HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-15 Council minutes A
.® CITY OF IOWA CITY
C .., MEMORANDUM
Date: May 23, 2018
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, May 15, 2018, 5:00 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall
Council: Botchway, Cole, Mims, Salih, Taylor, Thomas, Throgmorton.
UISG: Stewart, Wu
Staff: Fruin, Monroe, Andrew, Dilkes, Fruehling, Seydell-Johnson, Morris, Dyson, Grier,
Knoche, Havel, Sitzman
(A transcription and PowerPoint are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.)
Discuss scope for the RAL Recreation Center improvement project
Parks & Recreation Director Seydell-Johnson presented a power point on proposed Rec Center
Renovations. Justin Bishop, OPN Architects, presented information. Individual Council members
expressed their views.
Action: Parks and Recreation will proceed with the RAL improvements including creating a vanilla box
space for the racquetball and game room area. Staff will return to Council near the end of the design
process to review the plans and discuss the findings of the expansion analysis. We will also create a
recommendation for solicitating proposals for the space from non-profits with a mission complimentary
to that of the Recreation Center.
Clarification of Agenda Items
• [Agenda Item 4e(5)]... Mormon Trek Boulevard (Westside Drive to Melrose Avenue)— Four
Lane to Three Lane Conversion Project ...Council member Botchway asked if this item could be
removed for separate consideration so he could make comments. City Attorney Dilkes advised
him he could comment without pulling the item, but if he wanted a separate vote, it should be
removed.
• [Agenda Item 4d(7)]... City Clerk Contract Amendment re: vacation carryover ... Council
member Mims questioned the level of vacation payout compared to other administrative
employees. City Manager Fruin and City Attorney Dilkes noted that all three Council appointed
positions have different contracts. Mayor Throgmorton asked about cost implications. City
Manager Fruin stated the difference was probably fairly minimal.
• [Agenda Item 4d(1)]... ICFD Strategic Plan ...Mayor Throgmorton noted there was no reference
to sustainability in the plan and would like to see more diversity the mix of employees in the Fire
Department. Fire Chief Grier stated they do look at sustainability and could work that into their
planning meetings to do an update. Chief Grier also stated they are reaching out to the younger
population to spark an interest and are also looking at different ways to advertise that would
reach a greater population.
Council Work Session
May 15, 2018
Page 2
• [Agenda Item 4d(5)]... McCollister Boulevard —Gilbert Street to Sycamore Street ... Mayor
Throgmorton inquired where in the process the consultant would be coordinating with Opticos.
City Manager Fruin stated Opticos was not currently under contract so he was unable to answer
but felt ample time for that to occur.
• [Agenda Item 4e(4)]... Melrose Avenue Fiber Optic Extension ...Mayor Pro tern Taylor asked if
University Heights would benefit from the extension and if they would be obligated to help fund
it. Public Works Director Knoche stated that there would need to be another agreement if they
wanted to use the fiber.
• [Agenda Item 4e(3)]... Creekside Park Improvements 2018 ... Mayor Throgmorton inquired if
the cost listed was the base scope or if it included alternates. Parks & Recreation Director
Seydell-Johnson stated it was just the base bid.
• [Agenda Item 4f(7)]... Mary Gravitt: Profane Language in ICPL ...Council member Cole stated
he was concerned about the profane language being used at the Library. Assistant City
Manager Monroe stated the issue had been responded to by the Library Director after she had
been made aware and confirmed it was not coming from youth. Parks & Recreation Director
Seydell-Johnson also confirmed it was not youth but an adult couple that had moved from the
Rec Center to the Library and continued their argument.
• [Agenda Item 4f(4)]... Tiffany Elgin: Thank you ...Mayor Pro tem Taylor noted she was touched
by correspondence received from a parent of one of the student award winners.
• [Agenda Item 4f(9)]... Garry Klein: Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities ... Council member Thomas
mentioned he was pleased to see someone from the community monitoring traffic fatalities in
hopes of gaining more attention to it.
• Council member Mims asked if one of the historic landmark designations that had not protested
previously had since filed a protest. City Attorney Dilkes stated there were questions and they
met with staff and resolved them.
Information Packet Discussion fMay 3, May 101
> May3
No discussion.
> May 10
1. (IP5, Email from Mayor: Educational needs for adult English language learners) Council
member Salih wanted to know more about what CEDAC was. Mayor Throgmorton, Council
member Botchway and Council member Mims gave a summary of the meeting that was
held. Individual Council members expressed their views.
Action: Mayor Throgmorton to write letter to Joan Vanderberg and Colleen Schmidt asking
them to keep the City posted on their efforts in connection with education needs for adult
English learners in the community.
Council Work Session
May 15, 2018
Page 3
2. (IP8, Email from City Clerk: Listening Post Update) Mayor Throgmorton noted the memo
from the City Clerk regarding Council Listening Posts. Council members discussed location
and directed the Clerk to check into space at Cole's Mobile Home Park for the end of May or
early June.
Action: The City Clerk will help coordinate a listening post at Cole's Community mobile home
park.
3. (IP7, Email from Council member Cole: Faculty Forward — Iowa) Council member Cole
requested the Council to support a letter in support of recognition of Faculty Forward.
Individual Council members expressed their views.
Action: Mayor Throgmorton will draft a letter to send to President Harreld regarding the
ongoing dialogue with faculty and staff and working conditions / pay
Council updates on assigned boards, commissions and committees
Council members reported on various assigned boards, commissions and committees.
Adjourn 6:37 p.m.