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Item No. 3 Nominations for office of Mayor of the City of Iowa City
Mims: I'll nominate Jim Throgmorton.
Botchway: Second.
Fruehling: Okay, so motion by Mims, seconded by Botchway. Okay, are there any other
nominations? Okay. Hearing none, uh, we need a motion to close nominations.
Taylor: So moved.
Botchway: Second.
Fruehling: Okay, moved by Taylor, seconded by ...... (several responding) Botchway. Thank
you (laughs) All those in favor. Opposed. Okay, um.....so then we need a vote
and it's a voice vote. Okay.... with everyone? Voice vote? (several responding)
Okay. Uh, for Jim Tbrogmorton as Mayor of the City of Iowa City. (several
responding) Opposed. Okay. Jim is elected as Mayor!
Throgmorton: May I say a quick word?
Fruehling: Sure! Yep!
Throgmorton: First of all, thank you, uh..... it's been a great honor working with you for the....
except Maz (several talking) we've worked together, you know, uh, for the past
two years, uh, and a great honor to serve the people of our City who I know we all
love, uh, we care about the city a great deal. I've tried my best to .... to do the best
job I possibly can for the people of the City and .... I think on the whole we have
done great..... and I'm really proud of that. I look forward the next two years, to
the next two years, and .... at the same time I recognize that I .... we're gonna face
some significant challenges, some of them will come from outside our..... outside
of Iowa City, from other levels of government. So.....we have to be mindful of
that fact and be prepared to respond appropriately, and we will. And, beyond that
I think because of the time, I'm not gonna blather on about other things, but thank
you so much for your support.
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special formal meeting of January 2, 2018.
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Item No. 4 Nominations for office of Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Iowa City
Thomas: I nominate Pauline Taylor.
Salih: Second.
Fruehling: Okay, so moved by Thomas, seconded by Salih. Is there any other nominations
for Pro Tem?
Throgmorton: I'd like to nominate Susan Mims.
Botchway: Second.
Fruehling: Okay. So, uh.....nomination of Susan Mims. Motion by Throgmorton, seconded
by Botchway. Any other nominations? Okay, uh, hearing none we need a motion
to close nominations.
Throgmorton: So moved.
Salih: Second.
Fruehling: Moved by Throgmorton, seconded by Salih. All those in favor. Opposed. Okay,
so we'll vote in order of the nominations. Uh, we have a nomination for Pauline
Taylor. All those in favor.
Throgmorton: Wait (several talking) we should have discussion.
Fruehling: Discussion, okay.
Throgmorton: So just basically, uh, would anybody care to comment about the nominees,
uh... maybe leading to the point where you're gonna tell us who you're gonna vote
for, but anyhow, we need to have some discussion about the two nominees before
US.
Botchway: Both nominees at this time?
Throgmorton: Yeah (several responding) Yeah.
Mims: Well I'll start if nobody else wants to. Um, I've served in the role of Mayor Pro
Tem, uh, for four years, um, while I've been on the ..... four or six years? I can't
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even remember now. I guess four years. The second two years..... yeah. Not the
first two, not the last two. Um, I think as we look at this position, um, I think it's
really important in terms of representation of the City, um, I think in terms of
looking at when the Mayor can't, um, or ..... for whatever reason, um, to fulfill the
roles of the Mayor, whether it's either at the meetings, but even more importantly,
uh, representing the City in meetings, uh, with other members, uh, whether it's the
President of the University or, you know, Jim, you mentioned, um, a week or two
ago, being invited to Des Moines to meet with, uh, the mayor of New York City
who was in town and it just didn't work with your schedule, and.....and I look at
those kinds of things and my experience, um, and the things I've done, not only as
the Mayor Pro Tem, but out in the community and public speaking and .... and the
depth of understanding of the issues, um, I quite frankly think that I can do ... have
done it and, um, could do it again very well and encourage you to, uh, give me
your support!
Salih: I think, um .... I think Kingsley Botchway done a very good job like doing this for
the last two year and I believe we need to give a chance for the people who never
done it because just in case in the future if they would like to become a mayor and
they, you know .... and I love to see that's like become a turn for all the Council
Members. That's why I support Pauline.
Taylor: Thank you, Mazahir. I'll speak for myself then also here. Um, I have served in
many.....I..... I won't make the list cause it's .... it's very lengthy over the last 30,
35 years, many leadership roles, uh, in the community, uh, with various, uh.... uh,
committees and groups that I'm involved in. I have had many speaking
engagements, the one that I'm most proud of was in front of 2,000 people
introducing Al Gore when he was campaigning for President, so I'm not afraid to
get out there in the public and .... and speak to people. Uh, I, uh, have close
relationships with many of the elected officials, uh, in the state and in the country,
and I feel that that's a strong point of mine and um, I .... feel my strong point is
that I'm a good listener.
Thomas: Uh, I think, you know, some of the thoughts that have guided my thinking about
the Mayor Pro Tem is .... is, you know, we as a Council, uh, look .... look at our
decision making with a strong eye toward inclusion. That's kind of part of our
strategic plan. Uh, and .... and so I think who is that person, and I think all of us
serving on Council — I know I'm .... in the last two years, working myself toward,
you know, how .... how can I be more inclusive in my thinking in terms of making
sure that we do in fact represent the people of Iowa City. Uh, question of....
another question is one of availability. You know, who ... who in fact will be
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available. I've been concerned that Jim in his .... his desire to truly rep....
represent the city as a whole, uh, is maybe over -taxing himself (laughs) and so I
think the Mayor Pro Tem in that .... in that situation I think it's important that we
have someone who is available. Uh.... so I think from those two standpoints, you
know, I'm supportive of Pauline. I think, Susan, you've done a great job as
Mayor Pro Tem. You .... you clearly represent, uh, would.....would represent the
City of Iowa City well. Urn .... but I think building on what Mazahir said, I .... I
think, and the Board of Supervisors does this, there's kind of a rotational aspect to
serving, uh, on the Board and I .... I think that idea where we.....we do consider
how can we, as leaders of Iowa City at least in the political sense, uh, can build
our strengths, and so in that regard I think a rotational approach has some value.
Botchway: So I think the rotational approach, um, is a .... is a good point, and I appreciate
that. I would say for the Supervisors, rotational approach speaks to the
Chairperson as well, so that would ultimately mean the Mayor, but I .... again
support Jim so that's not (mumbled) consideration. You know, so this is a tough
......this is a tough one, uh, for me, um, because and I guess I'll speak .... I'll say to
Susan first, then to Pauline. You know, I .... I've worked with Susan now for four
years, um.....I think at times, and I'm just gonna be frank, y'all. It's a new year,
so I mean (laughs) try to be frank as pos..... I think at times, Susan, we've talked
about this before. You've .... um, the perception is that you come off somewhat
cold, um, I know that you're very analytical in your approach, um, we've had,
you know, some frank conversations about that. Um, you know I'll be candid,
you did say to me that you're workin' on it, you're tryin' to get better, um, you
know I .... I believe ya in that sense. You know ...... you.....you have represented
the City well in multiple functions. I mean I was very aware of the work that
you've done, um, when you know I was looking at Mayor Pro Tem two years ago
and thinking about how I was going to ensure that I was representing the City in
the way that you and prior Mayor Pro Terns and Mayors had done previously.
Uh, Pauline, you know ...... I .... I'm obviously supportive of you, um, in general. I
do have some concerns, and I think some of the concerns are similar to the
concerns that people have had about me, um, just as far as, um, and concerns that
I've had people, other people talk to me about, just as far as, you know,
preparation, um, deliberation. I'll say just in my sense, some of that preparation I
think isn't necessarily speaking to what you may do at home, because I do think
that I prepare just as much as I think I do at home. It's kind of delivery and
approach, um, at the Council table. Um, I also .... you know, just have concerns
about, and .... but you spoke to some of those concerns. I had concerns, at least
initially, about, you know, how you would feel comfortable about, um, you know,
representing the City in a large setting, cause it does take a lot of work outside of,
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and I think that's where I think you talked about it, John, from, you know, how
taxing it could be, cause I know Jim, cause I watch (laughs) his computer a lot,
prepares, um, not only, um, notes or comments for meetings, but also for speeches
as well, which, you know, I had on my notes it's a big deal to, you know, have to
prepare for (mumbled) speeches, um, navigate and understand the context of the
audience that you're speaking to, urn ...... so, you know, I.....this is tough! You
know, I .... I ..... I guess for me, I'm supportive of, um, Susan, um, not any .... not
any way, shape or form saying I'm not supportive of you, Pauline, as a person, as,
um, in any way, shape or form again, I just .... when I think about, again,
representation of the City, not only obviously in our local setting, but also in the
state and national level, um, I just know that Susan's had that prior experience
that, you know, again I try to pattern myself after, um, from the preparation and
the speech making, and things along those lines, and so that's where I .... I sit right
now.
Throgmorton: Well done, Kingsley. Uh, I .... I'd like to say, uh, it's been a real pleasure serving
with you as, uh, in your capacity as Mayor Pro Tem.
Botchway: Thank you.
Throgmorton: Uh, I've seen you speak at various events and you're really quite deft at engaging
with other people and making them feel really comfortable, uh, in the setting,
speaking on behalf of the City. So, thanks for doin' that. Uh, so .... uh, yeah, well
as Kingsley foreshadowed, I've prepared some notes, uh, about this. I wanna
draw upon `em. I ..... all of you know that I've had lengthy conversations with
each of you, sometimes more than once, about .... the various decisions before us,
including this particular one. I've listened very carefully to what you've said. I
have extensive (laughs) notes about those conversations and .... and I've thought,
as I promised Susan, long and hard about this, and .... Kingsley's already
explained this situation. It's really not a simple, uh.....decision..... mainly
because every Member of our Council possesses an impressive mix of talents and
experience, and I know there were at least a couple other people who were
interested in possibly being Mayor Pro Tem, so .... (laughs) you know...... all of us
have strengths, all of us have flaws, uh...... and what makes us strong is blending
it together, working together, so that the whole, uh, can really manifest itself. But
we have to choose one person. So when deciding who to support for this position,
I've tried to keep my basic purpose in mind, and my basic purpose comes from
what I said when I was runnin' for, uh, City Council, for re-election two years
ago. I want to help lead Iowa City toward becoming a more just city. A city
that's good for all its residents, both now and in the future. That's what I am here
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to do. So .... part of that's included in our strategic plan, forge a more inclusive,
just, and sustainable city. That's what we're about. So with those thoughts in
mind, I'm gonna support Pauline, and I wanna kind of lay out a few reasons why.
Uh, first it's something John alluded to. Just as our Council reflects the diversity
of Iowa City, so too should our leadership, and.....to be blunt, John and I have
had a conversation about this. It really wouldn't be very good to have two old
white guys from the Northside serving the two, you know, key positions.
Botchway: And both walk! (laughter)
Thomas: I copped out this morning, but.....
Throgmorton: Yeah, that's right .... he flaked out. Also, only three.....to elaborate on that, only
three of the 10 individuals who have served as Mayor and/or Mayor Pro Tem over
the past 20 years in Iowa City have been women. Regenia.... Dee Vanderhoef and
Susan. So.....one can make a good argument for having a .... a woman in, uh, one
of the leadership roles. Moreover, unlike those 10 individuals, Pauline has a long
history of being deeply involved in Iowa City's labor movement. That's unusual.
I don't believe any of the 10 people who've served in those positions come from
the labor movement. So.....I..... I just take note of that, and in .... in the spirit of
building a more inclusive and just city, I think that .... that counts from my point of
view. In addition, Pauline has a ..... uh, a critical talent that our Council needs to
display. We do, we all do it (laughs) but I think kind of Pauline's particularly
good at it, uh, partly because of her experience as a nurse. As a nurse, she's had
to learn how to listen empathetically to the people she's caring for. So, as a .... as
a unit, that's a key thing we have to be able to do is listen to that empathetically,
to listen to what our residents, and business, uh, owners, etc., say, and then
transform that into whatever decision we think is appropriate. Uh, moreover, as a
longtime member of the labor community, uh, Pauline has, as she's indicated, an
extensive body of experience in leadership positions, and ..... you know, we don't
see that be .... partly because you've been new to the Council. You spent the first
year probably listening, tryin' to learn (laughs), and .... yeah, and now is ...... it's
the time to, uh, as Kingsley might put it, uh, up your game and, uh..... there will
be an opportunity created for you to do that. And let's see ...... one thing it's
gonna help a lot is ..... is that Pauline just completed the Iowa League of Cities
Municipal leadership academy program, uh, which surely provided you a lot of
background information that will help you, uh, in the role that you will be
occupying. Uh, and lastly, one should not mistake Pauline's facility at listening
and learning for softness. The people who know her best tell me she's tough as
nails, and that can help a lot in certain moments. So ..... for those reasons, I intend
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to vote for Pauline as well. I wanna say also, Susan, uh.... you know, we've had
extensive conversations about this as well, and I did as I promised. It was not an
easy decision. You really have considerable amount of skill, and it's very clear,
but you also have served for four years as Mayor Pro Tem and ...... you know, as
I've said, I think it's a good time to provide an opportunity ..... for someone else.
Okay.
Salih: Just to add to what Jim said also, I've been witnessing have seen Pauline reaching
out to people from different background in support of them (unable to understand)
and just reaching out to people to know their issues that they're facing and, uh,
and I .... I believe she will continue doing that by reaching everybody in the
community, regardless what their background is, which is I like (unable to
understand).
Botchway: With respect (clears throat) with respect, um ..... you know so I didn't talk to
anybody about the Mayor Pro Tem, um, except I think for Jim and Susan, um, just
because one, it was for the family time and I wanted to, you know, spend some
time with family and the end of the year was really hectic, and I think, Jim, you
brought up some good points that I was not aware of. I didn't know you had gone
through leadership academy and there's a lot of your history that I think other
people are aware of and I'm not necessarily, um, an Iowa City native, um, in that
sense and I haven't been a part of the labor mo .... movement and some other
things, and (mumbled) I wil1.....1 will support you. I want it to .... I want it to be a
unanimous support from that standpoint, um, especially as, you know, Mazahir
was talking about for, um, communities of color, but I do have some concerns and
so, you know, um.....John had, uh, we had conversation about, um, collaborative
leadership and, you know, from that standpoint, you know, tun, I'm willin' to
work with .... work with those concerns that I have and talk to you about those in a
more, uh, deliberative way, um, cause I don't wanna, you know, just say there's
an issue and not necessarily help and want to fix the problem, so, anyways, I just
wanted to say that (mumbled) moved by many of the comments that were made.
Mims: The only ..... one thing I will just add, and obviously it's clear that Pauline has the
votes, um, I would encourage Pauline, and I would encourage the rest of the
Councilors, to.....make themselves available whenever possible to functions in
the community that we are invited to as a Council. Um, I've been surprised and
sometimes disappointed over the last two years, um, at how few Council
Members show up to various public functions. Um, ICAD had a great event on,
you know, an honest conversation, people who are new to the community. I
know John was out of town. You're our representative and I understand that.
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Geoff and I were the only two at that. Um, I've been to numerous, um, either
hiring or pinning ceremonies for the Fire Department, um, hiring or promotion
ceremonies for the Police Department, um, other kinds of events outside of City
staff, and it is not at all unusual that I either find myself or myself or Jim maybe,
um, as the only Council Members there, and I think it's really important that we
not only come... prepare and come to these meetings, but that we are also out in
the community, um, at these events that we are specifically invited to, and.....and
represent this Council. So I would hope that people going forward, uh, would
make more of an effort to do that. So, um, given the support, I mean, I'll go
ahead and vote for Pauline. There's no reason not to. That's the way it's going to
come out.
Botchway: So, to, um, two housekeeping points of clarification. One, so in order to not do a
no vote for Susan, can we remove the nomination?
Mims: We don't even need to vote, do we, once (several talking)
Fruehling: We would start with Pauline first and (both talking) and if it's a majority then you
wouldn't vote on the second one.
Botchway: Can I actually make a brief couple words as outgoing Mayor Pro Tem?
Throgmorton: Sure.
Botchway: So I've had lots of time to think about this position over the next two years and
there's a.....there's a wide range of things that are, um, that are taking place in my
life that, you know, unfortunately, um.....I think that.....I don't think it takes
away from my ability to do Council, but I.....I definitely, um, was willing but
somewhat reluctant as some of you know, um, with the role as it moves forward
for the next two years. Um, the position of itself has already been talked about as
far as meeting, possibly running the meeting in Jim's absence, countless
opportunities to represent the City in community outings in the public, the prepare
and giving speeches, um, but one of the things I want to make sure we focus on in
representation, and so I do appreciate Jim's point, um, and research on some of
that information as far as, you know, putting somebody in the position from a
labor standpoint, um.....uh, very strong labor standpoint, um (mumbled) next two
years. I ..... I want to, you know, thank y'all for your support. Um, over the last,
um, two years, um, in, you know, I felt like really focusing on racial equity and
diversity, not only through, um, our, um, strategic planning actions, um, but also
through, you know, empowering me as a .... individual to represent the City in this
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way. Um, it meant a lot. Um, I was able to connect with and work with a.....a
variety of different people. Um, I've definitely expanded my network. Um,
there's many people I still have yet to talk to and .... and meet with. Um, Mayor of
Ithaca, Jim and I have talked about, um ...... um, specifically (mumbled) Vice
Mayor, uh, Wes Bellamy, um, and I got a chance to meet him and talk to him
prior to the national conversation that happened in Charlottesville and developed
a friendship there. That's part of the reason why I wore the bow tie today, um,
he's.....he has better bow ties and dresses very (laughs) compared to me, uh.....
but I.....but I don't want you to take this as, um, a stepping back point. There's a
lot of things that I ..... I do plan on still doing in my current role as Council
Member and continuing to use those contacts and (mumbled) represent the City as
many of you do in your perspective professions. I want to leave us on that note
when I talked about collaborative leadership, cause again I didn't get a chance to
talk to everybody, just because of time. Um, but I really want us .... in lieu of what
Susan was saying as well, think about how we can make sure that we are
everywhere ....... as much as possible. Um, you know I had the conver.... or I
made a comment at the last, urn ...... with the Bravo awards and the CVB, um,
around, um, the `everywhere man.' One of the nominees, Tim Cardy, that I was,
uh... um, had the opportunity to, um, honor with an award, and um, you know, he
does a ne.....a wonderful job of being at different events, um, and even if he's not
there, making sure that representatives are there, to ensure that when you have
any type of ribbon cuttings or businesses need to be represented, they see a strong
support from the business community, but also City representation. And so when
we think about this, and I know we're gonna walk into committees next, but I do
want us to think about how we can ensure we .... we really do what Susan was
talking about as far as being at all those events, cause some of `em I just can't
necessarily be at just because of my work schedule. Um, but also, um ...... how we
are talking with and working with different members of the community, from a
leadership standpoint. I don't know how much it changed, at least my
understanding of Council deliberations when I moved into a leadership role, and
had people, you know, stopping me on the street, talking to me from various
walks and backgrounds, um, about the City, that had.....people had prior, but not
necessarily in the same way, and I think you .... you've seen that as well as being
Mayor, and so, um, I just want us to think about that as a Council, um, something
that I noticed, and want us to move more towards a collaborative leadership
approach when we ..... and our weaknesses, um, I see one of our weaknesses....
while it is somewhat of a strength around racial equity, I do feel like there's some
weaknesses that we as leadership can, uh, move towards in a.....in a different
way. So .... anyways, again I thank your .... for your support. It was really
appreciated. Um .... (mumbled)
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Fruehling: Okay? Okay, uh, so we'll do a vote for .... uh, office of Mayor Pro Tem. We
have Pauline Taylor as a nomination. All those in favor. All those opposed.
Okay. Uh, and then we'll go ahead and swear in the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
and finish up the meeting.
Taylor: Can I say just a few words? (both talking) Is that appropriate? Um, thank you
for this honor and I assure you that I will take the role very seriously. Um, each
of us has our own experiences and abilities as John allu.... or Jim alluded to. Um,
Susan, I've always admired your financial knowledge and I will continue to, uh,
listen to you when it comes to anything budget wise. Um, Rockne, of course with
his legal experience has been very helpful on the Council. Kingsley, as you've
alluded to, your devotion to, uh, diversity and fairness, uh, in the community, um,
is .... is invaluable. Uh, John, your experience in community planning and .... and
zoning, and Mazahir, you're excitement and enthusiasm, it's gonna be great to
have that on the Council, and of course, Jim, your great leadership skills, um, I
think that's blended into a really great Council that we've had. Uh, we've worked
together very well and accomplished, uh, a lot, along with the great staff in the
City that we have, uh, our strategic goals and .... and plans and goals. We've done
.....we've made great strides in that. My hope is that we can continue to work
together, uh, to strive for Iowa City to continue to be a strong, healthy, vibrant
community for ..... for persons of all ages and all ethnic backgrounds. Um, thank
you again!
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Item No. 6 Consider a motion making two-year City Council appointments
Throgmorton: We'll have discussion about this, lengthy discussion, but could someone make a
motion please?
Mims: I think we need to decide who's where before we make (both talking)
Throgmorton: .... gonna get it on the table. That's what I thought we were gonna do. Anyhow,
okay! So let's, yeah, let's work our way through these things. So ...... I don't
know how many committees we have here, but uh, the first is Rules Committee.
Botchway: (mumbled) ....do we need to put it on the ta.... put it on the floor and then make
separate action on each of the different committees?
Fruehling: You don't have to do each one individually, but....
Botchway: (mumbled) ....put a motion on the floor! For discussion.
Fruehling: That's .... I believe so.
Botchway: So moved.
Fruehling: Thank you.
Throgmorton: Moved by Botchway.
Thomas: Second.
Throgmorton: Second by Thomas. All right, discussion? So, again, let's just work through them
one -by -one. The Rules Committee.... currently has Kingsley Botchway and uh,
one vacancy. So ... the Rules Committee doesn't do a whole lot, right, Kingsley?
You and Terry met one time I think (laughter) in two years.
Botchway: (laughing) We do a ton of work! (laughter) No (both talking)
Throgmorton: You're doin' a great job, I gotta tell ya! (laughing)
Botchway: No, there isn't a lot of work, but um, you know, it is ..... I do think that the
obviously the boards and commissions feel like, you know, when they present
bylaws and changes to their rules, that you know it's ..... it's something that they
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want to ensure, get Council, you know, moves forward on and things along those
lines, and there's only been.....one recently that I can remember, but twice
meeting, and so, urn ...... yeah, I'm.....I'm willing to .... I'm willing to do it again,
especially with my schedule.
Throgmorton: Well, if the committee has to do anything, the person on the committee probably
needs to have some experience on the Council. So I don't know that it would be
good to just ask Mazahir to step into that role, but I don't know what the ripple
effect of that would be either. So why don't we tentatively see if anybody else...
has, would be willing to occupy that role..... along with Kingsley, if Kingsley
wants to continue in that.
Botchway: It's really fun! (laughter)
Throgmorton: Pauline? All right, so let's pencil her in, along with Kingsley.....for the Rules
Committee. All right, the Emergency Management Commission. John currently
serves on that. Uh, do you meet.....whatda y'all do, John? (laughs)
Thomas: (laughing) It's, urn .... well it's.... there's a pretty long description there. Um....
you know we .... we meet and .... and discuss emergency management matters and
vote on the budget, uh, which is coming up. Um .... you know, for anyone
interested and I'm ..... I'm happy to continue on that, but for anyone interested, uh,
it's an introduction to the emergency management system for Johnson County,
you know, just what goes into that. The .... the facility they have out on, um....
Melrose and uh, you know, the individuals who are involved. It's sort of
interesting to get a tour of that place too because it's kind of ...emergency central
when an event should happen. Um ..... but it's really something that, you know, it
sort of focuses on emergency management, so police and fire play a huge role in
terms of .....that, as well as coordinating beyond that. They were involved with
the, uh, the flood couple of years ago. Coordinating efforts with Cedar Rapids.
Which the City of Iowa City contributed to (both talking)
Throgmorton: Okay! So you say you're comfortable (both talking)
Thomas: ....I'm happy to (both talking)
Throgmorton: Is there anybody who would prefer to be on that?
Thomas: (laughing)
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Throgmorton: All right, no fighting then I guess. So tentatively John (both talking)
Thomas: Okay.
Throgmorton: The next is the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County, six plus
one alternate. So, yeah, so.....the Mayor cannot serve on the MPO. That means
the other six Members are.... would be appointed to the MPO. All right, next,
Iowa City/Coralville Visitors and Convention Bureau. So I'm required by their
bylaws to be on it. That is the Mayor is required. Uh, the next is the Economic
Development Committee, which is, uh, the major committee that our .... that we
appoint people to. I can say I.....I've been very happy with Susan's leadership of
that committee, and ...... uh, Rockne's not here, but I'd say I .... I certainly have no
objection to him continuing on it, but ...... do any of you have a strong desire either
not to be on the committee or not to be chair or to be on the committee?
Mims: I would like to continue on the committee, and I'd be happy to continue as chair.
Salih: I was thinking to be on that committee.
Throgmorton: Well what can we do with, uh, I don't know ...... Rockne's (mumbled) not here.
We don't know for certain if he wants to be on the committee. I think he does
because he was a very active participant. Uh.... can you explain why you were
thinking of being on it?
Salih: I guess one of my, uh, campaign issues was economic development for all and I
would like just to be on that committee so I can have a role in making some
decision about our city in this area. Yeah, I'm passionate about it and I would
like to do it!
Throgmorton: Uh, do others have, uh.....thoughts, ideas, suggestions, preferences?
Thomas: Well one ..... one thing I would say, in general for all of these appointments, is that
notion of rotation. I do think it's important .... for Members of Council to be
familiar with as many aspects of Iowa City government as possible. Uh, I do
think it would be good ...... a good experience for Mazahir, um, you know, I .... I
have a background in planning and zoning, as well as my own professional
background, so as much as I would enjoy being on that committee, um, I
understand what it's about, and so I don't know that, you know, I need an
introduction in the same way that .... that she does. Um, so I'm .... supportive of
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her interest in that, uh..... especially in that, you know, I think it would fast -
forward your experience and understanding of the issues involved.
Throgmorton: I feel pretty awkward about this with Rockne not being present to speak his own
mind, and we don't know why he's not present.
Salih: We have to do it today or we can wait for him on that one?
Mims: I don't know. Is this required under our.....
Fruin: I think ..... you could always change your appointment in the future, but you
should appoint the full committee this morning.
Throgmorton: All right.
Botchway: I mean I feel .... I mean I feel comfortable moving forward with Mazahir right now
and obviously if Rockne ...... at the next meeting if Rockne.....if they want to
present their whys, as far as representation on the committee, we'll hear it at that
time. Cause I mean I'd be interested to know what Rockne (several talking)
Throgmorton: I definitely want to know his views.
Botchway: Yeah.
Throgmorton: But I .... admire your desire to be on that committee and understand the rationale
totally.
Salih: Yeah, and I just feel like as.....Jim Thomas said, uh.....you know, John Thomas
said we.....we need to have experience. I know that from the.....from day one
I'm not gonna be great because, you know, I need to learn a lot of stuff, but my
background as a civil engineer that will help me also like on this kind of thing but
really I would like to be involved, really involved, in those kind of, uh, and the
Economic Development Committee is really important committee in the Council,
and that's why I really looking forward to work on it and learn more about all the
committees.
Throgmorton: All right, uh, I will support Mazahir as well .... for that appointment, but I want us
to have a conversation at some point within the .... either at tonight's meeting or
the following meeting to hear Rockne's views, and, you know.....
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Salih: Definitely! I agree (mumbled)
Throgmorton: So we're clear about the three appointees?
Fruehling: So you're staying, you're planning to stay on that too (both talking)
Throgmorton: Oh I'm sorry, yes. Yeah. All right (both talking)
Botchway: ...tweeting, I apologize. I am paying attention, I'm just tweeting out that
congratulations to Jim and Pauline as quickly as possible before Charlie beats me
to it! (laughter)
Throgmorton: All right, next is the Chief Elected Officials Board of Iowa Works, Region 10,
and only Pauline and I have a clue what this is all about, but I .... I don't know if
you really have a clue cause I.....I don't know whether, uh, they've had any
meetings that you've attended.
Taylor: Really it says, uh, three to four times a year as needed, and we really haven't met
even that I don't ..... I don't believe, and it is in Cedar Rapids so that's a little bit
of a .... a problem for some folks, but uh, yeah, it doesn't meet that often, and the
basic description was the, uh, Workforce Investment Act and talking about funded
programs for that or programs that request funding from that, and (coughing,
unable to hear speaker) apparently haven't been that many (mumbled)
Throgmorton: Yeah, I .... I was thinking this might be a good assignment for Maz, but .... but
I'm .... I also wanted to ask you — there's.... they also, they provide a lot of
information in, you know, written material....
Taylor: Right.
Throgmorton:.... an assignee is supposed to read and it takes a while to kind of figure out what
the heck they're doin'. So if you feel like you've already learned that, then I think
you ought to stay on it, uh, but in terms of your own desires, I mean, and you
know.....
Mims: I would agree with you, Jim. This is one, cause I've served on that before, and....
Throgmorton: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't (both talking)
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Mims: There's.....yeah, there's a lot of state and federal guidelines and nuances to the
various programs, and I would encourage, if Pauline's done it and has started to
get that familiarity, that it might make sense for her to continue, with that....
especially since they.....like you say, it's not real time-consuming in terms of the
number of meetings but .... when you're there, it's...... yeah, it's pretty detailed....
to understand really what they're going after.
Throgmorton: (both talking) ....yeah, so if Pauline's willing, uh, let's stay with Pauline on that
committee. Or board. Okay, next is the Metro Coalition. Uh....
Botchway: I'm not sure about Geoff, to be honest with ya (laughter)
Throgmorton: Geoff and I were both pretty active on the Metro Coalition last year, all of last
year, and I expect that to continue, but I see no reason to change (several talking)
current assignment. So ..... (several talking) alternate. Okay, next the Joint
Emergency Communications Center Policy Board. How does this differ, John,
from the .... or Susan and .... and Geoff, how does it differ from the Emergency
Management Commission?
Mims: Emergency Management is ... just that. Dave Wilson is in charge of Emergency
Management for Johnson County. The JECC, the Joint Emergency
Communication Center, is the .... is the center that does all the dispatching for
Johnson County, for fire, police, ambulance. So they take all the 9-1-1 calls, and
they also coordinate with, and .... and they're looking at, um.....uh...... having all
of our radio systems work together with, um, Linn County and Blackhawk
County, and maybe some others. So we're looking at budget, as John mentioned,
with the Emergency Management Associa..... um, you know, budget, but also just
all the policies. So as we're talking about .... uh, new radio systems, um, or
potentially hiring more people in terms of dispatchers and those issues, you know,
those are the kinds of things. Um, we tend to meet four ti .... in general four times
a year, sometimes around budget time we might have an extra meeting. Um....
but yeah, it's required to have two, um, actually, I don't know if John's interested
in it, but I think it would fit in real well with, um, with the person who's on the
Emergency Management, and then you'd kind of get both aspects of it. I mean
I'm willing to do it, but I think it'd be....it would kind of make sense to have the
same person. I think you get...... you kind of get a better sense of how some of
those things fit together. So, but that's up to you if you warm....
Throgmorton: Whatdaya think, John?
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Thomas: Uh (laughs) I mean I'm okay with.....if you don't mind just carrying on with that,
to carry on with that.
Mims: I mean if anybody else is interested, that's......
Throgmorton: Looks like Fruin and Mims on that. Okay, next, East Central Iowa Council of
Governments, ECICOG, Policy Board. So they appoint .... we.....we, what, every
other year someone from Iowa City is .... the appointee for Johnson County, right?
So ... I take it this coming year, or 2018, we are the one-year appointee. Okay, so
we do need to appoint somebody. Uh.....
Taylor: (both talking) ...little deceptive. I was for 2016 but then for 2017 another person
(both talking)
Throgmorton: Right. Right. So ...... urn ...... any volunteers for that? Should be somebody who
has time to drive up to Cedar Rapids. I mean I did this thing, ECICOG twice I
guess.... before.
Mims: I've done it before as well ..... for four years.
Throgmorton: Volunteers, volunteers, volunteers? (laughs)
Taylor: Yeah! It's another one like the other other board where, uh, it's kind of helpful to
kind of know the, uh, workings of it. A lot of information. It .... it is a very great,
uh, council to.....to go to because, uh, many cities, many counties are together on
that and talking about infrastructure improvements and, uh, a lot of those kinds of
things. It's a very, uh, very good council to be on, but again, the drawback is that
it does meet in .... in Cedar Rapids and you also do need to find your own
alternate, which was .... which was a difficult thing to do! But I would be willing
to continue, unless like .... said rotate would be great, if somebody else would
want to serve on that. Kingsley? No? (laughs)
Mims: I think if you're willing to continue, Pauline, again, I think the ECCOG, um, like
with the other one we were talking about, having that.....history and .... and
experience, because there .... when I served on it I found there's a lot to learn.
Taylor: (both talking) ....learning curve at first (both talking)
Throgmorton: Yeah, and they give you a lot of written material and there's.....I don't .... brief
training session before hand.....
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Taylor: Yes. Yes.
Throgmorton: Yeah, I think it'd be best if you could continue on that, Pauline.
Taylor: I'm fine with that.
Throgmorton: Okay. Okay, next SEATS Paratransit Advisory Committee.
Salih: Really would like to be on that one.
Throgmorton: I think that'd be a great choice. Maz for that? Johnson County Criminal Justice
Coordinating Committee. Uh, Kingsley, you've been on that, is that still active?
Botchway: It's not.
Throgmorton: Has it been disbanded, or is it just replaced with the focus on (both talking)
Botchway: ....been displaced, or .... replaced with the focus on kind of data -driven analysis,
um, within the County. So .... I mean, I ..... I'd like to continue in that work. You
know, it's somewhat, you know, we hired the individual.....the County hired the
individual to kind of do some of the data analysis. Um, some of this pushes what
I talked about in our .... um, I think it was two meetings ago, uh, with discussion
around how I think we as a city do a wonderful job, our Police Department,
looking at data and how we .... we look at, or how we use our data to take different
actions. I'm not saying anything about the other cities. They just....they have
different data sets, and so ..... when we looked at it from a County perspective,
there wasn't the conversation that, um ..... it could all, you know, everybody could
talk to each other in the same way. Um, so I'd like to get to that point and
continue to work on the group. Um, I was mentioning to Mazahir that, you know,
some of the CIT conversations started within this committee with Jessica
Peckover, you know, a number of years ago, talking about, um, the Jail
Alternatives Program that she ran, um, with that committee, and so, um, you
know I'd like to.....like to continue, unless anybody else is interested.
Throgmorton: I don't hear people fighting to take over your position, so.....okay, Kingsley for
that. Next is the UNESCO Board of Directors. Rockne currently serves on that.
I would suggest reassigning Rockne to it. And next is the Self -Supporting Non -
Voting Representative from Iowa City, that's the Downtown District.
And.....City Manager designee is what we've done before. I see no reason not to
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do that, unless there's objection. (mumbled) All right, moving on.....Johnson
County E911 Service Board. This sounds tightly connected to the Emergency
stuff, to me.
Mims: But we've always had (several talking) We've always had Police and Fire (both
talking)
Throgmorton: Oh, right! That's right! Right, so John Grier and .... um, forgotten.....
Fruin: Doug Hart.
Throgmorton: Doug Hart, thank you. Yeah, so we'll just reappoint them if that's all right,
Geoff? Okay, next is Iowa City Area Development Board, ICAD Board. So, I
think Geoff and John, unless someone else strongly desires to throw John Thomas
under the bus. (laughter)
Mims: I'd be interested in it.
Thomas: Yeah, I am interested in that. It's a good exposure and .... and way to connect with
a broader array of.....interests within, you know, the Johnson County area, uh, so
it's been useful for me ....... as a way of connecting.
Throgmorton: I think it's an important assignment, uh, being connected with Mark and what the
others at ICAD are doin', especially since there's now this .... ICAD Connection
part-time employment by some of its employees, with regard to that regional
venture, whatever it's called now. I don't remember the name of it. Geoff, do
you remember the name of the.....
Fruin: The Iowa City Corridor Dev.... Iowa City/Cedar Rapids Corridor Development
Group.
Throgmorton: Uh, yeah. So I.....Susan and John both expressed interest. Did .... did you?
Botchway: No, I mean I .... I did if John wasn't interested, but if he's interested I'm not .... I'm
not fightin' over it (mumbled) I see them a lot anyways. (laughs)
Throgmorton: John's gotta do somethin', Susan.
Mims: That's fine.
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Throgmorton: All right, uh, Iowa City Assessor Evaluation Committee. This meets once a year?
Is that right, Geoff? If at all (laughs)
Fruin: Yeah, it'd be once a year (both talking) Yeah.
Throgmorton:..... Assessor. (laughs)
Botchway: I'd be interested in it, you know, I know, um, there's a .... there's a time
commitment as long as, you know, we schedule the meetings, you know, ahead of
time in accordance with it. I used to work for the County. Um, I consistently
have some evaluative experience in my role, um, with the School District, so....
but if anybody else is interested (mumbled)
Fruehling: I believe they're.....they're meeting, I want to say it's this Friday. I didn't bring
my note with me (both talking and laughter) But it's .... it's soon, urn ...... I want to
say (both talking)
Botchway: .....in that case (both talking)
Fruehling: ....4:00 or 5:00 on Friday.
Botchway: I'm.....I'm available (both talking) That works. Thanks for lettin' me know
(laughs)
Throgmorton: All right, well let's assign Kingsley to that. Okay, uh, last is the Partnership for
Alcohol Safety. I currently co-chair the committee with Melissa Shivers. And...
I assume I should continue doin' that. (several talking) Yeah, cause it was
organized initially ...... created by a joint (coughing, unable to hear speaker) Okay,
so we have a motion on the floor to make these appointments, correct?
Botchway: Yes!
Throgmorton: Uh, this is a voice vote or a ..... yeah, so ... uh, all in favor of the appointments we
just described say aye. Opposed. Motion carries 6-0.
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