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MEMORANDUM
Date: January 27, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie Grace, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, January 21, 2025 — 4:00 p.m. at City Hall in Emma J Harvat Hall
Council: Alter, Bergus, Harmsen, Moe, Salih, Teague
Staff: Fruin, O'Brien, Lehmann, Goers, Grace, Knoche, Havel, Sovers, Seydell Johnson,
Lyon, Ogden, Hightshoe, Sitzman, Russett, Kubly
USG: Monsivais, Martinez
(A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.)
1. Clarification of Agenda Items
• [8.a]... Rezoning - ACT... It was noted that Councilor Alter would be recusing from the
item.
• [9.g]... Approval of the 2026-2030 Consolidated Plan... It was noted that Mayor Pro
Tem Salih would be recusing the item.
2. Information Packet Discussion (January 9. January 161
➢ January 9 — No discussion.
➢ January 16
1. (IP7 — Memo from City Clerk: Listening Post Update) Councilors discussed
availability to attend a listening post in February and May.
Action: The City Clerk's Office will work to establish listening posts in February
(Teague / Alter) and May (Moe, / Harmsen), staff and will coordinate promotion of the
events with Communications. Councilors were reminded of the USG Town Hall on
Tuesday, February 11th at 7pm at the IMU.
2. (IP3 — Memo from Assistant City Manager: Affordable Housing Funding and Housing
Demand) Councilor Alter noted the breakdown of funds in the memo and noted the
number of new dwelling units needed by 2030 and the need to increase housing.
Mayor Pro Tern Salih highlighted some of the funds available from the memo and
asked for a future discussion.
3. (IP9 — Johnson County Master Gardner: Downtown City Gardens — 2024 Report to
Iowa City) Councilor Alter noted the annual report and pointed out the section under
Partner Activities and asked if a cleanup of Ralston Creek could be a joint cleanup
effort with the City and Johnson County Master Gardner's or another entity.
January 21, 2025
Page 2
Individual Council members expressed their views. City Manager Fruin provided
additional information.
Action: Staff will pull together an overview of organized efforts to help remove debris
from our waterways.
4. (IP3 — Memo from Assistant City Manager: Affordable Housing Funding and Housing
Demand) Councilor Moe asked if further Council discussion was needed to give staff
direction. City Manager Fruin provided additional information and noted the memo
was under the FY26 Budget discussion item on the agenda and could be discussed
or if additional time was needed it could be placed on a future work session.
Individual Council members expressed their views.
5. (IP8 — Memo from Development Services, Associate Planner: Floodplain
Management Annual Progress Report) Councilor Bergus noted a recommendation at
the end of the memo and asked if Council input was needed. City Manager Fruin
stated it was just an FYI.
6. (IP6 — Memo from City Manager's Office: Housing Information) Mayor Pro Tern Salih
noted the counts regarding sheltered and unsheltered individuals in Johnson County
stating the numbers do not cover the individuals who are not reporting and there are
still many people who need help.
3. University of Iowa Student Government (USG) Updates.
Matthew Monsivais, USG Liaison and Ava Martinez, USG Alternate Liaison presented
updates.
4. Comprehensive Plan Update Kick-off Presentation
Senior Planner Russett introduced the Vice President of Confluence, Chris Shires. Shires
presented a PowerPoint on the following:
• Phase 1: Existing Conditions Assessment
• Phase 2: Public + Stakeholder Engagement
• Phase 3: Establish Vision + Goals and Key Rec's
• Phase 4: Draft Plan + Evaluation
• Phase 5: Final Plan + Adoption
• Detailed Calendar
• What's Next
- Near -Term
- Mid -Term
Individual Council members expressed their views.
5. FY26 Budget Discussion
City Manager Fruin noted that this was the time for Councilors to ask any questions
regarding the proposed budget which was presented on January 13th. Fruin noted the only
item that was prepared for discussion was the memo (IP3 — Memo from Assistant City
Manager: Affordable Housing Funding and Housing Demand) which was included in the
January 21, 2025
Page 3
January 1611 Information Packet and that there would be a standing budget discussion item
on the work session agendas.
City Manager Fruin reviewed the available funds for Affordable Housing Development listed
in the January 16th memo (IP3). Neighborhood & Development Director Hightshoe and City
Attorney Goers provided additional information. Individual Council members expressed their
views.
6. Council updates on assigned boards, commissions, and committees
Council members reported on various assigned boards, commissions, and committees.
Adjourn 5:19 p.m.