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Home My WebLink About2015-11-30 Council minutes^Ilk p CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: December 18, 2015 To: Mayor and City Council From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, November 30, 2015, 1:10 PM Ashton House Council: Botchway, Dickens (5:08), Dobyns, Hayek, Mims, Throgmorton. Absent: Payne Council Elect: Cole, Taylor, Thomas Staff: Markus, Fruin, Dilkes, Karr, Korpel, Knoche, Andrew, Bockenstedt, O'Brien, Hightshoe, Ford Facilitated by Jeff Schott, Institute of Public Affairs (University of Iowa) [No transcription available. Audio and power points on file in City Clerk's Office] A report is attached from Mr. Schott. Meeting adjourned 5:50 PM. City of Iowa City, Iowa Strategic Planning Report November 30, 2015 Mayor: Matt Hayek (out -going) City Council: Susan Mims Terry Dickens Jim Throgmorton Kingsley Bothchway II Dr. Rick Dobyns (out -going) Michelle Payne (out -going) Rockne Cole (in -coming) Pauline Taylor (in -coming) John Thomas (in -coming) City Staff City Manager Tom Markus Assistant City Manager Geoff Fruin Assistant to the City Manager Simon Andrew City Clerk Marian Karr City Attorney Eleanor Dilkes Facilitated by: Jeff Schott Institute of Public Affairs University of Iowa CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS IntroductionP g 3 ae Strategic Planning Work Session........................................................Page 3 Major City Accomplishments............................................................ Page 4 Issues, Concerns, Trends, and Opportunities.............................................Page 7 FY 16-17 On -Going City Commitments/Obligations..................................................................Page 10 2016- 17 Strategic Focus Areas and New Priority Projects, Programs, Policies and Initiatives .................................................................................................Page 11 FinalComments.....................................................................................................Page 12 2 CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION 2015 Introduction The City of Iowa City requested the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) to assist the city with goal setting. IPA agreed to organize and facilitate a process that involved the following steps: 1. Prepare and tabulate the results of a pre -session questionnaire completed by strategic planning participants to identify recent major city accomplishments, issues/trends/concerns, and potential new initiatives/programs/policies. 2. Conduct a preliminary session with department/division heads 3. Conduct strategic planning session with the elected officials. 4. Preparation of this final report. Strategic Planning Work Session City Council Members and the Mayor held a strategic planning work session conducted by the IPA on November 30, 2015. In attendance and participating at this meeting were Mayor Matt Hayek (out -going), City Council Members Susan Mims, Terry Dickens, Jim Throgmorton, Kingsley Botchway II, Dr. Rick Dobyns (out -going), and in -coming Council Members Rockne Cole, Pauline Taylor, and John Thomas. Also in attendance and participating in this session were City Manager Tom Markus, City Clerk Marian Karr, City Attorney Eleanor Dilkes, Assistant City Manager Geoff Fruin, Assistant to the City Manager Simon Andrew, Finance Director Dennis Bockenstedt, and Public Works Director Ron Knoche A preliminary session was held with Department/Division Directors on October 28, 2015, for the purpose of providing staff input into the strategic planning process. In attendance and participating in this session were Economic Development Coordinator Wendy Ford, Airport Operations Manager Michael Tharp, City Clerk Marian Karr, Public Works Director Ron Knoche, Library Director Susan Craig, Assistant City Manager and Acting Parks and Recreation Director Geoff Fruin, Assistant to the City Manager Simon Andrew, City Attorney Eleanor Dilkes, Police Captain Doug Hart, Fire Chief John Grier, Transportation and Resource Management Director Chris O'Brien, Senior Center Coordinator Linda Kopping, Equity Director Stefanie Bowers, Finance Director Dennis Bockenstedt, Human Resources Administrator Karen Jennings, Neighborhood and Development Services Director Doug Boothroy, Communications Coordinator Shannon McMahon, Management Intern Ian Korpel, ICMA Fellows Soytavanh Mienmany and Margaretta Christita and City Manager Tom Markus. 3 Maior Accomplishments The following items were identified by participants as major accomplishments by the City during the strategic planning process. In November of 2015 the City published a formal Strategic Plan Final Report that contains a more complete listing of the major accomplishments in each of the strategic plan priority areas. A copy of this report can be obtained by contacting the City Clerk's Office or by visiting www.ic og vor strateg_icplan. Economic Development • Riverfront Crossing planning o Adoption of Form Based Code o Inclusionary zoning progress • Context -sensitive development in Downtown Planning District • Northside Commons development • MidWestOne Bank office building • Assistance to bring Meta Communications downtown • Rezonings for new elementary schools, new UI School of Music and Art School, HyVee on N. Dodge, old Hartwig Motors location, Court/Linn, College/Gilbert • Selected preferred developer for Court and Linn St. project • Completed action on the Iowa City Marketplace (Lucky's, etc. at Sycamore Mall) • Revised City's Economic Development Policy • Supported economic development in all corners of the city • Made Iowa City competitive with neighboring communities • Brought attention to inequities that hurt Iowa City - county funding, poaching from neighbors, school district spending, regional issues, etc. Urban Core • Approval of Chauncey development • Completed Downtown Streetscape Plan • Downtown District initiatives • Vibrant downtown and effective collaboration with Downtown Business District Finance and Budget • Continuation of strong financial position and Aaa bond rating • Merger, reorganization, cross -training of city departments and staff • Took proactive action to plan for looming financial crisis due to tax reform • Dropped property tax levy 4 years straight with a Sth year anticipated • Cut costs for city through natural attrition in personnel, made our operations more nimble 4 Healthy Neighborhoods • Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District • Updated the housing code • Continuation of the UniverCity Housing Program • Undertook multiple initiatives to strengthen core neighborhoods Communications and Marketing • City Council listening posts • Continued work on racial issues and establishment of City Manager/Staff meetings with community representatives • Received Equity Reports • Created and received report from the Ad Hoc Committee on Senior Services • Strengthened ties with UI leadership • Maintained effective lobbying relationships in Des Moines • Pushed ICCSD for balance and equity and lobbied for better collaboration • Updated website Other Accomplishments: City Operations and Facilities • Revised the Purchasing Policy • Streamlined permits • Joint -use agreement for Alexander Elementary School • Continuing City's agreement with National Development Council • Providing $388,000 to 1105 Project • Coordination and Cooperation with the County on Community ID cards • Charter review • Completed new South District Plan • Completed lease -purchase agreement for Harrison St. project • Working with amazing city staff • Wage theft resolution • Minimum wage • New Animal Shelter • Difficult decision about three cottages on S. Dubuque • Supported City Manager's work with succession planning at department level and other key positions • Made City Hall more customer friendly and responsive 5 Infrastructure • Design work on Gateway project • Various flood prevention projects • Completed construction of West Side Levee • Rocky Shore Pump Station project complete • Completion of Moss Ridge Road • Completed improvements to Lower Muscatine Rd and started improvements on S. Sycamore Dr. • First Ave grade separation project • - Made key investments in public infrastructure Parks and Recreation • Ryerson Woods dedicated as State Preserve • Preservation of Ashton House and Tate Arms • Purchase of Chadek Green Public Safetv • Procurement and use of body cameras for police officers Other BlueZones Project: Observations and Recommendations: The Built Environment • Support of Winter Homeless Shelter • MERGE T Issues, Concerns, Trends and Opportunities The following were identified as issues, concerns, trends, and opportunities that may affect future city services, policies, finances or operations as related to the 2016-17 Strategic Planning Council Priorities: Economic Development • Potential loss of business and development by not staying competitive in our market • Assuring business and development community that Iowa City government is still committed to working cooperatively on economic development projects • Riverfront Crossing development plans • Coralville and North Liberty offer opportunities that appeal to a significant fraction of businesses and residents in the region - aggressive use of TIF • Form Based Code provides too many incentives for excessively concentrated high-rise development • Return to Iowa City's reputation as anti -business - whether perceived or real - and the loss of tax base and population to the suburbs Urban Core • Loss and lack of affordable residential/commercial properties in general Downtown area Healthy Neighborhoods • On-going threats to historic properties and neighborhoods • Need for affordable, diverse housing • Joint -use agreements with the ICCSD to strengthen neighborhood identity and provide social and recreational opportunities, especially for lower income youth • Structures and streets in older core neighborhoods continue to deteriorate with age o Schools in older core neighborhoods are continually faced with possibility of closing o Two processes can jointly lead to downward spiral for the neighborhoods Finance and Budget • Decrease in revenue from property taxes due to state legislation o Maintaining financial strength and stability in light of state property tax reform, including Aaa bond rating • Shrinking tax base - University • Risk of overspending, failure to watch budget carefully as revenue streams drop Communications and Marketing • Lose the word "transparency" - already exists • Lack of voters -15% turnout, shameful 7 • Need for greater accessibility, accountability • Current lack of citizen engagement • Ensure that development enhances Iowa City's "sense of place" and enjoys community support by being sensitive to the scale and character -defining elements of the surrounding context • Addressing issues of racial disparity • Eliminate the disconnect from city government of lower income and non- English speaking residents • Difficulty for newcomers - people of color and non-English speaking, to feel connected with and welcomed by larger Iowa City community/finding rewarding employment • Risk that we alienate UI leadership just as Herrald administration gets going • Risk that IC's attitude toward UI leadership will damage UI's relationship with IC and could help the suburbs - including impact of new UI facilities on economic development • Failure to maintain advocacy with ICCSD to promote equity and balance - quality and quantity of buildings, student population demographics, etc. - risk of middle class flight from IC Other Issues, Concerns, Trends, Opportunities City Operations/Facilities • Loss of key staff - retirement and frustration • Increase of demand for city services • Diversity in city staff, boards and commissions, businesses • Transit issues • Loss of our recently -developed reputation for good customer service • Alienation of internal city staff if proper balance between council and city manager's office is not respected Infrastructure • Ensure that streets live up to their potential as important elements of the public realm • Maintenance/upkeep of infrastructure (roads, sidewalks and curb cuts) • Concern for car/pedestrian/bicycle safety • Implementation of Complete Streets Parks and Recreation • Promote active mobility (i.e., walking and bicycling) and address environmental concerns • Ensure that parks live up to their potential as important elements of the public realm Public Safetv • Disproportionate contact with people of color q3 Other • Increased risk of weather-related events (e.g., floods, drought) on land use, food production, etc. • Ensuring that development will be economically sustainable • Need for more space for the homeless shelter • Disproportionality - increase • Regionalism W FY 2016-17 On -Going City Commitments/Obligations The participants identified the flowing significant programs and projects currently underway or otherwise committed to or obligated by the City Council: • 1s' Avenue grade separation/railroad crossing project • Harrison St parking ramp lease -purchase agreement • Gateway project • Riverfront Crossing Park • Washington St reconstruction • Continue economic development programs • Continued investment in Towncrest • Development agreements: o Chauncey development o Riverside West o Iowa City Marketplace o Sabin condos o Court -Linn o Hilton Garden Inn • Infrastructure projects for new school construction • Preparation of ordinance regarding downtown waste management and alley maintenance • Make a decision regarding road diets and one-way streets in downtown • Continue infrastructure improvement program for designated neighborhoods • Continue conversations about how to grow population and housing so that all are welcome • Racial equity initiatives - employment, leadership, DMC, schools/neighborhood balance, businesses • Develop Lower City Park master plan • Support and promote expansion of UniverCity • Continue to address downtown security issues • Continue to monitor impact of relocation resulting from gentrification projects • Historic preservation initiative to identify and designate historically significant properties and neighborhoods • Evaluate transit system 10 2016- 17 Strategic Focus Areas and New Priority Proiects, Programs, Policies and Initiatives After review and discussion, the City Council identified the following as their strategic planning focus areas for 2015-16: • Strategic Economic Development Activities • A Strong Residential and Commercial Urban Core • Healthy Neighborhoods • A Solid Financial Foundation • Enhanced Community Engagement and Intergovernmental Relations • Sustainability • Social Justice, Racial Equity and Inclusivity As in previous years, staff will prepare an Action Plan for the purpose of tracking progress within each of the focus areas. The Action Plan will be updated and shared with the City Council every three or four months through the planning cycle. During the strategic planning session, the City Council identified several new initiatives that will be combined with on-going commitments and incorporated into the new Action Plan for 2015-16. Those new initiatives include: Economic Development • Identify how the City and local partners can effectively market and grow the local foods economy • Develop an economic development plan for Iowa City Marketplace region • Review the City's TIF policy • Work closely with the University of Iowa on future facilities and economic development opportunities, especially in Riverfront Crossings Healthy Neighborhoods • Consider amending the City's annexation policy to require the provision of affordable housing in residential areas • Incrementally repair, thicken and improve pre -1950 core neighborhoods through infrastructure upgrades and appropriate neighborhood -scaled private development • Evaluate the implementation of a Form Based Code in other parts of the community • Develop strategies to promote the establishment of neighborhood associations Finance/Budget • Evaluate alternative revenue sources in response to potential impacts of the 2013 state property tax reform Communications and Marketing • Meet regularly with ICCSD, Board of Supervisors and local units of government, to discuss policy issues of mutual concern 11 • Support the ICCSD's bond referendum efforts in 2017 • Consider televising Council work sessions Sustainability • Raise Iowa City's bicycle -friendly status from Silver to Gold • Evaluate a plastic bag policy • Create an ad-hoc Climate Change Response Task Force, establish a 2030 carbon emission reduction goal, and determine the most cost-effective ways of achieving the goal Social Justice, Racial Equity and Inclusivity • Evaluate use of a racial/socioeconomic equity review tool kit • Work closely with ICCSD, Kirkwood Community College, Iowa Works, and others to explore the feasibility of an industrial arts/crafts facility in SE Iowa City • Consider a permanent location for a winter homeless shelter and support the Housing First initiative • Evaluate making significant changes in the City Council committee structure including the possibility of new committees to review policies related to sustainability and social justice. Final Comments It was a pleasure to again assist the City of Iowa City with this strategic planning process. I continue to be extremely impressed with the level of commitment, cooperation and positive attitudes demonstrated by all the elected officials and department/division directors. Jeff Schott Institute of Public Affairs University of Iowa December 4, 2015 12