By Austin Petroski
Outgoing Iowa City city councilors held an open house to meet with members of the community before their last formal meeting of the year.
Councilors Michelle Payne and Rick Dobyns as well as Mayor Matt Hayek were will leave office at the end of the calendar year. Payne and Dobyns were not re-elected in the recent November election, which ushered in the progressive Core Four coalition; Hayek chose not to seek re-election.
Payne and Dobyns served on the City Council for four years, while Hayek had been mayor for six years along with serving on the council for eight years.
Payne said she was happy to help further economic development, the Riverfront Crossings District, the ability to ensure affordable housing with economic initiatives, and maintaining a AAA bond rating while lowering the tax rate the past few years.
Payne also had advice to give to the future members of the council — Pauline Taylor, John Thomas, and Rockne Cole.
“Read the packet and be prepared,” Payne said.
She also said she had been involved in city affairs for the past 10 years, and she looked forward to some free time. However, she said, she will stay open to applying for a Iowa City commission or board.
Hayek said he thought one of his biggest accomplishments while mayor was his hiring of Tom Markus as city manager, who is now a candidate for the city manager position in Lawrence, Kansas.
He said the city manager is very similar to a CEO of a company, and if a city has a good manager, it will be a successful city. Hayek said his experience with Markus echoed that idea. He also said all four corners of Iowa City have seen substantial investment in his time as mayor.
Hayek said accomplishments include important flood projects and the 21-ordinance.
“Balance competing needs to solicit input and run the meeting,” Hayek said to the incoming board, saying that diplomacy, tact, and tone matter as mayor. Councilor Jim Throgmorton is widely expected to become the next mayor.
Hayek said he is unsure what his future plans will be, because his law practice is very demanding and he has three children to care for at home.
Dobyns said he thought some of his biggest accomplishments while on the City Council were working on the Gateway Project and getting the Riverfront Crossings District going.
The Gateway Project was subsequently approved at the meeting afterward.
Dobyns’ said his advice to future councilors is to collaborate on a shared agenda and try not to focus on an entry issue or something that all politicians come into office trying to achieve.
He said he plans on staying active in the Iowa City area and that he had been very active before his time on council. He also said politics changes a person.
“It changes you forever. I have new skills and experiences that will forever be helpful,” Dobyns said.
