HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-27 Council minutesr
I CITY OF IOWA CITY
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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.