HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-1-25 Climate Action Agenda PacketIowa City Climate Action Commission Agenda
Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall
410 E. Washington St., Iowa City
Meeting Agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Nov. 10, 2025 minutes
4. Announcements/Reports
a. Action items from last meeting:
i. Commissioners will consider potential nominees for chair and vice chair for next
meeting.
ii. Gardner will work with the Climate Action Analysts on preparing a HERS
program report for February meeting.
b. Events
i. Other events in the community (Commissioners)
c. NY Times article on Fare Free bus service in Iowa City
d. Recognition of outgoing members: Gade, Sillman, Smith, and Traer
5. New Business
a. Confirmed meeting times/locations for 2026
i. Discussion of potential for 1-2 meetings at alternate municipal locations to allow
for facility tours
b. Election of 2026 Chair and Vice Chair
6. Old Business
a. Prioritization scoring of Accelerating Iowa City’s Climate Actions Plan
i. Scoring of action items related to adaptation – review and scoring
ii. Scoring of action items related to sustainable lifestyle – preliminary review and
scoring as time allows
7. Public Comment on items not on the agenda
Commentators shall address the Commission for no more than 3 minutes. Commissioners shall
not engage in discussion with the public concerning said items.
8. Recap
a. Confirmation of next meeting time and location
i. Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 4-5:30 p.m., City Manager’s Conference Room
b. Actionable items for commission and staff
9. Adjourn
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contact
Sarah Gardner, Climate Action Coordinator, at 319-887-6162 or at sgardner@iowa-city.org. Early requests
are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
IOWA CITY CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 10 – 4:00 PM – FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Anderson, Emma Bork, Jamie Gade, Zach Haralson, Nadja
Krylov, Wim Murray, Brinda Shetty, Michelle Sillman, Angie Smith,
Robert Traer
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ben Grimm
STAFF PRESENT: Sarah Gardner, Kendall McMullen, Diane Platte
OTHERS PRESENT: Audrey Wiedemeier, Katie Peterson
CALL TO ORDER:
Gade called the meeting to order at 4:01.
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 6, 2025 MINUTES:
Anderson moved to approve the minutes, Haralson seconded, and the motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Action items from last meeting (staff): Gardner compiled transportation scores and provided a matrix
along with potential Objectives/Targets.
Gardner introduced Kendall McMullen as the newly hired Climate Action Specialist.
No upcoming events reported.
NEW BUSINESS:
Resilience Hub pilot project update: Audrey Wiedemeier, Iowa City Bike Library. Wiedemeier
summarized recent expansions to Bike Library programs and facilities.
• Working with Tim Dwight, 80 solar panels were installed on the facility roof. The system will be
turned on after the installation of bollards in front of electrical panels. The bollards will be
installed as part of a project to reduce asphalt and beautify the area in front of the building.
• A new mural serves as educational piece for water quality. It will be paired with 3,000-liter rain
barrel/rainwater harvesting system for rooftop runoff to serve as a bike washing station. They
are working with college of engineering students in a 2-semester project to boost water
pressure via pedaling a bike which will reduce or eliminate need for cleaning solvents for bike
washing.
• Future projects include adding a covered 16x18 bike parking area. Wiedemeier noted businesses
often ask the Bike Library for bike racks.
Climate Action Commission
November 2025
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• Other projects for 2026 include creating seating with raised beds, installing shade sails, installing
an archway sculpture by an artist out of Cedar Rapids to show “Hub” built out of recycled bike
parts. An unexpected indicator of success was contractors making personal donations to capital
campaign.
• Traer asked if the Bike Library had a role in the Lower City Park bike tool installation.
Wiedemeier answered no and Gardner affirmed the fix it station was installed by the City.
• Gardner noted the Bike Library has been a fantastic Resilience Hub partner, highlighting the
outreach made possible by the Resilience Hub hangout during Climate Fest.
• Commissioners thanked Wiedemeier and praised Bike Library efforts, voicing support for
continuing the Resilience Hub partnership.
Prioritization scoring of Accelerating Iowa City’s Climate Actions Plan
• For the purpose of the transportation metrics discussion, Gardner proposed and commissioners
approved refinements of the wording of TR-2 and TCP-1 to reflect actions already completed.
o Updated TR-2 from “Require climate change analysis for new subdivisions and
rezonings” to “Include climate change considerations in comprehensive plan update and
implement in new subdivisions and rezonings
o Updated TCP-1 from “Establish an electric and fuel -efficient vehicle purchasing policy”
to “Advance the electric and fuel-efficient vehicle purchasing strategy.”
• Commissioners discussed finalization of potential metrics for action items related to buildings.
Michelle Sillman joined the meeting.
• Anderson asked by what mechanism have builders gotten HERS ratings. Gardner described the
grant program for builders which has incentivized obtaining HERS ratings.
• Shetty asked for clarification whether the objective is designed that 40% of buildings would get
a 52 or better HERS rating or 40% of buildings would get a HERS rating. Gardner noted it could
be defined either way; most builders who submit an application for a HERS rating are motivated
to score 52 or better.
• Krylov asked if the builder community has its own momentum for continuing green practices.
Gardner speculated that few would be getting HERS ratings without the City program, though
the hope is that someday participation would be sustained by market forces.
• Anderson asked about a parallel incentive for remodelers. Gardner described PEARL, a program
like HERS but for remodels. The City has a contact within the PEARL organization, and a
presentation for the area remodelers association suggested that there is interest. With PEARL,
the remodeler or realtor self-reports energy upgrades to the building, as opposed to the
external audit process for HERS ratings. Because of this, defining targeted interventions would
likely be needed, i.e. “If you put in a heat pump (or solar panels or other specific energy
efficiency upgrade), the City will pay for the PEARL rating.” Gardner summarized with PEARL,
there are more unknowns, but potential meaningful opportunities.
• Haralson described a logical order of focusing on PEARL first and then engaging realtors in both
HERS and PEARL training later.
• Bork asked if PEARL would apply to apartments too. Gardner answered staff did not yet know
enough about the program to be able to answer.
Climate Action Commission
November 2025
Page 3 of 5
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• Smith asked what types of homes are getting HERS ratings. Gardner reported HERS applies to
single family homes, town homes, and duplexes and shared that staff have been tracking the
return on City’s investment as well as the data benefits. Gardner offered to provide
commissioners with a more detailed report on the HERS program.
• Krylov asked if efficiency investments equate to a higher selling price the way kitchen remodels
do. Gardner shared that conversations with builders and realtors suggest that historically this
has not been the case and that of the values of the rating program is making energy systems
more visible and valued by purchasers.
• Gade wondered if shifting to a target related to PEARL would mean letting go of something with
HERS. Gardner noted that the HERS program would continue as is. The PEARL program likely
would be designed in 2026 and would be ready to implement in 2027.
• Traer asked for additional details about who is served by each program. HERS applies to new
construction, while PEARL applies to existing homes. The community’s housing stock includes
more existing homes than newly built homes, and existing homes are often more affordable.
• Krylov commented there is not much of a model for solar as resilience instead of solar as
energy-savings. Gardner noted the City was recently awarded a grant for mobile solar, and the
Student Build house for this year is going to be net zero.
• Commissioners decided to pursue as the 2026 target action “Initiate program for remodelers
similar to HERS program for new construction.”
Finalization of potential metrics for action items related to transportation
• Smith asked if the university would be the large employer for the target “Partner with area
employer to install EV charging.” Gardner shared that it would be unusual for a city grant to go
to a state institution such as the university and offered to learn if this was simply a practice or a
formal prohibition. She suggested other possible area employers who might be good candidates
included Proctor and Gamble, as they were known to draw employees from surrounding
communities. She shared that area employment data suggests 40,000 commuters come to Iowa
City from outside the city daily.
• Gade and Shetty expressed interest in Targets 1 and 3: expand public EV charging outside of
downtown ramps and initiate EV ambassador group that connects local EV owners with each
other and interested residents.
• Haralson asked if DC Fast Charging might be a possibility under Target 1.
o Gardner noted price differences: a data-collecting Level 2 charger costs $10,000 but a
DC Fast Charger generally costs $50,000-80,000 and infrastructure upgrades may be
needed beyond the equipment costs. DC Fast Charging is more likely than Level 2
charging to be serving people not from the community who are passing through quickly
and generally regarded more suitable for siting along the interstate for that reason.
• Bork asked for clarification on the quantities attached to the targets, and Gardner explained.
o Anderson voiced support for creating a community of EV ambassadors.
• Gade asked if the commission chose Target 3 but the Volkswagen settlement funding became
available would the City still pursue grant funding for public chargers at parks and the airport.
Gardner shared that would likely be the case but that choosing it as a target could make a
stronger case for pursuing the grant and could help strengthen the application.
Climate Action Commission
November 2025
Page 4 of 5
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o Gardner offered that Target 3 could be structured as a soft launch for late in the year,
tied to Climate Fest. Target 1 could be adopted in 2026, Target 3 could be researched in
2026 and launched more formally in 2027. Traer and Haralson voiced support for this
idea.
• Bork asked what an EV ambassador group would look like, and Gardner described several
possibilities, including a coordinated social media page to share resources and ideas and/or a
group with regular in person meetings to connect and plan events.
• Consensus formed around focusing Target 1 this year and doing setup for Target 3.
• Krylov spoke to non-EV-related transportation emission reduction strategies, and Gardner
affirmed that this effort was meant to attach a target to the top priority item but that efforts
such as Bike to Work Week outreach and Fare Free engagement would continue, as would the
other action items.
Preliminary review and scoring of action items related to adaptation was shifted to the December
meeting due to time constraints.
Commissioners agreed to a plan to host future meetings in the City Managers conference room rather
than Council Chambers.
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
• None
RECAP:
Confirmation of next meeting time and location:
• Monday, Dec. 1, 4-5:30 p.m. Emma J. Harvat Hall
Actionable items for commission and staff:
• Commissioners will consider potential nominees for chair and vice chair for next meeting.
• Gardner will work with the Climate Action Analysts on preparing a HERS program report for
February meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Shetty moved to adjourn, Smith seconded, and the motion carried. Meeting adjourned 5:26.
Climate Action Commission
November 2025
Page 5 of 5
5
CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2024-25
NAME
TERM EXP.
11
/
1
8
/
2
4
12
/
2
/
2
4
1/
6
/
2
5
2/
3
/
2
5
3/
3
/
2
5
4/
7
/
2
5
5/
5
/
2
5
6/
2
/
2
5
8/
4
/
2
5
9/
8
/
2
5
10
/
6
/
2
5
11
/
10
/2
5
Lynch
KEY: X = Present
0 = Absent
0/E = Absent/Excused
NM= No Meeting
* No longer on Commission
5 0 STAT E S , 5 0 F I X E S
Ridership jumped, people cut back on driving and, over the summer, the city
extended the program another year.
Listen to this ar ticle · 6:52 min Learn more
By Cara Buckley Photographs and Video by Annick Sjobakken
Reporting from a bus in Iowa City
Published Nov. 18, 2025 Updated Nov. 24, 2025
There was a psychiatrist, a librarian, a substitute teacher and a graduate student in
biomedical engineering. There was an Amazon warehouse worker who’d just
finished his night shift, and a man who’d lost his driver’s license because of an
incident in Florida that he didn’t want to talk about.
They were all riding Iowa City’s buses one sunny November morning, and they were
all amped about the same thing: That everyone got to ride for free.
Iowa City eliminated bus fares in August 2023 with a goal of lowering emissions from
cars and encouraging people to take public transit. The two-year pilot program
proved so popular that the City Council voted this summer to extend it another year,
paying for it with a 1 percent increase in utility taxes and by doubling most public
parking rates to $2 from $1.
50 States, 50 Fixes is a series about local solutions to environmental problems. A few more to come this
year.
Iowa City Made Its Buses Free.
Traf fic Cleared, and S o Did the Air.
11/26/25, 1:33 PM Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/climate/iowa-city-free-buses.html?searchResultPosition=1 3/9
Ridership has surpassed prepandemic levels by 18 percent. Bus drivers say they’re
navigating less congested streets. People drove 1.8 million fewer miles on city
streets, according to government calculations, and emissions dropped by 778 metric
tons of carbon dioxide a year. That’s the equivalent of taking 167 vehicles off the
roads.
“You don’t have to figure out your bus pass. And before, it was $31 a month, which
adds up,” said Vincent Hiser, 71, as he rode the No. 1 bus one recent Monday from his
job at Bread Garden Market to the mobile home he shares with his 3-year-old
Cavapoo, Ruby, and 13-year-old cat, Roy Rogers.
Free city buses are relatively rare in the United States. The idea has been getting a
new look recently, after Zohran Mamdani won New York City’s mayoral race with a
promise to make buses free. However, critics have described the plan as pie in the
sky, and Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York recently voiced doubts.
11/26/25, 1:33 PM Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/climate/iowa-city-free-buses.html?searchResultPosition=1 4/9
Since the fare-free program began, people in Iowa City have driven 1.8 million fewer miles and
emissions have fallen by 24,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year, the same as taking 5,200 vehicles
off the roads.
But in Iowa City, a college town and home to the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, objections
to free buses, and even parking fee increases, have been muted. One exception was
in the summer of 2024, when fees on parking meters downtown were increased to $3
from $1.50. After nearby businesses complained, the city reduced the cost to $2.25.
That increase felt reasonable, said Betsy Potter, executive director of the Iowa City
Downtown District; the rates hadn’t been raised in 11 years.
Ms. Potter said downtown businesses supported free buses because they helped
bring people downtown and decreased workers’ transit costs. “It is a walkable
downtown, but it is not a walkable city,” she said. “It has been a big success.”
Darian Nagle-Gamm, the city’s transportation director, said that the unknowns in
federal and state funding, along with proposed property-tax changes, meant that the
city would most likely have to review the program every year. But there was
11/26/25, 1:33 PM Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/climate/iowa-city-free-buses.html?searchResultPosition=1 5/9
eagerness for fare-free buses to stay, she said. “The transit system is one of the
greatest tools communities have to combat climate change and reduce emissions,”
she said. “You can make a pretty immediate impact.”
Ms. Nagle-Gamm said the idea for the program began with a chat she and the city
manager had in 2018 about a book titled “Free Public Transit: And Why We Don’t
Pay to Ride in Elevators.” The city wanted to improve its transit system and increase
its use while reducing household expenses. Also, as part of a climate action plan,
Iowa City wanted to replace 55 percent of vehicle trips with sustainable alternatives
like walking, biking and taking transit by 2050. Fare-free buses, officials decided,
could help meet those goals.
In 2021, the city starting running more buses, streamlining routes and seriously
considering waiving the $1 fares. In 2023, the City Council voted to pay for a two-
year fare-free pilot with Covid-19 relief funds.
11/26/25, 1:33 PM Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/climate/iowa-city-free-buses.html?searchResultPosition=1 6/9
When the day came, the city threw a launch party. Artists decorated bus shelters
with decals of butterflies, bees, wind turbines and flowers. Jazz bands were hired to
play on downtown sidewalks. A booth was set up where people could write thank-
you cards to bus drivers.
“You can make buses free, but it’s also important to make them convenient and
appealing,” said Sarah Gardner, the city’s climate action coordinator. “We have 70 -
some years of marketing telling everyone that personal vehicles are great, and the
ticket to freedom. Bus ridership doesn’t have that same kind of P.R. arm around it.”
11/26/25, 1:33 PM Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/climate/iowa-city-free-buses.html?searchResultPosition=1 7/9
Clockwise from top left: Vincent Hiser, Hadia Ahmed, Jennifer Giffin and Abbas Mahadi. “You don’t
have to figure out your bus pass,” Mr. Hiser said. “If you didn’t have free buses, it would be too much
for us,” Mr. Mahadi said.
Ridership eventually grew to 118 percent of prepandemic levels, compared to the
average nationally transit ridership-recovery levels of 85 percent.
William Porter, a night-shift worker and regular rider, said people’s moods seemed to
lift since the fares went away. But he would like the adjoining city of Coralville, which
charges $1 for adult riders, to do away with fares, too. “I think they should make it
for both cities, since people commute back and forth,” Mr. Porter said.
There were early concerns that fare-free travel would heap extra burdens on bus
drivers, drawing homeless people or anything-goes behavior. Yet several drivers
said that not having to ask passengers for payment or transfers has led to less
friction with riders.
It also speeds up travel, they said, because no one was delaying things by
rummaging for money. According to the city, on-time arrivals have increased by 13
percent. “There’s less dealing with the fare box and finagling over fares, but it’s
definitely been busier,” said Justin Jones, who’s been driving city buses for Iowa City
for 15 years, one recent morning just before starting his route.
Then he climbed into the No. 10 bus, which travels between downtown and the west
side of the city, crossing the Iowa River, and set off.
11/26/25, 1:33 PM Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/climate/iowa-city-free-buses.html?searchResultPosition=1 8/9
A few minutes later, Abbas Mahadi, 20, climbed aboard, holding the hand of his 6-
year-old cousin, whom he was chaperoning to elementary school. Free transit, he
said, was essential for his family. “If you didn’t have free buses, it would be too much
for us,” Mr. Mahadi said.
As the bus rumbled along, more people hopped on, including a doctoral student who
had become a regular because parking at the university was too expensive. Another
student, Abby K loha, a 21-year-old who is majoring in translation and Spanish at the
University of Iowa, said that instead of stressing out behind the wheel, she was able
to spend her bus ride studying Japanese vocabulary. “It kind of feels like a time
saver,” she said.
Bus No. 10 pulled to a stop in front of an elementary school, and Mr. Mahadi led his
young cousin down the steps and across the street. Mr. Jones idled the bus a few
moments more, waiting until Mr. Mahadi hopped back on board. Then Mr. Jones
shifted into gear and carried on his way.
A correction was made on Nov. 19, 2025: Because of an editing error, an earlier
version of a picture caption with this article misidentified Jennifer Giffin and Abbas
Mahadi. Mr. Mahadi is at bottom left in the set of four photos and Ms. Giffin is at
bottom right, not the inverse.
A correction was made on Nov. 24, 2025: An earlier version of this article, using
information from the municipal government, misstated the estimated greenhouse gas
reductions that resulted from the free bus program. Emissions dropped by an
estimated 778 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year, roughly the equivalent of taking
167 vehicles off the roads. They did not drop by 24,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a
year, the equivalent of taking 5,200 vehicles off the roads.
When we learn of a mistake, we acknowledge it with a correction. If you spot an error, please let us know at
nytnews@nytimes.com.Learn more
Cara Buckley is a reporter on the climate team at The Times who focuses on people working toward climate
solutions.
11/26/25, 1:33 PM Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/climate/iowa-city-free-buses.html?searchResultPosition=1 9/9
Tentative Climate Action Commission Meeting Schedule 202 6
All meetings will be held in the City Manager’s Conference Room in City Hall,
410 E Washington St., Iowa City, Iowa , from 4 -5:30 p.m.
Meetings held first Monday of the month unless otherwise noted.
January 5 , 202 6
February 2 , 202 6
March 2 , 202 6
April 6 , 202 6
May 4 , 202 6
June 1 , 202 6
July 6 – No Meeting
August 3 , 202 6
September 14 , 202 6 (*Note: Second Monday of the month)
October 5 , 202 6
November 9 , 202 6 (*Note: Second Monday of the month)
December 7 , 202 6
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contact
Sarah Gardner, Climate Action Coordinator, at 319-887-6162 or at sarah-gardner@iowa-city.org. Early
requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
ACCELERATING IOWA CITY’S CLIMATE ACTIONS PLAN, PROGRESS 2020 -TO DATE
ADAPTATION
EDUCATION ACTION ITEMS
A E -1: DEVELOP CLIMATE AMBASSADOR TEAM
STATUS: COMPLETED / LONG TERM/ONGOING
2020-25: Climate Ambassadors program launches in 2020. As of 2025, ten cohorts have
completed the program, including two staff cohorts to aid in deployment of City Strategic Plan .
A E -2: ESTABLISH RESILIENCE HUBS
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2021: Resilience Hub outreach, education, and planning commences.
2023: Climate Resilience Corps distributes resilience kits to 216 households.
2024: Resilience Hubs established at Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County (NCJC) and Iowa
City Bike Library. Phase 1 (Planning) implemented and final planning reports presented to Climate
Action Commission.
2025: Phase 2 (Implementation) initiated for NCJC and Bike Library. Bike Library pursues electrical
system upgrades to support rooftop solar and NCJC pursues an emergency backup generator for
new Towncrest location.
AE -3: EDUCATE AND COORDINATE WITH LOCAL AGENCIES ON HEALTH IMPACTS
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2022: Climate Action staff begin collaborating with Johnson County Public Health on
messaging/public education regarding high heat and health impacts.
2023: “Spot the Hot” NIHHIS-CAPA Urban Heat Island Mapping campaign in collaboration with
Cedar Rapids with input/participation by Johnson County Public Health.
2024: Exploratory discussion with Johnson County Public Health on possible collaborations related
to respiratory health and climate impacts.
2025: High heat preparedness exercise conducted at NCJC led by Johnson County Public Health.
Cooling stations with high heat information and cooling bandanas at summer events, including
Pride, Party in the Parks, and Summer of the Arts Riverfront Rhythms concerts.
AE -4: CONCENTRATED EDUCATION CAMPAIGN FOR PRIVATE PROPERTIES ABOUT
NATIVE PLANTINGS, PERMEABLE PAVEMENT, RAIN GARDENS, SOIL HEALTH, RAIN
BARRELS AND CISTERNS
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2021: Americorps held Rain Barrel Giveaway/Engagement event. City partnered with the IC Area
Business Partnership to hold a 'Green Buildings' Webinar featuring permeable paving and rain
gardens and related resources for businesses. Parks & Recreation conduct outreach and
education activities in conjunction with community gardens .
2022: "Your Best Lawn" video campaign in April 2022 resulted in double the number of applications
to participate in the Soil Quality Restoration (SQR) program for 2022. Climate Action Grant awarded
to M68 Apartments to replace turf grass with native plantings.
2023: Parks staff host first Native Plant Symposium in April; AmeriCorps team launches “Native
Neighborhoods” program; NDS staff launch “Lawn Love” program and related videos to promote
native landscapes at residences. My Garden of a Thousand Bees film screened as part of Climate
Fest, highlighting native plants and pollinator health, and related bee craft workshop held at Robert
A. Lee
2024: Continued outreach on SQR program at Public Works Week/Wastewater Open House event.
Climate Action Grant awarded to Bur Oak for Native Shrub/Pollinator Plant program targeted within
Eastside neighborhood. Climate Action Grant awarded to Plated Table to establish native plantings
on property right of way.
2025: Continued outreach on SQR program at Public Works Week/Landfill Open House event .
Rainscaping information/giveaway conducted by a climate ambassador in collaboration with St.
Thomas More at water quality event. Collaborative agreement with Bur Oak to continue Native
Shrub/Pollinator Plant program, expanding to additional neighborhoods. Discussion with Johnson
County about expanding Pocket Prairie program into Iowa City.
AE -5 : COORDINATED EFFORTS WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY AGENCIES AND UTILITY
AGENCIES PROVIDING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2020-present: City staff participate in regular Local Emergency Planning Committee
2021: Climate Action Grant awarded to the Multicultural Development Center to conduct an
Extreme Weather Preparedness Workshop for youth served by MDC
2022: Johnson County Public Health (JCPH) Emergency Manager provided supplies for inclusion in
Teen Resilience Corps kits.
2024: Johnson County EMA engaged with Resilience Hub project and training (see also AE-2).
Partnership with Johnson County EMA, HACAP, Johnson County Public Health, the Community
Foundation, United Way, the UI Disaster PrepWise Team, and the Neighborhood Centers of
Johnson County to host an emergency preparedness event as part of Welcoming Week . Climate
Action Staff join the Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD) coordinating group for
Johnson County EMA.
2025: Continued participation by Climate Action staff in COAD activities.
INCENTIVE ACTION ITEMS
A I -1 : PARTNER WITH PROJECT GREEN ON A TREE PLANTING PARTNERSHIP;
INCENTIVES FOR PRIVATE TREE PLANTING
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2020-present: Parks staff host opportunities for individuals and organizations to hold tree planting
events, often around Earth Day.
2020: Root for Trees tree voucher/planting program launched. 520 vouchers were distributed, 333
redeemed.
2021: Second year of Root for Trees program 492 vouchers redeemed.
2022: Third year of Root for Trees program launches, now managed by Climate Action staff; 376
vouchers redeemed.
2023: Fourth year of Root for Trees program launches; 314 vouchers redeemed, including 1000th
tree planted through Root for Trees program. Forestry staff partner with Project Green to secure
$200K REAP grant for native tree/prairie plantings and trail improvements.
2024: Fifth year of Root for Trees launched; 294 vouchers redeemed. Forestry staff partners with
Project Green to use Heritage Tree funds to rebuild tree canopy in Oakland Cemetery.
2025: Sixth year of Root for Trees launched.
R EGULATION ACTION ITEMS
A R -1 : STREET TREE ORDINANCE
STATUS: IN DEVELOPMENT
2020-present: Neighborhood Development Services staff began drafting an ordinance; currently
implemented administratively through zoning and development processes
A R -2 : INCREASE TREE PLANTING REQUIREMENTS IN LANDSCAPING, PARKING LOTS,
AND UPON RENEWAL OF RENTAL PERMITS
STATUS: IN DEVELOPMENT
2025: Climate Action staff in conversation with Neighborhood Development Services staff
exploring a possible incentive program in commercial areas identified as candidates for parking
reduction to follow completion of Parking Study in 2026.
CITY POLICY ACTION ITEMS
A CP -1 : DEVELOP REVIEW STANDARDS FOR NEW CITY FACILITY CONSTRUCTION AND
MAJOR REHABILITATION THAT ACCOUNTS FOR CLIMATE ADAPTATION PRINCIPALS
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2020: Environmentally Responsible Management Certification earned for Iowa City Parks & Rec
Facilities. Iowa City currently holds the record for the most fields/complexes certified.
2021: Climate, Public Works, and Facilities convene meeting and research similar policies in other
cities; Analyst to compile list of scheduled facility projects and identified facility needs through
master plan, review existing design standards, and dig into Energy Manager facility energy usage
data to identify high-priority needs
2024: Updated city Strategic Plan includes item calling for new adaptation plan to better inform city
projects including new facility and infrastructure updates.
2025: Climate Action staff participate in U.S. Green Building Council conference focused on
resilient design and construction for buildings.
PUBLIC PROJECTS
A PP -1 : FLOOD MITIGATION AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS/PROJECTS;
BUYOUTS
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2020-present: Creek clean up volunteer events coordinated by City Stormwater Engineer
2021: City staff participate in the 2021 Iowa River Clean-Up; remove a total of 8,800 pounds of
waste from the river. New Public Works facility completed, featuring rainwater collection from the
roof and vegetative buffer in portion of site located within the floodplain.
2022: Streambank stabilization improvements completed for Willow Creek.
2023: Park View Terrace property in 100-year floodplain purchased for demolition; anticipate using
local funds rather than federal dollars for buyouts going forward.
2024: Dubuque Street renovation completed, pairing storm sewer improvements with new
curbside native plantings for stormwater management. Airport solar array built 8 feet off the ground
rather than standard 3 feet off the ground to account for placement within the floodplain.
2025: Project Cleanup
A PP -2 : CONTINUE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATURAL AREAS MANAGEMENT PLAN
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2020: 100+ acres of prairie establishment in their first/second years of life with additional acres of
prairie planned annually.
2021: Staff initiated conversations with UI about opportunities to expand support for natural areas
and onsite education. Prairie Establishment FAQ available on City Parks website
2022: Native planting improvements in Terry Trueblood, Peninsula Park, and Kickers Soccer Park.
2023: Improvements to forest and savanna habitats in Hickory Hill; native seed drill purchased to
aid in future prairie plantings; prescribed burns in establish prairie areas followed by good growth
response.
2024: Prescribed burn plans in development for all prairie areas; staff collaborating with USFWS on
Sand Hill Prairie Park management and with Drake and Johnson County Conservation on species
inventory. $200K REAP grant secured for native species plantings, invasives removal, and
stormwater capacity restoration of Sycamore Greenway trail
2025: 40 acre parcel added to Hickory Hill Park. Total prairie area exceed 200 acres.
A PP -3 : EXPAND PUBLIC TREE PLANTING
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2020: Tree Canopy Memo provided to City Council, demonstrating need for incremental tree
canopy replacement activities.
2021: Parks and Forestry plantings approved by Council; goal to plant 1,000 trees, double the
annual allotment of trees through partnerships and coordinated events, and add additional
Forestry staff to care for the new plantings. 1,200 new tree plantings completed in public areas by
Forestry staff and partnership planting events with local organizations.
2022: 750 trees planted, predominantly in right of ways in South District Neighborhood
2023: Street tree planting along Nevada Ave (south of Lakeside), Aster Ave, Whispering Prairie Ave,
Blue Stem Ct, Coneflower Ct, Indigo Dr, Indigo Ct, Thistle Ct, Whispering Meadow Dr, Primrose Ct,
Blazing Star Dr, Pinto Ln, Friendship St.
2024: iTree canopy coverage assessment completed showing 36% canopy coverage in urban area .
500 street trees planted along Mormon Trek Blvd, South of 6 SSMID boundary, and targeted infill
along additional streets; AmeriCorps team assists with tree planting at city -owned rental
properties; 875+ trees total planted in public areas in 2024.
2025: Forestry staff secure a Trees Please grant to support additional tree plantings at Ryerson’s
Woods.
APP -4: EQUITY REVIEW OF NEIGHBORHOOD AND POPULATION OUTREACH; DEVELOP
OUTREACH PLAN FOR POPULATIONS HIGHLY IMPACTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2021: UI Graduate intern developed equity toolkit, Commission recommended staff use the toolkit
in the development of projects. Green Iowa Americorps member completed update to USDN/Iowa
City Climate Action Equity Report.
2023: Neighborhood equity map revised to utilize Justice 40 (J40) criteria in alignment with federal
funding considerations; most recent Root for Trees vouchers mapped. Outreach pathway for
populations highly impacted by climate change incorporated into proposed Resilience Hub
program design.
2024: Equitable outreach toolkit finished as part of regional Climate Pollution Reduction Grant
(CPRG) planning process, key provisions included in RFP for regional Comprehensive Climate
Action Plan contract for Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) for East Central Iowa.
2025: Staff propose alternate equity mapping approach in memo to Commission, pairing program
participation maps with map of participation in utility discount program as a potentially more
actionable approach and in anticipation of shifting federal priorities related to J40 reporting
requirements.
ADAPTATION PRIORITIZATION SCORING SHEET
CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSIONER
(name)
SCORING INDICATORS (USE WHOLE NUMBERS ONLY)
1 = Monitor and explore opportunities as they arise
3 = Maintain current efforts and have strategies in place to react to new opportunities
5 = Top priority: Grow efforts in this area and actively seek new opportunities
ACTION ITEMS
Number Item Notes Score
AE-1 Develop Climate Ambassador team
AE-2 Establish Resilience Hubs
AE-3 Educate and coordinate with local
agencies on health impacts
AE-4 Concentrated education campaign
for private properties about native
plantings, permeable pavement,
rain gardens, soil health, rain barrels
and cisterns
AE-5 Coordinated efforts with local
emergency agencies and utility
agencies providing critical
infrastructure
AI-1 Partner with Project Green on a tree
planting partnership; incentives for
private tree planting
AR-1 Street tree ordinance
AR-2 Increase tree planting requirements
in landscaping, parking lots, and
upon renewal of rental permits
ACP-1 Develop review standards for new
city facility construction and major
rehabilitation that accounts for
climate adaptation principals
APP-1 Flood mitigation and stormwater
management programs/projects;
buyouts
APP-2 Continue implementation of the
natural areas management plan
APP-3 Expand public tree planting
APP-4 Equity review of neighborhood and
population outreach; develop
outreach plan for populations highly
impacted by climate change
ACCELERATING IOWA CITY’S CLIMATE ACTIONS PLAN, PROGRESS 2020-TO DATE
SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE
EDUCATION ACTION ITEMS
SLE -1: HOST SUSTAINABILITY FORUM AND EVENTS
STATUS: COMPLETED - LONG TERM/ONGOING
2020: First Climate Fest held as a series of virtual events (due to pandemic).
2021: Sponsored Climate Action and Communities of Color webinar in collaboration with Human
Rights office. Launched “Project 51” campaign to highlight news stories related to regional,
national, and international climate action success and milestones. Second Climate Fest held as a
series of virtual and live events.
2022: Small business focus group held to discuss sustainability priorities, resources, and
alignment of funding opportunities. Launched “Speaking of…” webcast series covering topics
related to greenwashing, local foods, electric vehicles, wishful recycling, food waste, sustainable
holidays, Iowa City’s greenhouse gas inventory, upcoming climate action efforts in Iowa City, and
reasons for hope. AmeriCorps team hosts Earth Expo for Earth Month. Third Climate Fest held
featuring live events.
2023: Sponsored Accelerating Black Leadership and Sustainability webinar in collaboration with
Human Rights office. Hosted “Speaking of…Live!” events covering topics related to both waste and
resources for renters. AmeriCorps team hosts Earth Expo for Earth Month. Fourth Climate Fest
held, featuring a communitywide mailer highlighting the week of events, with a pivot toward events
that highlight recent milestones and city programs rather than general environmental education.
2024: AmeriCorps team hosted Earth Expo for Earth Month. Fifth Climate Fest held, again featuring
communitywide mailer and events designed to serve as an “annual report” on climate action
activities in Iowa City.
2025: Sponsored Inclusive Transportation in collaboration with Human Rights office. Sixth Climate
Fest held, again featuring communitywide mailer and “annual report” approach.
SLE-2: LAUNCH A GREEN BUSINESS PROGRAM: “CLIMATE ACTION AT WORK”
STATUS: C OMPLETED
2020: Pilot Climate Action at Work Awards Program launched with five businesses recognized.
2021: Smart Series webinars for businesses with the Iowa City Area Business Partnership. Five
additional businesses recognized with Climate Action at Work Awards.
2022: Climate Action Staff participated in One Sustainable Iowa Conference panel highlighting
Climate Action at Work awardees in April 2022. Small business focus group held in collaboration
with Economic Development Coordinator to identify alternative engagement pathways; decision to
pivot away from Climate Action at Work awards and concentrate efforts on building TIF program for
commercial entities to parallel TIF program for industrial entities.
2023: Continued engagement with businesses on Climate Action Grant and TIF-funded incentive
programs; see SLI-1 and BI-4.
2024: Continued engagement with businesses on Climate Action Grant and TIF-funded incentive
programs; see SLI-1 and BI-4.
2025: Continued engagement with businesses on Climate Action Grant and TIF-funded incentive
programs; see SLI-1 and BI-4. Climate Action Grant awardees asked to help with business and
nonprofit engagement as education component of their grant requirements.
Staff recommend removing this item to avoid duplicate reporting under SLI-1 and BI-4.
SLE -3: LOCAL PROCUREMENT CAMPAIGN – BUY-IN FROM LOCAL COMMERCIAL
GROUPS
STATUS: IN DEVELOPMENT
2020: Initial conversations with UI, Business Partnership, and ICDD. Benchmarked ECIA “Petal”
program in eastern Iowa as possible program model.
2021: Discussion with Iowa Waste Reduction about ways to promote program participation. Farm
to Street restarts with funding and program support from Climate Action division. Chefs paired with
local growers to procure ingredients. Eastern Iowa Young Farmers Coalition receives $XX as event
beneficiary.
2022: Resource management staff working on Beyond PlastIC initiative to work with local
restaurants on procuring alternatives to plastic to-go containers. Continued funding and program
support for Farm to Street to pair local chefs with local growers. Field to Family receives $XX as
Farm to Street beneficiary.
2023: Continued funding and program support for Farm to Street to pair local chefs with local
growers. Global Food Project/IC Compassion receives $XX as Farm to Street beneficiary.
2024: Staff review local preference provision in City purchasing policy in comparison with peer
cities and discuss potential update related to small business provision. Continued funding and
program support for Farm to Street to pair local chefs with local growers. Veggie Connect receives
$XX as Farm to Street beneficiary.
2025: As part of wastewater biodigester project, local businesses engaged to gauge interest in
diverting feedstock to wastewater facility (i.e. spent mash from breweries) and interest in
purchasing RNG from wastewater facility. Continued funding and program support for Farm to
Street to pair local chefs with local growers. Iowa City Bike Library receives $XX as Farm to Street
beneficiary.
INCENTIVE ACTION ITEMS
SLI -1: EXPAND COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION GRANTS
STATUS: COMPLETED – LONG TERM/ONGOING
2021: Established parallel Youth Mini Grants
2022: Update to grant program: specified non-profit and business categories awarded at higher
denominations ($10,000). Climate Innovation Grant program established to help fund emerging
technologies.
2023: To encourage wider participation, limit established of two awards within any three-year
period to any one organization.
2024: Grant program updated to reduce administrative burdens: requirements to independently
calculate GHG reductions eliminated, mid-year written review replaced with update to Climate
Action Commission, and identifying educational component moved from application process to
collaboration with climate action staff during grant contracting. Information session for interested
applicants covering these programs held during application window.
2025: Collaboration with Resource Management staff to establish a small grant to support
adoption of reusable food containers for organizations and businesses. Opportunity to pair small
business energy audits through Iowa Waste Reduction (IWR) with climate action grant process
explored for 2026.
SLI -2: INCENTIVES FOR THE PUBLIC TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN LOCAL FOOD
PRODUCTION AND COMMUNITY GARDENS
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
Iowa City Parks & Rec annually offers community garden plot program.
2022: Climate action grant awarded to Horace Mann Elementary School, Field to Family, and
Kirkwood Community College in support of increasing access to community gardens/local foods.
2023: Urban chicken regulations revised to do away with neighbor consent requirements, increase
the number of allowable chickens to 6 hens, and allow for chickens at multifamily dwellings.
2024: Climate action grant awarded to Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County Broadway
location to create educational garden plots for students. Local food efforts in Iowa City featured in
Environmental Law Institute’s “Planted” podcast.
2025: Climate action grant awarded to Global Food Project to purchase farm tools and equipment
and to Dream City to purchase efficient equipment for kitchen incubator space.
CITY POLICY ACTION ITEMS
SLCP-1: DEVELOP A GREEN PROCUREMENT POLICY
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2022: City Purchasing division working with office supply vendor accounts to apply a sustainability
filter to staff searches for products that will place green/sustainable products at the top of returns.
2024: Climate Action staff collaborate with procurement staff to host Iowa Public Procurement
meeting; event features speakers from national organizations and peer cities to discuss
sustainable purchasing practices.
SLCP-2: DEVELOP A CITY SUSTAINABIL E OPERATIONS GUIDE AND MAKE AVAILABLE
TO THE PUBLIC/ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT IOWA CITY
STATUS: LONG TERM/ONGOING
2023: Climate ambassador training offered to staff to increase cross-departmental collaborations
and identify opportunities to increase green practices across city operations.
2024: Second staff ambassador training held. Staff collaborate across departments to develop
guidance for City event food purchases aligned with climate goals; resulting resource “Everyone at
the Table” shared through departmental Lunch and Learns/Brunch and Learns.
2025: “Everyone at the Table” engagement continues with city staff.
PROJECTS ACTION ITEMS
SLP-1: COMMUNITY GARDEN EXPANSION / ADDITIONS
STATUS: COMPLETED - LONG TERM/ONGOING
2020: UI Student completed community garden assessment report
2021: Chadek Green community garden improvements include paved parking lot, pathways, raised
beds, water spigots and restrooms adjacent to the parking lot.
2022-23: Partnership with Kirkwood Community College to install "seed library" boxes at
community gardens for 2023.
2023: Community Garden program begins offering weekly tips and garden information via email to
participants throughout the gardening season.
2024: Survey sent to Chadek Green Community Garden participants to gauge interest in piloting a
no-till maintenance approach.
2025: Pilot program to allow community garden participants to amend soil/prepare beds for winter
following tilling at the close of the community garden season. Preliminary conversations exploring
use of agricultural land around airport and suitability for food hub activities.
For additional actions, see SLI-2 above.
SLP-2: DEVELOP A CLIMATE ACTION STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
STATUS: COMPLETED
2021-22: Staff collaborate with Cause Impacts to review existing marketing practices and develop
new marketing approaches, including overhaul of Sustainability Newsletter and branding efforts
using a mascot to unify diverse climate action messaging.
2022: Soft launch of Goldie mascot at May Public Works Open House, updated logo finalized in
May; Climate Action and Communications staff performed a comprehensive review of
communications assets to identify/prioritize those to be updated.
2023: Community-wide mailer sent to every Iowa City household highlighting Climate Fest events
and other Climate Action programs/resources; see SLE-1. Goldie sticker sheet highlighting five
campaigns featured at Climate Fest. Climate Action staff collaborate with Transit staff on
communications/marketing campaign for Fare Free pilot program.
2024: CAO staff present at Growing Sustainable Communities Conference on
communications/marketing plan successes. Continued deployment of existing Goldie campaigns
and development of new “Get Pumped” heat pump and “Keep Cool” heat awareness campaigns.
Continued collaboration on Fare Free marketing efforts. Second Climate Fest mailer.
2025: Continued deployment of existing Goldie campaigns. Launch of “IC EVs Everywhere”
communication efforts. Third Climate Fest mailer.
SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE PRIORITIZATION SCORING SHEET
CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSIONER
(name)
SCORING INDICATORS (USE WHOLE NUMBERS ONLY)
1 = Monitor and explore opportunities as they arise
3 = Maintain current efforts and have strategies in place to react to new opportunities
5 = Top priority: Grow efforts in this area and actively seek new opportunities
ACTION ITEMS
and maintain local food production
operations guide and make
available to the public/organizations