Diverse and experienced members are leaving Iowa City’s Council

IOWA CITY - Twenty-four years of service, two former mayors and perhaps the most diverse members in the state - that's what's leaving the Iowa City Council in a few days.

Ross Wilburn, Regenia Bailey and Mike Wright finish out their terms on the City Council on Sunday. Each chose not to seek re-election to the seven-member body.

Wilburn served three four-year terms, Bailey two and Wright one.

“There's a lot of experience leaving,” Bailey said.

That includes her and Wilburn each serving one two-year term as mayor. Iowa City is one of just a few towns in Iowa that has its council members pick the mayor from among themselves, so it likely is extremely unusual for two former mayors to leave a council at the same time.

Bailey was mayor during the 2008 flood, and she said the way the community came together, the response to the natural disaster and the recovery were among the highlights of her tenure.

Bailey, who works as a consultant and coach to small businesses and non-profit agencies, also was in the unusual position of being a woman who served as a mayor in Iowa. The Iowa League of Cities reported that, before November's municipal elections, only 128 of 947 mayors in the state were women.

Even rarer is a black mayor. In 2006, Wilburn became the first black mayor of Iowa City and one of only a few in the state's history.

Wilburn, who is the Iowa City school district's equity director, has said he thought his service on the City Council - and in particular as mayor - increased interest in city government for minorities and youth, and was a source of pride for those groups.

Wright is gay, so when he, Bailey and Wilburn step down, they'll be taking with them a significant amount of diversity.

Wilburn said the remaining City Council members are sensitive to diversity issues, and the people serving on city boards and members of the public will ensure that the views of the three departing council members will not vanish.

“It's kind of the Johnny Appleseed effect,” he said.

The three new City Council members are Rick Dobyns, Michelle Payne and Jim Throgmorton. Mayor Matt Hayek also was re-elected and is expected to serve another term as mayor.

Bailey, Wilburn and Wright all said what they'll miss most is the interaction with the public and city staff.

Wright, head of acquisitions and rapid cataloging at University of Iowa Libraries, said serving on council gave him a deeper appreciation for the town he has called home the past 13 years.

“It's been a huge education in terms of just finding out more about Iowa City, finding out a lot more about the people who live here, how very different things can be from one side of town to the other, and how very similar they are too,” he said.

The not-so-great things that won't be missed? Wright said he has no problem with people voicing their displeasure about a city-related topic, but he could do without people showing up unannounced on his doorstep to vent. Wilburn cited the long hours that can take away from family time. Bailey, though, said she enjoyed every minute, and “You have to take the fantastic with the not-so-fantastic.”

All three plan to remain active in the community.

Wright said he'll be involved in his neighborhood association - and probably will soon be speaking before the City Council about a zoning issue - and will consider serving on a city board or commission.

Wilburn will spend the next several months working to try to get President Barack Obama re-elected. He was co-chair of Obama's Johnson County committee four years ago.

Bailey has suggested that she's not done seeking public office. A gubernatorial run has been mentioned, although she said she doesn't know what exactly is in her future.

“I think opportunities present themselves and opportunities take surprising forms,” she said.

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