HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-16 Council minutesCITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 25, 2016
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, February 16, 2016, 5:08 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall
Council: Botchway, Cole, Dickens, Mims, Taylor, Thomas, Throgmorton.
UISG: Neal
Staff: Fruin, Andrew, Dilkes, Karr, Korpel, Havel, Yapp, Boothroy, Bockenstedt,
Laverman, Knoche, Hightshoe, Rackis, Seydell-Johnson, Grier, Craig, Howard
A transcription and power points are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.
[Work session followed Conference Board Meeting]
QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
1. (Consent Calendar item # 5e(3) — setting public hearing ... proposed FY2017 operating
budget... three year financial plan ... five year Capital Improvement Plan) After
discussion Council directed staff to include funding for staffing the library bookmobile
and reduce the proposed decrease in the tax levy from 10 cents to 7 cents.
2. (Consent Calendar item # 5d(1) — General Quarters Part Two; # 5d(2) — General
Quarters Part Three; and # 5d(3) — Moss Ridge Phase 1) Mayor Throgmorton
requested staff explain the difference in preliminary and final plat process and Council
consideration. Development Services Coordinator Yapp and Asst. City Atty. Dilkes
provided information.
REVIEW STRATEGIC PLAN DRAFT [IP 4 of 2/11 Info Packetl
Asst. City Mgr. Fruin noted the draft reports contained in the information packet, and stated staff
prepared a power point based on the seven focus areas, policies, and action steps identified
earlier by Council.
Mayor Throgmorton stated Council will be reviewing the language on the power points and any
changes will be entered tracked so everyone could view at the meeting. Council completed the
review and directed staff to prepare Strategic Plan for adoption.
ACTION: Prepare resolution adopting the Strategic Plan for March 1 meeting. (Fruin)
INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION [FEBRUARY 4, 111
February 4
1. [IP # 3 Info Packet] Council Member Cole noted the memo relating to the UniverCity
program, and the 1025 E. Burlington Street update, and questioned whether the
matter was reviewable by Council. Neighborhood Services Coordinator Hightshoe
stated staff was working on a public bid for the renovations. Asst. City Mgr. Fruin
stated if Council did not wish to make renovations to the house and wished to pursue
other sale opportunities this would be a time to provide direction to staff. Majority of
Council directed staff to proceed with bidding renovations.
Council Work Session
February 16, 2016
Page 2
COUNCIL TIME
Council Member Dickens requested Council revisit the decision on "The Lens"
fundraising agreement with the Downtown Association that was defeated at the February
2 meeting on a 3/3 tie. He indicated he was unable to attend the meeting but has
reviewed the materials and asked for support to put it back on the agenda for another
vote. Council began discussion of the request and then recessed to the formal meeting
(6:50 PM).
[Discussion continued after the formal meeting (8:20 PM)]
(Continued) In response to Council Member Cole, Asst. City Atty. Dilkes outlined current
Council policies and procedures related to this matter:
➢ The City Charter allows the Mayor to add agenda items
➢ A 2002 informal policy provides that three Council Members could place items on
a work session or a formal meeting agenda
After discussion Council Members Dickens, Mims, and Botchway indicated support to
place "The Lens" funding agreement on an upcoming agenda.
INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION (FEBRUARY 4, 111 (continued)
February 4
2. [IP # 8 Info Packet] Council Member Mims noted the Housing and Community
Development draft minutes and thanked the Commission members for their time and
effects in reviewing the Aid to Agencies funding requests.
February 11
1. [IP # 5 Info Packet] Council agreed to the following KXIC radio show schedule:
Wednesday 8AM
February 24 — Mims
March 2 — Cole
March 9 — Taylor
March 16 — Dickens
March 23 — Botchway
March 30 — Mims
April 6 — Thomas
In addition we are adding a 7:15 — 7:45 AM the first and third Friday of each month:
Frida
February 19 — Botchway
March 4 — UISG Representatives
March 18 — Dickens
2. [IP # 7 Info Packet] Council Member Mims noted the community open house planned for
City Manager Tom Markus on Friday morning, March 4, from 7:30 to 9:00 AM.
3. [IP # 9 Info Packet] Council Member Mims noted the article on the number of volunteers
per capita and stated it was a nice feather in Iowa City's cap.
4. [IP # 12 Info Packet] Council Member Mims sated the memo form the Sustainability
Coordinator regarding the Compact of Mayors was something Iowa City might want to
be involved in. In response to Mayor Throgmorton, Asst. City Mgr. Fruin provided
information. Majority of Council agreed to have the Mayor sign the compact letter.
Council Work Session
February 16, 2016
Page 3
5. Asst. City Mgr. Fruin reported that Council identified a number of items in budget
discussions that staff couldn't respond to at the time and staff will be preparing response
memos for upcoming packets.
6. [IP # 15 Info Packet] Council Member Mims noted the new Sustainability newsletter and
encouraged citizens to subscript to it using e -subscriptions on the City website.
COUNCIL TIME (continued)
1. Mayor Throgmorton reported on the following events:
➢ Mayor Luncheon meeting with Coralville Mayor Lundell and North Liberty Mayor
Nielsen
➢ Mayor Spoke to Iowa City Lions Club at Waterfront Hy -Vee
➢ Mayor Upcoming meeting with Partnership for Alcohol Safety
➢ Mayor Upcoming Chamber of Commerce Banquet and noted a conflict with
Federation of Labor Chili Supper (Cole, Taylor and Botchway indicated they will
attend all or a portion of the chili supper event)
➢ Council Members Cole and Taylor will be attending the City Fest event.
➢ Mayor and Council Member Mims meeting with School Board Members next
week
➢ Mayor, Mayor Pro tem, and City Manager and Asst. City Mgr. will be meeting
with University President Harreld on the 23rd
➢ Mayor and Mayor Pro tem will be attending Cedar Rapids State of the City
luncheon
MEETING SCHEDULE
None
PENDING WORK SESSION TOPICS fIP # 6 Info Packet of 2/111
Mayor Throgmorton noted two additions to the pending list:
• Downtown streetscape master plan
• Permanent City Manager
Meeting ended 8:30 PM.