HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-19 Council minutesr
�.®,° CITY OF IOWA CITY
Z-- ��� MEMORANDUM
Date: January 26, 2021
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk
Re: Electronic Council Work Session, January 19, 2021, 5:00 PM, Zoom Meeting Platform
Council: Bergus, Mims, Salih, Taylor, Teague, Thomas, Weiner
UISG: Longenecker
Staff: Fruin, Monroe, Kilburg, Dilkes, Fruehling, Hightshoe, Sitzman, Liston, Havel, Sovers,
Bowers, Bockenstedt
(A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.)
Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due
to concerns for the health and safety of council members, staff and the public presented by
COVID-19.
Discuss City Annexation Policy
City Manager Fruin provided background information regarding the Carson Farms annexation
application leading up to the Council request to review the City Annexation policy. Fruin noted the
information in the 1/14 Information Packet (I P3) from 2018 when the current policy was created, the
recommendations from Johnson County Affordable Housing (I P4), and the memo regarding the
Affordable Housing Committee (IP7). Individual Council members expressed their views. City Attorney
Dilkes provided additional information.
Action: There was no change to the Annexation Policy directed by the City Council. The staff affordable
housing committee will review the policy and offer feedback as part of this year's planning process.
Review City tax rates
Finance Director Bockenstedt summarized the memo included in the 1/14 Information Packet (I P5).
Individual Council members expressed their views. City Manager Fruin provided additional information.
Action: Staff will prepare the maximum tax levy public hearing documentation with no change to the
staff recommendation (ten cent reduction in the debt service levy).
Discuss Public Input Opportunities for the Preliminary Police Plan
City Manager Fruin summarized discussions with Councilors Bergus and Salih regarding the best way
to reach groups that have barriers to solicit feedback. Individual Council members expressed their
views.
Action: Staff will coordinate the translation of the Preliminary Police Plan's section on the thirty six
recommendations (approximately 40 pages) and continue to work with Councilors Salih, Bergus and
Weiner on an outreach plan that involves contracting with individuals and/or organizations that can
solicit feedback in an impartial manner with a focus on BIPOC populations that traditionally have
barriers to offering feedback.
Council Work Session
January 19, 2021
Page 2
Discuss Miscellaneous Council Meeting and Communication Items
• Moving meeting start times one hour earlier
• Public comment sign -in procedures
• Council emails and correspondence
Individual Council members expressed their views. City Attorney Dilkes provided additional
information.
Action:
- Beginning April 1, 2021 Council work sessions will start at 4pm and formal meetings will start at
6pm. Staff will develop and execute a plan to inform the community.
- Staff will develop a hybrid model that includes advance sign-up for public comment of items not
on the agenda. The City Council will review the protocols prior to adoption.
- Staff will develop a recommendation for electronic participation in future in-person City Council
meetings.
- Staff will explore a timer option for tracking the duration of individual public comments.
- Staff will work to automatically forward 'Council' emails to individual Council Member email
addresses. Councilors wanting an email that is not related to an agenda item to appear on a
City Council meeting agenda will need to inform the City Clerk prior to public release of the
agenda.
Clarification of Agenda Items
Councilor Weiner noted she would be commenting on item 4.c, Community Police Review Board
December 22 minutes with recommendations to City Council from the Community Police Review Board
regarding Item No. 8 of Resolution 20-159 (Resolution of Initial City Council Commitments addressing
the Black Lives Matter Movement and Systemic Racism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by
Minneapolis Police and calls for action from protesters and residents).
Information Packet Discussion rJanuary 7, January 141
January 7
1. (IP4, 2020 Building Statistics) Councilor Bergus requested comparison information from
previous years. City Manager Fruin provided additional information.
Action: Staff will include the 2009-2020 Building Permit statistic report in the next
Information Packet
Mayor Pro Tem Salih asked for more information regarding the FY22 surplus. City
Manager Fruin provided information. Individual Council members expressed their views.
Action: Any Councilor wanting to propose additional spending involving the projected FY
22 surplus should formally submit such proposal to the Council through an Information
Packet so it can be discussed in the coming weeks
3. (IP3, Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) FY ending June 30, 2020)
Councilor Mims noted the report.
➢ January 14
1. (IP9, Iowa City 2020-2021 Strategic Plan Update) Councilor Bergus noted the update.
Action: Staff will look for opportunities to promote the Council's Strategic Plan Update
report
Council Work Session
January 19, 2021
Page 3
(I PB, Memo from City Clerk: Joint Entities Agenda Items for January 25) Councilors
suggested items to be placed on the 1/25/21 Joint Entities meeting agenda.
Action: Staff will request that Johnson County provide a COVID update during the
upcoming Joint Governments meeting
Council updates on assigned boards, commissions and committees
No Discussion — will combine with Item 19 City Council Information on the formal agenda.
Adjourn 6:41 p.m.