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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-02 Council minutesr CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: May 17, 2017 To: Mayor and City Council From: Julie Voparil, Deputy City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, May 2, 2017, 5:00 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall Council: Botchway, Cole, Mims, Thomas, Throgmorton Absent: Dickens, Taylor UISG: Nelson, Stewart Staff: Fruin, Monroe, Andrew, Dilkes, Voparil, Craig, Ford, Bockenstedt, Nations, Ralston Panos, Reichart, Havel, Rackis, Johnson-Seydell, Ralston, O'Brien, Yapp. [City Council toured the Bookmobile on Tuesday, May 2, 5:00 p.m. Transcriptions and audio of the tour will not be available. Pamphlet and handout archived.] ICPL BOOKMOBILE TOUR Library Director Craig gave an overview of Bookmobile scheduling for the year and thanked city departments for their support. Council Members asked questions regarding how to get the word out to the public on locations of Bookmobiles; and asked how locations were chosen. ACTION: Council expressed their enthusiasm for the new Bookmobile and indicated they look forward to hearing how the first few months of operations are received in the community. Update of operations to be presented in two or three months. POTENTIAL SUSTAINABILITY/CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION PROJECTS [IP #3, IP #4 of 4/27 Info Packet] Mayor Throgmorton opened discussion regarding the (6) possible projects outlined in the Assistant City Manager memo and suggested selecting a few of them to go forward at this time. Council Members expressed their preferences. The carbon mitigation project will be coordinated for FY18 using the $150k designated in the CIP. ACTION: Project goals will aim to include: (1) mixture of tree plantings, (2) small renewables (park shelters, bus shelters, etc.), and (3) potential large renewable energy project. (Smaller solar/wind and tree planting opportunities may be able to be implemented in a more timely manner.) Staff will evaluate opportunities at the facilities that are most readily adaptable for a large solar/wind and return to Council with a recommendation in approximately 6 months. A more comprehensive report to Council about recent energy reduction efforts and the additional priority facilities management Council Work Session May 2, 2017 Page 2 projects for the future will be prepared. Electric vehicles and solar compacting trash/recycling units will receive further consideration during the FY 19 budget process. CLARIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS 1. (Consent Calendar, #5d(6) ... UISG Appointments) ... Mayor Throgmorton congratulated new University of Iowa Student Government Liaisons Ben Nelson and Gustave Stewart (Alternate) in their new roles. 2. (Agenda Item #13, Open Container Amendment)... Mayor Pro Tem Botchway asked if the ordinance was specific to the downtown block party. City Manager Fruin explained that the agreement is specific to downtown block party, however, the framework is there in this ordinance for other events. Assistant to the City Manager Andrew addressed questions and stated that individual approved agreements will need to be approved with each event. The effectiveness of this ordinance will be reviewed in the future. 3. (Consent Calendar, #5f(3) ... Kayla Cress: Park Rule of no alcohol... Council Member Mims asked if park rules may be adjusted to allow small gatherings an opportunity to have alcohol in parks. Council consensus for Parks and Recreation Department to work with the City Attorney's Office and the Parks Commission to develop guidelines to permit limited alcohol use along with shelter rentals. INFORMATION PACKET DISCUSSION ➢ April 20 1) (IP4 — 1-380 Planning Study) Council Member Cole questioned how many lanes are involved and long-term goals. Transportation Planner Ralston answered questions and stated that through MPOJC we may make our issues known. 2) (IP 2 — DMC Study, Disproportionate Minority Contact...) Mayor Pro tem Botchway thanked Board of Supervisors staff for their work on the Disproportionate Minority Contact Report and asked how other cities are doing similar work. 3) (IP6 — Building Basics Workshop... May 20) Council Member Mims stated helpful information on how to start or expand a small business will be provided at the Building Business Basics Workshop. 4) (IP5 — City Council Listening Post) Mayor Throgmorton asked about an update on the April 27th Council Listening Post. Council Member Thomas reported that it went well. He further stated that it is a valuable way of connecting with the diversity in this city and for neighbors to get to know one another. ➢ April 27 1) (IP6 — ICCSD Bond Reference Ballot Language)... Council Member Mims stated that she is glad to see this moving forward and urged citizens to educate Council Work Session May 2, 2017 Page 3 themselves on the benefits this brings to the district. Council resolution of support of referendum be on for next meeting. 2) (IP 11 —AAA Bond Rating)... Council Member Mims reported on the AAA bond rating Iowa City has received again, allowing the low interest rates on our bonds, and recognizing the strong financial management that city staff and councils have made over the years to further this endeavor. Mayor Pro tem Botchway asked Finance Director for some visuals showing bond return information and monies saved. Finance Department will work with Communications to better communicate the value of our bond rating to the public. 3) (IP 12 — Why is Affordable Housing so Expensive?) ... Mayor Throgmorton noted that the good news concerning the Congressional Spending Agreement which will be funding CDBG Funds and HOME funds in same levels as FYI 6. 4) (IP 5 — Pending Work Session Topics)... Recap of Legislative Session... Council Member Cole questioned if neighborhood stabilization could be moved up to the May 16th work session along with Legislative Recap. (City Manager Fruin indicated after May 22 or 23 a group of staff will be going to Des Moines to meet with a few other cities and sharing ideas about the integrity of neighborhoods, so would prefer to wait until June for this conversation.) 5) (IP7 - Downtown Co Sign Program)... Mayor Throgmorton mentioned there will be a grand unveiling on August 11th of this program and he is hearing wonderful things about it. Meeting ended 6:19 p.m.