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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-27 Council minutesr I CITY OF IOWA CITY al MEMORANDUM Date: August 11, 2015 To: Mayor and City Council From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, July 27, 2015, 5:08 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall Council: Botchway (arrived 5:20), Dickens, Dobyns (arrived 6:00), Hayek, Mims, Payne, Throgmorton UISG: Neal Staff: Fruin, Andrew, Dilkes, Karr, Hargadine, Kelsey, Hart, Bockenstedt, Clow, Havel, O'Brien, Yapp, Boothroy, Moran, Hightshoe, Ralston, Ford, Bowers, Morris, Justason, Schwindt A transcription and power points are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website. Mayor Hayek noted Harvat Hall was undergoing remodeling and partially completed; and Council Member Dobyns would be arriving late to the meeting. QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS 1. (Consent Calendar item 3d(4) — authorizing acquisition ... Iowa City Gateway Project... ) In response to Council Member Throgmorton, City Attorney Dilkes reported that negotiations on compensation for property could not occur until passage of the resolution authorizing acquisition. 2. (Consent Calendar items # 3f(8) and 3f(9) — Tabitha Wiggins letter; and petition ... end discrimination against black youth ....) Mayor Hayek noted two pieces of correspondence regarding an incident at the Iowa City Recreation Center and suggested adopting the Consent Calendar by removing both letters for separate consideration and public input and discussion after adoption of the Consent Calendar. A majority of Council agreed. 3. (Consent Calendar item 3f(1) — ...Downtown Alleys ... ) Mayor Pro tem Mims encouraged the Downtown District and staff to collaborate on improving the downtown alleys. 4. (Consent Calendar items # 3d(12) and 3d(13) — First Avenue Lane conversion; and Mormon Trek Boulevard conversion ... ) In response to Council Member Dickens, Asst. City Manager Fruin and City Engr. Havel responded to questions. 5. (Consent Calendar item # 3f(3) — Linda Quinn ... Plastic bags ...) In response to Council Member Throgmorton, Asst. City Manager Fruin stated that Council and MPO had discussed previously, along with neighboring cities, and the conclusion was to focus on education. Staff will respond to Ms. Quinn. Council Work Session July 27, 2015 Page 2 6. (Agenda item # 8 — UniverCity Sale, 1111 East Burlington) Council Member Payne stated the $199,000 sale was excessive for income eligible buyers. Council Member Throgmorton indicated his support for the sale and the program. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS rAaenda # 151 Community Police Review Board — readvertise 30 days, noting the gender requirement and desire for a variety of perspectives Housing and Community Development Commission — Mark Signs; Syndey Conger; Emily Seiple Parks and Recreation Commission — Paul Roesler DISCUSS PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OWNED SURFACE PARKING LOTS rIP #4 of 7/23 Info Packetl Asst. City Manager Fruin and Development Services Coordinator Yapp presented background information. The Mayor noted that he had previously avoided involvement on discussions regarding the Unitarian Church, but after discussions with the City Attorney this presentation relates to the entire campus and does not involve City acquisition of the Church or imposition of the landmark status, and he would be participating in this discussion. Dave Zahradnik, Neumann Monson Architects, 221 E. College, presented a conceptual power point. Atty. Joe Holland, representing the potential developer, appeared. Individual Council Members expressed their views, and indicated their support to move forward with the Comp Plan amendment as proposed. STAFF ACTION: Proceed with Comprehensive Plan amendment_as_proposed (Yapp). BOARD AND COMMISSION APPLICATION PROCESS rIP # 5 of 7/23 Info Packetl City Clerk Karr and Equity Dir. Bowers reviewed the memo. After discussion: 1. Council indicated support for a resolution establishing a new formal policy that redefines and expands the definitions of prohibited relationships consistent with the City's current personnel policy. Board and commission members that are actively serving in violation of this expanded policy as of the date the Council resolution adopts the policy should be grandfathered in until the beginning of the next appointment. 2. Council expressed interest in adopting a resolution that establishes a new formal policy addressing the reappointment process for current board and commission members. 3. Council directed staff to discuss with staff members of the five board and commissions affected by the recommendation shortening the terms to no greater than 3 years. STAFF ACTION: Contact staff of the Library Board; Planning & Zoning Commission; Board of Appeals, Parks and Recreation Commission and the Community Police Review Board for input on a three year term. (Karr, Bowers) INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION [June 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 231 June 18 1. (1 P3 — ... copy of... TIF presentation from Peter Fischer ... ) Mayor Pro tem Mims noted the presentation to the University Heights City Council contained good graphs, charts and general information on TIF. 2. (IP5 - ... email response .... David Robertson ... Wetherby Park ...) Council Member Botchway stated his appreciation for the communication. Council Work Session July 27, 2015 Page 3 3. (IP7 — ISU News Release ... Teaching and Learning Iowa History) Mayor Hayek noted the correspondence form Associate Dir. Community Development Diversity Officer and Iowa City former Mayor Ross Wilburn. 4. (IP11 — .... Redesign of the website) Council Members provided input on the new site. Asst. City Manager Fruin explained that the previous site was structured more for the internal customer and those familiar with City government; and the emphasis with the new site to provide other navigation paths for those not familiar with local government. Fruin encourages Council and the public to pass along comments and feedback as staff reviews a round of future changes. June 25 1. (IP2 — CDBG and HOME Allocations and use of Tax Increment Financing...) Mayor Hayek stated the explanation in the memo was very helpful. July 2 1. (1 P3 — ... Strategic Plan Status Report) Mayor Pro tem Mims stated the report was very helpful. 2. (IP6 — ... article ... Ann Arbor ) Mayor Pro tem Mims noted the article regarding office space and rental issues, and low rents causing them not to have offices built downtown was interesting. 3. (IP7 — ... article ... Affordable Housing... ) Mayor Pro tem Mims stated the article provided a condensed history of some issues and how much are still in place today. Council Member Throgmorton shared experiences from his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. JUIy 9 1. (IP3 — ... Listening Posts ) In response to Councilmember Throgmorton, Karr noted the Council Members Botchway and Dickens would be attending the event on July 29. In response to Council Member Throgmorton's request to attend and not speak, a majority of Council agreed only the two designated Council Members should attend a listening post event. July 16 None July 23 1. (1139 — Wage Theft ... Cook County Ordinance) In response to Council Member Botchway, City Atty. Dilkes stated that it was her conclusion that legally Council could do an ordinance similar to what was done in Cook County, noting the City does not give business licenses. A majority directed staff to prepare an ordinance for Council consideration. 2. (IP13 — WestRock's decision to close ....assembly plant) In response to Council Member Payne, the City Clerk responded the decision affects about 50 employees. 3. (IP15 — Invitation .... It's Time, Resolving Racial Disparities in Johnson County Youth Systems) In response to Council Member Botchway, Police Chief Hargadine stated his response to participating was that he would like to see the event postponed for a couple of weeks. Council Work Session July 27, 2015 Page 4 COUNCIL TIME / PENDING WORK SESSIONS TOPICS [IP # 7 of 7/23 Info Packet] 1. Council Member Botchway invited everyone to attend the final Prime Time basketball league game on July 30th. 2. Mayor Pro tem Mims noted the KXIC schedule and asked Members to contact Marian with scheduling changes. MEETING SCHEDULE None Meeting adjourned 6:40 PM.