HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-19 Council minutesI ^��® CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 27, 2015
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, May 19, 2015, 5:25 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall
Council: Botchway, Dickens, Dobyns, Hayek, Mims, Payne, Throgmorton
UISG: Neal
Staff: Markus, Fruin, Dilkes, Voparil, Yapp, Morris, Boothroy, Moran, O'Brien, Knoche
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 item 3d(7) - Unite Private Networks License Agreement ... streets
and public rights-of-way .. fiber optic network) Public Works Dir. Knoche responded to
questions.
2. (Agenda item # 5c and # 5d — rezoning ... and vacating an alley on Block 43 ...
[Chauncey]) Majority of Council expressed a desire .to discuss the scheduling option
presented by staff at the end of the hearing at the formal meeting to allow people in the
audience and watching at home to hear the discussion and the schedule decided upon.
3. (Consent Calendar item # 3d(3) - East Harrison Street Reconstruction...) Deputy City
Clerk Voparil noted the revised comment.
4. ((Consent Calendar item # 3e(2) - setting public hearing ... fiber infrastructure) Mayor
Hayek noted the addition of a late agenda item.
5. (Consent Calendar item # 3d(1) — ... UISG Appointment ...alternate liaison) Mayor
Hayek welcomed the new Student Senate liaison Jacob Simpson. Mr. Simpson
introduced himself.
INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION (May 7,141
May 7
1. (IP2 - ... article... When Cities and Suburbs Work Together; and IP3 — Guiding
Principles — Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership ) Mayor Pro tem Mims
acknowledged the materials from the City Manager. In response to Council Member
Throgmorton, Asst. City Manager Fruin stated it was his understanding that the Guiding
Principles agreement was signed by the eight -county region and it was unclear whether
each City had their own agreement but that all economic development projects are
funneled through this system. Mayor Pro Tem Mims noted that Omaha does not have a
economic development organization separate from the Chamber, with various counties
and cities joining and paying the wages and benefits to a staff housed with the Chamber.
May 14
1. (IP5 — ... Diversity Implementation Update and Status on Racial Equity and Diversity
Initiative) Council Member Throgmorton complimented the document and applauded the
effort to make the diversity implementation form more user friendly. Individual Council
Members echoed remarks and urged more widespread accessibility to the document,
Council Work Session
May 19, 2015
Page 2
including press coverage and social media. Asst. City Manager Fruin also noted the
launching of a new website in June.
2. (IP4 — Pending City Council Work Session Topics) In response to Council Member
Payne, Asst. City Manager Fruin stated that Affordable Housing was discussed by
Council and staff provided direction. Typically the list does not reflect items previously
discussed and coming back to Council. The order of the current pending lists did not
reflect priority ranking of items provided to the City Clerk.
3. (IP9 — ... Board of Adjustment ... April 8 minutes) Council Member Throgmorton noted
that the phase "green space" was used in the minutes and suggested using "potential life
space" or "habitat for diverse species". Individual Council Members indicated that "green
space" was a generic term and broadly interpreted.
UNCIL TIME / PENDING WORK SESSIONS TOPICS [IP4 Info Packet of 5/14)
1. Council Member Botchway noted that on page 141 of the agenda packet minutes
stopped mid -sentence at the bottom of the page and wondered if something was
missing. Mayor Pro tem Mims replied that excerpts of the minutes dealing with a
specific agenda subject are included for background purposes.
2. Mayor Hayek reported that during a listening post session someone brought up permits
for on -street parking in area near downtown; noting the pressure for parking in that area
from commuters and the possibility of expansion of meters or some sort of zone or
permit structure. Council Member Botchway also shared comments received regarding
the "No Parking" signs downtown between 2:00 and 6:00 AM, and individuals would like
to leave their cars and take a taxi home. Staff will provide a_memo.
3. Council Member Botchway commended staff for the ease in communications between
Council and staff. Mayor Hayek echoed comments and added that the City Council and
staff communications is marked with civility that you don't always see in local
governments.
4. Council Member Throgmorton reported the attended the ground breaking for the North
Liberty High School on May 12; and interacted with Supt. Murley and several School
Board Members.
5. In response to Council Member Payne, City Atty. Dilkes indicated that the June 9
tentative meeting was moved to June 8th
1. Council Member-Botchway. noted EntreFest was coming up; and Arts Festival schedule
June 6-7.
2. Council Member Throgmorton reported he would be visiting Oakdale to hear the Prison
Community Choir.
Meeting adjourned 5:58 PM.