HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-05 Council minutesCITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 13, 2016
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, January 5, 2016, 5:04 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall
Council: Botchway, Cole, Dickens, Mims, Taylor (electronically), Thomas, Throgmorton
UISG: Neal, Simpson
Staff: Markus, Fruin, Dilkes, Karr, Korpel, Havel, Yapp, Boothroy, Bowers, O'Brien
A transcription and power points are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.
QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
1. (Item # 7 — Support for Iowa City Muslim Community) Mayor Throgmorton asked if there
was interest to move up item # 7 to right before Planning & Zoning items on the agenda.
A majority agreed and a motion will be made at the formal meeting to move the item.
2. (Item # 8— Council Appointments) A majority agreed to the following appointments:
Housing and Community Development — Harry Olmstead (2018 term) and
Matthew Pierce (2017 term)
Human Rights Commission — Andrea Cohen
3. (Agenda item # 6 — Appeal of Revocation of mobile vending permit ... ) The City Attorney
stated no action was necessary on this matter because the vender got his permit from the
Johnson County Department of Public Health and has been reinstated
4. (Consent Calendar item # 3d(1) — Prairie Hill Final OPDH) Council Member Thomas
reported that in discussing this with the City Attorney it was felt he had a conflict of
interest and would have to abstain. City Atty. Dilkes stated papers were not in order and
staff was asking that the item be deferred, noting Thomas should abstain from the
deferral as well. After discussion, a majority agreed to remove the item from the
Consent Calendar and staff would place it on a future agenda when papers are ready.
5. (Agenda item # 5c — Rezoning 600 Block of S. Dubuque Street ... ) Council Member Cole
stated he would be recusing himself, and asked if he could make a statement addressing
the overarching issue. City Attorney Dilkes stated rezoning items are not discussed at
work sessions and suggested discussing the matter at the time of the public hearing.
6. (Consent Calendar correspondence...) In response to Mayor Throgmorton, the City
Manager outlined the procedure for staff responding to Council correspondence;
clarifying responses where there is an established policy that staff can address versus a
policy kind of determination that requires direction.
Council Work Session
January 5, 2016
Page 2
INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION (December 17, 23, 301
December 17
(IP7 — KXIC Radio Show) Majority agreed to the following schedule:
Wednesday
January 13 - Dickens
January 20 — Mims
January 27 — Botchway
February 3 — Thomas
February 10 — Cole
February 17 — Throgmorton
February 24 — Mims - - - -
Friday
January 15 — Botchway
February 5 — Mims
February 19 — Botchway
March 4 — UISG Representatives
2. (11310 — Summer of the Arts Annual Report) Council Member Mims noted the report
which included a lot of information. Individual Council Members concurred.
3. (IP2 — Article from the City Manager ....cyclocross World Cup) Mayor Pro tem Botchway
noted the information regarding cyclocross event and stated it was really exciting. City
Manager Markus stated the City should hear shortly on the invitation to host and
updated Council on the event.
December 23
1. (IP2 — ... Strategic Planning Report) Mayor Throgmorton noted the report on the
Strategic Planning session facilitated by the Institute of Public Affairs Facilitator Jeff
Schott and questioned the next steps to crafting the final version. City Manager Markus
reviewed the past process and the City's application as a "STAR Community", noting
that many of the issues identified in the campaign and at the November strategic
planning session are addressed in the STAR application. After discussion a majority of
Council agreed to add "Strategic Planning" to the agenda for the final budget session
planned for January 14tH
2. (IP3 — Response form Asst. City Manager to Nancy Bird and Ritu Jain ...
correspondence regarding downtown issues) Council Member Mims thanked staff for
the response, and noted it was a big project and she was confident staff would work with
the community on making it as painless as possible. Asst. City Manager Fruin stated
Council would be setting a public hearing for the 19th and a presentation would be made
on the entire project at the hearing.
December 30
1. (IP5 — Memo from City Clerk ... Board and Commission Application Process) Mayor Pro
tem Botchway questioned if staff needed further direction on the process outlined in the
memo. City Clerk Karr responded to questions. Majority of Council indicated for the
proposal as outlined and expressed concerns regarding any major changes occurring in
the summer months when the University is not in full session.
Council Work Session
January 5, 2016
Page 3
2. (IP6 — Memo from Asst. City Manager ... Pending Work Session Topics) After
discussion a majority of Council indicated support for the following topics to remain or be
placed on the pending list:
• Discuss marijuana policies and potential legislative advocacy positions
• Discuss formation of staff /citizen climate adaptation advisory group
• Review annexation policy
• Review downtown traffic model final report
• Presentation from St. Ambrose University's Dr. Barnum regarding the ongoing
Police Department disproportionate minority contact traffic stop study
In addition staff will report back to Council on implementation of broadcasting regular
work session as soon as possible.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS / COUNCIL TIME
1. Mayor Pro tem Botchway noted two events planned for Martin Luther King Day
observances on January 18, one at The Spot, and the other Bethel AME. Information on
both events is in the Council information packet.
2. Council Member Cole mentioned a Black Worker's Conference planned for January 16th
at the Center for Worker Justice. Council Member Mims asked that information the
Conference be sent to the City Clerk for inclusion in an information packet.
3. Mayor Throgmorton reported he, Mayor Pro tem Botchway, and City Manager Markus
would be scheduling a luncheon with University President Harreld in February. City
Manager Markus stated Asst. City Mgr. Fruin would be joining the group The Mayor also
indicated Provost Barry Butler, and Rod Lehnertz Director of Planning, Design and
Construction might also be involved.
4. Council Member Thomas raised concerns regarding traffic safety as it relates to the
Gateway Project, especially the lane widths as they relate to the Dubuque Street
component, and questioned whether the project could be bid with an alternate for 10'/2
or 11 lane width (rather than the 13). City Attorney Dilkes stated the question should be
is Council interested in scheduling discussion about lane widths and amending the
project. If so the item should be properly noticed for the public and scheduled for a
future meeting. Council Member Thomas will meet with the City Manager and report
back.