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Item No. 3
Thomas:
Bergus:
Salih:
Fruehling:
Teague:
Salih:
Nominations for office of Mayor of the City of Iowa City.
I'd like to nominate Pauline Taylor.
I'd like to nominate Susan Mims.
I would like to nominate Bruce Teague.
Is there any other nominations? Okay, hearing none we're gonna ..... I need a
motion to close nominations.
So moved.
Second.
Fruehling: Okay and then.....so we're gonna vote in order of the nominations and we'll do a
roll call. (talking in background) Uh, we've got a motion to close nominations.
Uh, all in favor say aye. Opposed. Thank you. Uh, okay so first nomination was
for Pauline Taylor. All those in (talking in background) Oh, we're doing a roll
call, sorry!
Mims: Typically we've always like allowed people at least comment before we vote.
Fruehling: Sure!
Mims: I mean is that .... do people want to do that or not? I mean (several talking)
Teague: I mean it's up to the individual ...... that's bein' nominated. (several talking)
Taylor: I guess I'll go first then. Um, thank you, John, for that nomination. I appreciate
that. Uh, I've been serving as Pro Tem the last two years and I've really enjoyed
that, and I felt a transition to mayor would, uh, go very smoothly, uh, from that.
Uh, I would like to continue, uh, the work that we've done over the four years and
I think it's, uh, very important, uh, to have someone, uh, who continue.... can
continue the progress in the city and work together well, uh, with all seven
members of the Council. Thank you.
Mims: I wanna thank everybody for coming this morning. Bruce, you have a good
contingent out here, I'm assuming (laughs) Glad to see everybody here. We don't
usually get this many people to come out for this special meeting. Um, I've
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special formal meeting of January 2, 2020.
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served on Council for 10 years. Prior to that I served on the School Board.
Served as President of the School Board. Um, served four years as Mayor Pro
Tem. And in that time, and just the time in the city and the involvement in those
different areas, um, have a deep, uh, depth of knowledge of the issues facing our
city. Um, I think we've made a lot of progress in the 10 years that I've been on,
and certainly .... and I don't mean to say just in those 10 years. I think the city
continues to make progress all the time, and as the Council changes and we get
new personalities and new priorities, um, we do different things and .... and focus
on different issues. And I think we just continue to make progress. But it is the
work of all seven people that make those things happen, and I think that's really
important, and I think that .... the addition of different personalities and .... and, um,
passions and views is really important. I think I bring that skill set to lead this
Council and with those .... with that background. Um, I'll make a comment just
based on some of the conversations I've had, had with Council Members, and one
of the things that I think as I've heard people talk to me about nobody.... nobody
that I've talked to has indicated they don't think I'm very qualified for this
position. The issue that I have heard is my temperament. And I will tell you that
as a strong, outspoken woman, that bothers me. Um, I think as we try to move
forward in this country, with more equality — whether it comes with gender or
obviously with ecni.... ethnicity, which is hugely important, to not be able to
support people who are strong and outspoken, um, and particularly women who
are strong and outspoken is really unfortunate. So I hope I will have the support
of four Councilors today. I think it says a lot in terms of the gender issues, and
obviously everybody can sit here and say well that means a lot in terms of Bruce,
in terms of the ethnicity, and I don't mean to dismiss that at all cause I think that's
incredibly important, but when I think you look entirely at somebody's boder....
body of work, skill set, and knowledge, I do think having the most capable of the
three. Thank you.
Teague: Over the past couple of months, I've had a lot of time to reflect on this very
moment. When I look at all of the Councilors sittin' up here with me today, I see
so much your experience, your very wisdom, passion, and commitment to the
community of Iowa City. And I also see the first ever woman majority Council.
So welcome to Council, uh, welcome to Councilor Laurie, uh, Laura and Janice.
You've made history by makin' John and me a minority. I know deep in my heart
that we all share a vision of how much greater we want this city to become. We
want to main.... maintain its greatness, but be progressive in order to achieve our
city values. The work of this Council I'm proud of, and it's inspirin' to other
communities, not only in Johnson County, but across the state, the nation, and the
world, like in Sudan where Maz is from. I appreciate this time to speak after I've
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special formal meeting of January 2, 2020.
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been nominated for Mayor. By bein' an elected City Council Member, all of us
Councilors, we have a right to seek the role as Mayor, and I am humbled and
grateful for this. Susan and Pauline, I know your love and compassion for this
city, and I applaud the work you've done. Thanks to you both. I am sure we've
all .... I'm sure we're all very fortunate to be able to seek this role for Mayor, and
share our personal attributes. One of the many skill sets that I have is the ability
to weave together the talents and the skills of other people in order to reach a team
vision. We all know that bein' Mayor amongst us Councilors is only a title. It
doesn't give power and it does not set any of us above one another. I know this,
and I respect it. And I respect each of you as my equal. Because together we are
strong, and what we do together these next two years, if I so be elected as Mayor,
we'll be remembered as a Council. Councilors were here to keep this community
movin' forward. Together our teamwork can move this community forward on
our shared values of inclusivity, for all. Our teamwork can solidify economic
opportunity for all. Our teamwork can lay the foundation for strong financial
footings for this generation and future generations. And our teamwork can be an
example to our community and beyond. My motto remains: all voices at the
table. Even as Mayor I will fulfill this promise. In Council meetings, as the
leader among equals, I will ensure your voice is heard. I will help to continue to
foster positive, productive, and collaborative discussions among us. And when it
comes to you, the community, the people who elected me to represent your voice,
I want you to know you're always welcome at our Council meetings, and I'm
willing and eager to meet with every .... anyone, one-on-one, face-to-face to share
and discuss all matters. Councilors, community members, and City staff, I also
need your voice to help me to perform this role successfully, if I am privileged
with this opportunity. I'm open to discussion, new ideas, and help at times to
determine if it's a voice vote or if I need to say roll call, Eleanor! The Mayor is
the Mayor of the City of Iowa City. And as Mayor, I can relate to the community
at large. Twenty-six years ago I arrived in Iowa City from Chicago. A 17 -year-
old high school senior who was failing chemistry and in danger of not graduating.
I was in complete shock when I arrived and realized I was not in Kansas
anymore! My parents allowed their son, who got all F's and a C one semester, to
move to Iowa City with.....my 19 -year-old sister. Well, many said in the moment
that was the worst decision my parents could of ever made. Well because of Iowa
City and my hard work, I graduated from West High in 1994. From my youth I
had built strong relationships within this community. I'm proud to say the people
of Iowa City helped develop me into who I am today. I was a person from the
inner city of Chicago, that statistics might have said I wasn't likely to attend
college. Well I graduated from Kirkwood Community College with my nursin'
degree, and the University of Iowa with a BA in psychology, and a certificate in
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agin' studies. Many of you Councilors know my story, and of course I can't tell
them all now, but I'm so proud of my journey workin' with end -of -life patients
through Iowa City Hospice, startin' at the age of 19. It was then I realized the
patients and their families looked to me, this 19 -year-old, as a leader. I quickly
discovered the innate gift I had to support others and help them to navigate
whatever's goin' on within their life. Fifteen years ago, I took the leap of faith
and .... to end my job, my paying job, which I loved at Mercy Hospital with good
pay and health benefits, to start my own business — Caring Hands and More. I
literally started with no money. My office was in my mobile home and I had three
employees. Caring Hands and More serves individuals and families with a
variety of needs, including children, individuals with disabilities, elderly, and
provide end -of -life care for patients. We have assisted over a thousand of people
to age in place and get services needed in the comfort of their home. I'm proud to
say I employ around 90 people, mainly livin' in the Iowa City area. It takes a
leader, a collaborative leader to navigate within these past 15 years to have three
offices, own six of the nine group homes we operate. I want you to take a second
to think how the people of Iowa City has helped me achieve these goals. My
story .... I would hope, gives individuals within this room hope and inspiration, no
matter who you are. These past 15 yea.....months as an elected City Councilor
has been awesome and amazin'! I've learned a lot. The 500 -page packet that
seemed to be gibberish now makes sense. The reason it makes sense is because of
the support of staff, community members, and fellow Councilors, working with
me, to ensure their team member succeeded. Every one of you I give extra praise.
To Susan Mims, for spendin' so much time with me. After the first time I met
with Susan, I knew right away the 100 hours, no! The 1,000 hours I spent
preparin' for the.....for this meetin' nee .... needed to be tripled. I'm happy to say I
tripled my study time and I'm proficient. No absences here! I also wanna say
thanks to Geoff and the City Manager, or ...... thanks to Geoff, our City Manager,
and all the staff. Geoff, those 7:30 A.M. weekly meetings, I've enjoyed because
it's allowed me to ask the 101 questions that I have. It's been 15 months that I've
served on Council. I feel privileged to .... I feel privileged compared to most
mayors that get elected and they start day one with no experience. Our neighbors,
University Heights, Coralville, and North Liberty mayors are often people within
the community with a desire to serve, with little to no indistu.... institutional
knowledge. I have 15 months sitting aside our just -retired Mayor Jim
Throgmorton, who also spent significant one-on-one time with me. I quickly
learned if I asked one question, I'm gonna get a history lesson, and I soaked it up!
Now bein' in Iowa City for 26 years I have practical knowledge. Through so
many interactions with the City. I was on Section 8 and now I'm proud to be able
to be the landlord for many affordable houses. So I've known Steve Rasky and
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many in the department. I've been a renter and I now own 10 properties. So
Steve Laverman, the senior housing inspector, I know well. I also know what
property taxes means when it's on our agenda. Prior to the Council, and since on
Council, I've had several interactions and witnessed the superb work that Stefanie
Bowers does in the Human Rights department. Tracy Hightshoe, our
Neighborhood and Development Service Director, she and past City staff, Steve
Long, assisted me with technical support back in the day with my CDBG and
Home application. I was able to purchase three homes for persons with
disabilities to live in because of HCDC and ultimately the Council approval of my
application. In 2006 I was before Council requestin' a rezoning that was denied
so I have that scar. Although in that case, I have to say, thank God for
unanswered prayers. Because ... the Council tellin' me no was the greatest thing
that pushed me to another level. Chief Matherly and the Police Department, I've
had so many ater .... interactions with them through my line of work, that I know
firsthand their hard work and dedication. I know I told many of you about the
firsthand knowledge I gained with the renovation.... um, with the rental process
....renovation process of Caring Hands and More Multi -Generational Center. I
acted as the developer, the buildin' owner, the general contractor, and boy did I
learn a lot of lessons that I could not have ever learned as a Councilor. So thanks
to the buildin' inspector Tim Hennes and Terry, and their team. Also, Fire
Marshall Brian Greer. When I was told I was required to put in a fire sprinkler
and it required a large water main pipe, you can believe I learned the City code
from a new light. So if you ask me why I want to serve as Mayor, I will first tell
you I have a servant's heart. I have a humble spirit, and I am not on an ego trip.
I'm a collaborator and can lead Council meetings as an equal. I have instituti
....institutional knowledge, both as a Council Member and lived experiences.
Then I will tell you, and the community, I will continue to be visibly present as
often as possible, because the presence of your Mayor means somethin'. My life
in Iowa City for 26 years has been intertwined with all people within Iowa City.
Because it's relatable. Because I'm relatable. To babies and all the way .... from
babies all the way up to seniors. Hey, Bob (laughs) um, in our community. I also
have to point out this year would be the 50th celebration of Pride, and I'm a proud
.......to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community. As Mayor I will give hope to
all no matter what because I will listen to all voices, and my attributes as a person
and as a mayor would be an inspiration to all. We will be the city where the
people of Iowa City can say, I have hope because of this kid with all those F's and
C's .... because if he can strive, so can I. I humbly request your support as Mayor.
Fruehling: Is there any other discussion? Okay. So we'll vote in order of the nominations.
The first nomination was for Pauline Taylor. Roll call. Okay, um, since we don't
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have four we'll move on to the next nomination for Susan Mims. Roll call. Okay,
and again we do not have four. So we'll go to the third nomination for Bruce
Teague. Roll call. Okay, and that did not have the majority either. So we go back
to nominations.
Dilkes: No, no! We just vote again.
Fruehling: Oh, we just keep voting? (talking in background) Okay!
Dilkes: Is there any more discussion?
Fruehling: Okay. So again, back to Pauline Taylor for Mayor. Roll call. Okay, we do not
have four. So Susan Mims, the nomination for Susan Mims. Again, we do not
have four. So the nomination for Bruce Teague. Roll call. And we do
have ... one, two, three, four .... five. So it's 5-2.
Dilkes: It looks like Mr. Teague has it.
Mims: Congratulations! (applause)
Item No. 4 Nominations for office of Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Iowa City.
Fruehling: Okay, and (mumbled) Now we'll take nominations for the office of Mayor Pro
Tem.
Mims: Pauline Taylor.
Teague: Mazahir Salih.
Fruehling: Is there any other nominations? Okay, I need a motion to close nominations.
Weiner: So moved.
Teague: Second.
Fruehling: Moved by Weiner, seconded by Teague. All in favor. Okay and we'll vote in
order of those nominations. So the nomination for Pauline Taylor as Mayor Pro
Tem. Roll call. Okay, and we do not have four votes. So we'll .... the nomination
for, uh, Mazahir Salih for Mayor Pro Tem. Roll call. Okay, 5-2, um, Mazahir
Salih, um, for the office of Mayor Pro Tem.
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Mims: Congratulations! (applause)
Item No. 5 Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem sworn in.
Fruehling: Now we'll go ahead and swear in Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. (swearing in
ceremony takes place) (applause) (talking in background) And, Bruce, it's all
yours! (laughter)
Teague: (sighs) Thanks to everybody for bein' here today. We really appreciate all of you
for comin' out to our Council meeting. Um ..... it's an honor. And we're gonna
continue with our organizational meeting! Um ... of course thanks to all my family,
love you all. Thanks to you, thanks to you! Um .... congratulations, Mazahir, and
again thanks to Pauline and to the work of Susan Mims. I think we should give
them a round of applause. (applause)
Item No. 6 Consider a motion making two-year City Council appointments.
Teague: Rules Committee, we need two. Uh, 2018 through 2019 the appointees were
Botchway, replaced by Salih, and Taylor. Any discussion, and I can tell you that I
did not prepare for today! (laughs) So this is where that teamwork comes in
(laughing) to help me out!
Dilkes: I think, Mayor Teague, um, if you just, uh.... go through each of these and then
we'll keep track of what you decide on, and then you can make, call for one
motion to appoint them all.
Teague: So then we'll discuss each item as we go .... along.
Dilkes: We'll start with the Rules Committee (both talking) figure out what you wanna...
what the group wants to do there and then move to the next one and then we'll
make a motion, uh, to (both talking)
Teague: Thank you! So .... thoughts for Rules Committee? Anyone?
Salih: I would like to continue.
Taylor: I would too. We only met once (laughter) but I .... I would continue. That's fine!
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Teague: Anyone else has any interest? Okay. And you all are takin' notes for me. All
right, thank you! Uh, we'll move on to Item b., and this is the Emergency
Management Commission. Uh, there's one appointee, Thomas.
Thomas: I would be happy to pass on that particular appointment to anyone who might be
interested.
Mims: Maybe you could (mumbled) come back to it once we see the others in terms of
kind of balance of (several talking) who's got what appointments and where we
kinda need to fill in. Sometimes that can help.
Teague: Sure. All right, so we'll come back to that one. C .... Metropolitan Plannin'
Organization of Johnson County, the MPOJC. Six plus one alternate.
Discussion?
Mims: It's everybody except you, Bruce.
Taylor: Yep, I would agree.
Teague: All right (several talking) always.... all right, we got it! (talking in background)
Yep, yep, yep! All right, and then Iowa City/Coralville Visitors and Convention
Bureau. Um .... Throgmorton, so I'm assumin' that I'm going to (several talking)
Yep. And then e. is Economic Development Committee. Um, there are three on
there now.
Mims: I'd like to continue on there, particularly with the, uh..... just some continuity with
Jim and .... and Rockne were both on there, so I'd like to continue on there.
Salih: (several talking) ....like to be there too.
Bergus: I'm also interested in that.
Thomas: As am I.
Teague: Anyone else interested in there.....so far I hear four individuals. So do we want to
have discussion here now about this, or kinda go through and come back to
it?What are you thinkin'?
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Taylor: I think it's important, uh, to keep Susan on there with her economic background.
Uh, she's been very valuable on this committee, and I think with the continuity it'd
be important to .... to keep her on there.
Thomas: Yeah, I'm interested in serving on that. I, you know .... in my first term deferred to
others, uh, to serve on it, um, partly because I do have a background in planning
and zoning, as a commissioner of that group. Um, I felt would be useful to have
others have that experience. At this point with the change of losing Rockne and,
uh, Jim, uh, you know, I'd like to bring that experience that I have in planning and
zoning to that .... to that committee.
Salih: I'd really like to be there because you know I been really interesting in the
Economic Development Committee since last time, you know, since I been
elected, and I .... I tried to be there last time, uh, but I guess .... I been turned down
because, uh, I was new, that what I been told. And, uh, Rockne had to serve more,
uh, two years, and I thinks, uh.... being on the Council for the last two year... for
the past two year, I gain like enough knowledge, uh, now so I can be with, uh,
John and Susan, and also I .... I agree that Susan she been there, she have
experience, and all of us will be new to the Economic Development Committee
and, uh, I .... it is preferable that she will be there with us, but I really would like to
serve. Last time I was interested, um, the excuse was I'm new and I don't have
experience. Now I do have that experience and I would love to continue, uh, to
serve for the, you know, Economic Development Committee. Thank you.
Bergus: My interest in the Economic Development Committee comes from my
background, um, having a lot of experience. Worked in municipal government for
a decade. I've seen the development process from beginning to end, and then, uh,
attending these meetings as well and keeping up to speed with it and just with my
professional expertise, um, that's my interest and think that's the best fit for my
skill set of these committees.
Mims: I think one of the things that's important to look at, and I .... since we have to make
a decision, everybody else should.... should feel free to chime in. I think one of
the things we need to look at, and that's why I mentioned, you know, going
through, and I think Eleanor did, going through this whole thing before we make a
vote. It's kinda that balance of responsibilities and .... and making sure that one,
everybody gets an opportunity, and two, nobody is totally overloaded with things.
Um, and I think for me, Maz, with you now having the Mayor Pro Tem position,
which I think is a significant one, and I think with Jani.... excuse me, with Laura's,
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you know, background that she has had in there, um, I would support Laura as the
third member of the Economic Development Committee.
Salih: I really need to respond to that. Last time, you know, Laura.... nothing against
Laura. I love you, Laura. No problem. But .... you know, just think about it. The
Mayor .... Jim, you know, Jim himself (mumbled) Economic Development
Committee. I`m a Pro Tem, and if the my position will really make me (unable to
understand) cannot serve there, it should have happened to our Mayor. Because
the Mayor have a lot of responsibility, and he was on that committee, and second,
last time no one defend me, uh, when I said I wanna be on this Economic
Development Committee. Everybody's telling me I'm new, and Susan, you never
even stated that I'm new it doesn't matter, you know, she can continue, even
though she's new. But you (unable to understand) with everybody that I'm new.
Laura's also new this time, and I thinks she can wait for the next time, as .... same
thing that I have waited for this since last time.
Taylor: I agree that Mazahir should... should have a chance because it ... it, sort of a
technical difficulty, uh, couple of years ago, uh, cause she was interested and was
appointed, uh, and then the .... Mayor changed his mind because the person, uh,
that wound up being put on there, uh, was not at that meeting. So it was kind of a
turn of events that was .... was, uh, regrettable. So I think that she does deserve a
chance to....to be on there this time.
Salih: Thank you.
Teague: I guess I'll chime in there. Um .... this is a very important committee, uh, for
the .... for the Council, and I think it's a highly desired committee because of....
what it represents.... in the initial conversations that it's having for the economic
development of our community. Um, I do know, um, that Laura, your, you know,
knowledge and your commitment is commendable! Um, and .... you know .... we
are, you know, faced with three Councilors, you know, that has been on Council,
that wants it. Um .... I am very familiar with this, uh, story that Maz just shared
about her request to wait, because she was new, and the Council at the time doin'
that. I do know that, you know, there is no such thing as turns. Um, I believe in
that. Um, I think right now for me I will, um, support Susan Mims because, um, I
think it's, um, her presence on there, her knowledge on there has really been, um,
outstandin', and I think appropriate, because sometimes I, you know, do worry
that Councilors, urn .... don't pay the .... don't play the poker face, and they're given,
you know, the thumbs up and then that does affect potentially what the developer
does, and then the expectation when it comes to Council for votes, if it does move
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forward. So I have appreciated that with Councilor Mims, uh, and the poker face,
uh, while havin' great discussions, um, on the Economic Development, um, and I
think John has also, you know, continuously expressed this desire, and so I will be
supporting Mims, John, and Maz on this one. All right. So it .... sounds like we
have so far two for Pauline .... two for.....or I guess, well .... I'm sorry. Three for
Mims, three for Maz, and probably two or three for John. Do we want to maybe
continue to go down the list or .... all right, we'll do that! I was seein' some shakin'
of heads. All right, so f., Chief Elected Officials Board. Iowa Works Regional
10, one position.
Taylor: Um .... Mayor, I would .... I would like to request a defer on this item. I've served
on this board the last two years and at our last meeting, which was like in
October, uh, there was discussion that the State rules had changed about the
composition of this board and that, uh, like local city officials would not be, uh,
qualify for this any longer. That it would just be the county level, say the Board
of Supervisors. So I'd like to defer on appointments to this until we, uh, can find
out for sure from those board officials.....on that.
Teague: It sounds like a reasonable request to me. If we need to do a ... sort of the research.
Um, anyone has thoughts about this deferral request by Pauline?
Dilkes: We had not talked about that and (both talking)
Taylor: Yeah (both talking) Just dawned on me the other day, yeah.
Teague: All right! Uh, item g., Metro Coalition of Cities, one plus alternate. And that's
been.....that'd still be the City Manager and the Mayor. So that is .... taken care of.
Item h., Joint Emergency Communication Center Policy Board, two, and that's
been Fruin and Mims.
Mims: Geoff and I have talked about this and the .... the board has really, um .... stabilized
over the last few years and I think we are down to what we would consider very
routine work, um, budget. We've got a .... there's also a User Advisory group that
consists of like fire departments and police departments in the area that provide a
lot of input on how certain things are done. One of the reasons that we .... we
started with a staff member on here was ... the need for more background
information in some of these meetings that Councilors didn't necessarily have,
because we're not involved in that ... day to day work and some of the policy
issues. So Geoff came to me just a few weeks ago as we were getting ready for
this and said, hey, I think t hings have settled down. I really don't think that's
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necessarily the best use of my time, meaning Geoff, and I totally concur with....
with Geofrs position on there, on that. So I am very comfortable that we move it,
uh, to four Council Members. These are only, typically, quarterly meetings. I
know it lists like six on here, but urn .... it's .... it's somewhere from four to six
meetings a year. They take about an hour, typically, from 7:30 to 8:30, maybe
9:00. It is out at the JECC facility, which is out, uh, jut west of West High. Um, I
would be willing if nobody else wants that second spot, but I would also be very
willing to give it up if two other Councilors would like it. I don't think that lack
of continuity there would be a problem at all.
Weiner: This is something I would be interested in as well.
Teague: Anyone (mumbled) anyone else have any interest in bein' on this? All right, looks
like you're it. Great. And the next item, i., East Central Iowa Council of
Governments. One year appointment and um, and an alternate. So it's been
Taylor.
Taylor: I would be open to anyone else. (mumbled) excellent board. You get to meet
with, uh, members of other municipalities and counties, it's several counties meet,
uh, every so often up in Cedar Rapids. Uh, but I ... I would rather not continue on
it.
Weiner: This is something else I'd be interested in. I'm very interested in having contact
(mumbled) cities and the county in the area and learning a lot more about how
everyone interacts and how we can work better together.
Taylor: I had, uh, noted here, uh, Janice of interest for this, because I think with her
diplomatic background and, uh, very used to meeting with people from all
backgrounds, I think she would be excellent on this. It does require some travel
up to Cedar Rapids, but uh, it's well worth it.
Mims: Yeah, it's a very interesting committee. I've served on this before. So you do it...
certainly broadens your horizons with the area.
Taylor: (both talking) .....think Janice would be excellent.
Teague: Seeing no one else interested I'm assuming? All right, j., Seats Paratransit
Advisory Committee. It's been one, Salih.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
special formal meeting of January 2, 2020.
Page 13
Salih: Yeah, unless somebody else want it, but you know, um .... I would like, if I'm
going to be in the Economic Development Committee maybe I will defer to
somebody else to take it, but .... if not, um, I'm willing to continue.
Teague: Okay. Anyone else has interest in Seats.... Advisory Committee?
Bergus: I'd be willing to serve on that one, as well.
Teague: Okay. So we have, um, Salih and Bergus.
Mims: No, it'll just be Bergus. (several talking)
Teague: Okay! All right. Great! Item k., UNESCO Board of Directors.
Taylor: I would be interested in this.
Bergus: I am also interested in that one.
Teague: Okay. Anyone else has interest?
Weiner: If there's a third position, yes.
Teague: There's only one position. So .... (both talking) Okay, so just between Bergus and
Taylor right now. You wanna come back to it? We just .... all right! Um, 1., Self -
Support Non -Voting Representative from Iowa City. Um, that's a City Manager
designee. So we'll just....
Fruin: Yeah, we typically handle that because most of the issues that come up are
operational in nature.
Teague: All right. Awesome! Item m., Johnson County E911 Service Board. And that is,
oh, they're gone! Grier and Matherly. So .... and that'll continue. Um, n., is Iowa
City Area Development Board, ICAD. Two. And that's been Fruin and Thomas.
Thomas: I think that's an interesting committee, if anyone's interested in that. I'm, you
know, this gets back into how this all plays out, but um, I .... my primary, my
personal primary interest is serving on the development committee, but I'm happy
to, urn .... to pass on my .... my role on ICAD.
Bergus: I'd be interested in the ICAD board, if John's not going to serve.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
special formal meeting of January 2, 2020.
Page 14
Teague: Okay. All right! Anyone else interested? Bergus it is! Item o., Iowa City
Assessor Evaluation Committee. That is, um, it was Botchway, and then I've been
on the committee, um, and I'm more than willin' to continue on that committee,
unless there's someone with great interest. Seeing none, it will be me. All right,
item number p., Partnership for Alcohol Safety. Um .... and that would be, yes!
So .... and ..... item number q., Graduate and Professional Student Government
Organization. Uh, that's been one and that's been Mims.
Mims: And I've had absolutely no contact from them. So .... I mean I'll continue, but if
somebody else wants it, um, it doesn't matter.
Teague: I would be willing.
Mims: I think you'd need to not (laughter, several talking) and I just .... I'm just saying
that from the workload, Bruce. (laughs) I .... I think when you start looking at the
Mayor and (both talking)
Teague: Okay! All right.
Mims: (laughing) You need to be careful!
Teague: All right!
Mims: Not that you wouldn't do a great job. I just (laughs) you gotta be careful you don't
overdo it.
Taylor: And I think if Susan's willing, I think the students have long time recognized her
as a Member of the Council and I think, uh, she would be good.
Teague: And I guess I misunderstood. I was thinkin' that you would, um, happily give it
UP.
Mims: Either one! I mean if there's somebody else that wants it I'm happy to give it up.
I'm just concerned that you don't (both talking)
Teague: I appreciate it. Thank you. Teamwork! (laughs) Thank you so much. So um,
anyone else has interest in .... in this? Hearing none we'll .... it's Susan. Thank
you! And then .... r. is a new, urn .... board, liaison for the Community Police
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
special formal meeting of January 2, 2020.
Page 15
Review Board Liaison. We talked about this. Um, so .... um, what are people
thinking?
Taylor: I had initially thought that Laura with her legal background would be good for
this, but you don't necessarily need to have a legal background. It's just, uh, from
the discussion on .... on establishing this, uh, just someone to be there for, uh, the
board .... a board member to be able to contact and ... and talk about issues or
things, or concerns.
Weiner: Fra. -I'm willing to stand on this. (talking in background)
Teague: Okay. Anyone else has an interest? All right, Janice, you're it! So we should
probably, uh, go back up to the top and ..... for some of the ones that we don't have
figured out, which'd be item number b., and that's the Emergency Management
Commission, um .... Thomas.
Thomas: Any other takers on that? All right, I will continue in that.
Teague: All right! (both talking) Great. Thank you, John. Um, and then item number e.,
um, Economic Development Committee. Um .... so where do we wanna go with
this? We have .... Mims, Bergus, Salih, and Thomas.
Mims: I think some of the others who haven't spoken need to speak up.
Thomas: I'm personally supporting Susan, you know I .... we are in a situation where we're
losing all the three existing. So I think, uh, while we have, typically have a policy
of rotating after a certain period of time, I think in this case, uh, keeping Susan on
is a good idea. Uh, and then again I'm .... uh, interested in this particular position,
and would support Mazahir as a third, the third member.
Salih: I really just wanna say that I have been appointed last time. Like Rockne wasn't
in the meeting and I .... I have been appointed, and it was very disappointed to me
that (unable to understand) just to step down because they want Rockne to be
there, because Rockne have experience on the Council and I'm new. I .... I guess
this is, it wasn't fair, it wasn't okay, but you know I just took it, and that's why I
really would like to be in this committee this time. I waited, even though I have
been appointed. I was present. Rockne wasn't here, but it still .... I been asked to
step down.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
special formal meeting of January 2, 2020.
Page 16
Teague: Right now as I see it, Mims has, uh, four total for support. Um, which is Pauline,
Maz, John, and I guess five, myself. Um, Maz currently has .... um, four that I've
noted. Um, which is herself, Pauline, me and John. Um .... so that is kinda
majority there. I think I heard support for John. I didn't take down all the names.
Is that what people are sensing....
Weiner: Yeah, I would support the trio of Susan Mims, John Thomas, and Mazahir Salih,
because I think it would offer us a really broad spectrum of. ... of experience and
points of view, uh, and represent the Council and the City well.
Teague: All right. So .... I'm .... I'm hearing nods of heads for Mims, Maz, and John. All
right. And .... we're almost there! Um, k., so .... it is Taylor, Bergus, what are we
thinkin'?
Salih: I will support Laura .... to go there, to be there.
Mims: Yeah, I'll support Laura.
Weiner: I will as well.
Teague: Okay. I'm seein...... I support Laura as well. I'm seein' majority for Laura, so we
will go there. And then .... we need to take, um, we're done with all the items on
the agenda. We do need to do a, um, this is gonna be a voice vote, is that correct?
Um .... so we'll need someone to make a motion.
Mims: I move to approve the committee assignments, with the deferral of. ... item f.,
which'11 be decided later, once we ... know the rules.
Salih: Second.
Teague: All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The motion passes.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
special formal meeting of January 2, 2020.