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CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 25, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk
Re: Electronic Council Work Session, August 18, 2020, 5:00 PM, Zoom Meeting Platform
Council: Bergus, Mims, Salih, Taylor, Teague, Thomas, Weiner
UISG: Van Heukelom
Staff: Fruin, Monroe, Kilburg, Dulek, Fruehling, Havel, Hightshoe, Sitzman, Bockenstedt,
Nagle-Gamm, Seydell-Johnson, Ford, Brotherton
(A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.)
Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due
to concerns for the health and safety of council members, staff and the public presented by
COVID-19.
Storm Update
City Engineer Havel recapped the derecho storm event information and the damage left behind. Havel
gave an update on the City's Public Works response to the storm. Parks & Recreation Director
Seydell-Johnson gave a parks, trails and cemetery update since the storm. Individual Council members
expressed their views. City Manager Fruin provided additional information.
(Meeting recessed from 5:22 pm — 5:56 pm due to technical issues)
COVID-19 Update
City Manager Fruin had no new updates for Council. Individual Council members discussed the
COVID-19 issues at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, local enforcement plans, urging
students to wear face coverings and the need for additional signage regarding face coverings. Interim
Police Chief Brotherton provided additional information.
Action: Staff will continue to push mask messages out and also focus on signage that can be displayed
as constant reminders to the public. Staff will also reach out to the Landlord Association and
encourage them to post signage at their properties when such space exists. Continued collaboration
with the Iowa City Downtown District, Better Together and the University of Iowa is important as well.
by the Minneapolis Police and calls for action from protesters and residents
Mayor Teague noted the contract for consultant services regarding the investigation into the June 3rd
incident that was in distributed the 8/17/20 late handouts. City Manager Fruin provided information on
the contracted group and the services included in the agreement. Mayor Pro Tem Salih and Mayor
Teague asked Council members to consider forgoing the independent contractor and keep the
Council Work Session
August 18, 2020
Page 2
investigation in house due to their recent review of the video from the June 3 incident. Individual
Council members expressed their views.
Action: The contract for the June 31 protest incident review will be placed on the September 1 meeting
agenda.
(Recess to formal meeting 6:49 pm — Resume Work Session 9:46 pm)
Clarification of Agenda Items
No discussion — after formal meeting.
Information Packet Discussion fAunust 6. August 131
Y August 6
1. (IP2, Memo from City Clerk: City Naming Policy) City Manager Fruin asked for
confirmation as to whether the Truth and Reconciliation Commission would be making
recommendations on renaming of facilities. Individual Council members expressed their
views.
Action: Parks and Recreation will proceed with a formal recommendation to Council
regarding the park renaming requests for Mr. James Alan McPherson.
v August 13
1. (IPS, Memo from Assistant City Manager: Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
report submittal) Councilor Mims asked for a timeframe for ImOn and the installation of
fiber throughout the City. City Manager Fruin provided information. Individual Council
members expressed their views.
Action: Staff will request that the Telecommunications Commission further investigate
grants that could be used to help bridge the digital divide in Iowa City with a particular
emphasis on subsidized services for low-income households.
2. (IP7, Iowa College Access Network (ICAN): Careers in Building Trades Brochure)
Councilor Mims noted all the really great information in the brochure and asked if the
information could be pushed out to the public and/or translated. City Manager Fruin
provided information.
Action: Staff will look for opportunities to promote the Careers in Building Trades
Brochure that was included in the August 131" Information Packet and explore translation
with the team that created the document.
Council uadates on assigned boards, commissions and committees
No discussion.
Adjourn 10:03 p.m.