HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 Legislative Priorities
Prepared by: Rachel Kilburg, Assistant to the City Manager, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356-5014
Resolution No. ______________
Resolution Establishing The City Of Iowa City’s
2021 Legislative Priorities
Whereas, the Iowa City City Council seeks to encourage legislation that enhances the quality of life
for residents in Iowa City as well as the State of Iowa; and
Whereas, the City of Iowa City and other cities play a critical role in the future of the State; and
Whereas, it is in the interest of the residents of Iowa City that the City Council establish legislative
priorities and convey said priorities to our State delegation and other relevant stakeholders.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Iowa City City Council hereby outlines its legislative
proposals to the Iowa City area legislative delegation for the 2021 Iowa State legislative session as
follows:
Strategic plan objective: demonstrate leadership in climate action
Support for Climate Action Initiatives
Support initiatives and legislation that further the goals contained in Iowa City’s Climate Action
and Adaptation Plan and Accelerating Iowa City Climate Actions report. Iowa City encourages
the State to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and provide cities the ability
to make local amendments. The City also encourages the state to initiate a statewide climate
action plan and invest directly in environmental and ecological efforts that will support all Iowans.
Strategic plan objective: advance social justice, racial equity, and human rights
Support reform measures to reduce racial disparity in the criminal justice system and
address systemic racism
In the state of Iowa, Black people and persons of color are a small percentage of the population
but are significantly overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Discriminatory criminal
justice policies and disparate enforcement outcomes should be addressed through uniform
minimum implicit bias and cultural competency training requirements for law enforcement and
decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. Iowa City also supports the recommendations
issued by the Governors FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform to promote unbiased
policing, which include requiring and automating data collection on race/ethnicity from traffic
stops and adopting a statutory ban on disparate treatment in law enforcement activities.
Additionally, the City requests the State conduct a statewide review of community police review
boards and corresponding legislative policies to ensure these bodies have adequate oversight
powers.
Law enforcement agencies also need expanded legal avenues for addressing hate related acts.
Currently, the State Hate Crimes provision, Iowa Code Chapter 729A, enhances the penalty for
certain crimes when they are committed because of a person’s race, color, religion, ancestry,
national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability, but harassment and
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trespass with the intent to harass are not included as enhanceable offenses. Iowa City
encourages the State to amend the existing Iowa hate crimes law to include harassment as an
enhanceable offense.
Support crisis intervention efforts and provide adequate funding for localities to
implement a mental health care continuum of services responsive to local need
Local law enforcement agencies are developing innovative solutions for preventing or improving
the response to calls for service which involve individuals experiencing a behavioral health,
substance abuse, housing, or other similar form of crisis. One strategy being explored locally
involves law enforcement documenting information about the contact made with an individual in
these types of incidents and sharing this information with licensed health care or social service
providers. The goal of information sharing is to provide opportunity for referral or intervention
and reduce the likelihood of the need for future police involvement. To ensure an effective
response is not dampened by confidentially concerns for the crisis victim’s information, Iowa City
supports confidentiality protections for reports by law enforcement regarding contact with a
person experiencing a crisis that contain personally-identifiable information.
Additionally, Iowa City encourages the State to enhance and expand support for mental health
care and intervention services to better treat those individuals who are at-risk for hospitalization
or jailing. Specifically, the City supports lifting the moratorium on specialty courts and increasing
funding through the Iowa Department of Corrections and Iowa Department of Justice for
specialty courts, including the proposed Sixth Judicial District Civil Mental Health Court.
Additionally, the State is encouraged to seek additional capacity for mental health care in Iowa,
including investing in Assistive Outpatient Treatment (AOT) and increasing the reimbursement
rates for mental health providers.
Strategic plan objective: invest in public infrastructure, facilities, and fiscal reserves
Ensure the continued funding of commercial & industrial property tax replacement
payments
2013 property tax reform measures are placing significant financial pressures on cities across
the state. Backfilling a portion of property tax revenue lost to local jurisdictions was an important
component of the 2013 legislation and recognized the necessity of this revenue for local
government operations. However, in recent years, state-level discussions of eliminating or
phasing out the backfill payments has been a threat to Iowa cities’ abilities to maintain basic
service levels.
The Fiscal Year 2021 backfill payment to Iowa City is estimated to be approximately $1.6 million.
To demonstrate the magnitude of these payments, this equates to the annual personnel
expenses for approximately 15 full-time firefighters. Cuts to such basic services would be
necessary, in addition to raising property tax rates, to compensate for lost reimbursement
revenue. Raising tax rates to compensate for reduced taxable value negates the intention of
property tax reform. The City of Iowa City encourages the State to continue funding for
commercial and industrial property tax backfill payments to cities and fulfill these
reimbursements at the full amount.
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Continue Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funding
The REAP grant program has been critical for improvements and protection of Iowa City’s
natural resources, park areas, and open spaces. Although REAP has been authorized to receive
$20 million in funding until Fiscal Year 2021, the state legislature has historically appropriated
less. In 2020, the REAP was appropriated $12 million (approximately $12.5 million including
interest income). The City encourages the State to extend funding authorizations for REAP and
increase the annual appropriation to ensure continued conservation of Iowa’s natural resources.
Strategic plan objective: foster health neighborhoods and affordable housing throughout the city
Protect Home Rule authority for local governments
Local governments are uniquely positioned to respond to the needs and priorities of our
residents and taxpayers. Cities innovate in response to local conditions and implement new
ideas that can benefit the State as a whole, and more closely reflect the priorities of the public
we serve. This includes local flexibility in local building codes, revenue options, and land use
decisions and the preservation of cities’ authority to restrict housing discrimination based on
source of income.
Support University of Iowa Student Government (USG) proposal regarding rental property
move-in checklists
During the 2020 Iowa legislative session, a bill (S.F. 2216) was introduced which would require
landlords to provide and use an inventory checklist at the start and end of a tenancy and
included a process for implementation. Important requirements which protect tenants against
unfair withholdings of rental deposits are detailed in the bill, including a list of required items to
be included on the checklist, a file retention period, and a requirement for landlords to provide a
copy of this documentation to tenants. Iowa City registered in support of this proposal.
With University of Iowa students representing a significant portion of rental tenants in the Iowa
City, the University’s student government has advocated for these protections. Iowa City stands
with USG in encouraging the State to pursue rental property move-in checklists.
Support legislation protecting the rights of manufactured housing residents
Recent sales of manufactured housing communities statewide and the resulting impact on those
communities has led to discussions at both the state and local levels regarding how best to
protect the rights of the families living in these communities. The City of Iowa City supports
rights for the residents of manufactured housing which include: rent protections including a
statewide cap on frequency and percentage of increases and lengthened notice periods for
proposed increases, uniform good cause eviction statewide standards, fair fee regulations
including standardized time frames for assessing late fees, and fair lease provisions and
effective enforcement mechanisms to combat illegal provisions.
Additionally, when manufactured housing communities are put up for sale, residents should be
offered first right of purchase and be protected from premature eviction during pursuit of local
ownership. If displacement is forced as a last resort, the owners profiting from the sale of the
park must be required to provide fair relocation assistance. The City also encourages the State
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to consider a tax credit program which incentivizes the transfer/sale of land to residents of the
community, allowing them to build equity, and protects against “bad-actor” ownership.
During the 2020 state legislative session, the City of Iowa City registered in support of H.F.
2351, which addressed many of these issues. Iowa City continues to support the protections for
manufactured housing residents outlined in this bill and encourages the State to resurrect and
adopt such legislation.
Promote equitable access and affordability of high-speed, broadband internet, including
sustainable investment in cities’ critical technological infrastructure
High-speed broadband is a driving force behind the local and state economy and is an indicator
of quality of life alongside minimum basic needs such as clean water and maintained roadways.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed many inequities in availability and affordability of high-
speed broadband internet access in cities across Iowa. It is critical that Iowans of all income
levels are on a level playing field when it comes to broadband access, speed, choice, and cost.
This will require the State to pursue significant investments in and sustainable funding for critical
infrastructure, such as fiber, and next-generation technology which will drive education,
employment, and basic human services.
Iowa City encourages the State to take measures which will expand access to high-speed,
affordable broadband in cities, specifically for low- and moderate-income Iowans in urban
neighborhoods. Additionally, the City supports efforts which incentivize public-private
partnerships and ensure reasonable local flexibility as communities work towards cost-effective,
universal broadband access.
Strategic plan objective: promote an inclusive & resilient economy throughout the city
Support the continued excellence of the State’s primary, secondary, and higher education
institutions and advocate for additional education funding
Iowa’s primary and secondary schools are fundamental drivers of the State’s economic growth,
standard of living, and future prosperity. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decreased
enrollment at primary and secondary schools would result in significant funding decreases based
on the State’s existing per pupil finance formula. It is essential for the success of the State and
our local communities that support for our schools is a top priority in the State’s budget and
funding is responsive of COVID-19 impacts.
The City also encourages the State to expand access, affordability, and quality of early
childhood education and care. Specifically, the City supports increased reimbursement rates for
Child Care Assistance (CCA) providers, to ensure families with parents who wish to enter the
workforce can find and afford quality child care
The University of Iowa plays a critical role in the supporting statewide economic, social, and
cultural growth. It is important the State of Iowa provides the university the needed resources to
ensure the university’s continued ability to facilitate growth opportunities in varied sectors of the
business community. Likewise, community colleges play an important role in ensuring the
continued competitiveness and inclusivity of the state’s economy. The City encourages the State
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to carefully consider and support the legislative and financial priorities of the University of Iowa
and Kirkwood Community College.
Continue use of federal funding to support residents and businesses in recovery from the
COVID-19 pandemic
Cities across Iowa are experiencing severe economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even after aggressive spending cuts to operations and capital outlays, the revenue loss is of
such magnitude that it limits cities’ abilities to provide basic assistance to local businesses and
residents in responding to the pandemic. Direct and flexible funding allocations to cities are
essential to ensuring local needs are addressed adequately through locally viable and effective
solutions. Iowa City encourages the State to continue investing available CARES Act dollars and
other federal funding in local municipalities to support Iowa residents and businesses in
recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Strategic plan objective: strengthen community engagement and intergovernmental relations
Support the legislative efforts of the Iowa League of Cities and the Metro Coalition
Iowa City, as a member of both organizations, supports the legislative priorities set forth by the
Iowa League of Cities and by the Metropolitan Coalition for the 2021 session.
Passed and approved this _________ day of _____________________, 20______.
MAYOR
Approved by
ATTEST: ___________________________ ______________________________
CITY CLERK City Attorney's Office