HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-21 TranscriptionPage I
1. Call to Order
Teague: All right! Well welcome again to this new way of meeting for our, uh, Council
meetings, Iowa City Council meetings, and for the public that is with us, I wanted
to just kind of talk about a few new things that we're doin' here. So if you are
participatin' on Zoom from your computer, you will see a button that will allow
you to raise your hand so if you hover over the bottom, um, you should see a little
hand raised type.... symbol. So if you press that, um, durin' the meeting when we
do get to community comment items, then I will, um, actually call your name out
and have you speak at that time, if you would like to address a topic. For those
that are on the phone, you will press the *9 on your phone to raise your hand and
then when I get to, uh, you, I will ask that you speak at that time. So, wanted to
give people kinda fair warnings as to what we're gonna be doin' and we're gonna
move on to the Consent Calendar, Items 2 through 7.
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2.-7. Beginning of Consent Calendar (Items 2 — 7) — Consider adoption of the
Consent Calendar as presented or amended.
Teague: Could I get a motion to accept the Consent Calendar as amended?
Mims: So moved. Mims.
Thomas: Second. Thomas.
Teague: All right, discussion? So I do know that, um, we had two individuals that wanted
to discuss 7.h.
7.h. Sara Barron, Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition, Alison
Oliver, Michael Shaw: Utility Relief for out -of -work Iowa Citians
Taylor: (garbled) from the, uh, Affordable Housing Coalition, Sara Barron, uh, regarding
utility relief for folks that might be needing that during this time of crisis.
Wondering what the City, uh (garbled) that, what ... what resources we would
have ... to help out with that.
Fruin: Uh, so we got the letter on, uh.... Wednesday, and (garbled) had the opportunity to
talk with Sara. She called before she sent it to talk through a couple of the .... the
points too. Uh, we have not had time to go through and (garbled) analyze this
request, but (garbled) comfortable in telling you right now that I'm certainly not
in a position, um, where I feel the City can commit these types of dollars to a
relief effort yet. I think there's too many, um, unknown variables to our own
financial position, and I wanna be very careful, um, not to, uh, to .... to commit to
....to a relief effort of this magnitude, um, without.... without really knowing
where our own financial, uh, house is gonna be in ... in the next even two months
or two years. Um, it is likely that we would have to use, um, funds, uh, general
funds for this, so you're.... you're looking at your reserve dollars, uh, to
supplement this type of program. And just five weeks into this pandemic, uh, we
know there are over 6,000 Iowa Citians that are on, that have initiated
unemployment claims, and so with a .... an average monthly bill, just a one-month
bill, uh, of $100, um, you're..... you're, um, already looking at over $600,000
of...of relief, uh, just on one month type of program like this and .... um, I'm not
sayin' at all that the idea doesn't have merit. I ... I think it needs further study, and
I think it's something, um, that needs consideration, once we can paint for you —
as policy makers — a more complete financial outlook for the City going forward.
Um, I recognize that there's, uh, urgent needs out there, um, some of which may
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not be able to be addressed through the unemployment, um, process. Um, I trust
those needs are going to continue for .... for quite some time, um, and so while we
want to move through that expeditiously, I .... I can't sit here tonight and ... and tell
you with any comfort that, um, the City ..it would be wise for the City to move
forward right now.
Taylor: Thank you, Geoff. I appreciate (mumbled) think your thoughts are reasonable
and there are a lot of uncertainties about this whole pandemic and how long it will
be and, uh, it could go on for quite a few months, which could tally up quite...
quite a bill there. So I think as long as people know that we do understand
(garbled) with them and, uh, we'll help them out as best we can with, uh,
resources in the community. Uh, I think that's helpful.
Weiner: I think we need to look at the .... at the overall (clears throat) at the overall
financial picture going forward and figure out how we can maintain a solid base
so that we can help as many people as possible.
Thomas: A couple of things that, uh, came to my mind on this had to do with, um (clears
throat) whether, first of all as Geoff said, I think we need to understand what the
financial.... consequences of this are. Um .... but, uh, you know, one ..... one option
would be, once we have that, to consider deferring on the payments, um, and
offering, you know, zero interest loans that could be .... um.....paid off, you know,
the .... the, it wouldn't be a credit. It would be allowing for the .... the, uh, their bill
to be paid off over a certain period of time, perhaps at zero interest. Um, another
....another issue I was thinking about was whether...if we were to do this, um,
something similar to it, would we want to include small businesses, because they
also have been hammered. So .... I think there are a lot of questions. Certainly we
need the, you know, the financial consequences and implications of this, but I...
there are some other ways I think we could approach this, if we were interested in
trying to provide relief.
Mims: And I think the other thing that's important, it's definitely that we make sure that
we keep the City, uh, solvent and... and understand the implications on our budget
before we start taking on additional expenses. So to me that's first and foremost,
and secondly, I'm not sure that using the criteria of one unemployed adult in the
household is necessarily, urn .... a fair and equitable, urn .... way to .... to determine
this. Uh, certainly for the next few months, a lot of those individuals will be
getting hopefully unemployment, if they have applied to the State, and under the
CARES Act, um, a lot of them may be getting as much as an extra $600 a week. I
believe that lasts for four months. So .... simply to say that because you have one
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adult in a household unemployed, all of a sudden means that they cannot pay their
bills is not necessarily the case. It may be in many cases, but it may not be in
others. So I'm .... I'm also uncomfortable with that aspect of it, but even before
we get to that point, I totally agree with Geoff that we .... we have to make sure
that we have our own household in order, in terms of City finances before we
start, um, figuring out ways in which we can in a very reasonable manner help
those who are truly in need in the community, and we certainly need to get to that,
but I think this is a little bit premature.
Salih: I think, you know, we .... we have the reserve fund for a reason, you know, we
have like .... I think $5 million in the reserve fund for this kind of crisis, and those
five million, to begin with, it came from the public, from the same people now
they are suffering, who cannot pay their bills. I understand that there is some
people are able to pay, and I .... I can also agree with you maybe, if it's, um, you
know, the two household, one of them unemployment, maybe the other one's
really will like financially very good. They can like take care of the household
while the other person's (mumbled) you know, uh, is not, uh, working, that's fine
with me, if you can evaluate (unable to understand) there is some people who are
very low income people who are, uh, either both of them lost their jobs, or one of
them lost their job because of the pandemic, and this people are, uh, living
paycheck to paycheck. Even if we can reschedule this for them, to make it like a
payment for the future, it's gonna affect their life forever because they have, uh,
you know, limited income and they live paycheck to paycheck, and they have a
responsibility. I thinks we need at least to agree that we gonna make, you know,
we gonna pay for the people or maybe we can forgive for the people who are
really low income, and you know, maybe we don't have the capacity of
evaluating, uh, who is really in need, who is not, who can, who cannot, but ... but
there is another organization who already have that capacity, like say for example
the Crisis Center. They give out sometime $100, uh, to pay the utility. Could be
electricity, could be, you know, the .... could be the water as well! So if we can...
maybe just, uh, put the fund aside from the like the reserve fund, to help the
people who really cannot pay this bills. I thinks this will be great. So we .... we
can use maybe that fund .... we can give it to the Crisis Center and ask them just to
do it for the ... for the utility, for the water only, for the people who are really in
need, but there is people in need and there is fund there, reserve, for five million.
That's (mumbled) of course it gonna cover the....the need of the, you know, our
own needs, and our own lost I mean. Employment wise, I don't think we lost a
lot because we don't have ... a fund, uh, is already been budgeted to pay those
people, but we can ... that's not the time to talk about how can we cover the lost,
but we really need to think about how can we help those people, you know, just
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with their bills, because they cannot pay. There is many people I know, they're
not gonna be able to pay, and I hear Geoff before in one of the meeting, uh, thank
you for everything that you do. You are not shutting down the water for the
people who cannot pay, uh, you know, you are not having any assign of, uh, late
fee if they cannot pay. All this is very good step that the City has been ... the City
has taken, but also we need to think about .... I really agree with Sara Barron for
....some families they cannot even be able to pay this. Maybe we need to think
about that.
Bergus: Geoff, could you just (several talking) Sorry!
Teague: Go right ahead!
Bergus: Um, I was just gonna say maybe for right now, could we just get a quick recap
from staff on ... on the current relief? I think the utility discount program is still
available, is that right, and also what, um, Mayor Pro Tem was just saying about
the, um, not doing disconnects and late fee assessment, can you just recap that
for .... so we understand what the current situation is.
Fruin: Yeah, so at the outset of the .... of the COVID-19 situation, we made the decision
to discontinue our water shut -offs. So we're no longer shutting, uh, accounts off
for late payment or lack of payment. Uh, we've also eliminated the, um, fee, uh,
for ...for late payment as well. So there's not going to be a compounding fee
assessed, uh, to those, uh, individuals, uh, or households that cannot pay the ... the
water bill, and um, our Finance staff (mumbled) is tracking those numbers and
tracking, uh, you know, compared to previous years, um, how many, uh, water
shut -offs we would have had under normal situations. Um, I don't have those
numbers at my fingertip here, but uh, we're tracking all of that. I think, you
know, my concern, um, in (mumbled) to the emergency reserve, um, yes, we do
have five million and that's available for your ...your use, uh, at your discretion
during an emergency like this, um, but you know a month (mumbled) a month
and a half into this, if we look at mid-March to May, um, we're .... we're probably
gonna have a $2 t o $3 million loss in revenue, and there's no indication that we'll
be able to get, um, that back. Um, there's a lot of discussions about, uh, federal
relief that .... that may or may not come, um, but across all our funds, we may be
looking at, urn .... you know, a million to $2 million in lost revenue per month,
under current circumstances. And so while five million is a lot, we ... we just need
to be careful. If. ... if this situation continues for a couple months that we may
need to .... to lean substantially into that five million just to sustain our current
operations and to continue to sustain our current workforce, and that's....that's my
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hesitation. So, um, but .... but to be clear, that $5 million is available for you
....for use at your discretion during an emergency like this.
Salih: Geoff, what about the 400,000 that we get for like help to the residents of Iowa
City?
Fruin: So the CARES Act did provide (clears throat) did provide extra CDBG assistance,
um, and we've been notified that we will receive $410,000 in CDBG assistance,
extra CDBG assistance, and um, our .... our, um, Community Development staff
is ... is working on a .... on plan to deploy that. We don't have all the guidance from
the federal government on how it can be used, but we generally think it'll be
available to support, um, either non -profits that are .... that are working the front
lines of this crisis, uh, whether it's food pantries or homeless shelters or mental
health agencies, those sorts of things, um, or it could be used to provide direct
assistance to households, uh, like rental assistance payments. So, uh, we were left
to put that, uh, those dollars to use as quickly as we can. Um, the, uh, Housing
and Community Development Commission, urn .... um, just discussed that at their
meeting last week and you'll have a .... a annual action plan amendment come
before you at your next meeting, which will, uh, give us the authority to spend
those dollars as soon as we get `em, but we are awaiting that final guidance, and
that .... that 410, uh, will help quite a bit, but it's certainly not gonna address all the
needs that are out there right now.
Teague: All right. I did wanna just chime in and just give my thoughts on this. Um, I
appreciate the consideration, um, of the individuals that submitted this letter for
those in our community that do have some uncertain days ahead. I think it ... it's
very much ... um, clear to me that there's gonna be a lot of needs in our community.
I heard Councilor Thomas talk about, you know, the small businesses. Right now,
for me, we do have, uh, halt on any shut -offs, which I believe is very helpful.
Um, I .... I believe we have some time to figure out what are all the requests that
we may get, and how can we best help, um, you know, make the most of the
monies that we, uh, can do as a city. So I, for me, the latter is not dead. It's just
right now I don't think that, um, we're not makin' the decision on this tonight at
all. (mumbled) it's just acknowledging that there are needs out there in the
community, for me, so .... if there is anything else, urn ... if there's nothin' else
on .... about the consent agenda, um....
Fruin: Mayor, uh, I'll just, um .... uh, let the Council know where staff is on ... on kind of
the bigger picture here. We hope that in May and perhaps at your next meeting
we'll be able to present it to you in your work session, uh, more complete
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financial outlook for the City. We're not gonna have all the questions answered in
May, but uh, with .... with each passing week things become a little bit more
clearer, um, so we're hopin' in May to be able to present that financial outlook
(noises on mic, unable to hear speaker) and then, um, we are starting to work on
various, uh, concepts for economic recovery, for relief, both for households and
for businesses, and the caveat there is we don't know if we're going to have
capacity to do that, right, just what we've talked about, we don't know if that
financial capacity would be there for the City to do that. Um, but we are planning
for that, so that if you determine that we do have that financial capacity when...
when things are a bit clearer that there's a framework for us to use, um, in .... in
either support, again, direct households, around profit communities or business
communities, and so what we're tryin' to do is assess the best ways to do that. It
could be through utility relief, but it could be through some other mechanism, and
then, you know, on the business side of things, um, looking at the.—the relief
packages that are coming out from the federal and state governments and trying to
figure out where those gaps are and what types of businesses aren't able to benefit
from those or maybe, um, need a little bit more than ... than those programs
provided. So we're beginning to try to work with, urn .... uh, the.... the.... the
Business Partnership and ICAD to try to figure out exactly what those gaps may
be. Um, so I'm .... I'm happy to, um, share that with you, uh, too, uh, after .... after
(mumbled) fully developed on our end, at....at the staff level, um, if...if Council
wanted to get more involved in that, you could .... you could appoint somebody to
kinda work with staff to make sure that we're goin' down the right path as we
kinda do some.... some potential planning for, uh, for economic recovery.
Salih: But, Mayor, you said that, uh, why not makin' decision now about that, uh, what's
the point here? I really don't understand. Just could you tell me when can we
make the decision? How can we get the answer for those people who are sending
this letter for us to do this, and are we going to give like certain direction to the
staff or why you saying there is .... we are not making decision here? (both
talking) Are we gonna talk about this later?
Teague: I was referring to myself. I wasn't makin' a decision. It's not a .... it's not a item
where we're takin' a vote on it right now, and for me .... this request, we're gonna
get possibly future requests on relief efforts within our community, and so I ... this
isn't, what I stated was this wasn't a dead request for me. It's I'm just not makin'
a .... we're not makin' a decision on it tonight, and so I don't want to, urn ... kind of
dis.... discard it and say that it's not gonna come up again. Um, essentially we're
not makin' a decision. The good thing, at least from my perspective, is that no
one's water's gonna be shut off, so we have some time to talk about this
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potentially in the future. So that's what I meant by my comment. Anything else?
All right, roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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8. Community Comment (items not on the agenda) (UNTIL 8 PM]
Teague: And .... um, this is new how we're doin' this tonight. If you want to speak, there is
a .... if you hover, um.....to the right of your screen you'll see a (mumbled) a hand
that you can raise, um, and if you can raise your hand and then we'll allow you to
speak. I'll call your name out. If you're on your computer. And this is the time
where people in the community can talk about anything that's not on our formal
agenda. If you are a caller on the phone, you can press 9 .... *9 on your phone to
raise your hand. And it's a little blue hand, to the right. Uh, Sara Barron, oh! I
see some hands! All right! So .... uh, Sara Barron, I'm going to call you first for
community comment. Please keep your comments, uh, to three to five minutes
please.
Barron: Hi, everyone, how are you?
Teague: Awesome and amazin'! (laughs)
Barron: (laughing) It's really nice to see your faces, even from a distance! Um, I have,
um, two, uh, items for your consideration today. Um, the first is I do wanna talk
just a little bit about the utility relief request that we submitted last week. Um,
thank you very much for your discussion and for considering it. Um, as Geoff
mentioned, it was a pleasure to talk with him, to get a little bit more information
before sending the letter. Um, we understand that this is a big request, um, and
we understand that there is a lot for you to consider. A couple of points I wanna
make. Um, one is that our board comprises the leaders of housing organizations,
as well as very involved community members, um, who unanimously voted to
support this request. Um, they're folks who are, um, very well versed in what the
community emerging need is, and they see this as a really important component of
alleviating, um, the housing cost burden that people are facing exponentially as a
result of the COVID-19 crisis. Um, you're probably getting a lot of requests or
community feedback that people wanna see you, um, take action on — reducing
rents or, um, canceling rent payments or, um, offering mortgage forbearance —
and .... and we know that you can't as a city, um, independently legislate those
things, but you do have control over, um, how much people are paying for
(garbled) housing costs of water, sewer, and refuse. Um, and so, um, we know
you're going to be getting a lot of requests for assistance and that's precisely why
we, um, came in early with this request. Um, as you're considering all of the
different ways that you can support the community, we really hope that you will
think very critically about, um, how you can use utility relief as a tool, um, to
financially end, um .... kind of morale -wise support, um, low-income members of
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our community who are really struggling, who are making choices about how to
spend very limited resources, um, to be able to tell them, um, that they have one
critical component of their housing costs, um, that they won't have to worry about
over the next coming months would make a really big difference for a lot of
households. Um, and I encourage you to be creative, both about how you finance
it, um, how you roll that program out, and also who should be eligible for it. I can
offer you a criticism of what we've, , of what we submitted, alongside with
what Susan said. There are also, um, gigorkers and others who have seen their
hours reduced, but they're not necessarily completely laid off, um, who are really
economically struggling. So if you can come up with another clear-cut system
that would equitably offer this kind of utility relief to the households that need it
most, we would fully support you in doing that. We're really proud to have the
partnership with the Iowa City Federation of Labor and the Center for Worker
Justice in making this request, um, groups that really represent workers who are
hurting right now and we ... we trust that you will, um .... make sure that your
budget reflects your priorities when it comes to that. So thank you for your
continued consideration of that. Um, we'll look forward to making a data
informed decision about, um, how to equitably offer that ... that relief and support
to households moving forward. Um, and I'd be happy to have one-on-one
conversations with any of you if you warm talk more specifics or do some
brainstorming with us. Um, the second thing is I was watching your work session
as you were talking about, um, your strategic plan, um, and I wanna encourage
you to, um, make a little different commitment under affordable housing. Um,
over the last few years the City has made tremendous growth, um, in its
affordable housing initiatives and in large part that's because you had a very
detailed 15 -point action plan, um, that you followed with (garbled) and it was
great to see that. We're lacking that same kind of, um, mid to long-term vision
right now for affordable housing as a city, um, with the completion of the first
plan, which is something to celebrate, um, and also something to build on, and I
would love to see you commit to developing a really solid, uh, action plan, uh,
next phase (garbled) to that in your strategic plan. I'll just wrap up by saying
thank you for all that you are doing and will continue to do, um, in support of
housing affordability in Iowa City. I appreciate you!
Teague: Thank you, Sa4.... Sara. The next person we have .... we have is Martha
Norbeck.
Norbeck: (several talking)
Salih: ....mute.
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Teague: Martha, you're muted.
Norbeck: (garbled) Think I got it! Well thank you, Mayor. Um, I wrote my comments to
make sure that I could stay within the allotted time. Um .... I wanted to talk to you
about, uh, the vote .... uh, on April 7a'. COVID-19 has been taking overall of our
attention lately and we may have lost sight of 2019 and some of the things that
have occurred. So I wanna ask you to recall .... the fires in the Amazon, in
California, the fires in Australia, and record flooding again along the Missouri and
the Mississippi. Climate change is already affecting our lives. So the following is
an excerpt from a speech. You may know the author. Our house is on fire. I am
here to say our house is on fire. According to the IPCC, we are less than I 1 years
away from not being able to undo our mistakes. People like to tell success stories,
but on climate change we have to acknowledge that we have failed, but home,
sapiens have not yet failed. Yes, we are failing, but there is still time to turn
everything around. We can fix this. We are facing a disaster of unspoken
suffering for enormous amounts of people. Now is not the time for speaking
politely or focusing on what we can or cannot say. Now is the time to speak
clearly. We have to stop our emissions of greenhouse gases. Either we do that or
we don't. No matter how uncomfortable that may be. The bigger your carbon
footprint, the bigger your moral duty. The bigger your platform, the bigger your
responsibility. Adults keep saying we owe it to the young people to give them
hope. But I don't want your hope. I don't want you to be hopeful. I want you to
panic. I want you to feel the fear that I feel every day, and then I want you to act.
I want you to act as if you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on
fire, because it is! These words were spoken by Greta Thunberg at Davos in
2019. 1 was so disappointed to read NIMBY letter after NIMBY letter, letters
saying `no' rather than asking `how' from the same people who have stood before
you and demanded climate action. The assertions that we build another project,
instead of the one at Waterwe... Waterworks are naive. We are past time for this or
that project. It is time for this one and that one and another and another! We stop
the virus or we don't. We draw down emissions or we don't. Failure at either will
lead to disaster of unspoken sufferings for enormous amounts of people. Should
Governor Whitmer liberate Michigan because people are unhappy with her
decisions? I ask you to cut through the noise, identify and accommodate
legitimate concerns, and get this project done. Prairie habitat can continue to
thrive amongst the solar panels. And fretting about alliances with MidAmerican
is myopic. (mumbled) don't have to agree on everything to move forward on
common goals. The street value of this project is $8 million. If you tried to do it
yourself as a city, it would cost you $8 million. As I articulated in my letter,
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which is in page 5....134 of your packet, are you really going to walk away from
$8 million of direct greenhouse gas action? I am scared. I am scared that if you
do not act on the courage of your convictions now when the data is on your side
and MidAmerican will literally pay you to act. I am scared that if you bend now,
what will you do when the choice is more complex? And to my neighbors, who
did no reading of the packet, did no homework, but still found time to write a `not
in my backyard' letter, I want you to feel the fear that I feel every day. Then I
want you to act! I want you to act as if our house is on fire because it is! Thank
you!
Teague: Thank you, Martha. Ann Guhin, we're gonna have you to speak next.
Guhin: (garbled)
Teague: Guhin.
Guhin: Um, I don't know how I'm gonna follow that. Um, but my comments are along
the same sentiment. Um, I'm here to comment on the vote that Council took on
the 7' regarding the, uh, solar array project at Waterworks Prairie Park. Um, as to
Martha's point, um, I ... don't believe that .... the Council has taken into full
consideration the exact scope of what economic and environmental devastation
could be presented following, uh, the succession of climate change. Um, I'm a
young person and I've been following these meetings since the first public
hearing and have not heard one young person, such as myself, being able or I
think even have the resources during these pandemics, to be able to give their
opinion on this, and I have no doubt in my mind that a majority of people, my
age, would feel the same way. Our house, as Martha said, is on fire, and ... I'm
scared because the majority of people that were giving opinions, saying not to
build this project or to relocate it to the Airport, instead of both the Airport and the
park, uh, were not in my age range, who are not going to be the people bearing the
economic and environmental brunt of climate change, like I will have to and my
boyfriend will have to and my sibling will have to and my friends will have to.
And I think that it's .... it's short-sighted to vote no and it's .... in, at such an
environmental impact, that I'm afraid that my house is gonna burn down, as
Martha said. I don't have prepared statements like she did, but she said
everything that I needed to say and more. I really hope that you guys reconsider,
reconnect with MidAmerican Energy, and try to find a way to satisfy both
those ... of the majority of people that spoke out that are living in the Peninsula
neighborhood, while still being able to establish a full array there, and at the
Airport and elsewhere, because we are past the point of relocation, or here, there,
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and elsewhere. Everywhere that we can, because otherwise I and my friends and
my loved ones, the people my age, are going to be bearing the brunt of this
environmental impact. I just hope that you take that into consideration moving
forward. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. (muted) ....and I don't see anyone on the phone with their hand
raised. Again, if you're on the phone and you wanted to raise your hand, *9 is the
way to make comment. Since I don't see anyone, we are going to move on to
Item #9.
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9. Transit Funding Application — Resolution authorizing the Filing of an
application with the Iowa Department of Transportation for FY2021 Iowa
Department of Transportation State Transit Assistance and Federal transit
Administration Funding.
1. Public Hearing
Teague: I'm gonna open the public hearing. And do we have a staff that would like to
present .... on this?
Fruin: You're muted, Darian.
Nagle -Gamin: Hi there, can you hear me now?
Teague: Yes we can!
Nagle -Gamin: Excellent! Thank you, everyone. Uh, thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Geoff. This
is Darian Nagle-Gamm. I am the Director of Transportation Services for the City
and tonight before you is our annual application for State DOT transit funding and
for our federal transit funding (garbled) an application which will enable us
(garbled) it will enable us to receive those state and federal transit funds that are
so important to keeping our transit system running, and it also helps to ensure that
any capital projects or any potential projects, such as new buses or a replacement
transit facility, will become eligible for federal funds.
Teague: Any questions.... for Darian? Hearing none, is there anyone from the public that
would like to dis....uh, address this topic? Hearing none I'm gonna .... and again,
the public, if you want to speak on this, um, you would raise your hand and then I
would call on you, and if you're on the phone, uh, you press *9 to talk on this
topic. Seeing none I'm going to close the public hearing. Could I get a motion to
approve the resolution?
2. Consider a Resolution
Mims: Move, by Mims.
Weiner: Second by Weiner.
Teague: All right! Council discussion?
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Taylor: This is Pauline. I was especially glad to see that last bullet point about the
matching funds for bus replacement, uh, cause I ... I was disappointed that we had
to cancel the (mumbled) electric bus and I .... I do hope that, uh, we get to do that
again sometime soon.
Thomas: John Thomas. Yeah, this is an important, um, application. I was just quickly
totaling the, uh, the requests, and in their entirety it's about a $25 million
application. So it's major.... potentially a major source of revenue. So (mumbled)
funds to ... to advance our transit system. So I will be approving it.
Teague: All right! Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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10. 2020 Water Pavement Patching — Resolution approving project manual and
estimate of cost for the construction of the 2020 Water Pavement Patching
Project, establishing amount of bid security to accompany each bid, directing
City Clerk to post notice to bidders, and fixing time and place for receipt of
bids.
1. Public Hearing
Teague: I'm gonna open the public hearing. And who will .... there you are! Hello!
(laughs)
Knoche: Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Council. This is Ron Knoche, Public Works Director.
Uh, this project will repair pavement that has been damaged, uh, by water main
breaks in our community. Um, we currently have around 60 locations, uh, but
with each water main break, uh, the list grows. Uh, the project is estimated to
cost $150,000.
Teague: Any ques... questions for Ron? Is there anyone from the public that would like to
address this topic? I don't see any hand raises, um, from either the, uh, computer
attendees or the phone attendees. Seein' no one, I'm gonna close the public
hearing. Could I get a motion to approve the resolution?
2. Consider a Resolution
Thomas: So moved, Thomas.
Mims: Second, Mims.
Teague: Council discussion? Hearin' none, roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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11. Lower Muscatine Area Storm Sewer Improvements — Resolution approving
project manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the Lower
Muscatine Area Storm Sewer Improvements Project, establishing amount of
bid security to accompany each bid, directing City Clerk to post notice to
bidders, and fixing time and place for receipt of bids.
1. Public Hearing
Teague: I'm gonna open the public hearing. And we're gonna have a presentation by staff!
Knoche: Uh, good evening, Ron Knoche once again. Uh, this project will install storm
sewer on Deforest Avenue, between Sycamore Street and Franklin Street, and also
on Ginter Avenue between Ash Street and Lower Muscatine Road. The project
also includes paver replacement of the Deforest in the same area as the storm
sewer. Uh, that area was identified in our pavement management program as
(garbled) replacement. The project itself is estimated at $1,210,000.
Teague: All right, any questions for Ron? Anyone from the public like to address this
topic, and you can raise your hand. Both on the computer and by pressin' *9 on
your phone. Seein' none I'm gonna close the public hearing. Could I get a
motion to approve the resolution?
2. Consider a Resolution
Thomas: So moved, Thomas.
Taylor: Second, Pauline Taylor.
Teague: All right! Council discussion?
Thomas: I ... I, one thing I like about this project is the, uh, combining of both the pavement
work and the sewer work. So, uh, you know, integrating when we're in a location
where they overlap and combining in a contract. I'm really happy to see that.
Teague: Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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12. Sale of 1232 Sandusky Drive — Resolution authorizing conveyance of a single-
family home located at 1232 Sandusky Drive.
1. Public Hearing
Teague: I'm gonna open the public hearing. And ... do we have someone here to address
this from staff?
Kubly: Yes, hi, this is Erika Kubly with Neighborhood Services.
Teague: Great! (noises in background)
Kubly: Um, so 1232 Sandusky Drive is the second home to be sold through the South
District Home Ownership Program. The project is nearly identical to the sale of
1234 that was approved at the last meeting, um, but I'll go over some of the key
features. The City acquired the duplex for 125,000 in August of 2019 and then
converted the duplex to a two -unit condominium to sell to eligible home buyers.
When we purchased the property, this unit had some smoke damage due to the
fire in the adjacent unit. Renovations included kitchen and bathroom updates,
um, upgraded electrical, new siding and garage door, and a fenced yard. The
project also features a range of sustainable improvements, uh, such as solar
panels, insulation, energy star rated appliances, tree plantings, new windows and
doors, and long life -cycle flooring. Um, the home appraised at 144,000. The
sales price was set at 115,000, which is the acquisition cost, renovation cost
(garbled) carrying cost the City has incurred. Of the 115,000, 35,000 was funded
by a local fund (garbled) provided as a conditional mortgage on the property,
forgiven over 10 years. The buyer's expected to receive $20,000 in down
payment assistance through the federal Homes program, and then the remainder
will be financed by a local lender. The buyer has lived on Taylor Drive for over
six years and has completed the home buyer education (garbled). Um, I also
wanted to go over our outreach and application process a little bit. After we
acquired this property, we sent letters to all renters in the South District project
area, notifying them of the program and of opportunities for financial counseling,
and that was over 250 units in the project area. (garbled) to provide HUD -
certified home ownership counseling. Anyone who completes their home
ownership course can be reimbursed for the $99 fee, regardless of whether they
purchase a home through the program. The course also includes one .... one-on-
one financial counseling with Horizons. Um, and we've had five people complete
the course, um, and that includes our home buyers. The South District
Neighborhood Association has been extremely helpful in promoting the home
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buyer opportunities. Um, they've been promoting this program as they're out
doing other activities in the neighborhood, and they've even taken down names
and provided them to staff to follow up with, um, and provide applications. Our
application process consists of filling out the application, providing income
documentation, and completing the home buyer education, and then getting
financing. Um, applications are accepted on an on-going basis and the
opportunity to purchase a home is based on two things. First, uh, we establish
preference category where residents of Taylor Drive and Davis Street are the top
preference, followed by residents of the South District project area, and then
(garbled) Housing Authority's family self-sufficiency program. Um, within those
preference categories, the opportunity to purchase a home is determined by the
(garbled) income certification which the .... which is the date staff has received all
the necessary documentation to determine that the household is eligible for the
program. Some of the barriers we've seen for participants include just general
uncertainty about the program or buying a home. Staff has worked closely with
applicants to make sure they're comfortable with the process and um, we're
available to answer any questions. The home buyer education class is designed to
help people decide if they're financially ready to purchase a home, um, so even if
people are not ready to participate in our program, we recommend that they take
the class or reach out to Horizons. We also have a number of incomplete
applications. We have several people on our list who have not provided income
documentation, so they can't move forward. Um, we've been regularly following
up with them to help them through the process. Um, another barrier has been
financing. We've had two applicants who are unable to obtain financing. Um, we
work closely with the buyer's lender to help .... to help explain the process, um,
and the program. In one case it's potentially a short-term fix and the other case it
might be a more long-term resolution to help them get financing, but we are
keeping in touch with those applicants so that they can participate in the future.
Um, and finally we do have a couple applicants who do not meet the preference
category, so they are not likely to have an opportunity to purchase through this
program. Um, if Council has ideas or recommendations on how we can expand
outreach or better assist applicants to this program, we're open to incorporating
those into our process. We have two additional units on Taylor Drive that will be
available in upcoming months, and plan to do more units in the future. Thank
you.
Teague: Great! Any questions?
Salih: I just wanna ask the staff where they ...when do they expect the other duplex to be
ready?
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Kubly:
Salih:
Kubly:
Salih:
So it's about a month out for the renovations, but maybe a little longer due to, um,
the coronavirus.
And are you advertising it from now or usually advertise it after the .... it done or
how....
Um, for the first duplex we haven't had to really advertise it because we already
had a pool of applicants. Um, I think we would probably wait and see, um, if we
have buyers that are already on our application list before we, um, advertise
further, just to make sure we have opportunities.
Thank you.
Teague: Is there anyone from the public that would like to address this topic? Hearin'....
seein' no hands raised on the computer nor on the phones, I'm gonna close the
public hearing. Could I get a motion, um .... to.....approve this resolution?
2. Consider a Resolution
Salih: Move by Salih. (several talking, garbled)
Thomas: Second by Thomas.
Teague: All right (laughs) I'm gonna say moved by Salih, seconded by Mims (laughing)
Um, discussion?
Thomas: I'm just very, very impressed with this, uh, how comprehensive this program is.
It's not just about renovating and buying a house. It's, uh, all the educational
aspects of it, the ... the neighborhood component. It's just a really impressive, um,
program.
Salih: I agree with you. This is really nice and .... uh, I guess we just .... need to think
about doing more of this, uh, whether it is like for ...the South District or
somewhere else, but this is really nice programs and .... uh, it's not like really
costly and uh, the City's .... also I just love the way that we (mumbled) like the
solar panels that we have and just making sure that we are complying with our, uh
(mumbled) you know, climate change action plan (noises in background) which is
great, uh.... it's amazing. Thank you for the staff.
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Teague: Yeah, affordable housin', this is our opportunity that we're .... that we have now
and we did one more prior, and we have two more in the future. So, um, this is
very impressive and I'm happy to be a part of..uh, of this. All right! Roll call
please. Motion passes 7-0.
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13. Utility Rate Public Hearing Resolution — Ordinance Amending Title 3,
Entitled "City Finances, Taxation and Fees," Chapter 4, Entitled "Schedule
of Fees, Rates, Charges, Bonds, Fines, and Penalties," Section 3-4-5, Entitled
"Solid Waste Disposal."
Public Hearing
Teague: I'm gonna open the public hearing. And we're gonna have a staff presentation on
this!
Bockenstedt: Um (garbled) shared my screen. I don't know if they need to..... This is Dennis
Bockenstedt, the Finance Director for the City. Um .... (both talking)
Fruehling: You should be able to, Dennis. If not I can pull up what you sent me.
Bockenstedt: Uh, well okay, it says the host has disabled my screen sharing.
Fruehling: Um.....technical difficulties here, uh.....hopefully Lillie's on the other end lookin'
at it too. (mumbled)
Bockenstedt: There it goes!
Fruehling: Okay. Phew!
Bockenstedt: Okay, um, looks like we're in business now. Um, so once again this is Dennis
Bockenstedt, the Finance Director for the City of Iowa City. And, uh, tonight is
the first consideration for a rate ordinance for the City's landfill and refuse
collection funds. Uh, in the refuse collection fund there is a curbside recycling
fee, uh, rate increase proposed. Uh, this was approved as part of the fiscal year
2021 budget and three-year financial plan. Uh, it would be a 90 -cent, uh, per
dwelling unit per month increase, which would bring the monthly, uh, cost or rate
for the curbside recycling, um, from $5.10 to $6.00 per month, and this would
take effect on July I". Uh, this increase will generate approximately $170,000 per
year, uh, which will help to cover the cost of the program and the processing of
the recycled materials. Uh, the last time there was a recycling fee increase was a
dollar per dwelling unit (mumbled) fiscal year 2018. Um, to give you an idea on
the growth of the recycling program, uh, this chart here shows the ... (mumbled)
bars, we have tonnage that has been collected for the last five years, uh, and the
orange line represents the cost of running the operation, and in 2018 we began the
single -stream, uh, operations, and you can see at that point, uh, the... amount of
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tons being collected started growing significantly as well as the cost to handle and
process those materials and, uh, we anticipate into 2020 that this will continue to
grow, uh, in that upward direction. Uh, as far as the fund's, uh, financial health
and financial projections, uh, this chart represents the revenues and expenses for
our refuse collection fund, um, the red line bein' expenses, um, and the blue bline
....blue line being revenues, so you can see that we're projecting our expenses,
uh, to exceed our revenues, uh, in the refuse fund, um, into the near future. Uh,
2021 has a significant deficit and that's primarily to the ... due to the purchase of,
uh, two automated recycle trucks, uh, of a cost of approximately $550,000. Uh,
clearly with a projection of this nature, where we're projecting expenses to exceed
the revenues, uh, this is somethin' we'll have to continue to monitor over the next
couple years. For the landfill fund, um, there's a number of rate changes bein'
proposed. Uh, for the solid waste disposal rate at the landfill we're lookin' at a
$2.50 per ton increase. Uh, this would bring the resident rate up to $45 per ton. A
contaminated soil disposal rate increase of $35 per ton, uh, which would bring the
rate up to $50 per ton and this is to bring it in line with other soil disposal rates at
the landfill. And then for the minimum solid waste disposal rate, which if you
bring your pick-up truck out there and, uh, and dump waste and it's below the
....the minimum one -ton rate then, uh, that fee is bein' raised 50 -cents, which
would bring it up to $7.00, uh, per load. Uh, this is estimated to generate
approximately $350,000 per year, uh, and this'll be put towards capital
improvements, uh, operations such as staff, and also towards the .... the closure
reserves. Uh, the last time that the City did a tipping fee increase it was $4.00 per
ton in fiscal year 2016. Uh, other rate changes, uh, for TVs and monitors that are
less than 18 -inches, uh, the pick-up rate is going up to $21 and the drop-off rate is
going up to $15. Uh, for those that are greater than 18 -inches, the fees are
actually decreasing to those same rates, so that the .... the smaller and the larger
TVs and monitors will .... will be, uh, picked up or dropped off at the same rate.
Um, this is revenue neutral, however it will create operating efficiencies for the
staff that are picking up, uh, appliances or picking up the TVs or .... or accepting
them, and just as far as monitoring that and determining what the rate should be.
Um, and this is a projection of the landfill fund balance. You can see that it has
grown over the last several years, um, but we are projecting that, uh, to .... to begin
to decline, and this is primarily due to the capital investments in buildings,
equipment, staff, and other infrastructure and maintenance out at the landfill. Um,
which are ... some of those are.....cost a significant amount and so we're projecting
that fund balance to start to decrease. And to summarize all these changes, uh, in
this ordinance, these were approved as part of the fiscal year 21 budget. Uh, it
includes a curbside recycling fee rate increase of 90 -cents per dwelling unit per
month; uh, a landfill solid waste disposal rate increase of 2.50 per ton; uh, a
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contaminated soil rate increase of $35 per ton; and a minimum solid waste
disposal fee increase of 50 -cents per load; and then the TV and monitor pick-up
and disposal rates are being equalized. And I will try to answer any questions you
might have.
Teague: Any questions for Dennis? Hearing none, I don't see anyone from the public
wanting to address this topic. Again, you would have to raise your hand, and if
you're on the phone press *9. Hearing none, I'm gonna close the public hearing.
All right, could I get a motion to give first consideration?
2. Consider an Ordinance (First Consideration)
Mims: So moved by Mims. (noises in background)
Thomas: Second by Thomas.
Teague: Moved by Mims, seconded by Thomas. Council discussion?
Mims: I would just say I wanna appreciate staff's efforts on this. This is a .... a change
that we made, I don't know, six or seven years ago maybe on Council, maybe a
little longer than that, to look at all of our fees on a yearly or every other year
basis. Um, when I first came on Council we had some cases where certain fees
hadn't been looked at in a decade and required huge jumps to really cover the cost
of those services and that was really hard for the public to see those big changes.
So we've gone over the years to, like I say, about an every other year, um,
evaluation of what those fees are so they're much more incremental and easier for
the public to handle. So, I know it's time consuming for staff, but certainly
appreciate that effort.
Salih: Yeah, I think it's really reasonable change and thank you for the staff for putting
this together. I should have talk earlier about opening of the landfill because a lot
of people start talking about that. Maybe later we can talk about this too, but this
is reminding me that I forget to talk about that. Thanks.
Teague: All right (both talking)
Bergus: Just to confirm, this would be .... these rates are effective July 151, this summer,
right?
Bockenstedt: That's correct. July 151.
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Bergus: Thank you.
Teague: All right, roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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14. Radon Testing -Delay Effective Date — Ordinance amending Title 17, entitled
"Building and Housing," Chapter 5, entitled Housing Code, "to delay the
requirement for radon testing and mitigation in single-family and duplex
rental units until July 1, 2021. (First Consideration)
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve, uh, a motion to give first consideration?
Salih: Move by Salih.
Weiner: Second by Weiner.
Teague: Council discussion? I think given (several talking)
Bergus: Sorry, Mayor! To clarify, I think you said out loud delaying it until July 1st, 2020,
but it's 2021, or I may have misheard you, but I just wanted to make sure that we
all were on the same page with that.
Teague: Yes, so it'll be to 2021, and thanks (mumbled) (laughs) said that incorrectly.
Sorry about that. Um .... one thing that I did wanna do is see if staff had any, um,
anything on this topic?
Laverman: Uh, good evening (garbled) Senior Housing Inspector. I'm here if you have
questions. Uh, we had submitted the memo with this, uh, I think that kind of
expresses what we feel about it. Um, now is probably not the time to having a lot
of extra visits into different single-family and duplexes. Uh, we feel that this is an
appropriate extension for this ordinance.
Teague: I would agree. I think.... there's a lot of uncertainties, and actually you have to
have someone come in to ... to do the radon testing. Probably not the best time to
recommend, urn.... individuals comin' to the home, although radon is very
important. We do know that, urn .... but I'm in agreement with this personally.
Hearing nothin' else from Council then roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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15. 2020 GO Bonds Bidding Procedure — Resolution directing the advertisement
for sale of $12,145,000* (subject to adjustment per terms of offering) General
Obligation Bonds, series 2020, and approving electronic bidding procedures
and distribution of preliminary official statement.
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve resolution?
Mims: So moved by Mims.
Thomas: Second by Thomas.
Teague: Council discussion? And wondering if, uh, there's a staff that wanna address this
at all? I'm sure they're standin' by!
Bockenstedt: This is, uh, Dennis Bockenstedt, the Finance Director again. Um, this is just the
next step that the City needs to take in order to issuance, urn ... uh, to facilitate the
issuance of the 2020 General Obligation bonds. It really approves the sale
documents that sets the time and the place; uh, sets the advertising for the sale.
Uh, the sale's gonna take place on May 5u' at 11:00 A.M., and then we'll report
back that night on the sale details and how it went.
Teague: All right! Thank you! Council discussion? Hearing none, roll call please.
Motion passes 7-0.
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16. Harrison Street Parking Garage Master Lease Partial Redemption —
Resolution authorizing the redemption of Harrison Street Parking Ramp
Master Lease Purchase Agreement and directing notice to be given.
Teague: Can I get a motion to approve resolution?
Salih: Move by Salih.
Thomas: Second by Thomas.
Teague: Council discussion? We do wanna actually hear from staff on this first.
Bockenstedt: (mumbled) this is, uh, Dennis Bockenstedt again. Um, this resolution, uh, will
allow for the early redemption of approximately $2 million of the City's, uh, lease
from, uh, Capital One public funding for the Harrison Street parking ramp. Uh,
back in 2017, uh, we issued a lease to purchase, uh, that parking ramp for about
$15.5 million. And as a provision of that lease, it allows us to call in, uh, $2
million a year, uh, penalty free on June I", um, and we have made that election to
last several years. Uh (mumbled) funds that we had on hand from the sale of
the ... the Court -Linn property where the Rise is at, and then also we have funds
(mumbled) sale of the Augusta Place, and then we've also collected impact fees,
and so we've been able to ... to make that early redemption every year, and it, uh,
produces a pretty significant interest rate savings on that lease purchase, and so
we've been able to bring that, uh, balance down on that lease from 15.5 million
(mumbled) down to 9.4 million now and... and this (mumbled) redemption plus
our required payment would bring it down to about 6.8 million. Um, there is a....
an extra provision that we're asking, uh, be approved this year by the Council,
and that would grant us the permission to, uh, to ask Capital One to call the entire
lease in. Uh, currently, uh, we would not be allowed to .... to call that lease in till
2024. However, uh, due to the restrictions that are in the covenants on this lease,
it does restrict some of the things that we can do in the parking system, um,
because our creditors have .... have put certain restrictions upon us, and so .... uh, it
does kinda restrict or tie our hands as to what we can do to react to, uh, the
situation of coronavirus, uh, the parking system, and other, uh, changes or
opportunities that may be taking place in the parking system, and so, um, so what
we're currently just asking for is permission, uh, to go speak to Capital One and,
uh, ask to call that lease in early, if it is gonna produce the benefit or...or if it's
unnecessary that we should do that, and ... and so we're just looking for flexibility
to respond to the virus and in the ... in the parking operations. And I ... I can try to
answer any questions you might have.
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Teague: Where are all the reserve funds comin' from?
Bockenstedt: They're coming from the parking system. So as we ... we have funds set aside
from, as I mentioned, the sale of those properties. Um, and we have the ... the
reserve funds, but also the fund itself has, uh, a healthy fund balance and has
grown the last several years. Um, and so ... uh, roughly (mumbled) amounts to
about $13 million in .... in fund balance in the parking fund, um, and that's what
we would utilize to call that lease in, and uh, and then actually free up, uh, to
remove those restrictions as far as what we can do with the future revenues or the
reserves in the parking system.
Fruin: I can add to that real quick, Mayor. Um, the, um, added flexibility to respond to
the coronavirus situation and provide credits or rebates is ... is certainly part of the
motivation here. Um, but we frankly think it's a pretty good time to try to
renegotiate as banks are faced with, um, a multitude of...of, uh, loans that could
be defaulted on. Here we have the cash on hand to actually, uh, pay off a loan
early and it may be, um, the bank may look, uh, favorably upon that. So, um,
that, uh, if...if we are able to negotiate that with Capital One, we'll also save quite
a bit in interest costs over the next several years (garbled) staff had put as, uh, just
under $2.5 million in interest costs that could be saved by the City, if we're able
to do a full call. Um, the other thing that it does is it helps from a .... a, uh, cash
flow standpoint. We'll no longer have those lease payments, and as we are not
quite sure what the long-term implications of the coronavirus will be on our
parking decks, frankly we could use, um, the, uh, cash flow relief on an annual
basis to knock that expense off our books, and that ... that could give us some
added flexibility operationally. Um, so, um. .... it has to be a good deal for us to do
this. We're .... we're really just lookin' for your permission to, um, enter into
those negotiations.
Teague: Any other questions or comments from Council?
Weiner: It just seems to me that any flexibility that we can gain at this point is ... is a real
positive.
Mims: I would agree with that, Janice. I just wanna say thanks to staff because I know
we've done a lot in terms of refunding our bonds and stuff, uh, to get lower
interest rates and to ... and to make the best use of our money, and just thank you,
Dennis, for staying on top of these things, and Geoff, to give us the best
opportunities possible.
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Teague: All right! Hearing no other comments, roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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17. Procurement of Professional Services for Prairie Restoration — Resolution to
procure professional services for prairie restoration.
Teague: Motion to approve resolution. Could I get one?
Thomas: Moved by Thomas.
Weiner: Second by Weiner.
Teague: All right! Do we have Council presentation on this?
Fruin: Yeah, uh, Mayor, it's (garbled) my pleasure to introduce to you a new face here,
uh, for the Council meetings. Tyler Baird is our Superintendent of Parks and, uh,
oversees our natural areas, uh, efforts and was involved in our natural areas, uh
inventory and master plan. So I'm gonna kick it over to Tyler. He's going to give
you a little background on our natural areas plan and, uh, the specific item in front
of you today.
Baird: Thank you, Geoff, um, Council, and uh, Mayor, of course. Um, just makin' sure
you can hear me now.
Teague: Yes!
Baird: Okay. Awesome! Um, so this, uh, this item on the agenda is to, um, approve the,
uh (garbled) Applied Ecological Services. Um, it's on the agenda because of the
size of the contract. It's just a little bit over 244, um, thousand dollar contract,
that, uh... um, it's the second phase. So we did, uh, year one establishment in
2019, um, and that, uh, went through the RFP process at that time. Um, so just a
little bit about prairie establishment and, uh.... um, kind of our push for that.
Um ... uh, prairie establishment supports the City's climate action goals, um, it
sequesters carbon, um, reduces inputs associated with, uh, weekly mowing. Um,
the prairie also provides habitat, uh, STEAM education potential, and uh... um,
more passive recreation opportunities. Um, just a little bit about our site
selection. Um, it's based on the 2017 natural areas plan, um, and last year's
establishment included 25 acres, um, spread across five sites. And this contract
before you includes, um, almost 86 acres, 85.9, um, and that's across 18 sites.
Um ... and those sites are selected for, um, multiple reasons, take, uh, many factors
into account. Um, just a few of the key factors we looked at when considering,
um (garbled) here. So suitable sites includes those sites with slopes that make
mowing difficult, um, and the ... those sites are also benefited by native plants that
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help reduce erosion and run-off. Um, suitable sites are also, um, low active use
areas, um, so we look at, uh, park use and we, um, maintain, um, the level and
open play fields. Um, suitable sites also, um, often include wet areas that are
difficult to maintain, um, and in which, uh, native plants are .... are usually a better
choice than turf grass. Um, and then suitable sites are also, um, part of a habitat
matrix, um, that covers the entire 25 square acres of the city. So we don't just
look at, uh one place. We ... we try to spread, um, prairie all throughout, um, so
each neighborhood has a role in reaching, uh, our climate action goals and uh, the
neighborhood prairies are one part of that larger solution. Um .... and, uh, I know
we've received, um, some correspondence from the, uh, Benton Hill Park
neighbors. Um, so wanted to address a few of those concerns hopefully. Um, I
don't know if we have the photo, um, the area as it's (mumbled) Um, I don't
know if we can get that up on the screen or not. Urn .... if we can't then, uh... um, I
can just kind of, uh, explain the area. Uh, if you're familiar with Benton Hill
Park, um, as you go along Benton Street, there's.... there's quite a large hill you go
up, um, and the, uh, Benton Hill Park is on, um, the south side of, uh, of Benton.
Um .... and, um .... it's really a, uh... um, here we go! We've got a picture here. So
the picture.... let's see ..... (both talking)
Fruehling: I shared my screen, Tyler, so....
Baird: Yep! (both talking)
Frain: ...open the (both talking)
Baird: ....click around then?
Fruehling: I don't think you can click around.
Baird: Okay. You can pull up the first, uh... um, if you will, the first, um, picture in the
email.
Fruehling: Yep, I think that's what I have, isn't it?
Baird: I've got your ...screen showing with your email (both talking and laughing)
Fruehling: Um .... well, where did my Zoom go?
Baird: It was up briefly at the very beginning, urn .... there you go! Okay!
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Fruehling: Okay.
Baird: So you can see where we've, um, we've flagged out at the site. This, uh, vantage
point is standing down towards the comer of Benton and Miller Street. Um, the
intersection there, and it's looking, uh, up at the park, um, so Benton Street is on
your right, urn ... uh, Miller Street is just behind, um, in this photo. So the white
flags, the little white dots around there, signify the, uh, proposed, um, boundary of
this prairie. Um, and you can see the area slopes quite a bit. Um, it's
approximately, um, 13 feet of elevation change from the shelter, um, to a little bit
in front of where this, uh, this image begins. Um, and that elevation is just over a
span of about 100 feet. So it's a ... it's a fairly steep area, um, from the shelter
down to the intersection. So this fits that first criteria, um, that I spoke of when
we're .... we're looking at, uh, areas to, um, to convert into prairie. Um, and the
level areas of the park, um, at Benton Hill here are up behind the shelter, um, you
can kind of see the .... one of the play, um, the playgrounds on the left and then,
uh, another kind of treehouse play feature up towards the right. There is a little
bit of,um, level open space up on that, uh, portion of the park. Um, it is a small
amount of. ... of level space, but it's really the ... the only level areas in the park,
and that's where an old foundation, um, remains and .... and where the site had
previously, um, had structures. Um .... and then, so that fits the .... the second
criterion of our, urn .... uh, of our factors. Um, and then the site also, um, is the
only prairie establishment in this neighborhood, um, that's proposed. Um, it's
a ... a small but cute little piece in this part of the city, um, to add to the overall
matrix that I spoke (garbled) throughout the city, and it, uh... um, it will strengthen
the entire network, um ... uh, by trading that extra little part or a little piece that....
that helps link it all together. Um, and then lastly the hillside prairie, uh, will also
add a buffer, um, to the busy thoroughfare with Benton Street, um. ... uh, so that...
that's also an added benefit that's outside of those other factors we look at. Um,
so with that, um, if, uh, you have any questions, I'd be happy to, uh... um, speak to
them now.
Teague: Sounds like no questions for you, Tyler! All right! Is there anyone from the
public that would like to address this topic? If so please raise your hand. And if
you're on the phone, please press *9 .... to raise your hand and then I will call you,
as I see any hands are raised. I see none. And so Council discussion?
Taylor: This is Pauline. It seemed a bit ironic to me to be discussing the establishment of
areas of prairie after our discussion two weeks ago regarding the prairie at
Waterworks Park. Uh, but I .... I have no objection to authorizing the professional
services for prairie restoration, um, but as most of the areas, it seemed to make
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sense to me, but the Benton Hill site is the one that bothered me a bit, uh... it
shows it's only two-tenths of an acre but it's a very small park. I don't know what
the total acreage is. (garbled) comparable area of prairie installation was Happy
Hollow was also two-tenths of an acre, and while that's also a smaller park, it's
still larger than ... than the Benton Park. Um, nearby Willow Creek, however, uh,
is estimated at 9.1 acres, and that's.....that's, uh, very close, uh, to... to this, just
up Benton Street, um, and that seems like more than enough for this side of town
to have. Um .... as Susan, uh, mentioned earlier, we've received a lot of
correspondence from residents of this neighborhood. Uh, Benton Street, it's a
major, uh, west -east thoroughfare for me. I'm on that road all the time and ... and
just like the residents, I've watched as this wonderful little west side green space
has ... has slowly been chipped away, uh, hardly resembling what it's original
charm was, um, so I would ask that it be removed from the proposal for prairie
plantings, uh, but I would be supportive of the .... of the others.
Thomas: Well I .... I would say I'm very (both talking)
Salih: I agree with Pauline. (both talking) Go ahead, John (mumbled)
Thomas: Um ... I'm .... I'm very enthused about the .... the intent of this project. Uh... you
know, coming from the west coast, one of the things I really, uh, was impressed
by and... and um, drew inspiration from was the tall.... the... the prairie.... plant
associations of the ... the Midwest, and as I recall Iowa, uh, was once 99% prairie,
um, so bringing it back to Iowa City, I think, is a really exciting thing. Uh, I
would say on the question of Benton, I ... I would really like, uh, what I might call
fine-tuning on that piece of the project. Um .... you know, meet with the ... meet
with the residents, um .... see if...if there might need to be some adjustment to the
scope of the work there, either reductions in certain areas or perhaps expansions.
I.....I'm
not .... it didn't appear to me that the area along the, um ... Miller side of
the park was included in the scope, and perhaps it could be added there, but it... I
think it's really important given the response we saw to, urn .... you know, that
there be a .... um, some conversation with the neighborhood to make sure
everyone's on the same page. Uh, another thing I would encourage, and it may be
part of it, but I .... I just would wanna say .... there are .... there have been, just in
my time here, situations where the use of native vegetation has received some
push -back. Um, I think it's kind of a question of, you know, what is beautiful to
me might view .... be viewed as weeds by somebody else. So I think there's a
question of intention that needs to be clear when we plant prairie, uh, perhaps that
could be addressed by signage so that everyone understands that, no, the City's
not behind on its mowing schedule, but this is intentional and this is why we're
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doing it, uh, I think goes a long way to educate those who may not understand
what they're experiencing. But I .... I think with that, and you know, hearing
Tyler's criteria that he applied, it should not in my view, uh, pose a problem. I
think it sounded like from the correspondence we got from Benton that they're
actually.... their understanding of the scope of the project overlapped with areas
that they find usable for other purposes. So, I think again, just fine-tuning it on
site I think should.... should resolve the problem.
Salih: I guess Council Thomas and (mumbled), they said exactly what I was trying to
say but this is ... this is really also I think close to ... you know, like two park close
together and it's not far away, and this ... I .... I been to that park. It's really small,
and I think, uh, you know, given the fact that that's, uh, Council Mims (mumbled)
said, you know, the... the.... the co -housing and we have more people live there too
(mumbled) you know, like by the ... building the co -housing there. We gonna have
maybe more kids like visiting that small park, where we need like more space for
them. Uh, I just believe, uh, I'm not against, uh, this (mumbled) we can pass this
but with the exception of taking this site out, and maybe we can come to it later,
but ... I will be support of this if we took that portion out.
Mims: My thought when I started was to take this out, but I'm willing to .... to agree with
what John has said, and I hate to put more work on staff, but I guess what I'd like
to see is some outreach from staff to maybe some of these people who've written
these letters and as I mentioned earlier, I think a big part of this is the changes that
have occurred to that park in the last, you know, couple of years with a lot of trees
and that big retaining wall, etc., that have, uh, as Pauline said, really as you drive
by, that park looks so different now than it used to, and so for people who live in
that neighborhood and have used it, I think, you know, they're feeling a real
impact with this. So I guess what I would like to see happen is have staff reach
out, talk to those people, see if we can reach some consensus, and if we can't
reach consensus, I would like to see this pulled from the plan. I don't know if that
flexibility can really be in there, but that's what I would like to have.
Salih: But can we approve it without taking that piece out and say we gonna come back
to it after we visit those, uh people, you know, reach out to those people? I don't
know, I thinks we cannot approve it that way, right?
Mims: Well I think we have to leave it in and leave it to staff's discretion, which I trust
staff's discretion if once they meet with people and if they really can't come up
with an agreeable plan that ... then we don't do this piece of it.
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Thomas: Yeah, I .... I would agree with Susan. I think there's an opportunity here to move
forward with, uh, some patch of prairie there. I think conceptually the thought of
having it there, particularly in the lawn areas which are of low value, urn .... so I
think it's worth having the conversation. We can backload it into the project so
that, um ... you know, we have time to have that meeting with the neighborhood
and ... and then if...if we can't seem to reach agreement on it then I would certainly
wanna pull it, but I think there's (garbled)
Salih: It is still, you know, it's really not like trusting the staff or not, but I really would
love the staff to weigh in now and tell us if they can do that. Can they just
approve .... we approve it now and can they reach out and if they need to take it
out, even though we approve the whole thing, they can do that.
Seydell-Johnson: (several talking) ....yeah, this is Juli Seydell-Johnson, um, Parks and Ree
Director weighing in on this. Yeah, we definitely can. Realize this is point two
acres out of an over 80 -acre project, um, so it's a very small piece of land that we
can either work with in that park or possibly put it in with some of the other land
that's happening. So I would hate to see the whole project held up over this very
tiny, um, tiny piece of the overall prairie establishment.
Bergus: I also think it's important to include the approval of this one in the project. I ... I
would .... I would go so far as to just say that, you know, I think that the
individuals who reached out to us, I don't know if they had the same information
that Tyler presented to us this evening, and I'm really sensitive to, um, what we
heard from some of the public comment tonight, and making sure that our climate
action goals are, um, main .... are, you know, are staying at the forefront and I
heard Tyler say that this .... this piece was important in terms of its location, to
help build the network of these natural areas throughout our community. So
I ... I'm very favorable to including this amount of...of prairie. Hopefully it can be
located there even in this very, very small piece. Um, according to the City
website, this whole park is 3.5 acres and Happy Hollow is 3.3, um, so it's... it's
less than 6% of the park area, and you know, seeing it on the slope like that. Um,
I guess I did have one quick question for staff for clarification. What is the prairie
on the slope like that in wintertime? Is it still usable if it's covered in snow,
children can tromp around, that kind of thing, or is it not usable.... in the
wintertime?
Baird: I can hop in on that. Um, yes, it's .... it's usable. Um, there is, uh, I mean the
snow will weigh it down, um, a little bit and then, um, if necessary we've talked
about on similar other sites that are popular sledding hills to, um, possibly mow,
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uh, a few paths in the winter (mumbled) but prairies are great to walk around in
the winter. They have a little bit of structure left at times so they provide, um...
um, a different type of, um, use, um, as well, where you can still get out there and
tromp around in all the grass.
Bergus: Thank you, cause I think it's important where we can find ways of replacing turf
grass with more responsible plantings, I think that is a .... an important thing to do.
Weiner: I agree with what I think is the overall consensus at this point, because it's also...
there's also a big educational piece to this. There's.... there's the educational
piece to have .... also introducing all the neighborhood kids to what is a prairie and
what ... and what is this part of our, uh, of our natural heritage. So if, uh, I hope
we ... I truly hope we can get there with a little bit of extra education because I
think the kids'll benefit in particular, as well as the ... as well as the grownups, but
it's useful education.
Teague: One of the concerns I have is, uh, with this bein' 18 different sites, you know, in
this plan, and we're hearing from one, you know, one residential community
about their park ... it brings up the question like when we do start doin' some of the
other projects, you know, where's the public gonna land and how are they gonna,
you know, give input at that time. Um, I understand that right now the request by
some Councilors is that we talk about the Benton Street, um, to the residents there
for ...for that park, but .... I think our community, you know, we probably need to
think a little bit larger as to how can we get them engaged, uh, to understand the
plans that have already been set forth. Probably had public engagement in the
past, and what we know is that years pass, priorities in a ... in a community
changes, uh, even the ... what's bein' created in that community changes, and so,
um, I ... I just wanna put it out there that ... might wanna think of other opportunities
before ... we start some of these projects, to get some engagement from the public.
I will support this, of course, because, um, for some of the things already
mentioned about the prairie and the opportunities that we have there. Again, I
think touchin' base with the Benton Street, um, individuals, uh, that have come
forth, that community, just to talk about, uh, definitely some of the things that
Tyler has shared. I think it can give a different perspective. Uh, for some people
maybe, uh, there'll be some compromise there, but I'll leave that up to the staff.
Um, so.. just wanted to weigh in on that as well. Any other Council discussion?
Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0. Can I get a motion to accept
correspondence?
Salih: Move, Salih.
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Thomas: Second, Thomas.
Teague: All right, um, roll call please. All right, motion passes 7-0.
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18.
Teague:
Mims:
Weiner:
Teague:
Monroe
Teague:
Mims:
Teague:
Weiner:
Adopt Accelerating Climate Actions Report — Resolution adopting the Iowa
City Accelerating Climate Actions Report as amended by the Climate Action
Commission.
Could I get a motion to approve the resolution?
So moved, Mims.
Second, Weiner.
All right! Well this is an excitin' topic! We've waited a long time for this! Um,
would staff like to address this at all?
I'll just note, this is Ashley Monroe (talking in background) I'll just note that, um,
we incorporated the changes based on recommendations from the Climate Action
Commission as presented at the last work session, and um, the resolution will
move us forward and ... in initiating a couple more projects that haven't been
started at this point in time and, um, looking for final approval.
Great! Any questions for Ashley? Is there anyone in the public ... oh, go right
ahead please!
I was just gonna say, no questions, just thanks to the Climate Action Commission
and to staff for all the work on this. Um, this gives us a good path going forward.
So glad to see us moving on it.
Yes. Is there anyone from the public who would like to address this topic? If so
please raise your hand. If you're on the phone, dial 6... *9, sorry about that!
Seein' there's no one, Council discussion? I think Susan said it all for me (laughs)
Really happy to see this going forward. Um, I also ..... I'd actually written out
some notes earlier that were ... that were pretty similar to ... to some of what we
heard during public comment, um, because I do think that we need to take a step
back. I mean I completely own my vote from last... from the last time. At the
same time I think we need to take a step back and say what are our larger goals,
and what ... world are we intending to leave for our kids and grandkids? Um, so
this is a good step forward to that, and I'm g .... I will look at future issues,
including anything that has to do with .... with renewable energies, with ... through
that lens.
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Teague: All right! Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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19. Council Appointments
19.a. Public Art Advisory Committee — One vacancy to fill an unexpired
term, effective June 1, 2020 — December 31, 2020. (Vero Rose Smith resigned)
Teague: Um, so we actually have, urn .... two to fill tonight, or to discuss filling tonight. So
we may talk about them both, well we'll talk about this one first before we vote.
And then we'll go to the next one and then, uh, make recommendations all at one
time. So with the Public Art Advisory Committee, there is no gender balance
requirement. There was only one individual that submitted an application, Jan
Finlayson. Um, so ... what are .... what are people's thoughts?
Mims: I'm supportive. She was on like 10 years ago, but it's been quite a while. I think
she was a good member of that committee and would be happy to have her back.
Taylor: I agree with Susan. I think she... she has the experience and the knowledge and..
and she'd be a good fit.
Salih: I agree too. We been giving people another chance in the past and I think we can
do that!
Weiner: (mumbled) real passion for the arts, that's a very ...and experience in it, that's a
really important quality.
Thomas: I agree (garbled)
Teague: I agree with everything. Um, sounds like Jan Finlayson will be the individual.
I'm a little surprised we didn't have more applicants for ...for this committee, um, I
don't know if anyone has any insights (both talking)
Mims: People are in a rough spot right now too. That might have something to do with
it. (both talking)
Teague: Yeah (both talking)
Mims: Especially arts. They're really struggling.
Teague: Yep! Yep! All right! Sounds good!
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19.b. Civil Service Commission — One vacancy to fill an unexpired term,
upon appointment—April 4, 2022. (Stephanie Houser resigned)
Teague: And so there are three individuals. There's no gender balance here either.
Mims: (garbled) Ann Rhodes for the position. Um, I think if you've read these
applications, I think Ann has a great background. She's an attorney. She's a
(mumbled) president at the University. She's been involved in management.
She's been involved in disciplinary actions. Um, as she said in her application,
she's been known far and wide across the University as being very fair when she's
been involved in those kinds of issues. So she has some of that experience that
we've talked about in the last couple of meetings that our other applicants have
not really shown that they have. So I would highly recommend Ann for that
position.
Taylor: I agree with Susan. Uh, I think with most applicants for boards and commissions
we know, uh, very little about them, except maybe their age and their gender. So
it is helpful when an applicant comes before us that we're familiar with and... and
I do know Ann Rhodes from when I worked at the, uh, Hospital and, uh, I found
her, uh, to always be very knowledgeable and professional while doing her job
and ... and so I believe she would do very well on the Civil Service Commission.
Weiner: She's also the only applicant who really, who had this as her real ... number one
and really only choice.
Taylor: Right!
Teague: I'm supportive of Ann Rhodes. (several responding) All right, sound like we
have some agreements here. So could I get a motion to approve, um, to appoint
Jan Finlayson to Public Art Advisory Committee and Ann Rhodes to the Civil
Service Commission? (garbled, several talking)
Mims: Second by Mims.
Teague: Moved by Salih, seconded by Mims. Any further discussion? All right, roll call
please. Motion passes 7-0.
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21. Community Comment
Teague: Who has, um, been with us since our 5:00 P.M. call and work session, we'll start
with Austin Wu from (both talking) UISG!
Wu: Yeah, so, hello there, anyone.... everyone, um, I don't have any campus events to
speak of again. University's still closed. But I would like to congratulate a team
at the University of Iowa College of Public Health led by Professor of
BioStatistics, Joe Cavanaugh, in their work developing models and analyzing data
with the Iowa Department of Public Health to, uh, help tailor Iowa's specific
responses in, uh, models for COVID-19. Uh, tonight is actually my last formal
Council meeting in, uh, in my capacity as UISG City Liaison. Uh, next one Ryan
will, uh, be takin' my spot. So I would like to thank Council and staff in allowing
UISG the privilege to occupy the space it has in City government over the past
few years. Uh, I believe that cooperation between UISG and City Council has
built a better mutual understanding of campus and community issues over time,
and I'm confident that Ryan, the incoming City liaison, will be able to build upon
this relationship in the coming year. Uh, it is a little weird to, uh, hand off the
reins in this setting, but uh... everything's been weird for the past month. Thank
you all.
Teague: Thanks for all you've done, Austin. Certainly have enjoyed you in this capacity,
but of course we had you the previous year, um, in your, um, second .... (laughs)
second in command capacity (both talking)
Wu: Yeah!
Teague: ...as a liaison, so .... yeah!
Wu: Kind of feels like the end of an era. Almost!
Teague: Well wish you the best in all your future endeavors. That's for certain!
Wu: Thank you!
Teague: Yes, and we'll be welcomin' Ryan in future meetings, so ... absolutely! All right!
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22. City Council Information
Teague: Um.....just start if anybody has anything.
Salih: I just wanna say....
Teague: Susan is muted.
Salih: Okay.
Teague: But you can go ahead, uh.... Mayor Pro Tem Salih. (laughs)
Salih: I just wanna say like, uh, Friday will be, of course I didn't go nowhere. I don't
have a lot thing (laughs) but uh.... I just wanna say that Friday will be the first day
of the month of Ramadan, and I just would like from here to just tell all the
Muslim community Happy Ramadan and I know that it will be awkward this year
because Ramadan is about going out, pray together, and eat together, and during
this like crisis we cannot do that. I still encourage the people to stay home. Eat
with your family, get to know each other better and pray together, and you know,
just please stay home. Don't go outside!
Teague: Great!
Mims: I wanted to follow up on a comment that Laura had made earlier about the .... the
efforts of ICAD, etc., and I wanted to point out a specific website that ICAD,
Think Iowa City, which is the CVB, Iowa City Downtown District, and .... Iowa
City Business.... Iowa City Area Business Partners, which used to be the
Chamber. Did I say that? Who did I miss? Um, have put together is
icareatogether.com and they've put this together, um, in response to COVID-19 as
resources for individuals and particularly businesses in the area. So if there are
any business owners or others, anybody, uh, listening and watching us tonight, I
would encourage you to go to it. It's got links to the, uh, US Small Business
Administration, the Coronavirus Stimulus Plan, Phase 2 from the federal
government, link to Iowa Workforce Development, United Way, Johnson County
Public Health, so it's a great resource that our, uh, local groups have put together
to help people in the community. So ... thank you to them. Really appreciate it!
Weiner: I would just add to what Maz said, um, to....to all, um, residents who are Muslim
and will be .... will be observing Ramadan, Mubarak.
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Teague: I just wanted to kind of chime in and talk about, um, the staff or the City that is a
part of the EOC. Uh, Fire Chief Grier continues to, uh, lead that meetin' on a
daily basis, Monday through Friday, um, every day at 9:30 A.M. and our staff, I
just wanna let you know how intentional they are at ensurin' different aspects of
our community, uh, when it comes down to COVID-19 and so, um, I think we
should feel really blessed to have that bein' shepherded every day, um, by key
leaders within our, um, City staff, and so I've been privileged to be a part of that,
and so just wanted to give a shout -out there, and again, um, I personally have
been involved with a lot of Zoom (laughs) webinars or been on a lot of panels,
and I think a lot of it does kind of surround what is the City doing for ...during this
time period of COVID-19, um, what are some of the things that's happening, um,
really from Johnson County collaborative EOC group, and so I've been real
engaged with a lot of those, um, almost non-stop. Very few hours within the day
that isn't with either .... for City stuff or my personal, urn .... um, my real -real job
stuff, right? (laughs) I don't know what a real job .... this is all real, right? Uh,
bein' on Council and bein..... workin' everyday. So just wanted to take a moment
just to talk about how ...how blessed I am to be a part of that, and how blessed we
all should feel to be a part of a great city that really is lookin' at various aspects of
our community. So thanks to our City staff!
Bergus: I guess I would just follow up on that, encouraging anybody who might still be
listening to consider serving on some of those boards and commissions that are
open. Um, in ... in this moment it has been pretty clear to me as a public official
that our community is approaching this pandemic with the, um, clear direction to
help the people who are most vulnerable in our community, first and foremost,
and to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to be safe and to be healthy,
and I'm just so, um, privileged to be part of this community and know that that's
where we are coming from and that's what we are working towards, and so I, you
know, just from people that I've been talking to, if you're feeling hopeless or
listless or aren't really sure what we can do to impact, um, what's happening in
our lives and doing good, serving on a board or commission is a great way to get
involved at a local level where you can really make a difference. So I hope some
folks'll sign up.
Teague: Great!
Taylor: I just ... I'd like to say that, uh, we have so many kind, caring members of our
community. I ... I recently participated in ... in two, um, drive -bye honk and waves,
and I ... I'd seen around the country a lot of teachers were doing that with their
school students, uh, but these were, uh, for some celebrations for some folks and
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it's just a ... it was a fun, safe way to be outside while ... while also making people
happy, um, cause that .... we need to stay happy. We have to stay happy, have to
stay safe (garbled) and... and hang in there, cause we will get through, uh, these
trying times together, um, but ... and if you....and I'd like to say that if you are
feeling stressed, uh, by all of this, you're not alone. Uh, we all are feeling a little
bit of that stress and strain and uncertainty, but please reach out to friends, uh,
family members, or the many other resources that are offered in our community,
cause we are a community that cares.
Salih: If no one has something I just have the last thing I wanna say. Yeah, I just ... I just
warm, I really forget to say, some people reach out to me and I just warm say
this to the staff, and also to you, lot of people asking for the (mumbled) to be open
because, uh, you know summer is like coming, uh, is here now, and people like...
they have a lot of (unable to understand) staying home now. They just doing
cleaning to their house and they have all this item that they don't want it, uh, be
there. People start going outside the city limit to throw out items and people are
complaining. I received complaints .... I receive also some, uh, people rush out to
the (unable to understand) and she also reach out to me, discussing the same
thing. She forewarn me like some emails they receive, I just would like the ... the
City consider opening the landfill, if possible.
Fruin: We can, uh, we've had a lot of discussions on that. I think we probably heard
from the same couple individuals (mumbled) contacted the Board of Supervisors
and ... and perhaps reached out to you all individually. Um, we did make the
decision to open the landfill back up for rural residents that don't otherwise have,
uh, waste service. Um, at this point we are exploring ways to offer, um, kind of
one-time yard waste or bulky waste kind of drop-off, uh, for individuals. But
we're ... we're gonna continue to prioritize the .... the, kind of the health and safety
of the staff out there, um, and ... but the ... the traditional methods just didn't,
everybody was a little uncomfortable with ... with the interactions that take place
out there with traditional methods. So we're exploring some ... some different
options, um, and hopefully we'll have a few options to offer the community, um,
but encourage you if you get any emails, send `em our way to try to interact with
those people and explore solutions for ya and, um, just to clarify that the landfill
is still open for your commercial haulers, and um, people can ... can work with
commercial haulers to ... to get rid of anything they absolutely have to. Otherwise
we're askin' `em to store it a little bit longer, and the reason that we're.... we're,
um, still open to commercial haulers is because they generally don't have any
interaction with staff. They all have accounts and so as they hit the scale we don't
need to interact with them. We can identify the vehicle, we can weigh the vehicle,
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regular formal meeting of April 21, 2020.
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and they can proceed and it's electronic billing, as opposed to your residential,
um, customers, which is all cash and credit card based transactions, and the
commercial haulers often dump right into the landfill as opposed to you
residential folks who dump into a dumpster and then our staff gets that and puts
that into a dumpster. So there's differences in how waste is treated at the ... at the
landfill and that's why we drew the distinction of no residential, but ... but we'll
allow the commercial to continue.
Salih: I guess sound good. Yeah. Thanks.
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23. Report on Items from City Staff
a. City Manager
Teague: All right. Do we have any, uh, updates from Geoff?
Fruin: No specific updates, just thanks for your continued support, and uh, we will start,
um, working on some more regular COVID updates for you in your May work
sessions. We'll try to zero in on finances and, uh, begin a framework for, uh,
recovery and relief efforts too that ... that you can begin to weigh in on.
Teague: Assistant City Manager?
Monroe: Yes! I heard all kinds of wonderful ideas about supporting our community and
another way to do that thinking long-term is to take your Census (laughter)
information with anybody you know to take your Census, um, either the paper
form should be out in the mail, if you didn't do it online or by phone, uh, if you
wanna do it quickly and have the means to do it online, you can go to
my2020census.gov and that is all for me this evening! Thank you.
Salih: (unable to understand) people who staying home and (laughs) (unable to
understand) Yeah.
Mims: I did it. It was quick and painless!
Teague: Awesome!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
regular formal meeting of April 21, 2020.