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Home My WebLink About10-03-25 Council EDC Agenda PacketCity Council Economic Development Committee Friday, October 3, 2025 8:30 A.M. Emma J. Harvat Hall City Hall, 410 E. Washington AGENDA 1. Call to order 2. Consider minutes of the August 6, 2025 Economic Development Committee Meeting 3. Establish New Quarterly Economic Development Council Meeting Time 4. Overview of Urban Renewal & Tax Increment Financing 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. DRAFT - p.1 Council EDC, 8/6/25 Minutes City Council Economic Development Committee August 6, 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 Others Present: Cady Gerlach and Mackenzie DeRoo (Greater Iowa City) Call to Order Councilor Moe called the meeting to order at 8.32 a.m. Consider approval of minutes from the April 23, 2025 Economic Development Committee meetina Bergus moved, Weilein seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2025 meeting. Motion passed (3-0). Arts Alliance Feasibility Study Update Rachel Kilburg Varley introduced the item sharing that since the Economic Development Committee has historically considered annual funding requests from arts and culture organizations, she wanted to update the Committee on an Arts Alliance Feasibility Study currently underway. Group Creative Services has been hired as the Consultant and the Study is sponsored by the City, Iowa City Downtown District, and Think Iowa City. Kilburg Varley presented a brief presentation outlining the Study's purpose, goals, timeline, scope, and stakeholders. Moe asked if the University of Iowa is represented on the Study Steering Committee and staff noted the various UI departments represented. Moe also asked how a proposed alliance could address collaborative needs. Staff stated that collaborative fundraising, large grant applications, and shared administrative support are a few examples. Moe also asked about public perception being listed as a challenge, and staff noted that could include both advocacy on the economic impact of the arts and elevating Iowa City to be viewed as a true arts community. Bergus asked what staff envisions for the outcome and how it will impact the annual arts & culture funding requests. Kilburg Varley stated the Consultant is now developing different scenarios and models and any changes would best be considered after the final report is available and a recommendation is made by the Steering Committee. Bergus also asked DRAFT - p.2 Council EDC, 8/6/25 about whether fundraising efforts led by an Alliance would impact individual organizations' campaigns and staff shared the Steering Committee is discussing this and aiming to protect individuality of the groups, while also looking for ways to cost -share or joint-fundraise in ways that are agreeable. Finally, Bergus asked how the "X Marks the Arts" Cultural & Entertainment District relates and Kilburg Varley shared that it's possible that branding could be encompassed under a future alliance and that there is a lot of overlap in the stakeholders, so it is a focus of that group right now. Kilburg Varley shared that as the Study is completed and a recommendation is finalized, the results or resulting requests may be brought before this Committee or the full City Council. Presentation of Think Iowa City's New Strategic Plan — Josh Schamberger, Think Iowa City Josh Schamberger, President of Think Iowa City, presented briefly on the history and focus of the organization and presented an overview of their new Strategic Plan. Weilein asked what data is used to track visitor spending and Schamberger explained the various software tools that enable their organization to collect visitor and spending data for conferences, athletic events, and other events. Weilein also asked about the process for attracting new route markets to the Cedar Rapids Airport and what the municipality's role is. Schamberger explained the history on the airport commission and how these markets can be secured and local entities can help financially invest to secure the route. Moe highlighted the importance of the focus on the River and asked Schamberger what he views the actionable steps are. Schamberger explained the need to expand upon the Pedal - Paddle initiative by convening a committee of key stakeholders and possibly a consultant. Moe asked if there is financial participation needed from the City and Schamberger stated they need to get further into the process to figure out what the next steps and associated costs will be. Bergus asked about the hotel/motel tax collections and Schamberger explained how the hotel/motel tax collection and revenue allocation currently works. Weilein asked about the possibility of increasing the hotel/motel tax rate cap and Schamberg explained the concerns about that held by many state legislators. He also pointed out new legislation that sets aside million in state funding that communities like Iowa City can apply to for major events that bring in significant tourism, such as the Panamerican wrestling championships. Finally, Moe asked about what happens next since the Pop-up Metro initiative has stalled. Schamberg views Think Iowa City as a support role in those efforts. Councilors thanked Schamberger for his time and presentation. Staff Updates None. Old or New Business DRAFT - p.3 Council EDC, 8/6/25 Bergus suggested engaging the Committee with developers and builders, especially in context of the City Council's focus on increasing housing supply across the board. Weilein noted that he is interested in the Sycamore Strategic Investment District process as that moves forward. Adjournment Bergus moved, Weilein seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried (3-0). DRAFT - p.4 Council EDC, 8/6/25 Council Economic Development Committee ATTENDANCE RECORD 2021-2025 TERM 11/29/22 9/25/23 7/1/24 8/12/24 8/16/24 10/16/24 1/8/25 4/23/25 8/6/25 NAME EXP. Josh Moe 12/31/25 --- --- X X X X X X X Mazahir Salih 12/31/25 --- --- --- --- --- --- X --- Laura Bergus 1 12/31/25 X X X X O/E O/E X X X Oliver Weilein 4/23/25 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- X X Andrew Dunn 12/31/25 --- --- X O/E X X --- --- John Thomas 01/02/24 X X --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Megan Alter 01/02/24 X X --- --- --- --- --- --- Susan Mims 01/02/22 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Key: X = Present O = Absent --- = not a member O/E = Absent/Excused