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Home My WebLink About2016-01-14 Council minutesr �•�, .® CITY OF IOWA CITY 01 MEMORANDUM Date: January 28, 2016 To: Mayor and City Council From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, January 14, 2016, 5:00 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall Council: Botchway, Cole, Dickens, Mims, Taylor, Thomas, Throgmorton UISG: Simpson Staff: Markus, Fruin, Dilkes, Karr, Bockenstedt, Korpel, Andrew, Boothroy, Craig, Carrie Fox-Rummelhart A transcription and power points are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website. The Mayor stated Council would be discussing Strategic Planning first, and then Budget; and announced the City Manager would facilitate the discussion on the Strategic Plan. City Manager Markus announced he had accepted a City Manager position in Lawrence, Kansas, and would be leaving Iowa City the week of March 21. He stated it was advisable for Council to have the strategic plan and budget done prior to that time, noting the budget needed to be certified to the State by mid-March. The City Manager stated that Mayor Throgmorton has asked him to provide a memo on the process for naming an interim City Manager and selection of a new City Manager. HANDOUTS Preamble from City Charter Iowa City Public Library Board of Trustees (letter dated January 13, 2016) STRATEGIC PLANNING DISCUSSION City Manager stated for the discussion this evening they would be using the report provide from the November 30 Strategic Planning session facilitated by Jeff Schott as the base document; and suggesting changes utilizing flip charts. The City Manager outlined the procedure to be followed: • Review overarching intention of the plan; mission statement • Review (7) specific focus areas in the Plan (add, subtract, redefine) • Review objectives and goal for each focus area (page 11) At the end of the process Asst. City Manager Fruin will prepare a new document for Council approval; and provide updates every 3-4 months, The City Manager noted copies of the City Charter Preamble for discussion related to a mission statement. After discussion Council accepted the directed staff to utilize the intent of the Preamble and incorporate language about measurable progress toward a more inclusive and sustainable Iowa City; and include STAR program as necessary. Focus Areas Discussion: 1. Economic Development (Schott report) • 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 Council Work Session January 14, 2016 Page 2 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 After discussion the focus area was changed to "Develop a strong and resilient local economy" (Flip # 1) and objectives added (Flipchart # 8). 2. Urban Core (Schott report) Loss and lack of affordable residential/commercial properties in general Downtown area After discussion the focus area was changed to "Build a vibrant and walkable Urban Core" (Flipchart # 2) and objectives added (Flipchart # 9). 3. Healthy Neighborhoods (Schott report) • 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 After discussion the focus area remained unchanged (Flipchart # 3) and objectives added (Flipchart # 10). 4. Finance and Budget (Schott report) • 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 After discussion the focus area was changed to "A Solid Financial Foundation" (Flipchart # 4) and objectives added (Flipchart # 11). 5. Communications and Marketing (Schott report) • Lose the word "transparency" — already exists • Lack of voters — 15% turnout, shameful • 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 Council Work Session January 14, 2016 Page 3 • 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 After discussion the focus area was changed to "Enhanced Community Engagement and Intergovernmental Relations" (Flipchart #5) and objectives added (Flipchart # 12). 6. Sustainability (not an area in Schott report) After discussion the focus area was identifies and added (Flipchart #6) and objectives will be discussed at work session scheduled for January 21. 7. Social Justice Racial Equity and Inclusivity (not an area in Schott report) After discussion the focus area was identified and added (Flipchart #7) and objectives will be discussed at work session scheduled for January 21. Council agreed to resume discussion with focus areas #6 and #7 at the January 21, 5PM meeting. BUDGET Discussion to occur at the conclusion of the strategic planning discussion on January 21. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM. Attachments: Flipcharts 1-12 Flip Chart # 1 Strategic Economic Dev. Activities Resilient economy [Develop a strong and resilient local economy] Maintain .... "Economic development" language Flip Chart # 2 A Strong Residential and Commercial Urban Core Continue to improve downtown and urban core A strong residential and commercial urban core; walkable, bikeable A complete residential and commercial .... Build a complete and walkable urban core [Build a vibrant and walkable urban core] w/ or w/out verbs Flip Chart # 3 Healthy Nei borhoods Flip Chart # 4 A Solid Financial Foundation Maintain ..... Flip Chart # 5 Enhanced Community Engagement and Intergovernmental Relations Flip Chart # 6 Sustainability Incorporate into action items in other goals?? [Environmental sustainability] Ecological Flip Chart # 7 Social Justice, Racial Equity and Inclusivity RM F-. [Advance social justice and racial equity] (Break 6:20-6:30) Flip Chart # 8 (re # 1 chart) Develop a strong and resilient local economy Add: IC Marketplace business association? Edit: and other commercial districts "and Kirkwood" under University built Small business development and retention "Seek out / proactive" — Geoff to wordsmith Work with our partners to devise a local program to support small business development by persons of color Flip Chart # 9 (re # 2 chart) Build a vibrant and walkable urban core Provide safe transportation options Improve the four criteria of a walkable community: - Safe - Useful - Interesting Comfortable Initiate public dialogue about the meaning of walkability Encourage Provide diverse housing types and price points for a variety of income levels Protect historic residential and commercial buildings and provide their restoration Flip Chart # 10 (re # 3 chart) Healthy Neighborhoods Substantially improve public realm (existing streets) * Geoff wordsmith (space) Encouraging preying affordable and diverse housing Edit: Develop strategies to diversity the membership of neighborhood associations and centers Remove: 2"d bullet "incrementally Flip Chart # 11 (re # 4 chart) A Solid Financial Foundation Continue building emergency fund Maintain healthy fund balances Be attentive to Moody's evaluation criteria and maintain Aaa bond rating Continually monitoring the impacts of property tax reform Continue to reduce property tax levy Flip Chart # 12 (re # 5 chart) Enhanced Community Engagement and Intergovernmental Relations Develop ways to be innovative in our communications with the community Consider Creating two new ad hoc City Council committees: Sustainability Social justice Significantly improve Council and staff ability to communicate financial issues with diverse populations Remove: I' bullet "meet regularly" P bullet — already done Edit: 2nd bullet - evaluate