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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-13 Info Packet � r rrr®��� City Council Information Packet CITY OF 10"IA CITY June 13, 2024 Council Tentative Meeting Schedule IP1. Council Tentative Meeting Schedule June 18 Work Session IP2. Work Session Agenda IP3. Pending City Council Work Session Topics Miscellaneous IP4. Memo from Deputy City Manager: 2024 Legislative Session Report IPS. Memo from City Clerk: Joint Entities Meeting Agenda Items for July 15 IP6. Memo from City Clerk: Listening Post Update IP7. Civil Service Examination: Housing Inspector Draft Minutes IP8. Airport Commission: May 22 IP9. Charter Review Commission: May 23 IP10. Historic Preservation Commission: May 22 June 13, 2024 City of Iowa City Item Number: IP1. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT June 13, 2024 Council Tentative Meeting Schedule Attachments: Council Tentative Meeting Schedule City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule nil Subject to change CIS TY OF IOWA CITY June 13,2024 Date Time Meeting Location Tuesday,June 18,2024 3:30 PM Special Formal Executive Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 4:00 PM Work Session(following Special Formal) 410 E.Washington Street 6:00 PM Formal Meeting Monday,July 15,2024 4:30 PM Joint Entities Meeting TBD Hosted by the City of North Liberty Tuesday,July 16,2024 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street Tuesday,August 6,2024 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street Tuesday,August 20,2024 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street Tuesday,September 3,2024 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street Tuesday,September 17,2024 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street Tuesday,October 1,2024 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street Tuesday,October 15,2024 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street Monday,October 21,2024 4:30 PM Joint Entities Meeting TBD Hosted by the City of University Heights Monday, November 4,2024 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street Tuesday, November 19,2024 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street Tuesday, December 10,2024 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall,Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E.Washington Street Item Number: IP2. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT June 13, 2024 Work Session Agenda Attachments: Work Session Agenda Subject to change as finalized by the City Clerk. For a final official copy, contact the City Clerk's Office 356-5041 If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please contact Kellie Grace at 319-356-5041 , kgrace@iowa- city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. Iowa City City Council - Work Session r Agenda #A " t� Work Session E74 June 18, 2024 - 4:00 PM CITY or lows CITY Emma J. Harvat Hall 410 E. Washington Street www.icgov.org City of Iowa City Land Acknowledgment can be found at: icgov.org/landacknowledgement Meeting Rules can be found at: icgov.org/meetingrules You can watch the meeting on cable channel 4 (118.2 QAM) in Iowa City, University Heights and Coralville, or you can watch it online at any of the following websites: • https://citychannel4.com/live • https://www.youtube.com/user/citychannel4/live • https://facebook.com/CitvoflowaCity Following the 3:30 PM Special Formal Meeting 1. Review of public input regarding redevelopment of 21 S. Linn [Continued from 6/4/24] 2. Review of City Council Pending Work Session Topics [Deferred from 5/21/24 and 6/04/24] 3. Clarification of Agenda Items 4. Information Packet Discussion [June 6, June 13] Council direction needed on the following items: 1. (6/13) 1P - Memo from the City Clerk: Joint Entities Meeting Agenda Items for July 15 2. (6/13) 1 P6 - Memo from the City Clerk: Listening Post Update 5. University of Iowa Student Government (USG) Updates 6. Council updates on assigned boards, commissions, and committees Item Number: IP3. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT June 13, 2024 Pending City Council Work Session Topics Attachments: Pending City Council Work Session Topics j � t CITY OF IOWA CITY UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE PENDING CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION TOPICS June 12, 2024 Currently Scheduled • July 16—Update related to the new tobacco permit moratorium • July 16—City Hall and Public Safety headquarters space need study update • August 20 -Evaluate one-year progress of fare free transit FY23-25 Strategic Plan Action Item Tonics Requiring Council Discussion: • Explore legal steps to discourage or prevent bad faith and predatory property investors • Advance prioritized recommendations in the 2022 Affordable Housing Action Plan.Work with partners to undertake significant-scale affordable housing efforts • Develop a vision statement for a singular regional transit system with metro Johnson County entities and obtain initial commitments to study a regional system from each entity's elected officials • Evaluate with the State of Iowa reverting Dodge and Governor to 2-way streets Other Topics- • Consider a strategic plan decision-making framework • Develop strategies to address equity gaps noted in the Parks Master Plan and plan for the equitable distribution of destination parks within an easy and safe distance of all residents. • Discussion on the impact of land use decisions on long-term City financial health • Discussion on City Charter • Discussion of board and commission appointment process • UNESCO City of Literature update • License plate reader technology discussion • Local Option Sales Tax and other alternative revenue streams discussion • Affordable Housing discussion • Update on efforts of the Childcare Coalition • Air quality discussion • Review of City grant programs (Social Justice Racial Equity,Climate Action,Public Art,and Aid to Agencies) • Alternative crisis response discussion • Historic preservation incentive discussion Note:Some items on the Pending List may require staff research and information gatheringprior to scheduling. Item Number: IP4. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT June 13, 2024 Memo from Deputy City Manager: 2024 Legislative Session Report Attachments: Memo from Deputy City Manager: 2024 Legislative Session Report r CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM DATE: June 12, 2024 TO: City Council FROM: Redmond Jones II, Deputy City Manager RE: 2024 Legislative Session Report The 2024 State of Iowa legislative session adjourned on April 20, 2024. This marked the Second year of the 90th General Assembly. As you are aware the City of Iowa City contracted with Carney & Appleby to act as the city's legislative lobbyist. The City Council is also aware that before the start of the session, the City Council adopted state legislative priorities to guide staff s work with our elected delegation and city's lobbyists throughout this session. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our local elected delegation for working and representing the city's priorities through a challenging legislative session. We look forward to our continued positive working relationship as we prepare for several issues such as continued discussions regarding further property taxes changes, civil service terminations, tax increment financing, and the impacts of health changes (mental health and cancer benefits) on municipal fire and police retirement systems, on the horizon for the next session. Accompanying this memo is a session summary prepared by Carney & Appley. Page 1 of 20 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION REPORT City of Iowa City Carney & Appleby, PLC. — Legislative Counsel The Iowa General Assembly adjourned on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 04:23 PM. The Governor, through the Iowa Constitution, is provided 30 days from adjournment to act on legislation received within 3 days of adjournment. The Governor had until May 20th to act on outstanding legislation and signed the final bills on May 17th. The state fiscal year begins July 1, 2024. This is also the default effective date of any legislation that does not expressly state a different effective date. Although we discussed the following legislation with you in real-time throughout the legislative session, we still wanted to provide you with a follow-up summary of the bills we followed for the City. The 2024 session is the Second year of the 90" General Assembly. All bills that were not acted on by both chambers and the Governor are dead and would need to be refiled in 2025 for their language to be considered. Issues that were of concern to the City during the 2024 session that we expect to be see again next session include: • Civil Service Terminations—SF 2325 • 411 Cancer Benefits—FIF 2482 • Residential Design Standards—SF 2154 • Land Redevelopment Trusts (Land Banks)—HF 665/SF 182 • Tax Increment Financing • Continued Property Tax Reform • Continued Income Tax Reform We greatly appreciate the opportunity to represent the City and look forward to continuing to represent your interests at the Capitol. While we experienced a few disappointments, SF 455 Stormwater Regulation and the failure of the corrective property tax bill to address its adverse impact on City revenues, we believe the City had a successful year with the legislature. All be it too late, we did pass the Hookah Bar legislation. Below we have included a list of key legislation we monitored and/or engaged in on behalf of the City. As always, we welcome any questions you may have about the session and any of the legislation we tracked for the City. We would be happy to meet with you to do a session debrief now that all of the bills have been acted upon. Thank you, Doug, Jim, and Jenny Page 2 of 20 Budget and Funding Levels The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC)met on March 15 to review/update their estimates from their December 2023 meeting and to provide the revised estimates for FY 2024 and FY 2025. The March estimate will be reviewed again in October. The Governor and legislature must base their budget on the December estimates unless the March estimate for FY 2025 is lower than the December estimate. If the March estimate is greater than the December estimate, the legislature is bound by the December estimate. Net Receipts Plus Transfers: FY 2019 Actual $7.859 billion FY 2020 Actual $7.931 billion(0.9%) FY 2021 Actual $8.801 billion(1097% or$870 million) FY 2022 Actual $9.803 billion(11.4%or$1.002 billion) FY 2023 Actual $9.845 billion (0.4% or$42 million vs. FY 22 Actual) FY 2024 December Estimate $9.747 billion (-1.0% or-$98 million vs. FY 23 Actual) FY 2024 March Estimate $9.627 billion (.2.2% or-$218 million vs. FY 23 Actual) FY 2025 December Estimate $9.673 billion (-1.1% or-$98 million vs. FY 24 Dec Estimate) FY 2025 March Estimate $9.698 billion (0.7% or $71 million vs. FY 24 March Estimate) FY 2024 - The March REC estimate for FY 2024 net General Fund receipts, including transfers, totals $9.627 billion, a decrease of$-218 million(-2.2%) compared to FY 2023 actual. The estimated changes include a decrease of 9.9% in gross personal income tax, an increase of 6.2%in gross sales/use tax, and a decrease of 0.1% in gross corporate income tax receipts. Inheritance tax receipts decreased by 25.5%. FY 2025 - The March REC estimate for FY 2025 net General Fund receipts, including transfers, totals $9.698 billion, an increase of$71 million(0.7%) compared to estimated FY 2024. The estimated changes include an increase of 9.5% in gross personal income tax, an increase of 4.3%in gross sales/use tax, and a decrease of 3.8% in gross corporate income tax receipts. Inheritance tax revenue is expected to decrease by 34.3%. Net Appropriations for FY 2020 $7.819 billion Net Appropriations for FY 2021 $7.823 billion Net Appropriations for FY 2022 $8.124 billion Net Appropriations for FY 2023 $8.209.8 billion Net Appropriations for FY 2024 $8.555.2 billion Enacted Appropriations for FY 2025 $8.913.2 billion(4.22% increase) Estimated FY 2025 revenues exceed FY 2025 target by $760.7 million. Based on the December REC the state has reserve funds in the following areas (Actual FY 2023): Cash Reserve Fund $671.4 million Economic Emergency Fund $223.6 million Taxpayer Relief Fund $2.738 billion Ending Balance/Surplus Carry Fwd. $1.83 billion Total $5.463 billion Based on the latest REC and the status of the reserve funds, the state budget and state finances continue to be in a strong position. Page 3 of 20 Key Legislation Vetoed by the Governor • HF 2539—Open Meetings Fines o This bill increases the penalty for violation by a member of a governmental body of Iowa Code chapter 21 to no more than$2,500 and no less than $500 in damages. o This Bill also increases the penalty for a member of a governmental body who knowingly violates Iowa Code chapter 21 to no more than $12,500 and no less than $5,000 in damages. o The Bill also removes the requirement that damages need to have been assessed during a member's term due to a previous violation of Iowa Code chapter 21 for a court to issue an order removing a member of a governmental body from office. o The bill also includes language to exempt from the definition of"meeting" a gathering including members of a local governmental body that is hosted or organized by a political party, political candidate, or civic organization. o Portion of veto message from Governor Reynolds: House File 2539, as introduced, would have required public officials to receive training on their responsibilities under chapters 21 and 22. Unfortunately, this provision was removed during the legislative process. This is a laudable goal and one that I hope the Legislature will continue to pursue. The final version of the bill increases damages assessed against governmental bodies who violate Iowa's open meeting laws and amends the definition of a "meeting" in chapter2l. Although well-intentioned, the amendment to the definition is unnecessary and will cause confusion. Open meeting laws need to be clear otherwise, their application and enforcement will be inconsistent and varied. I am committed to working with the Legislature and stakeholders on making our open meeting laws stronger. Key Legislation Signed by the Governor • SF 2442 —Changes to Income Tax and Property Tax o A bill for an act relating to state and local finances by modifying individual and alternate income tax rates, withholding cred-its, franchise tax deductions,methodologies for determining property taxes, and property tax assessment limitations, changing methods of determining compensation of county officials, making con-tingent transfers from the taxpayer relief fund, and making corrections, and including effective date and applicability provisions. • Division I of the Bill decreases individual income tax rates beginning in tax year(TY) 2025 by making the following significant changes: • Eliminates the bracketed individual income tax rates that go into effect in TY 2025 and establishes flat individual income tax rates of 3.8% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. Currently, a flat individual income tax rate of 3.9% is scheduled to go into effect beginning in TY 2026. • Decreases the future alternate income tax rate from 4.4% to 4.3%beginning in tax years on or after January 1, 2025. ■ Division II of the Bill makes the following changes to the Targeted Jobs Withholding Tax Credit: Page 4 of 20 • Increases the investment required for a business to qualify for the credit from $500,000 to $1.0 million. • Extends the ability of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to enter into a targeted jobs withholding agreement by three years, from June 30, 2024,to June 30, 2027. • Changes the entity responsible for annual compliance reporting concerning a targeted jobs withholding agreement from the pilot project city to the employer. • Division IV makes the following modifications to property tax procedures and statements found in Iowa Code section 24.2A: • Changes the deadline for political subdivisions to file reports with the Department of Management(DOM) from March 15 to 4:00 p.m. on March 5. • The report is required to include all necessary information for the DOM to compile and calculate amounts required to be included in the statements sent out to property tax owners and taxpayers in that subdivision. If a city or county fails to meet the deadline, that city's or county's tax levy is limited to the previous year's budget amount. • Changes the deadline for county auditors to send an individual statement containing information relating to property taxes from March 20 to March 15. • Increases the assessed value of the example property on the property tax statement from $100,000 to $300,000 for residential and commercial properties. This change applies to all fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2025. The Bill also changes the amount used for residential and commercial property in the budget year to 110.0% of the value of the property used as the current fiscal year example. • On or after July 1, 2024, statements must include a percent change in property taxes owed from the current fiscal year example to the budgeted year example. • Requires that all statements include a link to the DOM's Internet site. This requirement is retroactive to January 1, 2024. ■ Division VI creates four growth categories, redistributes the allowable base growth, and includes an assessed value reduction for each group. The Bill adjusts the levy rates for cities and counties so cities and counties use the greater of last year's levy rate or the default levy rate based on their growth. The following four categories apply to bath the county and city rates: • Category I —Cities with general services tax base growth that is less than 2.75%. A city in this category will not receive a reduction in the maximum tax rate. • Category 2—Cities with general services tax base growth that equals 2.75%but is less than 4.00%: A city in this category will have its maximum property tax dollars reduced by 1.00 percentage point for the budget year through a reduction in the maximum tax rate. • Category 3 —Cities with general services tax base growth that equals 4.00%but is less than 6.00%: A city in this category will have its maximum property tax dollars reduced by 2.00 percentage points for the budget year through a reduction in the maximum tax rate. Page 5 of 20 • Category 4—Cities with general services tax base growth that equals or exceeds 6.00%: A city in this category will have its maximum property tax dollars reduced by 3.00 percentage points for the budget year through a reduction in the maximum tax rate. ■ Division VII removes public utility company property operating under Iowa Code chapter 428 and pipeline company property under Iowa Code chapter 438 from the calculation of the assessment limitation. The Bill also reduces the percentage of actual value at which a property is valued by 2.0%each year beginning in assessment year(AY) 2025 over the next 5 years to 90.0%in AY 2029. • HE 2680–Changes to 411 Benefits o A bill for an act relating to public safety personnel retirement systems, the taxation of surviving spouse pension benefits, and including retroactive applicability provisions. ■ Division I relates to civil service entrance evaluations and benefits for members of the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa(MFPRSI). The Division expands the number of disabilities eligible for an accidental disability benefit and allows retirees who are receiving an ordinary benefit and who are within three years of retirement to apply for an accidental disability benefit. The Division adds a mental health evaluation to the required examination of applicants for civil service. The Division requires cities to provide mental medical attention for members of the MFPRSI if conditions are met and provides funding options for cities. ■ Division II of the Bill exempts a deceased public safety officer's pension income from the individual income tax of a surviving spouse who is not disabled or 55 years of age or older. Retroactive to beginning of TY 2024. • HE 2388–Exterior Cladding Rules o A city shall not adopt, enforce, or otherwise administer an ordinance, motion, resolution, or building code that prohibits or limits, either directly or indirectly, the use of a specific style of exterior cladding or finish materials for residential buildings in a manner that is more restrictive than the state building code as adopted pursuant to section 103A.7. o This does not prohibit a city from regulating the use of a specific style of exterior cladding or finish materials for a residential building that meets any of the following conditions: ■ The building is located in an area designated and declared as a state or local historic district under applicable law. ■ The building is designated as a local, state, or national historic landmark. ■ The building is in a common interest community as defined in chapter 499C. ■ The building is located on a property that is governed by a policy of regulation of an overlay or special purpose zoning district that is adopted pursuant to applicable law. o "Residential building"means any single or multifamily residential dwelling and includes single- family and two-family dwellings and townhouses, condominiums and apartments with a maximum of twelve units per building, and all secondary structures to such a single or multifamily residential dwelling. • SF 455–Stormwater and Topsoil Regulation Page 6 of 20 o A bill for an act relating to the regulation of topsoil and storm water at construction sites. The bill prohibits a county or city from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, resolution, or amendment regarding topsoil at a construction site that is more restrictive than those requirements provided in NPDES General Permit No. 2. o Prohibits a county or city from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, resolution, or amendment regarding topsoil at a construction site that is more restrictive than those requirements provided in NPDES General Permit No. 2. o Allows a county or city to adopt or enforce an ordinance, motion, resolution, or o amendment that regulates storm water runoff at a construction site for 5- to 100-year rainfall events only if the storm water flow rate is not more restrictive than the existing flow rate of a 5- year rainfall event, with all runoff rates based on site conditions at the time construction commences. o Allows a county or city to adopt or enforce an ordinance, motion, resolution, or o amendment that regulates storm water runoff from upstream properties adjacent to a construction site if the runoff is allowed to pass through downstream storm water basins at the same flow rates as off-site storm water runoff entering the construction site. o Allows a county or city to impose storm water runoff requirements that are more restrictive than what is allowed or required by the DNR if the county or city pays for all study, design, and engineering costs associated with implementing the storm water runoff requirement; pays for one-half of any equipment or practices required for a property owner to comply with the requirement; pays the property owner the fair market value of any property or casement taken to impose the requirement; and pays the costs incurred without imposing a special assessment or otherwise recovering the costs solely from the property owner for the costs attributable to the county or city. o Allows a county or city to impose a storm water runoff requirement that is more restrictive than established in federal or State law if the county or city and the owner of the affected property agree to the requirement. o Allows a county or city to request that the DNR review the soil of a construction site to verify whether a NPDES General Permit No. 2 is appropriate for the site. o Effective July 1, 2024 • SF 2385 —Boards, Commissions, Committees, Councils and Other Entities of State Government o Division VII—Changes section 21.8 to require that a governmental entity provide for hybrid meetings, teleconference participation, virtual meetings,remote participation, and other hybrid options for the members of the governmental body to participate in official meetings. The same Divisions adds the following definitions to section 21.8: • "Hybrid meeting" means a meeting involving both remote participation and in-person participation by members. • "Remote participation" means real-time participation by a remotely located individual in a meeting which is being held in a different physical location using integrated audio, video, and other digital tools_ ■ "Teleconference participation"means participation using audio conference tools involving multiple participants in at least two separate locations. Page 7 of 20 ■ "Virtual meeting"means a meeting involving real-time interaction using integrated audio, video, and other digital tools, in which participants do not share a physical location. • SF 2340—Illegal Entry or Presence, Prohibition and Enforcement o The bill creates a new Iowa Code chapter related to illegal reentry into the State by certain aliens; creates procedures for law enforcement, the Department of Public Safety(DPS), and judicial officers; and establishes criminal offenses. o The bill sets rules for peace officers and the DPS that limit locations an individual may be arrested for illegal reentry, tasks required prior to the issuance of a return order, and criminal record reporting requirements. o The Bill creates procedures for the Judicial Branch and judges related to written orders; restricts the use of deferred judgments, sentences or suspended sentences in certain circumstances; and restricts the abatement of prosecution in certain circumstances. o The Bill also provides standards related to civil immunity for and indemnification of local and state government officials, employees, and contractors. • HF 2325—Hookah Bars o This bill provides for the inspection of the premises of a retailer of products regulated under Code chapter 453A (cigarette and tobacco taxes and regulation of alternative nicotine products and vapor products), if the regulated products are used or consumed on the premises. o As a condition for issuance of a permit to, and the continued holding of a valid permit by, a retailer of the regulated products that are used or consumed on the retailer's premises, the permit applicant or holder must give consent to police, the county sheriff or deputy sheriff,members of the department of public safety, and certified peace officers to enter upon areas of the premises where such products are stored, sold,used, or consumed without,a warrant during business hours to inspect for violations of the Code chapter or ordinances and regulations that cities and boards of supervisors may adopt. o A warrant is required for inspection of private records, a private business office, or attached living quarters; persons who are not certified peace officers must limit the scope of their inspections to the regulatory authority under which the inspection is conducted; and those conducting an inspection must present appropriate identification prior to commencing an inspection unless the inspection is an undercover criminal investigation conducted by peace officers. • HF 2175—Cell Siting Law o The legislation extends the repeal of Iowa's cell siting Act by 10 years to July 1, 2035, • HF 2319—Prohibiting Guaranteed Income Programs o The Act provides that unless expressly authorized by state law, a city shall not adopt, enforce, or maintain an ordinance, order, or rule for the purpose of making payments to individuals under a guaranteed income program. o A"guaranteed income program" is a program under which individuals are provided with regular periodic cash payments that are unearned and that may be used for any purpose, but does not include a program under which an individual is required to perform work or attend training. Page 8 of 20 o A guaranteed income program operating prior to or on the effective date of this Act may remain in effect until January 1, 2025, or until expiration of the program, whichever is earlier. A city shall not start a guaranteed income program or extend an existing guaranteed income program after the effective date of this Act • HF 2397—Transport of Patients to Mental Health Access Centers by Ambulance o The legislation requires DHHS to authorize payments to service programs for the transportation of persons experiencing a mental health crisis to mental health access centers in amounts similar to payments authorized for the transportation of persons to hospital emergency departments. • HF 2531 —Adult Cabaret Nuisance o The bill provides the circumstances where an adult establishment may be deemed to be a public safety nuisance and provides penalties. The Bill establishes when a city or county attorney may file suit to seek relief from an adult cabaret that has been deemed a public nuisance. o The bill creates provisions similar to the liquor establishment nuisance legislation enacted several years ago. The law did not apply to cabarets because a cabaret does not have a liquor license, which was the enforcement mechanism in that legislation. • HF 2556—Damages Against Participants in Firearms Regulation Violations. o The bill expands the damages available against municipalities that violates the statutory prohibition on the local regulation of firearms. o The court is directed to assess against the political subdivision of the state damages in the amount of not more than five hundred dollars and not less than one hundred dollars per day after providing written notice to the political subdivision of the state of the violation, not to exceed five thousand dollars. A However, if the political subdivision of the state knowingly participated in such a violation, damages shall be assessed against the political subdivision of the state in the amount of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars and not less than one thousand dollars per day after providing written notice to the political subdivision of the state of the violation, not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars. These damages shall be paid by the political subdivision of the state directly to the adversely affected person. o The court shall also award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees and court costs. o The court, for good cause, may assess damages in excess of the amounts set forth in paragraph "a" against the political subdivision. o Effective January 1, 2025. • SF 2096—Repealing Gender Balance o This bill repeals Code section 69.16A, imposing gender balance requirements on appointive bodies established in the Code. o Section 69.16A provided in part: " All appointive boards, commissions, committees, and councils of a political subdivision of the state that are established by the Code, if not otherwise provided by law, shall be gender balanced as provided by subsection 1 unless the political subdivision has made a good faith effort to appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy on a board, commission, committee, or council in compliance with subsection 1 for a period of three months but has been unable to make a compliant appointment. In complying with the Page 9 of 20 requirements of this subsection, political subdivisions shall utilize a fair and unbiased method of selecting the best qualified applicants." • SF 2095—Religious Freedom Restoration Act o This bill prohibits a governmental entity from substantially burdening a person's free exercise of religion. The bill prohibits governmental entities from treating religious conduct more restrictively than any secular conduct of reasonably comparable risk or treating religious conduct more restrictively than comparable secular conduct because of alleged economic need or benefit. o Under current law, a court is not required to apply heightened scrutiny when reviewing a law that burdens a person's exercise of religion when such law is generally applicable. The bill provides that a court shall apply the compelling governmental interest test so that the government cannot substantially burden a person's exercise of religion unless the government demonstrates that applying the law of general applicability is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. o The bill provides that a person whose exercise of religion has been substantially burdened by the government may assert such violation as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding, and provides that the governmental entity may be liable for actual damages, attorney fees, costs, and other appropriate remedies. The bill also allows the person to obtain injunctive relief against the governmental entity. o The bill prohibits a county or city from enacting a private or civil law that would burden a person's free exercise of religion in violation of the bill. o. The bill took effect upon enactment (April 4, 2024) and applies to all state and local laws. • HF 2673 - Behavior Health Disability and Addictive Disorder Services o This bill makes changes to the state's delivery of behavioral health, disability, and addictive disorder services and related programs. This includes the transition of behavioral health services from a mental health and disability services system to a behavioral health service system, the transfer of disability services to the division of aging and disability services of the department of health and human services, the elimination of the commission on aging, the elimination of special intellectual disability units at state mental health institutes. • HF 2592 —Placement of Police Officers on Brady-Giglio List. o The bill provides that an officer shall have the right to petition the district court, appeal, or intervene in an action regarding a prosecuting agency's decision to place an officer on a Brady- Giglio list or for refusing to prosecute cases involving the officer. o The district court has jurisdiction over the review of the prosecuting agency's decision. The district court shall perform an in-camera review of the evidence and may hold a closed hearing upon the request of the officer or prosecuting agency, or upon the court's own motion. o The court may affirm, modify, or reverse a prosecuting agency's decision, and issue orders or provide relief, including removal of the officer from a Brady-Giglio list. o Evidence presented to the district court shall be provided under seal and kept confidential unless otherwise provided by law and ordered by the district court. o The standard of proof for an allegation, administrative charge, complaint, cause of action, claim, or defense under Code chapter 80F shall be a preponderance of the evidence unless a higher standard of proof is required by law. Page 10 of 20 o Effective July 1, 2024 • SF 2161 —Swatting Penalties o The bill provides that a person who knowingly reports or is responsible for the report of false information to a fire department, law enforcement authority, or other public safety entity, or reports the alleged occurrence of a criminal act while knowing the act did not occur, commits a Class D felony if the falsely reported criminal act is any of following: ■ A forcible felony under Iowa Code section 702.11, ■ Intimidation with a dangerous weapon under Iowa Code section 708.6, ■ An act of terrorism under Iowa Code chapter 708A, ■ Unlawful possession of biological agents or diseases under Iowa Code chapter 708B, ■ Any offense under Iowa Code chapter 712. o Effective July 01, 2024 • HF 2163 —Public Safety Communicators o Strikes "communications officer" and replaces it with"public safety telecommunicator" in Iowa Code section 80F.1 and 622.10. o This is to conform with the term used by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. • HF 2308—Disaster Relief Funding o Current language in 29C.6 and 29C.20 uses imprecise references to specific types of Federal disaster financial aid programs. The proposal clarifies the State can provide cost sharing requirements tied to all Federal disaster aid programs. • HF 2167—Disaster Grants o Authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to implement an ongoing contract with local administrative entities for the Disaster Aid Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program. The Bill defines "local administrative entity" as a countywide provider, or a provider of a statewide program with local offices throughout the State, contracted for the administration of the Disaster Aid Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program. o Increases the Disaster Aid Individual Assistance Grant limit from $5,000 to $7,000 per household. • HF 2276—Zoning of Maternal Group Homes o The bill provides that a city shall consider a maternity group home a residential use of property for the purpose of zoning and shall treat a maternity group home as a permitted use in all residential zones or districts, including all single-family residential zones or districts, of the city. o A city, city council, or city zoning commission shall not require that a maternity group home, its owner, or its operator obtain a conditional use permit, special use permit, special exception, or variance. o New maternity group homes owned and operated by public or private agencies shall be dispersed throughout the residential zones and districts and shall not be located within contiguous city block areas. Page 11 of 20 o The Bill also voids any restriction, reservation, condition, exception, or covenant in any subdivision plan, deed, or other instrument of or pertaining to the transfer, sale, lease, or use of property in a city that permits residential use of property but prohibits the use of property as a maternity group home. o "Maternity group home" means a community-based residential home that provides room and board, personal care, supervision,training, support, and education in a family environment for women who are either pregnant or who have given birth within the preceding twenty-four months and live with their children, and includes overnight room accommodations and administrative and office space for those persons who provide such services. • HF 2648—Issuance of 5-day Retail Alcohol Licenses o A bill for an act relating to alcoholic beverage licenses, including native distilled spirits alternating proprietorships and the issuance of five-day retail alcohol and native wine licenses, and providing fees. o Effective July 1, 2024 • SF 574—Major Economic Growth Attraction Program o The bili creates the Major Economic Growth and Attraction(MEGA) Program under the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The Bill allows foreign businesses to acquire agricultural land in Iowa and receive tax credits if the foreign business meets certain requirements. Program tax credits under the Bill include a Qualifying Investment Tax Credit, a sales tax refund, and a Withholding Tax Credit. The IEDA Board must not authorize tax incentives available under the Program, or an exemption to restrictions on agricultural land holdings, for more than two eligible businesses, or on or after January 1, 2027, whichever occurs first. • SF 2205—Civil Service Police & Firefighter Hires o A bill for an act relating to requirements for the hiring of civil service positions. o Changes Iowa law to provide that an applicant who has-successfully completed training at the Iowa law enforcement academy or another training facility certified by the director of the Iowa law enforcement academy does not need to retake a civil service examination upon changing employment from one Iowa law enforcement agency to another Iowa law enforcement agency, or upon becoming employed by more than one Iowa law enforcement agency simultaneously, if the applicant has previously passed a civil service examination when the applicant was initially hired as a certified peace officer and if, without a break of not more than one hundred eighty days from prior law enforcement service, the applicant is hired by another Iowa law enforcement agency. However, the applicant shall complete and pass the applicable physical examination provided in subsection 1 prior to beginning the new employment. o Provides that a city council, by majority vote, may suspend the practices that are required pursuant to chapter 400 for the hiring of an employee of a department governed by civil service. ■ A suspension shall not be in effect for more than one year,but a city council may immediately vote to implement a new suspension of the required practices upon the expiration of the prior suspension. • Upon the expiration of a suspension, hiring practices required under this chapter shall be immediately reinstated for the applicable positions. Page 12 of 20 ■ A city council, by majority vote,may reinstate hiring practices suspended pursuant to this section prior to the expiration of the suspension. ■ A subsequent vote to suspend required hiring practices, even if the vote occurs prior to the original expiration date of the prior suspension, shall be considered a vote for a new suspension. o The bill also provides that the provisions of section 400.11, subsection 1, paragraph"a" (certification of names) may be suspended. o The provisions in section 400.12A do not relieve an employee of a department governed by civil service from the requirements to complete all examinations and tests applicable to those persons for positions subject to the provisions of this chapter. o The provisions in section 400.12A shall not be construed to preclude an employee of a department governed by civil service from accessing rights, benefits, or privileges provided outside of chapter 400. • SF 2331 —Changes to Publication Requirements for Official Publications o The bill makes changes to official publications requirements faced by governmental subdivisions. o The bill requires a statewide association representing a majority of newspapers in the state to operate and maintain a statewide public notice internet site containing all notices and reports of proceedings required by statute to be published within the state by newspapers. o The bill provides that if a newspaper refuses to publish a notice the requirement to provide notice is satisfied when the governmental entity places the notice on their official website. o The bill prohibits a newspaper from charging for proof of publication. o The bill requires any notice to be published withing 72 hours of receipt unless one of the exceptions apply. a Any dispute between a governmental entity and a newspaper shall be heard by the public information board. • HF 2681 -ATE Device Regulation o Division I o Requires local authorities to hold a valid permit from.the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) before using an ATE system. o The DOT is required to adopt administrative rules for the ATE systems. o The DOT is authorized to determine whether an ATE system is appropriate and necessary and the least restrictive means to address the traffic safety issues at a location. o A local authority is only authorized to use an ATE system to issue citations for traffic violations exceeding the speed limit by greater than 10 miles per hour. o A local authority with a population of 20,000 or less is prohibited from using a mobile ATE system to issue citations but may issue warnings for violations detected by a mobile ATE system. o Data collected by automatic registration plate readers must be deleted within 30 days unless it is part of an ongoing investigation. o Provides signage and reporting requirements for ATE systems. o Establishes requirements for the installation and maintenance of an ATE system, including the requirement for a monthly calibration of an ATE system. Page 13 of 20 o The Bill requires a local authority using an ATE system to provide an annual report by March 1 to the DOT and to post on the local authority's website detailing the number of traffic collisions and accidents that occurred at each location an ATE system is used, the number of citations issued, and any other relevant information. o Local authorities are required to review and approve a recorded photograph or video of a violation captured by an ATE system before a citation or warning is issued. o For excessive speed violations detected by an ATE system, the citation amount must not exceed: • $75 for speeds greater than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, ■ $100 for speeds greater than 20 per hour over the speed limit, • $250 for speeds greater than 25 per hour over the speed limit, ■ $500 for speeds greater than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit. • These amounts are doubled if the violation occurs in a road work zone. o All violations detected by an ATE system are civil infractions. o Requires local authorities to use revenue received from the use of an ATE system, minus the costs to install, operate, and maintain the system, to fund transportation infrastructure improvement projects or to offset costs related to the operation of a police or fire department. o Division II—Existing Systems o To continue to operate ATE systems that were used prior to January 1, 2024, a local authority is required to submit a list of ATE system locations and justifications for placement and use to the DOT by July 1, 2024. o The DOT is required to issue a permit by October 1, 2024, to every local authority that provides valid submissions. o A local authority using an ATE system prior to January 1, 2024, may continue to use the ATE system until a permit is received unless it is a mobile ATE system prohibited under the Bill. o If a local authority has not been issued a permit by October 1, 2024, the local authority must cease using all ATE systems until the local authority obtains a permit. o A local authority using an ATE system at a location for the first time on or after January 1, 2024, shall not issued a permit by the DOT before July 1, 2026. o Division II of the bill takes effect on enactment. Key Legislation That Failed to Pass • SF 2154/SF 174/HF 490—Building Design o Holdover from 2023 —Passed out of committee in 2024 but did not advance to Senate floor. o This bill relates to the regulation of building design elements by governmental subdivisions. The bill defines "national model code", "residential building", and"residential building design element". o The bill prohibits a governmental subdivision from adopting or enforcing a rule, charter provision, ordinance, order, building code, or other regulation that governs building design elements in three primary manners. o Passed Senate Local Government • HF 2601 —Public Parking Meters o The bill creates new requirements for public parking meters. Page 14 of 20 o A parking meter whether it accepts payment at the meter, at a kiosk, or through an internet application,must comply with all of the following: ■ The parking meter must authorize the use of a parking space by all users for the duration purchased, regardless of whether the purchasing user vacates the parking space prior to the expiration of the purchased duration, or provide the user with the option to only pay for the specific duration the user occupied the parking space. ■ The parking meter, kiosk, or intemet application, as applicable, must display the remaining purchased duration for the parking space from a prior user, if any, and allow a new user to purchase additional time for the parking space, or provide the user with the option to only pay for the specific duration the user occupied the parking space. ■ The duration charged must only apply to the specific parking space occupied by the user's vehicle. The duration charged shall not apply to a specific registration plate number or similar means of identification of the user's vehicle occupying the parking space. o Bill passed the House but did not advance in Senate. • HF 2482 —411 Cancer Benefits o The bill expands the definition of"cancer"by striking references to specific cancers and inserting a more generalized description. By expanding the definition of"cancer"to include more cancer diagnoses, the bill likewise expands the availability of accidental disability and death benefits to members of the 411 system who have a cancer diagnosis. o Bill passed the House but did not advance in the Senate. • SF 2325 - Civil Service Discipline o Holdover from 2023 —Passed Seante in 2024,passed House committee but did not advance to House floor. o This bill relates to procedures governing disciplinary action taken against a city employee holding civil service rights as provided by Code chapter 400. o Section 1: Bans citizen review boards. o Section 2: Lowers threshold for size of Commission triggers. Lowers from 70,000 to 50,000 and makes it a requirement for the Commission to be at least 5 but not more than seven. The previous requirement was three. o Section 3: Adds a requirement that an employee can only be suspended with just cause and upon a finding by preponderance of the evidence that an actor of failure to act by the employee is a violation of law, city policies,rules or that the employee is physically or mentally unfit as determined under guidelines established pursuant to section 6 400.8A. The provision shall not be interpreted to modify the requirements in section 400.8A. The section also requires the city to establish each element of the charges by the preponderance of evidence and any penalty was proportionate, reasonable, and just in the totality of the circumstances. o Section 4: Modified removal under section 400.14 by limiting the circumstance which are a violation of law, city policies, or department rules which are deemed reasonably anticipated to be detrimental to the public. o Section 5: Adds a new section to chapter 400 which states a person shall not knowing withhold exculpatory evidence from an employee subject to a written specification of charges under section 400.22. Page 15 of 20 o Section 6: Allows the commission at its discretion to grant a continuance or stay of a hearing upon request by a party and that hearings be held during normal city business hours unless agreed to by the parties. o Section 7: Changes Commission subpoenas rules to follow the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure. Expands the individuals who can request subpoenas to include an attorney representing a party before the commission. Adds requirement that the Commission share copies of subpoena to both parties upon issuance and requires parties to share copies of materials obtained via the subpoena with the opposing party. Also adds the right to engage in discovery including the filing of interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and the taking of depositions. o Section &: Allows and employee to request deliberations of the Commission be held in close session. This only applies to cities under 200,000 in population. o Section 9: Provides new guidelines to the Commission on how to render decisions. ■ If the commission determines that the city proved the employee committed the charge as specified, the commission shall determine whether the removal, discharge, demotion, or suspension of the employee was with just cause based upon the totality of the circumstances. ■ For the purposes of this subsection, the commission shall consider factors including: • the nature of the conduct at issue in the circumstances, • the proportionality of the punishment to the conduct at issue, • the employee's work history, • whether the employee reasonably could comply with the policy or rule in the circumstances • whether the employee's conduct was objectively reasonable in the circumstances, • the employee's defenses or justifications, • any mitigating or aggravating factors, • whether the punishment is reasonably calculated to correct the employee's behavior or conduct, • if the punishment is necessary to protect the public interest, • whether the city, its employees, or the appointing authority acted in accordance with the law, city policies, department rules, or standard operating procedures, or if the policy failed in the circumstances. ■ The commission shall only consider, order, or impose discipline upon the employee for charges proven by the city. ■ Section 9 also addresses conflicts of interest providing: • A city attorney, assistant city attorney, or solicitor who represents or has represented the commission shall not represent the city or its officers or employees in an appeal pending before the commission unless the employee waives the conflict of interest in writing or on the record. • If the commission is required to hire a counselor or attorney that is not a city attorney, assistant city attorney, or solicitor as provided in this subsection, the city shall pay the costs incurred by the commission in employing a counselor or attorney under this section, and the commission shall independently seek and retain such an attorney. Page 16 of 20 • The section requires a counselor or attorney who represents the commission in an appeal before the commission to be fair and impartial toward the parties. ■ Section 9 also changes the standard of review from "de novo appellate review without a trial or additional evidence" to "a trial de novo" before the district court. o Section 10: Provides for the exchange of evidence in advance of trial. It also provides for the award of an employee who substantially prevails reasonable attorney fees, expert fees, and costs and expenses. The employee has the burden to prove they substantially prevailed. • SF 2329—Local Civil Rights Commissions o The bill provides that any complaint that is filed with a local commission or agency where a party is a political subdivision shall be referred to the Iowa civil rights commission for processing. o The bill provides that a local agency or commission complaint, upon request by any party, shall be transferred to the Iowa civil rights commission for processing if the complaint alleges a violation of the Iowa civil rights Act of 1965 and has not been resolved within 12 months of the filing date of the complaint. o The bill requires the local agency or commission to within 300 days of the filing date of the complaint: ■ send notice to all parties of the party's right to direct transfer to the Iowa civil rights commission after 12 months by verified mail, or electronic notice, and ■ cross file a complaint with the Iowa civil rights commission if the local agency or commission complaint arises from an alleged violation of a state law, rule, or regulation under the jurisdiction of the Iowa civil rights commission. The bill does not prohibit a local agency or commission from cross filing a complaint with any other federal or state agency, commission, or entity, if the local agency or commission complaint arises from an alleged violation of a state or federal law, rule, or regulation of a state or federal agency, commission, or entity. o The bill provides that the term of the commission of a local agency or commission in two years. o Bill passed out of Senate committee but was not taken up by the Senate. • HF 554 —Ransomware Attacks o Holdover from 2023 —Had a subcommittee in 20244 but did not advance from subcommittee. o This bill would have prohibited local governments from making payments to persons who make a ransomware attack and required notice to the CIO. This legislation would have also allowed the CIO to adopt notification rules and to allow payments in situations determined to be critical by the DHS/EM. o Passed House Economic Development and Technology • HF 7051 SF 570—Local Emergency Management Budgets o Holdover from 2023 —Passed out of committee in 2024 but did not advance to Senate floor. a This bill authorizes the local emergency management commission to certify and levy the countywide special levy for the maintenance and operation of the agency and strikes the county's authority to certify such a levy. o The bill also specifies the local emergency management commission to be a municipality for purposes of Code chapter 24 (local budgets). Page 17 of 20 o Passed House and Senate Ways and Means • HF 2299—Open Records Requests o The bill authorizes a government body to provide a requested public record in a reasonable format. A government body is not required to provide the public record in the format requested if a comparable alternative is provided. o The bill also provides that if a public record is published on a government body's internet site, the government body does not need to provide a copy of the public record but must notify the requester of the public record's interact site location. o Passed the House and Senate Committee but was not taken up by full Senate. • HF 591/SF 2315 - Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact o Holdover from 2023. o This bill provides that the Midwest interstate passenger rail compact is entered into and enacted into law together with several other midwestern states if those states join the compact in substantially the same form. o Bill passed the House and Senate committee. Was placed on Senate unfinished business calendar but was not taken up. • HF 738—Amendments to Peace Officer Bill of Rights o Division IV of the bill makes the changes. o The bill amends the definition of"formal administrative investigation", in relation to formal administrative investigations of officers, to include an investigative process ordered by a commanding officer of an agency or commander's designee during which the investigation and questioning of an officer is intended to gather evidence to determine the merit of a complaint filed against the officer. o The bill amends the definition of"officer"to include a paramedic, a medical provider, a public safety telecommunicator, a dispatcher, and any other law enforcement officer in training or whose certification is governed by the Iowa law enforcement academy, and employed by a municipality, county, or state agency. o The bill provides that an"interview" shall not be considered a hearing. o The bill provides that upon written request of an officer or an officer's legal counsel, the employing agency shall provide, without charging a fee, to the officer or the officers legal counsel a complete copy of the officer's incident report and the officer's video or audio recordings from the incident giving rise to the complaint without unnecessary delay prior to an interview of the officer. o The bill provides that the provision of the report and audio and video recordings shall not be construed to constitute a disclosure of public records. o The bill provides that the clerkof the district court shall charge a$150 filing fee for a cause of action arising from the filing of a false complaint against an officer. o Bill passed the House subcommittee but did not advance. No Senate Companion. • HF 2560—Civil Asset Forfeiture Page 18 of 20 o The bill prohibits civil forfeiture and provides that criminal forfeiture is only available to the seizure and forfeiture of property used in and derived from the violation of Code chapter 124, subchapter IV (controlled substances offenses and penalties). o Bill passed out of House committee. No Senate companion. • HE 721 —Airport Facility Charges o Holdover from 2023. o A bill for an act relating to customer facility charges as part of a vehicle rental transaction at airports. o Bill passed House subcommittee but was not taken up by committee. • HF 2590—Mobile Home Property Taxes o The bill modifies income threshold amounts applicable to the reduced square footage tax rates applicable to mobile homes and manufactured homes. These amounts are currently adjusted for inflation. For the year beginning July 1, 2024, the annual tax is not imposed on an owner with an annual income of less than $13,048, and an owner with an annual income between$13,408 and $25,328 pays the annual tax at one of five reduced rates. The bill provides that the tax is not imposed on an owner with an annual income of less than $40,000, does not provide a reduced rate, and does not adjust the $40,000 threshold for inflation. The bill applies to taxes due and payable for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2025. o Bill passed House Judiciary but did not advance in House Ways &Means. • SF 2353 —Domestic Abuse Threat Evaluations o The bill requires that, when a peace officer has reason to believe that domestic abuse has occurred but no arrest has been made, a peace officer shall perform a threat evaluation of the person the peace officer has determined to be the primary physical aggressor, based on a checklist adopted by the department of justice, to evaluate the potential threat a primary physical aggressor poses to an abused person. Once a threat evaluation has been completed, if the peace officer finds the primary physical aggressor is described by two or more factors from the checklist, the peace officer must provide to the primary physical aggressor informational materials created by the department of justice for the purpose of addressing root causes of domestic abuse the peace officer believes may be relevant to the situation. o Bill passed out of Senate Judiciary but was not take up by the full Senate. • SSB 3130—Water Service to Manufactured Home Communities o This bill relates to the provision of water service at a manufactured home community. o The bill provides the landlord of a manufactured home community with the ability to choose whether water service is directly provided to tenants or provided to the community as a whole. o The bill did not advance out Senate Local Government Committee. • SSB 3131 —City Library Changes o This bill relates to city library board authority and property relinquishment. o Current law requires each city and county to levy a tax of at least 6 314th cents per$1,000 of assessed value on taxable property or the monetary equivalent for the purpose of supporting the public library. The bill provides that a city or county may levy such tax. Page 19 of 20 a Under current law, a city council may, on its own motion, or shall, upon receipt of a valid petition, submit a proposal to alter the composition, selection process, or charge of the library board to the voters of the city. The bill strikes this provision and allows a city council to alter the composition, manner of selection, or charge of the library board by ordinance. o The bill directs the city to take title of all property possessed or acquired by the library board on and after July 1, 2025. a Subcommittee on the bill never met. • SF 2439—County Supervisor Representation Plans o A bill for an act relating to county super-visors, concerning county supervisor representation plans and county supervisor vacancies. o Would require counites with a population of 125,000 or more to utilize plan three. a Bill passed the Senate but did not advance in the House. • HF 665/SF 182—Land Redevelopment Trusts (Land Banks) o Holdover from 2023 —Passed out of Senate committee in 2024 but did not advance to Senate floor. o The bill authorizes one or more municipalities to establish a land redevelopment trust as a method to return dilapidated, abandoned, blighted, and tax-delinquent properties in their communities to economically productive status. o The bill also grants a land redevelopment trust various powers and duties, including the authority to acquire properties through certain procedures, including the purchase of tax sale certificates and the foreclosure of properties acquired at a tax sale if not redeemed. o The bill explicitly prohibits a land redevelopment trust from possessing or exercising the power of eminent domain. Passed o House and Senate Ways and Means Page 20 of 20 Item Number: IP5. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT June 13, 2024 Memo from City Clerk: Joint Entities Meeting Agenda Items for July 15 Attachments: Memo from City Clerk: Joint Entities Meeting Agenda Items for July 15 � . CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: June 10, 2024 To: Mayor and City Council From: Kellie Grace, City Clerk Re: Joint Entities Meeting Agenda Items for July 15 The next joint meeting with City Councils of Johnson County municipalities, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, the Iowa City School District and neighboring school districts will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024. The meeting will be hosted by the City of North Liberty. Please come prepared to discuss agenda items you would like to include on that agenda at the next Council work session on June 18th. A complete agenda and meeting date confirmation will be available in your packet preceding the July 15th Joint meeting. Item Number: IP6. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT June 13, 2024 Memo from City Clerk: Listening Post Update Attachments: Memo from City Clerk: Listening Post Update - .� CITY OF IOWA CITY �' �riiiJ✓Jkp{�� MEMORANDUM Date: June 10, 2024 To: Mayor and City Council Members From: Kellie K. Grace, City Clerk Re: Listening Post Update In 2023 the following listening posts were held: • Monday, February 27, 2023, 6:00 — 7:30 p.m., Environmental Education Center at the Eastside Recycling Center(Councilor Bergus and Councilor Harmsen) • Saturday, May 20, 2023, 9:00 — 11:00 a.m., Iowa City Farmers Market (Mayor Teague, Mayor Pro Tem Alter) • Saturday, August 19, 2023, 5:00 — 7:00 p.m., South District Diversity Market (Councilor Bergus, Councilor Dunn) • Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 5:00 — 7:00 p.m., Iowa City Senior Center (Mayor Teague and Councilor Harmsen) No additional dates are currently scheduled. Suggested quarterly posts are February, May, August, and November. Suggested sites include: o ZOOM meeting platform o UAY or Dream Center o The Center o Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center, 2651 Roberts Road o Farmer's Market(Saturdays, May- October) o Party in the Park(June —August) Dates and locations attached. o Environmental Education Center at the Eastside Recycling Center o South District Diversity Market SJisteningpostllocationmemo—June 2024.doc PART THE , • r • • June 6 McPherson Park �'��'� June 13 Willow Creek Park �� June 20 Frauenholtz-Miller Park June 27 Fairmeadows Park Jufy 11 Upper City Park July 18 Mercer Park July 25 Cardigan Park '� Aug 1 Benton Hill Park Aug 8 North Market Square Park Aug 15 Brookland Park � v CITY OF IOWA Cl N Recreation Item Number: IP7. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT June 13, 2024 Civil Service Examination: Housing Inspector Attachments: Civil Service Examination: Housing Inspector CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street. Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (3 19) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.lcgov.org May 13, 2024 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination — Housing Inspector Under the authority of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, I do hereby certify the following named person{s} as eligible for the position of Housing Inspector. David Kabel Iowa City Civil Service Commission Rick Wyss, Chair Item Number: IP8. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT June 13, 2024 Airport Commission: May 22 Attachments: Airport Commission: May 22 MINUTES DRAFT IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION May 22, 2024—6:00 P.M. AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING Members Present: Ryan Story, Warren Bishop, Judy Pfohl Members Absent: Hellecktra Orozco, Chris Lawrence Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Jennifer Schwickerath Others Present: RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: None DETERMINE QUORUM A quorum was determined at 6:00 pm and Bishop called the meeting to order. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION /ACTION Pfohl moved to appoint Bishop as acting chair and Story as acting Secretary for the meeting. Seconded by Story. Motion carried 3-0-(Orozco, Lawrence absent) a. Airport Construction Projects: I. FAA grant projects 1. Solar Power Project — Tharp stated they are ready to move forward to award the project to Solar by Brandt. Tharp stated they were waiting for the Buy-American waiver request to be approved by FAA and it has been. Schwickerath stated that the resolution also includes a waiver to the limiting the mobilization charge to 5% of the bid price. Tharp stated that of the bids received both bidders exceeded this threshold. a. Consider a resolution accepting bids and awarding contract — Lawrence moved to defer to next meeting, seconded by Story. Motion carried 3-0 (Orozco, Bishop absent). Pfohl moved resolution #A24-15, seconded by Bishop. Motion carried 3-0 (Orozco, Lawrence absent) ADJOURN Bishop moved to adjourn, seconded by Story. Motion carried 3-0(Orozco, Lawrence absent). Meeting adjourned at 6:02pm. CHAIRPERSON DATE Airport Commission May 22,2024 Page 2 of 2 Airport Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD 2023-2024 O O J J J O O q O O O TERM (V W O A to to A 00 00 A > W N NAME EXP. N N N IU N N N NN N N N W W W W W W A A A A A A Warren 06/30/26 Bishop X X X O/E X X O/E X X O/E O/E X Christopher 06/30/25 X X X X X X X O/E X X X O/E Lawrence Hellecktra 06/30/24 X X X X X X O/E X X O/E X O/E Orozco Judy Pfohl 06/30/26 X X X X X X X X X X O/E X Ryan Story 06/30/27 X O/E X O/E X X X X X X X X Key. X = Present X/E = Present for Part of Meeting O = Absent O/E =Absent/Excused NM = Not a Member at this time X/S = Present for subcommittee meeting O/S =Absent, not a member of the subcommittee Item Number: IP9. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT June 13, 2024 Charter Review Commission: May 23 Attachments: Charter Review Commission: May 23 DRAFT MINUTES CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION May 23, 2024— 5:30 P.M. EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL Members Present: John Balmer, Susan Craig, John Deeth, Makenzie DeRoo, Matt Hayek, Molly Kucera, Bijou Maliabo Members Absent: Gerene Denning, Jennifer Patel Staff Present: City Attorney Goers, Deputy City Clerk Platz (Videos of the meetings are available at citychanneWcom typically within 48 hours) RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action): None 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2. MOTION TO ADOPT DRAFT MINUTES AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED Moved by Craig, seconded by Deeth to approve the April 25, 2024, draft minutes as amended. Commissioner Hayek noted a typo in the last page, last paragraph, 41 line down. Motion carried 7-0, Denning and Patel absent. 3. Motion to Accept Correspondence Moved by Deeth, seconded by Maliabo to accept correspondence from Rod Sullivan and Commissioner Hayek. Motion carried 7-0, Denning and Patel absent. 4. Review of City Charter: Article 11 — City Council Section 2.06 Mayor Chair Balmer introduced item 4, Article II - City Council, starting with Section 2.06 relating to the Mayor and advised commissioners there would only be discussion at this time and they would not take any action. Commissioner Hayek started the discussion noting his memo to the commission which was included the meeting packet stating the thoughts mentioned came from his background serving on Council appointed commissions, City Council as a Councilor, and as Mayor. Hayek stated he was advocating for maintenance of what is already in place, noting that the system in place makes sense and creates a stronger Council as a whole. Hayek stated true representation of the public should come via a majority of the Council which is best for the entire public and less power vested in a single individual. Chair Balmer mentioned his experiences as Mayor and wanting to lead the Council but also have the body working together. Hayek also added that in many of the communities where the Mayor is elected, they are also non-voting. Hayek stated having a voting Mayor was good for accountability and equalizes the Council if all members have an equal vote on a measure. Charter Review Commission May 23,2024 Page 2 Commissioner Craig shared feedback from the public who want to vote for the Mayor and understands those views but also sees that the public votes on all seven positions knowing that one of them will be elected Mayor. Craig advised she didn't want a four-year term Mayor and preferred 2-year terms because a change could be made in the elected Mayor if one was needed. Commissioner Maliabo agreed with Craig as her preference was a two-year Mayor, stating it gives someone else an opportunity to serve. Commissioner Death felt that the choice of Mayor should go to the public rather than the Council and liked the two-year term for Mayor and the Mayor to be a voting member of Council. Commissioner DeRoo stated she agreed with most of the views already stated and there did not seem to be a strong desire to change how the Mayor functions or to create a more powerful Mayor but to retain a two-year Mayor that is a consensus builder and can effectively run the meetings. DeRoo noted that the current structure has seemed to cultivate that type of person and she would have a high bar for changing the structure, not that she couldn't as conversations or public input comes in. Vice Chair Kucera stated that it's the commission's duty to think about what is best for the City. Also saying they need to think about if it is best to have a City-elected Mayor, noting that even if the Mayor did not have a vote, they would still have a voice and that may be better for the City. Kucera mentioned the Mayor has many roles where it does become a full-time job and not everyone has the ability to do that when they are elected by the Council and would like the commission to look into it more. Chair Balmer stated he believed the Mayor should have a vote and with a Council-Manager system it does not have to be a full-time job, and with a professional staff that is given direction by Council it has functioned very well. Balmer noted the term for Mayor is currently two-years and is comfortable with those terms. Commissioner Death reviewed the Iowa City Council election history and historically the Council has elected the candidate who received the most community votes as Mayor. Balmer stated that may be true noting he would not have run for Mayor if it was City-elected but after serving on Council and gaining some experience for a couple of years was comfortable being elected Mayor by the Council. Commissioners discussed the additional duties and time commitment by the Mayor. Vice Chair Kucera urged the commission to continue to receive input from the community to get their views. Commissioner Craig gave the example of two Councilors running against each other for Mayor, noting that if the Mayor is City-elected one of those Council candidates running is going to lose. If the Mayor is Council-elected, both could still be on Council if elected and possibly be Mayor. Section 2.12 Prohibitions City Attorney Goers wanted to highlight the nature of the prohibitions in B and C noting City Council cannot intervene or micromanage staff that are hired by the City Manager. Goers wondered if the offices of the City attorney and City clerk should also apply to this. Chair Balmer agreed and asked the City attorney to draft language for the commission to review. Charter Review Commission May 23,2024 Page 3 Vice Chair Kucera mentioned Commissioner Denning's submittal included in the May 14th meeting stating Denning had added a Section 2.12(D) regarding the library director and airport director. City Attorney Goers pointed out that the airport director is the only employee at the airport and is appointed by the Airport Commission. Goers also added that the library already had some statutory protections preventing Council from interfering with library staff and stated he would prepare language for the commission to review. Commissioner Craig expressed the language in sections B and C should also reflect the library director. Section 2.08 Appointments (E) Commissioner Maliabo asked for clarification on Section 2.08(E). City Attorney Goers advised that City Council appoints the City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney and sets the compensation for those employees. S. Discuss Summer Schedule Chair Balmer suggested taking the month of August off and hold public input sessions in September on a proposed document. Balmer felt the Commission would be able to submit a preliminary proposal to Council for feedback by the first of the year. The Commission moved to item 6 to discuss the tentative schedule. 6. TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE Due to scheduling conflicts, the Commission agreed to cancel July 9th and July 25th and scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, July 30th. It was also agreed to move the August 22nd meeting to Thursday, August 27th Deputy Clerk Platz will check on room availability for the meeting changes. 7. COMMUNITY COMMENT: The following individual appeared: Dean Abel. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Maliabo, seconded by DeRoo to adjourn the meeting at 6:43 P.M. Motion carried 7-0, Denning and Patel absent. N O N cp O_ NU N W OW U U 2 m0 d w 05/23/24 x X X 0 X X X X c O: F Z 05/14/24 x x X w X X X w X O O U 04/25/24 X w X X w X X X X 04/09/24 X X X X X X X X X 04/01/24 X X x x X x X X x IL N N N N N N N N N W x 1., F W Y y N E O E cO v 4' W E LU c p l`4 A a a a� a) �v 2 r d d Y m A R � c °� E a N z V p 3 d o m [D p m Y w Q z o ID r IAt v }' p c a Q Z � O O d �2a_ 27 N no o 2 2 2 ao no Y�XOOz i Item Number: IP10. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT June 13, 2024 Historic Preservation Commission: May 22 Attachments: Historic Preservation Commission: May 22 MINUTES PRELIMINARY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MAY 22, 2024 -5:30 PM —FORMAL MEETING E M M A J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Noah Stork, Christina Welu-Reynolds, Deanna Thomann, Frank Wagner, Jordan Sellergren, Andrew Lewis, Nicole Villanueva, Margaret Beck MEMBERS ABSENT: Carl Brown STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow OTHERS PRESENT: Thomas Agran, Mary Bennett, Karen Crane CALL TO ORDER: Sellergren called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA: Thomas Agran stated he lives in the Northside neighborhood and was on the Commission for seven years and overlapped with some of the current Commissioners but not everybody. Agran wanted to talk about the Council meeting last night and some things he's been thinking about both based off of conversations he's had with the mayor pro tem right before the meeting. First, he noted was last night was a huge victory and everybody should be congratulated on that, but it also brings forward what the next step is. One of the things that he talked about in his speeches to Council on the issue was that most of downtown is not protected and if this is the level of battle that they have to go through to landmark a property then downtown just doesn't stand a chance. If the whole supermajority thing is the only approach it's going to be really hard. As part of the effort of landmarking downtown this Commission should not even focus on the buildings at this stage, but really focus on increasing staff time and talking to Council and to the City Manager about getting staff hours back up. That will make all kinds of issues with the Preservation Commission, and the interfacing with the public better. Second, people get frustrated with preservation because the answer is always no they can't do this or that. However,the reason that they have these districts is because they are a blunt force action to save property and preserve neighborhoods, they exist as the only thing that they have, because they do not have a form-based code to otherwise protect and preserve neighborhoods while also allowing them to evolve. Agran encourages the Commission to really think about how the Preservation Commission works with the Zoning Commission and advocate for form-based code. He feels it would be a good look for the Preservation Commission to say they are open to seeing the neighborhoods evolve, and are open to that avenue, rather than the current ways to stop people from tearing things down and doing bad stuff to buildings. He noted when he was on the Commission, one of the reasons that he stayed on it for seven years was because so many people on the Commission really just seemed to get off on telling people no for what they wanted to do with their properties. Maybe because they had a really labor of love and fixed up their properties forever and ever and ever but he owns historic houses and thinks that it creates a lot of enemies when they say no to projects so part of why he stayed on the Commission was because he felt if his voice wasn't on the Commission it was skewing to the most conservative interpretations of the standards. His priorities were to preserve the character of the neighborhood, not like the trim, although he thinks it's great to preserve the trim, but a lot of what created the friction at the Council level for the supermajority is an interpretation that's all preservation cares about, saving the trim. And all the Commission does is say no and that homeowners have to do it the same way it was done in the 19th century. Agran thinks they can look at the standards HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 2 of 15 and think about what they are really trying to preserve. He is not saying to remove the expectations or the requirements,just in his experience over those seven years there were often different ways to think about things and different ways to talk about what was approved. If this Commission can be more open minded they will create more allies, because the enemies created talk to the Council members and if any one of them ends up listening it only takes one vote to trip things up. So again, as they look towards what will happen if they really try to landmark buildings downtown, they are going to be looking at a lot of supermajority votes so they have to figure out a different strategy so people don't get weary and ultimately so that these buildings don't fail, because they can't be taking every single thing to a supermajority vote every single time. NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION — IOWA CITY COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER 220 SOUTH GILBERT STREET: Bristow stated they got a letter that accompanies the nomination that explains what the Commission is supposed to do. The process for National Register Nomination is that once it has been gone through the State, which is just the National Register Coordinator and the State staff, they work with the writer to come up with a finished nomination and then it goes to the State Nomination Review Committee (SNRC). In this case, it will go before that Committee on June 14 and anyone can watch it via zoom. Part of the nomination is this review and then afterwards it will go to the National Park Service and they're the ones that determine whether or not it's listed in the National Register. As a certified local government, they review it because of the fact that the local government is familiar with the building and are familiar with the significance of the building to the community. Staff will fill out the appropriate form and mark the applicable criteria and then will note whether or not the City recommends that it's listed in the National Register or not. They can also make comments if they would like. Bristow noted the staff recommendation includes some suggested comments. The nomination is for the rec center located between Gilbert and Van Buren and College and Burlington Streets. It's a mostly rectangular building and is basically intersecting rectangular blocks as well as some overhangs. Bristow showed one of the design drawings at one of the steps during the process of building the building because part of what was going on with this building is it was going to be a portion of a new civic corridor that started with the construction of the police and fire stations around 1961 and then the rec center in 1964, and then City Hall. Bristow also showed some exterior photos noting the rectangular volumes with the flat planes cantilevering. It is a flat plane now but wasn't originally. She pointed out the intersecting boxes and forms as part of modern architecture and the idea of working with the geometry and repeating geometry. The nomination talks about how the architect did some of the other buildings during this time like the Lemme school and others with a different type of geometry that was intersecting, this one just happens to be rectangular. Some of modernism of the building also has to do with the unadorned planes, walls without windows, and more modern clean lines but then also has an emphasis with glazing and glass. Bristow explained the National Register eligibility consists of two parts, integrity, or the existence of the original materials and forms, and the building's significance. For integrity, they must have sufficient integrity to convey their significance so depending on how the building is significant, it needs to have the integrity related to that. For example, if a building is significant for its architecture, or its engineering, then those things should be apparent. If it's significant for something else, then maybe more alterations of the architecture do not diminish its significance, so it depends on how the building is considered significant. A building also only needs to be significant in one area to be eligible. If a building is significant in multiple areas, it's fine to include them all in a nomination but only one is actually required. Bristow noted the seven aspects of integrity are location, design, setting, materials,workmanship, feeling and association. The nomination does go through and includes a short paragraph for each of them explaining how it has either good or excellent integrity in each of those areas. For this building the HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 3 of 15 nomination includes two areas of significance, criterion A which is generally an event and that a property associated with events has made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history. Second is criterion C, architecture, that a property that embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master or that possess high artistic value. In this case, with this building, they are not going with the approach of the work of a master because it's more difficult to evaluate that. The architect is still living and is here tonight, he is retired as it is preferred to discuss their work at least after they finished practicing but preferably after they are no longer here because that gives the distance to evaluate all of the works that they have done. Again, this nomination does not attempt to say it's a work of the master but it does say that it is eligible for its architecture as an example of a style and a specific use of the style. It basically states the significance is a local, not state or national, example of mid-20th century architecture, community planning and development, social history and recreation entertainment. Reading from the nomination Bristow quoted "The Iowa City Community Recreation Center is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under criterion A as an excellent local example of mid-20th century architecture, community planning and development, social history and recreation entertainment. Built in 1964, it represents the construction of civic and municipal buildings following World War 11 when the economy was robust and was propelling the"Golden [economic] Age"of the 1950s forward into the 1960s. The American public was looking for additional recreation activities to fill the increasing amounts of leisure time available to them, while Iowa City was catching up on long- delayed municipal improvements." Bristow also noted the nomination includes a history of recreation buildings in Iowa City, including the destruction by fire of two earlier recreation buildings and the section also describes the conditions in which the building was built, including a strong community desire to replace the previous facility, local and broad cultural needs for expanding recreation opportunities, and the construction of the new Civic corridor. The nomination talks about how there was an interest in having a recreation center and it does grow out of progressive movements, interests in health and cleanliness, improving things, but also after the war when people had more leisure time. The first recreation center built was the American Legion building, built in 1928, and destroyed by fire in 1936. The next one was the community building which they started working on it right after the fire in 1936 but then it was also destroyed by fire in 1955. As all of this is going on the City had community recreation, but also had have a need for a swimming pool. The history of Iowa City includes many people swimming in the river but the dam changed how the river flows, there were child deaths, etc., which all lead to the eventual construction of the City Park pool in 1949. Along with the idea of creating the new Civic corridor after the second recreation center burned, came the plan for the new recreation center and at that time it was determined that the City needed more pool places so a pool was designed into it. Why it is significant to the building is because it really represents a great interest in recreation. There was a history of open space in this area, community need for recreation building, increasingly interest in pools and swimming and doing that safely lead to the need for a pool in the downtown area and for all those reasons it became significant. Bristow stated the other way that the building is listed as significant is because of its architecture. Again, reading from the nomination it is described as follows"The Iowa City Community Recreation Center is also eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under criterion C as an excellent local example of Modern Movement municipal architecture. The building represents the architectural style of low, horizon-hugging profiles with clean lines, little ornamentation, and functionality of interior space. Through its large windows the plan merges interior space with the outdoors and its use of prefabricated, industrial materials enabled increased open interior space and circulation, while also allowing for swift, cost-efficient construction. Using Modern Movement schematics and innovations, architect Roland C. Wehner combined aesthetic, functional, and decorative ideas into a custom design with distinctive characteristics and high artistic values." The nomination includes a history of the education and practice of the architect and his work in Modern Movement design. The use of a grid system and design HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 4 of 15 modules based on geometric shapes were an important aspect of his designs. As the nomination states on page 29 "Wehner began by applying form-follows-function principles and concepts where relationships between site, materials, and the people who use the buildings are considered. By using the natural sloping geography to his advantage, Wehner efficiently laid out the two-story structure allowing it to present as a long, low building from its west facade. He designed the structure using concrete, brick, and glass to achieve a natural harmony." Bristow showed one of the construction photos which showed the pre-stressed concrete beams, the T-shaped concrete beams that provide structure and allow a long span, and the concrete block and brick are modular allowing that module and to expand it and everything will then work together and the brick walls will not end up with little pieces. She showed an image of the interior of the west entry and the terrazzo flooring which is one of the important aspects. It's very durable and a modern material. As is the high ceiling and the long span in the social room. All of the glazing to the exterior as well as the interior glazing between the rooms lets light come in and all of these are very modern aspects of the building. Bristow acknowledged they do have a significant number of changes to this building for safety and security, adding accessibility, fire code changes, and other certain things that would happen with a community building. Bristow also mentioned that every building listed in the National Register also has what's considered a period of significance. In this case, the period of significance extends from the time that it was constructed in 1964 until basically 50 years ago, or in this case 1974. 50 years is typically the cut off. It has been continually used as a recreation center with just some minor changes to how the spaces are used inside. Changes done within that period of significance are allowed if they are to not detract from the significance of the building. Typically, changes that are made after that could detract from the significance of the building. Staff noted that they have some concerns about some of the changes, partly because they altered some of the main areas where a person would approach the building, enter the building, or of how the building interacts with the public who are entering it. The west fagade had an accordion profile of the inverted part of the T-truss and the cantilever canopy, it was an thin line and the original color was dark so it really accented that thin line. Since then it's been converted so that it has a flat roof and they don't have that same accent on the structure, so that was one of the concerning changes. Another was the fact that originally the facade was a curtain wall but it had areas of panel that one couldn't see through and the areas of glass tended to be very horizontal with the panel. There also was a concrete block screen and those concrete blocks were mass produced at that time and it was a decorative feature but also was a screen letting light and air through while also creating a little bit of a sense of privacy for offices there. Now without the screen on that wall, the vertical columns still remain that were between the screen, but now is basically a glass curtain wall and the panel and glazing doesn't have that same horizontal emphasis. Bristow acknowledged because it was designed in the modern era, the architect did use experimental materials so there are cases where some of those materials might have needed to be replaced. Some of those changes are to be expected but the curtain wall design is different than what it was before. On the east side, originally it was not the same as the canopy as on the west facade but did have that emphasis on the thin line of the roof edge, the T-shaped structure, and the planes that intersected with the emphasis on the brown facia edge. There is also a patio with the screen repeated again. Bristow noted some of this change needed to happen because of accessibility issues and how this space was used but the overall change the curtain wall caused the loss of the horizontal area that intersected with the cantilever of the entry. Also the roof edge has changed and it doesn't emphasize quite the same. Moving inside, the glazing of that wall that was hidden by the screen continues on to the inside and the reception desk area where the public would come in was a very light-filled space. The area reflected a lot of the glazing that was between the viewing area and the pool and the social hall which increased the interaction between staff and the public. Now the same staff area has become more like a common office, they still have the glazing area, but it has changed. This could just have to do with the modern HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 5 of 15 curtain wall construction, but they have a structural member that bisects the glazing that did not exist in the original area. Some of the other changes are there was always an emphasis on the vertical part of the curtain wall. There have been some changes, that may not be as significant, in the area of the game room which became a weight room, they basically divided the space but including more glazing, something that is a part of the architecture and it doesn't obstruct the view and makes two define spaces. She stated a change like that does not negatively impact the architecture the same way as the other changes. There have also been some changes to the pool area, there have been some changes to the wall because of sound and acoustics. So, part of the comments relates to the fact that staff is concerned about some of the changes and how they impact the integrity of the building. Staff does not think that the changes impact criterion A only criterion C so the recommendation would be to have the SNRC committee evaluate that specifically. Staff also noticed an error and wanted to point that out from Marlise Wiinston's 2001 study of downtown. When she did that study, she used a boundary for the study and every property within that boundary she studied for its eligibility as a district. Winston determined that there were two historic districts in that area in 2001, one is the Jefferson Street district, and one is downtown. Her caption says the map of Iowa City showing survey boundaries for potential Downtown Historic District and East Jefferson Street Historic District shaded. The concern was that this caption seemed to imply that the recreation center was part of the district that Winston had found in 2001 and it was not. Multiple staff members noticed this and thought that it said that the Ree Center was part of a downtown district, and the study did not so that is another comment that staff would just like to include to clarify the caption for that map. Bristow stated the recommended motion is that the Iowa City Community Recreation Center at 220 South Gilbert Street is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic places in Criterion Category A and C at the local level and meets the criteria for both significance and integrity. If the Commission wanted to suggest that they thought it was only eligible in one or the other they could modify the motion. The Commission could also decide whether or not they wanted to include either or both of the staff comments or make their own comments. Again, the comments from staff are to ask that the State Nomination Review Committee carefully evaluate the Modernist elements of the design to determine if the building has enough integrity in this regard to remain eligible under Criterion C. And also note that the caption for map four implies that the 2001 study found a historic district that included the recreation center which is a misinterpretation of the map from the study where the district areas are shaded, not outlined. Sellergren opened the public comment. Mary Benneft prepared this nomination and wanted to thank the Commission for taking the time to review this document. She also wanted to thank Linda Bradley of the State Historic Preservation Office who helped with this nomination. To try to address some of the concerns that staff brought up, Bennett would like to acknowledge the architect role and say Wehner is here today and gave them much of insider advice about the building and its construction and design. Bennett acknowledged this is an unusual opportunity, because they have a modern building under consideration and this is probably one of the first times that this type of building has been brought before the Commission. Bennett stated she worked nearly 50 years at the State Historical Society of Iowa and have prepared several National Register nominations, she was also a City employee who taught deep-end aerobics and other aerobic classes at the pool and in the social hall for about 18 years. Bennett wanted to be clear that this is not about the pool, it is about the building, because it offers many amenities, and they need to look at it as a whole thing. Bennett wanted to review the historical integrity and the seven points that Bristow mentioned. Again, this has been written in concert with the State Historic Preservation Office and they're in agreement with what is on this page. Location, the building retains its original address and HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 6 of 15 therefore the integrity of the location is intact. Design, it is excellent as the footprint forum plan and interior room arrangement although a glass partition wall has been added to the game room and the reception counter has been enclosed on the upper level and relocated to the lower level. Of greater importance is a loss of visual integrity the removal of the exterior concrete screens from the west facade, south of the main entrance and from the terrace near the east entrance area, still leave the exterior with good but not excellent integrity. Nonetheless, the principles based on Modern Movement architectural style still define the most prominent design features and characteristics and match some of the elements in this building itself. Number three was setting and the character, the setting has determined to be good because it's centrally located in downtown Iowa City and as defined by that 1839 City Planning map it's an area that was identified for public recreation municipal use since 1839. Number four was materials. Most of the buildings structural and exterior materials remain intact and have excellent integrity. Windows were changed due to wear and tear but also because of the tornado damage in 2006, which raised concerns about the pool windows in particular. They remain as commercial type windows made of similar sympathetic aluminum framing and insulated glass and they feel the same fenestration openings of the original design. Number five is workmanship, the workmanship is excellent with fine brickwork and precast pre-stress beams intact and exposed for public viewing and examination. There are no significant structural problems existing in the building, nor are there deteriorating finishes on the interior or exterior, even after 50 years of active use. Number six is feeling and the feeling has been determined to be excellent. In reflecting the low horizontal and cubic lines of Mid-century Modern Movement architecture the building can evoke an emotional response or memory that cannot be expressed in words. This is conveyed by familiar unchanged spaces. Association is excellent and intact with development of commercial precast pre-stressed concrete construction of Mid-century municipal and non-residential buildings. It also demonstrates the history of Iowa City and continuous provision of services for citizens with a community center at this location for approximately 100 years, as well through its association with innovative architect Roland C. Cleaner and retired recreation superintendent Robert E. Lee. Both were instrumental in the current facilities development. Bennett also wanted to emphasize again that as a municipal building in Iowa City the property is eligible under criteria A as a significant example of how modernism and careful methodical city and comprehensive planning helped to change the broader built environment and also contributed an enduring and versatile structure for many generations of Iowa citizens to use. The building has good integrity and has retained much of its original appearance, feeling, and association with only minor alterations to design elements, setting, materials and workmanship. It continues to serve the community as a recreational, cultural, social and municipal building. Its central location and accessible design and interior spaces continue to make it Iowa City's most use recreational facility, as noted from an October 22 recreational comprehensive plan. As far as criterion C, it is representative of Mid-century Modern Movement architectural style, again the low horizon hugging profiles with cubic lines and efficient functionality of interior spacing, resulting from modular design elements. Key reasons why Bennett thinks the Commission should consider preserving this building are it is structurally sound and it's a rare example of municipal planning in Iowa and the original functions have been retained for the most part. The architectural integrity is intact and despite changes it's proven be versatile and adaptable. Yes, some functions have changed within the building but the central location favors goals of walkability in the community, retaining the structure favors sustainability goals, because they don't end up with demolished materials in the landfill, and probably most importantly the community memories and stories are preserved. The history, which is the richest part of the nomination, includes that it honors the vision of Robert E. Lee, who was involved in the D Day invasion of Northern France in World War II, and Roland Wehner who has created many beautiful structures in the community, whether it be schools, churches, or public buildings. So when they look at the history of the community and ways in which buildings can tell stories, and remind them of the past and the experiences that their grandparents had, or that they hope their grandchildren to have, remembering these two men is very significant. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 7 of 15 Regarding the maps, Bennett noted she said this was part of the 1839 plan and looking at a map of the 1868 bird's eye view of the area this is largely an open space. The 2001 study map points out that the building was not eligible to be on the National Register, because it was not old enough as in 2001 it not yet 50 years old. Bennett next wanted to talk about the whole idea of using the windowless cubic form and the geometry that Wehner uses on the north side of the west fagade. It is important to modern architecture design. The concrete blocks were originally intended as a wall of glass shielded by the concrete block screens and the newer replacement windows there are sympathetic in style lining that walkway or terrace. The structural elements that were used to support those concrete blocks are still there so it'd be very easy to replace or restore the decorative block if someone determined they had the money to do it, or they wanted to restore the original appearance of the building. On the southwest corner of the building again the windows are in exactly the same fenestration as they originally were, there were no new openings made, the original windows were more vertical in nature and not just horizontal as these modern ones look. The large window wall or curtain wall on the south side of the pool has a solar effect and warms the pool. One of the letter writers said the sunlight dances on the water when they're in the pool. Its a very important element about the feeling of the building when they're in that space along that south wall because it allows both natural light into the building and illuminates a pool area but again, they're in the same fenestration. Bennett noted this is something that the State Historic Preservation and she discussed repeatedly, they believe that it still retains the overall aesthetic as the design intended. They'll also notice there's protruding brick wall that helped define that space and terrace area. Now they have a garden space in that area but even as long as 10 years ago that was just a flat patio out there. The design was incredibly clever in order to support the weight of that south wall and the east facade contributes to the dynamic geometric appearance of the building and the celestial windows between the T-beams allow natural light to enter the space from both the east and the west side, it's a virtual wall of glass. Bennett explained because of the length and height of that wall, which is actually 24 feet high, Wehner had to have additional wind bracing and stability and they did that by filling cells with a concrete block with reinforcing rods and grout and dedicated basically masonry pilasters to hold that wall up. That's a very important design feature on the structural integrity of this building and is still very visible today. Over to the right are the cantilever things, the upper transom and the T-beams also provide light into the gymnasium from both the east and the west side, which again makes that space an inviting place. On the east side there were significant changes because of ADA and the need to put a ramp in there. Bennett noted it was a little clever thing as the original floor plans called that area the teen terrace, and it was specifically an entrance for teenagers to use and when thinking about the 1950s and 60s and the emergence of teen culture is very clever for the architect to have responded to that. The north side clearly shows how the beams are allowing the light into the gymnasium, there is also a little cut out allowing for the north wall of the arts room to have that curtain wall of windows, again contributing to the geometric effect. Bennett reiterated they don't need to necessarily always worry about the interior on a National Register application, but they discussed it because it is something that's been subjected to change. The original layout of the floor plan and the design remain essentially the same, they have a transition zone between the lobby and the outside area. She also wanted to point out that the buff-colored brick of the building exterior is introduced into the interior walls as a transition. Additionally, the original globe shaped light fixtures hang in the lobby, the terrazzo flooring and the wooden doors are stained a dark brown, these all appear on the upper level where room functions might include more formal business, and public areas. Everything on the lower level is pretty much concrete block, but they definitely dress this particular part up. It also is the gateway into the building where one can enter into all the other areas including the stairwell. Bennett acknowledged it was originally a very light-filled space, now because of security and COVID and other reasons that office has become one common office and closed off. The reception desk, which was there up until just maybe eight or nine years ago was altered because of the administrative offices. The entire south wall of the social hall is exactly the same as it was when it was built in 1964, there's high celestial windows and there is a chance to look down into HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 8 of 15 the pool area that was created as an extra space for spectators who might be wanting to look at competitive sports in that area. There was a weekly"paper doll"dance that went way back to the 1930s for teenagers in junior high and high school and the kinds of memories that can't be encapsulated when looking at bricks and mortar, but they're very important to the integrity of the building and how they might evaluate it. Adjacent to the lobby is a balcony that was a visual extension of the lobby and a key link into one of the buildings most significant features, the swimming pool on the lower level. The only thing that really changed on that balcony was the railing for it and again those windows on the south she would consider the vertical windows that allowed a lot of light to come in as well as the ones along the ceiling level to be important to the integrity of the building. The to speak about the pool itself, it's a 145,000-gallon swimming pool with six lanes 25-yards long. There's a 10-foot-deep diving well and a wading pool that's 1 7110ths feet in depth. This is a pool that was supported by creosote treated wood pilings that were capped with concrete so this construction produced a pool that has not leaked to this day. Bennett stated if they had better management and vision going on in the parks and rec department they would not restrict the hours of this pool because it's the prohibited use and participation with the limited hours that have been in place now for four or five years after the pandemic. Bennett acknowledged this pool is very special to people as many stated in their letters. Again,the beauty of it is the direct sunlight generates enough heat to warm the water in the pool on sunny days reducing overall energy costs. The lighting in there is just magnificent and is really a magical place. Looking at other changes the staircase was originally an open riser staircase and that was enclosed, and sympathetic terrazzo flooring was put in, and also an elevator was installed. Those were part of the accessibility between the upper and lower levels and those modifications were necessary and improve the functioning of the building but don't really interfere too much with the design. The exercise room was remodeled in a sympathetic manner in March 2015 and the glass enclosure allows the area to retain a sense of openness as in the original floor plan. Along the north wall of the pool are the windows that on the south part of the exercise room, are still used by parents watching their children's swim or could be used for spectators watching competitive swimming. Other changes have been made like single use restrooms have been modified to be ADA. The restroom that was on the deck of the pool was also modified in a different way so it can be a private dressing room. The other key feature of the building is the enormous block that houses a gymnasium, which measures 82 by 94 feet and accommodates two full size basketball courts and serves multiple functions relating to competitive sports, fitness, recreation, entertainment, and education. The maple flooring is set on rubber cushions which is forward thinking in terms of versatility and durability because the hardwood floor on the gymnasium was laid down with 5 "/inch thick boards instead of the usual thickness of% inch boards. This was done purposefully so the floor could be maintained by sanding and refinishing without causing excessive wear but more importantly, it withstands the rigors of roller skating, which was very popular in this building, and the scuffs of ordinary street shoes, and other intended uses of that space. One of the clever things that Mr. Wehner included was an observation port so if someone is up on the upper level there's a curved Plexiglas window that they can look down and see all the activities on both sides of the court. So in terms of the alterations, the footprint and primary functions of the building remain unchanged. The original design characteristics based on Modern Movement architecture style and methods persist in the building's distinctive visual identity. In terms of interior changes, the floorplan remains the same with most of the room functions remaining the same for more than 50 years, the exception would be in what was a rifle range at one time is now a weight room. But it was It wasn't even a rifle range when it was first built, that was added later. The original design characteristics based on Modern Movement had been retained and the interior spaces are linked visually with the use of interior glass curtains and sidelights next to any entrance doors that are there. Bennett stated this nomination was prepared for the benefit of the State Review Committee so they could do exactly what they need to do, which is to weigh and balance what those changes really mean about the use of the building and its look. The arts and crafts room is virtually unchanged except for the curtain wall of windows has changed, meeting room A and meeting room B have essentially the HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 9 of 15 same look that they always did. There's an emergency exit out of meeting room B to that small terrace that was next to the concrete blocks and in the social hall there's a back stairwell which has another emergency exit. So again, the architect took public safety into consideration at all times. The kitchen was designed cleverly as well because above the sink is an opening that would allow one to pass food or materials over to meeting room A during meetings. In closing, Bennett reiterated this building has a very rich history. The original community building that was built there in 1928 was 10 years after World War I and there's an entire spread of newspaper that talks about the significance of this building to that community at that time which laid the groundwork historically for why they now have as such a well-functioning building today that has proven to be versatile, adaptable and enduring. She encourages the Commission to approve this nomination. Karen Crane stated she is from Iowa City and is going to read a letter written by her friend Mitzi Reed that speaks for her them both. "Dear Historic Preservation Commissioners on behalf of my family, I'm writing to express our support for listing Iowa City's Robert E. Lee Recreation Center on the National Register of Historic Places. The Lee Recreation Center located at 220 South Gilbert Street in Iowa City represents the ideal community rec center. It's a marvelous example of the underrepresented and sometimes underappreciated Modern Movement architectural style and for more than six decades it has continued to bring together area residents of all ages and from all walks of life to a central location to build a healthy community,just as it was intended. The recreation center was a significant consideration when my family recently chose to move to Iowa City and make our home within walking distance of downtown. We join many other residents who have repeatedly shown a deep appreciation for all forms of artistry in public spaces. The unique qualities of its efficient simplicity and innately welcoming atmosphere, filled with natural light and room to breathe, enable the Robert E. Lee Recreation Center to attract an incredibly diverse and joyful cross section of our community. It is and has always been a special place where lifelong connections and memories are made because it was designed to do exactly that, provide a sustaining place of community for all. In response to comments in the City's May 15, 2024, memo describing how minor alterations to the building's interior and exterior have changed public perception or interaction with the building we offer our considered feedback firsthand. While we cannot compare our current perceptions or interactions to what might have been in 1962, after reviewing the nomination and historical images in their entirety, we can say with new eyes and a fresh public perspective that we do not find these adaptations to be any impediment whatsoever to our perceptions or interactions with the building's modernist design principles as employed by the masterful hands of Mr. Wehner. If any of these minor elements have been diminished, it seems a nominal amount of restoration would alleviate the City's concerns. The recreation center stands out as an excellent example to all other communities of how art and function in historical public structure can coexist and flourish as well as support the health and well beings of generations of Iowa City residents. So it is with respect and admiration for architect Roland Wehner that we convey our support for the listing of the Robert E. Lee Recreation Center on the National Register of Historic Places, and thank him for facilitating our participation in the special community that continues to thrive within. Thank you for your consideration and for your efforts to preserve Iowa City's vibrant legacy of architecture and community building." Sellergren closed the public comment. Bristow mentioned that staff did get numerous letters and she forwarded them to the Commission. They cut it off at noon so anything that came from noon on, because of timing and getting it ready for the meeting, have not been forwarded to Commission and there might have been three that came in later this afternoon. Thomann has a clarifying question, they're considering this building for the National Register of Historic HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 10 of 15 Places and if that becomes approved does this building then fall under the jurisdiction of this Commission if there are exterior changes to the building. Are those things that this Commission will be informed of and be able to discuss and to act on in any way. Bristow replied the answer to that is no, a listing in the National Register is basically an honorarium, it acknowledges the history of the building and the significance of the building. It does get that history documented and lets everyone know that it's listed in the National Register. For non-government owners there is a tax credit(Iowa City is already tax exempt) and there are grants available for rehabilitation and stuff like that. It does also trigger a review anytime that federal money is involved in a project that impacts a building that is either listed or eligible for the National Register. The agency that is using the money and doing the project needs to evaluate whether or not their project will adversely affect the resource or not. Even if it does, that does not necessarily mean that the project would be stopped, usually there's some kind of mitigation and that agency or owner might have to do a study or something to mitigate for the loss, or the agency could attempt not to have an adverse effect. It would trigger a review if federal money was involved but generally the only way that it would come before this Commission would be if there was a section 106 review related to it or if after this happened it was locally designated. A national registered listing does not prevent demolition or alterations on their own. MOTION: Wagner moves to recommend that the Iowa City Community Recreation Center at 220 South Gilbert Street is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places in criterion category A and C at the local level and meets the criteria for both significance and integrity. We would include the following comments, we would ask that the State Nomination Review Committee carefully evaluate the modernist elements of the design to determine if the building has enough integrity in this regard to remain eligible under criterion C. Note that the caption format for implies that the 2001 study found a historic district that included the recreation center this would be a misinterpretation of the map from the study where the district errors are shaded not outlined. Villanueva seconded the motion. Thomann noted it is a building of significance to the community and this will just highlight it even more, She acknowledged that space around the downtown can be a vulnerable place so she was hoping maybe it would protect it from demolition. Another hope was that when she looks at the building she sees elements of mid-century design and it would be great to enhance some of those elements or to even restore some, that would be very exciting from a historical perspective. Thomann is convinced that this building really should have its day and be on the National Register. Bristow noted if the Commission wants to make comments, either use the staff comments or different comments, they should make sure that they are clear on that as well because they do need to include that in the form. Thomann agrees with keeping the information about criterion C there. That committee will do its job, but this is a nod to some of the things they are seeing. She understands what Bennett said about time having passed so that now this building, maybe if a survey or study is to be done again, that this building might be included. Bristow noted the downtown is actually listed as a district and the boundaries do not extend far enough to include this building. Sellergren asked wouldn't there be some restrictions due to the time period that it was built, compared to the time period due to urban renewal. Bristow explained that would be complicated. When the downtown study was redone by Alexa McDowell, they originally reduced the boundaries from what HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 11 of 15 Marlise Winston had, partly because the Jefferson Street Historic District had been listed along part of the north edge and then the rest of that north edge was University buildings and the City didn't really need to study them. Alexa McDowell did determine that parts of downtown were only eligible if included the urban renewal context and these buildings are more preurban renewal. The destruction of the historic City Hall could be considered a portion of urban renewal, but the new Civic quarter seems to be outside of the historic downtown as the nomination for downtown was written by Alexa McDowell. Bristow stated nominations can be modified, but there needs to be a compelling reason and changing the boundaries out to the east edge just to capture the rec center with other non-contributing buildings in between would not necessarily make a regular boundary and would be a little bit erratic and irregular. A vote was taken and the motion passed 8-0. REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF: Certificate of No Material Effect-Chair and Staff review HPC24-0024: 215 Brown Street—Brown Street Historic District (west side retaining wall and fence reelacement): Bristow noted this is the replacement of the retaining wall between that property and the one on Dubuque Street. This retaining wall and the fence above it will be replaced. She stated there are some zoning code issues so they couldn't extend all the way out to the streets. HPC24-0028: 1022 East College Street— East College Street Historic District (deck floor and railing repair and re lacement): Bristow stated this is to replace some deck materials. HPC24-0033: 1041 Woodlawn Avenue—Woodlawn Historic District soffit and fascia re lacement : Bristow stated much of the soffit and facia are going to be replaced and she showed some of the photos that showed the evidence for the need. HPC24-0034: 215 Brown Street—Brown Street Historic District (deteriorated shingle replacement): Bristow stated this property recently changed hands and most of the roof is being replaced. There's a section of metal roof on the top that will remain but that's a modern addition and not a historic roof. She showed the shingle the roof will be replaced with noting it is kind of interesting because they tend to approve a brown or gray but apparently this home was owned by an artist, and she had replaced it with a green shingle because she really liked it. Now her grandson is the owner of the house and he wanted to go with a green shingle in order to honor his grandmother and it looks gray so it was approved. HPC24-0021: 538 South Gilbert Street—Local Historic Landmark (exterior wood repair and replacement): Public Space One has worked with the State to get an HRDP grant for some repairs to the Close Mansion. They hired someone to evaluate the structure and they came up with a detailed punch list with photos of areas showing what will be repainted and repaired, and/or replaced. Staff worked with them to approve everything that they have marked either as repair or replace. They will continue to provide documentation of the deterioration for those areas that need to be assessed and it was agreed that they would just provide the City the documentation and then be able to proceed. They do also need to do some work on some of the brick and that will be handled separately. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 12 of 15 Minor Review—Staff review HPC24-0022: 531 Clark Street—Clark Street Conservation District(front sten replacement): Bristow noted this is a basic stoop and step replacement. HPC24-0027: 533 South Summit Street—Summit Street Historic District(deteriorated attic window sash replacement and rear window replaced with casement for egress): Bristow stated this is actually Wagner's project so it's staff review because of that. The attic windows are deteriorated but it was also found out that they had brick mold trim which is a trim that is added to the window and it steps out because a window in brick or stone is recessed into the wall. So when they replace the windows they will also need to cover the gap for installing and make a transition from the window out to the brick or stone partly to shed water and so it has that stepped out appearance. Modern construction uses brick mold trim for all buildings. They would approve it only for masonry construction and then they would have no trim and use flat casing. Additionally, one of the windows in the back will also become a casement egress window because they're making the attic into an occupiable space. HPC24-0029: 425 Oakland Avenue—Longfellow Historic District (rear basement egress window): Bristow noted this little brick house was recently sold and they are putting a bedroom and bathroom in the basement so one rear window out of the pair will become an egress window which means that the sill drops and they install a window well, matching the foundation material. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR APRIL 24 2024: MOTION: Thomann moves to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's April 24, 2024. Beck seconded the motion.The motion carried on a vote of 8-0. COMMISSION DISCUSSION/INFORMATION: Work Plan and subcommittees: Bristow included a copy of the Work Plan in the agenda packet. One thing they need to get started on is the awards so it would be good to form a subcommittee for the awards. Staff is giving the Commission and Friends an ultimatum that they need to be more involved so there's less staff time involved in the awards if they want them to continue. Last year was the 40th anniversary of the awards and after the ceremony Friends reached out to her and said that they do want to be more involved and they're ready to be on the subcommittee and take a more proactive role. The Commission should form a subcommittee, hopefully with at least three people or maybe four on that subcommittee. They would meet in June with the Friends representative and start to figure out how to move forward. They would need to find a location, set a date and then put out a call for nominations. In the past the awards were done in September, but she thinks that they might be a little late to get this all done by September now but that's something they can work out when the subcommittee meets. Welu-Reynolds stated she has been helping with it and would be glad to continue to do so. Thomann could helping with the writing but would likely be unable to make a meeting, especially if it's in the afternoon during the week. Additionally, there are other subcommittees she excited about but would help with writing. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 13 of 15 Sellergren asked if the subcommittee meets in June and then proceed with putting out a call for nominations to the public at that meeting in June, could that be done in an email. It would at least that get the process started and then she could be on the subcommittee. Bristow stated it would be easier to do it over a Zoom meeting than to type out an email. Sellergren stated they could start with an email just to get anybody who's willing to even consider being on the subcommittee figured out. Bristow stated traditionally the subcommittee first selects the winners that are then presented to the Commission for approval and then write up the information. They are reaching out to all of the owners to get information and then inviting the owners and the contractors to the event. They are also creating invitations, a program and the slideshow for the event. Beck, Lewis, Welu-Reynolds, Sellergren and Thomann have volunteered so Bristow will reach out to them to set up a meeting with the representative from Friends. She does have a handy spreadsheet for all of the tasks that need to be done. Bristow asked the group if they have other subcommittees or things that they want to start working on. Sellergren asked about the grant that Public Space One received, was that due to them being a 501(c)3 or is it available to any historic property. Bristow stated they didn't reach out to her so she wasn't aware of it until they required review. It's a State grant but she doesn't think that they have to be a nonprofit for it and it is one of those grants that is available to any owner of a historic property. Sellergren stated they should all make a promise to each other to look up and research form-based code and try to wrap their heads around it. Bristow stated it has been discussed at past Planning and Zoning meetings and City Council meetings so they could get some information from those past meetings as well. Sellergren reported they were successful in landmarking the 312 to 316 Bloomington Street properties, which is exciting. It was a very long process and the Mayor Pro Tem brought up a number of things that were concerns of hers, the main one was staff time, pushing for full time staff and all of them could be advocates for that. Also she spoke with some property owners who were very anti Historic Preservation just due to restrictive guidelines. Sellergren is unsure how to approach this but it would be very helpful if they could provide more easy to digest education to the public. The City has started putting out social media graphics that explain if someone is starting a project to reach out and also that there's grant funding. That's helpful but she thinks it would be really amazing to have like one graphic a week that explains the different aspects of things like why materials should be rebuilt rather than replaced, why a window should be rebuilt rather than replaced, and anything else to bridge the gap between people feeling like it's a purposeless inconvenience and what is important about historic preservation. That may be a City Communication department kind of thing. Bristow noted they would have to work through that at a staff level. The communications department does the website and the social media. Sellergren acknowledged that by they also have to get the right information, educating the public is really important to keep the goodwill high and not get too much pushback. Beck wanted to mention at the Museum Studies program at the University there's someone coming in again to offer the historic house management class. They don't want people in this class to have projects that burden City staff but what if part of what students generated is how to communicate more effectively to the public. Perhaps assignments where people in those classes develop related materials and do the legwork of generating some of the graphics or other posts that could just be a bank of things that could be used. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 Page 14 of 15 Lewis noted there are also other places that have other graphics that they post, the City could just repost things, that's a good possibility. General things about why they do Historic Preservation not necessarily specific to Iowa City, but just information. Sellergren suggested that is something that a commissioner could reach out to City communication staff about to see what that process might be. Bristow thinks it would be helpful as education and outreach are a part of the Commission's directive and preservation plan. Thomann asked about a subcommittee for more landmarking or steps to build up to landmarking. There used to be a list of buildings and homes that are maybe landmark eligible. Now that the Bloomington properties are done they have the time to think about some of these other properties and work at it slowly and deliberately to see if there are property owners who are interested in doing something. Bristow noted there was a subcommittee that in late 2014 started compiling lists of properties that were eligible but not part of districts. She can't remember how many properties that they felt they wanted to move forward with but some of the basic information could be reviewed. Thomann thinks that is a good starting point and maybe there are some property owners who don't realize their property is eligible and maybe they want to be a landmark. As everyone knows the property owner didn't agree with what happened at Bloomington so it would be nice to have a situation where the owner wants it,the community wants it, and everyone sees how it's beneficial to have a property be landmarked. Sellergren noted on that subject she wants to get in touch with the realtor and send him some ideas that he could include in the listing for the Bloomington property that might make it entice possible buyers, like tax incentives and grant information. Beck noted an earlier discussion of public signage in the area of the Iowa City barrio by the railroad tracks. She stated there is a University of Iowa grad who's now a postdoc at Princeton in both history anthropology who did some work on Mexican American communities in Iowa City and actually has written some nice stuff about the barrio. Sellergren there is also a new staff member at Little Village who also has shown interest in this area so they could have him work on this as well. Bristow agreed and stated they should get in touch about that to get that rolling. She is keeping the Parks and Rec director up to date on the fact that they're interested in this area and not only the signage but potentially renaming the park to tell this story. ADJOURNMENT: Thomann moved to adjourn the meeting. Wagner seconded.The motion carried on a vote of 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15pm. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD 2023-2024 TERM 6/8 7/13 8/10 9/14 10/12 11/9 12t14 1/11 2/8 3/21 4/24 5/22 NAME EXP. BECK, 6/30/24 O/E X X X O/E X X X X X X X MARGARET BOYD, KEVIN 6/30/23 X BROWN, 6/30/26 X X O/E X X O/E X O/E O/E X X O/E CARL LEWIS, 6/30/26 -- X X X X X X X X X X X ANDREW SELLERGREN, 6/30/25 O/E X X X X X X X X X X X JORDAN STORK, NOAH 6/30/24 X X X X X X X O/E X X X X THOMANN, 6/30/26 X X X X X X X X X X X X DEANNA VILLANUEVA, 6/30/25 X X X X O/E X X X X X X X NICOLE WAGNER, 6/30/26 X O/E X X X X X X X X X X FRANK WELD- /30/25 X O/E X X X X X X X X O/E X REYNOLDS, CHRISTINA KEY: X = Present O =Absent O/E=Absent/Excused -- = Not a member