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Home My WebLink About4-23-25 Council EDC Agenda PacketCity Council Economic Development Committee Wednesday, April 23, 2025 8:30 A.M. Emma J. Harvat Hall City Hall, 410 E. Washington AGENDA 1. Call to order 2. Consider minutes of the January 8, 2025 Economic Development Committee Meeting 3. Introduction to Iowa City Strategic Investment District initiative – Greater Iowa City, Inc. 4. Staff Updates 5. Old or New Business 6. Adjournment If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please contact Rachel Kilburg Varley, Economic Development Coordinator, at 319-356-5248 or rkilburg@iowa- city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. DRAFT - p.1 Council EDC, 1/8/25 Minutes City Council Economic Development Committee January 8, 2025 Emma J. Harvat Hall City Council Economic Development Committee Members Present: Josh Moe, Laura Bergus, Mazahir Salih Members Absent: None Staff Present: Geoff Fruin, Eric Goers Others Present: Mackenzie DeRoo (Greater Iowa City) Call to Order Councilor Moe called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Consider approval of minutes from the October 16, 2024 Economic Development Committee meeting Salih moved, Bergus seconded a motion to approve amended minutes of the August 16, 2024 meeting. Motion passed (3-0). Review of 2024 Building Permit Statistics Fruin noted the agenda packet included the 2024 building statistics by month, a ten-year snapshot, and bar chart showing the data. Fruin began by reviewing the 2024 building permits, the value of which totaled $130 million; the lowest it has been since 2011 (excluding COVID-impacted year). One reason for the lower value is that 2024 did not have a major student housing or senior living multi-family housing project, whereas each year for about the decade prior had at least one or more such projects. Other notable highlights included: • 110 single-family permits, which is on par with the 10-year average of 114. • No significant difference in commercial permit numbers. • Non-taxable projects are included in the school and public works categories. Additionally, university and federal projects are not reflected in local permit numbers. • The first half of 2024 saw significantly less permits and permit value than the second half of the year, which signals development has picked up recently. Bergus expressed surprise over the number of new build commercial permits versus remodel projects. Moe asked about the split of taxable valuation between commercial/industrial and residential compared to neighboring communities. Fruin responded that residential holds the largest share and pointed out that the City’s largest employer – the University of Iowa – is not taxed, which is different from many communities. DRAFT - p.2 Council EDC, 1/8/25 Fruin also noted that, going forward, the City will be watching the data to track the mix in type of residential property permits, such as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Bergus suggested collecting back-data on ADUs to help compare with future trends. Staff Updates Fruin provided an update on the Targeted Small Business Growth & Development Program. The program paired technical assistance or business coaching alongside the one-time grant funding. The intent was to fund five applications, however due to the strong response, 10 were funded. Of the recipients: 40% were service-based, 10% retail, and 50% food-based and 40% self-identified as Black/African-American, 40% as Hispanic/Latino, and 80% as women. Bergus asked if there is any coordination between this grant program and the forthcoming Johnson County and Greater Iowa City Inc. small business grant program. Fruin shared that the City’s grant program kickstarted outreach, and Greater Iowa City’s program will help provide continuity while feedback learned through both grant programs will help each organization plan future opportunities. Moe asked about timing for the Greater Iowa City grant program. Mackenzie DeRoo spoke and shared that their grant program is being conducted in partnership with the Community Foundation of Johnson County and is being offered in three funding rounds (winter, spring/summer, and fall). The goal is that unsuccessful applicants in earlier funding rounds could be provided feedback to re-apply in future rounds. Mazahir asked about the requirement that applicants be impacted by COVID, and DeRoo clarified that if the business did not exist prior to or during the pandemic, underestimated business characteristics, such as minority- or women-owned, may also be used to qualify. Old or New Business Fruin noted that, absent a need to meet earlier, the next regularly scheduled EDC meeting would occur April 2, 2025 and invited members to share any topics they would be interested in prior to that meeting. Adjournment Salih moved, Bergus seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried (3-0). DRAFT - p.3 Council EDC, 1/8/25 Council Economic Development Committee ATTENDANCE RECORD 2021-2025 NAME TERM EXP. 10/27/21 10/19/22 11/29/22 9/25/23 7/1/24 8/12/24 8/16/24 10/16/24 1/8/25 0BJosh Moe 12/31/25 --- --- --- --- X X X X X 1BMazahir Salih 12/31/25 X --- --- --- --- --- --- --- X 2BLaura Bergus 12/31/25 --- X X X X X O/E O/E X 3BAndrew Dunn 12/31/25 --- --- --- --- X O/E X X --- 4BJohn Thomas 01/02/24 X X X X --- --- --- --- --- 5BMegan Alter 01/02/24 --- X X X --- --- --- --- --- 6BSusan Mims 01/02/22 X --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Key: X = Present O = Absent --- = not a member O/E = Absent/Excused