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2.-7. Beginning of Consent Calendar (Items 2 — 7) — Consider adoption of the
Consent Calendar as presented or amended
Teague: Staff does recommend removin' items 6.c., 6.d., 6.e., for separate consideration.
Um, there will be a staff presentation durin' that time. So could I get a motion to
approve consent calendar as amended, removin' Items 6.c., 6.d., 6.e. for separate
consideration?
Weiner: So moved. Weiner
Thomas: Second by Thomas.
Teague: All right, would anyone from the public like to discuss this topic? And I also
wanted to point out for the public that you can raise your hand if you would like
to address, um, this topic and I will call on you. Also if you're on the phone, um,
you can press *9 to raise your hand on the phone and I'll call on you. Seein' no
one, urn ... Council discussion? Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
6.c. Amend Heinz Road Urban Renewal Plan for Climate Change projects
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve?
Bergus: So moved, Bergus.
Mims: Second, Mims.
Teague: All right, and ... we're gonna get staff presentation. I think we're gonna get it all at
once, 6.c., 6.d., and 6.e. from Wendy Ford!
Ford: Hi, I'm Wendy Ford, Economic Development Coordinator and um, this is, uh, this
and the next two items are amendments to three of our industrial urban renewal
areas — Heinz Road, Scott Six, and Sycamore & First Avenue. These amendments
will allow the City to enter into agreements with businesses and industrial users to
provide economic development assistance for projects that improve the energy
efficiency of businesses and industrial, uh, users located within them. The goal is
to reduce the carbon emissions required to power their operations and help the
City achieve our 45% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. This is important
because industrial users account for 27% of Iowa City's carbon emissions, and
commercial users account for another 20%. A couple of steps are involved in
getting this going. The first, this, the Resolution of Necessity; the second is a
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
regular formal meeting of July 7, 2020.
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taxing consultation that is held with both the Schools and the County. That's set
for July 176, and um, finally a public hearing on August 4a'. For a little historic
perspective, you well know that, um, the City has been working on its climate
action efforts since 2007 when the Mayor signed the U S. Mayor's Climate
Protection Agreement. There have been several, um, actions since then, um, one
of the more recent ones has been that in ... last year Council increased the carbon
emissions reduction targets. They also declared a climate crisis, and they
requested a report to accelerate the City's identified climate actions. That report,
the 2020 Accelerating Climate Actions report, includes a buildings and incentives
section, which includes the following item. Launch a TIF -funded climate action
incentive program aimed at reducing industrial, uh, energy consumption. So to
encourage industry to make the sizable investment required to improve energy
efficiency, companies will be able to apply for economic development assistance
for en ... eligible energy efficiency improvements. Upfront costs are significant,
but companies that make improvements will begin to see an immediate return in
reduction of energy costs and over time the cumulative reduction in carbon
emissions required to operate the business will be better for all. So how would
the program work? Well, you know that tax increment is derived from the
difference between value in the year we first certify a Council -approved TIF
project and the current value. The TIF increment is taxes paid by property owners
in these industrial areas, which could be used for matching grants on qualified
industrial energy efficiency improvements. And how it would work is our local
industries would apply for funds for a project. Those ... that application would be
veta.... would be vetted by industry professionals and then we would enter into a
development agreement with Council for each of the projects going forward. And
those kinds of projects could be but wouldn't necessarily be limited to, um,
energy reduction or energy efficiency, uh, programs, um, renewables, uh, say the
electrification of, um, what is fed by currently gas, uh, natural gas. Uh, and also
site improvements. Certain site improvements could work as well. So I wanted
to share with you my screen, urn .... to give you an idea of what we're .... uh, what
we're looking at. Can you see that yet? Is it sharing? (several responding) Must
be sharing. Okay! Um (clears throat) there we go! Whoa! Okay, so this is a
slide of all of the, um, the TIF, uh, districts in Iowa City and you can see over on
the right, um, there are three arrows, one pointing to .... the first one pointing to the
Sycamore & First Avenue. The second to the Heinz Road, and the last one to the
Scott Six area. And I just thought I'd show this big slide and then zoom in next to
this one, uh, which may be, uh, will put it in a little closer perspective for you
with the streets that, um, you know, help you visualize where these things are. So
this is that strip of industrial areas in, uh, south and east, between the railroad
tracks and Highway 6, and um, Heinz Road, urn .... Heinz Road has a .... a
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significant increment in it now. That's the middle one, the pink one. Um, with
about $21 million worth of new value, which creates about $640,000 a year in
available TIF increment for us. We haven't been using that, but, um, given our,
um, our prerogative to put this program together, we could use that $640,000 and
in fact there are four years left in this TIF district before it expires. Um, which is
why we've put a maximum project amount for the Heinz Road .... (goes silent)
Teague: I think Wendy has frozen.
Frain: I'll do my best to pitch hit, Mayor. Um, I don't have the specific dollar
increments in front, but uh, I think the summary for Council is at this point, um,
you're looking at three of these five industrial, um .... uh.... uh, areas to include in
the, uh, in this program. The reason the (mumbled) aren't is simply because
there's no increment to work with there and generally energy efficiency
improvements don't increase the property value. So we don't feel like there's
going to be real opportunities in ... in these two. Um, but there will be in ... in two,
um, in those other three. So, um, what we're asking you today is just begin the
process of amending the urban renewal areas. You are not committing any City
dollars. All those commitments from further down the road, um, once you, uh,
once we have specific agreements with businesses together. Sothis really just
enables us to start having conversations, and you along with the Climate Action,
uh, Commission, uh, will be kept abreast as we make progress on this, uh, priority
in our climate action plan.
Teague: Welcome back, Wendy! Good ole' freezing Zoom! (laughs)
Ford: Thanks! Sorry about that! Hope it didn't catch the goofy face.
Teague: (laughing) All right, any questions for staff? Public discussion? Council
discussion?
Weiner: It looked like there were different periods left in the ... in the .... in the TIF period
for those ... for those three different areas.
Ford: (mumbled)
Weiner: Could you talk just a little bit about that and what the possibilities are there?
Ford: Sure! Um, Heinz Road, uh, has four years left and it generates about $640,000 a
year in TIF increment. So, um, the maximum we figure we could, um, be able to
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use from that district in those four years is about $2.5 million. Similarly, uh, the
Scott Six district has about $43 million worth of new taxable value in it,
increment that is, and it generates about $1.3 million a year, but there's only two
years left on the Scott Six, uh, on the Scott.... until the Scott Six sunsets. Um,
which is why we put $2.7 million in for the maximum use of TIF in .... in that
amendment. And then finally the Sycamore & First Avenue, uh, one has about
$14.8 million in it, in increment, and that generates about $440,000 a year, but
there's only one fiscal year left to be able to do that. So that's why that one is
limited at 400....I think we put 25,000.
Weiner: Thanks!
Teague: Any other comments? Hearing none, roll call please. Item passes 7-0.
6.d. Amend Scott Six Urban Renewal Plan for Climate Change projects
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve?
Mims: So moved, Mims.
Salih: Second, Salih.
Teague: Public discussion? Council discussion? Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
6.e. Amend Sycamore & First Ave. Urban Renewal Area for Climate Change
projects
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve?
Taylor: So moved, Taylor.
Weiner: Second, Weiner.
Teague: Moved by Taylor, seconded by Weiner. Public discussion? Anyone like to
address this topic? Seein' there is no one, Council... discussion? Roll call please.
Motion passes 7-0.
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Item 8. Community Comment (items not on the agenda)
Teague: This is a time for Community Comment and we ask anyone that would like to
address this topic, uh, or anyone that would like to address any topic that's not on
our, uh, agenda, you are welcome to come now and speak. If you wish to speak,
you can raise your hand and I'll call you by your name. Um, and at the bottom of
your screen you'll see a little hand raised. If you're on the phone, you can press
*9. I am seein' no one. We're gonna move on to Item ... oh, I do see! Yes! We
have Templeton Hiatt. Temple Hiatt.
Hiatt: Hi, Mayor Teague, can you hear me?
Teague: Yes we can! (garbled)
Hiatt: Hi, thanks so much! Um .... I have a couple of things I'd like to comment on, and
I'm not sure where you will take, um, public comments, but one of the items I
wanted to comment on is .... um .... Item 14. So would (both talking)
Teague: Yep, that's gonna be on our formal agenda, so we'll have, uh, space where you'll
be able to address Council at that time.
Hiatt: Okay! Um, and then.... also wanted to share, urn .... urn .... some comments about
the ... the Black Lives Matter efforts.
Teague: Yes, that is not on our agenda so you can do that, and I'm, uh, shoulda stated
since, uh, we're gonna limit it to five minutes.
Hiatt: Okay, sure! Um, I am representing, um, Moms Demand Action, and our Moms
Demand Action volunteers here in Iowa City, and nationally, uh, are active
participants in the efforts to reduce gun violence in our communities, particularly
for black and brown people who are disproportionately killed by gun violence, uh,
and I just wanted to share with the Council that we are willing to be part of these
community discussions. Uh, I did hear earlier in your work group, um, or in your
work session that there are four work groups. Um, I would like to learn more
about those groups and see how we can be part of those discussions. Um, I
personally heard from many people in my community who have been traumatized
by their interactions with police, um, and for them police violence is gun violence.
Teague: Thank you for your comments. Anyone else like to address Council? We have
Liz O'Hara! Welcome, Liz! We can't hear you yet. I don't know that I see a
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sound option for you. (pause) Um .... I think what we might do is ... allow Liz an
opportunity later, since Zoom .... Zoom is havin' a little challenge here gettin' her
connected. Is there anyone else that would like to address Council, during ... uh,
open comment? Community comment period. Okay, Liz, can you try to speak
now? I don't see any mic for Liz. I think what we'll do is we'll continue with our
meetin' and if Council is in agreement that, um .... all right, I see a mic. Now, Liz,
can you unmute your mic? And now, let's see if we can hear you! We still can't
hear you. But I might suggest that you sign out and sign back in. That's my
solution to solving Zoom issues. (laughs) We'll let you speak when you come
back. Um, if there's not anyone else that want to address Council, then if we're in
agreement we'll move on to the next agenda item and then we'll allow Liz
O'Hara an opportunity to talk. I'm seein' some heads shaking. Okay! We will
move on to Item #9, uh, Plannin' and Zoning Matters.
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10. Asphalt Resurfacing 2020 — Resolution approving project manual and
estimate of cost for the construction of the Asphalt Resurfacing 2020 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 going to open the public hearing. Staff presentation!
Sovers: Yeah, good evening, Mayor and, uh, City Council, uh, Scott Sovers, Assistant
City Engineer. I just have a short presentation here for ya. See if I can share my
screen. All right, I assume everybody can see that.
Teague: Yes!
Sovers: All right. I'll get started. All right, the asphalt resurfacing 2020 project that is
before you tonight is a part of the City's CIP annual pavement reib....
rehabilitation program. This project generally includes asphalt resurfacing,
(mumbled) patching, and removal and replacement of non -ADA compliant,
pedestrian curb ramps. In consultation with the draft pavement management plan,
which we were planning to bring to you for your approval this fall, the following
streets were selected for this year's resurfacing. Uh, North Gilbert Street from
Church Street to Market Street; Bloomington Street from Gilbert, uh, or excuse
me, from Dubuque Street to Dodge Street; South Dodge Street from Burlington
Street to Bowery Street; Muscatine Avenue from Court Street to Second Avenue;
Hollywood Boulevard from Taylor Drive to Sycamore Street; uh, Benton Street
and Miller Avenue intersection; and then lastly but not least, we're planning to
chip seal Taft Avenue from American Legion Road to Herbert Hoover Highway,
and Camp Cardinal Road from Camp Cardinal Boulevard to just, uh, north of
Eagle Place. Um, the design process for the project... for this project included
review of the bicycle master plan to determine which of the street corridors
included within the project had planned bicycle facilities. The master plan
proposes the addition of dedicated on -street bike lanes on both Dodge Street and
Muscatine Avenue. As a part of this project, Dodge Street between, uh,
Burlington and Bowery will be converted to two-way traffic, and a southbound
on -street buffered bike lane will be added. Also ... the section of Dodge Street
between Bowery and Kirkwood will be converted from three... from four -lane to
three lanes, with the addition of both northbound and southbound on -street bike
lanes. In regards to the plan, dedicated bike lanes on Muscatine, on -street bike
lanes will be added as a part of this project from Burlington Street to Iowa
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Avenue. Uh, conversely given the high traffic volumes and the limited existing
pavement width, on -street bike lanes cannot be safely accommodated on
Muscatine, from Iowa Avenue to Second Avenue. With this being the case, uh,
shane... uh, shared lane markings, or otherwise known as sharrows, were originally
included in the project for this section and were subsequently removed as
recommended by the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Uh, with that I would like to
turn over to Kent Ralston, who's going to, uh, give us some background
information on the private coordination that occurred, um, on the Dodge Street
bike lanes and Muscatine Avenue bike lanes.
Ralston: Yeah, thanks, Scott. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Um, I'm Kent Ralston,
the Transportation Planner for the City. Uh, as Scott noted, uh, he did a nice job
just, uh, overviewing the improvements from the bike master plan that are
included in the resurfacing project. Uh, I just wanted to take a quick minute to
remind you of how we sort of arrived at these conclusions. Uh, with respect to
the Dodge Street bike lanes that Scott had mentioned, uh, City staff had held a
public open house back in August of 2019 to discuss the addition of buffered bike
lanes, both on Dodge Street, as well as Governor Streets, between Burlington and
Bowery, uh, with the public, each of which are recommended improvements per
the adopted Iowa City bicycle master plan. Uh, City staff presented the list of
alternatives and comments collected at the open house, uh, to City Council back
in September of 2019, and at that time the Council selected the removal of on -
street parking on South Dodge, uh, to install the buffered bike lane as a preferred
alternative, as well as installing signage and pavement markings on Governor, uh,
rather than removing parking on that section of Governor and installing, uh, bike
lanes in that corridor. Next slide please. Thank you. Uh, with respect to the
Muscatine Avenue bike lanes, uh, City staff met with the Bicycle Advisory
Committee, uh, on June 25°i of this year to discuss the bike facilities on
Muscatine Avenue between Iowa Avenue and First Avenue generally, and
although the Iowa City bicycle master plan recommends the addition of bike lanes
on those sections, uh, as Scott mentioned, City staff evaluated the corridor and
recommended bike lanes not be added, uh, on the southern portion, uh, basically
between Burlington and First Avenue, uh, because of the relatively high traffic
volumes; uh, the fact that it's a bus route; and the fact that we would be only
offering, uh, the minimum lane widths and the minimum, uh, bike lane width, as
well. So the minimum travel lane width, as well as the minimum bike lane width.
The Bicycle Advisory Committee agreed with saff.... staff's recommendation and
recommended approving bike facilities, uh,. on alternative routes as a better
option. So staff is intending to prioritize, uh, the addition of wayfinding signage
and pavement markings and any other things we can do to make bicycling more,
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uh, inviting on Sheridan Avenue, Seventh Avenue, uh, as well as Summit Street,
uh, again as alternative and parallel routes. Uh, what you see there on your slide,
uh, you won't be able to read the text, of course it's too small, uh, but what you
see are the, either existing or proposed bike lanes from the bike master plan in
blue, and what's in yellow are the, essentially bikeways, where we would be
adding wayfinding signage, uh, with the potential pavement markings and... and
again other things we can do to. Uh, it's a little hard to see there in the slide, uh,
but essentially the only diagonal street there that you see in blue is Muscatine, and
what you see there with Summit, Sheridan,and Seventh then is sort of a ... a nice
box that surrounds, uh, Muscatine and really provides those, uh, alternative
routes, and again, uh, we shared that with the Bicycle Advisory Committee, um,
and they generally agreed with that proposal, and uh, with that I'll turn it over to
Scott to finish the presentation and I'll of course be around for... for any questions
that the Council might have.
Sovers: I have one more slide, but before we move on to that last slide I guess I did wanna
mention that, um, with recent correspondence with the Bicycle Advisory
Committee, um, they have requested the addition of the pedestrian refuge island at
the, on Muscatine, at the, uh, at the trail crossing, and so that's something that
staff is evaluating, and if it ... if it seems like it's a feasible option, we will add it to,
um, to the project. (mumbled) estimated construction costs, uh, it's roughly
$2,150,000. Um, as far as the schedule goes, we're hop.... obviously having the
public hearing tonight, um, we're opening bids on July 30', uh, we'll award at the
August 4h Council meeting, and then construction will start, uh, shortly thereafter,
later August, and then finish up in November. With that, um, Kent and I would
like to ... or can take any questions you may have!
Teague: Hearing no questions! All right. Y'all get off easy tonight. All right. (mumbled)
(clears throat) um .... then public discussion? Is there anyone from the public that
would like to discuss Item 10? Hearing none I'm going to close the public
hearing. Could I get a motion to approve?
2. Consider a Resolution
Salih: So move, Salih.
Mims: Second, Mims.
Teague: Council discussion? (several talking, garbled)
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Thomas: Sorry (laughs) let me, uh (both talking)
Teague: Please!
Thomas: ...a few comments, um .... first of all the, with streets that are unfamiliar with, uh,
on this list, I'm really happy to see that they're on the list (laughs) uh, because
some of them are in really poor condition, uh, so .... this is .... this is good news.
Um, I .... I did have one .... I didn't have a chance .... I .... I'm not too quick on the
mute on here, but on North Gilbert, the intersection and Market Street, uh, has a
tendency to flood in a rain storm. So I don't know, um .... if that's something that
staff has identified. I'm pretty sure I've, uh, raised it in prior meetings, of one
sort or another, um (clears throat) but if that's something that can be addressed as
a part of this project, uh, it is an area where the.... there's standing water, um, that
occurs at that intersection. Uh, otherwise, um, I'm pleased to see the, um, the
changes to the pedestrian ... or bicycle accommodations on Muscatine. I think in
the staff report it had talked about the sharrows, and I ... I cannot envision myself
anyway riding, uh, on Muscatine on a sharrow, and the ... the other streets that were
suggested by the Advisory Committee are very pleasant streets to ride on. So I'm
very pleased to see that that... change was made, and the ... the one outstanding
issue then for me is Muscatine itself. I mean unfortunately there are some
constraints with putting in bicycle lanes on Muscatine because of the existing curb
(mumbled) uh, the dimension between the curbs, uh, however, uh, it's a wide
street for two lanes of traffic, and so ... you know that's ... I believe they're roughly
15 -feet each, which is .... compared to a freeway lane width, you can see why it
might, uh, encourage speeding. Uh, so the ... the idea of, um, pedestrian refuge
islands I think is a useful strategy to at least improve pedestrian safety, uh, where
such crossings, um, are needed. Um, so I ... I think that would also be an
improvement moving forward with safety on Muscatine.
Sovers: In regards to your... your, uh, your thought on the ... or your question on the
drainage at the intersection of Gilbert and, uh, Market, we did ... we did evaluate
that and we identified that there are some drainage issues there and so we are
adding storm sewer to that intersection to help ... to help that situation.
Teague: Any other comments? Hearin' none, roll call please. Motion passes 7-0. Can I
get a motion to accept correspondence?
Salih: So, moved, Salih.
Mims: Second, Mims.
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Item 8. Community Comment — continued (items not on the agenda)
Teague: Was that moved by....Mayor Pro Tem? All right, Salih. Yep! And seconded by,
uh, Councilor Mims. Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0. I do see that our one
caller is there, and I'm gonna, uh.... think, I think that might be Liz O'Hare. Is
that you, Liz?
O'Hara: (echo) Can you hear me, Mayor Teague? (echo)
Teague: There is an echo, but I think if you turned off your computer, that the echo will go
away.
O'Hara: I'm so sorry (echo) I don't know how to turn off the sound. Oop, there we go
(echo)
Teague: You may have to...
O'Hara: Okay (echo) Is this okay? (echo)
Teague: Um, there's still a echo. I think you have to turn off the computer totally.
O'Hara: Oh, okay (echo)
Teague: Zoom!
O'Hara: Thank you for your patience with me. Uh, are you still getting feedback?
Teague: No we're not, thank you, and you have up to five minutes. Three to five minutes
please.
O'Hara: Oh, well I don't take nearly that long. I only wanted to thank you very much, um,
for your .... your sincere and very diligent response to, um, the issue of systemic
racism that the nation is facing and that we're also facing in Iowa City. I read the
communications from people to the Council, talking about how you had, uh,
caved to the terrorists, and uh, I just warm say that many of the very sensible
measures that you have, um, taken up in the Resolution 159, they've been talked
about for .... for many years. I retired, uh, five years ago, but prior to that I
worked on issues related to mental health, uh, system redesign, and um, one of the
major topics there was the misuse of, uh, law enforcement resources to deal with
mental health issues, and I was so happy to see that the City of Iowa City is
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talking about deploying appropriately, uh... um, other resources, um, unarmed
professionals to deal with situations that we .... we talked about, that we heard, um,
the police themselves talk about how inappropriate it was to try to, um, be the
ones to respond to the person talking to themself on a park bench in the ... in the
middle of the night and get that person to the emergency room. Um, and I think
you're talking about moving in a different direction, using resources to get people
to the help they need, and I just wanna thank you very much for the constructive
work that you're doing.
Teague: Thank you, Liz. I'm happy you were able to join us!
O'Hara: Thank you for your patience! I really appreciate your efforts to bring me into the
discussion.
Teague: Yes! Yes! All right, thank you.
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11. Simple Misdemeanor Fines — Ordinance amending Title 1, entitled
"Administration," Chapter 4, entitled "General Penalty," Title 4, entitled
"Alcoholic Beverages," Chapter 5, entitled "Prohibitions and Restrictions,"
and Title 8, entitled "Police Regulations," Chapter 5, entitled "Miscellaneous
Offenses," to increase the fines for unscheduled simple misdemeanors,
PAULAs, and hate crimes. (First Consideration)
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve?
Mims: So moved, Mims.
Weiner: Second, Weiner.
Teague: And do we have a staff presentation on this?
Dilkes: Mayor, I'm gonna give you just the.... the.... the highlights here. Um, so just as a
reminder, under, um, Iowa law, cities only have the authority to, um .... create and
prosecute simple misdemeanors, um, simple misdemeanor crimes, and the .... the
fines that can be, um, levied for those offenses is set by the State Code. The ... the
Senate File 457 did a lot of things, but one of the things it did was change the
minimums and maximums for simple misdemeanors, um, from 65 as a minimum
and 625 as a maximum, to 105 as a minimum and 85, um, as a maximum. In the
City Code, we have basically two types of -of simple misdemeanors. We have a
simple misdemeanor where we specify the fine, um, and we have a simple
misdemeanor that simply defaults, uh, to the fine, uh, to the minimum.... between
the minimum and maximum as, um, as decided by the judge. Um, so we needed
to change that provision to coincide with the ... with the State Code. Uh, for
instance the judge could no longer do a fine of $65 because the minimum is now
$105. Um, so we made that change. We also, um, during the discussion about
the ... the local hate crime, um, ordinance, which provided a jail penalty for
harassment done, uh, because of a protected class. There was a decision made
during those discussions to set ... set the fine at the maximum, and so we have
change ... this ordinance does change that, increases that fine to the new maximum,
which is $855. And in addition, um, we typically take the position that if a fine is
set ... a specific fine is set for a simple misdemeanor under the State Code, the City
Code needs to mirror that fine and the Senate File changed the first offense
PAULA, possession of alcohol under the le ... legal age to, um, increased it from
$200 to $260, so we made that change as well. I can answer any questions.
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Mims: Yeah, I have a quick question, Eleanor. Is ... is it always standard, or is it
necessary, for us to write the City Code with a dollar amount in it, or could we
just reference like the State minimum, the State maximum, whatever, so that every
time they made a change we don't have to make a change to our code or can you
explain that to me?
Dilkes: Yeah, I .... I think it's just a transparency issue, so someone doesn't have to go find
it in the State Code, and if -and that would be a really good thing to do. They
haven't.... this is the first time I think in 25 years that I can remember them
changing those (both talking)
Mims: Oh, okay! Okay, thank you!
Dilkes: Yep!
Teague: Any other questions for Eleanor? Is there anyone from the public that would like
to address this topic? If so please raise your hand and if you're on a phone, press
*6. Seeing no one, Council discussion? Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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13. Parking fee credit during COVID-19 — Resolution authorizing staff to credit
parking permit holders and those with parking agreements with the City of
Iowa City for the period in which hourly parking facility fees were suspended
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve?
Mims: So moved (several talking)
Salih: Second, Salih.
Teague: Moved by Mims, seconded by Salih. And we have ... Darian! Are you gonna
present?
Nagle-Gamm: Sure! Good evening, Mayor and Council. I have, uh, just an update for you on
our parking operations since COVID-19 began, from late March to approximately
mid-May, in an effort to really help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and help
support essential workers, our normal parking operations were temporarily
suspended or significantly altered, um, and ... which included not charging for
hourly fees in our parking facilities. Um, normal parking operations resumed on
may 18' in response to the reopening of downtown businesses. So the resolution
you see before you tonight would authorize staff to issue approximately $254,000
in credit from the parking fund and the transit fund, to our permit holders and to
our hotel, urn .... (mumbled) agreement holders with the City during the period
that the general public wasn't charged for hourly parking. Approximately
189,000 of that would come from the parking fund, while approximately 600 and,
excuse me, 65,000 would come from the transit fund. Those proposed credits are
split between two funds as the parking proceeds from the Court Street
Transportation Center are federally designated for transit use only. That was a
transit, uh, Federal Transit Administration partnership in building that facility. To
give you some perspective on what that credit looks like in terms of the fund
balances, the parking fund balance currently is approximately 2.5 million;
however, we anticipate paying approximately 600,000 in the upcoming weeks
(mumbled) parking facility which would bring the balance to approximately, uh,
1.9 million. Parking fund revenues are beginning to increase again, after the
businesses began reopening downtown, uh, for example preliminary figures of,
from June indicate that the expenses total approximately 268,000, while the
revenues from June, uh, total 333,000, for a net surplus of 65,000. Uh, that's very
positive because the numbers looked very different in April and May, as you
might imagine, um, in those months we operated at a net loss of 328,000 and
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183,00 respectively. Now in terms of the transit fund, uh, the transit balance
(garbled) transit fund balance is approximately 1.7 million today, and we're
expecting to receive within a few weeks approximately 1.7 million in additional
dollars and this is our annual federal transit operating funds. Um, which would
equate to a forecasted balance of approximately 3.4 million, and during May Iowa
City was also allocated, um, emergency funding from the federal government,
through CARES Act, of $1.5 million to help us keep transit running, uh, get
essential workers to where they needed to go, uh, during the pandemic, and also
to help recover from that pandemic. So that's some additional funding that we....
we weren't expecting (garbled) and that we're extremely happy is here and that
will certainly help, uh, to keep the fund afloat. Uh, the parking credit amount for
each customer was calculated by taking 56 days, which was the amount of days
we were not charging in our facilities, times the... average daily cost of the parking
permitter agreement. Um, upon approval, the credits would be applied to the
customer accounts in July and when they're invoiced for their next, uh, permit,
which is either quarterly or annually, depending on, um, the length of their permit,
they'll be notified of the credit and they would be billed for the remaining
balance. So that's how they would get that ... that credit, um, for ...for parking
during COVID when .... when parking was free for the general public. And, uh, in
summary the issuance of (garbled) was, uh, this parking credit, excuse me, will
help just ensure (garbled) equitably assessed to all parking customers.
Teague: All right! Any ques ... questions for Darian? I have one related to, uh, the credit.
There's gonna be credit to the permit holders, but what if someone didn't renew
their permit?
Nagle-Gamm: So this...just, uh, the calculation was based on all of our active credit, our active
permit holders. So if we wish to extend that to anybody who may have canceled
their permit and, you know, it happens at the end of the year. We have people
who leave town for example at the end of the school years. We could certainly
evaluate expanding the program to those who don't have active permits.
Teague: Okay. Okay! Anyone else? Questions?
Bergus: Just a quick clarification on the ... the source of the funds that are gonna be, uh, for
this credit. You know when we were talking in our work session about COVID
relief and the different opportunities that the City can provide, um, maybe just a
quick clarification of like the source of this money and what it can be used for,
and we had other requests for funding that if they didn't fit into parking or transit
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like these funds couldn't be applied to that, is that ... is that right, or can you just
kind of explain that?
Nagle -Gamin: Are you asking for clarification of whether the CARES Act funds could be used
for other purposes or...are you asking if there are other avenues from which we
can credit?
Bergus: Uh, no, these funds that we received that we're allocating from the parking fund
and the transit fund couldn't go out the door for non ... parking or transit uses, is
that right?
Nagle-Gamm: That's correct.
Bergus: Okay. Thank you!
Nagle-Gamm: Yep!
Fruin: To be a little more, um, more direct, I think in where you're going, if...if we're to
look at rent relief and utility relief, these funds here would not ... would not fund
those efforts. You ... you would, couldn't use parking funds to .... to provide rent
relief. Uh, these are enterprise funds, so they're basically ran as a self-sustaining
business. The ... the money that we take in from our parking operations at our
meters and our decks used to pay our expenses for those same meters and decks
and staff that go along with them. So, um, you don't .... you don't need to worry
about these funds taking away from your ability to fund more critical needs in the
community, such as rent relief.
Bergus: Thank you, Geoff.
Weiner: Along that line, could they be used for example for transit subsidies for people
who ... to get them to work, is that .... is that a legitimate use for some of these?
Fruin: There is a .... a, um, $65,000 of this, uh... uh, credit program, um, would come from
the transit budget, um, and that is because one of those decks, uh, the Court Street
Transportation Center was federally funded, and ... and through that agreement
we're obligated to use the proceeds for transit. Um, those funds could technically
be repurposed, um, that is a ... a situation which we, you know, you'd have to carve
out permit holders in one deck if you wanted to not ... not provide credit for ...for
that, you know, I guess it's bad luck if you have a ... if you have a permit in that
deck. Um, what is, uh, nice though is with the CARES Act allocation of 5.1
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million, um, we do have some flexibility in the transit funds to consider transit
subsidies, and I assume that those conversations will ... will come up later this
summer and into early fall as we look at the redesign of our transit system, and
one of the ... one of the options, uh, Council was interested in exploring was fare -
free, whether that's system wide or for, uh, specific, uh, groups based on some
eligibility criter...criteria. So, um, the... the.... the short answer is yes, that 65
could be repurposed, uh, for a different, uh, a different transit subsidy, um, but we
do have great flexibility with the CARES Act funds to do that, without those
65,000.
Weiner: (mumbled) I was actually meant to ask about the funds as a whole, including the
CARES Act, so thank you.
Teague: I do have a question related to third -party, um, type payments. So I assume that
some businesses may .... um, purchase permits themselves and then potentially
they could, um, extend that cost on to their employees or to other people at either
the entire cost or fraction of the cost, and also the hotels, they charge, um,
residents or visitors, guests that stay in the hotel .... do we know, do we have any
provisions for refunding.... those individuals at all through this process?
Nagle -Gamin: That's a good point! So we would rely ...so the permits are either purchased by
individuals, or they're often purchased by businesses, um, sometimes we have
information about the personal use of that permit, um, and oftentimes we don't. A
lot of times the businesses just purchase them. So we would rely on the credit be
redistributed from the employer who collects the money from their employee for
their permit and then pays us on their behalf, we would rely on them to get that
money, uh, to reimburse, uh, their own employees, who .... they deal with the
financial end, um, with their employee themselves. So if that makes sense. So
we do have some that are people have some to us and we have sold them a permit
directly, and the new have many businesses, um, which have bought permits on
behalf of their employees. So really the refund would have to go ... flow from the
business who purchased them back to that employee.
Teague: I ... I wonder if we wouldn't consider, uh, styp.... type of condition for the refund in
that third -party type situation where, um, we can do a ... um, take `em at their word
that they'll do it but ... at least have in writin' a commitment to refund. I know that
the hotel charges that may have been collected is probably gonna be hard for the
parking, and ... and for me personally, I know the hotels have suffered, so I
wouldn't deal with that so much, uh, as bein' one of the stipulations, but at least
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if. ... if we know that there's an employee that have kinda bought into this, uh, we
certainly wanna ensure that those funds are re .... are returned to that employee.
Nagle -Gamin: We can certainly encourage that through the communications, uh, especially to
our (mumbled) um, permit holders. Uh, in terms of, you're correct, in terms of
the ... the parking agreements with the hotels, through our conversations with the
hotel managers, um, throughout, you know, COVID-19, they weren't getting a lot
of, uh, usage for their validation program. They pay sort of a set amount based
(mumbled) excuse me, contractual agreement with the City. So the
reimbursement would be for that contractual agreement, and the actual usage that
they saw from people staying in hotels. Uh, it was, from what I understand from
our conversations, it was very (mumbled) minimum. So there wouldn't be a lot
of, um, and ... and of course the parking facilities were open. So there really .... so
the people who are out in terms of those agreements really are the hotels who
have that agreement with us. So they would... they would be the ones who would
receive that reimbursement from the City.
Teague: Okay! Any other questions for staff? Public discussion? If you have a .... if you
would like to address this topic, raise your hand. I see one, Sara Barron, and
followed by Galaxy SB. I'm not sure ... uh, who that is! But we'll—we'll have
Sara Barron first.
Barron: Thank you, Mayor.
Teague: Three to five minutes, you know how it goes! (laughs)
Barron: All right, let me ... all right, so urn .... uh...... I have to comment on this issue
because we are asking for a relief from the City for so many other expenses
incurred by our most vulnerable residents. I really appreciate the clarification
offered by Councilor Bergus and City Manager Fruin about this being an
enterprise fund and so, um, the funds can't be applied in other areas. Um, I, you
know, I'll tell you a personal story. Um, which girl applied for, um, paid for a
travel credit card in February right before COVID hit? This one right here! Bad
choice! Um, a lot of us made economic choices not knowing what was going to
happen with the pandemic. Um, and some of us were able to get refunds for
things and other things we can't. Um, I just ... when we're looking at the issue of
equity, um, my house could pay that amount, even though I'm not going to get the
return from it. There are many families that cannot say the same. Um, and so
even if it's offered, um, as an opportunity to people who have the means, um, to
donate the money that they've already paid towards some type of COVID
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Teague
Silberstein:
Teague:
Silberstein:
Teague:
Silberstein:
recovery effort that's related to parking and transportation, um, or if we allow
some other structure that recognizes that equity really means, um, from each
according to their means, and not that everyone gets the exact same treatment.
Um, I think continuing to look at City policy, um, and allocation of COVID
money requires us to look not at, um, giving everyone the same, but really helping
the individuals who need it most. Um, and so I encourage you to consider that on
this issue and really every other funding decision that you come across, um, in the
months to come. Thanks!
Thank you, Sara. So Galaxy SB, we're gonna have you identify with your first
and last name please.
Hi, this is Lynn Silberstein.
Welcome, Lynn!
Thank you (both talking)
You have three to five minutes (both talking)
Okay, I'll make this quick. Um, I did address a letter to the Council, so thank
you, Mayor Teague and Council, for reading my letter. I know it was lengthy, but
it was definitely from the heart. Um, I am an employee, um, I am one of those
that really needs the help. Um, I'm an employee of..there are only three of us in
this business, it's a family-owned business, and it doesn't get much smaller than
that. Uh, we did have other employees. Um, my voice is shaking because it is
very, um, just very difficult. So ... um, with that being said, uh, we are currently
running Mama's Deli. There are two of us that are running it. My mom does the
books. So therefore it is just the three of us. We have had it for over 10 years,
and uh, regarding the parking situation, that's why I'm talking right now. Um, we
went ahead and paid it ahead of time, right before they decided to open up free to
everyone else, which I think that's pretty darn (mumbled) pretty darn awesome
thing to do. However, when you say people that ... that need it the most, uh, we do
have bills that keep coming in, rent keeps coming in, Mediacom, the food bills,
we've thrown away thousands of dollars of food. There's no credit for that. You
just throw it away cause you can't serve it to the public. So I'm just hoping for a
fair shake here. I've asked for credit. Um, I'm really hoping to get that. I've
been giving money to the parking ramp. We have for several years, over 10 years,
um, and it's a very important ramp to have. I so appreciate the sign outside the
front on Washington Street that allows people to stop by and, uh, pick up their
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food for all of the businesses along Washington Street and just a couple blocks
away, so I'm so thankful for that, but I just hope that you can find it in your heart
to honor that, um, again, you were .... what someone else .... I'm just, I'm hoping
for that credit for that, uh, for the parking and, um, I really wanna stay in business
and it's very difficult to pay all of the bills that keep coming in, and uh, I wanna
keep the door open.
Teague: Thank you!
Silberstein: Thank you (garbled)
Teague: Anyone else like to address this topic? Seeing no one .... Council discussion?
Roll call please. Oh, we're .... I'm sorry! Mayor Pro Tem, were you....
Salih: I just .... I don't know, but I just wanna say are we (mumbled) for the people who
was using it or the people .... I (mumbled) understand this. I understand people
was using it. They pay for it but they never used it, or they pay for it and they
used it? Or both.
Nagle-Gamm: That's a good question. So it would be both users — anyone who had an active
permits, um, during... during, uh, I would say late -March through mid-May. Um,
it's people who are using it or people who weren't using it. I think the request
that we're getting from the community are the fact that they were paying for
something that there was no charge for the general public to use, during a
specified time frame.
Salih: Yeah, because some people used it for free because they paying hourly, but the
people who was paying it monthly, are the (mumbled) use it or they don't use it,
the other people are affected because they paid ahead of time. Even though the
hourly people, we allow them to use it for free.
Nagle-Gamm: That is correct.
Salih: Okay.
Teague: Any other comments? I'll go slower (laughs) Hearing none, roll call please!
Motion passes 7-0.
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14. Rescission of Weapons Ban — Resolution rescinding Resolution No. 11-55,
which prohibited firearms and weapons on City property and City buses, to
comply with House File 2502.
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve?
Salih: Move ... by Salih.
Mims: Second, Mims.
Teague: Staff presentation on this?
Dilkes: I'm going to address this, uh, Mayor. Um, so House File 2502 which has been
signed by the Governor preempts the ability of cities to regulate, um, the ... the
possession of firearms on our own property. We .... it was, uh, this is the second
time the legislature's tried to do this and they accomplished it this time. Um, so
we are recommending repeal of the resolution that, as you know, um, prohibited
firearms in our facilities, on our buses, uh, and on other City property. Oh, and I
should mention, um, there's one exception in the ... in the, urn .... in the law. If...
for buildings or physical structures, the City could choose, if it wanted to, to...
prohibit firearms within those buildings or physical structures, but it would
be .... if it did so it would be required to have a screening mechanism in place and
an armed guard.
Teague: Any questions for Eleanor? The one question I have is related to the (mumbled)
you just mentioned. Is that requirement to have, um .... the armed guard and a
screening mechanism continuous or can you have it intermittent, as you deem
necessary?
Dilkes: I ... I think you have to have it at those times that you're prohibiting firearms in the
building.
Teague: So it doesn't have to be continuous, in other words.
Dilkes: Well, for instance, let's say you wanted to, um, prohibit firearms in City Hall
during Council meetings. Then you would have .... my reading of the .... of the law
is that you would have to have .... during that period of time, and before and after
when people are coming into the building for that purpose, you would have to
have the screening mechanism and you'd have to have an armed guard.
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Teague: Is there ever a time when let's say we have one big event and we wanted
someone, maybe it was at the Ree Center.
Dilkes: Uh huh.
Teague: And it's just one.... could.... could that be allowed?
Dilkes: Yes, I think that's a possibility.
Teague: Okay. All right! Any other questions for Eleanor? Is there anyone from the
public that would like to address this topic? And we have Temple. Welcome!
Three to five minutes!
Hiatt: Thank you. Um, HF2502 was and continues ... to be opposed by Everytown for
Gun Safety and other groups across the state. The only group that supported the
measure was an extreme group of gun owners that don't represent the majority of
Iowans. We do not want to repeal or replace local policies that help keep us safe
from the presence of firearms where the public gathers. Council Members, do not
auto -approve this because it will mean a lawsuit. Please think about the impact
repealing our City ordinance will have on our community. I served in the Gulf
War as a member of the Army military police. I understand the training that is
needed to be proficient with a firearm. Here in Iowa no proficiency is required to
obtain a permit to carry, only an online training class. Think about the
consequences of a child locating a loaded firearm in an unattended purse or
backpack inside the Public Library. Allowing more guns in public spaces will not
make us safer. So please, I implore you to vote no to rescind this ordinance, even
if it means a lawsuit. We must stand up to this, um, combine with other cities and
somehow find a way to ... declare this unconstitutional or whatever all the legal
terms mean. It will not make us safer!
Teague: Thank you! Would anyone else like to address this topic? Seeing no one, Council
discussion?
Taylor: I admit when I first saw this I...it....it kinda scared me, uh, just at the thought of
just anybody willy nilly being able to carry a gun wherever they wanted to, so I
think Temple gave a .... a, thank you for that discussion. I think, uh, she gave a
very good argument for the fact. Uh, I don't know, I guess we'd maybe have to
get some guidance from Eleanor on that, uh, whether, uh, it would be in ... in, uh,
good faith to ... to deny this, uh, resolution. El .... Eleanor, do you have thoughts on
that?
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Dilkes: I ... I could not advise that.
Salih: What going to happen if we don't approve it?
Dilkes: There is a provision in the bill that allows somebody who's adversely affected
by...by something that violates the bill, um, meaning if prohibited from bringing a
gun in the building and that's concealed or otherwise, um ... they can sue for
damages and the ... the big kicker is that we would have to pay .... if they were
successful and .... I think it's more likely than not that they would be, we would
have to pay their attorney's fees, and those can be fairly significant.
Taylor: Thank you, Eleanor.
Bergus: I do think it's important that we acknowledge that the ... the way that this law is set
up it isn't just a matter of, you know, we would be waiting for Des Moines to say
no, I'm sorry we preempted that. The fact that there is the opportunity for any
individual to sue the City and that we would be liable for their damages, and their
attorney's fees if they prevail, um, is .... is really significant. When ... when we
think about the broader context, um, cities and state actors have a lot of immunity,
right? That's part of what we've been talking about when we're looking at, um,
our ...our law enforcement and so for the ... for the legislature to, um, enact a ... and
the Governor to, um, to sign this law that provides that private action against
cities for this purpose is, I mean, I thought that was kind of remarkable and so I'm
really ...I ... I am very concerned about that liability and I think it would be
significant. It's not just a matter of, um, you know, again Des Moines saying, hey,
you .... you went against what ... what our, um, you know, kind of what the
preemption issue was. Um, I do think it's important thought that the City be
willing to .... to send a message and let our residents understand that while we may
not be legally able to prohibit firearms and other weapons in public buildings, um,
that they are not welcome, that we are not encouraging people to bring their
weapons and .... and their firearms, and I just, you know, I wanted to make that
statement on the record because the fact that we may have to take down the signs
saying you're not, um, allowed to have a firearm on our public bus or in the
library, um, I think the ... the, as Temple very helpfully let us know and reinforced
what I think a lot of us know, um, the majority of Iowans are for gun safety and
that means reasonable regulation, um, and ... and so just .... I ..... I don't think the
firearms are welcome in the places where they were prohibited up until July l sc
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Mims: I would agree with Laura. I'm just, you know, really disappointed in the State,
uh, for this legislation, and as .... as City Attorney has said, and Councilor Bergus,
it's almost, um, some punitive pieces added to it, to make sure that cities such as
Iowa City, rescind this. Um, and it certainly, uh, from my perspective, um, does
not make us a safer community at all by doing this, and I ... I really feel bad that we
have to do this, but I think the liability potential, uh, which is what they put in
here on purpose, uh, forces us to do. Um, you know, this may or may not be the
place to say it, but I would say, you know, the election in November matters. Um,
and this is just one indication of why it matters so much.
Salih: Laura, I really understand what you ... you said, but ... the people who normally
listen to our encouragement when we say we don't encourage you to bring this,
I'm not ... people normally do this stuff. You know, I guess the people who don't
like that the way the City has prohibited bringing gun to the (mumbled) are the
one gonna like this law and most likely they don't listen to our encouragement.
Uh, as Susan Mims said, I'm really disappointed too by this law, but .... you
know .... I don't know what to do, but I ... I really don't, urn.... support this, at all.
Weiner: It is a horrible law. It does not make us safer. It does not make our children safer.
I mean I know there is concealed carry and there's open carry, and I'm sure there
have been ... I imagine there have been weapons in the buildings when ... when we
didn't know it because of concealed cavy. What this does is open up for open
carry. And ... and for someone essentially blatantly saying this is my right now and
this is what I'm going to do, and... and.... essentially even bringing a weapon into
a .... a City Council meeting to show us that they have that right. Um, I do not, I
personally do not believe that's what the Second Amendment is about at all, and I
do not believe that this law and what the State legislature has done comes
anywhere near making us safer. I think it, uh, creates situations that can really
imperil us.
Teague: I think one of the things that I would be interested in learnin' in the future at some
point is .... um, somethin' related to intimidation, like if someone is open carry
(mumbled) to intimidate, what does the law say there? Um, and that's somethin' I
can touch base with Eleanor, just to get her thoughts on that. Um, at a different
time. This is very sad (laughs) so I ... I hate guns, personally. Um, I'm .... I'm not a
gun person at all. Um, this is unfortunate. Um, not sure what else to say, but it's
unfortunate. I .... anyone that honestly brings a gun, um, open carry, will probably
bring it currently concealed. We ... wouldn't know. But .... anyone that would
bring an open carry, I think that's where the concern is. Uh, at least for me in this
one. Um .... you k now, I don't warm put everybody in a box to say that they
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would come for specific reason, but when you know children are around I would
think that there would be certain things that you wouldn't do in public. So .... at
least for this, I hate that I have to vote on it, um, that this is before us and that ... uh,
Des Moines put us in this situation and would not allow our current, um,
resolution to be in place. Um, I am going to vote for this, but it is with a great,
heavy heart that I'm going to vote because of the, really the legal ramifications
that we would have to go through, and we have other things to really, uh, put our
energy on. Um .... so ..... hate that this is before us tonight.
Dilkes: Mayor, if I could, and just ... a reminder as we said in the staff report that there are,
you k now, and ... and staff will be assessing how in light of this we, you kn ow,
deal with the ... with the presence of guns, for instance just something very simple.
A police officer... you can't carry a gun unless you have a permit. Police officer
can ask to see one's permit if. ... if they're open carrying a gun and they can see
the gun. Um, or they suspect the gun. Um, and it's an opportunity to assess the
demeanor and determine whether the person is just trying to show off, cause they
can have a gun now, or they're really.....pose a real danger.
Teague: Any other discussion? Hearing none, roll call please. Motion passes 5-2. Could I
get a motion to accept correspondence?
Mims: So moved, Mims.
Thomas: Second, Thomas.
Teague: Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
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15. Assessment Schedule — Resolution adopting an assessment schedule of
unpaid mowing, clean-up of property, snow removal, sidewalk repair, and
stop box repair charges and directing the Clerk to certify the same to the
Johnson County Treasurer for collection in the same manner as property
taxes.
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve?
Bergus: So moved, Bergus.
Salih: Second, Salih.
Teague: All right! Uh, is there anyone from the public that would like to address this
topic? If so please raise your hand. All right, we have one person.
Um .... Ousainou Keita. I'm ... and please pronounce your name. You can unmute,
we can't hear you. Are you able to ... yeah, there you go!
Keita: (mumbled)
Teague: Please announce your name and then take no more than three to five minutes
please.
Keita: Hello, can everybody hear me?
Teague: Yes we can hear you!
Keita: Hello and good evening, Iowa City Council Members. I'm one of those who
(mumbled) weed removal from my property located at .... 1222 Fourth Avenue,
Iowa City, Iowa, which is the, uh.... uh.....the (mumbled) which is (unable to
understand) Last year I have an issue with one of your City employees named
Brian Jensen and unfortunately he took the issue personally and started harassing
me and intimidating me at my home (unable to understand) for the City I
wouldn't mind paying if it's a valid fine, but if it is due to a City employee
abusing his authority, in order to harass and intimidate me, I have serious problem
with that. I sent an email to brief you about it. I don't know if any of you have
taken a look at the email? But this is a serious problem! If you have City
employee who think they can harass people... because of a personal vendetta
between them and somebody else, that ... that is an abuse of authority. That's all I
have to say. Thank you.
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Teague: Thank you! Is there anyone else that would like to address this topic? Hearing
none.... Council discussion?
Dilkes: Mayor, just as a reminder, for how we ... we have typically, how we've handled
these in the past is because staff is not prepared to address at this time all the
assessments, what we typically was if there is an objection to an assessment, then
we remove that one from the list and we, um, defer that one until the next
meeting, and at that time staff will give you a ... um, a presentation on that
particular item and you can make a .... a decision on that item at that time.
Teague: Are people... what are people thoughts on deferring the item. I think it's 122
Fourth Street.
Mims: I move that we defer that one.
Taylor: Since we've done it before, I agree.
Salih: I second.
Teague: So ... moved .... (both talking)
Dilkes: ....hold on a minute. Let's just withdraw the motion that was put on the floor for
the ... the resolution.
Teague: Okay, so that motion was, urn .... was by Mims, I think. You wanna withdraw the
motion.
Fruehling: It was by Bergus.
Mims: Okay, thanks!
Teague: ...(both talking) by Bergus. Okay!
Bergus: Sorry, I withdraw the motion. Thank you!
Dilkes: Now .... now let's get a motion, um, adopting the, uh, resolution with the exclusion
of...that property, which I don't have written down.
Teague: I think it's 122 Fourth.
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Dilkes: Okay.
Teague: Okay? So (several talking, garbled)
Mims: Moved, Mims.
Salih: Second, Salih.
Teague: All right, so I'm gonna take Mims moved and seconded by Salih. All right!
Council discussion? Hearing none, roll call please. Seven, uh, motion passes 7-0.
Could I get a motion to accept correspondence?
Mims: So moved, Mims.
Teague: Moved by Mims.
Thomas: Seconded by Thomas.
Salih: Second.
Teague: Seconded by Thomas. I'll give him that (laughs) First time tonight! Roll call
please. Motion passes 7-0. All right (both talking)
Dilkes: Mayor, I'm .... I'm sorry, for the gentleman who was on the phone, if...if he's still
listen... listening I just watma make sure he understands that his item is gonna be
taken up two weeks from now at the next Council meeting.
Teague: Yes! All right! Thank you for that, Eleanor, and help through that process. Uh,
and I also just wanted to mention to Councilors that I think there is a bit of a delay
at times where .... (laughs) I'm not totally catchin' when someone is about to say
somethin' so just remind me if I'm goin' too fast in the future. Okay? And I think
that same go to us, when we're talking and talkin' to each other, I think there's a
delay. All right!
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16. Council Appointments — Applicants MUST reside in Iowa City and be 18
years of age unless specific qualifications are stated.
16.a. Public Art Advisory Committee (At -Large) — Two vacancies to fill a
three-year term, July 1, 2020 — June 30, 2023 (Per amended By -Laws Res No.
20-108)
Teague: Uh, and let's probably discuss this and .... there's, urn .... normally Mayor Pro Tem
is next to me and she'll say there's one male and one non (laughs)
Salih: (laughing)
Teague: A requirement .... so I believe we have four female and one male that applied.
Mims: I think Dominic, uh, Dongilli, I'm not sure if I'm pronouncing that right. The
male is.....is a good qualified one. He's qualified, he's been involved with Public
Space One. So I would support.... certainly support him, um, for that male
position. Um, as I looked at the females, um, I know Tonya Kehoe and she's an
art teacher and professional artist, but my only concern, and I would highly,
highly support Tonya, is when I look at the positions, there's.....it looks like
there's a number of positions on the commission that are for professional artists
and then there's some at -large, and it appears that the two that are open are
designated as at -large and not professional. So I guess I'm not sure how ...how the
Council feels about appointing another professional to an at -large position or
whether we should do that.
Salih: And why not?
Mims: I'm asking the question, so I don't know (laughs)
Salih: Yeah, um, I don't know either! (laughs)
Teague: Yeah, I mean when you make that point to me, I think there could be great value,
um, from someone has ... who has great appreciation for the art, but don't
totally... they're not a professional in it. Um, so when I hear that, at least that's my
walkaway, is there value in, um, ensurin' that at -large position is not, you know,
from that professional. (noises in background)
Bergus: I don't know if we (mumbled) I don't know if any staff or Councilors who've
been on longer have insight. I guess my understanding was that the ... the spots for
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a professional artist was to ensure there's a minimum number of people who are
actively engaged in ... in making art professionally, rather than saying certain spots
are for artists and certain spots are for non -artists, but maybe I'm .... maybe I'm
interpreting it wrong.
Mims: I think you're probably right but I'll be honest, Laura, I don't remember for sure,
but I .... I think that makes more sense that we wanted to make sure we had at least
a certain number of professionals involved.
Taylor: I think you're.... you're right on that, Susan, and like you when .... when I looked
at her resume and it said, uh, like master degree in art, I thought, wow, that's a
perfect fit. That's a good fit, and I ... I keep looking and I didn't see anywhere that
so many certain number have to be at -large and so many certain number have
(mumbled) professionals, so, uh, I would be in favor of ..of appointing her, if it's
legally okay.
Mims: Then that's who I support.
Salih: Yeah, I just think if there is nothing like legally, uh, like not okay, that's fine. We
can just do it. Yeah.
Dilkes: I don't see any problem with it.
Salih: Okay!
Bergus: I agree with, um, Dominic and Tonya, to appoint to the Public Art Commission.
(several talking) Advisory.
Thomas: I support the two as well.
Salih: I do too.
Teague: All right, so, urn .... I....can we get a motion to appoint Dominic and Tonya7
Mims: So moved. Mims.
Salih: Second.
Teague: So moved Mims, seconded Salih. I think we're all in agreement, so roll call
please. Motion passes 7-0.
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18. Community Comment
Teague: Um, and this is .... Ryan, if you would like to address us!
Longenecker: Hi, Council, good evening. Um, not too much to update since our, uh, last formal
meeting, um, but one, uh, significant development is that, uh, the Governor signed
a medical amnesty into, uh.... uh, passing it and um, this has been a project of
USG, uh, for like five years, um, that our team has been going up to the Capitol
and working on getting this bill passed, uh, through both Houses and signed by
the Governor. So, um, for those who aren't familiar, medical amnesty is where,
um, essentially if an underage, uh, person is in trouble, uh, related to alcohol, um,
they or one other person who is with them are able to call for help, um, call for
EMS, and neither of them will be charged in any way related to, um, possessing
alcohol, um, under the legal age, um, and so this is because a, urn .... of those
people who drink, about 14% I believe it was said that they've been in a situation
where they needed to call for help and only like .... 3 or 4% said that they actually
did call for help, uh, and that is because they feared retaliation, um, from law
enforcement, and so this is ... we're hoping will encourage students who do need to
call for help, uh, to be able to do that and not fear, you know, the legal
repercussions of that. So we just want to ensure that students are safe. Uh, so
we'll be launching an ad campaign on -campus and off -campus to inform students
of this, um, and so we hope that it'll help students stay, uh, safer, uh, if they
choose to consume alcohol, but that's, uh, a really exciting thing for us that we got
that passed, but um, that's about all I have. So thank you!
Teague: Great!
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19. City Council Information
Teague: We will be retumin' to our work session, so this is just, uh, City Councilors, if you
have any updates that you wanted to give, you can do that at this time. If you
wanted to combine any of your boards and commissions, um, durin' this time you
could do that as well.
Taylor: I'll just go ahead then. This is Pauline. Uh, you probably all know we have an
MPO Zoom meeting, uh, tomorrow at 4:30, uh, so Council Members should of,
uh, received some, uh, details about that. So don't forget about that. Um ... let's
see here, oh and as Councilor Mims mentioned, uh, there was the, A .... uh, press
conference held by the project Better Together. Uh, it was an excellent press
conference, I thought, with health and business leaders, uh... uh, made a call to
action, urging people to wear masks, uh, and in light of the, uh, up ... uptick in
cases here in ... in the county, they encouraged everyone, uh, to ... to take action, uh,
to prevent the further spread of the virus. Uh, one person talked about the `mask
of wellness' program, which sounds like a really great thing. Uh, it encourages
businesses to ... to follow safe, uh, precautions and they have a website, which is
maskofwellness.com. I'd encourage people to take a look at that. Um, I (laughs)
I talk all the time about, uh, the shop crawls, I love those, you k now I love those,
uh, but again due again to concerns (mumbled) COVID-19, the Downtown
District's summer shop crawl, uh, which was scheduled for July 31" has been
canceled, uh, the spring event was done virtually, uh, but the summer one is ... is
just plain canceled, so, uh, but many of the downtown, uh, stores and shops are
open, uh, whether for either just curbside pickup or limited number of shoppers in
the store. So I would encourage everyone to ... to shop local and utilize all the
great, uh, businesses that we have in the area, urn .... so that ... that's good, and then
urn .... just one fmal thought here, uh, one thing that Counc.... Councilor Thomas
and I did, and I believe, um, some of the others of you also meet with some of the
members of our law enforcement department, uh, recently, and I just would like to
say that in the almost 50 years that I have lived in Iowa City, there have been a
few occasions when I have had, uh, interactions with members of the Iowa City
Police Department, for one reason or another (laughs) I won't elaborate. Um, but
on those .... on those occasions I always found the officers to be very helpful and
professional in, uh, carrying out their duties, and I can say that .... that I've always
been proud of the work our police department has done in our community, uh,
over the years, working to provide a safe community, and in the past few years
they have done, uh, many community outreach activities and worked endlessly to
solve major criminal, uh, investigations. Um .... I of course I recognize that with
anything there's always room for improvement and I'd like to thank the Iowa
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Freedom Riders for offering their thoughts on ... on what can be done, and that is
certainly a step in the right direction in helping our Iowa City Police Department
become even better, but uh, I would like to say to each and every member of our
local law enforcement department, uh, I just want to say with gratitude, thank you
for your service. That's all!
Mims: I would just point out, uh, with the access center, um, you may recall that the new,
the name of that is the Guide Link Center. They have, uh, put the website live. It
is guidelinkcenter.org. Um, so that went live just a few days ago. Um, gives
some nice information about the services, uh, when it will open, etc. So would
encourage you to take a look at that. Uh, committees are still working diligently
to get, um, all the various details worked out before the tentative opening in early
January. So again, it is guidelinkcenter.org.
Teague: Anyone else?
Weiner: I'd just like to ... point again to the meeting of the Joint Entities that's gonna be,
that takes place on the 20th. The ... the focus is going to be on COVID. It seemed
an opportunity to really get all the various governing organizations in this
community together to hear from some people, which I know the.... the.... they
were meeting during the height of the crisis, but we as city governments, as
school board, as county government have not had an opportunity to do that, and
hear from a number of experts on what ... what the best way forward is. So I
encourage everyone, um, who can to attend virtually.
Teague: Anyone else? Hearing none, I just wanted to, um, give at least a official shout -out
to June 19d, um, we had Juneteenth, uh, which thanks to the City of Iowa City
again for their sponsorship and a lot of other, uh, community members for their
sponsorship. Iowa Freedom Riders and Black Voices Project, uh, they came
together for Juneteenth. It was an excellent event. Thanks, um, to everybody
who came out to make that a .... a very successful and .... event. That same day, uh,
Iowa City Pride, they did a car .... parade, which was fun. I was able to be a part
of that earlier that day and, um, it's their 50' year anniversary, which I think now
they're callin' it their 49' and a half, uh, because they hope to be able to do
somethin' next year, um, but yes, wanted to again, um, give a shout -out to Iowa
City Pride and for, um, all the work that they've done and for all the LGBTQ+
community. Um, happy pride, or past pride month, but still happy 50th year. And
then on June 26th, um, myself along with Mayor Quinton Heart was a guest on
PBS and uh, we both really appreciated the opportunity to discuss Black Lives
Matter, um, from our perspectives and related to things that are happenin' within
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our cities, so um, just wanted to mention that tonight as well. If there's nothin'
else we will move on ... to the next item, which would be any updates from our
City staff, City Manager?
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20. Report on Items from City Staff
a. City Manager
Fruin: No updates tonight, Mayor. Thank you.
Teague: Ashley Monroe?
Monroe: Hello! I will just say very quickly that the Census is still taking, uh, responses,
so, uh, some of the on the ground Census staff will be training in July and we
might expect to see people coming around to homes sometime in August. So, uh,
there is still time for you to have a contactless response to the Census. So my
2020Census.gov and then I'll just mention that we've made progress on our
climate action plan and uh, the Climate Action Commission met yesterday. There
is a recent report on some of the progress we've made in our actions, uh, available
on their ...um, packet of information from yesterday's meeting. So if anyone is
interested you can go to icgov.org/climateaction and visit the Climate Action
Commission, uh, agenda. That's it!
Teague: Thank you, Assistant City Manager!
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