HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09 Council Minutes - PUBLISH 12-23-25December 9, 2025 Summary of Minutes Page 1
Subject to change as finalized by the City Clerk. For a final official copy, contact the City Clerk's Office 356-5041 Summary of Minutes December 9, 2025 - 6:00 PM
Iowa City City Council special formal meeting, held at City Hall - Emma J. Harvat Hall, 410 E. Washington St., Mayor Teague presiding. Council members present: Alter (via Zoom), Bergus, Harmsen, Moe, Salih (via Zoom), Teague,
Weilein. Staff members present: Lehmann, Goers, Grace, Caro, Seydell Johnson, Nagle-Gamm, Havel, Sovers, Harland, Durst, Hightshoe, Lyon. 1. Call to Order
2. Proclamations 2.a International Human Rights Day Bijou Maliabo and Lucie Mordecai , Johnson County United Nations
Association, accepting. 3. Special Presentations 3.a Presentation by Quality Pre-apprenticeship Program (QPP) Graduates Robin
Clark-Bennett, Labor Educator at the UI Labor Center and the following Quality
Pre-apprenticeship Program (QPP) graduates: Justin Mwandjelulu, Herbie Whaley, Sofia Arriaza, Alexa Ramirez, and Samantha Groark, Executive Director of the Central Iowa Building & Trades Council, presented information.
4. Consent Calendar – Approval of Council Actions (subject to corrections, as recommended by the City Clerk) 4.a Work Session Minutes: November 18 4.b Formal Summary of Minutes: November 18
5. Consent Calendar - Receive and File Minutes 5.a Climate Action Commission: October 6 5.b Climate Action Commission: November 10
5.c Historic Preservation Commission: October 9 5.d Housing & Community Development Commission: September 15 [See Recommendations] 5.e Human Rights Commission: October 28 [See Recommendation] 5.f Library Board of Trustees: October 23
5.g Parks & Recreation Commission: October 8 [See Recommendations] 5.h Planning & Zoning Commission: November 5 [See Recommendations] 6. Consent Calendar - Permit Motions and Resolution (as recommended by the City Clerk)
6.a Liquor License – Ownership Change 1. Class C Retail Alcohol License for La Familia Ortiz Inc. (LC006027), dba La Rumba Latino Bar, 1859 Lower Muscatine Rd.
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6.b Liquor License – New 1. Class E Retail Alcohol License for Crown Retail 2 LLC (App.0-009-275- 207), dba The Crown Liquor & Smoke, 1910 Lower Muscatine Rd.
2. Class E Retail Alcohol License for NG Stores LLC (App. 0-009-423-385), dba High Mart, 923 S. Riverside Dr. 6.c Liquor License – Renewal 1. Class E Retail Alcohol Liquor License for GM Retail, LLC (LE0003364),
dba GM Mart, 2601 Hwy 6 E. 2. Class C Retail Alcohol Liquor License for 1st and & Main Hospitality LLC (LC0041319) (Sidewalk Cafe), dba Pullman, 17 S. Dubuque St. 3. Class C Retail Alcohol Liquor License for Kinseth Hospitality Company Inc. (LC0049070), dba Element by Westin, 314 S. Clinton St.
4. Class C Retail Alcohol Liquor License for Iowa City Cantina LLC (LC0049193), dba Coa Cantina Iowa City, 18 1/2 S. Clinton St. 5. Class C Retail Alcohol Liquor License for Los Agaves Iowa City, Inc. (LC0043885) (Outdoor Service Area), dba Los Agaves Mexican Grill, 2208 N. Dodge St. 6. Outdoor Service Area for Los Agaves Iowa City, Inc. (LC0043885), dba Los Agaves Mexican Grill, 2208 N. Dodge St. 7. Outdoor Service Area for Colonial Bowling, Inc. (LC0051825), dba
Colonial Bowling Inc., 2253 Old Highway 218 S. 8. Class C Retail Liquor License for La Familia Ortiz Inc. (LC006027), dba La Rumba Latino Bar, 1859 Lower Muscatine Rd. 6.d Resolution approving applications for retail tobacco, tobacco products,
alternative nicotine products, vapor products, and device retailer permits, as required by Iowa Code 453A.47A and Iowa Code 453E.3. [High Mart, 923 S. Riverside Dr.] (Resolution 25-271) 7. Consent Calendar – Resolutions and Motions
7.a Motion to approve disbursements in the amount of $20,432,627.34 for the period of October 1 through October 31, 2025, as recommended by the Finance Director subject to audit. Disbursements are published and permanently retained in the City Clerk’s office in accordance with State.
7.b Motion to accept the proposed FY27 preliminary budget for the Iowa City Downtown District, as approved by the Iowa City Downtown District Advisory Board.
7.c Motion to accept the proposed FY27 preliminary budget for the South of 6 Business District, as approved by the South of 6 Advisory Board. 7.d Resolution rescinding the 2024 Personnel Policies and adopting updated Personnel Policies. (Resolution 25-279)
7.e Resolution authorizing the procurement of equipment to upgrade the storage area network for ITS operations. (Resolution 25-272)
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7.f Resolution approving a purchase agreement for a condominium unit located at 4675 Herbert Hoover Highway. (Resolution 25-273)
7.g Resolution awarding contract and authorizing the Mayor to sign and the City Clerk to attest a contract for the Animal Care and Adoption Center Training Addition Project. (Resolution 25-274) 7.h Resolution awarding contract and authorizing the Mayor to sign and the City
Clerk to attest a contract for construction of the Terrell Mill Roller Park Project. (Resolution 25-275) 8. Consent Calendar – Setting Public Hearings
8.a Resolution setting a public hearing on January 6, 2026, on the project manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the 2026 Parking Garages Maintenance and Repair Project, directing City Clerk to publish notice of said hearing, and directing the City Engineer to place said project manual on file for public inspection. (Resolution 25-276) 8.b Resolution setting a public hearing on January 6, 2026 on project manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the Collector Well No.1 Structural/Electrical Upgrades and Well Reconstruction Project, directing City
Clerk to publish notice of said hearing, and directing the City Engineer to place said project manual on file for public inspection. (Resolution 25-277) 8.c Resolution setting a public hearing for January 6, 2026 regarding the intent to enter into a Sharing and Indemnification Agreement with Johnson County to
allow Johnson County Ambulance Service to store and operate an ambulance from Fire Station 2. (Resolution 25-278) 9. Consent Calendar – Correspondence
9.a Establish a "No Parking Here to Corner" parking prohibition on the west side of Westgate Street 9.b Installation of a "Stop" sign on High Street at the intersection with Morningside Drive
End of Consent Calendar Councilor Weilein asked for item 7.d to be removed for separate consideration.
Motion to approve consent calendar, items 4-9 removing 7.d for separate consideration. Moved by Shawn Harmsen, seconded by Oliver Weilein. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes) Individual Council members expressed their views for item 7.d.
Motion to approve consent calendar Item 7.d. Moved by Oliver Weilein, seconded by Megan Alter. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes)
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10. Community Comment [items not on the agenda (until 7 PM)] No one appeared. 11. Planning & Zoning Matters
11.a Ordinance rezoning approximately 13.60 acres of property from Interim Development – Research Park (ID-RP) to Medium Density Single-Family Residential (RS-8) for 4.75 acres and Rural Residential (RR-1) for 8.85 acres for property located at west of Ava Circle and south of Kennedy Parkway
(REZ25-0014). Development Services Coordinator Sitzman presented a PowerPoint. The following individual appeared: Gina Landau, Navigate Homes. Individual Council members expressed their views.
Motion to give first consideration. Moved by Joshua Moe, seconded by Mazahir Salih. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes) 12. Regular Formal Agenda 12.a Resolution authorizing the acquisition of property interests necessary for construction of the Taft Avenue Reconstruction Project.
Jon Resler, Assigned Engineer from Foth Infrastructure and Environment,
LLC, presented a PowerPoint. Individual Council members asked questions. Assistant City Engineer Sovers provided additional information. Motion to approve resolution 25-280. Moved by Joshua Moe, seconded by Oliver
Weilein. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes)
12.b Ordinance amending Title 16, entitled “Public Works”, Chapter 3, “City Utilities”, Article C, “Potable Water Use and Service." (First Consideration) Water Superintendent Durst presented information. Individual
Council members asked questions and expressed their views.
Motion to give first consideration. Moved by Laura Bergus, seconded by Joshua Moe. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes)
12.c Ordinance amending Title 16, entitled “Public Works,” Chapter 3, entitled “City Utilities,” Article H, entitled “Solid Waste,” Section 7, entitled "Storage of Solid Waste," to require property and business owners within the downtown area subject to the solid waste container permit system to contract with a commercial waste hauler. (First Consideration)
City Attorney Goers presented information. Individual Council members asked questions. The following individual appeared: Betsy Potter, Executive Director of the Iowa City Downtown District.
Motion to give first consideration. Moved by Shawn Harmsen, seconded by Joshua
Moe. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes)
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12.d Ordinance amending Title 3, "Finance, Taxation and Fees" of the City Code, to re-establish the Iowa City Downtown Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 386,
Code of Iowa; and providing for the establishment of an operation fund and the levy of an annual tax in connection therewith. (Second Consideration) Motion to give second consideration. Moved by Joshua Moe, seconded by Laura Bergus. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes)
12.e Resolution establishing the design concept as necessary to begin engineering design documents for the Burlington Street Bridge Replacement Project.
Senior Engineer Harland provided information. Mike Kurek, Senior Project Manager
at HDR Consultants, presented a PowerPoint. Individual Council members asked questions and expressed their views. The following individual appeared: Nick Pfeiffer, Vice President of Public Affairs for Think Iowa City.
Motion to approve resolution 25-281. Moved by Mazahir Salih, seconded by Laura Bergus. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes) 12.f Resolution establishing the City of Iowa City's 2026 state legislative priorities.
Assistant City Manager Lehmann presented information. Individual Council members asked questions and expressed their views. City Attorney Goers provided additional information.
Motion to approve resolution. Moved by Joshua Moe, seconded by Oliver Weilein. Motion Failed. (0 Ayes) 13. Council Appointments
13.a Board of Adjustment - One vacancy to fill a five-year term, January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2030 (Term expires for Nancy Carlson on 12/31/2025). Motion to appoint Deborah Vandergaast. Moved by Joshua Moe, seconded by Mazahir Salih. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes)
13.b Planning & Zoning Commission - One vacancy to fill an unexpired term, upon appointment - June 30, 2026 (Scott Quellhorst resigned). Motion to appoint Colette Atkins. Moved by Megan Alter, seconded by Oliver
Weilein. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes)
14. Announcement of Vacancies - New (The Boards, Commissions and Committee Application can be found at the following: https://www.icgov.org/bccapp)
14.a Public Art Advisory Committee - One vacancy for an At-Large representative to fill an unexpired term, upon appointment - December 31, 2027 (Rachel Kinker resigned). Correspondence included in Council Packet.
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Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
Motion to accept correspondence from Rachel Kinker. Moved by Oliver Weilein,
seconded by Shawn Harmsen. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes) 15. Announcement of Vacancies - Previous (The Boards, Commissions and Committee Application can be found at the following: https://www.icgov.org/bccapp)
15.a Climate Action Commission - One vacancy to fill an unexpired term, upon appointment - December 31, 2027 (Robert Traer resigned). Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment - One vacancy to fill a five-year term, January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2030 (Term expires for Andreas Wilz). Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment - One vacancy to fill a five- year term, January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2028 (Term expired for Heather Flynn).
Board of Appeals - One vacancy for a Licensed Electrician to fill a five-year term, January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2030 (Term expires for Gt Karr). (If a qualified trade representative does not submit an application within three (3) months of the announcement of the vacancy, a member may be appointed who is qualified by experience and training to pass on matters
pertaining to building construction).
Board of Appeals - One vacancy for an HVAC Professional to fill an unexpired term, upon appointment - December 31, 2028 (Nicolas Yost resigned). (If a qualified trade representative does not submit an application
within three (3) months of the announcement of the vacancy, a member may be appointed who is qualified by experience and training to pass on matters pertaining to building construction). Historic Preservation Commission - One vacancy for a Brown St representative
to fill a three-year term, July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028 (Term expired for Christina Welu-Reynolds). Historic Preservation Commission - One vacancy for a Jefferson St representative to fill a three -year term, July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028
(Formerly advertised as an unexpired term and a full term - Lyndi Kiple resigned). Historic Preservation Commission - One vacancy for a Woodlawn Ave representative to fill a three-year term, July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027 (formerly
advertised as unexpired term - Kevin Larson resigned).
Vacancies will remain open until filled.
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16. City Council Information Assistant City Manager Lehmann provided information.
17. Report on Items from City Staff 18. Adjourn
Motion to adjourn 8:16 pm. Moved by Oliver Weilein, seconded by Laura Bergus. Motion Passed. (7 Ayes) s/Bruce Teague, Mayor
Attest:s/Kellie K. Grace, City Clerk
*Submitted to publish on 12/23/2025