HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-6-25 Council EDC Agenda PacketCity Council Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
8:30 A.M.
Emma J. Harvat Hall
City Hall, 410 E. Washington
AGENDA
1. Call to order
2. Consider minutes of the April 23, 2025 Economic Development Committee
Meeting
3. Presentation of Think Iowa City’s New Strategic Plan – Josh Schamberger,
Think Iowa City
4. Arts Alliance Feasibility Study Update
5. Staff Updates
6. Old or New Business
7. 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.
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Council EDC, 4/23/25
Minutes
City Council Economic Development Committee
April 23, 2025
Emma J. Harvat Hall
City Council Economic Development Committee
Members Present: Josh Moe, Laura Bergus, Oliver Weilein
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Eric Goers, Rachel Kilburg Varley, Chris O’Brien, Geoff Fruin
Others Present: Cady Gerlach and Nancy Bird (Greater Iowa City)
Call to Order
Councilor Moe called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m.
Consider approval of minutes from the January 8, 2025 Economic Development
Committee meeting
Bergus moved, Weilein seconded a motion to approve amended minutes of the January 8,
2025 meeting. Motion passed (3-0).
Introduction to Iowa City Strategic Investment Districts Initiative – Greater Iowa City,
Inc.
Cady Gerlach and Nancy Bird of Greater Iowa City, Inc. presented on the Strategic
Investment District initiative targeting the Sycamore Mall area in Iowa City.
Bergus and Weilein shared comments. Moe asked if there were any other areas in the City
they considered. Gerlach shared they also considered Towncrest, Old Towne Village, and the
area around North Dodge HyVee, but focusing on improving trail linkages would be a higher
priority than identifying a second strategic investment district. Bergus asked if there is a
connection with the Comprehensive Plan update and Gerlach shared that a Greater Iowa City
Inc. staff member will be on that committee. Weilein asked about holding a good neighbor
meeting and Bird shared that they would plan to hold one even though it would not be
required. Moe asked what the next steps would be and Gerlach shared that they would kick
off the neighborhood meetings and charette process in May-June and aim to have a final
design books ready to share in Fall 2025. Gerlach reiterated that the final books will not
require Council approval since it is private-sector led.
Staff Updates
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Council EDC, 4/23/25
Kilburg Varley shared that the Targeted Small Business Grant Program is just wrapping up
with recipients submitting final reports. She also highlighted the upcoming Beyond Fashion
Festival, which the City provided sponsorship funds for.
Old or New Business
Moe welcomed Councilor Weilein to the committee.
Adjournment
Bergus moved, Weilein seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried (3-0).
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Council EDC, 4/23/25
Council Economic Development Committee
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2021-2025
NAME
TERM
EXP.
10/19/22 11/29/22 9/25/23 7/1/24 8/12/24 8/16/24 10/16/24 1/8/25 4/23/25
0BJosh
1BMazahir
2BLaura
3BOliver
4BAndrew
5BJohn
Thomas 01/02/24 X X X --- --- --- --- --- ---
6BMegan
Alter 01/02/24 X X X --- --- --- --- --- ---
7BSusan
Mims 01/02/22 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
--- = not a member
O/E = Absent/Excused