HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-19 Council minutesr
CITY O F 1 O WA CITY
" '�ME MEMORANDUM
Date: August 26, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie Grace, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, August 19, 2025 — 4:20 p.m. (technical delay) at City Hall in Emma
J Harvat Hall
Council: Alter, Bergus, Harmsen, Moe, Salih, Teague, Weilein
Staff: Fruin, O'Brien, Lehmann, Goers, Grace, Caro, Bowers, Hightshoe, Kubly, Davies
(A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.)
1. Clarification of Agenda Items
• No discussion
2. Information Packet Discussion [August 7, August 141
➢ July 7
1. (IP1 — City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule) Councilor Moe asked to talk about
the tentative meeting schedule for 2026. City Attorney Goers provided information.
Individual Council members expressed their views.
Action: The City Clerk will publish the 2026 tentative meeting schedule for review by
the City Council in September. The Council has initially agreed to hold the required
organizational meeting on Tuesday, January 6' at Sam.
➢ July 14
1. (IP4 — Pending City Council Work Session Topics) Councilor Weilein asked for
clarification for the process on how it is decided which topics are talked about first
form the pending list. City Manager Fruin and City Attorney Goers provided
information.
3. University of Iowa Student Government /USG) Updates.
No updates.
4. Overview of the Human Rights Ordinance
Human Rights Coordinator/Equity Director Bowers presented a PowerPoint on the following:
• History
• Importance of Local Commissions
• Today's Commission
• Coverage Areas & Protected Characteristics
August 19, 2025
Page 2
• Complaint Process
• Jurisdiction Limits
• Statistics
• Outreach
Individual Council members asked questions.
5. Discuss land acquisition and banking for affordable housina development I affordable
housin
Neighborhood and Development Services Director Hightshoe presented information on the
following:
• Land Banking
• Opportunity Fund
• Funding Overview
• Public Housing Repositioning
• Development and Policy Work
Hightshoe reviewed affordable housing efforts, noting the shift from land banking to a more
flexible Opportunity Fund (now—$465K), and highlighted over $38M dedicated to affordable
housing with $27M in active projects. Major priorities include repositioning public housing to
a Section 8 model, supporting deeply affordable units, and updating zoning and parking
rules to encourage private development. Council discussed the limited success of land
banking, the need for Gear housing targets, and balancing city vs. private roles. A new
Bloomberg -Harvard fellow, Nora Cahill, will support housing and homelessness policy work.
Individual Council members asked questions. City Manager Fruin provided additional
information.
6. Council updates on assigned boards, commissions, and committees
No updates.
Adjourn 5:18 p.m.