The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2015-05-05 Council minutesI k I M1111111EM 0 RA N D U M From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, May 5, 2015, 5:00 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall Council: Botchway, Dickens, Dobyns, Hayek, Mims, Payne, Throgmorton. UI: Neal Staff: Markus, Fruin, Dilkes, Karr, Bockenstedt, O'Brien, Knoche, Havel, Hightshoe, Boothroy, Andrew, Moran, Morris, Ford, Rackis, Yapp A transcription and power points are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website. QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS 1. (Consent Calendar items 5d(3) ... final plat of Churchill Meadows; 5d(4) ... 28E project agreement .... for improvements to a portion of Herbert Hoover Highway ... ; and 5d(5) ... final plat of Mackinaw Village) City Clerk Karr asked that items * 5d(3) (4) and (5) •- • - e onsent Calendar item #5d(17)— Entrepreneurial Development Center response to Council Member Botchway, Economic Dev. Coordinator Ford and City Manager Markus reported that staff was working with developers of the Court / Linn sit,-. on office space that could be used. 3. (Consent Calendar item # 5e(3) —... College and Gilbert Street ... rezoning ... ) Coun Member Dickens requested staff provide a proposed timeline and options that may involve special meetings; noting the summer schedule and developer, staff and Council schedules. Staff will prepare and include in the next packet. 4. (Consent Calendar item # 5b(l) — Human Rights Commission ... minutes .... ) In response to Council Member Payne, City Manager Markus indicated one recommendation will take some time to research and that's why a memo was included in the information packet to Council (and to the Commission). Payne questioned whether #1 of the cover sheet to the minutes actually was a recommendation. City Atty. Dilkes that staff felt the Commission indicated it as such. 5. (Consent Calendar item# 5d(2) — UISG Appointment) Council Member Throgmorton welcomed Nicole Neal as the new liaison and commended outgoing liaison Evan McCarthy for the great job over the past year. 6. (Consent Calendar item # 5d(l 5) — The Palisades, First Addition) Mayor Pro tern Mims noted an error in the comment referring to improvements in Windsor West. 7. (Agenda item # 12 — Aid to Agency Allocations ... ) Council Member Dobyns referenced a Milken report distributed last year which stated Iowa City was ranked as the number one metro area for older citizens; and reiterated that the report warned of frail elderly trying to stay independent in their homes and the need for more services. He noted that the current allocations contained two funded organizations and stressed fundraising it I CITY OF IOWA CITY M E M 0 R A N D U M Date: May A • To: Mayor an rurcil a 2015,5:00 PM a i t II CouncIle\s,Hayek,l Ynr 20 lUISG: Neal t a aI®e st toO'Brien, a Havel Knoc tS a t r Morris, Ford, Rackis, Yapp website. -IM, if 5 d#. a'# ject -t, ti rat FO U�"�G&v ed on a future agenda. i Dev. Coordinator Ford and City w developers of the Court / Linn site 'tiir sed tim ine and options that may edule an eveloper, staff and Council IIS�I ornmission minutes .... )In zK;Markus indi ted o. AN uestioned whether ,: ► r City Atty. Dilkes _# ., on indicated it a such. Igg #^at job over past year. m # 5d(16) —The Palisades, First Additioq Mayor P temMims comment referring to improvements in Windsor West. r Council Work Session May 5, 2015 Page 2 efforts at the Senior Center. Neighborhood Development Services Coordinator Hightshoe present for discussion. DISCUSS TWO POINTS OF CONVERSATION RECOMMENDED BY THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION (SELECTION OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMPENSATION) 1113 # 3 Info Packet of 4/301 Mayor Hayek stated the Charter Review Commission did not make formal recommendations on two topics contained in the Charter, but rather asked Council to schedule discussion and review. ➢ Selection of Mayor After discussion a majority of Council retained the present language and asked staff to develop a plan for better education and promotion which could include a separate organization meeting; press releases; note on agenda and materials regarding the process. ➢ Council Compensation After discussion a majority of Council asked staff to develop a proposal for consideration. ACTION: Staff will prepare memo of suggestions for education process for Mayor selection. Ordinance for adjustment in Council compensation on May 19 agenda for consideration. (Karr) DISCUSS ANY OTHER CHANGES TO THE CITY CHARTER NOT ADDRESSED BY THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION Council Member Botchway raised concerns regarding confusion of election of district Council Members, noting that only the district votes in a primary and the entire City votes in the November election. Individual Council Members noted the Charter Review Commission met for a year and discussed several issues, including this item, and no recommendations were made to change the current process. A majority were not interested in changing the current process. Council Member Throgmorton inquired whether the Commission systematically studied other Charter cities in the country and how they structured Mayoral duties and elect district Council Members. City Clerk Karr and City Attorney Dilkes said that although a systemic study did not occur research was done by Commission Members and both sides represented on the Commission. Council Member Throgmorton suggested conducting the University of Iowa political science department to conduct a systematic study of both mayoral duties and district based elections. A majority of Council were not interested in pursuing the suggestion. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS 1# 181 No applicants INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION (April 23, 301 April 23 1. (IP # 3 - ... Neighborhood Services Coordinator... Housing Policy) Council Member Botchway inquired whether there had been discussions with municipalities or the County on providing incentives to landlords accepting housing vouchers. . Neighborhood Services Coordinator Hightshoe and Housing Adm. Rackis present for discussion April 30 1. (IP # 7 — ... City contribution to KoNec ... ) In response to Council Member Botchway, Asst. City Manager Fruin outlined the process when the City is asked to contribute to social service programs, community events and other community initiatives. Council Work Session May 5, 2015 Page 3 2. (IP # 17 — Planning and Zoning Commission ... minutes ... April 16) Council Member Dobyns recalled his remarks at a budget meeting that there was no place downtown to buy underwear; and noted that Nancy Bird reflected on the same issue in the minutes. 3. (IP # 8 — ... Moody's assigns Aaa ...) City Manager Markus noted the notification from Moody's on retaining the bond rating. COUNCIL TIME / PENDING WORK SESSIONS TOPICS [IP # 5 Info Packet of 4/30] 1. Mayor Pro tem Mims reported she would be making a statement during the formal meeting on retaining the Aaa bond rating. 2. Council Member Throgmorton reported on his attendance at the Annual Meeting of the Senior Center; the City of Literature's pizza fundraiser at University President Mason's home; his participation in the bus, drive, bike race; and the tour of native American sites and stories in the downtown area. 3. Council Member Mims updated members on her visit to Omaha with Asst. City Manager Fruin, Economic Development Coordinator Ford, and representatives from Coralville, the Chamber, ICAD and small business owners and the great partnerships and communication protocol they have with surrounding communities. 4. Mayor Hayek noted the listening posts scheduled with the School Board and encouraged Council Members to communicate to School Board Members. Council member Dobyns indicated he would be attending May 8. 5. Council Member Dobyns stated he would be discussing the fundraiser for Hospice House of Johnson County during Council time at the formal meeting. 6. ((P # 4 — KXIC ... radio show) to the following schedule: May 27 - Throgmorton June 3 — Mims June 10- Payne Individual Council Members wil other slots. In response to City Clerk Karr, Council Members agreed consult their calendars and get back to the Clerk to fill 7. Council Member Throgmorton suggested individual Council Member prioritize the items on the current pending list and provide them to the City Clerk who could them compile results for further Council discussion. Mayor Hayek notedthe first Council listening posts would be May 7 and Mayor Pro tem Mims and himself representing Council. 2. In response to Mayor Hayek, Finance Dir. Bockenstedt responded to questions regarding the rating process. 3. City Manager Markus introduced Aria Widyanto, from Indonesia, a State Department Fellow visiting for a month and staying in his home. Genevieve Yee from Brunei will be arriving shortly. Meeting adjourned 6:40 PM.