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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-08 Council minutesr -4 CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: July 15, 2025 To: Mayor and City Council From: Kellie Grace, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, July 8, 2025 — 4:00 p.m. at City Hall in Emma J Harvat Hall Council: Alter, Bergus, Moe, Salih, Teague, Weilein (via Zoom) Staff. Fruin, O'Brien, Goers, Grace, Caro, Knoche, Havel, Somers, Hightshoe, Kubly, Carter (A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.) 1. Clarification of Agenda Items • [10.c]... Human Rights Grant Allocations for Fiscal Year 2025... Mayor Pro Tem Salih noted she would be recusing herself from the item. 2. Information Packet Discussion [June 20, June 26, July 31 ➢ June 20 — No discussion. ➢ June 26 —No discussion. ➢ July 3 1. (IP7 — Memo from City Clerk: Joint entities Agenda Items for July 21) Mayor Teague requested items for the joint meeting agenda from Council members. Individual Council members expressed their views. City Manager Fruin provided information. Action: The City Clerk will submit the following for the July 21 Joint Entities meeting agenda, "Discussion on current crisis response programs and exploration of opportunities to further collaborate". Staff will work with Councilor Bergus to extend invitations for organizations to present at the meeting. 2. (IP6 — Memo from City Manager's Office: Housing Information) Mayor Pro Tem Salih asked for clarification on the drop in numbers on the wailing list. Housing Authority Administrator Carter provided information. Individual Council members asked questions. 3. (IP — 07.07.25 Late Additions — Memo from City Clerk: Listening Post Updates) Councilors discussed availability to attend a listening post in August and November. Action: The Clerk's Office will work with Councilors Weilein, Salih, Alter and Bergus to schedule listening posts in August and November. 3. University of Iowa Student Government (USG) Updates. No updates. July 8, 2025 Page 2 4. Recap of the State of Iowa legislative session Deputy City Manager Chris O'Brien and lobbyist Doug Stryke, Carney Appleby provided a comprehensive overview of the 2025 Iowa legislative session, highlighting key bills, budget challenges, and anticipated future actions. Key legislative Action Affecting Cities were as follows: • Civil Service Reform (Senate File 311) • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Ban • Open Meetings Law • Cancer Presumption Bill • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) • Franchise Fees, Trash Opt -Outs, PSAP Funding Individual Council members asked lobbyist Stryke questions. City Attorney Goers and City Manager Fruin provided additional information. 5. Local Option Sales Tax Discussion (Continued from June 171 The council resumed its discussion on the local option sales tax (IP 4), scheduled for the November 4th general election ballot. They reviewed outcomes from the June 17 meeting, including proposed fund allocations: • 50% for property tax relief (as required by law) • 25% for affordable housing • 10% for infrastructure and public facilities • 15% for community partnerships There is no sunset clause included. Two versions of draft ballot language were shared: • Attachment 1 —the Council's original draft • Attachment 2 —a more concise alternative proposed by staff for voter clarity, without changing the scope of the measure Staff emphasized that either version is acceptable from a policy standpoint and left the decision to the Council, stressing the importance of choosing what best serves the city's long-term interests. Councilors had additional discussion regarding the sunset clause and the draft ballot language. Individual Council members asked questions and expressed their views. City Manager Fruin provided additional information. Action: Staff will work on a final LOST resolution to be presented on the August 5'h agenda. The Council left the previously agreed upon language and percentage allocations unchanged (minus one noted typo) and affirmed that no sunset of the tax will be proposed. Staff will begin to work on developing educational materials for the public and draft correspondence to the City Council outlining the education and advocacy limitations in State Code. 6. Council updates on assianed boards, commissions, and committees Council members reported on various assigned boards, commissions, and committees. Adjourn 5:40 p.m.