HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-07 Council minutesr
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MEMORANDUM
Date: October 15, 2014
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, October 7, 2014, 5:00 p.m. in Emma J. Harvat Hall
Council: Botchway, Dickens, Dobyns, Hayek, Mims, Payne, Throgmorton
UISG: Neal
Staff: Markus, Fruin, Dilkes, Karr, Bockenstedt, Davidson, Yapp, Boothroy, Fosse,
Moran, Hightshoe, Knoche, Andrew, Ralston, Clow
A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and on the City website.
CONFIRMATION OF THE COURT / LINN RFP FINALISTS
Mayor Hayek announced that correspondence had been received late that afternoon from a law
firm representing one of the applicants not selected; and the City Attorney construes it as a
threat of litigation and the that there would be no discussion on the finalists this evening, City
Atty. Dilkes advised members not to have conversations with either Prairie Sun or any other
proposers.
QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
1. (Consent Calendar items # 3e(3) — Mark NeuCollins ... People's Climate March....)
Council Member Throgmorton referenced the letter / statement and the memo from
Sustainability Coordinator Nations in the October 2 information packet (IP8).
2. (Consent Calendar item # 3e(2) — correspondence Adam Sullivan ... Body Cameras) In
response to Council Member Dobyns, City Manager Markus reported that the cameras
have not been purchased; and Police were preparing general orders and procedure
policies for camera usage. In response to Mayor Pro tern Mims, the City Manager stated
typically the orders and policies would not come before Council but given the interest he
would include in an information packet.
3. (Item # 6 — ... appeal of Historic Preservation Decision ....St. Mary's Roman Catholic
Church) The Mayor announced that the applicant has requested deferral to November
18.
4. (Item # 10 — ... assessments ....) Mayor Hayek reviewed the process and the stated if
someone appears regarding their assessment the practice has been to remove that
assessment from the schedule, proceed with adoption of the remaining properties, and
schedule the one item for the next meeting when staff could be present with more
information.
Council Work Session
October 7, 2014
Page 2
5. (Agenda Item # 8 and # 9 — ... Chadek property... Chadek Green Park) In response to
questions the City Manager stated he and the Parks and Recreation Dir. have been
discussing cutting back on maintenance of more natural passive areas. Mayor Hayek
noted that this may also involve more community partnership similar to North Market
Square.
DISCUSS MPOJC SCORING CRITERIA RELATED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS FOR
THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM AND TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
PROGRAM FUNDS
MPOJC Executive Dir. Ralston and Public Works Dir. Fosse presented information. After
discussion, a majority agreed not to recommend making changes to the adopted scoring
criteria.
ACTION: Report to MPOJC Board at November meeting (Ralston)
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
City Clerk Karr noted three additions to the agenda:
• 3d(11) a subordination agreement for financing Camp Cardinal Road
• 3e(15) correspondence regarding Court / Linn RFP Finalist Selection
• 3e(16) correspondence from Ravi & Tina Advani regarding Class E Liquor License.
INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION [September 18, 25 and October 2]
September 18
1. (IP # 2 — Blue Zones event) After discussion it was agreed that no more than three
Council Members would be attending the event on October 29tH
2. (IP # 3 — Status Report on South District Plan) In response to Council Member
Throgmorton Development Coordinator Yapp presented a summary of the workshop
held the previous evening.
3. (IP # 4 — Article from City Manager ... Old design guidelines should not be applied
today) In response to Council Member Payne, City Manager Markus the article
presented a different perspective regarding historic buildings.
4. (IP # 5 - Article from City Manager ... Uber ride -share service hits D.M. today; officials
balk) In response to Council Member Dobyns, City Clerk Karr reported that staff was
preparing a new taxi ordinance for Council discussion within the next 30 days that would
include Police safety concerns and future transportation models such as Uber.
September 25
1. (IP # 5 — Memo from Neighborhood Services Coordinator ... UniverCity Neighborhood
Partnership update) Council Member Dickens thanked staff for the memo and answering
questions on the price of the house and finding houses that will fit into the ranges.
Council Member Payne raised concern regarding people purchasing the homes being
able to afford them.
Council Work Session
October 7, 2014
Page 3
2. (IP # 6 — GFOA's Distinguished Budget Award ...) Council Member Dobyns
congratulated Finance Dir. Bockenstedt on receiving the award.
3. (IP # 2 - Article from City Manager ... Forty Under 40) Mayor Pro tem Mims
congratulated Asst. City Manager Fruin on being named one of 40 top leaders under the
age of 40 who are making a difference in the Corridor by the Corridor Business Journal.
4. (IP # 9 - Community Job & Resource Fair — October 30; and IP # 9 - Memo from Human
Resources Adm... Recruitment and Hiring Outreach in the 10/2 packet) Mayor Pro tem
noted the upcoming Job Fair and thanked staff for implementing changes and helping to
diversify City staff.
5. (IP # 7 - ... Strategic Plan States Report ...) Council Members thanked Asst. City
Manager Fruin for the update. Council Member Payne noted on page 33, under
"Accomplishments" it refers to working to finalize the Burlington Street dam and stated if
it were an accomplishment we shouldn't still be working it. Fruin clarified the project was
not done and would be moved to "Future Plans ". Payne stated a similar item was also
on page 41.
October 2
(IP # 5 — KXIC Radio Show) The following schedule was agreed upon:
➢ October 8 — Mims
➢ October 15 — Throgmorton
➢ October 22 — Botchway
➢ October 29 — Dickens
➢ November 5 - Payne
➢ November 12 — Dobyns
Council Member Mims encouraged everyone to talk about the upcoming local option
sales tax election utilizing the talking points prepared by the Finance Dir.
2. (IP # 8 - Memo from Sustainability Coordinator .... Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement and climate mitigation update) In response to Council Member Throgmorton,
Council agreed to signing the agreement as recommended by staff. Council Member
Throgmorton announced Dr. James Hanson, former Director of NASA's Goddard
Institute for Space Studies, and best known climate scientist in the United States would
be speaking on climate change on October 16 in the IMC main lounge.
3. (IP # 6 - Pending Work Session Items) Mayor Pro tem Mims stated she would like to
discuss late handouts, and questioned whether that discussion could occur tonight or be
scheduled for a future time. City Clerk Karr reviewed the current procedure for
distribution of late handouts electronically at 3PM on Tuesday's prior to a meeting. City
Atty. Dilkes stressed the importance of providing information to Council prior to decision
making and certain legal requirements for receipt of information. After discussion it was
agreed to add the item to the next work session.
4. (IP # 13 - Traffic Calming on Highland Avenue) Council Member Payne stated the
roadway is filled with speed humps and people still drive fast.
5. (IP # 9 - Memo from Human Resources Adm.... Recruitment and Hiring Outreach)
Council Member Throgmorton thanked staff for preparing the recruitment materials and
questioned whether they had reached out to community organizations such as Black
Council Work Session
October 7, 2014
Page 4
Voices Project and the Center for Worker Justice for advice. City Manage Markus said
the Equity Dir. had prepared a list of contacts to ensure better outreach.
COUNCIL TIME AND MEETING SCHEDULE
Council Member Throgmorton the Book Festival held the previous week -end was a big
success.
2. Mayor Hayek reported on the proclamation he presented recognizing Iowa City's 1751h
anniversary as part of the Book Festival; and stated he would report further at the formal
meeting.
3. Council Member Botchway noted discussion at a previous MPOJC meeting to establish
a subcommittee to make policy recommendations for the MPOJC to consider concerning
affordable housing, and questioned Iowa City's support of the idea. MPOJC Executive
Dir. Ralston stated more information would be available in the Affordable Housing
Update at the January MPOJC meeting and members agreed to wait until that data is
available before discussing forming a committee. Council Members expressed support
for the subcommittee idea.
4. Council Member Botchway questioned the status of multi - family recycling, City Manager
Markus stated staff wanted to work through the Fiberight issue before looking into
multi - family recycling. Mayor Hayek noted the Fiberight discussion was on the pending
list.
5. Council Members Throgmorton stated he had been asked to participate in a walking tour
of the Peninsula Neighborhood on October 14 and wanted information on the secondary
access road. City Manager Markus and Economic Development Adm. Davidson
reported on ongoing discussions. Staff will summarize and provide additional
information.
6. Council Member Payne stated she would be out of town for the October 21 meeting and
wanted to participate electronically. Council Member Dickens reported he may be a few
minutes late for that meeting as well.
PENDING WORK SESSION TOPICS [IP # 6 of 10/2 Info Packet]
None
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS /COUNCIL INVITATIONS
1. Council Member Throgmorton indicated he would be participating in the Run for the
Schools on October 19th, and asked others to join him.
Adjourned 6:25 p.m.