Iowa City’s Climate Action Commission used the Sept. 17 meeting to check on transportation follow-ups: staff reported that the transit study has been completed and that at least one recommendation—the removal of a downtown shuttle route and outreach to affected riders—was implemented last month. Commissioners also discussed the city’s electric and fuel‑efficient vehicle purchasing policy and the commission’s remaining transportation scoring work.

Daniel Bissell and Sarah Gardner summarized recent transit actions. Gardner said transit staff and city employees staffed transit hubs to advise riders when the downtown shuttle was removed and that students reported the revised routes offered better frequency in some cases. "The study has been completed. The implementing the recommendations is ongoing," Gardner said, noting one recommendation had just been implemented.

On fleet policy, the commission confirmed a city policy exists that requires the city to consider electric or fuel‑efficient vehicles for new purchases and to document reasons if a non‑electric option is selected. Staff said they would review how the policy is being implemented across departments. Commissioners also discussed how certain vehicle categories—snowplows and large collection vehicles—present technical challenges for full electrification and that transitional approaches (hybrids or other fuels) may be necessary.

The commission set a near‑term administrative direction: members should submit preliminary transportation scoring to staff before the next meeting so the commission can average scores and finalize priorities. Staff also confirmed students will present a project at the next meeting and that the commission’s next meeting is Oct. 6.

Formal votes were limited to routine procedural items at the meeting; no transportation ordinances or funding commitments were adopted.