Four Years of Action

“Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.” – Henri Bergson, philosopher

There was no choice but to hit the ground running when I joined the council in January of 2022. We were still in a pandemic, wearing masks and holding socially distanced council meetings at the Senior Center. The Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan Act was just really coming online for local communities like ours, filled with people reeling from so many economic hardships and the holes left in our lives where loved ones used to be. 2022 was when the task of rebuilding could really begin. It has been an honor and a privilege to be on the council and help make the decisions that would guide our community and help the people in it, and that is work I am ready and able to keep on doing. Here are just a few of those actions and efforts I’ve voted for since joining the council:

  • Fare Free Bus Service
  • Forest View Resident Relocation Assistance Program
  • Both the first and second funding rounds of Direct Payments to Eligible Adults (commonly called the Excluded Workers assistance)
  • Eviction Prevention and Housing Stability Pilot Program (with Shelter House)
  • Expanded Winter Shelter services
  • Reaffirmed Iowa City’s values with an “All Are Welcome In Iowa City” Resolution
  • COVID related Emergency Non-Profit Assistance
  • 2023 City Worker Bonus (Post-COVID retention bonus)
  • BIPOC Business Support Framework and Infrastructure (Ultimately supporting: Dream Center, Wright House of Fashion, Multicultural Development Center, Dotlizhi LLC, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Tailored Tax and Accounting LLC.)
  • Iowa City Free Clinic building renovation
  • Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County purchase of buildings in the Towncrest Neighborhood for a Family Resource Center and Early Childhood Center
  • Affordable Housing units on Herbert Hoover Highway
  • Affordable Housing units on North Summit Street (in progress)
  • Affordable Housing / ICCSD Student Build Partnership on Ronalds Street
  • Ongoing partnerships with the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County to develop and manage affordable housing opportunities
  • HUD grant to plan how the city can sustainably become a robust affordable housing developer
  • Support for the city’s ongoing financial investment the Affordable Housing Fund (started in 2016)
  • Support for continued efforts to find smart ways to invest those affordable housing dollars
  • Propose and passed a resolution supporting local manufactured home residents efforts for fair rent and housing conditions
  • Expand Mobile Crisis Outreach (partnership with CommUnity)
  • Support and expand the Mental Health Liaison program between CommUnity Crisis Services and the Iowa City Police Department
  • Support a Street Outreach program between the city and Shelter House to help bring the unhoused indoors and into ongoing support programs
  • Represent Iowa City on the JECC Board (Joint Emergency Communication Center)
  • Represent Iowa City on the UNESCO City of Literature Board
  • Support for the University of Iowa Labor Center’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program
  • Funding for a childcare navigator position with 4Cs to help in-home daycare startups
  • The Childcare Wage Enhancement Program
  • Climate Action grant for the Bike Library
  • Post-COVID Tourism Grant Program for events (e.g. Iowa Golden Gloves Championships, Juneteenth, Core4 Cycling, Los Trompos Art Exhibit, African Festival of Arts and Culture)
  • Supported the creation of the South of Six SSMID (Self-Supported Municipal District)
  • Ongoing support for the South of Six and Downtown SSMIDs
  • COVID utility bill assistance program
  • A new City Park Pool and the years-long process of gathering community input to help design a more physically and culturally accessible facility ahead of the looming failure of the previous 70+ year old pool (new pool scheduled to open in 2026).
  • Supported funding grants each year for dozens of local non-profit agencies
  • Several months of extra meetings in 2022 to collaboratively overhaul the city’s strategic plan, a key document outlining the values and goals for the city and providing ongoing guidance to the council and staff
  • Represent the city at numerous events, festivals, and official occasions
  • Navigate the annual budget process
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