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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.