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Home My WebLink About2015-04-07 Council minutesr ^'n. -4 CITY OF IOWA CITY `Q�P, MEMORANDUM Date: April 15, 2015 To: Mayor and City Council From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, April 7, 2015, 5:00 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall Council: Botchway, Dickens, Hayek, Mims, Payne, Throgmorton. Absent: Dobyns UISG: McCarthy Staff: Markus, Fruin, Dilkes, Karr, Bockenstedt, Yapp, Ford, O'Brien, Knoche, Havel, Hall, Elias, Hightshoe, Hart, Jennings, Boothroy, Rackis A transcription and power points are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website. QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS 1. (Agenda item # 6a and Consent Calendar # 4e(10) — rezoning Hieronymus property at Muscatine and Scott...) In response to Council Member Payne, City Clerk Karr explained that an error was discussed in the publication notice and poste agenda item and staff was recommending a second hearing be held on April 151h and considerations restarted; staff will be recommending expedited action on April 21. 2. (Consent Calendar item # 4d(4) — North Plant Salvage and Demolition ... Wastewater Treatment Plant Relocation ....) In response to Council Member Payne, Public Works Dir. Knoche reported that one reason the demolition bid came in lower was because the mercury abatement portion estimated at $2.5 million, was removed from the project and done for about $2 million. Staff was reviewing the design for possible use of the savings for grading and trail work or stabilization along the creek. 3. (Consent Calendar item # 4d(1)... Normandy Drive Restoration Phase 1116 ... ) Public Works Dir. Knoche noted a change in the bid price on the resolution and the agenda and confirmed the price of $223,030.55 4. (Consent Calendar item # 4f(4) — Iowa City Telecommunications Commission...) In response to Mayor Hayek, the City Manager stated that decertification of Alliance Technologies was in process and that removal would increase payments coming back to the City through August 2018; someone new could get a statewide franchise and reduce that amount. The City Manager reported that there has been interest expressed but discussion was in the informal stages; noting the public is interested in seeing competition with our current franchisee. 5. (Consent Calendar item # 4d(7) — AFSCME Contract... and # 4d(9) Police Labor Contract ...) In response to Mayor Pro tem Mims, the City Manager noted the changes in the contracts were included in the memo from the Human Resources Administrator included in the agenda packet. Council Work Session April 7, 2015 Page 2 6. (Consent Calendar item # 4e(9) — East Harrison Street Reconstruction...) In response to Mayor Pro tem Mims, Public Works Dir. Knoche stated the street needed to be reconstructed prior to the MidWest One building opening; and that the majority of the work on the Sabin site would be staged off of Dubuque Street and the alley. 7. (Agenda item # 8 — Relocation Approval letter ... Leepfrog Technologies) In response to Mayor Hayek, Economic Development Coordinator Ford updated Council on discussions with Leepfrog Technologies and correspondence received from Coralville and Proximity, consultant for Leepfrog Technologies. City Manager Markus and City Atty. Dilkes provided information. Individual Council Members expressed their views. Staff will be recommending that the Council direct staff to send the draft letter in the packet along with a cover letter stating that the City had been notified that Coralville was withdrawing their request from the State but that Iowa City feels it is important that the State see the correspondence on the issue. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS f# 121 Library Board — Adam Ingersoll, John E. Beasley, and Monique L. Washington CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS (IP3 of 3/12 and 4/2 Information Packetl Chair Andy Chappell introduced members present and reviewed the recommendations. Majority directed staff to prepare an ordinance incorporating all the recommendations of the Commission; and requested that discuss of changes to the City Charter not recommended by the Charter Review Commission be scheduled for a future work session. ACTION: Ordinance will be on April 21 agenda for first consideration. (Dilkes, Karr) JOINT AGENDA ITEMS (IP4 of 4/2 Information Packetl After discussion Council agreed to submit one agenda item for the meeting: • update from the School district on diversity policies and school boundaries ACTION: Staff will notify Coralville to add the item to the agenda. (Karr) INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION (March 26, April 21 March 26 1. (IP # 6 - ... commending City employees) Mayor Hayek noted the letter from Ro Foege thanking city employees for assistance on a snowy day, and passed along his appreciation as well. 2. (IP # 3 - .... article .... Walkability ....) In response to Mayor Pro tem Mims, a majority of Council agreed to add discussion of the City's sidewalk repair program to the pending list for future discussion. 3. (IP # 4 - ... article ...POLICOM ... strongest economy) Mayor Pro tem Mims noted the article and thanked the City Manager for sharing with Council. 4. (IP # 5 — ... article ... Pear Deck) Mayor Pro tem Mims noted the article and congratulated home grown Pear Duck on receiving the $150,000 grant at the "Rise of the Best" competition. Council Work Session April 7, 2015 Page 3 April 2 1. (IP # 9 — ... Listening Posts ... ) Mayor Hayek and Mayor Pro tem Mims will attend the first listening post on May 7. In response to questions, City Clerk Karr reported that Equity Dir. Bowers, City Manager Markus, Asst. City Manager Fruin, Mayor Hayek and herself had discussed the first location and reviewed the press release. The locations provides a central location for the downtown and university community. Council Member Throgmorton and UISG Liaison McCarthy suggested a University building as a possible location, and a time earlier in the afternoon. Majority agreed to proceed. 2. (Late Addition .... UI International Student Initiatives) Mayor Hayek summarized discussions with student government and correspondence to University officials regarding improving international students experiences in Iowa City. 3. (IP # 10 — ... Police Chief ... body camera purchase update) In response to Council Member Payne, the City Manager stated the City Attorney was reviewing the draft policy, and staff have invited representatives from ACLU to assist in development of the policy. The City Atty. noted proposed legislation addressing specific confidential provisions died in the legislature. 4. (IP # 6 — KXIC Radio Show) Council Members agreed to the following schedule: Wednesday April 15 - Dickens April 22 — Mims April 29 — Hayek May 6 — Botchway First and third Friday of each month: Friday April 17 — Mims May 1 — Dickens COUNCIL TIME / PENDING WORK SESSIONS TOPICS 1. Council Member Throgmorton noted remarks made during a recent discussion of appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission when criticism was voice about a Commission being "dysfunctional"; and requested an item regarding evaluating City Boards and Commission. Three Council Members requested the item be added to the pending list for a future work session. 2. Council Member Botchway noted recent meeting he attended with Council Member Throgmorton regarding building communities and improving communication and a reference made to the City used to have a person who oversaw communications with non -profits and questioned if the position exists as part of the communications team. Mayor Hayek asked staff to prepare information on the history of the position. UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS / COUNCIL INVITATIONS Mayor Hayek reported he has been asked to speak at the Consultation of Religious Communities later in the month. 2. Council Member Throgmorton noted the University of Iowa's Public Policy Center would be holding a symposium on Food Production on April 9th; and on April 18th the United Nations Association will be holding a forum on Climate Change. 3. Council Member Botchway noted an event at the Children's Museum on April 18tH Meeting adjourned 6:40 PM.