HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-17 TranscriptionPage 1
2. Proclamations
2.a. National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
Teague: We're going to start with item number 2, 2.a. is a proclamation, and I've asked Councilor
Weiner to, uh, do this one.
Weiner: (reads proclamation) Um, and accepting on, um, behalf of the Local Homeless Coordinating
Board is Kathryn Davis.
Davis: Uh, thank you, um, on behalf of the Local Homeless Coordinating Board. I just wanted to thank
the City of Iowa City for the number of collaborative efforts they've been making towards, uh,
the many projects. Uh, we've been trying to, uh, prevent homelessness and improve the lives
of, uh, people in our community through education, advocacy, use of resources. Uh, the City
has been, uh, providing a lot of resources to us to try and combat that. Uh, our winter
emergency shelter, our coordinated entry program in order to, uh, prioritize those most in need
of our services, and, um, all of our other efforts. Uh, thank you very much.
2.b. National Native American Heritage Month
Teague: Great! Thank you, um, Kathryn. All right, um, Item 2.b. is our na... uh, National Native
American Heritage Month and this will be accepted by Jason Glass, um, who is, um, here on
behalf of the Human Rights Commission. (reads proclamation) And again, to accept this is
Jason Glass, uh, Human Rights Commissioner.
Glass: Good evening, everyone. Uh, I'm humbled to accept this proclamation on behalf of the Iowa
City Human Rights Commission. America is a vast land of many cultures, dating back
thousands of years to the original inhabitants of our land. The history, heritage, and culture of
Native Americans should be learned and celebrated by all who now call this land home. You
don't have to look far. It's in the faces of our neighbors, the names of so many of our local
locations, and in numerous stories. Like much in America, that history is a mix of triumph and
tragedy. It is incumbent on all of us to understand our past and to present, uh... and present to
acknowledge our successes and failures and use those lessons to build a better future. There is
no greater example this ... of this than in supporting Native American cultural awareness and
education and the vital role it has and continues to play in our nation's story. Thanks to all of
our fellow Americans who are part of the Native American community and to their past and
continued contributions to our culture and society. As always, thank you to the Iowa City
Council for using your platform to elevate the celebration and for your continued support of
human rights in Iowa City.
2.c. Small Business Saturday
Teague: Thank you, Jason. The next proclamation is 2.c., Small Business Saturday, and I don't know if
Councilor Mims got my request for her to read this. Did you or did you not?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 2
Mims: Yeah, sorry, I did not see that.
Teague: That is fine, I'll read it. I won't put you on the spot (laughs)
Mims: Sorry about that (laughs)
Teague: No worries. All right. (reads proclamation) And to accept this on behalf of the Iowa City Area
Business Partnership is Jennifer Banta.
Banta: Thank you, Mary .... Mayor Teague, for this proc.... (goes silent) ...clamation. Small businesses
are the backbone of our community and a vital part of our economy. Nowhere is that more
evident than here in Iowa City, where are unique and innovative small businesses are the
backdrop for a vibrant, thriving community. During this holiday season, you can help small
businesses by continuing to shop locally safely, shop locally online, order delivery or pickup
from your favorite restaurants, and buy gift cards to gift to others or use yourself later.
Holida... holiday campaigns, such as our "Keep the Cheer Here" campaign is intended to
encourage local spending and keep the dollars here to fuel our economy and sustain our small
businesses. Join us in supporting local businesses during this challenging time and continue to
shop, eat, and think local on November 28th and every day. Thank you.
2.d. Transgender Remembrance Day
Teague: Thank you. And our last proclamation for the evening is, uh, Item 2.d., Transgender
Remembrance Day. (reads proclamation) And to accept this is No ... uh, Noemi Ford and she'll
be receptin.... acceptin' this on behalf of the Human Rights Commission.
Ford: Thank you, uh, Mr. Mayor, and I really appreciate that you actually pronounced my name
correctly. This means a lot. Uh, this is not my first time accepting this, uh, Remembrance Day,
um, Proclamation, and I want to thank the City and you for paying attention for such an
important human need in our community, and while we all can enjoy the benefits of our city and
what, uh, acceptance and human values we hold dear to our heart, I also want to remind
everybody we ... we will live in a state in a country where not everybody thinks and feels the
same way as we do about human rights and transgender issues. So the struggle continues.
Thank you.
Teague: Thank you so much. All right, we're going to move on to our Consent Calendar, Items 3 — 8.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 3
9. Community Comment
Teague: And this is, uh, community comment for any item that is not on our agenda. Uh, we ask that
you raise your hand if you would like to, uh, address Council at this time, and also, um, we ask
that you keep your comments three to five minutes. David, welcome.
Drustrup: Thank you, Mayor, can hear me okay?
Teague: Yes!
Drustrup: Great. Um, so let's begin with a couple of things quick. Um, so first off, in the information
packet that was available, um, there's the last Human Rights Commission meeting and their 7-2
vote, uh, in favor of IFR having a seat at the table during BLM discussions, and I noticed that
wasn't discussed during the work session or on the agenda tonight, so it'd be nice to hear y'all
speak, um, to why that information from your Human Rights Commission isn't being discussed,
and if it'll be on the agenda for next meeting. Um, and Councilor Bergus spoke with IFR this
last week and, uh, one of her concerns was that, um, maybe it felt like IFR has only recently
been talking about the mental health response teams. No, we're not talking about all the other
issues. And, you know, this is ... this is exactly why the Human Rights Commission
recommended that we be able to speak with Council during BLM discussions. You know
this ... this five minutes of public comment is a pretty terrible way to communicate between
Council and public. I mean, we would love to meet with you and offer resources and labor, and
we've offered that several times. Um, and when we're limited to just five minutes of public
comment, you know, we ... we don't have the ability to have any meaningful communication with
you. And, you know, once I'm done talking here, the Mayor is gonna say what I imagine is the
only thing he's allowed to say which is, "Thank you, David." (mumbled) so and so. And there's
just no conversation. It's just sort of us talking at you and we have no reason to believe that
Councilors are even listening, since the majority of issues that we bring up are never addressed
again. Um, so that's why we often talk about the only thing that seems like you're willing to
discuss that's of systemic substance, which is the mental health response teams. Um, one of the
other issues that we ... we talked about with Councilor Bergus last week was forming a working
group, like the TRC, um, which I know a lot of IFR folks found very successful, at least the
working group p art of it was very successful. So it's unfortunate that that idea wasn't brought
up again or discussed during the work session. Um, but either way, you know, this method of
communication that we have going on now just doesn't work that well, when the public has no
real way of knowing what Council is doing or thinking with so many of these important issues
we have going on. You know, just like last month when the City acted behind closed doors to
apply for the grant for the (can't hear) model. I mean, we've just got to find abetter way to find
clear and consistent communication working together on all this stuff. Thank you.
Teague: All right. Thank you, David. And now we'll have ... hear from Nicholas.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 4
Theisen: Uh, good evening, Council. Um, first I want to begin by seconding everything David just
said. It's, um, extremely apropos and this is an extremely clunky way to communicate with you
all. I wanna address just one issue, uh, specifically from the work session, and that has to do
with the affordable housing action plan. I just want to remind everyone on Council, I mean, I've
actually said this in the past, but it's seems apropos. That in the four and a quarter years that
you've had an affordable housing action plan, the situation that that plan, sorry, the
circumstances that that plan has meant to address have actually gotten precipitously worse, and
when I say precipitously worse, I mean they've gotten worse in the four and a quarter years
you've had the plan than at any time before you had the plan. And why is that? Part of the
reason is that (laughs) the plan is woefully incomprehensive and especially with regards to the
terrible decisions you all make with regard to approving basically any development that comes
across your desk. So the thing is, whatever modest gains the action plan has made, and they are
extremely modest, they're entirely wiped out by the fact that you keep approving all of these
high-end housing projects that just consistently year after year after year increase the cost of
rent in the city. So the thing is, in order for your plans to actually be comprehensive and to have
the effects that they need to have, not only do you need to address what you should be doing,
but you also need to be addressing what you should not be doing. So, I've said it before, but I
really think that you need to bear that in mind when it comes into sort of the planning stages for
these things, and that's all I have to say for this evening. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you, Nicholas. Would anyone else like to address Council? If so, please raise your
hand, or if you're on the phone, press *9. Seeing no one, we will move on to Item 10, Planning
and Zoning Matters.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 5
10. Planning and Zoning Matters
10.a. Rezoning — Camp Cardinal Road — Ordinance conditionally rezoning approximately
3.18 acres of land located north of Camp Cardinal Boulevard and west of Camp Cardinal
Road from Neighborhood Public (P-1) zone to Community Commercial with a Planned
Development Overlay (OPD/CC-2) zone.
1. Public Hearing
Teague: Um, I'm going to open up the public hearing... and staff presentation please.
Sitzman: Good evening, Mayor, Council. Danielle Sitzman, Neighborhood and Development Services.
This is an application submitted by MMS Consultants on behalf of the landowner John Harding
for a planned development overlay rezoning of approximately 3.1 acres of land from
Neighborhood Public (P-1) zone to Community Commercial with a planned development
overlay. Um, this land is located at the corner of Camp Cardinal Boulevard and Camp Cardinal
Road, across the street from (can't hear) Gathering Place Lane. As you may recall, we've had
another application recently in regards to this development. There are three total applications
making their way through you, uh, for a future development of the Community Center at this
location. The first application, which you've already seen, was for a change to the comp plan
future land use map. This is the rezoning of the land and a little bit later on on your agenda
would be a vacation of right-of-way request, as well. Um, this shows the existing zoning as ... as
I said, is proposed to be rezoned to, uh, an overlay zoning district with a, uh, community
commercial zone as well. Um, because the land does contain several sensitive features that are
regulated by our zoning code, there is a ... a reason for the overlay district to be in place to
address those sensitive land features. Um, since our sensitive areas ordinance is intended to
permit and define the reasonable use of properties that contain these kinds of sensitive features,
allowing for development while protecting resources from damage. As with, uh, many types of
rezoning actions, we review for two main criteria having to do with the comprehensive plan and
compatibility with existing neighborhood. Um, in this case, as I mentioned, there was an
amendment to the comprehensive plan's future land use plan map to align, uh, that map with
this proposed change that was known to be, uh, coming through the review process. That
change was approved based on evidence of circumstances changing both in the surrounding
neighborhood. evolving from a mix of, um, open space and preservation, as the land was
previously owned by the County and planned for public use. And as the County sold the land at
anticipating future commercial development of being an appropriate buffer between the more
intensive Highway 218 uses and the less intensive residential uses to the east. Again, because
of the sensitive features this does, um, have a sensitive areas, uh, development plan that is
working its way through with this rezoning. Um ... in regards to that sensitive feature of a
jurisdictional wetland being, uh, on the site, the City's ordinance does require buffers around
wetlands. Um, it does also include a mechanism for, um, rather than maintaining a set distance
uniformly around a wetland to average the buffer distance, depending on circumstances on the
site. In this case, the development, uh, access to the ... this land for development is restricted to
Camp Cardinal Road on the eastern side of the sli... slide, rather than Camp Cardinal Boulevard
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 6
as Camp Cardinal Boulevard is an arterial street and we try to limit vehicular access directly
onto arterials. That does put, um, some pressure on part of a wetland in this section to be
undisturbed by redevelopment. Um, therefore the applicant has chosen to, um, try to
accommodate and minimize the amount of disturbance to the wetland by averaging the buffer
distance and preserving more of the actually higher quality wetlands that are, uh, located
elsewhere on the site. Uh, included in the packet was a analysis of that buffering. The
proposed buffering meets our ordinance. It actually preserves more wetland than if we just
applied a standard buffer distance, uh, approximately 2,000 square feet more of wetland, and
again, preserves, um, the higher quality areas of the wetland elsewhere on the site, um,
preserving them from future development in fact because of the buffer. Um, the applicant also
went through the wetland delineation reporting process required because of the Army Corps of
Engineers, um, jurisdiction here. Um, that process determined that they did not actually need to
comply with any mitigation for the Army Corps. However, our ordinance requires wetland
mitigation, um, to be provided and at a higher ratio. So in this case, the applicant will be
providing compensatory mitigation of the wetland disturbance and outlined on the slide is
several ways that they're going to do that. Primarily they're focusing on improving the areas of
the wetland that can be improved, um, in that kind of in-between area where they might be
slightly impacted. Other features, sensitive features on the site includes a stream corridor
(mumbled) critical ... I mean steep, critical, and protected slopes. Um, in both cases the applicant
is proposing to comply with our ordinances for those features. Um, the areas on the slide
highlighted in the two shades of blue are areas that they are impacting that were, um, actually
previously man-made features. So they are, um, compliant with our ordinance and definitely
not impacting any protected slopes. Um, there are four standards for Planned Unit
Developments, in addition to the sensitive areas that we ana... analyze when something triggers
a planned overlay district. We look at some additional criteria. The first of that criteria... criteria
really has to do with on-site conditions, um, everything from the density of residential
development, which is not planned for this redevelopment, to the land use, um, and, um, mass
scale and general layout of the development, as well as open space and traffic circulation. In
this case, the proposed uses I ... as I said Community Event Center, which would be classified as
a hospitality -oriented retail use and is compatible with the zoning requests in the comp plan. As
far as mass scale and general layout, um, the proposed development is a two-story building,
approximately 7,800 square feet with some outdoor patio space as well. Um, and it would be
required to conform with the City's commercial site development standards. Regarding traffic
circulation and on-site impacts, um, as I said there would be a single point of access of Camp
Cardinal Road. Um, City Transportation Planning staff have identified that as sufficient as a
means of egress. Also the types of trips generated from the site are expected to be, um, event
traffic and occurring on off-peak travel pattern times and so not impacting the larger
neighborhood, and that there would be sufficient capacity to accommodate that... those projected
vehicle trips. Uh, the next criteria ... the next three criteria really have to do with offsite impact.
So looking at the provision of utilities to the site, um, City water and sanitary sewer are
available to the site. Staff does recommend that, um (mumbled) be required of the developer
for the upgrading of a small section of the site. Um, basically Camp Cardinal Road is only
improved to about this location and there's an additional 25 -feet to the northern property line of
the subject property that would need to be approved. So according to City ordinances and the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 7
percentages outlaid there, staff has con... included a condition that, um, requires a set-aside of
money for future improvements to that street. The third and fourth conditions, again, having to
do with off-site improvements, have to do with, um, impacts to views and property values and
any other kinds of, um, variances requested through the rezoning. Um, as I said, the mass and
size of this building is fairly low. There's also significant existing trees that will be preserved to
the south and west to limit views and buffer the event center from the view of the surrounding
neighborhood, um, and the applicant has not requested any waivers in addition to what we've
already reviewed to modify the underlying zoning. As far as next steps, um, shown here in
orange is the step that we're at with the rezoning, uh, to (mumbled) district. Urn, as I said,
there's one more agenda item on your agenda this evening having to do with vacation that is
coming through. So based on the review of the relevant criteria and the specific criteria for
OPD rezoning. staff did recommend approval of the proposed rezoning with two conditions.
The first condition having to do with the provision of a 15 -foot wide utility easement. That has
to do with an existing ... a utility that's in place that would be impacted by the future vacation,
uh... uh, agenda item coming up tonight, and also the, um, payment of funds towards upgrading
of that section of roadway as I described, Camp Cardinal Road. At its October 15th meeting by
a vote of 6-0, the Planning and Zoning Commission also recommended approval of this
rezoning, and I believe this -the condition agreement has been signed, and that concludes my
staff report.
Teague: Thank you, Danielle. Any questions for Danielle? Is there anyone in the public that would
like to address Council... address this item? If so, please raise your hand and I will call upon
you, and I see Jon, and we ask that everyone keep their comments three to five minutes.
Welcome, Jon.
Mamer: Hi! Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council Members. Uh, Jon Mamer with MS Consultants,
representing the applicant John Harding. I think Danielle did a great job of covering all of
the... all of the primary issues on this site. I just want to stress that we tried to work hard with
staff over the past year, year and a half, to come up with a plan for the site that maintained as
many of the sensitive areas and ... and tried to enhance those areas to the south that she
mentioned, as much as possible, uh, while providing something that would be ... that the
applicant feels to be very beneficial to the community and to this particular area. And I think
that those sensitive areas will complement this use for the site, as well. And I'm available for
any questions, if there's any questions for me.
Teague: Thank you, John. Would anyone else like to address Council or...or this topic? Seein' no one,
I wanted to ask the Council, um, if they're inclined to vote with P&Z recommendation, um, and
if I can see some ... I'm seein' the majority of yeses. All right. I am going to close the public
hearing. Could I get a motion to give first consideration?
2. Consider an Ordinance (First Consideration)
Weiner: So moved, Weiner.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 8
Taylor: So moved, Taylor. Second!
Teague: Moved by Weiner, seconded by Taylor. Council discussion?
Thomas: (garbled) think this is (garbled) project. Uh, it's a difficult wooded... it's a difficult site to
develop, uh (garbled) use other than what we're seeing, I would ... I would say, uh, and
this ... having a facility that would accoinmodate community events, I think (garbled) benefit to
this part of Iowa City.
Teague: I think, um (laughs) as ... as I did some wedding planning last year, which the weddin' didn't
take place this year because of COVID, um, findin' property in Iowa City or event space in
Iowa City was a little bit of a challenge. Um, there ... there are some, and there are some neat
places that I would encourage people to, uh... uh, investigate, but dependin' on how many this
facility holds, this would be a great addition here to our community. So, um, yeah, I'm looking
forward to this.
Taylor: I'm also looking forward to it. I ... I drive that section of Camp Cardinal quite often heading over
into Coralville and towards the northern end of Camp Cardinal, it's pretty well developed,
pretty... filling up quite a bit. Uh, but this end of Camp Cardinal, um, has been pretty bare, uh,
except for the church, and I was happy to see that the church at one time had expressed that
they're pleased to have this here and... and as the Mayor said, it's going to be, uh, exciting to
have an event center type, uh, venue there.
Teague: Great! Hearin' no more comments, roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 9
10.b. Vacation and Conveyance of portion of Camp Cardinal Road — Ordinance vacating
approximately 2,514 square feet of Camp Cardinal Road and authorizing conveyance to
Jon Harding. (VAC20-0001)
1. Public Hearing
Teague: I'm going to open up the public hearing, and staff presentation please.
Sitzman: Thank you, Mayor. Um, so just quickly, what's a vacation? A vacation is when the City gives
up ownership and direct control of land, in this case it's a right-of-way along Camp Cardinal
Road. As you mentioned, the applicant and this is again on behalf of Jon Harding for the
Harding Event Center concept to be developed. Uh, as I mentioned before, this is the final of
three applications for that, uh, eventual development. Um, the conveyed right-of-way would
essentially allow the applicant to access the proposed site off of that street. Again showing this
in relationship to the current zoning. As we review, uh, vacation requests, there is a set of six
criteria that we use for that review. They're both evaluating the private and public impact of the
proposed vacation. In regards to the private impacts, um, having to do with vehicle and
pedestrian circulation and access to other private property, um, essentially the proposed
vacation of the right-of-way does not impact another private landowner besides the one that's
wanting to use the area for access to their land. Um, it has no current access to other sites
(mumbled) provided across it. Um, in addition to other private considerations, um, the access
to the site would be approved through this. You can see their development concept in ... side by
side here with the proposed, um, the area to be vacated, um, again just providing access to their
site. In regards to the public impacts of the vacation, the resigning... resulting right-of-way
along Camp Cardinal Road would still be 66 -feet in width. That meets the standard that we
have for collector street design. Um, emergency services would still have access to the site, um,
would not be prohibited or prevented by accessing it through a public road system. In addition,
the City Transportation Planning staff has indicated there's no need for additional right-of-way.
Sometimes as we see development happen we move to make sure we have secured enough
future right-of-way. In this case, we believe that existing right-of-way or what would be left
after the vacation is sufficient. Um, as I mentioned in the previous application, there's an
easement that does need to be secured because there is a cable TV utility line that runs along
this area that was included in that previous OPD rezoning. So again in orange highlighted
where we are in the next steps, um, for the Harding Event Center's vacation and conveyance of
right away. So based on the relevant review criteria, staff finds that the subject right -of- way
can be vacated and conveyed to the applicant while still maintaining the necessary private land
and public interests for safety and ease of use. At their meeting on October 15a', the Planning
and Zoning Commission also recommended approval. And I think that concludes staff report.
Happy to answer questions.
Teague: Any questions for Danielle? Hearin' none, thank you, Danielle. Um, would anyone from the
public like to address this topic? If so, please raise your hand and I will call upon you. If you're
on the phone, press *9. Seein' no one, um, Council, are you inclined to vote in accordance with
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 10
the P&Z... recommendation? All right, I'm seein' some noddin' of heads. I'm gonna close the
public hearing. Could I get a motion to give first consideration?
2. Consider an Ordinance (First Consideration)
Taylor: So moved, Taylor.
Salih: Second, Salih (several talking)
Teague: Um, moved by Taylor, seconded by Salih. And, uh, Council discussion? Roll call, please.
Item passes 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 11
10.c. Vacation and Conveyance of right-of-way within the western 10 ft. of St. Matthias
Alley, adjacent to parcel number 1002334001— Ordinance vacating approximately 1,444
square feet of St. Matthias Alley and authorizing conveyance to the owner of 1120 N.
Dodge Street.
1. Public Hearing
Teague: I'm gonna open the public hearing, and staff presentation please!
Sitzman: Thank you, Mayor. Um, the applicant in this case is J&M Civil Design, applying on behalf of
the owner and the developer, um, again for a vacation, which is giving up the City's control of,
in this case, a public alley, uh, St. Matthias Alley, located, um ... on this map on the upper right-
hand corner, uh, the alley runs kind of northeast, southwe... yeah, southwest along or parallel to
North Dodge Street. Um, the existing alley right-of-way, as I said, extends along that extent,
but it's not fully paved along that extent. Really the only improved area or paved areas of this
north -south leg of that alley. Um, it provides access to, um, this ... the subject site, which is
strictly to the west of it and to St. Joe ... Joseph Cemetery. Um, this vacation application was
prepared, um, for ...to facilitate the redevelopment and reuses ... reuse of 1120 North Dodge
Street. Again, the property just to the left of it. That would function as a mixed-use building
with a pickup window for drive through, um, service, uh, for a commercial use. This shows the
area to be vacated approximately, um, would be a portion of that alley. (mumbled) the vacation
would allow for a nine -foot wide drive-through lane to be utilized with the commercial site to
the left, uh, while still providing 20 -feet of right-of-way between North Dodge Street and St.
Clements Street. Again, there are six review criteria assessing the private and public impacts of
the request. Uh, as far as the private impacts, this shows the, um, development concept that the
developer's working through and the reason for the request being, as I said, the drive-through
aisle to facilitate, um, commercial pick-up ... uh, of a pick-up window on the east side of the
building. Um, the vacation will not result in any negative impacts to adjacent properties. The
right-of-way will be maintained (clears throat) existing two ... two-way access to St. Joseph
Cemetery will continue to be maintained. So it's simply a ... a side at, um,flow for the drive-
through window traffic, while still maintaining two-way directional traffic, um, for the other
uses of the alley. As far as, uh, the public impacts to emergency, utility, and other services, um,
that not be impaired, as I said, we'll continue to maintain the 20 -foot width of the the alley,
which is the standard width we'd like to maintain. The two- way travel... traffic pattern will
continue. And there are no utilities (mumbled) or other restrictions in this area. The shows the,
um, other steps involved in the potential commercial reuses of 1120 North Dodge Street. In this
case, um, there would be some special exceptions still needed to be applied for by the, uh,
developer of that site. Uh, there was a previous zoning code text change that is still working its
way through your Board, uh, for commercial reuse, a code change, which would also help
facilitate redevelopment of that site or reuse of that site. I shouldn't say redevelopment because
a zoning code text change actually requires the building to be, uh, to be kept as is or not tom
down. It's not for new development. Anyway, based on the relevant criteria, staff finds that the
subject right-of-way can be vacated and conveyed to the applicant, while still maintaining a safe
two-way means of travel through the alleyway and, um, did recommend for vacation. At the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 12
meeting on October 15th the Planning and Zoning Commission concurred and also
recommended approval. That concludes my staff report. Happy to answer questions.
Teague: Any questions for Danielle? Thank you, Danielle. Uh, would anyone from the public like to
address this topic? If so, please raise your hand; if you're on the phone, press *9. I do see one
hand raised. Ryan, welcome. You're on mute.
Wade: Can you hear me now?
Teague: Yes!
Wade: Hello, uh, this is Ryan Wade with Wade Investments. I'm just here today as the potential buyer
of this, uh, property, to rehabilitate it. Um, here to answer any questions that, uh, Council might
have.
Teague: Hearin' none, thank you, Ryan. Would anyone else like to address this topic? Okay, um...
Council, are you all inclined to vote according with P&Z recommendation? Okay, I'm seein'
some noddin' of heads or a majority. All right, I'm gonna close the public hearing. Could I get
a motion to give first consideration please?
2. Consider an Ordinance (First Consideration)
Salih: (several responding) Second.
Teague: Moved by Salih, seconded by...
Salih: Mims.
Teague: Mims? Okay (laughs) Great, I ... multiple people were talkin'. Sorry about that! (laughs)
Council discussion?
Mims: I ... I live out in this area and this building has been... sitting there and partially rehabbed for
years. Um, so I'm really excited to see that somebody has, uh, found a way to make a small
business work there. Um, you know, they're a new small business in the city, so just really
excited to see something positive coming from this property.
Teague: Roll call, please. Motion passes 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 13
101. Zoning Code Amendment — Parking Reduction in Commercial Zones Ordinance —
Ordinance amending Title 14, Zoning Code to allow parking reductions through the
minor modification process in certain commercial zones (REZ20-0007) (Second
Consideration)
Teague: This is second consideration and staff requests expedited action.
Mims: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and voted on for passage at
two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it has to be finally passed be suspended,
that the second consideration and vote be waived, and that the ordinance be voted on for final
passage at this time.
Taylor: (several talking) Second.
Teague: Moved by Mims, seconded by Taylor. Public discussion? Would anyone like to address this
topic? If so press *9 on your phone or raise your hand. Seein' no one, Council discussion?
Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0. Could I get a motion to pass and final adopt?
Mims: I move final adoption at this time.
Salih: Second.
Teague: Uh, public discussion? Would anyone from the public like to address this topic? If so, please
raise your hand or press *9 on your phone. Seein' no one, Council discussion?
Weiner: I'd just like to say that this whole ... this whole series that ... that we have been passing fairly
quickly right now is our (mumbled) really positive steps toward... making use of properties and
allowing... allowing buildings (mumbled) and sitting empty to be rcpurposed, um, and again
creative use o£..of this on the part of staff.
Teague: Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 14
11. Unbiased Policing Ordinance — Unbiased Policing Ordinance (First Consideration)
Teague: This is first consideration. Could I get a motion, uh, to give first consideration?
Mims: So moved, Mims.
Bergus: Second, Bergus.
Teague: Moved by Mims, seconded by Bergus. Staff presentation please.
Fruin: Uh, good evening, Mayor and Council. This is Geoff Fruin, City Manager. I'm excited to
present this unbiased policing ordinance to you tonight. Uh, the template for the ordinance was
shared, uh, with us by the Iowa Nebraska Statewide NAACP, as well as the Iowa City Chapter
of the NAACP, and we're, uh, continually grateful for their partnership and commitment to
collaboration with us. Uh, the idea behind this ordinance was also the focus, uh, of discussion
at the recent Iowa Summit on Justice and Disparities. Now, uh, Iowa City has long had policies
that prohibit bias -based policing, but what I've really taken away from discussions with the
NAACP in recent, uh, weeks is, uh, how important it is to give this topic more prominence and
how important it is to be very transparent with our expectations, and with the procedures that
the public has ... if they feel they, uh, if they feel we have engaged in bias policing activities. So
this ordinance aims to accomplish, uh, this objective. Uh, a few things about the ordinance
itself. It clearly defines important terms, including bias policing, fair and impartial treatment,
and racial profiling. It explicitly prohibits biased policing and racial profiling, including
discriminatory (mumbled) stops. The ordinance requires employees to articulate reasonable
suspicion and probable cause, and prohibits the use of language that is derogatory, belittling, or
shows contempt for any individual demographic. It also requires our employees to report and
intervene, uh, when observing bias policing or racial profiling, and again it outlines complaint
procedures for anybody, uh, claiming to be aggrieved or that is a witness to such police actions.
Uh, the ordinance requires that all sworn officers receive at minimum annual, uh, training on
topics such as cultural competency, implicit bias, bystander intervention, and more. Uh, that is
already, uh, a requirement by policy, but now, uh, is, uh, more prominently placed in the Iowa
City code with your approval. Ulr, we fully support this action, and, uh, I think more
importantly, we continue to support the NAACP's efforts to introduce, uh, this language and get
support at the, uh, at the State level, and that's, uh, what I think truly our ultimate goal should
be. This type of language should really be a part of -of State code and hopefully by Iowa City
taking this step, as well as other cities, uh, that have done so or hopefully will, we'll get the
State closer to that, ub, that end goal. I'm happy to answer any questions that you have.
Teague: Thank you, Geoff. Sound like no questions for Geoff at this time. Would anyone from the
public like to address this topic? If so please raise your hand and I'll call upon you, and we ask
that you keep your comments three to five minutes. Um, David, welcome.
Drustrup: Thank you, Mayor. Um, so I looked through this and I really, really hope Council does not
see this as some meaningful move forward. Um, you know, reading through all this, it's
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 15
completely void of any substance or meaningful change, and it...it looks like it was authored by
the Police Department and dressed up as ... as progress. The ordinance won't actually
accomplish anything. If anything, it could it could possibly make things worse. And I ... I mean
that because it could allow the police to claim that they're somehow better trained or more
legitimate, which are claims that they were making at the beginning of the summer, before they
tear gassed Iowa City citizens for standing still with their hands in the air. At that time, the
police union was talking about how well trained they are and how great their bystander
intervention is, and then they still let all of that happen. So this ... this very much looks like
another round of the same thing. I mean, first off the ... the idea of unbiased policing is literally
impossible, as if bias could be stripped from an institution that was constructed and rooted in
racism and classism, or as if bias could be stripped out of any individual person. I mean, that's
a ... bias is a neuropsychological function that makes us human and can't be removed. And I
mean Council (mumbled) ...it has one of the best neuropsychology departments in the country
over at UIHC building. So, I mean, if folks need to talk to them, I think that that would be
useful. I mean, I feel like I'm going crazy with the number of times I've repeated this, but I
have no reason to believe that it's ever been heard. But focusing on individual factors, like
individual bias, will never address a systemic problem. Police bias reformation has literally
been at the heart of every police change for decades and decades, including in Iowa City, and it
doesn't do anything to address the underlying problem, because you're continuing to ignore the
systemic nature of the problem. Instead you're focusing on concerns within individual police
officers. I'd encourage folks to listen to the teach -in that we did a couple weeks ago, that IFR
did, and the video we showed of Dr. Angela Davis when she explains the essential difference
between systemic changes and empty reforms, like this one. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you, David. Henry followed by Betty.
Manaligod: Hi, um, my name is Henry Manaligod. Uh, I've ... I ... I don't know all the finer details of
what we're talking about here with this... whatever this movement is, but ... I just want to say that
this... regardless... reform is not going to be something that can fix ... the system that we have in
place here. Uh, policing is just an inherently racist and inherently classist system,
and ... reforming it and fixing... like what the person before me said, fixing individual actions is
not going to fix the fact that even the most non -racist of cops, even the most ... even cops of
color, even... every single cop is going to arrest homeless people for vagrancy, every single cop
is going to arrest a group of black teens for smoking marijuana in a car, and these laws and the
systems that are going to enforce these laws, regardless of how any individual feels, is going to
have racist, classist outcomes. And so I just think that ... I don't want (mumbled) I know that
folks in City Council might see this as a step in the right direction, but I don't see this as
anything that's any... any change that's more than marginal. I think that ... I believe that if we
really want to work towards abolition and we really want to work towards a more just society, I
believe the local government needs to be working with the Iowa Freedom Riders at every single
level. I mean, I believe that Iowa Freedom Riders needs to have a seat at the table for every
single discussion, no matter what. Um, that's pretty much it. Um, you can't reform a racist
system. That's it.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 16
Teague: Thank you, Henry. Betty Andrews.
Andrews: Thank you so much, Mayor Teague. Um, my name is Betty Andrews. I am President of the
Iowa Nebraska NAACP. First of all, I'd like to thank Iowa City, um, the City of Iowa City
is ... Iowa City police for their support of the Iowa City. I'm sorry, the Iowa Summit on Justice
and Disparities, where we address issues of disparities in the state. Um, that summit has been
going on for, uh, eight years now, and we continue to have conversations on how to, um,
improve our, um, justice system. So we appreciate that. I also fur.... further want to, um,
a ... appreciate the ... the opportunity, uh, to see this, uh, this unbiased policing ordinance come
before you for, um, consideration. Uh, this has been the effort of several years work, um, and
analyzing, urn, from the national level down with our experts and working on unbiased policing
across the country, and have, um ... uh, pushing for success in many areas. Um, the ordinance is,
uh, modeled after the recently passed Des Moines' ordinance, which in turn is a product of our
efforts to work, um, with the State in order to, um, address the issue of, um, racial profiling, and
also, um, the... the... how it funnels into our, um, disparate numbers when it comes to over -
incarceration in this state. I appreciate that the ordinance, um, before you, um, defines what
unbiased policing is. It prohibits discriminatory stops and ... and practices, and disparate
treatment. It also provides training in the areas of implicit bias, the escalation act, and then also
active bystander training, which deals with the duty to intercede, um, and then also from
having the opportunity to clear... clearly, um, state the complaint process and to be able to
address that both administratively, but then also looking at, um, other, um, civil penalties that,
um, are in place. And while this, um, ordinance is a step and may not be the end all -be all, we
appreciate the nature of address... addressing, um, through systematic reform, um, the ... the issue
of unbiased policing with you. Um, it has been our, um, we ... we have been, urn ... uh, honored to
work with, um, Geoff, the Interim Chief, and the City Attorney to, um, address these issues,
and, um, we certainly believe that, again, you know, in the context of 2020 and understanding,
uh, the loss of George Floyd, which spawned a movement, um, that included protesters, but also
included our government, and included others, and called many to act, that this is one of those
ways that we are acting. I know personally I suffered the tragedy of losing my nephew to ... at
the hands of police in Tacoma, Washington. His name was Manual Ellis. He lost his life
walking down the street, um, and ... and so when ... when I see this type of reform coming through
Iowa City, and, um, just immediately after, um, having a similar ordinance in Coralville, and
then, of course, Des Moines as we work to, um, put in place a law at the state level. We are
appreciative to see this ordinance moving forward. So, um, thank you so much for allowing us,
and we look forward to continuing to work with you, um, and others on moving, um, toward a
better Iowa and working to make sure that we are addressing these is ... issues of disparate
treatment all around. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you, Betty. Would anyone else like to address this topic that hasn't already addressed
Council? If so please raise your hand. Henry, I see your hand is raised, but you've already
addressed Council. Um, is there anyone on the phone that would like to address Council?
Press *9. Seein' no one, Council discussion?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 17
Mims: I'm glad to see that we're doing this. Um, and as City Manager had mentioned, we've had
policies in place for quite some time in Iowa City, addressing these same issues, but to raise it to
the level of an ordinance, I think, is really important and gives it more prominence. And I want
to really thank the NAACP and Betty Andrews and her team for the work that they are doing
across the state. These ... we know these are not is ... easy issues and we know people come at
them from totally different perspectives, um, and I think sometimes it's ... it's people's
experiences. I think ... I think we see a lot of difference generationally in how people are
reacting, um, to ... for example, the ... the killing of George Floyd and other issues of systemic
racism, and we have to listen to everybody. We have to take their ideas. Um, and I think, you
know, the NAACP has been around a long time and done a lot of very good work. Uh, some
people get frustrated they don't do enough or do it fast enough, but I think if you talk to people
there, they'll tell you they're doing a lot of work. They're doing a lot of work behind the scenes,
that takes time to get things accomplished. And so I think this is a good step. I hope it will lead
to a lot more cities across the state of Iowa passing this and ultimately a lot at the State level.
Thank you.
Teague: I wanna agree with, um, Councilor Mims and just thanking NAACP for their work and, Betty
Andrews, I'm so happy that you're with us, uh, tonight. This is my first time actually, uh, bein'
on a... at a Council where you've been President. Um,I... I wanna just, um, take a moment to
talk about, um, how the NAACP has been really a champion here locally within our, uh,
community, and what ... what I know about the NAACP is that they are constantly working on
trying to improve social justice within our community. They're not always on the front page,
uh, blasting what they're doing, because I really believe that, um, the work that they've ... the
relationships that they've built are authentic and ... and they... they don't have a problem, uh,
callin' people out and ... and tellin' it like it is and demanding change and ensurin' that the
change happens, um, from start to finish of whatever they're involved with. So, thank you for
that. I've heard from a lot of people in our community. They really do appreciate the work that
you do, um, and it ... a lot of it is really, um, quietly done, um, but really bringin' some, uh,
changes within the community. So thank you there. When it comes down to this, uh, unbiased
policing ordinance, um, this is not the end game, but I believe that this does move us and, uh,
give us a little more something to lean on when it comes down to, uh, just making it an
ordinance and not just havin' it in our policies, and so I'm very grateful for this, uh, movement,
very happy about it. Um, for those that think that, um, this isn't gonna be successful, it's just
gonna be kicking the ... kicking it down the can, I do believe that... individual change is most
important when we're looking at policing. Individuals that are on the frontline, that are ... bein'
involved with people everyday lives, regardless of whatever the call is. Whether it's somethin'
that we move towards, um, a mental health professional in the future or..or...or not. I really
believe that no matter who responds within our community, um, makin' sure that
these... unbiased policing acts are in place is very ... is movin' us in a direction that I think we
want our city to be moving in, as well as the state. So I'm ... I'm ... I'm wishing, uh, the
legislation, you know, this year the ... the best of luck at lookin' at this and ... and adoptin' this.
Uh, there could be some changes that they, uh, come up with that might even enhance what's
already been presented, but I will be supporting this tonight and I really appreciate, again, um,
our staff working along with the NAACP and everybody that's been involved with this. I know
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 18
our Human Rights Commission and even our CPRB, Community Police Review Board. Um,
they're... they're looking at cases like this all the time, and this will just help, uh, give some
clarity, uh, when they're lookin' at those cases as well. So thanks, um, and I will be supporting
this tonight.
Bergus: I think this is a really excellent, um, example of how sometimes procedural change can help
push the difference that we're trying to make, and as our City Manager noted, you know, we
already have these policies in place, but codifying it into law is real and is meaningful, and I
also just wanna thank everyone for their work and, Mayor, thank you for your ...your comments.
I really echo what you just said.
Salih: I also wanna second what the Mayor said, and thank everybody who work on this. Uh, there is a
lot of work need to be done, uh, regarding the justice systems and the policing, but I think this is
a huge step like, uh, moving forward. I will be supporting this.
Taylor: I also support it for all the same reasons that everyone has said. It's good to see it actually in
print.
Thomas: Yeah, I ... I will be supporting it as well. It ... I've heard it said that, uh, politics is downstream
from culture, and I think this kind of codification is in a sense downstream. The ... the end game
is changing the culture. Uh, that .... that takes constant vigilance and struggle. Uh, I'm a little
bit more familiar with the issues related to the Americans with Disability Act. You know,
that... that's been in place 30 years, um, and yet we still find places which are not accessible or
persons with disabilities being discriminated against. So it's ... it's something that requires
constant vigilance. Uh, it's good to have the laws in place, but ultimately the end goal, in my
mind, is ... is shifting the culture and that ... that requires considerable effort, but this is part of that
effort.
Weiner: Um, I echo what my colleagues have said. I view it...it is not the be-all (mumbled) it is a
building block, as ... as are all the other things that we're putting in place, both based on our June
16th resolution and all the other things, uh, that we are doing in addition to that. It is one
building block and every single building block is necessary (mumbled) in ... in order to work on
the road to change and affect change.
Teague: All right, well, we .... look like you're ready for a vote. So roll call please. Motion passes 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 19
12. Wastewater Connections Ordinance — Ordinance amending Title 16, entitled "Public
Works," Chapter 3, "City Utilities," Article D, "Wastewater Treatment Works Users,"
Section 6, "Building Sewers and Connections." (First Consideration)
Teague: Could I get a motion please?
Salih: (several responding) Salih.
Teague: Move Salih, seconded by...Bergus. Staff presentation.
Knoche: Good evening, Mayor Teague and Council. This is Ron Knoche, Public Works Director. Uh,
currently our code, uh, does not allow for a direct connection, uh, of anything that would allow,
uh, surface water or...or groundwater to enter into our sanitary sewer system. An example
would be a sump pump that is directly connected into their floor drain in a basement. Um,
currently, uh, we don't allow that, but ... but this would clarify that the property owner is
responsible for removing that ... that illegal connection. Um, it's, uh... there's...there's not a way
for us to ... to require, uh, that to happen, um, with... without clarifying this, uh, as the code
currently exists.
Teague: All right, any questions for Ron? Would anyone from the public like to address this topic? If
so, please raise your hand, and if you're on the phone, press *9. Seein' no one, Council
discussion? Hearin' none, roll call. Motion passes 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 20
13. City of Iowa City 2021 Legislative priorities — Resolution establishing the City of Iowa
City's 2021 legislative priorities.
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve?
Weiner: So moved, Weiner.
Taylor: Second, Taylor.
Teague: Uh, staff presentation. We can't hear you, Rachel, and you're unmuted. I'm not sure why ...we
can't hear you. We ... we still can't hear you.
Fruin: Let me, uh, let me jump in. Rachel, if you figure it out, uh, feel free to, uh, come in and un..uh,
interrupt me ... interrupt me. Uh, so, uh, as you know, Rachel Kilburg's our Assistant to the City
Manager and she is our, uh, point person for legislative affairs at the state level. She's been
working to, uh, pull together the legislative priorities that are based on your, uh, strategic plan,
uh, and, uh, with some of the items that were contained in your June resolution on systemic
racism. So we spent some time walkin' you through these on November 2°d at your work
session. I don't plan to go through each one, but I'll just make a couple of quick, uh, mentions,
and certainly, uh, we can try to, uh, answer any questions that you have. One of your strategic
plan priorities is, uh, climate action, and, uh, among our legislative priorities would be a call for
the State to initiate their own climate action plan, as well as providing the City, uh, more
flexibility with, uh, energy codes and asking the State to adopt the most recent energy code,
which is the 2021 International Edition. When it comes to, um, your objective to advance
social justice and racial equity, uh, there are a number of...of things noted. Um, we do support
the recommendations that came from the Governor's Focus Committee on Criminal Justice
Reform and part of that was what we just talked about with unbiased policing, but there's also
data collection recommendations and additional ones that we think would be, um, really
important for the State to take up. I also warm note that, uh, we ... we think would be beneficial
for the State to conduct a statewide review of community police review boards. Um, I think
they're gonna see a number of cities introduce community police review boards and it sure
would be nice for the State to study that, uh, at their level and really analyze what, uh, changes
need to be made to give, uh, these boards the powers that, uh, that ... that they need to have to be
effective in their role. And then lastly, we're advocating first an expansion of the State hate
crimes, uh, law, uh, to allow us to more effectively address, uh, situations in which there's
harassment based on, um, a, uh, individual's demographics. We also support, um, diversion
programs that have not been able to get off the ground, um, here, uh, mostly specialty courts,
such as a civil mental health court, and, uh, generally more, uh, State support for, uh, mental
health treatment here in, uh, in the state of Iowa. From a, uh, financial standpoint, the Council's
very familiar with the backfill situation. Uh, that backfill, um, is incredibly important to the
City, and, uh, we want the State to continue their commitment to ... to providing that backfill. As
a reminder, uh, that backfill was created with the 2013 property tax reform and, um, essentially
it's the State reimbursing us for lost property tax that came with that reform. Uh, that
reimbursement is critically important, um, and yet we continually see efforts to ... to claw that
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 21
back. Protecting Home Rule, this has probably been our biggest focus the last few years at the
State House in ... in trying to, uh, make sure that we, uh... uh, remain in control of...of local issues
here, and that we're not, uh, subject to State preemptions. So that'll continue to be on our ...on
our list this session. Uh, we also support the University Student Government with their efforts
to require rental property move -in checklists. We hope that bill gets reintroduced this year. And
then I also wanna mention our support, uh, to enhance the rights of residents in manufactured
housing communities, and again there was a bill last year that didn't get the support it needed to
move through, uh, forward. We do hope some version of that bill, uh, is introduced again this
year and can, uh, move forward. Um, we join a number of entities in the ... in the area and across
the state in really urging the ... the State to focus on the expansion of, uh, broadband services to
the community. While much of the effort will probably be on rural Iowa, we also wanna make
sure that the State is focused on our low to moderate -income residents, and that's, uh, includes
both infrastructure expansion, as well as making sure that, uh, there are affordable options, uh,
for those, um, that, uh, that need, um, that service. And lastly, we continue to urge, uh, financial
support for our educational partners, uh, be that K through 12, University of Iowa, Kirkwood
Communi ... Community College, uh, play ...all those entities, organizations, I mean, uh, play a,
uh, significant role in our local economy and we just wanna make sure that, uh, they have the
funding that they need to be, uh, successful in their missions. I'll, uh, leave it at that, but happy
to answer any questions that the Council, uh, may have.
Weiner: I don't really have any questions. I just have a comment. I mean, I think we all recognize
that ... that it's going to be with, uh, it's going to be a challenging year the legislature. Uh, and I
guess we'll be discussing those with our legislators... with our legislative delegation soon, uh,
but I would hope that ... that we would... make... be able to make, um, some progress since it has
been a priority of the Governor and others on, um, civil mental health courts and on mental
health funding, uh, in particular, as well as maintaining the backfill, and ... and hopefully on
broadband.
Taylor: I ... I really like this entire resolution. I think it...it shows to be a very thorough job of organizing
our, uh, all of our thoughts and objectives. I just had one small little comment though. Uh,
several times, uh, even though I found it, I ... going back and trying to find it again, uh, just the
little phrase about the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. It seems to be kind
tucked in the middle of that paragraph and doesn't really stand out, and I think if it could be
separated out from that sentence somehow, uh, would give more emphasis on that, cause I think
that's an important thing.
Teague: Yeah, I would agree about the decriminalization of marijuana, if we can highlight that a little
bit more. Any other questions for Geoff? We'll have opportunity to give comments. Would
anyone from the public like to address this topic? If so, please raise your hand, and press *9 on
your cell phone or phone. Seein' no one, Council discussion? I guess I'm personally lookin'
forward to our opportunity on November 23rd to talk to our legislative delegates, um, about our
legislative priorities and also, um, the Iowa League of Cities, as well as the Metropolitan
Coalition. we'll have an opportunity. Um, they're gonna have some things aligned with what
our priorities are but not all of them. So we do have some lofty goals, um, here, but I think
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 22
they're all warranted, um, and really it comes at a good time within the state where many of
these things are already in the forefront, um, of our legislators, um, in some form or fashion.
And so I think that, um, even though it's gonna be a challenging year, I would agree with
Councilor Weiner. I also feel that this is appropriate time for these, uh, priorities to be before
the, uh, legislation. So I'm supportive of all of these. Roll call please. Passes 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 23
14. Council Appointments
14.a. Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Teague: This is ... there's nine vacancies, uh, term effective upon appointment through June 30, 2022,
and we're gonna go ahead and start with Council discussion. So I think for this one, we might
separate this one, um, and deal with the Truth and Reconciliation first. Uhl go through all the
appointments and then the other, uh, commissions, which there'll be four others that we'll go
through, um, we'll probably go through those and then kind of combine them, if people are in
agreement with that. All right. So, um, so let's start with the Truth and Reconciliation, and I'm
thinking... maybe what we could do is if someone is willing to ... willin' to share maybe people
that they're, um, you know, supporting or...maybe we can start there.
Taylor: (several talking) Go ahead!
Bergus: Well I ... I was just gonna say it's really (garbled) moment also of the City of Iowa City, you
know, seating a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We join, uh, just a small handful of
communities in the United States who ... who are undertaking this kind of, um, attempt to bring
forward truth in our community and also work on the healing that we know needs to occur.
Um, I ... we have a gender balance requirement for all of our commissions and so when I was
looking at how to break down potential appointees, um, first of all we have 26 applicants. All
of them, to me, had merit. I was very impressed with the depth and ... and, um, qualifications of
everyone who applied, and just wanna say thank you to the community for cluing into this
and... and paying attention, including each of those individuals who put their hat in the ring.
Um, so we had many more, uh, female applicants than male. And so when we're looking at the
gender balance, I kind of started with the assumption that we may have five female and four
male, and to, uh, in response to what you were bringing forward, Mayor, I thought that the male
appointees were maybe a little bit easier (laughs) as far as who I would recommend. Um, so I
would just start with that, uh, Eric Harris, Kevin John Rivera, Mohamed Traore, and Anthony
Currin were the four male individuals that I nominate.
Teague: Okay!
Salih: (mumbled) the same people that just Laura said. (mumbled) down, but (mumbled) have
anything to do with like resident of Iowa City?
Teague: Um, I think... it's... Johnson County residency is required. Iowa City residency is preferred, but
not required, if an applicant offers expertise or representation not available from other
applicants who reside in Iowa City.
Salih: Okay. I second Laura's... nomination.
Mims: I would agree with those four as well.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 24
Teague: I wanna make sure that I have them correct. It's, um, Eric Harris, um, John Rivera, Mohamed
Traore, and Anthony Currin, is that correct? All right, great. All right, so any other, um,
suggestions for...
Taylor: This is Pauline.
Teague: Yeah!
Taylor: (mumbled) was very similar also, um, Currin and Harris and Rivera, but I also thought, um, the
addition of the clergy David, uh, Borger German, uh, is clergy and part of the, um, Consultation
of Religious Communities and I thought that, uh... uh, he would be a .... a good addition to this.
Teague: Okay. Any other male recommendations?
Thomas: Uh, I ended up with the same four that Laura introduced, um, although I, you know, I'm
sympathetic to, uh, certainly David, uh, German, but in the end, um, I would support the four
that Laura proposed.
Weiner: Um, I would as well. They, you know, we have a ... we have a really broad, a group of people
who are incredibly, uh, diverse and well qualified... each... each on their own merits. Um, I
know a number of them. I think we're very fortunate to have them applying.
Teague: Okay. All right, any other comments? I ... I think we should, uh, right now it sound like we
have a ... a consensus for four of them, and we have, uh, an additional one that ... for consideration
because we have one non, um, gender balance requirement. So, uh, let's go over to, um, we had
a lot of female applicants and, um, some great ones. I mean, it was ... it was (laughs) it was a lot
of compare and contrast. It was very difficult to make these decisions. So, I wondered if, uh,
anyone had ... if anyone wanted to just suggest some of the people that they may, um, move
forward.
Weiner: Um, I would ... I would be willing to put forward a number. It's actually probably gonna be a
couple of more than ... than we can actually appoint, but, um, in terms of sort of pulling... pulling
the list in a little bit, um, on the ... the women that I was looking at are, um, include Amel Ali,
um, Arianna Arun, uh, Daphney Daniel, Raneem Hamad, T'Shailyn Harrington, um, Layana
Navarre -Jackson, and Royceann Porter. Um ... and ... so of those, the ... the ones that ... that's a sort
of my slightly larger (mumbled). The ones that my personal preference would be for at this
point, although they all are well qualified, would be a Amel Ali, um, Raneem Hamad, T' Shailyn
Harrington, Layana Navarre -Jackson, and Royceann Porter.
Salih: And how many we need? Sorry, if you can remind me.
Weiner: We ... we need, um, a total of five, aside from the four, um, the four, um, males that we
decided ... that we have consensus on. We need a total of five other commissioners.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 25
Salih: And the (mumbled) four or five?
Teague: Um, it ... so we would need, um, four or five. I ... I still think we have to, uh, consider that none
in the, um, requirement... but again, I think there were so many women, um, that applied.
Nevertheless, it sound like, um, can you go through your last list so that I make sure that I had
them correct? I heard Amel Ali, uh, Raneem ... (both talking) T'Shailyn (both talking)
Weiner: T'Shailyn Harrington.
Teague: Mm hmm.
Weiner: Um, and, I mean, I put T'Shailyn on there, knowing that she's not Iowa City, but she's ... she
works in Iowa City and brings an enormous, in my view, would bring an enormous amount, uh,
to this. Um, Layana Navarre -Jackson.
Teague: Okay.
Weiner: Um, Royceann Porter. Yeah.
Teague: All right. Okay. So that's five that, um, that's been suggested. Um, wanted to just get other...
other people. Anyone else have someone that's not on that list?
Taylor: Um, my...my list is ... is very similar. Amel, of course Raneem and Royceann, but I also added
Amanda Nichols, because she, uh, was the one specifically said that she is on the CPRB and
that was one of the, uh, suggestions we had was that someone from that commission apply for
this. So I thought she would be good for that, although every... everyone was qualified.
T'Shailyn is good because of her Shelter House connection. Uh, Nikesha, uh, her Dream
Center connection. They, uh, Jennifer Buckley with her NAACP connection. I mean,
everybody just had such wonderful qualifications, but I would add Amanda Nichols too, um, Ali
Hasad, and, um, Porter.
Teague: Okay. All right!
Thomas: Well I'll give you, uh, the five that I came up with. Uh, Daphney Daniel, Raneem Hamad,
(mumbled) Harrington, uh, Layana Navarre -Jackson (garbled)
Teague: What ... what was the last one? I'm sorry.
Thomas: Layana Navarre -Jackson.
Teague: Yes. Okay.
Thomas: And Royceann Porter.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 26
Teague: Okay. All right.
Thomas: ... was trying to balance age a little bit (laughs) so many factors, but, uh, that was one that I
was considering.
Teague/ Mm hmm.
Mims: Yeah, John, I was doing the same thing, and, um ... yeah, there was ... I just would reiterate, um,
what others have said. The qualifications here were just tremendous. Um (garbled) I wanna
thank everybody who applied. I went through and, you know, was like, wow, this is, you know,
this can be tough to narrow this down, because there's a lot of really good people, um, balancing
qualifications, um, and I felt it was important to have some age balance in there as well. Um,
the ... the five I landed on actually were ... were the same ones, um, as Janice did. And I'll...just a
couple of things that I would mention, um, just some of the qualifications I just thought were
really good. I've talked to some other Councilors who knew some of these people better than I
did, and the ... the one question that some may have ... people may have is about Royceann, and I
will tell you I debated on Royceann when I started as an elected official in the community and
thinking, well, do we give somebody like that a slot, or do we open it up to other people in the
general public. And where I came down on this was the work that she has done in this
community, um, for years in ... in an activist role and looking at these issues of injustice and
having that kind of history of what has been done, what has not been accomplished, um, but the
efforts that have been put forward. And I think that's a really valuable perspective to have on
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. You need to know kind of where we've come from
and what has been done, and I think ... I think that experience that she has is really valuable for
this. So, um, and I won't go into all the others. But I think that could be one person that some
people would have a question on just because she is an elected official in the community. Um,
and so that was my thinking as I went through this. So I would agree with the same five that
Janice had, um, Amel Ali, um, Raneem Hamad, T' Shailyn Harrington, uh, Layana Navarre -
Jackson, and then Royceann Porter.
Weiner: If I could add briefly, one thing about Royceann is she has, um, she also has served on the
CPRB.
Teague: (several talking) Oh, sorry! Go right ahead.
Salih: Go ahead, Mayor!
Teague: Oh, I was just going to chime in and, um, I ... I certainly had some stars by a lot of names. I did
three stars, two stars. Um, most people got one star. Um, and... and for various reasons
(mumbled) I mean, it's so hard to try to figure out, um, a new commission when you have so
many applicants and again, thanks to all of those that put their name out there to be considered
for this. Um, I ... I looked at, you know, people that are in the community, because I tried to ... in
Iowa City limits, because I tried to say, all right, you know, Iowa City residents pref...preferred,
but if we can't, then we need to, um, unless an applicant has a ... a ... an expertise or representation
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 27
not available from our applicants, and, um, I mean it was ... it was just a challenge when I look
through here, but, um, the... the... believe it or no ... I had a lot of...I had more, um, three stars, um,
for people than five. So of the five that, um, were mentioned, Amel Ali, um, Raneem, um,
T'Shailyn, uh, La ... Layana, and Royceann, I can support all of those five. There is a few others
that, um, I really think would be good on there, um, really good on there, um, but I think
I'm ... I'm hearin' the majority of Council supporting them, uh, those, uh, those five, so far. So
we'll see how we all (mumbled) All right, Mayor Pro Tem!
Salih: Yeah I ... I support also those, but I really would like to add Priscilla ... to this list and...
Teague: He was one of my...(mumbled) was one of my three stars (laughs)
Salih: Yes! (laughs) She is great. She'll be great on this, but ... yeah!
Teague: Yep. She's... she's, I mean, again, she's not from Iowa City, but I also felt that she would be
phenomenal on this, and she's a school teacher.
Salih: Yeah. But for me all ... also like the ... the same people (mumbled) and everyone else that Janice
said.
Bergus: Yeah, I also had a longer than five list of people to consider. Um, Priscilla (mumbled) was also
on my...my longer list, as well as, uh, (mumbled)
Teague: Who was the last person you named?
Bergus: (mumbled)
Teague: Okay, yep!
Bergus: (mumbled)
Teague: Okay. All right. Well, it does seem that we have a majority, um, for Amel ... for the females to
be Amel Ali, uh, Raneem, um, Raneem, T' Shailyn, and then I ... I'm not exactly sure where we
are with, uh, Layana Navarre -Jackson. I think I heard (both talking)
Salih: Yeah, there is four, Royceann, Raneem (mumbled) Amel and (mumbled)
Teague: Okay. All right.
Salih: (mumbled)
Teague: Um, so I think I had, urn... Weiner, Mims, John, and Bergus ... for Layana, is that correct? Yeah.
Hmm.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 28
Mims: Yeah, for me it (both talking)
Teague: Huh?
Mims: Yeah, I support her!
Teague: Okay. So I ... I think, um, we have the majority. Um, for those. So, um, could I get a motion to
approve, uh, the following... for the ... I'm gonna do it by gender. (laughs) Um, for the males we
have Anthony Currin. Did I lose sight of my (mumbled) Uh, Eric Harris, Kevin John Rivera,
and then (both talking)
Salih: Mohamed.
Teague: And ... yep, at the bottom. Uh, Mohamed Traore. And then for our females, um, we have Amel
Ali, Raneem Hamad, T' Shailyn Harrington, Layana Navarre -Jackson, and Royceann Porter.
Could I get a motion to approve those? (several responding) To appoint those. All right, uh,
moved by Mims, seconded by Salih.
Salih: Yes.
14.b. Climate Action Commission
14.c. Parks and Recreation Commission
14.d. Public Art Advisory Committee
14.e. Human Rights Commission
Teague: All right. Um, roll call please. Motion passes 7-0. Um, movin' on to 14.b. We're gonna do
14.b. through 14.e. collectively, if that's, urn .... yep. All right. We'll do that. So ... I'll take it one
by one. Climate Action Commission, we have two vacancies to fill a three-year term, January
1, 2021 through December 31, 2023, and we had three applicants. Uh, I am sorry. I knew that
wasn't right. (laughs) Yes. All right, so ... we have, uh, two openings, one male requirement and
one non... requirement.
Mims: I'd like to propose Matt Krieger. I'm not sure if I'm pronouncing his last name right. He's filling
an unexpired term and, uh, was he serving as the Chair also? Um, but oftentimes (garbled)
somebody who's serve... especially serving an unexpired (garbled) opportunity for full term. So
I would promote Matt ... as one of them.
Thomas: Yeah I ... I would support Matt and, um, also John Fraser, who is also currently on the
commission.
Taylor: I also like John Fraser. I was impressed the fact that, uh, he mentioned that he had actually
attended the Paris Climate Change Accord, which is very impressive and I think, uh, suits well,
as well as well as being on the commission now. So I ... Fraser and Krieger.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 29
Teague: So the, urn ... I ... I don't have ... and I'm gonna find John's application. Um, because he was on the
commission before, do we know ... how long? I didn't write that down. I just wrote that he was
on the commission before.
Weiner: I don't ... I don't think the commission has ... has existed more than one term's worth, has it?
Mims: No, it has not.
Taylor: He mentioned that he was on the original Climate Action Board. So that was some time ago.
But then now I think just ... he's just finishing his first term.
Teague: Okay.
Bergus: Maybe we could get, I don't know if Kellie could provide a little clarification. The climate
action demographic report that's in the packet looks like John Fraser's term doesn't actually end
until the end of 2021, is that right?
Weiner: No ... no, because there was another document in there that said it ends this ... in December. So
there ... there are two conflicting...
Bergus: I was just (several talking)
Teague: And this commission has only been in force for about a year.
Mims: Yeah, and they were put in with rotating... with (mumbled) say. Some had one-year terms.
Some had two-year terms (garbled) year terms to start with. So they didn't all end at the same
time.
Fruehling: Yeah, I wonder if that isn't a ... a software glitch, because the terms that are up are for G.T.
Karr and Matt Krieger. And so with John currently on there. I wonder if his ... since we keep
those applications for a year ...if he somehow got stuck in the hopper.
Teague: Okay. So we would ... so we wouldn't be considering John Fraser. Is that correct?
Fruehling: Con.. correct.
Teague: Okay. And then (both talking)
Fruehling: G.T. and Matt are the ones that are coming off.
Bergus: In that case, I put forward, um, Megan Hill ... as the second person.
Teague: Okay.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 30
Weiner: She... she has an interesting and very relevant, um, educational background.
Mims: I would support her.
Taylor: I like her, but of course the last time I also, um, supported Lucy Wibbenmeyer because I think it
might be a nice perspective to have someone from a medical background on ... on the
commission.
Teague: Okay.
Monroe: This is Ashley. I'm not sure if it, um, is one of the applications that's been held over or not
from prior. Um (mumbled) current staff of the City ...and I'm not sure if that ... if
that's... something to be considered. I know ... I know she's shown interest, much interest, in the
past and continues to do so, um, with a lot of activities around here. So (several talking)
Taylor: ... she didn't say ...it didn't say where. So if it's with the City, we wouldn't be able to consider
her, would we?
Dilkes: Well...
Monroe: Yeah.
Dilkes: I think her application says she's a cashier in Revenue, which I ... so the way that we have ... there
is nothing that says a City employee cannot serve on a board or commission. Um, obviously,
there would be a conflict if, um, the employee was serving on a commission that was related to
the job they did. Um, that doesn't appear to be the case here.
Monroe: Thank you, Eleanor.
Teague: Yeah, I'm happy for that clarification because I always thought that they could not, but, um,
thanks for that clarification.
Dilkes: I mean, it's certainly something that you can consider, um, but it's not an automatic
disqualification when it's an unrelated area.
Teague: Okay. Any other recommendations? So far we have, uh, Matt Krieger. it sounds like the
majority of Council is supportive of him. So we need one more, uh, appointed person. So we
have Megan Hill, and I believe that, um, Lucy ...is that your recommendation, uh, Councilor
Taylor?
Taylor: Yes.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 31
Teague: Okay. Any other recommendations or do we wanna focus in on these two and see where we
land?
Salih: Let's do.
Teague: All right. So, um, who will be supportive of Megan Hill? You can raise your hand ... and I
can ... okay. Uh, we have majority. So we'll go with... we'll go with Megan Hill. All right,
gonna move on to 4.c. and Mayor Pro Tem, you'll have to speak out (laughs) because I don't see
you right now.
Salih: That's okay. I'm ... I'm with her. Yeah.
Teague: All right. All right, uh, we're gonna move on to Parks and Recreation Commission. This is
two vacancies to fill a four-year term January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2024, um, and
so ... urn ... (both talking)
Mims: ... suggest that we reappoint Alex Hachtman (mumbled) Again, he's serving an unexpired term,
and then our other requirement is a female. So we're either gonna wait, need to wait to get more
applications or wait till January to do a non -gender appointment, if I'm reading this right.
Taylor: That's right.
Salih: I'm sorry, this for which commission? Sorry.
Mims: Parks and Rec.
Salih: (mumbled) Okay.
Teague: So we have Alex Hachtman ... suggested for now. And because we don't have, uh, any females,
any female applicants, we would have to wait. So we only have one appointment. Um, any
other, um, suggestions for a commissioner? All right. Sound like we're gonna support
Alex ... for this one. Uh, going on to the Public Art Advisory Committee. Two vacancies to fill a
three-year term January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023, and we have two vacancies, one female
requirement and one non.
Mims: Isn't it one (garbled)
Teague: Um, I'm on the wrong one. You're right. Thank you. (laughs) I thought I had these in order.
Taylor: We had a lot of `em.
Fruehling: Mayor, and I'm not sure I got that cover sheet printed for you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 32
Teague: All right. Nope, it's not here, but I got it. Um, all right, so we have ... yes, one female and one
male. (mumbled) No, no, no, no, no, no. I'm sorry, let me get to that one. One finale and one
non. Great. All right.
Taylor: And there is a man, a male, um, Steven Miller, who's, uh, currently serving on it. In fact, uh, it
says currently the Chairperson and, um, talks about how passionate he is about arts and public
art and I would say reappoint him.
Bergus: I agree with that.
Salih: I would agree.
Mims: Yep, I would too.
Teague: Okay. And then we have a ... one non, uh, gender balance.
Mims: And again, we've got an individual serving an unexpired term, Jan Finlayson.
Teague: Yeah, I would support her. Anyone else supportive of Jan continuing?
Salih: Yes (several responding)
Teague: All right. Okay, and we are down to the, um, 4.e., Human Rights Commission, and this is a
one female and a one non, and two vacancies to fill a three-year term January 1, 2021 through
December 31, 2023, and we always have a lot of applicants on here. So thanks to everybody
that, um, want to be a part of this commission. This is really good. We do have ... I warm point
out, um, a unexpired term ... for Bijou, um, and ... well, unexpired term. And so I would suggest
that we reappoint Bijou.
Mims: I would agree.
Salih: Yeah. And also I don't know I don't see ... I agree with that, too. But I would like to ask because I
cannot access all the applicant for this (mumbled)
Teague: Um, Zachary Rochester. Is that who you mentioned
Salih: Yes.
Teague: Yes, he is ... he is reapplying, correct.
Salih: I thinks, you know, I just believe that he was like going through something and now he's back,
you know, and he would like to be there. I will (garbled) to ... with Bijou.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 33
Weiner: (mumbled) I like Zachary and I ... and I would also offer up another alternative. Um, a couple
of us checked, um, to sort of see what ... with Stefanie, uh, to find out what ... what it ... what kind
of representation there is, what kind of representation is missing. Um, one that she pinpointed
that there really is ... there's no, um, Latino representation on it, and it struck me going through
this list, I mean we literally... you wanna see the list. There's like literally we had 54 applicants,
which is just, um, an astounding number of people, even if a few of them were ... were holdovers
from ... from prior lists, 54. That's, I mean, everybody in the city who applies to be on one of
these commissions has ... least my undying gratitude because it is ... it is work for your city that's
uncompensated; work for your community. So, um, thank ... thank you so much, but the ... the
one person, the other person when I was looking at it with ... with that filter on, um, seeing if we
could help find a little greater representation, um, was Maria Bruno, who has also a really
interesting background and is Latina, so that's the other person that I would put forward.
Salih: Maria, yeah. I ... I also you like ... like Maria. She's very active in the community. And also, as
you said, she's gonna represent the Latino. But, you know, given the fact that we've been giving
people a second term, this person, even though he did not finish his term, uh, if we can have
him back that (mumbled) would be great, and next time maybe Maria.
Mims: Yeah, I would go with Janice's suggestion of Maria, and I mean, we ... I think when we look at
the large, um, Latino, Latinx population, Hispanic, pardon me if I'm not using the proper
terminology here, um, but I think we have such a large population that is not being represented,
um, that I would real ... and I did make a note and I do like you do the stars or whatever, and you
know, had written next to hers, you know, really good application and then additionally kind of
checking that box in terms of representation as well. So I would go with Maria Bruno.
Weiner: I just wish we had more spots to fill.
Teague: Mm hmm.
Taylor: Yes, I'm ... I'm impressed (mumbled) the number of applicants we had and ... and we're just ... we're
blessed in this community with so many people who are willing to ... to do this type of, um, civil
service and it's just amazing, and the qualifications are... and it was all over the board as far as
their ages and their, uh, their gender, and what ... what they do, uh, for a job, um, their ages. Um,
I ... I was torn (mumbled) one reason I was torn, I do know Dan Daly and he's a wonderful
person and he's always been an advocate for, um, labor rights, uh, workers rights, uh, which
workers right, as we know, are human rights and we ... I don't know if we've really ever had a
true labor person on that board. Um, but that would be good to have. But of course, uh,
he ... he ... he's not Asian or Latino. He's very white, uh, but he ... he would be good. But I think
he's someone that, uh, we should keep in mind for future appointments, since we're kind of
limited on—on who to put on here now.
Teague: Okay.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 34
Thomas: Yeah, this is kind of a frustrating one for me because there are ... more people I would like to
support than there are positions. Um, just mention Polly Marshall, just to mention her name.
Um, but given... given the nature of the HRC, I think the idea of, uh, appointing Maria Bruno
makes sense... along with, um, Bijou.
Teague: I'm gonna jump right in there. Um, so it sounds like ... we do have support for Bijou, um,
Bruno. There... there's support for Zachary, as well. I ... but it sound like the majority of the
support is swingin' for Maria Bruno to have that ... balance and representation. It sounds like,
um, I ... I think it's very important that we do ensure that we have, um, a Latino voice ... on ... on
the Human Rights Commission. Um, so I will support Maria, um, and ... and I would agree with
Mayor Pro Tem, uh, Zachary, um, he ... he has a lot to offer the commission. Um, but ... given we
only have two spaces, I'm going to support Maria with this.
Taylor: (mumbled) I definitely go with Bijou. I think, um, she's a perfect attendance on the
commission and participates in the all the discussions, and I think she's been an excellent
member and ... and warrants continuing on that commission, and I would go with Maria. She
had a good application and ... and being, uh, the Latino, uh, would provide a nice balance on that.
Teague: Okay.
Salih: Yeah, I agree.
Teague: All right, so ... I think we are ready to, uh, make our ...kind of our slate here. Um, one ... one
second here. I'm just gonna make sure I have everything. All right, so, um, could I get a
motion to appoint the following to our Climate Action Commission: Matt Krieger and Megan
Hill. To our Parks or Recreational ... Recreation Commission: Alex Hachtman. To the Public
Art Advisory Committee: Steven Miller and Jan Finlayson. To our Human Rights
Commission: Bijou Maliabo and Maria Bruno, Could I get a motion please? (several
responding)
Thomas: ... seconded by Thomas.
Teague: Moved by Salih, seconded by Thomas. Roll call please. Motion passes 7-0. And thanks again
to all the applicants. This is (laughs) this is really hard. I mean, you ... you have all these... great stars
and you can only pick two people. So, um...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 35
17. Community Comment (IF NECESSARY)
Teague: And we'll welcome Ryan, if he is still present. Yes he is! From USG!
Longenecker: (garbled) Good evening, Council. Thank you, Mayor. Um, not really too many
announcements tonight. Um, Thanksgiving break is next week and so students will be, uh,
heading home or staying in their apartments and gathering with, you know, some of their
household members. Um, I want to remind students to please continue to practice safety
measures of, um, social distancing, wearing your masks, keeping your bubble small. Um, we
have seen a significant increase in self-reported cases at the University. The most recent being
as of...it would have been yesterday, would have been 45 new cases since Friday, bringing the
semester to -date caseload of students to 2,510, and there were 17 new employee cases, which is
bringing the semester to -date count to 212. So please continue to protect yourself, um, against
all, um, of that so that we can remain safe. Um, and that is it for me tonight. Thank you,
Council.
Teague: Great! Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 36
18. City Council Information
Teague: Any updates by anyone?
Weiner: Um, I just had the pleasure of participating in, um, in sort of...in local government day at the
junior high, I think perhaps some others did as well, um, with, uh, with Alisa Meggitt's classes.
Did two classes, one was an online class, one was at that point sort of still ... it's still an in-person
class, but it was, um, it was really a ... a wonderful experience to get their questions, to see how
interested and active these seventh, eighth, ninth graders are. So, um, if you have a chance to
do it in the next year, you haven't done it yet, highly recommend it.
Teague: I was a part of that and it was, uh, excellent, uh, just to engage with the youth. Um, I also had
some Zoom meetings with City High students. It was their governmental, um, students, uh,
that ... well they're writers or reporters. Um, sorry if I got the name wrong of what they are, but
that was, um, that was great to engage with them. I also had a, uh, business innovation class
Zoom with some Kirkwood students. Um, they're in high school, but they go to Kirkwood for
some college credit hours. That was great to engage with them. Um, we did have the Joint
Entities meeting, which, um, was mentioned earlier in our work session. And those were all a
lot of municipalities throughout Johnson County came together and really, uh, tried to push the
information about what's happening with COVID here locally, uh, really push the envelope so,
uh, we can inform people this is serious and immediate action, uh, we need to enhance what
we're doin' to protect the, um, everybody's safety. Uh, Better Together also had a COVID-19
public meeting, which was, um, I thought it was really excellent. We have some great speakers,
a partof that. Again, I just wanna mention again that COVID-19 is happenin' in our
community and the best thing that we can do is really do what we can by wearin' a mask and,
um, as, uh, Councilor Taylor, who was our nurse (laughs) would say: wash your hand and
remember not to touch your face (laughs) and, um, and so social distance is really important.
I think people should give a little more consideration as to what social distance mean. Um, for
me personally, I am not eatin' at the same table with someone outside of my household. I think,
um, you have to make your own decisions, but, um, you know, you're gonna be in somebody's
presence for a significant period of time. And so just be mindful of some of the things, um,
that is being recommended by CDC, um, as well as some mandates that are with the State and
also with our local, um, city... city here in Johnson County. Other than that, I ... I don't have any
other updates that I'll give for now.
Salih:(both talking) Oh, go ahead, Pauline.
Taylor: Oh, okay! (mumbled) thank Ryan for ...for his report and ... and then, uh, he had brought up
Thanksgiving and I ... that is coming up very soon and I just hope that, uh, everyone will be able
to take time to think about what they are thankful for, um, and ... but please err on the side of
caution, uh, following all the safety guidelines, and do what you can to help prevent the spread.
That's all.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.
Page 37
Salih: Yeah, for me I just like hearing everything going on now in Iowa and I'm away from Iowa.
(mumbled) it mean by the increasing of the, um, the COVID-19 cases. Um, especially now,
you know, before I ... I hear about people having it, but I never knew like a lot people that I know
they have it now. Just start healing, like, uh, hearing, uh, some family that I know, the whole
family get COVID-19. This is telling me that this is really spreading a lot in, you know, Iowa.
And I hope just like everybody also as, uh, Pauline and the Mayor said, uh, follow the CDC
guideline and wash your hand, don't touch your face, as they said, and I just want to tell you
that (mumbled). I did not turn on the video because the internet is not that great. If I turn the
video, maybe it will be like heavy. That's why, but you know I love seeing you all, and it is five
o'clock in the morning here, and I guess after this I will go back sleep. (laughs) Yeah. And we
finish early. That's good. Thank you.
Weiner: Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
Salih: Every (mumbled) too.
Teague: All right. Any more updates by Councilors?
Bergus: I think a few of us are participating this week and maybe the beginning of December, um, with
GARS, which is the Government Alliance on Raising Equity. Um, doing a workshop on the role of
government in advancing racial equity. So I'm attending that tomorrow, and I think hope... hopefully
colleagues are joinin' me!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of November 17, 2020.