HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-04 Transcription Page t
Council Present: Alter, Bergus, Dunn, Harmsen, Moe, Salih, Teague
Staff Present: Fruin, Lehmann, Goers, Grace, Hightshoe, Sitzman, Knoche, Sovers,
Liston, Lyon
Others Present: Monsivais, USG, Martinez, Alternate
1. Call to Order
Teague: It is 6:00 P.M. and we're going to get the,uh,City of Iowa City formal meeting started. I want to
welcome everyone to your City Hall, and it is November 4th,2024. I'm going to call the meeting
to order. Roll call,please. [Roll Call]Alright. Well,welcome again.
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2. Proclamations
2.a CRPS Awareness Month and Color the World Orange Day
Teague: We do have two proclamations. We're going to start with item number 2, 2.a is CRPS Awareness
Month, and Color the World Orange Day. (reads proclamation)And to,uh,to receive this,uh,we
do have,um,your entire family with you today, so please come and accept this,uh,proclamation.
Yes. And you can give some words right there.
Hanna: Hello. Thank you. I'm Eyad Hanna,he or they.And thank you,Mayor Teague and the Councils
and Kelly for organizing this,um, and the proclamation, and then lighting the public works
building and the stage on the Padmore Orange or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness
Day. I think this is-the whole month is a reminder to me, and I try and wear orange most days
like your awesome burnt orange that you're wearing today,Mayor.Because it sparks a
conversation when somebody makes a comment, I say,oh,wear it for my brother,um,who is a
CRPS warrior,they call them. This is a silent,um,er, silent suffering that people go through, and
it is a reminder,also that everybody,uh,is dealing with issues that we don't know about and some
people, it may be present with them all the time,whether it's stress,physical,emotional,mental.
And a good reminder to treat each other with kindness,and to check on people every once in a
while. And when you say,hey,how are you,um,pause and give somebody space because if they
want to share,you might learn a lot about them and then maybe,uh,do some good,even if you
just come away with a little awareness. Thank you so, so much.
Teague: Thank you
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2.b National Hungar and Homelessness Awareness Week
Teague: A proclamation item number 2.b is Hunger and homeless Awareness Week. (reads
proclamation). We have Jeff,Abbey,Hailey, Sara, and Kathryn. And so we welcome all of you
that are present to come on up and receive this proclamation. Thank you so much.
Franzen: I'm down here.Hi,everybody. I'm Hailey Franzen. My pronouns are she and they, and I'm an
Iowa City resident. I've been working for the last six years in homelessness services in our
community alongside the Local Homeless Coordinating Board. Currently, I work nationally with
runaway and Homeless Youth Program providers across the country. I'm going to give you a little
bit of information about youth homelessness in our community. Since January 1st,2024, 124
local youth and young adults ages 12-21 have experienced unaccompanied homelessness and
reached out for Homelessness Services at United Action for Youth. While this number may be
jarring, it's important to note that this number is also under representative of the total number of
youth experiencing unaccompanied homelessness in our area. When youth and young adults are
experiencing homelessness,they tend to hide in plain sight. While some may reside in
encampments or vehicles night to night,many hop between homes of friends,relatives,mentors,
and acquaintances to stay overnight while maintaining their personal goals,like attending high
school,working an extra job,or supporting siblings. For this reason,their experience may go
unreported or underreported, and they may not know about intervention resources they have
available to them.Unaccompanied youth and young adults are at highest risk for human
trafficking, including labor and sex trafficking and exploitation, domestic violence, early
involvement with drugs and alcohol,interruptions to education, and lack of health care. It's also
notable that Black youth and those identifying within the LGBTQIA+community are among
those experiencing homelessness most frequently here locally. Shining a light on this issue
through a city proclamation helps lift up silent voices and promote conversations about funding
for support services in this community. When thinking about hunger and homelessness locally,I
encourage you to think about youth who do not have safe spaces to go and how we can increase
access to those spaces and supportive adults who can help keep them connected to housing and
hunger interventions. To learn more about what our community can do, I urge you to visit
nationalrunawaysafeline@1800runaway.org. Thank you.
Teageu: Thank you. Great. Welcome.
Kellbach: Thanks for having me. Jeff Kellbach,I'm a aging specialist with Johnson County Social
Services. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the City of Iowa City for this proclamation,which
underscores experiences of our most vulnerable community members facing hunger and
homelessness. We also appreciate the ongoing financial contributions from the council to local
organizations that provide essential supports to those in need. The affordable housing crisis is a
pressing reality. While the city has made significant strides in addressing this issue,much work
remains. We must continue to increase the availability of affordable housing,expand rental
assistance programs, and advocate for enhanced tax credits.Hunger is often an invisible issue,
one we must not overlook. Maslow's hierarchy of needs teaches us that without meeting basic
necessities,we cannot unlock our potential for a brighter future. We must remain committed to
ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry and that no adult struggles to access affordable food.
National hunger and homelessness Awareness Week offers us a valuable opportunity for
reflection, awareness, and action. The local homeless coordinating Board urges the citizens of
Iowa City to lend their time, skills, and resources to local organizations dedicated to serving
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individuals, experiencing hunger and homelessness. Together,we must unite as a community to
confront these significant challenges.No one should be left behind. Thank you.
Teague: Yes. Great,thank you. You're welcome.
Davis: Good evening.My name is Kathryn Davis. I'm with the Domestic Violence Intervention Program,
as well as the local Homeless coordinating Board. Uh we sincerely appreciate the City of Iowa
City for shining a spotlight on the critical issues of hunger and homelessness within our
community. Our gratitude also extends to the Iowa City-City Council for their ongoing financial
support for these vital initiatives each year. However,we recognize our work is far from
complete. As food insecurity and homelessness continue to rise in our community,the local
Homeless Corning Board feels a profound responsibility to advocate for the well being and
security of our citizens. In a prosperous community like Iowa City, our goal should be to prevent
anyone going to bed hungry or lacking a safe place to call home. We must come together as a
community to address these urgent challenges. This week serves as a reminder of our collective
duty to support those in need,raise awareness, and foster compassion. Together,we can work
towards a future where every individual has access to food,housing, and the dignity they deserve.
Let's be inspired to take action and ensure that everyone in Iowa City can thrive. Thank you very
much.
Teague: Teague: Thank you, and thanks to all three of you.
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9. Plannign &Zoning Matters
9.a Zoning Code Amendment—Tobacco Sales Oriented Retail Uses-Ordinance
amending Title 14, entitled "Zoning Code",to address tobacco sales oriented retail
uses. (REZ24-0006)
Teague: All right,we're going to move on to Planning and Zoning Matters which is 9. 9.a is,Zoning Code
amendment, Tobacco sales oriented Retail uses. Ordinance amending Title 14 and Title Zoning
Code to address tobacco sales oriented retail uses. This is first consideration. Could I get a
motion,please.
Moe: So moved.
Salih: Second.
Teague: All right. So move by Moe, seconded by Salih, and going to invite our city attorney to start us
off.
Goers: Thank you,Mayor. As the council is aware,this is our first reading of this ordinance. Uh so we're
back to the original version,which includes 90 days uh of preservation of legacy rights uh, if
there is a cessation of use of tobacco sales. Otherwise,this has been the same,uh, ordinance that
council had considered twice previously, so I'd be happy to try to answer any questions if you
have,but otherwise, I don't have anything else to add.
Teague: No questions. Anyone from the public like to address this topic? If you're online,please raise
your virtual hand. If you're in person,please raise your hand as well.Yes,please come. I'm going
to invite you to the mic and um,there is a sign in sheet here at the desk,which I'm going to ask
you to fill out. And then you'll be allowed three minutes to comment. And I also want to just
make mention that um,when I do open up public comment throughout the rest of the meeting,
council cannot engage in discussion or debate until the appropriate time for council discussion.
However, once the commenter has left the podium,council may ask staff to respond to a concern
or a question posed by the public or to follow up with the speaker. Welcome,you'll be given three
minutes. Please state your name and city you're from.
Baral: My name is Avan Baral,I'm from Coralville,I live in Johnson County,Iowa, I've been an Iowa
resident for about 17 years. I am myself a small business owner and a retailer,operator, owner of
the small business. I do a lot of small business development myself, I was-in particular, looking
into one property,which has an address of 955 Mormon Trek Boulevard, Iowa City, 52246. This
property is a former Kum& Go Gas Station. And um, I was trying to redevelop that as a site that
would sell more varieties of gasoline. Um,the higher bland in gasoline products, E15,bio-diesel,
EAD 5 and two more regular and premium gasoline. One of the broker came in contact with me
last week or so talking about this property, and I reached ah,the city through broker. The city said
at this time,there is a moratorium in place for tobacco license, so this cannot be done. I just
wanted to make sure that if this law would apply,or this ordinance will apply for the existing gas
station property,which is not in operation right now. I believe Kum &Go left this property in
about a year ago, and just wanted to make sure that how this law or this ordinance will come to
play with the existing site. Um,I had seen,like the proposal,there are four proposal I saw in city
ordinance. One of them was,if this would not be a primary tobacco business,which it is not. It
may not be 10-15%of the tobacco sales out of all other sales,or even less than that.Um,trying to
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redevelop it more as a gas station convenience store that sells convenience item inside and
outside,as I said,more varieties of gas, and with more focus on the higher blend products,which
has been supported by State of Iowa Ethanol Board,which has been supported by USDA,Higher
Blend Infrastructure Program. I have done those kinds of work in Cedar Rapids and Muscatine
recently, in some of my sites. I have completely remodeled them with more-higher blend
infrastructures. So I just wanted to know if I can pursue with this project down the road,uh,with
a convenience store gas station. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you, anyone else like to address this topic? If you're online,please raise your virtual hand?
Say no one in person or online,we're going to move on to council discussion.
Dunn: So one of the things that we discussed at the prior meeting was the potential to collapse this item.
So I'm interested in hearing what council thinks about collapsing from the first vote to the second.
So there'd be still another vote just to get things done faster, and since we've had five or six
meetings on this one.
Teague: Yeah,um,I think we can-I wouldn't be opposed to collapsing,but I think maybe we would just
collapse it at the second reading.
Dunn: Okay,yeah.
Teague: Yeah,but I think that's-yeah, I think it's worthy of having that public discussion ahead of time
because people have been anticipating um,this on our agenda for a couple of months now,but I
appreciate that.
Bergus: I guess,ah,mayor, I would just ask that our staff follow up with the speaker,which-
Goers: Yeah, I've asked Mr. Lehman to gather his contact information, and I would be happy to follow
up.
Teague: Excellent,thank you. Thank you.Here are no other comments, Roll call,please. [Roll Call]
Motion passes 7- 0.
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10. Regular Formal Agenda
10.a Fire Station 1 and City Hall 3'd Floor Renovation Project-Resolution approving
plans,project manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the Fire Station 1 and
City Hall 3rd Floor Renovation Project, establishing amount of bid security to accompany
each bid, directing City Clerk to post notice to bidders, and fixing time and place for receipt
of bids.
Teague: Item Number-we're going to go to our regular agenda,which is Item Number 10,10A is going to
be Fire Station 1 and City Hall third floor renovation project. Resolution improving plans,project
manual, and estimate of costs for the construction of the Fire Station 1, and City Hall third floor
renovation project, established an amount of bid. Security to accompany each bid, directing city
clerk to pose notice to bidders and fixing time and place for receipt of bids. I'm going to open the
public hearing, and welcome,Michelle.
1. Public Hearing
Redinger: Evening. Mayor, council,Michelle Redinger, Senior Facilities Design and Construction
manager with the engineering division.
Teague: Welcome.
Redinger: I'm here to summarize the Fire Station 1 and City Hall 3rf floor renovation projects. A little bit
of background, so this originally started as kind of two separate design projects on slightly
different design periods.However, as we got kind of towards the end of design,the construction
was going to kind of line up similarly and given some of the site constraints,the fact that we don't
have a large lay-down area. The decision was made to bid these together, even though they'll be
coming out of two different,um,CIP budgets. So just a little background,I believe you guys are
kind of familiar with the third floor of this,um,City Hall building, so that'll be both engineering
and equity and human rights,um, and then the second floor of the fire station,including their
bedrooms and their current bathrooms. Um, so just kind of overview on the fire station 1 scope,
um,we are tearing down kind of the partial height partitions,um, and creating eight bedrooms,
um,replacing the gendered multi use bathrooms with 3.5 single use restrooms. We're creating
kind of a wellness mother's room,um,for,you know,um, either nursing mothers, or if you just
need to take a step away,um,upgrading the fire alarm and the alerting system,um,to be kind of
compatible with the current,um,upgraded alerting system throughout the rest of the station, and
we're replacing the flooring and the lights,including replacement of the workout room floor,um,
even though we aren't doing any other work in there because that's going to be their prime access,
um,including that as well, so we don't tear up that floor and leave it in poor condition. For the
third floor renovation here in City Hall,we're adding four offices in the engineering division. Um,
we're replacing carpet and lights to match all the other floors of City Hall. So various floors have
gone through renovations over the past ten or so years,and engineering has not, so have some
aging carpet and whatnot,um,as well as some fire alarm upgrades.Um,tying it into the strategic
plan,you know,this is kind of,um, investing in our current facilities,um,to kind of improve
some of our current,um,operational challenges given limited space, as well as we're replacing all
the LED-all the light fixtures with LED fixtures, and especially the fire station works to kind of
promote that internal equity and inclusive environment.Um, so for temporary locations,um,the-
to expedite construction,we're moving out of these spaces. So fire station,those firefighters will
move their beds down to their training room. So,um,we will still have rigs located at Fire Station
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1, and then they'll be utilizing the workout room showers while that bathroom scope is underway.
For third floor equity and human rights,we will be on the upper level of Robert Lee Community
Rec Center,uh, and public works and engineering will take up several rooms in Senior Center.
And um, as we get closer to that,we'll make sure that it's well known where those,especially
equity and human rights,is located so that the public can still seek those services. Um, on the
note of costs,the overall estimated construction costs is about 900,000 split between Fire Station
1 of about 603,000 and City Hall third floor,297,000.Um,the schedule- so this will ideally likely
begin the bidding period will open bids,November or December 19. Um,we anticipate awarding
the contract at the January 7th council meeting, and we're anticipating construction roughly
January through July of 2025.And with that,I'll take any questions.
Alter: Can you remind me,for the fire station,what are the-what's the current bed count?
Redinger: I believe we have a-let me I do have that old that current floor plan,I believe.
Alter: And I should remember it,but I just don't.
Redinger: We may have 10 right now,um,but I believe eight was sufficient.
Alter: Okay,thank you. I'm glad that they'll have their own spaces.
Teague: Yeah.
Alter: Not having to throw something over the wall.
Teague: Yeah. Hearing no other questions,thank you.
Redinger: Thank you,all.
Teague: Anyone from the public like to address this topic, if so,please raise your hand,if you're online,
raise your virtual hand? See no one in person or online. I'm going to close the public hearing.
2. Consider a Resolution
Teague: Can I get a motion to approve,please?
Moe: So moved.
Bergus: Second.
Teague: Moved by Moe, second by Bergus, council discussion. Roll call,please. [Roll Call] Motion pass
is7 - 0.
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10.b Kratom Ban -Ordinance amending Title 6, entitled "Public Health and Safety", to
create a new Chapter 11, entitled "Kratom", to prohibit its sale and distribution.
Teague: We're onto Item Number IOB,which is the Kratom ban,ordinance amending Title IV entitled
Public Health and Safety to create a new Chapter 11 entitled ratum,to prohibit it sell and
distribution.And this is a motion for a pass and adopt. Can I get a motion,please?
Harmsen: So move,Harmsen
Moe: Second,Moe.
Teague: All right. And anyone from the public like to address this topic,please welcome. And there is a
sign-in sheet at this,unless you get a sticker from the back. Great,welcome,you'll be given up to
three minutes to speak.
Conely: Thank you. Excuse me a moment, I'll be reading a statement by someone else.
Teague: Great.
Conley: My name is Fenwick. Right now,I'm going to read a statement first by Cort Williams.My name
is Cort Williams, and I wanted to say something about how Kratom has improved my quality of
life. I've held a full-time job for 10 years and have been promoted,which is something I didn't
think was possible for me at one time. I know countless others who can say the same across all
walks of life and occupying all levels of the socioeconomic hierarchy. You might ask yourself
then why most people-why more people haven't spoken up about the Kratom ban issue. I think
there are a few reasons. Some might be afraid of a social stigma, others who struggle with anxiety
and public speaking situations. Still others who occupy a humbler socioeconomic status may feel
that people won't listen to their voices.All of these reasons are true for me to some degree,plus
work schedule conflicts. So on behalf of all of those who, for whatever reason, can't be here
today, I'm asking you not to take away this resource away from our community. That's the quality
of life argument, and it's an important one,but there is another argument that is perhaps even
more vital,the harm reduction argument. Some people use Kratom to quit illegal street drugs in a
world where street drugs get more dangerous every day. It is no exaggeration to say that lives
may depend on this decision. So for all of these reasons, I'd ask you to reconsider the Kratom Ban
on my own behalf and on behalf of those who cannot be here today. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you.
Conley: For myself,I would like to say,I have spoken before and mentioned very similar things as court
here. I think also it needs to be recognized that this is not a decision that would affect just our
community,because Kratom is something many aren't very aware of Instead of doing research
and trying to look at what options there may be for regulation and public resource. Places
consider just banning. And they will use places that ban as a reason for themselves to do so.
Meaning, if this is a decision that is made without being sure if it is necessary to ban,or if this is
something that should be regulated instead,you could be affecting other communities,other
people's access, and other people's quality of life. Thank you very much.
Teague: Thank you,welcome. Please state your name and city you're from.
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Weber: Andrea Weber, Soul in Iowa. Right. So hello,my name is Andrea Weber. I'm an addiction
physician here in Iowa, and I service the Iowa City Community.Um,I'm also the board chair for
the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition,which is a nonprofit group here really focused on trying to
provide health care and equity for people who use drugs. Um,I'm here to speak against the
proposed ban for the kratom in the community. Um, I'm aware that the council and the
community has had a lot of discussion about this, and I really appreciate it,because I think
historically,this would be a really quick easy decision without people coming forward and really
putting some thought at all aspects of what this would entail.Um,I'm a student of historical drug
policy, and unfortunately, over about a century of US policy says that when we ban a substance
that already has a demand that that tends to lead to more harm uh,compared to having access to
illegal well regulated uh,drug supply. Um,I spent a lot of time in my life talking to people who
use drugs, specifically people who have opioid use disorder,which is um, similar to the previous
speaker,people who don't necessarily always get a voice at the table. Um,based on recent data,
Iowa has had an increase in our overdose-related deaths,relative to the national trend,which
actually saw a decrease. Um,many people who have an opioid disorder have used kratom as a
way to uh,move away from a dangerous poison drug supply as a way to mitigate symptom, and
I've really done so,um, oftentimes with success and sometimes potentially just as a bridge until
they can come see me in a clinical setting. Um,a lot of our Iowa laws through a lens of harm
reduction are not accessible for people with substance use disorders um, and then getting people
to medical treatment still is a barrier. Um,we try more and more to get people to come in and to
see us instead of utilizing on regulated drug supplies,but it's really hard to do so for people.Um,
I'm not gonna stand here and say that there's no harm to kratom because truly there's harm to
everything that we utilize in medicine,whether it's a regulated substance or a medication or
prescription. So that just cannot be said,unfortunately.Um, I think what could be really gained is
a more robust,well-informed public health policy around kratom.Uh, it's a relatively unknown
substance, and it requires much more education around what is known about its benefits and its
risks.Uh,I see very few patients actually come to me because of kratom difficulties. Of the
people that I've seen,most of them started using kratom because they were unaware of what it
did. They didn't know that they would develop an opioid-like tolerance to it. They didn't realize
that their progre-use might progress over the course of years. Um, any adolescent that's been
exposed to it has oftentimes been because their parent bought it for them think you with
something like creatine or some natural performance enhancer. So just a ton of misinformation.
That really a good public health campaign could- could remedy pretty quickly.Um,in addition to
a lot of education,other types of regulation,whether it's just minimum age of purchase, density,
outlet,pop outlet density control, as well as just forced labeling around these products as to the
potential risks,I think would be a better path forward.Um,with that,I appreciate your
consideration of my comments and really appreciate it.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome. Please state your name and city are from.
Rozmus: Hi.My name is Chantal Rozmus.Um, I am from Washington,Iowa,but I practice as a
psychiatrist at the Abbey Community Mental Health Center on the East side of town. Um,I'm
also a member of the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition,Board of Directors and have been since
2021. I'm here tonight to express my concerns regarding the potential kratom ban. As a
psychiatrist,the principle I hold above all others is autonomy.As a harm reductionist,I believe in
meeting people where they're at. I don't believe that drugs are inherently bad, and I don't believe
people who use drugs are inherently bad. I'd like to use the rest of my time,limited time to speak
on behalf of people who use drugs in our community. These are my friends,my family, and my
patients. These are people I love, and I deeply care about. I spoke recently with a patient of mine
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who gave me permission to talk about our conversation tonight. I've known this person for years,
and it's-I've had the privilege of being their physician and watching them go through their own
recovery. Um, and so it is someone that I trust very much, and she knows the community very
well. Um,when I asked her about the kratom ban and what she thought would happen, she simply
said people will die. Um,it's widely used in our community as a means of harm reduction, and a
ban would place another limit on a safer alternative for people who are working on their own
recovery. In the last couple of years,I've seen a change in-the-Iowa-city-in the Iowa City
community. Um,there's been an embrace of harm-reduction practices. We've seen a huge
increase in the use of Narcan and medication for treatment of substance use disorders. Iowa City
has-the-community-as a community has the capacity to influence change outside of Johnson
County. Tonight, I'm asking you to consider regulation in place of a ban on kratom. I'm asking
you to continue to show up for people who use drugs just as you have for the last couple of years.
I'm asking you to embrace harm-reduction practices and to think about your friends and family
who may use drugs. I'm asking that you consider my patient who is alive today because of harm
reduction practices. By regulating kratom use and not banning kratom, Iowa City sets an example
for the rest of Iowa. That example can be set with banning or it can be done with regulation.Both
of those options make statements.By regulating Iowa City loudly states that we care about our
neighbors who are using drugs,who also fall into another group addressed tonight,those
experiencing homelessness and hunger. It states we have learned from our past that bans are not
effective. It states that we value education above substances-about substances over dangerous
anti-drug rhetoric. It makes a statement that the lives of people who use drugs are important.
Thank you for your time.
Teague: Thank you.Anyone else like to address this topic'? Welcome,please state your name and city
you're from.
Ryan: My name is Carolyn Ryan. Carlyn Sherf Ryan.And I'm from Iowa City.
Teague: Great. Welcome.
Ryan: Um, first,I wrote a statement which sounds feistier than it should. I want to premise by saying that
I moved back to Iowa City in part because of our progressive governments, and I respect all of
you, and I understand that this ban is really well-intentioned,but the impact has been shared is-is
not,I think what you want it to be.Um, so if Iowa City can ban kratom sales,why not also ban
the sale of tampons,just to be on the safe side until we know more about the effects of all the
PFAs and heavy metals they may be laced with?Um,Councilman Harmsen mentioned the
importance of the FDA and the Mayo Clinic's comments on kratom.Um,with heavy metals in
tampons,um, as well as kratom,there is scientific uncertainty about their toxicological risks.
There are federal regulations still underway. And- and both have health advisories issued by
Mayo and a major federal agency. So why ban kratom for these reasons and not tampon sales?
Aren't they both potential threats to public health, safety, and welfare? I think that this is a
political possibility because there's no political risk in government overreach when it's reaching to
punch down at people who are considered deviant and who are who use weird and bad
substances,which are words that have been used to describe kratom and its users. Um,it would
really be something else if we tried to punch up at big companies,um,ban the sale of tampons at
Procter and Gamble until we know for absolute certain that the heavy metals that they may
contain are risk-free. So-but what really bothers me the most about this proposed kratom ban is
the bigger context that it ignores,the opiate epidemic, and specifically Iowa's refusal to release
$47.5 million in oxycontin settlements to help fund people-people's access to treatment, and
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Iowa being one of only five states where fentanyl test strips are considered paraphernalia. In
conclusion,there are so few options for people who use drugs in Iowa.And this kratom ban is
just one more way to send people at risk for overdose the message that your government doesn't
care if you live or die.And I know,because I trust many of you who have gotten to meet um,that
that's not the message that you want to send.Um, so, I hope that you will not pass this ban. Thank
you.
Teague: Great. Thank you. Anyone else in the public like to address this topic? I see no one online or in
person. Council discussion.
Dunn: I don't trust the American Kratom Association, and I don't trust the Global Kratom Alliance or
have reason to trust necessarily or implicitly uh,the producers or inherently the sellers uh, of
kratom in our community and across the country and across the world. Uh,but I do trust the
people in this room tonight.And um,when I think about this discussion, and I think about the
discussion that happened last week or not last week,or at our last meeting, comparing risk of,you
know, other substances that are regulated across the United States,particularly in our state,like
alcohol,uh,or in many of our neighboring states,marijuana,um, I'm hard pressed at this point to
be supportive of a ban. I would again,reiterate, I think a good potentially middle ground for us
would be to have streamlined-uh, streamlined regulatory framework that goes along with our
tobacco policies, so distance permitting all encompassing in the same stuff,you know.Um, I
think what's mentioned tonight, as well as that discussion of comparative risk uh, is very
persuasive,um, especially if we think about things like marijuana. Because I think I just wagering
a guess, a good chunk of us up here are probably pro-legalizing marijuana. I am. And I don't see
how I can make that mesh at this time with the information that we have in front of us. Um, so I
would really ask if we could have one more person go for no.
Moe: I probably spoke more in the first meeting. So um, sorry,if I'll repeat some of the things I said,just
because I didn't say them again at our second meeting.Um,we-I agree that regulating this like
tobacco or alcohol would be great and that it would be the right way to keep it out of the hands of
children. It would also be or at least prevent that. And I would also be a really great way to make
sure that what people are buying is actually what it's sold to be. What we know is this thing is not
regulated. You don't know the potency of it.You don't know what's mixed with it.You're not sure
exactly what's in it. And so you don't know what it is.And,you know, I would-I would like to
say that we had the discussion about regulating it like tobacco and like alcohol,which I would
love to do that,but that needs to come from the state. To make that it was pretty clear that the
state needs to do that.And it would be my goal that we could get the state to do that. I think that
that is the responsible way to do that. I know that one of the speakers said that,you know,kratom
users are slandered, and I certainly do not think that kratom users are weird or deviant. If you're
searching for something,to-to do harm reduction.Um,I don't want to take that away. However,
we do have an e-mail from our public health expert that says,this is not harm reduction. It is not
harm reduction to take a substance that you don't know what it is. You don't know whether it's the
pure version or the 4x version or when it's laced with something and subset for something that is
bad. Harm reduction means taking something that is bad and finding something else that's less
bad and moving away from the harm. This is-this could potentially be worse if you get the wrong
mix,the wrong kind,the wrong type.And so I'm gonna trust our public health expert who wrote
in to say that this is-this is not harm reduction and that we-that we need to-to-to move our state
towards a place where-where yeah we can have kratom that's available for people after they
show an ID, and they know what's actually in the material that they're-that they're purchasing.
Um, I guess-um,I hope that the state is paying attention. I'm doing my best to talk to our state
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legislators to say,pay attention. Make this, and I said very publicly at the last meeting that I
would be very happy to revisit this ban if our state does what they need to do to regulate age and
safety of this drug. I'm happy to go that direction. I also would not support this if this was going
to penalize users. This is penalizing the sellers,not the users. I wouldn't support that at all,
because I understand that there are people who-who are trying to find something. But because we
don't know what's in this material,we do not know which version of- of it you're buying,where
it's coming from,what its potency is,whether it's a synthetic or unnatural, and whether or not it's
been adulterated,that's-that's-that's really dangerous. So I will continue to vote yes to this ban.
Alter: I just-
Teague: Do you go next?
Alter: I-I-completely concur with you on- on that the state should regulate it. They should also release
the $47.5 million to combat the opioid addiction and crisis.Um,I will push back a little. I would
wager that the people who use kratom,know where to get the kratom that works for them as
opposed to ordering it on the line,where they actually really don't know whether they have
someone who is providing them with consistent,you know,wholesale or what have you. So I'm
just going to push back on that. The people who use this product know where there's good and
where there's bad. Most of them probably Susan Valletta,who doesn't use it. Um, I am asking my
fellow councilors to listen to the professionals in the room,representing Iowa Harm Reduction.
At one point or another,we have all stated to varying degrees, our own ignorance about kratom.
But this ignorance about kratom has been used to push the ban forward. Please consider the
potential impacts. This-the more that I hear,the more that I understand that this is an equity
issue. It is absolutely about accessibility to yes,harm mitigation. Is it-is it the best?Is it- is it the
best way to reduce harm?Perhaps not,in our view,but it may be what there is available, and it is
helping. It may also, and likely is used for recreational purposes, as a lot of things are. We know
that alcohol kills. We know that tobacco kills. We don't know about kratom. Other than,we've
actually had a significant amount of people come out,the-the folks from outside the area,
notwithstanding,um,to say that it has helped them. I believe it is not in our purview as city
council to lay down health policy to-to-I just think it's overreaching. I don't think it ever should
have come before us. I don't think anybody it would have registered on our radars. So I am asking
for someone to reconsider their vote. And,um,you know, let's continue to push on the state to
regulate it.But this just shouldn't have come before us.
Harmsen: So I-I appreciate all of that, and,um,I also want to say thank you to Doctors Weber, and I'm
sorry. I missed.
Rozmus: Rozmus
Harmsen: Thank you for your work you do in this area. This is a very important work, and it's much
appreciated, and I appreciate you coming forward and- and speaking on this topic tonight. Um,I-
I,uh, do want to kind of reiterate what Councilor Moe said that the regulation would be great,but
that has to come from the state level. That's-that's actually not something that we could
effectively do as a city. So that part of the puzzle is kind of like,partially agree,partially not
agree. I do also want to say for those because we've been here in this discussion,um, since the
very beginning,um, and one of the things I do appreciate about this city, and somebody-
somebody else had mentioned this is this is a place that doesn't,uh,demonize people who have
addictions, and that actually has not been a part of this conversation at all,um,by anybody that
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I've heard, either call in, email us, or from up here on the council dias. So it has all been focused
on the public health aspects and with the,um, concern for anybody using a substance,not a
looking down on for any substance,kratom,or any other thing, and I don't think in my time on
council, I've heard anybody that's spent on this dias,uh, say anything disparaging about people
who are dealing with-with addictions. So I just-just want to make sure everybody understands
that hasn't been a part of the conversation that's happened in here. I can't speak to-to what people
are saying,you know,maybe somewhere else. Um,one of the things that still my concern, and-
and this actually is something that also,I think it was Dr. Weber,who mentioned about the-the-
the problems with misinformation,misunderstandings,and the problems with seeing teenagers
who come forward that-that have gotten onto this,maybe even accidentally because their parents
didn't understand,um,that this was a substance that could be leading to addiction. Um,you
know, and so I mean,parents,we all try and do the best we can, and sometimes,you know,we
make an honest mistake. And so I feel for those people,absolutely.But then the-the other
concern that I had stated with this is the prevalence of the advertising and the creation of new
markets. That's why you have advertising. And when you go by and see all those signs and gas
stations on vape shops and things like that advertising,it as if it was a safe regulated product, like,
you know,um,a herbal supplement,like,uh,you know, something somebody might take us from
GNC or something like that,or as if it was,you know,regulated like tobacco or- or alcohol,when
indeed,there's no regulation,there's not even an age limit currently on it.And so for those
reasons, I still think there is public health value in-in not allowing the sale of this,which would
also not allow the marketing of this in our community because if you can't sell it,um,you
wouldn't have any reason to market for it. Um, so I would still be supporting this,but I think your
comments are well taken, and should there be,yeah,you know, some sort of regulation at the
state that supersedes us. I think that and have it actually be more regulated,I would-I would be
changing my mind-my mind on this. So-
Bergus: I guess I'll just address the final two Councilors who haven't said and the mayor who haven't said
yet how they'll vote,but I-I think we all know there's no shame in learning more and changing
our position on something. And it is hard to imagine something as compelling as from the
speakers who we've had the last two meetings as far as the benefits of a substance that we are not
equipped to regulate.Um, I have heard, and I very much appreciate that there are remaining
concerns,but I think the issue really is,what is the City of Iowa City's purview in enforcement
relating to the sale of this sort of unknown as far as we are concerned, substance. And I'll just
make the fiscal argument. How are we going to pay for the enforcement? Who is going to be
making the checks in the-in the vape shops and the convenience stores?And what are those
individuals going to be looking for?What are they going to be doing?And how-like,I just don't
understand the additional-creating an additional regulatory environment for something that is at
best uncertain. So I-I really hope that we can hear from those who have both clinical and direct
experience in the context of the larger world and country,where we know that there have been
legislative opportunities for regulation that could come from those who are more equipped than
we are. And I hope that in what will be the worst budget year, in certainly our history,that we
don't just sign up for,you know, something that-that is really,truly unnecessary, and what I
believe is a significant overreach in our authority.
Dunn: I'd like to speak to a couple of comments that have been made that I think are a little bit
concerning. Um,the first one is that I don't really understand why we'd have to wait for the state.
So if like, Councilor Moe or Councilor Harmsen, could-if you could elucidate why we would
have to wait for the state or why you think we should.
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Teague: For regulations?
Dunn: Yeah, for regulations.
Harmsen: So I think actually this would actually be what Councilor Bergus was just talking about to a
factor of degrees and expense. And we'd have to hire new people. We-we'd be talking about like
testing?Um,yeah,I mean, I think-I think that's-that's-that's just I don't even know how that
would begin to go about.
Dunn: So why would like, if we're doing like, streamlined age checks, like,under my theoretical proposal
that we,you know, streamline things with our tobacco legislation,why would it not happen at the
same time as we're doing checks for tobacco age sales?Why would it not happen at the exact
same moment? Why wouldn't we do that?Because that seems like a very efficient use of taxpayer
dollars.
Moe: I think at the April 24th and May 7th meetings,we talked about the way that the state pays us to do
those checks. And because they're regulated differently,that's not an option for us. We have to
pay the underage person to go attempt to purchase. And also the-the actual sort of,I don't want to
call it sting operation,but the effort to sort of do the age check was something that in those
meetings we determined wasn't feasible without state supports.And I think that the testing for
purity was something that is-which is,to me,one thing that I find very concerning is when we
did-I did kratom trading with,uh,with,um, community family resources. I was offered in April
or September,where we learned about these adulterated forms and the-the synthetic forms,it's
incredibly difficult to test them.And so we-we need a federal or state,uh, capacities to actually
test these,uh.
Dunn: Do we currently test tobacco products?
Moe: Well,tobacco is different because we're testing-or we're looking to see if someone is taking a
highly regulated product,tobacco,which we know exactly it's in it. We know it's-we know it's
bad for you,but we tell people it's bad for you and let people make their choices,but we know
what's in it.And we know that it's tightly regulated.
Dunn: [OVERLAPPING] How many more people die from tobacco though?
Moe: And all we're checking for is to see that they're not selling it to children. And so we-we're not-
nobody has to,like,pull cigarettes apart at the-at the city level and check that and see if it has
Fentanyl laced in it.
Dunn: But if the whole argument is about public health,a lot more people die from tobacco than die from
kratom.
Harmsen: But it is regulated. That's the point.
Dunn: It is regulated. There's an acceptable amount of regulated death, is what we're saying?
Harmsen: That's-that's a federal question that's out of our hands.
Dunn: I mean,but it is a question that we're considering here, is it not?
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Harmsen: No. We're not talking about tobacco.
Dunn: I know we're not talking about tobacco,but we're talking about regulating a substance because of
its harm on public health as tobacco is regulated. Its harm on public health. That's why it's
regulated. So I guess,like,the other thing that was concerning to me is that,you know,we're kind
of appealing to-we-we're falling into a fallacy of appeal to authority,uh,here when we're talking
about Susan Vileta And I'm not trying to bash her whatsoever,but I want everyone to understand
what her role at Johnson County Public Health is and what her education is. Susan is a public
health educator that's focused on tobacco cessation and all that jazz. She has a bachelor's degree
in secondary education,focusing on English speech,theater, and coms.And when we first talked
with her about this issue, she didn't know anything about it. What-what level of education do you
have?
Salih: I don't want to go that way.
Dunn: I only have two authorities in this room with any sort of medical experience and that have only
ever come and talk to us about this. I don't think the person who didn't know what we were
talking about at the first- at the first moment of this conversation is more qualified to talk about
the public health impacts in the people that are working with this every day and are fully properly
educated. So that really does not sit well with me. Susan is great,not bashing her character or her
work or anything like that,but when we're talking about trusting our public health officials she's
not an MD. She's not trained in that way.And these guys are.
Harmsen: You do know that we're also looking at stuff like,uh,from the FDA and from Mayo clinic. You
understand that,right? [OVERLAPPING]
Dunn: Oh I understand that.
Harmsen: Mayo Clinic.
Salih: What about Mayo Clinic? Do you think so.
Dunn: I got lots of opinions about Mayo Clinic,but like
Moe: We also a-there was-there was a pretty large training opportunity for all of us to participate in
where local addiction specialists talked about this. That's when I made my decision that this stuff
we need state regulation was during that when public health experts who offered that training to
our council presented, and I believe it was City Attorney Goers, and I did participate in that. So
it's- it's- I appreciate the people who've come today and heard what they had to say,but there's
also a lot of just because they're last at the table doesn't mean that they're the most important to
me. So there's a lot of people that weigh into this decision for me.And so-
Salih: Yeah. Things like,you know,I just don't like the way that you really represent,you know,like,
talked about Susan. She- she really done like her researches,her work,whether she you know, I
don't know why we're looking of hear broke grown and she being hired at the county because
she's qualified. We brought her here for the-many time for many things because we trust her
opinions. And not only that,we also receive some information from Mayo Clinic from FDA,
from all us.And we are not only listening to her,but we're listening to many,many other
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opinions that we have received. Anyway, I really don't want to discuss this more.At this point,
I'm going to get stuck with my vote, and I will vote for the ban.
Teague: This is a very hard conversation to have because,um, at the end of the day,um, is the-is the
person that is using this product that will have to figure out how to obtain it.Um,what I would
say is, if if the ban goes into effect,what we have is,um,neighboring communities where folks
can get it. I do hear the challenge from equity,you know,transportation,that type stuff is a
challenge. Um,I won't be-I'll mention that we have free transit here. Although I just mentioned
that and that's not to be disrespectful to. This is a-this someone's life is being affected by-if this
ban goes into effect. The- one of the hopes that I have is the state will take this on with all of their
resources and the robust public health campaign that we-that is needed,you know, for kratom.
There are,uh, some legitimate,um,very legitimate points that my colleagues to my left have
absolutely made. Um, I can tell you that I agree with almost all of it without doubt.And then,you
know, certainly,you know, on my-on my right,my colleagues have made some- some comments
as well, and they've made a position to ban it for what I would say is some real reasons that I
believe is in the public's best interests.Now,with all that being said, I am sitting here and I'm
thinking,how do we ensure that this is a part of the legislative priorities in the state of Iowa,
right?Because if that is our ultimate goal,how how do we-how do we make that happen?
Certainly,we can add that to our legislative priorities.We'll probably have that discussion in
December. Or,we'll already make that prior to that because then,you know,we finalized that in
December,um,to go before the,you know,our- our legislators in Des Moines. This-this is just,
you know,yes, I hear, and I appreciate you all coming.Um,you know, everybody that's here in
person, and even to the ones that have reached out outside of this meeting, I appreciate the
conversations there. This is a hard position to be in,but I think what I would Hmm. I wonder if
there is- and- and I know this is something that I cringe on when,um,this happens a lot. I- I
would just say,when it happens a lot. It happens, and,you know, for good reasons,do it happen.
Um, I wonder if there's any consideration that we would give to legislative priorities being a part
of our December,um,things that we do.And then this is the part that I think people have to think
about for a second. Is there any-would we give consideration to deferring this?And the reason-I
will say that a ban-there-there-there are real rationale and health concerns for a ban. Without a
doubt I heard from people here,um,that talked about,um,you know,we need legal,well
regulated drug supply,you know,this drug or maybe I'm misquoting,but there's something about
return that just ain't right.And I think,Councilor Dunn your beginning words. I-I-I absolutely
agree with some of that mistrust and just a awkward feeling about,um, a lot of things surrounding
this. I do wonder if people would- and I-I don't know. It is hard. So-because I can support a ban,
and my rationale for supporting a ban would be this presents a- it will definitely be in the face of
our legislators in Des Mome. And I would hope that it would cause them to have a real
conversation of how an act- an action,not just conversations but activity to address all of the
things and the concerns that,um,even people that,you know, support regulating it,um,will-
will-will-will happen. So I don't know. I guess I'll bring it to. Uh, I'll just say I'll ask a question
and just see what people's thoughts are,if we were just to defer this. And most people want to
date, and I would just say defer it indefinitely for now. I just wanted to get a reaction.
Dunn: Support that.
Alter: Yeah.
Salih: Yeah.
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Moe: I would defer.
Harmsen: I have no desire to.
Moe: I know-I know and I think spoken to a few of you about this.
Harmsen: If I'm in the minority-in the minority.
Moe: And I feel like we should do something. There are people who use this who are at huge risk of
getting something that's not what they think it is. This is a real risk in our community and that it's
something that's far more potent than they think,or it has something else in it.And so we need to
do something.Um, and if that means temporarily shifting towards,um,working on the state,then
I would support that,um-
Salih: You mean, like,deferring it,but actively,work about it?
Teague: Yes.
Salih: Okay. I don't go to me.
Teague: And I also want to say, and please, I don't know if the-the-the my colleagues up here absolutely
love everybody in this com-in this community.And-the-whether,you know,the left or right is
kind of interesting today.Um,the words that have been spoken has nothing to do against the
person,the users. We acknowledge that this has been helpful because we heard those words
coming from people.But we also know that there is something here that needs to be regulated,
and there needs to be a lot of education after it is regulated.
Alter: I would actually just-I do wanna say regardless of what happens. One thing that,um, if I can find it
um that Susan Vileta a did say that I meant to bring up earlier, if I can find it. It was just,um,the
absolute centrality and- and- and importance of outreach so that people know what other things
are available,um,in terms of- she says, important to couple it with outreach about evidence based
treatment and support available in Johnson County. And so I just wanted to make that mention.
Harmsen: Yes.
Alter: Um,but I mean, I'll be honest. I don't know what kind of,um,traction the City of Iowa City is
going to get with the state in terms of regulating Kratom. They're also,you know,it's more
property tax.
Teague: If there's a ban,we-we-then we know potentially.
Alter: Yeah,they could. I can be like,uh, fine. I don't agree with us.But no-no,we do to switch.But-but
my-I don't put a lot of traction in that,but if it defers it so that people can still have access to it,
I'm fine with that.But I-I just and I recognize bans can be reversed as well.But I based on there
are unknowns, as well as knowns. I'm not-I'm absolutely to-to my Councilors who,um,you
know, I am hearing your-your-your perspectives, and there is something there. And yet,I'm like,
this is not COVID. We knew we had to have masking,and that was something that had to be an
intervention at a health on a public safety level,right? I do not think that this rises to that level. I
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think it's preemptive. I think it's overreach. I've already said that a million times. So my
apologies.But I wanted to say, I respect what you are saying,um.
Harmsen: For sure.
Alter: But I think until we know more,we should not ban. So if deferral is the way that that we could get
to a majority of being comfortable with this,I'm all in favor of it. And we can actively work
towards it. We have a lot of agenda priorities so-
Teague: Well, and then you know.
Alter: I think I'm arguing against myself.
Teague: No-no-no-no. Yeah.
Alter: I can't believe we're having this conversation.
Harmsen: Are you making a motion then Mayor.
Teague: I-I can't believe we're having this conversation. I agree with that. And- and I also agree that this
is overreach,but I-but would back up and say that if,you know,if there is something that we,
you know,believe needs critical attention and the harm that it could have is detrimental. Then-
then-then I don't mind overreaching.
Alter: I-just-I-I just don't think that it has risen to a level where this necessitates us intervening. It was
not on anybody's radar.
Teague: I understand that. Yeah.
Alter: And- and- and I'm not even going to say perhaps it should be to the extent of what our potential
reaction is.
Teague: We do know that this has happened across the nation is not just Iowa city that is regulated and
considering bans.
Alter: No-no absolutely.
Teague: On this one item.
Alter: True.
Teague: I mean, so there's not other-if we're talking about bans,this is probably the only thing in our
entire nation that I can think of in this moment that is being considered.
Bergus: I just also want to remind us that we don't have a recommendation from staff on this.And to me,
that is very influential.But I think this-this came to us from Councilor Dunn and his interest and,
you know, our willingness to go along with that, and he's learned more and changed his position
on it. But this is not something where we have our-those who work for us on behalf of the city
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saying,yes,this is something you need to do or even no, it's not right?They're just staying out of
it. It's a political decision at this point.
Teague: Yeah.
Bergus: Which suggests to me that yeah. I'm in favor of deferral much like,Councilor Alter, if that means
we're not going to implement the ban tonight.
Teague: So I guess I would just request that one of my colleagues make that motion.
Moe: I would move for deferral.
Alter: I second.
Teague: Okay. Move by Moe, second by Alter.
Goers: Indefinitely?
Moe: Indefinitely.
Teague: Indefinitely. Roll call-Roll call,please? [Roll Call] Motion passes 6- 1. Thanks to everybody
that came out for this.And thanks to everybody that's been tuning in and and reaching out to
council on this item.
Goers: Still need a motion to accept correspondence on this item.
Teague: Great.
Salih: So move.
Moe: second.
Teague: Okay. All in favor, say aye. Aye. [Voice Vote] Aye.All oppose. Motion passes 7: 0.
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10.c FY24 Annual Action Plan Amendment#1 -Resolution Approving Substantial
Amendment#1 to Iowa City's FY24 Annual Action Plan.
Teague: All right. We're on to item number 10.c. Fiscal year 24 annual Action Plan Amendment Number
1. Resolution approving substantial Amendment Number 1 to Iowa City's fiscal year 2024
Annual action plan. Can I get a motion to approve,please?
Salih: Move.
Bergus: Second.
Teague: Move by Salih second by Bergus.And we're going to welcome Erika.
Kubly: Hello,Erika Kubly with neighborhood services. So we have a couple revisions to our FY24
annual action plan that trigger a substantial amendment. Um, I'm just going to run through why
we have the funding and what we plan to do with it. So first,we received a loan payoff recently
for a prior year project that is referred to as program income. This funding is subject to our yearly
spending deadlines established by Hud. So we're looking to reprogram those funds as quickly as
we can. We're proposing to shift$300,000 received through the program income to the City's
down payment assistance program. The city has been allocated a total of 400-430,000 and FY22
and FY24, CBD or home funds to offer down payment assistance to income eligible home buyers
in partnership with Green State and Hills Bank. That's a program that we administer internally.
To date, 70%of that funding has been expended to assist 14 buyers. We've added a dedicated part
time staff member to administer this program, and we've had strong demand. So,um,funds have
been spent more quickly than we anticipated. The additional funding will assist up to 12 home
buyers and allow the program to operate continually.Um,requests for assistance increase in the
spring home buying season,which ideally will help position us,um,to meet the May CDBG
spending deadline. The amendment additionally proposes repurposing home funds made
available through canceled projects. In FY24,the city awarded 110,000 home funds to UAY,
United Action for youth to acquire rehab, at least one rental unit in Iowa City for transitional
housing. Due to the complexity of the applicable federal regulations at the units identified and the
required time frame,the project was not able to utilize home funding. Fortunately,the project was
able to proceed without city federal funds through a partnership form between UAY and the
housing fellowship.And FY24,um,200,000- $200,000 in home funds were also awarded to the
Housing Fellowship for rental Construction on Ronald Street. The funding was provided for the
second build on Ronald Street,if you're familiar with that project,due to the timing of the historic
review required for federal funding and the time sensitive nature of the project's unique
partnership with the Iowa City School District. The project was unable to proceed with home
funding.Housing Few Ship was able to identify alternative funding sources to continue this
effort. Staff proposed to reallocate the $310,000 from the UAY project and the Ronald's project.
Um, and home funds to the Housing fellowship to acquire two additional rental units. The
housing fellowship serves as Iowa City's CHDO community development- community housing
development organization,which signifies that they are a critical partner in the city's home
program, and that they have a strong capacity and experience in providing quality affordable
housing in Iowa City. Um,if approved,we would submit this to Hud, and then from there,we
could administer these projects for this project. Thank you.
Alter: Are those rental units identified by chance?
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Kubly: Um, I believe they have some ideas,but nothing is solidified at this moment.
Alter: Okay,thanks
Teague: Um, I guess,what is the time frame if-if we don't use the funds.
Kubly: So we have a May 2,CDBG timeliness deadline. We thought down payment assistance would be
the quickest we could,um,reprogram those funds and get them spent out in the community. Um,
home has a two year,um,allocation,um,requirement that we're working towards and four years
suspend. So that's a little less,um,urgent,but this will allow the project to continue probably in
the spring rather than waiting for our next whole funding cycle,which would be next fall.
Moe: Can I-I'm sorry.Yeah. So I was,uh,very interested in our work session topic about how we are
considering,um,re categorizing some CBDG and home funds and- and streamlining in some
ways. This might be a good way for me to learn a little better. Is it-is it really the other housing
activities that would move out of the CDBG and then economic development? Some of them into
home and some of the other places in the budget. Is that-I'm I understanding the work session
correctly? Sorry to merge two topics,but this is for me.
Teague: Hopefully,we have to recognize that we have one councilor that was not a part of that
discussion.
Kubly: Can you say your question again?
Moe: Would you prefer that we not have that discussion then?
Teague: I think you-.
Salih: Do you want me to recuse myself again.
Teague: No. I think you just have to-.
Moe: It's a question.
Teague: Be careful.
Moe: You know what? It's a question and I can ask you later. It is it.
Teague: Yeah.
Moe: I-I-this is more for my learning so that I fully understand the implications of our work session so-
Teague: Everything is not off the table to discuss,but I think you just have to make sure that it's you
know-
Salih: Don't tell me what happened.
Moe: I will streamline the conversation.
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Teague: Yes.
Salih: Okay.
Teague: Any other questions for Erika?Hearing none. Thank you.Anyone from the public like to address
this topic?If you're online,please raise your virtual hand. Kelly,my- I unplugged it.
Grace: There is nobody on there.
Teague: Okay. Thank you.
Salih: Yeah.
Teague: See no one in person or online council discussion?
Salih: I-I think this is great,you know? The-the more I guess start involving with like all those people
who are doing this amazing job in the community by housing people. The need is really great.
And I think all this money is not enough. To fulfill the need. So guess,good to everyone who
worked on that.
Moe: Yeah.
Alter: I'm just appreciative that staff,you know,is again, creative and looking at,you know,ways to be
able to hold onto the money to access to the community and- and to do it as quickly as possible. I
particularly took note of you where you're like,this is a way to do this so that we can get it into
the community quicker. So thank you.
Teague: Yeah. Agree. Roll call,please? [Roll Call] Motion passes 7-0.
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10.d Shelter House Letter of Support-Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a
letter of support for Shelter House that dedicates project-based vouchers upon the award of
a HUD Continuum of Care Builds grant.
Teague: Item I O.d. Shelter House Letter of Support. Resolution authorizing the city manager to sign a
letter of support for its Shelter House that dedicates project based vouchers upon the award of a
HUD Continuum of Care Build Grant. And we're going to welcome. Could I get a motion to,uh,
approve?
Salih: Move.
Dunn: Second.
Teague: Moved by Sara, second by Dunn. And we're going to welcome Tracy.
Heightshoe: Thank you,Mary. Tracy Heightshoe neighbor and Development Services. Rachel Carter was
planning to present tonight. She's our housing administrator. She had a family emergency,but I
have her notes. And Crissy Canganelli,the director of Shelter House is also here, if you have any
questions. Shelter House was chosen by the Iowa Balance-Balanced state Continued Care to
apply for National Grant COC Builds. Each COC can nominate one entity to apply. Shelter
House was nominated. So they intend to apply for six million in funds to build at least 36 one
bedroom units with permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals. They are
requesting a letter of support from us,from the city,dedicating project based vouchers for this
project if they're awarded the funding. HUD allows us to spend up to 20%of our vouchers on
project our regular vouchers on project based vouchers without prior HUD approval. Currently,
we administer 60 project based vouchers in conjunction with shelter house. They work similar to
a regular voucher,the tenant pays 30%of their income to rent, and the housing authority pays the
remainder. We see several benefits of providing project based vouchers to this project. One is just
the simple addition of 36 units to our community affordable housing. The grant requires leverage
of project based vouchers to be awarded. The only way that you make these types of projects
sustainable is with consistent rental income.Um, and like I said,it adds 36 units of newly built
affordable housing to our community. It also reduces the strain of private market landlords. The
client Shelter House intends to serve with this project,typically have utilized many other services,
including regular vouchers in the community and- and have been unable to sustain housing. This
project provides permanent supportive services provided by the landlord shelter house and
accordingly reduces the strain of other landlords and providing housing to these tenants. One of
the most-one of the most common comments that we get from landlords who are wary of the
voucher program is that they are concerned about the tenants needing more supportive services
that they are willing or able to provide.But providing appropriate level support through project
bad vouchers,we have fewer landlords with high barrier voucher tenants. Dedicating project
based vouchers to permanent supportive housing follows our housing first approach, and is
supported by the current Iowa City Housing Authority administrative plan,which you have
previously approved, and permanent supportive housing is the most evidence based method to
combat chronic homelessness.
Teageu: Great. Any questions?
Salih: I guess my questions,you know,first congratulations to the Shelter House of being nominated.
This is amazing.And you said how many-how many units they will be? Is this the theory?
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Hightshoe: Thirty six one-bedroom units.
Salih: Yeah. Like, I guess want to understand something here. You know,Of course,you know,the letter
to support this is not something-something we can do definitely.But I really would like to
understand the way this work because when we say we're adding more affordable housing in the
city,which is like 36 units will be.And in the same time,we taking vouchers from our vouch.
Can you tell me how that work?Because, like, I mean,there is many people on the waiting list
waiting for the vouchers and they being there for years, and to the degree that we close the
waiting list. And now we're building houses.And why not those become like-just like a sub a
housing that will charge 30%of the area immediate income for the people who are going to live
there rather than taking vouchers and give it to this affordable housing. I don't know if you
understand what I'm from?
Hightshoe: Now I get your question. And they moved to just accepting 30%of someone's income for- for
rent?
Salih: Yes.
Hightshoe: That's like our public housing,but we're also getting money from HUD to pay for capital
improvements. We're getting money from HUD for administrative for project leasing. The project
simply won't cash flow unless you have a dedicated source of revenue for that full rent. So you're
right. It doesn't increase the number of vouchers in our community,but it does provide there's
some vouchers in our community that we issue, especially for the clients that shelter House serves
that aren't able to utilize that voucher because they cannot find a landlord who's willing to rent to
them. So this provides more flexibility, and-it also provides a home for those 36 individuals to go
and other landlords then would just take regular voucher. So it doesn't increase the number of
vouchers available,but it does provide some flexibility within the system and gets folks that
typically wouldn't be able to utilize their voucher because they can't find a landlord,they'd be
able to be housed.
Salih: And what about the people who now have voucher and cannot find housing?Can they also use this
housing or this is only for like-
Hightshoe: No,because they are associated with that property.
Salih: With that property. And this is going to be associated to the project or associated to the person who
live there?
Hightshoe: To the project.
Salih: That means if the person move out from the project,they no longer have the voucher. You want to
answer Crissy?Yeah.
Teague: Welcome.
Canganelli: Thank you. Good evening.My name is Crissy Canganelli. I'm Executive Director of Shelter
House. Um, so the project is,the request for project based vouchers is to assist households that
meet HUD's definition of chronic homelessness. Um,these are individuals that categorically must
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have a disability,most have multiple disabilities and meet requirements regarding the length and
episodes of homelessness.Um, are the past individuals that we've served. Many of experienced
unsheltered homelessness for decades on the streets of our community and are now retaining their
housing, some of them for over six years now well,five years now.Um,the Iowa City Housing
Authority Administrative plan has,um, a content in it,policies that protect,um,that voucher that
is assigned as a project based voucher to these projects.Um,when individuals,if they choose to
leave the project,it's called Moving On. It's a HUD practice called Moving On.Um, and there is
a caveat in the policy in the Iowa City Housing-Housing authority administrative plan that
protects and ensures that moving on capacity and protection for the tenants,if they choose to
move out into the community,they can take that voucher, and we will help them seek housing out
in the community.Um, it's very rare that people are moving on,most die because of their
complex health issues that they've experienced and developed over the years of living unsheltered
in our community.But we have had a couple of people who have chosen to move on.And
because they've established a good,uh,rental,um,experience and relationship with us,rental
history.Um,they've worked on issues. They're better supported and better equipped to then move
into the community and work with a private landlord to use that voucher. The housing authority
then is able to replace that project based voucher. I don't really understand the logistics of that
and reassign a project based voucher to the permanent supported housing unit in our project. Does
that answer the question?
Salih: Yes. And you're saying like,if somebody moved out, is still the voucher will remain,but the
housing authority will assign them also on as a voucher tomorrow?
Canganelli: They take that voucher with them.
Salih: But they replace the voucher for you because you have one unit without voucher.
Canganelli: Yeah. Right, and the subject of income as well.
Salih: Yeah.
Canganelli: These are individuals who have $0 in income.
Salih: And not only that. They are not have rental history, or they're going to have like a lot of barriers to
be rented even if they have voucher for somebody else.
Canganelli: That's right.
Salih: Am I correct?
Canganelli: Criminal history?No rental hisory.
Salih: Yes. Exactly.Yeah-yeah, I just want to understand it,but congratulation again.
Canganelli: Well,we don't have there.
Salih: I know but at least you've been nominated, so we-
Canganelli: Yes.
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Salih: Hopefully,you're going to get it and we get 36 more unit in down. Yeah.
Canganelli: Thank you,we would be really grateful for your support.
Salih: Yeah.
Moe: Know whether this is something that you guys can answer on the spot.But I am curious,how many
people in our community have that voucher,but can't find housing. I mean,is it in excess of the
36? I mean,at any time,do we have that many people who might have a voucher,but can't find a
renter?
Canganelli: It's a significant number.
Salih: Is-it is but-
Moe: It exceeds 36. Yeah.
Salih: Yeah.
Hightshoe: I think we have a 86%utilization rate. That means 14%.
Moe: Fourteen percent of them can't find somebody to take that voucher. Okay.
Hightshoe: We keep extending it so we allow a much time. We can confirm that number with Rachel.
Moe: Okay.
Hightshoe: It can be in the statistics that you guys have this.
Moe: Okay.
Canganelli: Also add that-well,there was a fire in an encampment about a year ago. And I think all 13
individuals that were impacted by that fire,uh,there were a number of them that had vouchers
and they none of them could use them. We'd done I think an average of over 15 rental
applications for each individual. All were individuals, and all were denied.Um, and the other
thing that on this subject,just to,um,book in this is that with the legislative change that happened
at the state level,people,um,who do have a voucher are now being faced with landlords saying,
uh,we'll accept the voucher,but first demonstrate to us that you have 300%in cash income that
your rent is going to cost. So if somebody's looking for a one bedroom apartment, and let's just
say it's$800,that landlord is saying to them that they have to demonstrate that they have $2,400 a
month in cash, and then they would allow them to use the voucher.
Salih: Yeah.
Canganelli: And that's the reality.
Salih: well what's the point of the voucher? Exactly,yeah. Okay.Yeah, it's difficult.
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Teague: Thanks. I do want to acknowledge that,um,the reason Chrissie can come up is because this is
their item and not wait for public comment. I just want to be consistent.
Moe: Sure.
Teague: And notify the public that is the reason why she can come up at this time.Any other questions
for staff or the shelter house?
Salih:No.
Teague: All right. We're going to move on to public discussion. If you're online,please raise your virtual
hand and anyone in the council chambers, seeing no one council discussion. I will say that we had
a proclamation today that is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week. What a way to
have this agenda-this on our agenda. So,yeah. Welcome please. [Roll Call]Motion passes 7-0.
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12. City Council Information
Teague: We are at item number 12,and this is an opportunity for council updates and information.
Harmsen: Just a reminder of course that tomorrow is election day. Uh, and we were talking about the
auditor's office in a different conversation earlier. So I just want to give a shout out to the
incredible work that they do there and the people that come in,the election poll watchers and
staffers. I mean,there's an incredible effort. And because of that,we have amazingly secure safe
and accurate elections and election results that we can be proud of.Um, and I'll give them an
extra shout out because as we know from national headlines,um, again,we have a fear of
violence at polling places, and yet we still have people that are stepping up and willing to do the
important,vital,absolutely necessary work of democracy. And I think everybody should honor
that by making sure they go and vote and get their voice heard. So.
Salih: I love our,like,drive through voting. Oh my gosh,that's amazing.
Harmsen: Yes. That won't be available tomorrow. Go to your polling place tomorrow.
Salih: Yes. Yeah.But in many states even today,they don't have them. So like,Friday or maybe the
weekend was the last time for early voting. But now here we going far beyond and doing it for
Monday too.
Alter: I have been looking,um,grantically for some updates,but I'm going to have to rely on my
memory. The better together 2030 had their board meeting, and,um,there's been some really
good progress on all of their pillars. United Way actually,um, specifically came out and they
have simplified and coordinated with different municipalities on their application. So we were
talking about that in relationship to HCDC and direct AD agencies,but it's a nice sort of
commitment from United Way that they are like,we want to make things as easy as possible so
that agencies who are doing the good work can focus on that rather than applying for things. Um,
and I know that their Excellence in Action awards is coming up,but I am not remembering the
date. Probably Geoff remembers it?
Fruin: No. I'm sorry.
Alter: It's coming up. So anyway, I think it's after the 19th, so maybe I can do a plug for it then. Yeah, so
anyway,but they continue to do amazing stuff and are incredibly active and supportive of doing
good stuff in a collaborative way.All right.
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13. Report on Items from City Staff
Teague: All right,we're going to move on to item number 13. Reports from our city staff,City manager's
office.
Fruin: Nothing tonight. Thank you.
Teague: City attorneys.
Goers: I would just echo Councilor Harmsen a shout out to the county auditor's office. I was getting
emails over the weekend. I mean,I could not have been asking the questions about filling
Councilor Dunn's vacancy at a worst time. .
Dunn: I'm so sorry.
Goers: I have been responsive. I've heard from the county attorney's Office,the assistant county attorney
who's tasked with handling election matters.He is also very busy this time of year, and so I really
appreciate their input.
Teague: Great-great. City clerk?
Grace: I have nothing.
14. Adjourn
Teague: Alright. Item number 14. Can I get a motion to adjourn?
Bergus: So moved.
Multiple Councilors: So moved.
Alter: Second.
Teague: Moved by Bergus and seconded by a lot of folks,but I'll give it to Alter. All in favor say aye.
[Voice vote]Aye. Any opposed,we are adjourned.
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