Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Minutes of the City Council Retreat 01/20/2018MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL RETREAT AMES, IOWA JANUARY 20, 2018 The Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila at 8:42 a.m. on the 20th day of January, 2018, in Parks and Recreation Office, 1500 Gateway Hills Park Drive. City Council Members present were Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, Gloria Betcher, Amber Corrieri, Tim Gartin, David Martin, and Chris Nelson. Ex officio Council Member Robert Bingham was also present. City Manager Steven Schainker, City Attorney Mark Lambert, Assistant City Manager Brian Phillips, and Management Analyst Tasheik Kerr were also present. TEAM-BUILDING AND GOAL-SETTING SESSION: Facilitator Donna Gilligan reviewed the previous week’s meeting and led the group through a team-building exercise. She then turned to the question of ground rules for the group. Ground rules contributed by the City Council included: honesty, sometimes you have to say “no,” accept being told “no,” agree to disagree , be respectful, trust that everyone has good intentions, focus on the issue and not the person raising the issue, be direct, be open, listen – really listen, commit to working together as a Council, think the best of one another, avoid sidebar conversations, do not interrupt others, support the decisions that are made, maintain a non-partisan stance and represent all, and seek clarification. The meeting recessed at 10:09 a.m. and resumed at 10:18 a.m. Ms. Gilligan reviewed the list prepared four years ago regarding What Makes an Effective Decision-Making Body. Mayor Haila suggested adding “no surprises” and “sharing information with the rest of the Council” to the list. Mr. Schainker reviewed the status of the existing goals, objectives, and tasks. The consensus of the group was that the overall goals did not need to be revised. The Council then began to discuss revisions to the objectives and tasks. The meeting recessed at 12:24 p.m. and resumed at 12:45 p.m. The meeting recessed at 2:55 p.m. and resumed at 3:03 p.m. Council Member Nelson left the meeting at 3:03 p.m. The Council finalized its preliminary list of Goals and Objectives, which were as follows: STRENGTHEN DOWNTOWN & CAMPUSTOWN  Identify strategies to encourage investment in Downtown  Encourage vibrancy in Campustown  Standardize and simplify the parking regulations in the neighborhoods surrounding Campustown  Evaluate safety for pedestrians crossing Lincoln Way between Campustown and the ISU campus PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT  Analyze current planning and building code approval processes to help decision making be more predictable, more strategic, and more timely  Explore possible improvements in internet options for residents and businesses related to availability, reliability, cost, speed, customer service, and policy (e.g., net neutrality, broadband privacy) EXPAND SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS  Implement the community solar project  Define the City’s role (e.g., codes, incentives) in maintaining existing buildings  Explore ways to meet Nutrient Reduction Strategy requirements through participation in projects in the Squaw Creek Watershed  Encourage all users to divert from the waste stream (e.g., glass, food waste, medical waste)  Assess the use and effectiveness of the City’s electric charging stations ADDRESS HOUSING NEEDS  Determine how to proceed with the development of a low and moderate income affordable housing project at 321 State Avenue (Old Middle School site).  Learn about the concept of inclusionary zoning  Consider ways to incentivize conversion of rental units back into single-family units PROMOTE A SENSE OF ONE COMMUNITY  Ensure boards and commissions are addressing important community issues (including, but not limited to: diversity and inclusion) and Council goals and objectives  Improve connections between town and gown STRENGTHEN HUMAN SERVICES  Engage vulnerable groups in the community  Partner with ASSET agencies to achieve the City Council’s priorities ENCOURAGE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES  Explore partnering with Mary Greeley Medical Center, Iowa State University, Ames Community School District, and Heartland Senior Center to create an intergenerational Healthy Life Center Complex  Adopt a Complete Streets Program Staff will make adjustments and suggestions for tasks, then return this list to the Council for approval. Ms. Gilligan reviewed a personal change model with the City Council. She then led the Council Members in a plus/delta exercise, which resulted in the following: Plus: Good conversations; some difficult Sharing personal stories – get to know one another Having staff present – know heart and policy Heartened by ‘One Community’ discussion Common agreement about ground rules Good exhibit of respect for time Delta: Pace could have been faster One day? Staying on task Too much time on conflict of interest discussion Tim’s trust of David ADJOURNMENT: The meeting concluded at 4:28 p.m. __________________________________ _______________________________________ Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor __________________________________ Brian Phillips, Assistant City Manager