HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-02 Council minutes f " &
te CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 10, 2018
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, October 2, 2018, 5:00 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall
Council: Cole, Mims, Salih, Taylor, Thomas, Throgmorton.
UISG: Stewart
Staff: Fruin, Monroe, Andrew, Dilkes, Fruehling, Ralston, Bockenstedt, Knoche, Havel,
Hightshoe, Rackis
(A transcription and PowerPoint are available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.)
Provide direction on City Council salary and health insurance benefits
Mayor Throgmorton provided background information on previous discussions and memorandums.
Individual Council members expressed their views.
Action: Staff will prepare an ordinance increasing salaries for members and the mayor to $11,960 and
$14,950 (respectively). Health insurance benefits and a City contribution will be made available to
Council members at the rate offered to the half-time City employees. All changes will be effective July
1, 2020. Finance will make necessary budget preparations.
Discuss Council member appointments to committees
Council members discussed the possibility of establishing term limits on Council Committee
appointments. Individual Council members expressed their views.
Action: Staff will draft a memo on Council committee term limits. The next formal agenda will include
Council committee appointments for existing vacancies.
Clarification of Agenda Items
• [6.a]... Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP)Administrative Plan...Council member Salih
asked Housing Administrator Rackis to give a brief summary of the plan.
• [8.g]... Megan Lyons: School Crossing Scott Blvd and Washington St...Council member Salih
asked if Council could be updated after the studies are completed. Staff with follow up with
Council.
• [8.i]... Allison Donnell: Street Trees— North Dodge...Council member Salih asked staff to
respond to the email. City Clerk Fruehling noted that the staff response was included in the late
handouts on October 1st
• [12]... Settlement of impending litigation...Council member Salih asked staff to give some
details regarding the item. City Attorney Dilkes gave a brief summary.
Council Work Session
October 2, 2018
Page 2
• 1111... Highland Avenue Traffic Calming...Mayor Throgmorton noted an email requesting to
install a four-way stop sign at Keokuk and Highland and asked for staffs views. Transportation
Planner Ralston commented briefly on the four-way stop and the traffic calming issue.
Action: Staff will conduct an analysis of a 4-way stop at Keokuk and Highland and report back to
the City Council in a future Information Packet.
Information Packet Discussion (September 20, September 27j
> September 20
1. (IP2, Copy of article from City Manager: First Homes Being Built with Housing Trust Fund)
Council member Mims mentioned it was nice to see the article regarding the first homes
being built.
2. (IPS, National League of Cities —City Fiscal Conditions 2018) Council member Mims noted
the information stating that in general, cities across the country are seeing their general fund
expenses outpacing their revenues.
3. (IP2, Copy of article from City Manager: First Homes Being Built with Housing Trust Fund)
Mayor Pro tem Taylor commented that the federal government needed to be encouraged to
maintain and even increase the funds due to the need increasing every year.
4. (IP6, Invitation: State of Poverty in Johnson County— October 12) Council member Mims
pointed out the invitation and the link to register.
> September 27
1. (IPS, Copy of article from City Manager: Why Affordable Housing Isn't More Affordable)
Council member Salih asked the City Manager to give his interpretation of the article. City
Manager Fruin stated often he includes articles for Council to have background information
on something staff is working on so that they're familiar with the topic when it comes to
them. The article refers to one of the item's remaining on the City's affordable housing
action plan. Mayor Throgmorton expressed his views.
2. (IP13, Memorandum from Neighborhood Services Coordinator: Equity Toolkit Review of
South District Partnership) Mayor Pro tem Taylor and Council member Salih commented on
the memorandum. Neighborhood Services Director Hightshoe provided additional
information. Individual Council members expressed their views.
3. (IP10, Memorandum from Community Development Planner: Affordable Housing Programs
from FY15 to FY18) Council member Salih had questions regarding the affordable housing
project. City Manager Fruin and Neighborhood Services Director Hightshoe provided
additional information. Mayor Throgmorton commented on the memorandum.
4. (IP11, Memorandum from Executive Director, Housing Trust Fund: Housing Trust Fund of
Johnson County Quarterly Report FY17/18) Council member Salih had questions regarding
the report. City Manager Fruin stated the information had been reported previously and
would get the information to her.
Council Work Session
October 2, 2018
Page 3
5. (IP12, Memorandum from Community Development Planner, Neighborhood Services
Coordinator, Neighborhood & Development Services Director: Affordable Housing Location
Model Review) Mayor Throgmorton summarized the request from staff to delay re-
evaluation of the location model until after completion of the Fair Housing study. City
Manager Fruin and Neighborhood Services Director Hightshoe provided additional
information. Individual Council members expressed their views.
(Break to Formal meeting 6:41 p.m. - Returned 8:50 p.m.)
6. (IP9, Memorandum from City Clerk: Joint Meeting Agenda Items for October 15) Mayor
Throgmorton asked Council members for items of interest to add to the joint meeting
agenda.
Action: The City Clerk will submit proposed topics for the joint meeting, including the
Gateway ribbon cutting/grand opening, a request for a County update on the State of
Poverty forum, introduction of Councilor Teague, and a request for an update on the
ICCSD's school pairing efforts.
7. (IP6, Pending Work Session Topics) City Manager Fruin followed up with Council to set the
meeting time for the special work session for October 23rd.
Action: A special work session presentation of the downtown historic properties survey by
the consultant will be held at a 9 a.m. on October 23rd
8. (IP14, Memorandum from Deer Committee: Public Forum — Deer Management) City
Manager Fruin asked for Council direction regarding reapplication to the State to conduct
sharpshooting. Individual Council members expressed their views.
Action: Staff will bring the deer management application for sharpshooting back to the Iowa
DNR for consideration at their Nov. 8 meeting.
Council updates on assigned boards, commissions and committees
Council members reported on various assigned boards, commissions and committees.
Adjourn 9:11 p.m.