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.