HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-17 TranscriptionPage 1
Council Present: Bergus, Mims, Salih, Teague, Taylor, Thomas, Weiner
Staff Present: Fruin, Monroe, Kilburg, Dilkes, Fruehling, Bowers, Brotherton, Grier,
Bockenstedt, Hightshoe, Knoche
Others Present: Longenecker, Van Heukelom (UISG)
Discuss Goals and Expectations for the 2021 Affordable Housine Plan QP31:
Teague/ Well good evening, everyone. It is 5:00 P.M. and this is Tuesday, November 17th City Council
work session for the City of Iowa City, and I welcome each of you tonight. I am just going to
make sure that we have our Counselors present. I am ... oh, I see Counselor Taylor. I am not
seeing our Mayor Pro Tem. I did send out a message just to make sure, um, that she'll be
joining, but we'll probably go ahead and get started today. And then well try to continue to get
in touch with her. All right, so the first thing on our agenda tonight is discuss goals and
expectations for the 2021 Affordable Housing Plan and that is found in November 12 IP, uh,
information packet and it's IP3, and I'm going to invite our City Manager Geoff Fruin to kind of
lead this discussion.
Fruin/ Thank you, Mayor, uh, it's good to see everybody tonight. Uh, so you'll recall at your November
2nd, uh, work session, uh, you went ahead and directed staff to proceed with the development to
the affordable housing action plan. Uh, we included that, uh, memo which just kinda outlines
the process we intend to take with the plan development, in your packet as well. So you ... you
have that refresher. Um, as we prepare to ... to kick this process off, probably in ... in January,
February, once, uh, much of the budget is put to rest, um, it would be really helpful, uh, tonight
to ... to have the Council, um, discuss your goals and expectations for the plan. So we have
outlined a ... a few questions for ya tonight and, um, really just hoping that those, uh, questions
facilitated discussion amongst the .... the six or seven of you, um, so that we can better
understand what you'd like to see, uh, with this plan. So I can go through these one at a time,
um, but ... but again, these are intended to ... to try to spur discussion on a whole range of...of
topics related to the plan. So feel free to take it in any direction you want and, uh, staff here,
we're gonna take some notes and then, uh, we'll get, uh, get to work on, uh, preparing for the
plan kickoff. So the first question we have is, um, some of you may recall that, uh... urn, in
2015 we did an updated market analysis, uh, related to housing in the community. Uh, that was
done by our MPO staff and largely uses, um, publicly -available data from the U.S. Census. Uh,
we expect some new data to be released in early 2019, probably January but maybe February,
um, but we do want to see if there's any specific background data that the Council, uh, wants to
see with this effort. Um, depending on what you may want, uh, we may have to, um, hire a
third -party, uh, to assist us in collecting that data. So I'll ... I'll start there and ... let you have that
discussion.
Teague/ All right, Councilors, so just jump right in there.
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Thomas/ Well I'm...I'm gonna ask, uh, a more general question, um, that ... that, uh, came across my
mind in looking at trying to find other examples of, uh, housing studies, uh, that... for... for my
purposes, I ... I thought might help me be able to respond some ... to some of these questions that
we have for us, and ... and what it suggested to me, uh, one study in particular, uh, was a study
done in Bloomington, Indiana. Uh, it was just completed in July of this year. Uh, so July of
2020, uh, a housing study and the ... in their case, the, um, the housing study was not limited to,
uh, lower-income households. It was a look at the market as a whole, uh, and certainly the low-
income households are... critical focus of their study, uh, because it was identified to be a, uh,
category of household type that was most in need of housing. Uh, but it really looked at all
household incomes and the affordability, if you wan ... if you wanna describe it as that, for all
households, regardless of where they fall within, uh, their income bracket. Um, I was kind of
intrigued with ... with that. It seemed ... I know we've had many discussions, uh, this Council and
the previous Council, regarding other segments of the housing sector, whether it's the student
housing. Uh, in particular there's been lots of development, uh, marketed for the students over
the last several years, as well as considerable growth, uh, all over Iowa City, and I know I've
been feeling a little bit, um, concerned about where are we in terms of our housing market. Uh,
certainly the housing market as it relates to lower-income households is a critical issue, but I ... I
felt that there might be some ... some benefit to ... looking at that within a larger framework. Um,
sol...I just wanted to put that out there, uh, the study that, uh, Bloomington undertook. Uh,
involve ... it did involve RDQ a consultant that Iowa City has worked with on both the bike
master plan, as well as the parks master plan. It was about a 100 -page document, um, but I ... I
did feel as we're moving forward, um, you know, I certainly have ... I think obviously we all have
concerns about affordable housing for our low-income households, but what about housing for
those 55 and older? What about housing for, uh, households that fall into the say the 45,000 to
$70,000 income bracket? Um, I think these are all important questions, and I ... I began to ask
myself, as we move forward and look within say a 10 -year window, uh, where are we with
respect to all of those, uh, areas of our housing market. So, um, you know, if we're to do that, it
seemed like this would be the ... the time to do it. Uh, so I just wanted to put that out there.
Weiner/ I mean I ... I really appreciate your doing that, John. I really ...I like the idea, because I think it's
important that we get a ... a full picture of where people in the city sit and there ... Urn, you
referred to the sort of 55 and older, but this as ... as ... as people get older, you know, either ...if they
don't have extra income, they may also be struggling... if...and I mean, it's a valid ... it's a valid
question and I think that getting, um, a holistic picture is useful.
Teague/ I wanted to acknowledge our Mayor Pro Tem has joined us. So welcome, Mayor Pro Tem, and
also Ryan from USG is also here. We do have some questions before us. So, um, if there is no
more general comments before we kind of go through the questions for ...um...I'll probably go
ahead and get the questions started. We can start at number one, um, and ... staffin' tends to
update the 2015 market analysis as step one of the plan development. Are there any specific
data sets, trends, or forecast that the City Council would like to see as a part of this plan and
effort. Some request maintenance necessitate third -party assistance. So I ... I guess, um, yeah,
we'll just jump right in there. I, as far as like the third -party assistance, I guess that a ... that'll be
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determined as we go through, uh, some of the process and ... and get staff feedback on what they
feel they can handle and what we may need to, uh, hire out.
Mims/ I guess I would just ask kind of a background question. It's certainly been a while since I've
looked at that market analysis and newer Councilors may not have seen it at all. Without going
into too long an explanation, Geoff, can you ... could you give us kind of a ... brief summary of
typically what would be in that market analysis when it's updated and if...things that John's
talking about are... already part of that or would expand that from what it has typically been ... to
help people understand it a little bit better.
Fruin/ Yeah, um, you're... you're gonna get, um, pretty high-level census data, but you will get
information on, um, household income, uh, cost burden status, um, things of...things of that
nature. And so well be able to show some trends based on, uh, past censa data... census data as
well, um, which I think is ... is pretty important. Um, but, you know, what we were gettin' at, for
example, would be if you wanted to, uh, kind of an analysis of...of rents, um, in Iowa City, um,
you know, we might have to ... might have to look to ... for some assistance on that or some
Councilors may recall a few years ago we did a ... a housing study with the University, and a
consultant really drilled down into analyzing the student -oriented housing in and around Iowa
City. Those are, um, data sets that aren't necessarily, um, readily available, um, and take
some ... uh.... uh, take some time, essentially, and ... and in some cases surveying to, um, to gather
that information. So I ... think, um, I think for the most part, if I had to make some assumptions
here, I think for the most part Council's probably gonna be comfortable with the marketing
analysis that's completed. Um, but again, we just wanted to make sure we weren't...
overlooking anything very specific you were ... you were targeting.
Taylor/ I think it would be good too. Uh, John, uh, mentioned and then I believe, um, Janice did also,
the ... the senior population, because we all know that, uh, ifs ... we've got a very aging population
and very quickly, and kind of see what proportion of...of those folks maybe. Uh, we have seen
some new senior housing, uh, developments, uh, but it would be good to know maybe what that
need is or what... maybe that's a future need we need to look at.
Fruin/ Okay.
Teague/ All right. Uh, question number two, the plan will provide a high-level look backward at the
City's efforts to preserve and expand affordable housing since 2016. Are there any specific
programs, projects, or policies that the City has pursued in recent years that the City Council
wants to study in greater detail.
Fruin/ I think I can elaborate on this a little bit. So you've, um, probably all seen, uh, at some point in
your, uh, tenures on the Council some, uh, reports from staff on number of households assisted
at various, um, income levels, uh, renter versus owner -occupied. We kind of aggregate all our
program data and ... and, uh, give you some, again, high-level statistics on ... on how our local
dollars are making an impact. Um, and ... and we intend to update that with this, uh... uh, with
this plan, um, but if there are specific programs that you really want kind of the finer -level
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detail on, um, that would be helpful to know up front. We could ... we could expand upon
out.. our... our, uh, case studies if you will.
Teague/ I think it's a little too early to see what the partnership is between HACAP and I believe the
Affordable Housing Coalition. Um, that is a part of the South District program that we've
started, but I would be interested in, um, maybe havin' that as, uh, kind of -kind of a priority
for ...how we're gonnaa continue, but again, that's in its infancy phases of us just tryin' to test that
model out. So far it seems to be a good, uh, a good partnership, um, and ... having, uh, that in the
South District has been a positive as well, and so for me, that will be one of the affordable
housing projects that I would like to see movin' forward.
Thomas/ I think the question of, uh, partnerships I think is a really important one, uh, if we're going to,
um, accelerate the housing plan, uh, with respect to affordability. Uh, it seems like ... I would
almost say it's essential that we develop further partnerships, uh, and then also, you know, in
looking backward, I think that provides an opportunity for really kind of evaluating where
we've had successes with the work that we've done, um, perhaps where ... where we're, you
know, in effect kind of a cost benefit analysis of, um, you know, the work that we've been doing
and seeing where we've had the most ... most benefit, uh, on the ... on the projects and policies that
we've developed thus far.
Bergus/ I'd be interested in ... in taking a good look at fee in lieu, not that we necessarily need more
detail, um, but from a higher-level policy standpoint. It seems like we talk about it every time,
you know, we have a big development in terms of some level of discomfort of how it's used or,
you know, the idea of it even and the benefits of having on-site instead. So, I mean, just making
sure that that... conversation happens, I guess, as part of the plan is important to me.
Teague/ I have to say that's important to me as well. Um, I've been very vocal about, um, fee in lieu of.
I ... If also, um, think that ... it is a greater conversation, but fee in lieu of for me, um, as I've
mentioned in the past, um, is not worth it. It's not worth the missing out on the experience
of for people to live in whatever, um, housing project is being developed, and so whether that's
student housing, um, or just different housin' in the downtown or, uh, Riverfront Crossing area.
So ... I would love to have that conversation.
Fruin/ Thank you.
Bergus/ I think, um, kind of going along with what John said about cost benefit, um, I'd be interested in
maybe having a conversation about land banking. If I recall correctly, we maybe changed that
or de-emphasized that in an amendment to ... some of the allocation of...of funding, and so, um,
you know, not necessarily needs to be a focus, but just making sure that we, you know, keep in
mind that as an option, and to me that seems like a really expensive option, and so just tying
that in in that cost benefit question.
Teague/ All right (both talking)
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Weiner/ I'm not sure whether this applies to this question or one of the later questions, but I'd also like
to take a look at the period of affordability, and how long we believe we should maintain
affordability, and how ...in ... in certain units or in housing, because it seems to me that the ... that
the current period, at least for a place like Riverfront Crossings, is ... is too short.
Taylor/ Think we've also had some discussion about the annexation policy, which requires that when
it's annexed that a certain percentage, uh, has to be affordable if it's developed. So I'd ... I'd kind
of like to look further into that and see, uh, how many of those areas have been developed and
what they have had for affordable housing and what they considered affordable.
Fruin/ Okay, that's very helpful. It sounds, uh, it...it sounds like we'll ... we'll probably end up doing a
pretty detailed overview of each of the different programs and policies that we've provided.
Um, I think we can do some good cost benefit and look at, you know, what the ... what the cost
per unit or the cost per unit per year is, uh, when you factor in the affordability and ... and
hopefully show you some of the variant impacts across the community.
Teague/ All right. Number three, a public input strategy with ... will be developed by the Steering
Committee. Are there any specific expectations that the City Council has for this public input
effort? Some strategies, such as community -wide surveys, may require third -party assistance
and additional time.
Fruin/ You know, this ... this, again, um, I think you're familiar with most of our community outreach,
uh, efforts that have been associated with master plans, whether it's climate action in our Parks
and Ree. Um, we just, again, warm make sure that if...if you had, uh, something specific in
mind that will require some preparation or maybe some expense that we're ... we're, uh,
preparing for that, uh, prepar... preparing for that step. So we use the community survey as one
example that would be a .... an expense and a ... in a timely, uh, a time-consuming effort, if...if
that's what you wanna do.
Bergus/ I think the model of the listening posts, like we recently did with the police, um, issue seemed
to work well, in, you know, going to different parts of the community and having sort of
educational... presentations, along with the opportunity to get public input. I ... I really liked that
idea and hopefully COVID might allow that in the spring.
Thomas/ Yeah, so that's a little bit hard for me to answer that one (laughs) I ... I, um, it's something that
I ... my notes here are that, uh, perhaps as the program begins to emerge and develop and
articulate, uh, a little bit further, I ... I would have a better idea as to how, you know, the public,
uh, engagement would be structured, but it's hard for me to comment on that one right now.
Teague/ When I thought about this question, I thought about some of our social service, uh, agencies
that deal with individuals that currently have a ... live in affordable housin' or have a need for
affordable housing. Maybe there could be some type of surveys that get filtered through them
as well, um, so that we can have, uh, some input, more robust I guess. All right, number four.
Are you comfortable with the plan analyzing the impact and cost effectiveness of non-housin'
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based solutions that could alleviate cost burdened households or (mumbled) the plan focus
solely on housing.
Mims/ I'm uncomfortable with it, including those things. I mean we've had a little bit of discussion
along that line, um, you know, are there other things that we can do. Certainly as we look at,
you know, retooling our transportation; we look at, you know, potentially expanding programs
for those in need on utilities, etc., um, I think it ... those all, you know, those all affect how much
people can reasonably afford in terms of housing. So ... and sometimes, particularly like with
transportation, they really work together ...in terms of where that housing is located, where the
jobs are. So I would very much support looking at things besides just the housing.
Thomas/ Yeah, I ... I spoke on this last ... at our last, um, conversation over this ... this study and, um, you
know, I mentioned at the time that, uh, seems to me it's really worthwhile looking at affordable
housing or housing in general, for that matter again, uh, as it relates to transportation. Uh, you
know, estimates are that if you ... if you look at transportation and housing together, they ...they
consume perhaps 50% of household income. Uh, but one of the points that can be made, of
course, is if you have affordable housing in a location, uh, where there's good transportation
alternatives. Uh, it's possible to, uh, dedicate more of your income, household income toward
housing because your transportation costs go down. So there's ... it ... it's important in that regard
as well, I feel, because it...it makes a clear link between housing and transportation, and how
important it is to coordinate it. Uh, if you don't coordinate it, you know, even though you may
meet the 30% with respect to housing, your transportation costs may be much higher. So I think
looking at them together is really, uh, the most sensible way to do it.
Bergus/ I agree on a holistic approach rather than just housing. I think that's a good idea.
Teague/ I'm gonna share the screen so that, um, the questions can be right up before us and the public.
Gonna see if I ... all right. Can everybody see that now? Great. All right. Any other comments
on that one? Number five, staff will project out future affordable housin' revenue streams,
based on the current budget allocations. Does the City Council want the plan to assume current
fundin' levels or account for the possibility of new dedicated revenue sources?
Thomas/ I would certainly like to consider, uh, new dedicated revenue sources. I think we've ... we've
mentioned the idea of possibly including it in a local option sales tax. Uh, I would ... I would
add to that the possibility of, um, you know, general obligation bonds perhaps being a possible
source of...of, uh, revenue. Um, again, it kind of folds back to we ... getting ... we need to get a
really clear understanding of what, you know, how many housing units are we short in terms of
affordability. Uh, if we can try to get a better idea of what ... what the financial need will be, uh,
then I think that would help us understanding what ... what the revenue sources... required to meet
that need will ... will need to be.
Taylor/ Well as we know, we're ... we're living in some really uncertain times right now. We've just...
not really sure where things are going to go and, uh, we know where ... (mumbled) am I
in ... there, and ... and, uh, where the revenue sources would come, and I actually had some
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community members have talked to me about, uh, a local option sales tax, which surprised me
because, as most of you that ... that have been around awhile know, uh, the community wasn't
always in favor of that, but they're seeing it now as ... as a big (mumbled) for revenue,
particularly for affordable housing and ... and childcare. So I ... I would be in favor of that,
looking at alternate means.
Teague/ I certainly think it'd be necessary to look at other, uh, revenue sources, and the Steering
Committee, I would hope that well have some people on there that can help identify some of
those, as well as our talented staff, um, looking into other sources that they may be aware of or
reaching out to other communities or affordable housing, uh, gurus throughout the states, just to
see what's out there.
Bergus/ (mumbled) really appreciated with our recent transportation plan proposal that there was the
sort of cost bound recommendations, and then if there's an additional revenue, what can be
added on top of that. So I don't know if that model is translatable, but I found that particularly
helpful.
Weiner/ Yeah (both talking)
Mims/ Go ahead, Janice! Sorry.
Weiner/ No, I ... I agree with Councilor Bergus. Also one of the ... one of the great things about the way it
was presented in the transportation study was, uh, here's what you have and then here are the
other things that this much ... (mumbled) funds would get you ... with it, either with having to ... in
that case it was having... with... with having to buy extra equipment or something. But it really, I
thought it was a really useful model. I agree.
Mims/ Yeah, I would agree with that, as well, because I think we all are very much aware that, um, we
could ... we could be really, really constrained going forward in our budgets, um, depending on
how all this COVID stuff plays out. And so, um, I think it's certainly good to account for the
possibility, but we certainly have to be aware that, one, there may not be that, um, extra
revenue, and we may, I mean I would hate to think but we may not even be able to keep up the
revenue stream that we've, you know, the resources that we have given to affordable housing,
depending on how all this shakes out. So I just, I wouldn't want a plan that came in as if we
were going to have all these additional revenue streams when we don't know anything for sure.
So I like the way that you phrased it, uh, Laura.
Teague/ I think I like the way that Councilor Bergus phrased it because it, uh, it really does begin with
the end in mind. And my...and my thought process, we think big and then we can get down to a,
um, maybe a few steps of what we can do right now. But, ultimately, havin' a goal to get to that
big plan. So that's how I think about what, uh, Councilor Bergus said. Number six, are there
any, uh, specific new programs, projects, or policies that the City Council wants investigated
with the development of this new plan?
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Weiner/ Um, I'd like to see staff continue to look for changes that we can make to our zoning
regulations that would allow perhaps for infill housing, for duplexes, triplexes or...or...or
fourplexes in ... in some areas where it's currently not allowed, that could ... that could, uh, create
opportunities in neighborhoods that don't currently exist.
Thomas/ You know, what ... what Janice just mentioned, I think, was one of the missing, uh, it was ... it's
in the current affordable housing action plan. We just haven't completed it. So I think that is an
important... important piece moving forward. Um, others .... and I ... I would just reference that in
the, uh, that Bloomington, Indiana, plan, uh, it had a number... really wide range of...of programs
and policies that we might consider. Uh, certainly tax abatement would be one. Um, there was
reference to small area tax increment financing. Uh, there just, uh, really a whole lot of ideas
out there that we ... we could be looking at and ... and that particular study, I thought, did a good
job of...of reaching out and pulling a lot of those into their report.
Teague/ Okay. The final question is number seven. Are there other goals or expectations for the plan
that staff should understand?
Thomas/ I'll just mention a couple, um, I'm trying to for myself ..what ... what's the vision that I'm trying
to ... to, um, articulate here, and I ... I think in terms of timeline, um, I'd like ... I personally would
like to look at this as a 10 -year plan. Um, so ... so in terms of a time frame, you know, and
making dramatic strides in terms of meeting our affordability within that 10 -year period. Uh, I
also mentioned in the past the idea of, uh, tying our ...our program for housing, uh, in a
neighborhood framework. Uh, I think it's important, uh, you know, to acknowledge and
differentiate housing as it relates to different parts of Iowa City, uh, so that there's a good match
in that regard. If...if we do as Janice had suggested, uh, look for infill opportunities. I think that
really, uh, to ... to be successful with that kind of program, you need to have a much better
understanding of the neighborhood context. Um, and also that housing doesn't exist in
isolation. There ... there are important considerations that can come into play when you put it
within a neighborhood framework. Um, obviously transportation would be one of those pieces,
but you could also be looking at...at other ways that you could improve the quality of life, uh, as
you... as you address the ... the affordable housing piece as well.
Weiner/ (mumbled) add one more thing, which is I don't ... I don't think ...I think we need to be careful
not to ... to make sure that we're not leaving students out of the equation. And one of the ideas
that I had mulled over during... actually during the campaign like a little over a year ago was
trying to figure out how to marry up people who would like to stay in their houses. For
example, seniors who are ... who really may not be able to do all the heavy lifting, um, and
maintenance on their own, with, um, with students who could or...or other ...or young families or
someone who could really, um, live in ... live in a portion of the house for a reduced rent in
exchange for ...for, um, for certain services. So I don't know if that's ... if that's a realistic
approach, but there are ... there are different ways to make housing work ... and make it
affordable.
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Bergus/ I'd be interested in ... in us establishing some metrics on which to track our success. I mean,
my...I think especially with the action plan. It was like, you know, we wanna get these
programs underway and accomplish these, you know, some very discreet, concrete things. Um,
it'd be great, like with the climate action plan, right, we have a goal relating to our greenhouse
gas emissions, you know. Are their goals that we can set relating to how we measure affordable
housing and ... and what is, um, the proportion of families and individuals who are cost burdened
in ... in the community. I mean, that kind of thing ... that we can push towards starting with that
end in mind and ... be able to kind of track our progress.
Teague/ All right. Well, Geoff, you feel like you have enough?
Fruin/ Yeah, I ... I appreciate. That ... that was very ..very helpful and will help us get off to a good start
with this. So, again, just from a time frame standpoint, um, we'll ... we'll do some behind -the -
scenes work as staff over the next month and a half. Not ... not a whole lot, um, but well try
to ... we'll try to get this, uh, really kicked off and moving pretty good in January or early
February.
COVID-19 Updates:
Teague/ Great. Thank you. All right, COVID-19 updates. We do know that our Governor on the 16th
which, um, that was yesterday, um, gave some new, uh, mandates. So I might ... I'll just open it
up for now.
Weiner/ I mean I ... we've ... we've said it all multiple times, but the situation is really serious. The
situation is the most serious, I believe, that it's been since the beginning of the pandemic. Um,
hospitals are full, or are at capacity, or nearly at capacity. I believe UIHC is now basically
adding intensive care beds and shifting staff around the ... so, I mean, if you're not ... wearing a
face covering all the time, staying home when you can, social distancing, and all the rest, if you
haven't been doing that, this is the time to start doing it. We don't need our health system to
collapse. We need everyone to be part of the solution right now. Um, what the ... the phrase that
I've been using is public health isn't a popularity contest. It really is public health, and it's a life
or death matter.
Taylor/ Well I felt that I ... I got more out of our Joint Entities meeting and the "Think Iowa" webinar
that was a couple of days before that, as far as information about, you know, what's going on
out there in the state. Uh, it was very helpful to hear from the professionals that are out there,
uh, dealing with this. The ... the head of the hospital and, um, Sam Jarvis from Department of
Public Health, cause I ... I ... it's still not really clear to me what the Governor was trying to say, as
far as how ...what the extent of a mask mandate was as such, um, and confused about the 10:00
closing time and the numbers that can be inside versus outside, and I'm just afraid that a lot of
people still are very confused about those... those, uh, recommendations.
Teague/ Yeah, I ... I have to agree that it, you know, the Governor's orders were a little confusing, and so,
um, I personally won't even try to share what those were tonight cause I feel like you really
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have to read the order and dissect it to really understand, um, who's ... who's affected by the
order, who's exempt from the order, um, per line item. Um, you know, the indoor gatherings of
15, uh, more people, um, you know, how that's prohibited and... and... and the outside gatherings
of 30 or more people. So I ... I would encourage people really to go to the Governor's website
and look at the order, um, themselves, because it ... and ... and bring your notepad, um, in order for
you to be successful at adhering to all the things that, um, has been ordered.
Bergus/ Well and certainly our local mask mandate is still in place, and, I mean, Geoff, maybe if you
can just remind people, um, I think ... I seem to recall like for example for ...for bars. Um, if
there's reporting that's a different than ... than what we're asking people to report or maybe just
go over how to report if there is an issue or concern, um, with noncompliance.
Fastin/ Sure, um, yes the, uh, what we're asking folks to do is to ... to contact our police department,
uh,non-emergency number, and I'm not quick enough to pull that up and it's not committed to
memory, but it is ... uh, 319-356-6800. That's again a non -emergency number, and we will
dispatch an officer, uh, to ... to investigate, uh, the concern.
Weiner/ (several talking) ...in case there's any doubt that this is serious, the senior senator from Iowa
has now tested COVID positive, as has a new representative.
Taylor/ Yes and so we ... we've talked about this a lot, uh, and ... and I would like to say again that ... that
masks are effective in reducing the spread of COVID, uh, but there are additional measures, uh,
that are equally important. I ... I ... I was thinking about today and I kind of like to, uh, compare it
to like making a cake and you get all the ingredients but you don't get ... you don't have the flour
in there. So it's just not the same. So you need all the ingredients cause they're all important
and ... and the one that kind of stands out to me that people forget... seem to forget is to avoid
touching your face. Um, carry a little hand sanitizer with you cause you ... you just don't even
realize the number of surfaces that you touch, uh, door knobs, door handles, the keypads on
a ... an ATM, uh, keypads on the, uh, card, uh, chargers at the grocery stores, etc. Uh, those kinds
of things. Um, then you reach up and touch your face or touch your mask, and it's really
important to avoid that, uh, to avoid your eyes and your nose and your mouth, and ... and use
hand sanitizer when you ... you aren't able to wash your hands with soap and wa...
Bergus/ (garbled) ...emphasizing, um, just that we ... we do know how the disease spreads and we know
so much more than we did in the spring. In the spring we were very afraid. Right? We
didn't ... we didn't know what would be all the modes of...of transmission and having a much
better understanding of how much more dangerous indoors ... is than outdoors, and being able to
apply that, knowing that right now there's a lot of spread in ... in households, a lot of spread in
small family groups, um, and that, you know, please don't make that exception. Right? Limit
your contact to those who are in your household and know that just that one time of having a
few people over, or just that one time of being indoors, not wearing a mask, um, when you're
with others, really is what's causing a lot of spread right now, according to our public health
experts. So just, you know, be consistent. It isn't a mystery. Right? It may be hard. It may be
inconvenient. It may be frustrating, but we know how. So I think we can take hope in that and
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really just apply for ourselves that consistency, because we also know that a vaccine should be
on the way, and if we can really buckle down for a few months, I mean, light at the end of the
tunnel is incredibly, incredibly helpful. So now we know masks all the time indoors and
keeping your distance, and like, uh, Pauline said that, um, hand, uh, hygiene as well.
Continue discussion of Resolution (20-159) of Initial Council Commitments addressing the Black
Lives Matter Movement and Systemic Racism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by the
Minneapolis Police and calls for action from protesters and residents (IP4):
Teague/ All right! We are going to move on, and we're gonna go to, uh, Black Lives Matter movement
and systemic racism. Um, any ...I know that today is going to be a, uh, day where we talk about
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where we'll be havin' that discussion in our formal
meeting tonight at 7:00 P.M. We'll be makin' those appointments, and so I would, um,
recommend that people, um, definitely save any of that conversation for the 7:00 P.M. meeting.
Other than that, um, any updates anyone would like to share on ... on ... on this ... on this item? I
know that we went through last meeting and, uh, line -by-line just to give an update where we
were, um, and it seemed like you were continuin' with affordable housing, uh, conversation and
plan. The Reconciliation ... Truth and Reconciliation Commission is gonna be today and, um, I
think we are definitely on track at covering, um, keepin' on track with some things, and we'll
have a discussion about the Juneteenth, as well, um, a little later.
Fniin/ Mayor, I can just a .... a quick update on just what's changed in the last couple of weeks in the
report. Um, one, you're... you're considering your legislative priorities tonight. Um, so ... SO, uh,
based on our work session discussion that we had on November 2nd, I assume those'll be
adopted and move forward. Um, at your last, uh, meeting, uh, we took from the Council
discussion that ... that part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's, uh, task is going to be,
uh, really looking into the, um, the artistic expression, um, part of the ... the resolution. So we
will note that as part of the, uh, the task for that, uh, for that new commission. And then the, uh,
the Juneteenth holiday. Um, we'll be announcing this ... this Thursday. Um, that does not
require any Council action, but we'll be updating the Council in your weekly information packet
this Thursday. So that's where, uh, the bulk of the progress was and, um, of course staff is
continuing to work, uh... uh... uh, very hard on the preliminary plan that we'll present to you at
your December 15th work session.
Teague/ Great.
Fruin/ I also don't wanna... I don't wanna overlook. The, um, your, um, CPRB is ... is working hard too
on their ...on their piece of this, and I expect that they'll have their, um, recommendations and
thoughts to you, uh, in ... in the coming month as well. So, uh, it's not just, uh, staff that's
working on this. You've got, uh, commissions and ... and, uh, parts of the community that are
also, um, working on this, uh, on this report as well.
Clarification of Agenda Items: None.
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Information Packet Discussion (November 5, November 12):
Teague/ Great. All right. Thank you. Any other updates or comments? Clarification of agenda items.
Okay, we're gonna move on to info packet discussions, and we'll start with the November 5th
info packet and then we'll, uh, slowly move down to November 12`", but start with the
November P.
Weiner/ I just ... I just wanted to call people's attention to the racial equity report card. I thought there
was a lot of useful information in there and the tra... what ... the ... the some ... some are positive,
some not quite so positive, but basically the transparency is really, um, the key, as far as I'm
concerned.
Bergus/ I did have a question on that. There was some reporting, um, I think it was in the DI this week
that was kind of highlighting the percentage increase in, um, certain charges. Uh, this would be
criminal charges by race, and so I just wanted to get clarification kind of publicly on, um, if
that's because we're using gross numbers for that. So overall number of stops or charges
increases or is it proportionate?
Fastin/ I'm not sure I ... I'm following that. Can you repeat that?
Bergus/ Sure. So I'm looking in the info pack. It's on page six of the ... the .pdf, the actual, um, racial
equity report card. For example, has, um, traffic stops by race and ethnicity, um, and so there's
between 2015 and 2019, the number of, um, for example, traffic stops of Black or African
American individuals was up by 36%. And so as I did the math that looks like the gross
number, not as a percentage of population. Is that correct?
Fruin/ Yes, that's correct.
Bergus/ And so I think it might be helpful .... I believe we track that in our, um, the study that's done
annually, um, and ... and do that as a proportion of overall population, but I just wanted to make
sure that we weren't ... I felt like it was a little misleading... not misleading, but just maybe is
leaving that piece of the picture out that if by population or by percentage of population, those
stops are going down. That's what we want to see. That's what we want to celebrate, and so,
um, just wanted to highlight that increase is, um, not proportionate.
Fruin/ Yeah, and just as a reminder, um, the, uh, traffic stop data that we present, uh, annually, um,
uses, um, observations as the baseline. So we don't even use the ... the census population, but
we, um, the, um, St. Ambrose University that does that for us actually, um, does physical
observations of the driving public, um, and that's the baseline, because there's... there's a, um,
different makeups of...of the driving public in different locations in town. So when we study
that disproportionality, we really get to a finer level of detail, compared to ... to what you see
here on the ... on the racial equity report card. This is meant to be kind of high-level
transparency. It's really meant to ... for ...for you and for the public to ask more questions, and,
you know, uh, what do you see here that needs more explanation. How can we provide you that
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data. We know that traffic stops is a ... is a great point of focus and has been for the Council for
some time, and that's why we typically, uh, dedicate a work session to that topic alone every
year.
Teague/ All right.
Fruin/ I did wanna mention in that ... in that, um, packet as well, um, you will have seen the, um, update
from the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County, just accounting for how they're using our
funds. I think it's really encouraging as, um, they look at some of the projects in the queue that
they funded, and you can see those right there, just to see that there's a number of different
affordable housing projects, kind of in the hopper, um, waiting to ... waiting to, uh, happen over
the next month or so. Um, and ... and clearly our dollars are making an impact in helping those
move forward.
Teague/ All right, IP...well, November 12th information packet. And I know that, um, we'll discuss the
IP6. So maybe we'll start there, um, cause many things in this IP we've already discussed.
Fruin/ Yeah, so, uh, thanks, Mayor. We, um ... uh, wanted to get this in front of you for, uh, just some
direction. Make sure you're comfortable with this, but, uh, as ... as you know, we have not, uh,
we ... we suspended water shut offs, uh, at the onset of the COVID pandemic. Um, in this memo
we've provided you an update on, um, what the past due situation looks like, and I think when
Dennis chimes in hell have some updated numbers. Um, but what we're seeing is some really
rapid growth and in those past two numbers, um, at the time the memo was written, you know,
just in the last, uh, month we had seen over S 120,000 in new past due ... new past due funds.
Um, we're workin' hard to connect our residents, uh, with the State Utility Relief Program and
the local u ... local relief programs that you all have funded and that we've received some federal
dollars for, um, but we really need to, uh, we really need to think about how we're going to, um,
emerge from this in a ... in a very sensitive way with the public, and that's really what the staff
has ... has tried to do here is to ... is to think about how we move forward. Um, were obviously
not wanting to shut off anybody's water, uh, during the pandemic. Um, we wanna connect folks
with resources and ... and make sure that they're assisted in all way possible. Um, but we also
have to...we also have to run the water utility and make sure that we have, um, the funds to
continue to support that critical operation that we ... that we do. So, um, what we're suggesting
here is that, um, as of February 1 st of next year, um, we take all those past due amounts and we
focus on ... on developing payment plans for those past due amounts. and then those wont ... those
won't impact any wat... water shut-off decisions going forward. So I kind of think of that as
kind of the COVID balance. And then, uh, looking ahead, we kind of...we start fresh, um, and
we're really intentional about how we're trying to work with our ...with our customers, um, to
make sure that they know about the low-income discount program, to make sure that they know
about any other resources that are out there for utility relief, and, uh, and ... and hopefully, um,
get them, uh, in a more stable situation to which, uh, they can, uh, keep up with the, uh, utility
payments going forward. And then the other key piece of this is the water rate increase that we
had scheduled for this, uh, past July, which the Mayor has delayed a couple of times with his
emergency orders. We'd like to suggest that, uh, that be delayed again rill, uh, next July, which
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would make it a full year's delay. Um, so, Dennis, uh, can chime in with some updated
numbers, if ..if you have `em, Dennis. Uh... uh, anything I missed you can ... you can fill in, but
again, just lookin' for some Council... your... your level of comfort with this plan, um ... uh, so that
we can be prepared and... and, uh, kind of proactive in working with our ...our water customers.
Bockenstedt/ I can add that we did start to implement portions of this in October, where, uh, we did
send out letters. Um, we did expand the low-income discount program. And as we started
makin' efforts to, uh, connect people to those resources, uh, the ... the Center for Worker Justice,
the CommUnity, and the Shelter House, as well as the State, and we tried to get the word out
there to ... to get that assistance to people, um, and through those efforts over the past six weeks
or so, um, the number of (mumbled) accounts has dropped from 1,096 to 850, and the dollar
amount owed has dropped from 293,000 to 256,000. So we have some seen some
improvements in those outstanding balances and (mumbled) the amounts that are owed. Uh, we
did meet as a group, uh, the Public Works Director, the Water, uh, Utility Management staff, the
Utility Billing Management staff, and myself to talk about... kind of prudent ways that we
could, uh, help customers, um, and then try to return to normal operations and we ... we try to
take a, uh, little bit of a longer -range view to really target kind of the end of the fiscal year to try
and, um, really get things back to normal and ... and this is the program that we came up with.
Um, so it really, like I said, tries to provide that assistance where it is necessary, and fortunately
the State did offer a program that fits in well to this program, and ... and, uh, I guess I can just try
and answer whatever questions you have, if you read through there as far as how it will work
and what we intend to do.
Teague/ I have questions related to the changes implemented in ... in March, 2020. So number
three .... urn, so I understand the City discontinued filing liens against delinquent properties and
transferring uncollected amounts to the City's contract... contracted collection agency. Um, do
you know, because I think one of the future steps, uh, that is bein' suggested is that we
would... transfer this back to the ... to Valley Collection Services. Do you know if, when it goes
to them, if that becomes a part of their credit, um, as bein' delinquent?
Bockenstedt/ Um, we did have that conversation and ... and it does not. Uh, Valley Collection Services
really is not a ... what I'd say is a hardcore collection agency. Um, what they do is ... is more soft
type collections and ... and they really offer a wide range of collection services, and we can really
dictate of...of how we want them to do that, and that would include, you know, mostly like
setting up payment plans, which we're ... we really don't have the software or the staff to
(mumbled) 1,000 payment plans, where they do. Um, so they can set payment plans, they can
keep it off people's credit, um, they can do all sorts of things that you wouldn't... associate
normally with a collection agency. Uh, they're really more of a ... a service business that would
be managing these receivables for us. And so we can dictate to what level we want those
collections to be, and right now the conversations have been about really just set up payment
plans, makin' those connections, and in handling the collection of those balances.
Teague/ So if this was to go to the collections entity, um, what will be our efforts at sharing some of the
assistance programs, um, with these individuals that have these late payments.
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Bockenstedt/ Right now we're trying, I mean, we have sent two rounds of letters to everybody with a
past due balance, and we're also making phone calls to everybody that has a past due balance.
Um, we've also ... also issued press releases and put on our website, and so we're really making a
lot of efforts to connect with everybody that has an outstanding balance, to ... to hook them up
with the State program or one of the City programs, um, for them to be able to take care of
those balances, and so, uh, there would really not be anybody on this list that hasn't been
contacted several times, uh, or at least attempted to in a number of different ways, prior to ... that
they would ever go to a third -party, and the... really the idea of the third -party is ... is ... is just so
they can manage that receivable and from our angle we'll start a clean start for that individual.
And, uh, rather than say, well you owe us $300, they can set up whatever payment plans
that ... that can be managed, and from our perspective for water shut offs, late fees, cardings, um,
that's all a ... a clean slate.
Teague/ I just wanna make sure that, uh, Council understood you correctly, that, um, if this was, uh,
if Af all the late payments were to go to the Valley Collection Services, then the ... the services
that, um, will continue with the City would be a clean slate, per se, and so if I understood you
correctly, uh, that amount, once, um, it transfers over to Valley Collection Services, they'll work
with them to try to collect those payments on a payment plan or whatever the case may be, but
with the City services, it will then be, um, at a balance of zero, and then their new bill coming
out would just be whatever that new balance is, without any old balances. Is that what I
understand?
Bockenstedt/ That's correct, anything that is ... would be less than 30 days old, uh, would not go to them,
um, and everything would be written off from our perspective that's older than 30 days old.
And the intention of, you know, we ... we looked at setting up payment plans in-house for those
people that owe those balances, but, you know, our software is programmed in a way that it's
really not designed to handle that. It's designed to go through the collection process that we
have, that ... that we operate with. Uh, not to ... to really stray too far outside of that and
additional...(goes silent)
Teague/ You froze up (laughs)
Bockenstedt/ ...due to the quanti ... um, and we didn't know how many ...we didn't know how many that
was gonna end up being. And so, you know, managing 1,000 payment plans on top of our
normal collections is just really not something we're staffed or set up to do. Um, and so that's
where we, you know, contacted with Valley because really, um, you know, essentially they're
just ... at, you know, acting as an arm of the City, just to handle those collections. They wouldn't
do things like take them to court, file liens or, you know, or any of those things that you might
associate with ... with collection. It's very more of...of receivable management.
Salih/ But what the City going to benefit from... sending them to collection anyway?
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Bockenstedt/ Well, I said collection. You know, it's ... if...lot of people send those to collection and they
think of collection as ... as, you know, they're gonna ... do whatever they can to get that money out
of these individuals. This is really just managing as an extension of our current billing system
for ...for something that we're not programmed to handle, and that is to set up payments with a
large number of accounts, um, to help them, uh, pay those balances back, and it doesn't impact
the water shut off or late fees or anything of that nature.
Salih/ I just believes this is for normal time is ... is understandable. I don't know, but now I don't know
how we going to (mumbled) even though we know that the City done a very good job by
allocating a lot of money, uh, like, uh, to some organizations and referring people to State
programs and all this. Why we just ... (mumbled) for the ... before we send them to the
collections, because I don't see like direct benefit, uh, from sending them right now.
Bockenstedt/ Well they would not be sent until, uh, like after February. So they have a chance to ... to
(both talking) through City programs, State programs ... um, to ... to pay that bill off, um, up to
that point. Um, and so there's... there's funds available to allow them currently to pay those
balances off. Um, and so really this is ... this is later down the road, and even those that would
qualify for assistance, uh, we're offering an additional discount program. Now they would
qualify for through the end of the fiscal year, um, that normally they maybe would not. So, um,
in addition to, uh, bein' allowed to make a payment plan for old balances or gettin' them written
off through a State or City program, they would also, uh, be eligible for a discounted water bill
through the end of the fiscal year, which hopefully would be, uh, everything would look
differently come next year, but I guess there's no guarantee of that (laughs)
Salih/ But, Dennis, to be honest with your, the.... the... all this programs that pay assistance for people,
they don't pay collection bill. But they pay City bill, the water bill. When you take that out
from their bill, there will... their bill will reflect the current amount, which is not true. And
normally ...the (mumbled) they ask you to send your bill and you have to send your bill, that
doesn't have this money because this money went to collections. And as soon as in collection,
they don't ... I don't think like the State programs or any program will pay collection bill.
Bockenstedt/ Well, I ... I'm not sure how long the State program is gonna be around, and, um, if they're
eligible for that State program, you know, we're ... we're trying to get them connected with those
programs or City programs.... now. I mean, they ...we would not set them up on separate
payment plans until after February.
Frain/ Yeah, current... currently the State program is set to expire in, uh, December, first or second week
of December I believe. Um, and, uh, I ... I think as ... as Dennis mentioned, we can really set the
parameters with Valley so if there, um, if there are other programs, uh, utility relief programs
that ... that surface, uh, after the... after the new year, when these balances are out there, we can
work to make sure, I mean ultimately it's our ...it's our utility. So we can work through the
collection, uh, Valley Collections to ensure that those, um, balances are eligible for whatever
programs are designed. It could be that it's just our local programs remain. We don't know if
the State will come out with a new one. And in that case, you know, we set the rules for both
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the utility system and the... and the relief system. So, I'm pretty confident we can ... we can make
that work.
Salih/ Or the City maybe, yeah, because, uh, it is the City and City can do whatever (mumbled) for
their money, but I mean like right now with the new transition or like with new presidents come
out, maybe something from the (mumbled) would come out, and for ...for everyone, and that's at
least gonna take until after... after February, uh, to be implemented. So, you know, they are not
going to be eligible. I know that from my experience. Collections is not eligible for those kind
of things. And maybe the City money (garbled) that, and even I don't have since (mumbled)
also they ...if they will be eligible for collections, to pay collection money (mumbled)
Taylor/ This is Pauline. I ... I'd just like to thank you, Dennis, and your staff for, um, the time and
consideration you... you've taken on this project, um, over the last several months to ... to help
our most vulnerable, um, members of our population that are ... that are goin' through this crisis.
Um, and while I do have concerns about our decreased revenue and for how long we could
sustain that level of decrease, I ... I like the project, except I'm not comfortable with the February
date for turning the accounts over to the collection agency, uh, because, as we all know, the
number of positive cases here in Johnson County has continued to ... to skyrocket. Uh, so the
crisis that, uh, warranted the original assistance plan is actually worse than when we first
approved the plan. So I would prefer that we would hold off on ... on reporting those delinquent
accounts, um, till maybe early spring or even closer to the July date.
Mims/ I guess from my perspective, some of the things I've heard here, you know, that influence my,
um, response to this is, one, the amount that you mentioned, Dennis, that had been paid down,
um, was it ... somewhere between 30 and 50,000, you mentioned the balance had gone down.
Bockenstedt/ Right, yeah, so it's been paid down about $37,000 since we've started sending letters and
contacting, and the phone calls are really just to try and, um, inform people about State and
local assistance programs.
Mims/ So I think ... I think a couple of things happened here. There are definitely, definitely lots of
people who are not paying their water bill because they can't and... and we need to help them.
There's no question about that. There are also people who, when they realize that there's no late
fees and no penalties, will push it off even when they can afford to pay it. And they will, you
know, they'll put it as a lower priority or whatever. And certainly, I think, for that amount to
have been paid off in that amount ... in that short period of time since these calls and letters have
started going out, indicate that there are people, um, who do have the means to pay it off. And I
think it's important that the City get its finances, uh, for a ... for an enterprise fund like our water
fund, um, to make sure that they're on track. There's nothing more important than being able to
provide clean water for the members of our community. Um, I think the ... the plan that the staff
has put together is incredibly compassionate in terms of working with an agency that is not
going to report these, um, to the credit bureau. Um, I trust with what Geoff says. If they can
work with this agency to make sure that any balances that they are holding, uh, can somehow
be, uh, labeled, um, so that they would qualify for any programs that might come out there. I
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believe that ... that staff would be able to make that happen. Um, so I think we ... this is gonna be
inevitable, and I think the longer we go on, um, it...it just helps people get ... dig themselves
deeper. Um, but in the meantime, we've got staff that are really working hard to get them
connected to any programs out there as quickly as possible. So I'm supportive of what staff has
put together.
Salih/ Dennis, I have another question. For the... you... you just said that the ... this collection agency will
not report this to the credit bureau. You mean, like, for example, my...if I ... my...if you send me
to the collection now, and I did not pay it at all, this not gonna affect the credit.
Bockenstedt/ That's correct.
Salih/ And the City still going to give me water?
Bockenstedt/ That's correct. Now I will say that ... we ... uh, we are given the direction to Valley. I mean,
they ...they will do whatever we ask them to do. So, you know, that would be maybe the current
direction we would give them now. Um, you know, and as they go through that process and
there's still accounts that are unpaid after that, you know, uh, you know, then the Council would
have that discretion to take a look at that program, but, um, you know I ... I believe that most
people once, you know, like the ones now when we're touching base with them are ... are making
their payments that they can, and I believe, uh, most individuals will set up payment plans and
make payments that they can and and so, um, at least I'm optimistically thinkin' that that would
be a ... a minority of the people that would... that would do neither.
Frain/ I think the, um, Council needs to know, and I think staff realizes, that we're not gonna collect
100% of these ... these balances. It's just not gonna happen. And if we're not willing to take a ... a
hard stance, then we just have to accept that and we're gonna have some, um, some past dues
that we just never... never collect, um, but staff is comfortable with that. We think that ... we
think this approach aligns with your values and with our previous, uh, conversations that we've
had with you. Um, I think the important thing is is we gotta ... we gotta quit ... we gotta keep that
balance from ballooning up so high, to where it has a really negative impact on our ...on our
utility accounts, and ... and this was the balance that ... that we struck, um, that we think will ... will
be able to help us get back on ... on our kind of normal process, but also treat people, um, very
fairly, very patiently, and in a non -punitive manner.
Weiner/ I guess I would ... I'm generally supportive, uh, referring to what Paul... Councilor Taylor said,
given when the new administration comes in and the unknowns of that right now with respect to
the... to the U.S. Senate, control of the U.S. Senate and when ... if or when there may be another
relief package coming, um, I would be more comfortable if it pushed off one more month, so
that ... to give what the new administration basically two months to see if February and March to
see what they are able to do. Otherwise I think it's a reasonable way to proceed. My main goal
is that we not cut off water and make life tougher for people who are already having a really
hard time under COVID, or put them in a ... in a very difficult situation with respect to repaying,
and if we can ... and if...and if we're doing that, then that, you know, that meets my value goals.
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Bergus/ Yeah, I ... I at first when I read the memo was concerned, I think, for the same reasons that
Councilors Taylor and Weiner referenced in terms of the timing. But hearing more of the
details and understanding kind of the ... the clean slate and payment plan idea, I think this is
actually a benefit for those residents who ... who wanna start getting out from under that through,
you know, having a payment plan. Because otherwise, as I understand it, you know, if we delay
the implementation of something like this, then they'll just continue to accrue past due balances
without the benefit of a payment plan, with us just kicking the can as to how those get dealt
with. So I think this is a very measured and again non -punitive way to come up with, um, you
know, a ... a compromise that ... that allows us to collect from those who can, in a way that is, you
know, doable for them without punishing those who can't.
Salih/ I really for myself I really think that we don't, uh, we really don't want to send this to collection
on February 1st and also we don't want to shutdown the water starting March 1'. This is, you
know, I think we need to wait until we're, you know, to see what happen and what coming. Uh,
earlier I heard a lot of Council, uh, especially Janice and Laura, said that this is the
pandemic ... right now is really, uh, very bad, more than ever, and if we ... we, you know, did not
shut the water or did not send them to collections and give them (mumbled) beginning of the
pandemic and now with this is going to happen all over again, um, a lot people is still going to
lose their job, a lot people still going ... are not going to find job, and giving the fact that there is,
you know, new administration coming. maybe that will ... they will give us something, and also
given the fact that, you know, the collections bill is not going to be paid by all those reliefs, you
know, like a system may out there, given the fact that the State program right now taking over,
uh, one month to approve the utility. I have a lot people that we help `em apply for the State,
but they did not get it yet. And the, you know, like I see a lot people at the Center for Worker
Justice. You know, if you see the report that we send it to the City, we just been writing checks
to the City of Iowa City and writing checks to the Mid America. People just suffering from
those two, you know, the housing was very good by the State. State was all, you know, like
approving the housing very quick. But, you know, for somehow the utility, maybe because they
give it to another organization or another company, it takin' a little bit, you know, time. Uh, I
just believe that let us push it a little bit and see what the next, you know, the coming months
bringing to us, like February and after March, we can decide, you know, what we're going to do.
I really don't support shutting off the water on February, sorry, 30 on March and sending the
collection February.
Weiner/ I wasn't hearing anything about shutting water off, was I?
Teague/ It's number four. Of C.
Salih/ Yeah, I think say March 1' resume shutting the water. Yeah.
Teague/ Uh huh.
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Mims/ But if people get in the payment plan and their slate is wiped clean with the City, then they
won't be in a position, hopefully, that ... that that would be an issue at that point.
Salih/ I really appreciate what the City does. You know, we ... we been like, uh, really setting this
exam ... the standard high for all the city around us. We ... we ... from the money that, you know,
we receive from County and from the City, we've been helping people paying their utility, uh,
water especially, and even for the other cities that doesn't have, uh, the same things. Yeah Iowa
City really set the standard high because we have all this assistant available. But believe me
there is some people is still they don't know about this. When the people come there they have
$600, over $600 for us to pay and we cannot go over 600, and sometime they have 600 for
water and they have electricity. We have to divide the 600 that the Center for Worker Justice
maximum can give. I just wanna tell you that people ... is still some people they don't know.
That's why we refer `em to a lot people. So just give them a little time (mumbled) extremely
hurting them bad and, uh, everybody's care about their credit, and a lot people they don't know
that the City is not shutting the water, by the way. Uh, they ...they will say like, oh my
goodness, this is now becomes extended. Of course they gonna shut down my water. So, uh,
just give them chance, please!
Teague/ I have a question about, um, so February 1', that's when all the utilities will be switched over
to this collection agency. So anything up until ... I'm assumin' the 31 st of January, or maybe it's
the end of December. All of those payments will be ... that are 30 days plus overdue, will go to
Valley Collection Services, is that correct?
Bockenstedt/ Right. Once we turn over to Valley, um, we would zero out their accounts, uh, in our
system.
Teague/ Correct.
Bockenstedt/ And so at that point, uh, they would be contacted by Valley to set up payment plans, uh,
for whatever that they could pay. Whether it's $5, $10 a month or whatever. Um, and at that
point, you know, we would just resume our normal billing process where they would get a bill.
It would be due within a certain time period and so forth.
Teague/ All right. So what ... what old bills would be in that ... like what date around would be given over
to Valley?
Bockenstedt/ It would be around the ... in the (mumbled) They go in billing cycles. So like that first
billing cycle in February, you know, those bills, we've got for normal past due balances. That
would be more than 30 days old. Prior to that, we would ... create a ... a file of those past due
accounts, um, and then we would hand that over to, uh, the agency, um, and then they would try
to set payment plans for those individuals.
Teague/ So potentially December and January ...could be turned over to the collection agency, is that
correct?
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Bockenstedt/ Uh, no. I mean, maybe the bills that they would owe could be for December and January,
but, um, those ... they would not be turned over (mumbled) they would not be separate payment
plans until after February 11.
Teague/ Okay.
Bockenstedt/ And they could still pay up to ... up to that February date. They could still pay their City
bill with the City.
Teague/ I'm trying to understand like ... um, let's say I haven't paid my water bill since, um, October,
and then, you know, because I didn't have the funds, and so I'm trying to figure out what amount
could be turned over to Valley Collection as, um, a separate request for funds, and then I
understand that we will reset the account within the City to zero. That's what I'm trying to get
at, and I don't know that I understand that correctly.
Bockenstedt/ Sure. So for instance, say you have a ... an outstanding water bill now. So you haven't
paid for a couple months. So right now we would direct you to one of the agencies or the State
program, and so if you had a COVID-related reason for not paying your bill at the State, um, or
with whatever they're collecting at Shelter House and so forth, they would pay your bell for
you. So ... so then you would owe nothing. So if you would go to one of these agencies and they
would pay your bill, and it...it...right now we're not adding any fees, we're not adding any
charges. If it was not COVID- related, you would not be eligible for one of those programs.
We still would not be adding fees or trying to collect your account. So right now, if...if you
have a .... a COVID-related reason that you're not paying your bill, the State will pay your bill
off for you, or you know, we have assistance programs that will give them money to help pay
their bill. Um, even though maybe they don't have that COVID-related reason they're not
paying their bill, we are not currently actively taking steps to ... to collect those bills, other than
our ...maybe them getting a statement in the mail. So come February, if you had a COVID-
related purpose, hopefully we'll have connected everybody to resources for them to get their bill
paid up. After that point, they'd still owe dollars and it's not a COVID-related, we would just
have to set up payment plans with those individuals, so that they could pay their bill, but we
would not shut off their water. We'd essentially zero out their ...their account for the City, so
that they would not go into a water shut off cycle. They would not go into, uh, late fees cycle or
anything like that. Instead we would have them... Valley Collection would contact them to set
up a payment plan for the amount that is owed. Uh, but up until that point, we are trying to
connect those individuals that owe balances to the resources that would help them to pay those
bills off. In addition to that, if they have that COVID-related reason that they're not paying
their bill, they would be eligible to sign up for a discount program and get a large portion of
their water bill, utility bill forgiven through the remainder of the fiscal year. So those ... we're
providing a lot of resources there to assist those people that are impacted by COVID-19
economically, and if those people that are not paying their bills and do not have a COVID
purpose, they're still getting... because they're still not getting late fees, shut off fees. They're
not getting' their water turned off. In addition to that, we will set up payment plans for them
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with no interest, no charges, for them to pay off the balances that they owe. So it really, um,
you know, it's not lumping everybody together as COVID that has a past due bill or non-
COVID. We're givin; them those resources to ... to pay their bills and assistance, um, I guess,
that's suitable to ... to what their... what their needs are.
Teague/ Okay. So I think for myself, um, I do believe that this is, you know, the City has definitely
looked at this, um, the staff have, um, it, you know, uh (laughs) compassionately I think that
you all really did dive into this. I'm ... I'm going to at least go with one month delay, uh, with the
March 11, shifting everything up a month, um, is where I would be. I think that allows for other
programming to ... um, we'll see what other programs will come out. I know there's an
extension., uh, even with the State that Geoff kind of cited, um, that the cutoff will be I think
it's... December 4th is actually the date and then we'll have a new administration, uh, nationally.
Um, and so maybe there will be some more um, programming coming that way. So I'm
comfortable with this, except I would prefer that it be everything shifted a month ... with the
exception of number five.
Longenecker/ Council, if I may interject here, just quickly to play off of that, um, on behalf of students
just knowing, um, on the timing piece that as this new administration comes in, it has been
talked about that we may be going back into lock down at some point for a four to six-week
time span, and when that happened in March, many students were furloughed or lost their jobs,
um, and many are not eligible for federal or state aid because they're full time students, and
even if they were able to get unemployment, um, through the State, it's still not... oftentimes not
enough to cover their bills. Um, so when we're talking about when to start water .... water shut
offs and when to start collection again, and knowing that that time period may be when we're
either in lock down or coming off of it, we may have a lot .... many more citizens who
are... including students and especially lower-income people, who all of a sudden have a totally
new financial situation than they do right now. Um, so I ... I would be in support of, um, and
USG would be in support of, you know, delaying this to ensure that students and other
individuals in the city have, um, that there is time to know what that situation looks like as the
new administration comes in and to see where COVID goes.
Teague/ So what I've, thank you, uh, what I've heard so far is, um, there's no true consensus, except I
did hear Weiner, Taylor, and myself, uh, suggest a one-month delay. I heard Mayor Pro Tem,
um, suggest a delay, I think it was more of an indefinite delay. Um, I sort of heard Councilor
Bergus support a delay, but I ... I wasn't certain if one month would be sufficient or not.
Bergus/ Actually, Mayor, I think implementing it sooner rather than later and being able to adjust in the
fixture if the situation gets worse is most advantageous for our ability to plan and our ability to
help get folks on payments plan ... payment plans.
Teague/ Yes, and thank you for that correction. Now I recall. Yep. (both talking)
Mims/ Yeah, I ... I'm sorry, I agree with Councilor Bergus. I think getting those balances off the City's,
you know, ledgers and actually so that people can start fresh with the City, and try to set up a
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Page 23
payment plan with ... with the other company if...if they possibly can. I really think that is
actually to their advantage as well. Um, as Councilor Bergus said, we can always make
adjustments as we go forward, and I think to expect anything even remotely coming out of the
new administration in any short period of time ... I think is incredibly optimistic, given the
divisions in (mumbled) in Washington.
Salih/ Mayor, can I ask another question? I really don't understand if we (mumbled) just, uh, Council
Mims said, uh, this is for their benefit. It was really this is for their benefit because they gonna
start fresh. Why we just forgive them, that ... if we know that maybe they are not gonna pay that
or...what different the collection company going to do to those individual so it make them pay
the collection and not paying the City? If those individual have money, why should they pay
the collections and the collection is not going to report it, and not paying the City. In the same
time, we are really takin' advantage for them, like taken that ... that (mumbled) they can use the
City bill to apply for assistant. I ... I really don't understand that then, if you can just explain it
for me.
Bockenstedt/ Well, I think those people that eligible for our assistance, uh, we are connecting with, uh,
as many ways as possible to give them that assistance. I'm guessing that the majority of those
people that are being ... gonna be turned over to try and set up payment plans are those that
would not be eligible for assistance. Now, if it turns out that there are some ... that they are
contacted to set payment plans and they are eligible for assistance, um, I don't believe we would
have any, uh, any problems trying to get that assistance to them, but we wanna get the
assistance to as many people as possible before they even get to that point. And so that's why
we're... we're makin'...like I said we're makin' phone calls, sending letters, press releases,
website postings... because we wanna touch base with everybody, to ... to do everything we can to
get those accounts paid off before we would go about trying to set up payment plans.
Salih/ Are you sending it different language or just English?
Bockenstedt/ I'm sorry. Pardon me?
Salih/ Like the way that you communicate to those people, is this in different language or just English?
Bockenstedt/ We're sending out the notices ... I'm not sure which languages are bein' sent and I, uh, that
I'm not aware. I'm guessing that they're just being sent in our regular... regular letters. So but
we ... we are getting calls, we are directing them to, uh, other agencies, and we do have, uh,
interpreter services if people ... if we are connected or contacted.
Salih/ And...this question for Geoff, if you can tell me how much money we have left in CommUnity
and Shelter House, for assistance. Do you still have money or it's gone?
Frain/ Yes, we still have money. I believe that Shelter House has requested an additional, uh, 25,000 an
amendment. Um, they have another 50 that they could request based on Council's past
resolutions and I think CommUnity's still on their first allotment as well.
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Salih/ Yeah, that's... that's what really clearly tell me the people, some people don't know about it. And,
you know, word of mouth is really is spreading very like quick, uh, especially among
communities that they don't speak English. Maybe they come across (mumbled) you know, the
advertising or the newspaper (mumbled) but they don't understand what's going on. That's why
it's very important for us to give people time. (mumbled) you know, utility bill to December,
maybe they go in with this pandemic like increasing they will push it to January or February,
you know, if, um, at least I can be open to support the one months that the Mayor and, you
know, the few Council said, but without really like probably that we're gonna come back to it if
things getting worse.
Teague: Yeah, and—and I think for me the reason I say the one month is for various reasons, but it
would allow us time to come back, uh, if we needed to. I did wanna hear from Councilor
Thomas.
Thomas/ Yeah, I, you know, February 1 st is two and a half months from here, from where we are now.
I mean, I ... it seems to me there's... there's time, uh, between now and February 1 st to kind of
monitor the situation and if we need to, if we feel ... once we have better information as we
approach that date, if we ...we find that, you know, it's ... makes sense to extend it another month,
uh, so be it. But for now, it seems with ... with the forgiveness, with the, uh, payment plans, uh,
there's also the discounted rate we're trying to get that information out that, uh, as I understand
it, you know, that setting COVID aside, it may be possible for people to qualify for discounted
utility rates. So there are a number of things in place here. It seems like a good plan. Um, you
know I'm ... for now feel the February 1 st date seems reasonable. Um, but as ... as we get closer to
that date, I think we can ... that, you know, look at it again and evaluate whether it makes sense
or not to extend it.
Council updates on assismed boards, commissions, and committees:
Teague/ All right, so it sounds like I have a majority for extendin' it one month, unless someone has
changed their thoughts, and those majorities, uh, the individuals were Weiner, Taylor, Teague,
and Mayor Pro Tem. Correct me if I'm wrong. All right, so it will be extended one month. All
right. We have about 11 minutes left, so ... maybe. Yes, 11 minutes left. I wanted to go ahead
and move on to Council updates on assigned boards, commissions, and committees.
Taylor/ I don't have anything.
Teague/ Okay. Anyone else? I know I had some things. But normally, I have my little smiley face to
remind me to (laughs) remind me to report. All right. If nothin' else for this time, I think we'll
be adjourned until our 7:00 P.M. meeting... our formal meeting, and remember to sign into a
different Zoom link for that meeting. So we'll see everybody later. Bye.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council work session of
November 17, 2020.