thank you both.All right. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024 Page 32 5. Council updates on assigned boards,commissions,and committees Teague: We're on to Item Number 5,which is Council updates on assigned Boards,Commissions,and Committees. I think,um,Yeah-yeah,it's not open to the public. I just wanted to bring up that-I Think Iowa City,I'm on the DMO. Um,they're doing lots of great things,uh,here throughout the community.Um,the biggest thing that will be happe-happening is the Herkys. That's gonna be going across,um,the entire city. That is also a fimdraiser.And they'll be,um,placing some of the proceeds into various,um,local not-for-profit businesses. So,um,just happy for that opportunity. Other than that they- in those meetings,um,cities do give updates,typically it's,um, current events,road updates,that type of stuff,um,but just wanted to report out on that.All right. Hearing nothing else,we are going to be adjourned until 6:00 P.M. for our formal meeting. So see you soon. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of April 2, 2024