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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-16 Council minutesi 4 CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: September 24, 2025 To: Mayor and City Council From: Kellie Grace, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, September 16, 2025 — 4:06 p.m. (following the 4:00 p.m. City Conference Board meeting) at City Hall in Emma J Harvat Hall Council: Alter, Bergus, Harmsen, Moe, Salih, Teague, Weilein Staff: Fruin, O'Brien, Lehmann, Goers, Grace, Caro, Hightshoe, Carter, Kubly, Ralston, Walz, Davies, Ogden, Knoche, Havel, Sovers. (A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.) 1. Clarification of Agenda Items • [9.a & 9.b]... Rezoning — Maiden Ln./E. Benton St. & Rezoning — 611 Greenwood Dr.... Mayor Teague noted the applicants were requesting expedited action. 2. Information Packet Discussion [September 4, September 111 ➢ September 4 — No discussion. ➢ September 11 1. (IP6 — Letter to Governor Reynolds and Director Paulsen: Announced Closure of the State Historical Society of Iowa Research Center in Iowa City) Councilor Harmsen summarized the proposed letter of support. Individual Council members expressed their views. Action: Staff will make final edits to the State Historical Society of Iowa letter and send it to Governor Reynolds and Director Paulsen. 2. (IP8 — Memo from Transportation Services Director: Update on Bus Stop Improvement Program) Councilor Moe highlighted the memo and thanked staff for the update. Councilor Bergus asked if a copy could be delivered to Ms. Gravitt who has had interest in the program. Action: Council expressed support for the plan to release the bus stop RFP by end of year. A copy of the Transportation Services memo from the Information Packet has been delivered to Ms. Gravitt. 3. University of Iowa Student Government [USG) Updates. No updates. 4. Update on the City's Study of Repositioning Public Housing Units Neighborhood and Development Services Director Hightshoe presented information noting the city manages 86 aging public housing units with limited revenue and declining federal support. A previous Harvard/Bloomberg study confirmed the need for financial sustainability, September 16, 2025 Page 2 but its recommendations are no longer HUD -approved. To develop viable options that preserve affordability and ensure long-term stability, the city hired Quadel Consulting to evaluate repositioning strategies and present recommendations. Quadel Senior Program & Policy Advisor, Tracey Rudy presented a PowerPoint on the following: • Public Housing Repositioning - Benefits of Public Housing Repositioning - Benefits of Section 8 Rental Assistance Conversions • Impact on Residents • Public Housing Repositioning Options • Situational Analysis - Iowa City Housing Authority Inventory - Funding & Financial Position • Strategic Repositioning • Recommended Approach - Phase 1: Sale of Chauncey Units - Phase 2: Conversion to Section 8 - Phase 3: Expand Public Housing Authority - Owned Affordable Housing • Overall Benefits of Repositioning Quadel Senior Program Manager, Helena Widtfeldt and Housing Authority Administrator Carter provided additional information. Individual Council members asked questions. City Attorney Goers and City Manager Fruin provided information. Action: Staff will move forward with the plan outlined by Quadel regarding our public housing repositioning and will consider if outside expertise is needed to help develop a legal framework for an affiliate organization. 5. Strategic Plan Action Item: Presentation on Bollards and Bike Lanes Transportation Planner Ralston introduced the protected bike lanes project from the city's strategic plan, noting the City hired Toole Design, a nationally recognized bike planning firm, and has been working with them and the local Bike Advisory Committee for six months to ensure alignment before presenting findings to council. Principal Planner, Shaun Murphy -Lopez, from Toole Design presented a PowerPoint on the following: • Project Purpose: Explore converting painted bike lanes to protected bike lanes per Iowa City's strategic plan. • Prioritization Factors: Lane width, crash data, demand, driveways, parallel paths, and traffic volumes. Equity was later considered by adding Sycamore St. • Analysis: 23 streets evaluated --* 10 corridors selected (mostly central, plus Mormon Trek & Sycamore). Madison St. emerged as a top pilot candidate due to connectivity and upcoming projects. • Process: Current work is high-level planning. Next steps would include preliminary engineering, then final construction plans. • Design Issues & Solutions: Addressed driveways, parking, bus stops, accessibility, snow maintenance, and safety. Lessons drawn from other college towns (e.g., Ann Arbor, Minneapolis). September 16, 2025 Page 3 Pilot Recommendation: Madison St. identified for potential East-West protected connection with Market, Jefferson, and Burlington projects. Council cautioned about overlapping with Burlington Bridge construction, traffic impacts, and risk of dropping riders into unsafe gaps. Alternative Options: Governor/Dodge or Clinton St. could provide simpler/quicker pilots. Goal is to gain experience, allow staff and public to test, and build toward more permanent facilities. Next Steps: Public engagement, funding, design, and coordination with upcoming street projects. Individual Council members asked questions. Transportation Planner Ralston and City Manager Fruin provided additional information. Action: Staff will draft a memo for Council outlining a couple of different options for shorter term protected bike lane pilot projects. Planning for the Burlington Bridge and Market/Jefferson corridors will proceed with protected bike lanes being a design priority and will also consider how Madison can be adapted as a connector to those corridors at the appropriate time. [Recess to formal meeting 5:46 p.m. — Return to Work Session 9:12 p.m.] 6. FY27 Budget Priorities Individual Council members shared their budget priorities. City Manager Fruin provided additional information. Action: Budget priorities of individual councilors were expressed, staff will consider the following when crafting the budget recommendations: o Alter: Crisis Professional in Dispatch (JECC); Childcare wage enhancement / apprenticeship support o Salih: Year-round winter shelter until more permanent supportive housing is constructed o Bergus: Field mediation; mobile crisis support o Weilein: Wildlife rehabilitation services in Animal Services; permanent supportive housing; homelessness prevention o Moe: River planning consultant expenses; facilities master plan funding o Harmsen: Strategic plan update facilitator funding 7. Council updates on assigned boards commissions and committees Council members reported on various assigned boards, commissions, and committees. Adjourn 9:29 p.m.