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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-04 Correspondence�u 4 CITY OF IOWA CITY =6 IN Date: December 22, 2011 To: Mayor and Council From: Thomas M. Markus, City Manager Re: Appointments to Various Boards, Committees, and Commissions Traditionally, this discussion centers on elected official appointments to the subject boards, committees, and commissions. This year, we have a few new boards it may be desirable for Council to consider members of staff for some of these appointments. Comments follow regarding specific board, committee, and commission appointments that the Council may wish to consider. (Item 6h.) - Metro Coalition of Cities: In the past elected councilmembers filled these positions. Since my taking the position of City Manager, I, former Assistant City Manager Helling, and now Assistant to the City Manager Fruin have handled the regular conference calls and gatherings of the Metro Coalition. It may be advantageous in terms of managing our legislative agenda for me to serve as the alternate to this group in order for me to be able to vote on coalition actions when the appointee (elected councilmember) cannot attend. I would note that in the other coalition cities it is not uncommon for the mayor to serve as the appointee and the manager to serve as the alternate. (Item 6i.) - Joint Emergency Communication Center (JECC) Policy Board (2) 1 attended the last two meetings of calendar year 2011 of this board when significant budget /finance issues were discussed and resolved. On at least one other occasion I attend as an alternate. This may be to the benefit of the City's interests. I would respectfully request that you consider me as one of the appointees to this board. No less than three JECC Executive Directors have managed this operation since its inception. I believe my management background and previous experience on intergovernmental boards may assist in calming the concerns with JECC expressed by other elected officials in Johnson County. (Item 6n.) - Self- Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) Non - Voting Representation from Iowa City, New Appointment This Year (Ex- Officio) Again, having previously served for a number of years on a downtown board I may provide some value and experience to a group who has had little past experience serving an organization of this type. As manager I would also be able to facilitate stronger working relationships between our City departments, the SSMID, and their businesses to address the unique concerns of a central business district. (Item 6o.) - Johnson County and 911 Service Board The County is calling for our City to name a board member. Fire Chief Andy Rocca and Police Captain Rick Wyss currently represent Iowa City in this capacity. I would recommend that Iowa City name Chief Rocca as the board member and Captain Wyss as the alternate. r - CITY OF IOWA CITY 7 M_ t Mi M RA N DUM E�C� Date: December 13, 2011 To: Tom Markus, City Manager From: Simon Andrew, Management Intern Re: 2012 Legislative Priorities As discussed at the December 6, 2011 work session, a resolution reflecting Iowa City's 2012 State legislative priorities has been prepared for Council action in advance of meeting with our area legislators for discussion of the 2012 legislative session. While these priorities are largely consistent with those proposed by the Iowa League of Cities, the Metropolitan Coalition, and the Iowa City City Council's approved 2011 legislative priorities, they are more specific to Iowa City's needs, concerns, and current environment. This year's discussion will also involve the input and expertise of the Davis Brown Law Firm, with whom the City recently entered into a contract to provide lobbying efforts with the State on behalf of the City. The 2012 Iowa City legislative priorities are as follows: 1. Economic development, including the reform of development incentives while preserving their existence. Suggested TIF reforms are presented in "Tax Increment Financing: A Case Study of Johnson County" by Peter S. Fisher of the Iowa Fiscal Partnership. This report is available at the following web address: http:// iowafiscal.org /2011docs/111121- TIF-JC.pdf. 2. Legislative remedies to the possible negative effects of the Krupp judicial decision, which allows commercial rental complexes to be converted to cooperatives and thus be taxed as residential properties. 3. Increasing the road use tax to adequately fund the building and maintenance of our transportation infrastructure. 4. Funding passenger rail service between Chicago, Iowa City, and Des Moines. 5. Chapter 411: restructuring the police /fire pension system in order to ensure the system's stability and sustainability. 6. Diversifying local revenue sources, especially in light of proposed commercial property tax reform. This includes a local option to increase the maximum rate of the Hotel -Motel Tax. 7. Local regulatory authority over alcohol licensing, sales, service, and consumption. 8. Supporting the Iowa League of Cities and Metropolitan Coalition legislative priorities unless otherwise modified by the City. With Council's approval, staff will work with our area legislators and lobbying firm to affect positive State legislative action specific to these priorities. r,® CITY OF IOWA CITY ps MEMORANDUM Date: November 10, 2011 To: City Council From: Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager Re: Legislative Priorities C (n-�r�ii Please find attached a copy of Resolution #10 -496 by which Council adopted your legislative priorities for 2011, as well as a copy of the 2012 Legislative Priorities of the Iowa League of Cities. These are provided for your review in anticipation of a meeting with our area legislators prior to the 2012 session. In addition, the Metropolitan Coalition discussed 2012 priorities at its meeting on August 25, 2011 but those have not been finalized. The discussion included the following as possible priorities: a. diversifying revenue sources; b. Chapter 411(police /fire pension system) restructuring and keeping the system sound; c. preservation of TIF as an economic development tool; d. extension of the 6% historic tax credit; e. adequate funding for public transportation infrastructure (road use tax revenue); f. negative effects of the Krupp decision allowing commercial rental complexes to be converted to Co -Op and taxed as residential properties; g. general concurrence with the priorities of the Iowa League of Cities. With Council's concurrence, a discussion of your legislative priorities will be placed on your December 6, 2011 work session agenda. A resolution reflecting those priorities will then be prepared for formal Council action. cc. Tom Markus, City Manager Marian Karr, City Clerk Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney For over 114 years, the Iowa League of Cities has served as the unified voice for municipah- ties. Wide a focus on education for city officials and advocacy on their issues, the League continues to serve as a reliable and credible resource. This brochure proudly presents the League's priorities for the 2012 Legislative Session as adopted by the membership at its Annual Business meeting. Cities in Iowa strive to provide safe com- munities and the quality of life that citizens and businesses have come to demand, while at the same time making increasingly diffi- cult choices as revenues remain stagnant and costs increase. The League continues to engage in discus- sions to find a solution to commercial prop- erty tax inequities. However, cities are faced with increasing health care and pension costs as well as unfunded state and federal man- dates, the costs of which cannot be ignored. We applaud and support the Governor's ef- forts to investigate sources of funding for infrastructure costs and cities continue to recognize our role as partners with state and business officials in continuing economic de- velopment efforts to maintain and strength- en the state's economy. We look forward to working with the Gov- ernor and Legislature on the issues that are criti �es and their citizens. Alan W. Kemp Executive Director Iowa League of Citiel ii 6 IIIIIIIIIM C U C C Ifta r Iowa League of Cities Legislative Priorities 2012 IOWA LEAGUE 4f CITIES 2012 Legislative Priorities Reform Ionu'epraper!y tau systeor by iopleaieutirg equitable reforms that work for all property tau pay- ers and localgoverowenL Cities have a commitment to partnering with businesses to drive economic development and to help create the quality of life Iowa's citizens and employers expect. The League supports a property tax plan that addresses commercial property tax relief without negatively impacting local governments' ability to provide necessary infrastructure and services. The League seeks reform that makes the system more transparent to taxpayers and furthers its goal of creating a responsible property tax solution that will enable business to thrive and create jobs, while enhanc- ing our cities. Reform and Maintain Strong Pension Systems Address needed systemic changes to the Murnicpal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa (MFPRSI), aimed at creating a fair, sustainable system ))bile controlling costs to cities Ensure the susfainabibi y and fairness of the IPERS system A majority of city administrative costs relate to personnel, particularly through benefits like pensions. The recent eco- nomic downturn severely impacted Iowa's pension systems, including the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa (MFPRSI) and IPERS. Skyrocketing projected actuarial rates translate to millions of dollars in additional city costs to fund existing benefits, and highlight built -in un- sustainable inequities in the system's structure that must be addressed. IPERS has recently implemented a contribution rate increase. No new employee benefits should be consid- ered at this time. Remove Unfunded Mandates Eliminate unfirnded state mandates and increase home rule. In addition to funding rising pension and healthcare costs, cities face a host of other mandates at the state and federal levels. With ongoing discussions on property tax reform, the League wants to address city cost drivers and mandates, many of which the League has been or is at- tempting to ameliorate legislatively. Removing requirements such as mandatory newspaper publication costs, require- ments for certain boards and commissions, requirements to provide services to tax exempt properties and high -cost en- vironmental regulations can help cities hold down costs and make more flexible decisions at the local government level. The Iowa League of Cities serves as the unified voice of cities, providing advocacy, training and guidance to strengthen Iowa's communities. Increase Transportation Infrastructure Funding Increase the TIME -21 fund for city transportation infrastructarre through additional firnding viethods Cities in Iowa know that maintaining and enhanc- ing city road and water infrastructure is critical to our ability to retain and attract businesses, and to provide safe, reliable transportation for our citizens. Faced with a declining Road Use Tax Fund and the underfunding of the TIME-21 fund, new revenue sources are crucial. The League supports the work of the Governor's Transportation 2020 Citizen Ad- visory Commission and its examination of addition- al funding sources for the TIME-21 fund, including raising the gas tax, to ensure the annual $215 million minimum necessary to maintain critical needs for our roads and bridges. Protect Economic Development Tools Maintain ficnding for economic develapmeotprograms and sipportpohaes aimed at iuliroriug city economic development, The foundation for healthy, thriving cities lies in local economic development. The League supports programs such as Vision Iowa, Main Street Iowa, and tax credits such as the State Historic Tax Credit Program. Tax Increment Financing remains a singu- larly, effective tool in the city economic development toolbox, sought after by many businesses looking to locate in Iowa. Its availability and flexibility must be maintained. ®4 CITY OF IOWA CITY 8 MEMORANDUM Date: December 14, 2011 To: Tom Markus, City Manager From: City Manager's Office Staff Re: Strategic Plan Priorities and Initiatives Introduction: In recent months, the City of Iowa City has engaged in a strategic planning process to define the City's top priorities, address significant new projects and initiatives, and establish a broad vision to improve organizational effectiveness. The City enlisted the University of Iowa's Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) to assist in this endeavor; the process was facilitated by Jeff Schott. Below are highlights of IPA's report, with recommendations for further action by Council and staff. History /Background: The strategic planning process began in September and included gathering input from the general public, front line City staff, department directors, and the City Council. The strategic planning process focused on the following areas: 1. Issues, Concerns, Trends, and Opportunities 2. On -going or Committed Projects 3. Significant New Projects, Programs, Policies, and Initiatives 4. Organizational Effectiveness Top priorities: Drawing from the issues, concerns, and opportunities identified by line staff, division /department heads, and elected officials, councilmembers selected the five most important issue areas on which the City should focus in the next two years: 1. Economic and Community Development 2. Development of the Downtown and Near Downtown Areas 3. Neighborhood stabilization 4. A Strong and Sustainable Financial Foundation 5. Coordinated Communication and Customer Service Orientation Significant New Projects, Policies, and Initiatives: In addition to acknowledging numerous on -going or committed projects, the City Council identified the following new projects and initiatives that fall within the above - mentioned focus areas: Actively work with the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) on a joint strategy to maintain and build upon the success of schools in established neighborhoods while ensuring new elementary schools are planned as integral and sustainable components of neighborhoods (Neighborhood Stabilization) December 14, 2011 Page 2 • Develop an economic development strategy for existing commercial properties outside of the previously noted downtown and near downtown districts (Economic and Community Development) Conduct a comprehensive organizational assessment focusing on communication strategies and the organizational customer service culture (Coordinated Communication and Customer Service Orientation) The City Council also discussed a number of topics related to organizational effectiveness. Many of these issues will be fully examined through the above - mentioned organizational assessment. In addition, the City Council has also directed the City to undertake a succession planning process and become more strategic and engaged in working with our State and Federal representatives. Recommendation: After formal adoption of these priorities by Council, City staff should generate specific action plans to address these issues. These action steps should be presented to Council for review and approval; Council should evaluate progress every four months.