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Home My WebLink About2025-08-28 Info Packet4 CITY OF IOWA CITY City Council Information Packet August 28, 2025 Council Tentative Meeting Schedule IP1. City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule September 2 Work Session IP2. Work Session Agenda IP3. Pending City Council Work Session Topics Miscellaneous IP4. Letter from Councilor Moe: Iowa River Master Plan IP5. Memo from City Manager's Office: Housing Information IP6. Memo from City Clerk: Proposed Council Meeting Schedule, January - December 2026 IP7. Memo from Grants Specialist: American Rescue Plan Act Update Draft Minutes IP8. Human Rights Commission: August 26 August 28, 2025 City of Iowa City Item Number: IP1. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT August 28, 2025 City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule Attachments: City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule r City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule Subject to change CITY OF IOWA CITY August 28, 2025 Date Time Meeting Location Tuesday, September 2, 2025 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E. Washington Street Tuesday, September 16, 2025 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E. Washington Street Tuesday, October 7, 2025 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E. Washington Street Monday, October 20, 2025 4:30 PM Joint Entities Meeting City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall 410 E. Washington Street Tuesday, October 21, 2025 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E. Washington Street Monday, November 3, 2025 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E. Washington Street Tuesday, November 18, 2025 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E. Washington Street Tuesday, December 9, 2025 4:00 PM Work Session City Hall, Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:00 PM Formal Meeting 410 E. Washington Street Item Number: IP2. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT August 28, 2025 Work Session Agenda Attachments: September 2 Work Session Agenda Subject to change as finalized by the City Clerk. For a final official copy, contact the City Clerk's Office 356-5041 If you will need disability -related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please contact Kellie Grace at 319-356-5041, kgrace@iowa- city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. Iowa City City Council - Work Session 1 Agenda Work Session"°'�� September 2, 2025 - 4:00 PM CITY OF IOWA CITY Emma J. Harvat Hall 410 E. Washington Street www.icgov.org City of Iowa City Land Acknowledgment can be found at: icgov.org/landacknowledgement Meeting Rules can be found at: icgov.org/meetingrules You can watch the meeting on cable channel 4 (118.2 QAM) in Iowa City, University Heights and Coralville, or you can watch it online at any of the following websites: • https://citychanne]4.com/live • hftps://www.youtube.com/user/citychannel4/live • https://facebook.com/CityoflowaCity 1. Clarification of Agenda Items 2. Information Packet Discussion [August 21, August 28] Council direction needed on the following items: 1. [IP6] Memo from City Clerk: Proposed Council Meeting Schedule, January — December 2026 3. University of Iowa Student Government (USG) Updates 4, Informational Presentation from Resource Management Superintendent Jennifer Jordan 5. Council updates on assigned boards, commissions, and committees Item Number: IP3. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT August 28, 2025 Pending City Council Work Session Topics Attachments: Pending City Council Work Session Topics � r in Zak CITY OF IOWA CITY UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE PENDING CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION TOPICS August 28, 2025 Currently Scheduled September 16: City Conference Board Update on the City's Study of Repositioning Public Housing Units Strategic Plan Action Item: Presentation on Bollards and Bike Lanes FY23-26 Strategic Plan Action Item Topics Requiring Council Discussion: • Explore legal steps to discourage or prevent bad faith and predatory property investors • Develop a vision statement for a singular regional transit system with metro Johnson County entities and obtain initial commitments to study a regional system from each entity's elected officials • Expand neighborhood -based programs such as mobile community social/recreation resources (fun patrol), nests or micro -hubs for kids/teens. • Develop and maintain cost recovery guidelines for programs and services that balance fiscal responsibility and equity. Other Topics: • Discussion of board and commission appointment process • License plate reader technology discussion • Historic preservation incentive discussion ■ University of Iowa update • Sidewalk connection to Happy Hollow Park ■ Low Income Utility Discount Program (IP2 from 4.24.25) • Follow-up on post CPRB outreach plans Note: Some items on the Pending List may require staff research and information gathering prior to scheduling. Item Number: IP4. a CITY OF IOWA CITY "QF T-4 COUNCIL ACTION REPORT August 28, 2025 Letter from Councilor Moe: Iowa River Master Plan Attachments: Letter from Councilor Moe - Iowa River Master Plan josh Moe Iowa City Council, At -Large e: jmoe@iowa-city.or August 24, 2025 Subject: Iowa River Master Plan Fellow Councilors: As outlined in our Strategic Plan, we have committed to "Strengthen the Iowa River's role as a signature community amenity and tourism generator." To do that, we will "Develop a riverfront master plan in cooperation with the University of Iowa, Think Iowa City, and other Stakeholders. (3.7)" This is a priority I am especially passionate about, as I believe the river has tremendous potential to serve as a catalyst for community pride, economic development, and placemaking. On Friday, August 22, 1 met with Nick Pfeiffer of Think Iowa City and Brent Smith of the North Liberty City Council to discuss initial steps toward developing the riverfront master plan. Given the broad coalition of stakeholders involved, it is currently anticipated that Think Iowa City will coordinate this effort. In the coming weeks, Think Iowa City will be assembling stakeholders and outlining a scope and timeline for the project, ultimately leading to hiring a consultant to develop an actionable master plan. While the expertise of our professional city staff will be essential to the plan's success, I would like to serve as the City Council's representative in this process. If other Council members are interested in joining, I would gladly welcome additional participation. I also respectfully request that this Strategic Plan item be added to the list of pending work session topics, and that Council receive a formal update once the project scope is finalized. Respectfully, 1114w%, 4-a.-s 1W Josh Moe Item Number: IP5. a CITY OF IOWA CITY "QR T-4 COUNCIL ACTION REPORT August 28, 2025 Memo from City Manager's Office: Housing Information Attachments: Memo from City Manager's Office - Housing Information Memo from City Manager's Office - Iowa City Housing Authority Waiting List Update Ir , 61 CITY OF IOWA CITY T-4 M E M 0 R A N D U M Date: August 26, 2025 To: Mayor and City Council From: City Manager's Office Re: Housing Information At your October 15, 2024 work session you asked staff to provide you housing related information on a recurring basis prior to each City Council meeting. Staff intends to add to this memo with each Information Packet that is publicly released prior to formal City Council meetings. We welcome feedback on the type of information that you believe will be most informative and useful in your roles as City Councilors. Date Topic I Source October HUD Point -in -Time Count: This is a required count 31, 2024 conducted across the country of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. In 2023, the count revealed 160 sheltered and 18 unsheltered individuals in Johnson County. In 2024, the count revealed 159 sheltered and 22 unsheltered individuals in Johnson County. November j Housing Choice Voucher Utilization Rate: The 14, 2024 1 utilization rate refers to the number of housing choice vouchers that are under lease as a percentage of total vouchers available. As of July 2024, the national utilization rate is 86.23%. The State of Iowa utilization rate is 82.74%. The Iowa City Housing Authority utilization rate of 92.85% exceeds both the national and state figures. December ICAAR Market Trends: ICAAR collects data about home 5, 2024 sales monthly. In Oct. 2024, the median sales price was $376,250 for single-family (up 29.9% from Oct. 2023) and Institute for Community Alliances (ICA) https://icalliances.org/pit HUD Housing Choice Voucher Data Dashboard httr)s://www.hud.00v/r)ro gram offices/public indi an housing/programs/h cv/dashboard Iowa City Area Association of Realtors (ICAAR): August 26, 2025 Page 2 was $274,000 for a condominium (up 8.5%). However, the median sales price per square foot only increased 8.3%, which suggests some of the increase is due to the size of homes. In addition, the active inventory has increased 37.7%, which can help slow inflationary pressures. January 2, 2-Bedroom Housing Wage: The National Low Income 2025 Housing Coalition computes housing wages across the country (the hourly wage rate needed to afford housing in the selected geographic region). In Iowa, the 2-bedroom housing wage across the state is $18.86. For the Iowa City metropolitan area, the 2-bedroom housing wage is $20.81. https://icaar.org/market- trends/ National Low Income Housing Coalition Out of Reach Report. https://nlihc.org/oor/stat e/ia January Cost Burden: A household is considered housing cost 12023 5-Year American 21, 2025 burdened if it spends more than 30% of its income on Community Survey housing expenses, including rent, mortgage payments, Data by the U.S. and utilities. In 2023, 59.3% of renters and 18.0% of Census Bureau owners were housing cost burdened. Households with https://data.census.gov/ table/ACSDT5Y2023.B2 lower incomes are more likely to experience cost burden: 5106?g=iowa%20city% 91 % of households making less than $35,000 are cost 20cost%20burden%20b burdened. y%20tenure&t=Owner/ Renter°/%20(Tenure) February Cost of Home Construction: The NAHB regularly Cost of Constructing a 4, 2025 conducts a national, non -statistically valid survey of Home-2024 by the builders about the cost breakdowns for a new single-family National Association of home. In 2024, the average finished area of a new home Home Builders (NAHB) was 2,647 square feet, and the average total sales price https://www.nahb.org/- was $665,298. Construction costs accounted for /media/NAHB/news- and - approximately 64.4% of the sales price. Meanwhile, the finished lot cost was 13.7% of the sales price, while other economics/does/housin g-economics- overhead costs — including financing, general expenses, marketing, and sales commissions — made up another plus/special- studles/2025/5 ecial- August 26, 2025 Page 3 11.0%. This left an average of 11.0% which constituted study -cost -of - profit. constructing-a-home- 2024-ian uary-2025. pdf February HUD Point -in -Time Count: This is a required count Institute for Community 13, 2025 conducted across the country of sheltered and unsheltered Alliances (ICA) - 2025 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in not yet available. January. In 2023, the count revealed 160 sheltered and 18 https://icalliances.o[g/pit unsheltered individuals in Johnson County. In 2024, the count revealed 159 sheltered and 22 unsheltered individuals in Johnson County. The 2025 count of sheltered individuals is being gathered for submission to HUD. Unofficially, the 2025 count revealed 38 unsheltered individuals in Johnson County. ICAAR Days on Market Trends: ICAAR collects data Iowa City Area March 6, 2025 about how long homes are listed for sale on the market. In Association of Realtors Feb. 2025, the median Days on Market (DOM) in Iowa City (ICAAR): was 36 for single-family (up 38.5% from Feb. 2024) and https://icaar.org/market- trends/ was 28 for condominiums (up 24.4%). While DOM increased this past year, these numbers still suggest many homes are selling relatively quickly, and there is a strong demand for housing compared to supply. May 1, Utility Expenses: The cost of utilities is an important 2023 Iowa Water and 2025 component of monthly housing expenditures. The Iowa Wastewater Rates Finance Authority (IFA) recently funded a dashboard that Dashboard, allows public utility providers in Iowa to compare water and Environmental Finance sewer rates from FY23. For a residential customer using Center at the University 5,000 gallons of water and sewer service, Iowa City of North Carolina at monthly rate is $60.73 which is in the lowest 20% of bills Chapel Hill (UNC EFC): charged (the median in Iowa is $85.60). When a residential https://dashboards.efc.s customer only uses 4,000 gallons of water and sewer og.unc.edu/ia service, Iowa City's rate drops to the lowest 10% of bills charged at $50.30 (compared to the Iowa median of August 26, 2025 Page 4 $74.32). While Iowa City's rates have increased since FY23, this highlights the comparative affordability of Iowa City's water and sewer service. May 15, ICAAR Inventory and Sales Trends: ICAAR collects data Iowa City Area 2025 on several housing market variables by city. The April 2025 , Association of Realtors May 29, 2025 data shows that active inventory of homes for Iowa City is up 54.5% compared to April 2024 while closed sales are down 20% for that same period. This data suggests fewer buyers may be participating in the market. Household Size: Household size affects housing needs within a community. For example, larger households may require homes with more bedrooms and living space, whereas smaller households, such as singles or couples without children, can drive demand for smaller units. In 2023, 37% of Iowa City households consisted of 1 person, 35% consisted of 2 persons, 14% consisted of 3 persons, and 13% consisted of 4 persons. However, there is a reciprocal relationship: smaller units may attract smaller households rather than small households driving the demand for smaller units. (ICAAR): https://icaar.org/market- trends/ 2023 5-Year American Community Survey Data by the U.S. Census Bureau https.,//data.census.gov/ table/ACSST5Y2023.S2 501 ?q=iowa+city,+ia June 12, Fair Market Rents (FMR): Every year, the U.S. FY 2025 Fair Market 2025 Department of Housing & Urban Development publishes Rent for Iowa City, IA FMRs which estimate reasonable rental prices for housing httl2s://www.huduser.go in specific geographic areas. It is considered a benchmark v/portal/datasets/fmr/fmr for rent affordability and is used by many affordable housing s/FY2025 code/2025su programs to establish maximum rents. Effective June 1, mmary.odn 2025, the monthly FMR is $921 for a 1-bedroom unit, $1,105 for a 2-bedroom unit, and $1,548 for a 3-bedroom unit in Iowa City. Compared to 2024, FMR increased 4.2% for efficiency units, 2.1 % for 1- and 2-bedroom units, 1.5% for 3-bedroom units, and 1.1 % for larger units. August 26, 2025 Page 5 July 3, 2025 July 31, 2025 August 14, 2025 Price -to -Income Ratio: Every year, Harvard University Joint Center for Housing publishes a State of the Nation's Housing report. One Studies of Harvard metric it uses to quantify affordability is the Price -to -Income University, Ratio which compares the median sales price of existing https://www.Ochs.harvar d.edu/son-2025-price- single family homes to the median household income within to -income -map each housing market. A ratio of 3.0 (i.e. the median home sales price is 3 times the median income) is traditionally considered affordable. Higher ratios are considered less affordable. In 2024, the ratio for the Iowa City metro was 4.25, which is the second year in a row above 4.0. Since 1980, Iowa City has been primarily in the 3.0 to 3.9 range. Income Limits: Each year, the U.S. Department of FY2025 Adjusted Housing and Urban Development publishes income limits HOME Income Limits for federally assisted housing based on the Area Median for Iowa, Income (AMI) for each metropolitan area. Households https://www.huduser.go v/portal/datasets/home- earning less than 80% AMI are classified as low income, datasets/files/HOME In while those earning below 60% AMI are often prioritized for comeLmts State IA 20 federally assisted rental housing. As of June 1, 2025, a 4- 25.0df person household in Iowa City is considered low income if their annual income is below $94,550 (80% AMI). The 60% AMI threshold is $70,920 for a 4-person household. These limits represent a 3.1 % increase from 2024. Resident Mobility: Resident mobility shapes housing markets by influencing demand, turnover, and neighborhood stability. Younger adults, including university students and early -career professionals, move more frequently, while older adults tend to pursue more stable housing. In Iowa City, only 45% of adult Gen Z'ers (aged 18-29) lived in the same house the year before, compared to 79% of Millennials (aged 30-44), 89% of Gen X'ers (aged 45-59) and 93% of older generations (aged 60+). 2023 5-Year American Community Survey Data by the U.S. Census Bureau https:Hdata.census.gov/ table/ACSDT5Y2023. BO 7001 ?g=iowa+city+pop ulation&t=Residential+ Mobility August 26, 2025 Page 6 August 28, 2025 Housing & Shelter Services. The United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties recently published a Community Needs Assessment, which includes an impact goal for everyone to have safe, stable housing that they can afford. One metric they tracked was the number of people seeking formal housing services or shelter. Their data indicates 2,194 people in Johnson County sought services in 2023. Approximately 26% were children under 18, 9% were youth aged 18-24, 50% were adults aged 25-54, and 15% were adults aged 55+. Note that many individuals facing housing instability utilize informal housing methods, so this data does not reflect the full needs present in the County. Stronger Together Community Needs Assessment, United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties, https://www.uriitedwayj wc. orglsi teslu n i ted way i wclfileslcna2425-ful I .pdf r �_M G1 CITY OF IOWA CITY Q 74", MEM-ORANDUM Date: August 26, 2025 To: Mayor and City Council From: City Manager's Office Re: Iowa City Housing Authority Waiting List Update Data on the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing (PH) waitlists is provided monthly by the Iowa City Housing Authority (ICHA). ICHA prioritizes applicants using criteria reviewed and approved by City Council, with the top preference category consisting of households that live and/or work in ICHA's jurisdiction (Johnson and Iowa Counties, and Washington County north of Highway 92) and are elderly, disabled or have minor children. Waitlists are regularly updated consistent with best practice to ensure applicants remain eligible, are interested in staying on the waitlist, and are accurately classified in the appropriate preference category. The most recent waitlist update was implemented May 2025. Table 1: ICHA Waiting Lists and Homeless Counts Month HCV Waiting List PH Waiting List Homeless (# in Top Preference Category) (# in Top Preference Category) Count* Dec `24 10,091 1,205 1,627 (570) 1,614 (573) -- 452 of the 1,614, or 28%, have an Iowa City address -- Jan `25 10,087 1,204 _ 10,035 (1,157) -- 1,688 of the 10,305, or 16.8%. have an Iowa City address -- Feb `25 March `25 9,956 1,095 1,599 561 -April `25 8,913 1,095 1,573 551 Ma `25 2,349 1,115 1,557 541 June `25 2,459 1,117 1,552 535 Jul `25 2,481 1,119 1,548 533 Aug `25 2,492 (1,121) 1,548 (535) uata source ror morimly tracking IS still being Investigated. Item Number: IP6. a CITY OF IOWA CITY "QR T-4 COUNCIL ACTION REPORT August 28, 2025 Memo from City Clerk: Proposed Council Meeting Schedule, January - December 2026 Attachments: Memo from City Clerk - Proposed Council Meeting Schedule, January - December 2026 r �. p CITY OF I O W A CITY M E M 0 RA N D U M DATE: August 26, 2025 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Kellie Grace, City Clerk RE: Proposed Council Meeting Schedule, January — December 2026 Below is a proposed meeting schedule (January through December) for discussion at your work session on September 2. Please check your calendars and let me know if you'd like to make any changes in the proposal. Tuesday, January 6, Special Formal (Organizational Meeting), 8:00 AM Tuesday, January 6, Work Session, 4:00 PM January 6, Formal 6:00 PM To Be Determined: Budget Work Session 8:00 AM one of the following dates Monday, January 26 Saturday, January 31 Monday, February 2 Tuesday, January 20, Work Session, 4:00 PM January 20, Formal 6:00 PM Wednesday, January 21, Budget Work Session (CIP), 2:00 PM Tuesday, February 3, Work Session, 4:00 PM February 3, Formal, 6:00 PM Tuesday, February 17, Work Session, 4:00 PM February 17, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, March 10, Work Session, 4:00 PM March 10, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, April 7, Work Session, 4:00 PM April 7, Formal, 6:00 PM Tuesday, April 21, Work Session, 4:00 PM April 21, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, May 5, Work Session, 4:00 PM May 5, Formal, 6:00 PM Tuesday, May 19, Work Session, 4:00 PM May 19, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, June 2, Work Session, 4:00 PM June 2, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, June 16, Work Session, 4:00 PM June 16, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, July 14, Work Session, 4:00 PM July 14, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, August 4, Work Session, 4:00 PM August 4, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, August 18, Work Session, 4:00 PM August 18, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, September 1, Work Session, 4:00 PM September 1, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, September 15, Work Session, 4:00 PM September 15, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, October 6, Work Session, 4:00 PM October 6, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, October 20, Work Session, 4:00 PM October 20, Formal 6:00 PM Monday, November 3, Work Session, 4:00 PM November 3, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, November 17, Work Session, 4:00 PM November 17, Formal 6:00 PM Tuesday, December 8, Work Session, 4:00 PM December 8, Formal 6:00 PM S:clk[TENTATIVESCHEDULE/SCHEDULE PROPOSED 2026 (JAN-DEC.).doc Item Number: IP7. a CITY OF IOWA CITY "QF T-4 COUNCIL ACTION REPORT August 28, 2025 Memo from Grants Specialist: American Rescue Plan Act Update Attachments: Memo from Grants Specialist - American Rescue Plan Act Update.pdf ► r 1 +a �oww C�ch CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: August 4, 2025 To: City Council From: Sam Turnbull, Grants Specialist Re: American Rescue Plan Act Update The U.S. Treasury has allocated $18.3 million to the City of Iowa City in local fiscal recovery funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The City has spent or encumbered that entire allocation to date. At the Sept. 7, 2021 Work Session, City Council signaled their support for the following expenditure priorities, categorized by emergent needs and strategic investments: Program 2021 Est. Range Funded Expended Status Emergent Needs: Direct Payments to Eligible Adults $1 - $1.5M $1,184,071.19 $1,184,071.19 Complete Eviction Prevention $1 - $2M $1,137,710.00 $738.474.16 In Progress Housing Repair / Relocation $500k - $1.5M $1,071,500.00 $1,071,500.00 Complete Emergency Non -Profit Assistance $500k - $1 M $485,000.00 $485.000.00 Complete Strategic Investments: BIPOC Business Support Framework / $4 - $6M $3,980,000 $3,280,312.40 In Progress Infrastructure Social Service Needs Assessment, Capital Planning & Seed $3 - $6M $3,000,000 $2,622,665.05 In Progress Funding Affordable Housing Initiatives $2.5 - $6M $1,713,909.37 $1,713,909.37 Complete Mental Health Services $1.5 - $3M $939,082.00 $939,082.00 Complete Workforce Development $1.5 - $3M $1,250,000 $819,140.23 In Progress Climate Resiliency and No Longer Hazard Assessment $500k - $3M Planned Planning August 28, 2025 Page 2 Tourism Recovery: $250,000 Small Business, SSMID: Arts, Culture, and Tourism $1 - $2M $500,000 $259,345.69 In Progress Investments Skate Park: $500,000 (committed) Utility Accounts: $676,146.49 Lead Reduction: Complete Government $500,000 $2,313,917.44 Services and City $1 - $3M Revenue Retention Replacement Incentive: $1,135,455.50 Actual Admin *$236,050.01 *Admin reported Cost: as incurred Total 2021 Estimated Funding $18 - $38 million Range: City's ARPA Allocation: $18,325,190.00 ARPA Funds Encumbered $18,325,190.00 includes committed : Total Unencumbered ARPA $0 Funds): Program Status Update: Emergent Priorities Direct Payments to Eligible Adults Status: Amount Funded: $1,184,071 The Johnson County Direct Assistance Program received 2,238 eligible applications from throughout Johnson County. Johnson County funded the first 1,428 applicants and the City of Iowa City funded 791 applicants (472 residing in Iowa City and 319 residing outside Iowa City). Eviction Prevention Status: �__- -----s Amount Funded: $1,137,710 Amount Expended: $738,474.16 The pandemic created and exacerbated housing instability for many populations. Shelter House developed the Housing Stability Pilot program for ARPA-funded community eviction prevention that will extend and enhance previously allocated federal, state, and local dollars. Shelter House entered an agreement on January 10, 2023. August 28, 2025 Page 3 Housing Stability and Eviction Prevention services are fully staffed. Throughout the ARPA- funded timeframe coordinated entry has responded to 4,308 calls and 464 online portal submissions. All 69 Emergency Housing Vouchers were leased up by the 9/30/2023 deadline and in total 100 individuals have been served by EHV. Twenty-three RentWise courses have been hosted with 200 attendees. Shelter House has staffed the courthouse helpdesks and made contact with 221 unique landlords to aid in the prevention of eviction. To date Shelter House held four expungement clinics with 85 Iowa City residents served and 166 expungements issued. Overall, 975 unique individuals (416 households) have been served with homeless prevention services. Currently 24 households are enrolled in the landlord risk mitigation program. Forest View Relocation Status: Complete Amount Funded: $1,071,500 As of February 1, 2023, all residents vacated by the deadline and were eligible for relocation assistance. In total, 80 Forest View residents received the full relocation amount of $15,750. The Center for Worker Justice worked directly with residents to assist them in obtaining affordable housing opportunities. Emergency Non -Profit Assistance Status: Complete Amount Funded: $485,000 Nonprofit Operating Assistance: Applications for operating assistance were reviewed and $400,000 in funding recommendations were approved by City Council at the October 18, 2022 meeting. Twelve non-profit agencies were awarded funding. All projects have expended all their funds. Wage Theft: In coordination with commitments from Johnson County, Coralville, and North Liberty, Iowa City allocated $85,000 over five years to the Center for Worker Justice for an expanded campaign to confront wage theft, promote worker rights, and hire a full-time Wage Theft Organizer. The CWJ Wage Theft program has expended all funds, assisted 103 workers and recovered $95,696.42 in lost wages between May 2022 and April 2025. Center for Worker Justice closed permanently on July 9, 2025. All City funds were expended prior to closure. Program Status Update: Strategic Investments BIPOC Business Support Framework & Infrastructure Status: In Progress Amount Funded: $3,980,000 Amount Expended: $3,280,312.40 In an effort to advance the recommendations in the Inclusive Economic Development Plan, the City launched an APRA-funded inclusive economic development program for underestimated August 28, 2025 Page 4 businesses and entrepreneurs located in Iowa City. On March 19, 2024 City Council approved subrecipient agreements with Dream Center ($2.9 million- $100,000 was previously awarded for technical assistance), Multicultural Development Center of Iowa ($600,000), and Wright House of Fashion ($100,000). On April 16, 2024 City Council approved subrecipient agreements with Dotlizhi LLC ($100,000), Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County ($80,000), and Tailored Tax and Accounting LLC ($100,000). To date, Dream Center has completed the renovation of their entrepreneurial hub at 611 Southgate Avenue. A total of 109 entrepreneurs are involved with Dream Center's services and they have hosted 32 workshops to date. Workshop topics have included: scaling up strategies, pitch perfect, formalizing your business, funding your business and budgeting and financial management. The Fade Factory, made up of four independent barbers, is utilizing the micro retail space. Five entrepreneurs are renting space in the coworking area. In addition, Kirkwood Community College recently leased classroom space to be utilized four days per week for three 10-week sessions. Wright House of Fashion has held mentoring sessions with 19 entrepreneurs, marketing strategy sessions with 25 entrepreneurs and had 49 students enrolled in the graphic design program. Multicultural Development Center has held 4 business accelerator cohorts, provided business coaching to 86 businesses and 18 businesses have received Technical Assistance grants. Dotlizhi LLC has distributed four grants to small businesses and has held 8 entrepreneurial workshops and 3 cultural outreach activities. Tailored Tax and Accounting has provided no cost financial services to 27 small businesses, held two business financial planning classes and three financial literacy workshops. Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County has held 1 financial literacy workshop with youth and one black and brown business networking event (Black in Business Swap & Shop). They have a Money Moves financial literacy workshop currently underway. Social Services Capital Funding Program Status: In Progress Amount Funded — Free Medical Clinic: $1 million Amount Expended: $622,665.05 Amount Funded -Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County: $2 million Amount Expended: $2 million With Council direction, staff developed a Non -Profit Capacity Building Capital Grant Program and released a Request for Statements of Interest in December 2022. Eight nonprofit agencies submitted a Statement of Interest for consideration under the program. The review committee held informational interviews with a set of applicants in February 2023 and developed preliminary funding recommendations, which were approved at the March 21, 2023 City Council meeting. Next Steps: Two nonprofits, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County and Iowa City Free Medical Clinic, were approved for funding. At Council's December 12, 2023 meeting, they approved an agreement with Iowa City Free Medical Clinic for $1,000,000 to renovate their facility. The planned renovations will increase the number of exam rooms available to an increased August 28, 2025 Page 5 number of volunteer practitioners, increase medical storage (including refrigerated medication), create a dental laboratory, create administrative offices, a multi -purpose room, and acquire related medical equipment to serve a growing number of uninsured and underinsured individuals seeking care. The project is expected to be complete by mid -August and to date $622,665.05 has been expended. At Council's May 7, 2024 meeting, they approved an agreement with Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County for $2,000,000 to acquire two buildings in the Towncrest neighborhood for a Family Resource Center and an Early Childhood Center. Neighborhood Centers purchased the Early Childhood Center and Family Resource Center buildings on August 1st. A groundbreaking was held at the Early Childhood Center on September 21, 2024. Construction is underway on the Early Childhood Center with completion expected in January 2026. To date $2,000,000 has been expended. The Early Childhood Center will have five licensed classrooms, for at least 50 early childcare slots, a library, computer lab, a multi -purpose space with a kitchen, and a large after -school classroom. Services at the Family Resource Center are now underway. The Family Resource Center is serving as the hub of a partnership with Johnson County focused on the Community Violence Intervention Program. Affordable Housing Initiatives Status: Complete Amount Funded: $1,713,909.37 On June 18, 2024 City Council approved a purchase agreement for three 3-bedroom townhomes on Herbert Hoover Highway. The townhomes will be managed by the Iowa City Housing Authority and will be rented at 80% of fair market rent. The units have now been fully leased. On October 9, 2024 the City closed on vacant properties located at 1002 & 1006 N Summit St, where future development will allow the construction of up to 36 units of affordable housing. Environmental Assessment was approved by HUD. PRO Housing funds, in conjunction with other, to be determined funds, will be utilized to construct this affordable housing development. Next Steps: Staff are working with a consultant on the beginning stages of planning the development project. Mental Health Services Status:.."omplete Amount Funded: $939,082 City Council approved a subrecipient agreement with CommUnity at the February 15, 2022 meeting to expand Mobile Crisis Outreach in response to the exacerbated mental health impacts of the pandemic. The project is now fully spent down. Three Mobile Crisis Response counselors work full time providing emergency response. The fleet of eight Mobile Crisis Response vehicles has allowed the program to maintain an average response time of 23 minutes within Iowa City responding to a total of 6,123 calls since February 2022. Over the course of the grant funding the program has achieved a 94.71 % hospital and jail diversion rate. August 28, 2025 Page 6 Workforce Development Status: in Progress Amount Funded - Childcare Navigator (4Cs): $100,000 Amount Expended: $ 85,404.59 Amount Funded - Pre -Apprenticeship Program (UI Labor Center): $400,000 Amount Expended: $233,735.64 Amount Funded - Childcare Workforce Development: $750,000 Amount Expended: $500,000.00 Workforce Development: An agreement with the UI Labor Center for a pre -apprenticeship program targeting underserved populations in the building and construction trades was approved by Council on December 6t", 2022. The FY25 cohort completed the program with a graduation on March 13, 2025. 29 residents were enrolled in the FY25 cohort and 86% of those enrollees graduated. The FY26 cohort is tentatively scheduled to be held February 5- March 12, 2026. To date 67 Iowa City enrollees have completed the program and 34% are employed in the construction trades or apprenticeship programs within one year of graduating. Childcare Workforce Development: In June 2022, 4Cs and the Iowa City Area Business Partnership presented an update on regional childcare efforts and needs to City Council and recommended Council consider funding a childcare navigator position. 4Cs was awarded $100,000 in ARPA funds for the navigator position. 4C's added a consultant focused on recruitment and navigation of the childcare workforce. To date the consultant has worked with 44 Iowa City individuals interested in starting in -home childcare programs, 24 Iowa City starting strong providers (child development homes serving a high percentage of children on Childcare Assistance) and 1 registered apprentice. Childcare Wage Enhancement Program: Johnson County, Better Together 2030, and other community partners presented a proposed Childcare Wage Supplement Program at the March 7, 2023 City Council Work Session. Council approved the agreement at their June 6, 2023 meeting, providing $750,000 over three years to support the Wage Enhancement Program. To date, the County has authorized payment of $410,503.50 in wage enhancements to six childcare centers in Iowa City. In August 2024 the agreement was amended to include $25,000 per year (of the original allocation) to assist in funding an Employer Engagement Program Manager. The Employer Engagement Program Manager, housed at Greater Iowa City, is working on ensuring ongoing funding for the program via employer contributions. Johnson County contracted with the National Center for Family Centered Practice for evaluation of the Wage Enhancement Program. In March 2025 the first report from that evaluation was released. Data collection is ongoing, but the preliminary data shows staff of centers receiving Wage Enhancement had higher average wages, lower rates of absenteeism, more positive mental health ratings, stronger financial security and lower rates of material hardship. Data collection for the second survey of the Wage Enhancement Program participants and a control group is currently underway. August 28, 2025 Page 7 Climate Resilience and Hazard Assessment Planning Status: No Longer Planned Staff will continue to utilize Emergency Levy fund balance and General Fund dollars to meet our Climate Action goals. Supplemental ARPA expenditures are no longer planned. Next Steps: None. Small Business, Arts & Culture, and Tourism Investments Status: In Prr,---- Amount Funded: $750,000 Amount Expended: $259,345.69 At the June 6, 2022 City Council meeting, Council approved an agreement with Think Iowa City to replace $125,000 in lost hotel/motel tax revenue due to COVID-19 and to develop and administer a $125,000 tourism and visitor recovery grant program to spur tourism and economic activity in the Iowa City area. Of the $125,000 available through the grant program, Think Iowa City has awarded ten projects to date: • $7,500 to the Iowa Golden Gloves to host the 2023 Iowa Golden Gloves Championships boxing tournament in Iowa City, organized by the ICOR Boxing Club. • $15,000 to the Refocus Film Festival hosted by FilmScene in Iowa City in 2022 and 2023. • $30,000 to the Iowa City Downtown District to host the Winter Night Lights light display and winter programming in downtown Iowa City for 2023. • $5,000 to EntreFEST to host a two-day entrepreneurship and innovation conference in downtown Iowa City in June 2023. • $5,000 to The Black Voice Project to host the 2023 Juneteenth celebration downtown. • $5,000 to the Core4 cycling event that incorporates four fundamental surface types: gravel, b-roads, singletrack, and pavement. With 850 participants, plus spectators and support staff, the event brought over 1,200 people to Iowa City the weekend of August 19, 2023. • $5,000 to the Los Trompos temporary art exhibit downtown. • $10,000 to the Empowerment Symposium: Inspiring Black and Brown Professionals to Lead held September 19-20, 2024. • $10,000 to the African Festival of Arts and Culture held September 28, 2024. • $5,000 to the Iowa City Songwriters Festival planned for September 4-6, 2025. Think Iowa City continues to accept applications on a rolling basis. At the June 4, 2024 City Council meeting, Council approved Self -Supported Municipal District (SSMID) grants in the amount of $250,000 each for the two SSMIDs (South of 6 and Iowa City Downtown District). These grants provide flexible support to allow the SSMIDs to meet their organizational needs. The Iowa City Downtown District has begun utilizing funds for design of the Graduate Walkway lighting project and glass repair. South of 6 recently hired a new executive director, Maurice Davis, and is gathering quotes for projects to be undertaken. August 28, 2025 Page 8 Next Steps: Staff intends to supplement the Skate Park Renovation Project in the CIP with a $500,000 award to ensure that project can be carried out in a manner that provides maximum value to the community. Once complete, the facility will be a regional tourism draw and a premiere community recreational amenity along the Iowa River. Public input has been gathered on the Skate Park design. Staff have been notified that a $250,000 Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant will also be able to be utilized for this project. Construction is anticipated for late 2025 or 2026. Government Services and Revenue Replacement Status: In Progress Amount Expended: $2,547,652 Utility Assistance Program Council approved the resolution authorizing Utility Billing Revenue Replacement at their September 6, 2022 meeting, bringing utility accounts current as of June 1, 2022 and resuming regular collection procedures. The total cost for Utility Billing Revenue Replacement was $676,146.49. Administrative Expenses Administrative expenses attributed to ARPA are paid through the interest derived from the City's receipt of ARPA funds. Total administrative costs incurred to date is $236,050.01 Lead Reduction Council approved the resolution authorizing $500,000 for a City administered program to assist property owners with replacement of their lead water service lines at their November 6, 2023 meeting. This program will help qualifying property owners avoid unplanned, costly repairs and can be successfully launched without placing the burden on utility customers. The program has enabled 24 households to replace their lead or lead contaminated service lines to date, provided 64 NSF 53 certified pitcher filters with 1,536 filter replacements and completed two verification digs. The related insurance program has had more than 2,000 sign ups with about 12 claims serviced. Workforce Retention Incentive Council approved the resolution authorizing $1,135,455.50 for worker retention incentive bonuses to employees in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and Administrative, Confidential and Executive employee groups on December 12, 2023. The incentive is in response to an increase in turnover rates and a shrinking applicant pool for many critical positions. 515 employees received the bonus in December 2023. Item Number: IP8. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT August 28, 2025 Human Rights Commission: August 26 Attachments: Human Rights Commission: August 26 Draft Minutes Human Rights Commission August 26, 2025 Emma J. Harvat Hall Commissioners Present: Doug Kollasch, Elizabeth Mendez -Shannon, Kelsey Paul Shantz, Emily Harkin, Mark Pries, Viana Qadoura. Commissioners on Zoom: Lubna Mohamed. Commissioners Absent: Roger Lusala, Talya Miller. Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers, Tre Hall. Meeting Called to Order: 5:33 PM. Native American Land Acknowledgement: The Land Acknowledgement was read by Pries. Approval of Meeting Minutes of June 24, 2025: Pries moved; Mendez -Shannon seconded. Motion passed 6-0. Public Comments of Items Not on the Agenda: None. Recommendations to City Council: None. Update from the Police Department's Community Outreach: Tre Hall, Community Outreach Assistant, spoke on the following activities of the department. • 7/1/25 Visited to The Arc of Southeast Iowa with Iowa City Fire Department and Johnson County Ambulance Services. • 7/28/25 Held EMS Camp at Terry Trueblood. • 7/30/25 Assisted in the Healthy Kids Iowa free food distribution event that was held at Pepperwood Plaza. • 8/5/25 Held National Night Out at Wetherby Park. Where over 140 youth backpacks were distributed. • 8/15/25 Participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters Back to School Bash. Currently the group is working to set up a workshop with Mariam's Girl Club and preparing for their annual winter clothes drive. Transit and Development Presentation: Jeremy Endsley presented on research done by Yiru Wang over the summer. The key takeaways from the research that looked at housing, employment, and access to public transportation. Downtown Iowa City scored the highest, followed in order by 1 southeast Iowa City, Iowa City Riverfront area, and western Iowa City. North Liberty did not score very high. The recommendations from the research are: 1) prioritize tier 1 & 2 areas, increase zoning flexibility, leverage public land and under-utilized lands, and ensure equitable and inclusive transit -oriented development. (Slide deck located in commission packet). African Festival: Commissioners will consider serving as a vendor at this event when more information is available. CCAN-CON: Paul Shantz might be able to staff this event. The commissioners will firm up availability at its September meeting date. Indigenous Peoples' Day: Qadoura is available to staff at this event and Harkin is too. Open Records Open Meetings: Five out of nine commissioners are signed up for the courses being taught on September 10 & 24 by the Iowa Public Information Board. Staff will forward the next dates for the training as soon as they are posted. 2025 Human Rights Awards: Kollasch and Harkin will review and select the honorees for 2025. Kollasch will read the awards, Pries will do the introduction, and the commission will revisit other roles for the ceremony at its next meeting date. Paul Shantz will be unable to attend this year's event due to a work conflict. Community Dialogue Conversations Update: The first dialogue will be invite -only, and more of a focused conversation. The tentative timeframe to hold the conversations is late September or early October. Grant Net Update: The event was well attended. The goal was to have organizations work between themselves to create the network and it looks like that is occurring and so commission members will support that process. Professional Development for Commission and Community Members: Staff forwarded an email from Qadoura which went over the Human Rights certification options along with cost. Staff noted that it would be more reasonable to offer trainings to the community here either in person or on Zoom. The cost of the certification courses is higher than what can probably be expected for the budget to carry. Staff & Commission Updates: Staff spoke on the upcoming Lens series that will include the author of There Is No Place For US: Working and Homeless in America. Mohamed: Spoke on the needs of the Shelter House and the current limitations it has due to the high number of persons needing shelter. Mohamed also spoke of the recent accident where 2 someone intentionally drove their car into individuals who were camped out at the Shelter House. Mohamed has spoken to the mayor on her concerns of the persons who are forced to live outside and asked what can be done to help them. Harkin: Noted that her sister, a freshman at the University, recently moved into a dorm here. Reflecting on this made Harkin realize the importance of the commission being supportive to incoming students and students here because these students will in turn come to support the community and the city as like Harkin did when she was a student. The students may choose to stay living in Iowa City. Harkin suggested that the commission create work groups to look at and discuss concerns and how the commission can support different community groups. Qadoura: Just finished orientation for the Mariam's Girls Club, which is in its seventh year. Qadoura also mentioned that she has been speaking with her children on homelessness having recently visited California and then driving by the Shelter House encampment here in town. She ended with the tragedies happening in Palestine with the death toll being reported as 80,000 but more likely closer to 400,000. Mendez -Shannon: Will be at the Ice Office in Cedar Rapids this coming Tuesday to support persons who have appointments. Mendez -Shannon also serves on the NAMI board of directors helping to expand the mental health services in the community. Paul Shantz: Mentioned that she participated in Party in the Parks in July on behalf of the commission. Paul Shantz also spoke on the launch of the Bike Library's Capital Campaign being held on September 4. Paul Shantz echoed Qadoura on the encampment at the Shelter House and that it will be important for the commission to look at the structural issues that are happening right now that many people who are living in that encampment are facing and that the commission should prepare a statement that they can consider at their next meeting date on the Shelter House and the encampment. Kollasch: Will be attending the One Iowa Wellness Conference being held in University Heights and encouraged other commissioners to also attend. Kollasch also noted the incoming students being back on campus and the recent legislative changes coupled with the changes done by the Board of Regents. Kollasch believes there is a gap that the commission may be able to fill. Kollasch mentioned the City Council reaffirming the Gender Identity protection under local law anti -discrimination title of the City Code. Kollasch ended with the possibility that National Guard could be brought to Iowa City because Iowa is on the list of states. Pries: Spoke on a recent video he viewed by Brian McLaren on polycrisis. Polycrisis is a word used to describe when there are so many things going on all at the same time that you can't pull apart to resolve. Pries also noted that his granddaughter recently took her Pharmacist Oath which states "respect all difference in all individuals and address health disparities to advance health equity for all people." Pries ended with his recent visit to the ICE Office in Cedar Rapids to give support to those who have appointments and that he will be there again on September 2. Adjourned: 6:54 PM. The meeting can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@citychannel4/videos. 4 Human Rights Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2024/2025 (Meeting Date) NAME TERM EXP. 4/23 5/28 7/23 8/27 9/24 11/26 12/12 1/28 2/25 4/1 4/22 5/13 5/27 6/24 8/26 Lubna Mohamed 2027 - - - - - - - Z A Z Z A A A Doug Kollasch 2027 X X Z X X P - P P x p Z p P P Viana Qadoura 2025 X X X X X P - A A x p p p p P Idriss Abdullahi 2025 X Z X Z A P - P A A Z R R R Mark Pries 2025 X X X X X P - A P x p p p p P Roger Lusala 2026 X X X X X P - P P A A p p A Kelsey Paul Shantz 2026 Z X X A X P - P A x p p p Z P Liz Mendez -Shannon 2026 Z X X A X A - P P x A A p p P Talya Miller 2025 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A KEY: X = Present A = Absent Z = Present via Zoom