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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-21 CorrespondenceMarian Karr From: ANTHONY CHRISTNER [a.b.christner@juno.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2002 10:23 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: NORTHSIDE MARKETPLACE STP, EETSCAPE THANK YOU FOR PROCEEDING WITH THE PROJECT IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT IT IS GOING TO PAY DIVIDENDS TO THE CITY IN THE COMING YEARS. I WAS A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS SPEAKING TO YOU LAST NIGHT AS IT HAS BEEN QUITE SOME TIME SINCE I HAVE SPOKEN TO A GROUP, BUT I WAS SINCERE ABOUT WHAT I SAID. THANKS AGAIN TONY CHRISTNER, GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. IOWA CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT  ~ 1801 South Riverside Drive Iowa City, Iowa 52246  Office Phone (319) 356-5045 May 2, 2002 The Honorable Mayor Ernest Lehman 410 Ea~ Washin~on Stre~ Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mr. Mayor: The Airport Commission has been discussing ways to reduce the amount of general fund money used to support the Airport. The expenditure side of our budget has been relatively steady for the last several years. So was the revenue side of the budget until we had the unforeseeable misfortune of having our major tenant, Iowa City Flying Service, default on their contracts. At, er much discussion at the Commission level, and with advice from the City's legal council, the decision was made not to pursue court action to enforce the conditions of the contract with ICFS. One of the goals of the Commission is to increase the revenue at the airport so as to rely less on support from the general funds. One of the avenues to increase revenue is the development of the Aviation Commerce Park (ACP). The original plan called for the 54-acre, 17-lot development to be leased property, with the income generated from the leases applied to debt reduction of our improvements and balancing the airport budget. Tracy Overton, the Commission's real estate broker from lowa Commercial Realty, has indicated that the concept of long-term leasing is not being well received by prospective clients. The Commission has one signed lease, but the majority of the inquiries want to purchase the property. The Airport Commission discussed the sale vs. lease issue at a meeting on April 25. We invited the City Manager to the meeting and he discussed what might be involved in the sale of the property and how that would affect the current budget difficulties. There was a good exchange of ideas and it was helpful to have Steve at the meeting. After weighing several options, the Commission decided to investigate the possibility of selling some or all of the property in the ACP. Selling the property would help with the immediate budget shortfall, but would not have the desired goal of a perpetual income for the airport. Still, the Commission thought it was an idea worth investigating. There are several hurdles to overcome before this could happen. First the Commission needs to know if this concept is acceptable to the City Council. If so, we would then need to get approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to sell the property. The latest update of the Airport Layout Master Plan, shows the ACP not being utilized for aviation purposes, thus allowing the Commission to make a stronger position for selling as opposed to leasing the property. Either way, before the FAA would modify our grant assurances, we would have to show that the money from the sale of the property would be used to fund the Airport. There are a couple of other items that would need to be addressed if tho Commission's final recommendation to the City Council would be to sell the property. The appraisal would need to be updated to make certain we am getting fair market value. Our contract with Tracy Overton from Iowa Realty would need to be modified to address the sale of the property in lieu of leasing. The covenants, codes and restrictions to protect airport uses would also need to be defined and included as part of the property sale. These were to be included in all leases, but may need to be refined in some way and attached to the property. The Commission would like to move forward as soon as possible, as we have some very interested parties if the property could be sold. When it is convenient for you, we would like to get together to discuss this option. If the Council thinks there is some merit to this plan, we will send the FAA the information they need before they would release the property. Tho Airport Manager has been in contact with the FAA Compliance Officer and has a list of the information the FAA would require before ruling on our request. There are some restrictions but we think it is possible to sell the property, if that is the final decision made by the Council and Commission. Please contact me at 354-3040 or Ron O~Neil at 356-5045 to schedule a time to discuss this. Iowa City Airport Commission Cc: Airport Commission Ron O~eil, Airport Manager DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS CORALVlLLE LAKE PROJECT 2850 PRAIRIE DU CHIEN RD NE IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-7820 May 1, 2002 City Council Members Civic Center 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, Iowa 52240 The Corps of Engineers at Coralville Lake will be honoring nine military veterans on Me~norial Day, May 27, 2002 at 1:30 PM. Our selections for this year's honor are as follows: Dean W. Andersen Bernard I. Aldeman Robert L. Forbes Harry S. McGrath Cyrus R. Shockey Theodore O. Spivey Leonard F. Tepoel Steven A. Wieneke Robert S. Williams The Corps of Engineers would be honored to have you in attendance at the dedication ceremony. The ceremony will be conducted at the East Overlook Picnic Area located on the east side of the dam. In the event of rain the ceremony will be conducted in the ranger storage area adjacent to the visitor center. Should you have any questions please contact Park Ranger Jeffrey H. Peck at 319-338- 3543. Sincerely, · Castle .. ~..-: Operations Manager Marian Karr From: Bob Dick [dickrw@earthlink.net] Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 9:36 AM To: cou ncil@]owa-city.org Subject: Unleashed Dogs in Hickory Hill Park Dear Iowa City Council Members We are writing to communicate our concern regarding unleashed dogs in Hickory Hill Park. This early morning in Hickory Hill Park there was a group of six individuals that had eight dogs. When they come upon us all the dogs appeared to be unleashed. Several of the dogs aggressively came up to us and barked. The group was informed that dogs must be leashed (and they had already attempted to do so). However, several of the dog owners were unable to get their dogs to cooperate. At least one dog was still unleashed as the group of dog owners went north on the trail to the east end of the water catchment basin area. Although I'm not positive, one of the group might have been an Iowa City Council Member. In addition another dog owner was spotted later in the park and the dog was not leashed. We walk our dog in the park on a leash. Unleashed dogs become a considerable problem under this circumstance. When an unleashed dog comes upon a leashed dog it becomes a difficult to control and protect your dog, and yourself, if the other dog is aggressive. The park is not a favorable place for parents with young children to enjoy when one or more unleashed dogs may come down the trail at any time. This is a serious problem as in our walks in the park most individuals have their dogs unleashed. I suggest that greater effort be undertaken to control the problem of unleashed dogs in the park. My suggestions are: 1. Increased enforcement. No warning tickets. A minimum fine of $100 increasing to $500 by the third offense. 2. Increased signage. Larger signs need to be placed at the parking lots and at all entrances to the park. These signs need to clearly state that all dogs must be leashed and list the fines if not. Hickory Hill Park is a place for all of us to enjoy. It is rapidly becoming otherwise. I urge the City Council to aggressively take steps to control the increasing problem of unleashed dogs in the park. Sincerely, Robert and Dara Dick 6 Mt. Vernon Ct. Iowa City, IA 52245 337-4945 dickrw@earthlink.net Apehouse, LC 123 N Linn St · Iowa City, IA 52245 · USA (319) 337-3439 · (319) 337-9659 · (319) 354-0559 (FAX) cparsons~icialaw.com · jim-peterson@mchsi.com 9 May, 2002 City Council City of Iowa City Civic Center Iowa City, IA 52240 Re: Application for rezoning, 341 N Riverside Drive Dear Council Members: Regarding the referenced rezoning request, we recently received via our Architect John Shaw the proposed schedule for processing the application: May 13 Informal P&Z May 16 Formal P&Z June 6 Formal P&Z (vote) June 18 Council (public hearing) July 2 Council (1st vote) July 16 Council (2nd vote) August 20 Council (3rd vote - pass & adopt) Due to the relatively small scale of the project, and the straightforward and non-controversial nature of this rezoning request, we truly feel that a schedule of more than three months to process this application is unduly lengthy. We have asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to conduct their final vote on the application at their May 16 meeting (please see the enclosed copy of our letter to the Commission). Conditioned upon approval of the application by the P&Z Commission, we respectfully request that the City Council conduct the public hearing and take alt of the required votes in its meetings of June 11, July 1 and July 2. Your consideration in this matter is most appreciated. We would be happy to answer any questions or receive any comments regarding the our request. James W. Peterson Cy,,~. ~ E. Parsons Member M~bJ~r Apehouse, LC 123 N Linn St · iowa City, IA 52245 · USA (319) 337-3439 · (319) 337*9659 · (319) 354-0559 (FAX) cparsons~icialaw.com · jim-peterson~mchsi.com 9 May, 2002 Planning and Zoning Commission City of Iowa City Civic Center Iowa City, IA 52240 Re: Application for rezoning, 341 N Riverside Drive Dear Commission Members: Regarding the referenced rezoning request, we recently received via our Architect John Shaw the proposed schedule for processing the application: May 13 Informal P&Z May 16 Formal P&Z June 6 Formal P&Z (vote) June 18 Council (public hearing) July 2 Council (1st vote) July 16 Council (2nd vote) August 20 Council (3rd vote - pass & adopt) Due to the relatively small scale of the project, and the straightforward and non-controversial nature of this rezoning request, we truly feel that a schedule of more than three months to process this application is unduly lengthy. We respectfully request that the Planning and Zoning Commission conduct its final vote on the application at its May 16 meeting so that the City Council may set the date for the required public hearing at its May 21 meeting. Conditioned upon approval of the application by the P&Z Commission, we have asked that the City Council conduct the public hearing and take all of the required votes in its meetings of June 11, July 1 and July 2 Jsee the enclosed copy of our letter to the City Council). Your consideration in this matter is most appreciated. We would be happy to answer any questions or receive any comments regarding the our request. Sincerely, James W. Peterson Cynthia E. Parsons C~ ~.~ Member Member ~ --~ :, -< -3-[ Marian Karr From: GoCart54@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2002 5:23 PM To: cou ncil~iowa-city.org Subject: lst.ave. I am so disappointed in this city council. I only hope that sometime in the future the Mayor will stop playing favorites. I have to travel three (3) miles going to Solon and (3) miles back because our Mayor decided that the people on the North side of Rochester ave should not have cars going thru their neighborhood. I hope whoever reads this passes it on to the Council. Harold Stager 201 North 1st. Ave. # 302 Iowa City, Iowa 52245 5/7/02 P.O. Box 3439 Iowa City, IA 522~.~ 3439 ~¥~ ~-~ ~ 3 May 2002 Mayor Ernie Lehman c/o City Clerk 410 East Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Lehman: Over the next twelve to eighteen months, the Friends of Hickory Hill Park's Land Enhancement and Acquisition Fund (LEAF) will apply for a series of grants devoted to land acquisition around the present park. This includes portions of land in the proposed Hickory Heights development as well as land bordering other areas of the park. We intend to apply for an Iowa DNR Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant as well as other state, federal, and private grants. A representative from the National Park Service's Rivers and Trails Assistance Program will travel to Iowa City to on May 14 to tour the park and advise us on additional funds for which we may be eligible. We request that any lands purchasedby LEAF be accepted by the City as city park land and part of Hickory Hill Park. We hope the council will add ns to its May 21 agenda and will affirm our efforts to buffer the park by accepting any land that we are able to acquire through our fundrainsing efforts. Thank yon for your consideration. Sincerely, Joan Jehle, Chair Hickory Hill Park--LEAF Marian Karr From: Mary Hitchcock[mary_hitchcock@hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 11:42 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: National Mayor's Conference National Mayor's Conference is to be held this June in Madison WI at the Monona Terrace Conference Center. This is a public building originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that was so controversial it was not built until 1997, many years after his death. The very beautiful building, although very different in purpose and design from the original vision, is a sort of lesson in working together. People argued for decades over the project and in the end both sides were right! The Mayor is a full time business man and may find it difficult but I hope he is able to attend this conference and takes the opportunity to see a bit of this community that includes 44,000 students. What stands out as a visitor walks around Madison is that Madison embraces the students, who are sometimes messy, sometimes loud but generally are most recognized for their many fine contributions to the community. Walk down State Street in the heart of downtown and see that businesses thrive there. (Drive to the Lake Street ramp if time is short. You'll be half a block from State Street and a block from the Union.) Buy some of the famous ice cream in the Old Union South on the Lake and eat it on the back terrace. Then walk through campus to the new Kohls Center. Stop in at the "Nitty Gritty," a birthday bar nearby. Look carefully at all the pictures of that cover the walls. This is a place where people of all ages in the community celebrate. Do they have a secret to deal with any under age drinkers? Check out the traffic and parking alternatives. While in the center of the city you will see many old and new, very large, high rise apartment and condo projects. Drive out University Avenue to Old Sauk Road, to Gammon to Mineral Point Road and you will pass small Hilldale Mall, many large complexes in residential areas and even a subsidized housing project across from the West High School backing up to classy Walnut Grove subdivision near the very large West Towne Mall. This large and diverse city manages to meet the needs of all its citizens and create harmony. The city appears to sincerely work in partnership with all citizens to build a quality community, constantly reinventing the City as times change and so do the needs of citizens. Perhaps the mayor can bring back an idea or two that will benefit Iowa City. Sincerely Mary Hitchcock Owner of 1506 North Dubuque Rd Iowa City a vacant lot. 2345 Coach House Dr. Brookfield WI 53045 5/9/02 Marian Karr From: mateocorbet [mateocorbet@yahoo.com] Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2002 4:37 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Kudosl on the power init at ve To all City Council Members: I was elated to hear that the city council intends to do a study of municipal power. As a resident of Iowa City for two years now I have been impressed with the majority of the municipal projects. Along with my children, I frequent and enjoy the public library immensely, the schools are well known, 1-80 is free, and recycling is reasonably priced; but my hat is off to your being open to a study of municipal power. To not even study possibility would be inexcusable. Especially now that most citizens are becoming increasingly aware of the corruption and hidden motives within the larger power companies. As visiting law professor Nicholas Johnson said in his article in the DI on 12-12-1 (p.8a), "Clearly public power has worked,... Would municipally-owned power work for Iowa City? We don't know. That's why the Initiative advocates a study." He continued, "But when those [large power] companies start merging, acquiring other businesses, and expanding their monopoly territories -- and tell you they're doing it to provide better customer service -- you'd better grab your wallet." I couldn't have said it any better. Local, safe, clean and environmental power is an investment in the future--in my children's life and health. They will appreciate it someday, I appreciate it now. Thank you again for this opportunity. I am confident that when all the data is considered, we will be in charge of our own power supply. Sincerely, Matthew K. Corbet 717 Iowa Ave Iowa City, IA 52240 Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com Members of the Iowa City City Council Sara Sizemore Civic Center 307 8th Ave Iowa City, IA 52240 Hiawatha, IA 52233 (319) 431-6874 May 8, 2002 Dear Members of the Council: I am a student from the University of Iowa and am finishing up my first year here. As a resident of the dorms, most of these ordinances would not directly affect me but I believe that it is still a matter that can be addressed to you by me. Recently the City Council has become concerned with new nuisance ordinances and whether or not to put them effect in the college town of Iowa City. I am writing to the city council because I believe that the members elected into the council truly believe in helping the city in the most positive way possible. Mainly this letter is to try to convince you that a few of these ordinances that have been proposed, mainly indoor furniture on porches, party licenses, and withholding diplomas from students are particularly ridiculous and unnecessary to keep this city from "going downhill". Even though Iowa City is very well known for being a college town, college students are not the only ones who live here and are affected by these ordinances. The whole city will be affected by each of the proposals that are passed. I feel that even though these ordinances will be in effect for the whole city, they are targeted towards college students. A former city councilor states "When I was here we never would have touched anything like this. Students today are no worse than they were 30 years ago," in an article for the May 1s~ issue of The Daily Iowan. Obviously, it is not possible to make every single resident of a city happy but in this case, we need to look at the fairness of these particular ordinances. I do believe that keeping anything on a person's property is their right when they have purchased the property. I feel that the city should have absolutely no say as to what a resident can put on their porch. In my opinion, unkempt gardens are much more ugly than some indoor furniture on a porch, but there is no proposal for keeping gardens in good shape. When there is a rental involved, such as an apartment complex, then the manager of the property should consider it whether or not furniture on porches is appropriate. However, once a person has spent the money for their own property, they have purchased the right do to what they want with it, appearance-wise. Ifa few people think that these houses with indoor furniture placed outside are unsightly, then they choose the right to keep the outside of their home the way they want it. Someone else's property has nothing to do with another person. On the issue of keeping an owner's right to do what they want with their property, they should also be able to have a party of more than 30 people without having to be granted permission from the city. I understand that the city is worried about keeping the drug abuse to a minimum, but just because a person wants to have a party, does not mean that they are going to be passing around drugs. I do not believe that it should be up to a city whether or not a person can have a party. It is that citizen's right, as being the owner of a home, as to whether they want to have guests visit or not. If that party is reported to the city as being noisy or bothersome, then the city has the right to intervene. Until then, however, it is not the city's decision ifa person can have a party or not. I feel that the majority of these ordinances are directed towards college kids. And if this were not true, then the idea of withholding diplomas from students until their city dues are paid would not have been proposed. This proves that the people responsible for proposing these ordinances are directing their concern towards the younger population enrolled in the University of Iowa. No other college town has come up with such an idea, so why should Iowa City? Every one of these ordinances should affect the entire city, not just the student population. It is simply unfair and should not even be considered. Nick Klenske states in an article of the Daily Iowan on April 22 of this year that community service would be a better option because it gets the students in the community involved and gives them an opportunity to get them involved. This is definitely a more fair way of dealing with city fines and should be considered over withholding diplomas. Of all these proposed ordinances, this one is the most ridiculous. The students are unfairly represented by this ordinance and will be the one that keeps students from agreeing with the city's decisions on any of these proposals. Students in the University of Iowa populate a big percentage of Iowa City, and each of these residents has the right to vote in Iowa City. This means they will be voting next time around for positions in the city council. And I guarantee that they will think back to what the council has done for the good of the city, and possibly for the worse. These ordinances are very controversial and, obviously, there is more than one side to each of the proposals. I feel that the city council should review the positives and negatives of each side of the story, and hopefully, they will realize that there are more negative sides to a few of these particular ordinances and will turn them down. There are other ways that the city council can cut down on nuisance in Iowa City. I feel that the city should be more concerned with our drug problem than a problem with indoor furniture on porches. Priorities need to be adjusted here, and I am sure that the city will realize there are bigger problems that need to be reviewed than some of the ordinances proposed by the Neighborhood Housing Relations Task Force. The City Council should review each of these proposals, put priorities for the city in order, and carefully consider what is best for the residents of Iowa City. Thank you for your time! Sara Sizemore EMERSON POINT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 319 EAST WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 111 P.O. BOX 1226 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244 319-338-7600 FAX 318-337-2430 May 7, 2002 City Council City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 RE: Enterprise Zone ~ .. Dear Council Members, We respectfully request that you consider designating Lot 3 and Lot 4, Resubdivision of Lot 53, Walden Hills, Iowa City, Iowa as an Enterprise Zone. We ask that you hold a special meeting to designate this zone before the end of May. We also respectfully request that the Enterprise Zone Commission be established and ready to review our application before the end of June. We are requesting expedited action on this issue due to a recent administrative rule change that requires IDED approval of all enterprise zone applications before construction begins. As you may know, the Emerson Point project received Low Income Housing Tax Credits March 3, 2002. Therefore, we need to begin construction as soon as possible. We respectfully request expedited action by the Council to complete all steps necessary for qualifying Emerson Point as an Enterprise Zone project before July 1, 2002. This will require Council designation of the zone, establishment of an enterprise zone commission and approval of Emerson Point's application for Enterprise Zone benefits. The Iowa Department of Economic Development has already verified that the site for Emerson Point qualifies for Enterprise Zone designation based on the poverty rate and per capita income in that census tract. IDED requires that the 1990 census data be used for this determination. The Emerson Point project could be an Enterprise Zone demonstration project for the City, demonstrating its success and possible expansion, which is at the sole discretion of the Council. The Enterprise Zone Commission may only consider applications in an existing enterprise zone designated by the City Council. Therefore, control of the zone and project remains with the Council. Emerson point will be the first affordable assisted option in Iowa City and is the first 100% affordable assisted living development in the state. This project has been selected by the iowa Department of Elder Affairs as a demonstration project for the state. We have spent more than 18 months researching how to develop this unique project. We first asked the council to consider establishing an Enterprise Zone in May of 2001. Since that time additional clarification has been provided regarding Enterprise Zones. We would like the opportunity to discuss this issue again and demonstrate how Enterprise Zone benefits would directly benefit the eventual Iow income frail elderly tenants of Emerson Point. Emerson Point has been a very complicated project to design. We are offering an unparalleled option of affordable housing, with a nutritional program and 24-hour a day support services. Because there are no other examples in the State of Iowa that can provide us with a model of how to create and operate a successful project of this nature, we have had to go out on a limb to guarantee this project's success for the next 50 years. The City of Iowa City, by designating an Enterprise Zone for this project, can play a role in ensuring this project's success. We have had the pleasure of working closely with many experienced professionals with various expertise in meeting the needs of the frail elderly. Emerson Point has now received commitments from Mercy Hospital to provide on-site supportive services, from The Heritage Area Agency on Aging to provide the three meal per day nutrition program, from the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs for technical assistance, and from the Iowa Finance Authority for tax credits and loan funds from Hills Bank and Trust Company to aid in the physical construction of the project. We are now asking for the City's assistance to help make Emerson Point a success. Enterprise Zone benefits could be used in a variety of ways. However, we propose uses that would directly benefit the eventual tenants. We would like to use the Enterprise Zone benefits to first cover any construction cost over-runs and then for a reserve account for tenant rental assistance. There is currently a waiting list of approximately 12 months for a Section 8 voucher. A frail elderly person cannot wait for a voucher to become available to move into Emerson Point. Without rental assistance, very Iow income frail elderly will be left with few options and many will end up in a nursing home for lack of an alternative. This is exactly what Emerson Point is trying to combat. For every month that Emerson Point helps delay a nursing home placement we will save the State and Federal government more than $1,500 per person. That totals more than $80,000 a month. Enterprise Zone benefits would be derived from a state tax credit and from a state sales tax rebate. No financial contribution by the City it required. The cost savings provided by Emerson Point in the long run will far outweigh all subsidies necessary to develop it now. Emerson Point will be showcased to not only the state, but to the nation as a model project. It is our hope that the City of Iowa City will make every effort possible to help be apart of this project's success. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely yours, EMERSON POINT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP Robert P. Burns, Manager Burns & Burns, L.C., General Partner Mercy Hospital [O?/A C2" [OX:VA May 14, 2002 319339.0300 phone The Honorable Mayor Ernie Lehman Iowa City Council Members 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52244 RE: Affordable Assisted Living in Iowa City, Iowa Dear Mayor Lehman and Iowa City Council Members: We are writing in support of the Burns & Burns, L.C. proposed affordable assisted living project (Emerson Point) for Iowa City and the designation of Emerson Point as an Enterprise Zone. Mercy Home Health Care has an interest in assisting Bums & Burns with the provision of services to seniors in such an affordable living arrangement. Mercy Home Health Care is a service offered by Mercy Hospital, a not-for-profit hospital which has served southeast Iowa for over 120 years. Mercy Home Health Care is Medicare/Medicaid certified and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Home care services were established in 1985. There is a tremendous need for affordable assisted living. The market has begun to address the assisted living needs for those with ample resources, but few efforts have been made in Iowa City to provide this option to seniors that are economically distressed. This project will improve the quality of life for these seniors by allowing them to live in a comfortable, safe environment while having their care needs met by Mercy Home Health Care. Premature nursing home placement will be delayed resulting in a decrease in federal and state tax expenditures by as much as $1100/month per resident. This project will also have an economic benefit for the Iowa City community. We anticipate adding an estimated twelve, full-time positions to adequately provide services to the residents of Emerson Point. We are asking the Iowa City Council to designate the Enterprise Zone to Bums & Burns, L.C. for the affordable assisted living project. This a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supported project and will be spotlighted nationally as the first of its kind in Iowa. To assure success, securing funding for this project up front is a goal of Bums & Burns, L.C. Iowa City is the perfect city for such a project because of its growing senior population. It is a community rich in cultural activities, arts, and the hmnanities. We ask that you designate Emerson Point as an Enterprise Zone prior to July 1, 2002. Sincerely, Tom Clancy Vice President of Nursing Sincerely, Sincerely, Barb Schaufenbuel, RN Victoria Thiede-Knipper, RN Manager, Home Health Care Manager, Private Duty Care cc: Alaina Welsh Theneritaoe Ac,encv May 15, 2002 City Council City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 RE: Enterprise Zone Benefits for Emerson Point Dear Mayor Lehman and Councilors: We are writing in support of the Emerson Point Affordable Assisted Living Project and to emphasize the need for readily available rental assistance that is attainable only through Enterprise Zone designation. Emerson Point is a remarkable project. For the first time in the State of Iowa Iow income frail elderly in the Iowa City community will have a viable alternative to nursing home placement. These are the elderly who need assistance with activities of daily living, cannot afford the costs of market-rate assisted living, and now are forced into early nursing home placement, given the level of care they need. The availability of rental assistance will play a vital role in making the transition to assisted living a smooth one for Iow-income elderly. Iowa City is a magnet community for seniors; the services its residents enjoy will also be used by residents of Emerson Point. We have had the pleasure of working with Burns & Burns, LC. over the past year as this project has transitioned from a dream to reality. The Heritage Agency has been serving the elderly in a seven county region for nearly thirty years as a major service planner, advocate, and funder for elderly services. We realize that this project needs the assistance of many to be successful. Our agency plans to assist Emerson Point with a nutrition program for at least the next fifty years. Although the need for affordable assisted living has been a long standing need across our state, few have demonstrated the commitment or drive that Burns & Burns has. Emerson Point will be a testament to our collective willingness to promote independence, health, and dignity for alt eldedy, not just for those with significant resources. We have witnessed a tremendous growth in the market-rate assisted living sector. It is time to provide an assisted living choice for the elderly of limited income. Emerson Point has been a challenge to develop and the challenge is not over yet. We ask that you join with the many others who are committed to the success of Emerson Point. We need you to do everything and anything you can to aid in the successful development and operation of Emerson Point, a project that will benefit not only it's Iow income tenants, but will benefit our community and our state. Please take the quick and necessary action to make Enterprise Zone benefits available to Emerson Point. Sincerely, Teresa Kelly, RD, LD ]r;Ol' Life/trier ,~ixo/ Nutrition Program Manager Thc Heritage Agen©, · Kirkwood Community College 6301 Kirkwood Boulevard S.W. · P.O. Box 2068 · Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406 319-398-5559 · I 800 332 5934 · Fax: 319 398 553t www. he~ itageaaa.org 05 14,'02 TUE 12:37 FAX 515 242 3300 ELDER AFFAIRS Fidds of Oppommitie$ STAT E O F IOWA THOMAS ], VILSACK DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS GOVERNOR DR. JUDITH ANNE CONLIN, DIRECTOR SALLY J ~ED~RSON LT. May 14, 2002 ~ City Council :-< c/o City of Iowa City ' 75' 410 E~t Was!~in~on ; ~ :: '._2 Iowa City, IA 52240 ~: De~ Councilors: I m ~ting to suppo~ the effogs of ~e B~ns org~zation ia obt~ning f~ding to provide provision~ rent subsidy to the ten.ts of Emerson Po~t Assisted Living pro.am t~ough the dcsi~ation of ~ e~]te~nse ZOne, The Iowa Coming Home Proem has identified the lag dmc be~ecn whm a person needs assisted living se~ices md wlaen ~at person qualifies for rent a~d se~ice subsidies to be a major deterrent to · e provisim~ of affordable assisted liviag. ~ ee Medicaid pro.m, w~ch covers se~ices, rent and bo~d in a nu~ing facili~, the pa~ent for such s~ices is re~oactive to ~e date of application. In assisted living pro.am, fl~e Medicaid waiver pays for no rent or bored ~d does not activate for pa~ent until the se~ice pl~ is si~ed. The rent subsidy approval can t~e t~ee or more weeks for approval. Because assisted living is a "need-based" move, tenants c~not experience a delay in obt~mng the needed level of semites provided by the home health ~des ~d homem~ers. Thc tenants of Emcrson Poh~t ~e either unlikely to have hmily suppo~s ha place, or ~ose fm/ly suppo~s ~'e ~able or unwilling to provide ~e amount of personal c~e that a tenet will receive in assisted living. Because they lack ~e info.al suppo~s in tlxeir c~t living ~rangement, without bridging thc gap to access needed re~t subsidy ~d services, the testat will have to move to a nursing facility. A state f~nded pro.m, fi~-Home Heal~ Related Cme, c~ provide pa~ent for se~4ces while the Medicmd waiver application is processed. No such proem exists for rent subsidy. In the repro% Adding Asmted L~v g Services to Subsidized Housing, ' by the ~P Publm Policy ~stimte it states, "Subsidized housing residents ~e ore.helming female; repo~ more disab~titles elder persons w~o do not live ~ subsidized housing; have veu low incomes; ~d tend to have no One to turn to if they become sick or disabled" According to the National Academy ofA~ng, ovly sev=~ perccnt of older persm]s with long tem~ c~e needs who have f~ly suppo~s are living in nursing homes compared to 50 percent of those wi~ no fmily suppo~s (Stone, 2000). The Medicdd savings for the State ~d Federal govement ~e si~ificant. The average Medicmd nursing hcility rate (Department orHum~ Se~ices, July 1, 2001) in Jonson Com, ty is $94 per day/S2867 per mon~. The maximum Medicaid elderly waiver rate is $34 per day/S1052 p~ month. BLDG., 3~ Fl 00~ / 200 TENTH 5T~.~FT / DI~S MOIN~$. IOWA 50309-36~39 / 555-242-3333 05/14/'02 TUE 12:37 FAX 515 242 3300 ELDER AFFAIRS ~]002 May 14, 2002, page 2 of 2 the current state budget situation it is imperative that we attempt to reduce the expendit~es for Medicaid. A savings of $1815 per tenant per month leads to savings to the Medicaid program of $21,780 annually When we multiply this by the 54 expected tenants, Emerson Point can provide annt~al savings of $I,176,120 to the Medicaid program. The designalion of enterprise zone for Emerson Pmnt will provide a valuable temporary rent subsidy to the tenants as they settle into life in the assisted living community and begin to receive the enhanced personal care services prowded by Mercy Home Health Care Please join us in this partnership to make the lives of these fi-ail eiders and disabled individuals one of quality, individuality and choice. Sincerely, Carla Berg Pope Affordable Assisted Living Coordinator City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: May 6, 2002 To: City Clerk From: Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~' Re: Item for May 21, 2002 City Council meeting: Installation of two handicap parking spaces at the Iowa City Landfill parking lot and two NO PARKING IN AISLE; TOW AWAY signs As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(14), two public handicap parking spaces will be installed at the Iowa City Landfill parking lot. One handicap parking space will be for the Iowa City Salvage Barn, and the second handicap parking space will be for the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. A NO PARKING IN AISLE; TOW AWAY sign will accompany both handicap parking spaces to prevent vehicles from parking in the aisle. Comment: This action is being taken at the request of the Iowa City Landfill to accommodate the needs of landfill patrons that have a disability. jccogtp/mem/Indfill-ha ndispace doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: May 14, 2002 To: City Clerk Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~(,~ From: Re: Item for May 21, 2002 City Council Meeting: Installation of NO PARKING ANYTIME signs on the west side of Reno Street north of Ronalds Street As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10) of the City Code, signage indicated NO PARKING ANYTIME will be erected on the west side of the 700 block Reno Street between Ronalds Street and Oakland Cemetery. Comment This action is being taken at the request of the Oakland Cemetery director. There is currently no on-street parking allowed on the west side of Reno Street between Bloomington Street and Ronalds Street. However, this prohibition does not extend to the remaining block of Reno between Ronalds Street and the cemetery. Parked vehicles have created difficulties for cemetery traffic when the Reno Street Cemetery gate is open. This action will make the 700 block of Reno Street consistent with on-street parking on the remainder of Reno Street. On-street parking will continue to be allowed on the east side of Reno Street. City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: May 14, 2002 To: City Clerk From: Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for May 21, 2002 City Council Meeting: Remove 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. parking prohibition on the north side of the 400 block of East Washington Street As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10) of the City Code, signage indicated NO PARKING 2AM TO 6AM will be removed from metered parking spaces on the north side of the 400 block of East Washington Street. Comment Installation of the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. parking prohibition in the metered parking spaces along the south side of the Civic Center was recently implemented to facilitate maintenance by the City Streets Division. It has been noted that this prohibition interferes with persons coming to the Police Station between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. For this reason it is recommended the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. parking prohibition be removed in this area. jw/mem/b p-wa shsign doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: May 15, 2002 To: City Clerk From: Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~? Re: Item for June 11, 2002 City Council meeting: Installation of two speed limit signs on Ruppert Road As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(1), two speed limit signs indicating 25 miles per hour will be installed near the intersections of Ruppert Road and Riverside Drive and Ruppert Road and the Cub Foods access drive. Comment: This action is being taken at the request of the Iowa City Police Department. This road was recently constructed and does not currently have speed limit signs. The 25-mile per hour speed limit is based upon the design speed of the road. Marian Karr From: Eve Casserly [casserly@zeus.ia. net] Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2002 6:46 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: re: Emerson Point request Seniors are Big Business. Our numbers are just beginning to explode in Iowa! It behooves any of us who are not yet part of the very aged the "frail elderly" to look shrewdly upon the mushrooming services for elderly and try to pick out what is quality service for the elderly and what is a profit making scheme for greedy people wanting to make money off the elderly. I am concerned about this proposed financial advantage being requested of the city by the developer of the Emerson Point subsidized assisted living project. I believe there also may be a subsidized assisted living project planned for the North Liberty area. (DOn't know if it is the same developer.) How can this be called an area plagues by "high poverty or blight"? This area used to be a pleasant country area .... read that Iowa country .... not big city glitz .... there were farms and country homes out that way, though I don't recall any "shacks" out there. In more recent years, land out that way has gone sky high because of intensive development of very expensive fancy housing and some apartment complexes. The location is itself such that any resident would have to have transportation to seek groceries, shopping, recreation, church, etc. Is this reasonable for frail older people who need assistance? Seems to me these old folks would be isolated, made dependent on their service providers and have no ready access to such fine service as already is provided by the city in the form of the very lovely local Senior Center. Why not have this located so that people would have easier access to stores, shopping, the senior center, etc. The rents sound high and, though subsidized, SOMEONE has to pay for them...and that means the taxpayer. With utilities not included, more "bookwork" is required each month by the elderly tenant...or a hired helper. Why add this complication unless it is to eek out more money. You should ask...where is the food to come from. I have heard it may be contracted through the Heritage Agency on Aging and Elder Services. You should check that one out. Heritage had a contract with the local BOS for 21 years...and cancelled it effective January 14,2002 amidst much public concern. People who tried to speak up were bullied and ridiculed by Heritage. (this is part of service to the older folks?) Since then some meals have been good, but there have been many complaints... (reduced food, tough meat, cold food, can't cut or chew it, don't know who is working with it anymore, etc. etc.) You might try eating over at the Senior Center (anyone can do so) on a few random occasions and see how you like it. The service now is starting to experiment with frozen meals. They deliver, the customer heats it up in their own microwave. (This terminates the "socialization" aspect of the meals.) Please ask questions. Please consider this meal issue carefully .... and while you are at it .... maybe make a point of occasionally checking out our own senior dining. YOU TOO might have to eat it someday...everyday for the rest of your life! If there are problems with a service, the service provider should be made to listen to the public, not bully them. Thanks for listening. Eve Casserly ! copy of the Press Citizen story: Saturday, May 18, 2002 Assisted-living facility opposed City manager balks at zoning request By Sara Langenberg Iowa City Press-Citizen Developers who want to build an affordable assisted-living facility for elderly people in west Iowa City are facing opposition from city staff on their request to create an enterprise zone. Robert Burns, Jesse Burns and Alaina Welsh of the Emerson Point Limited Partnership are working with state officials to build an affordable assisted-living project at the corner of Rohret Road and Shannon Drive. The 54-unit facility would serve iow-income elderly people who need help with daily living skills but who don't yet need full-time nursing home care. It would be the first such facility in the state built specifically to serve iow-income elderly people. It also would save the state an estimated $1 million a year in Medicaid expenses because the shortage of such facilities means many qualifying elderly people now end up in nursing homes instead. That type of care is more expensive than assisted-living care. The developers want the city to create an enterprise zone on their proposed construction site, which could help cover the expenses of tenants who are on a waiting list for a Section 8 rental assistance voucher in Iowa City. The waiting list for vouchers is about 12 months long, and most of the people who would need to live in their facility couldn't wait 12 months for care, they say. However, City Manager Steve Atkins and other city staff members are opposed to designating an enterprise zone there, or anywhere in Iowa City, for that matter. They say they need more detailed financial information from the developers about how creating the zone will benefit the project's tenants. The City Council will discuss the request during a work session at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Civic Center, 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City's ability to create an enterprise zone is granted in a state law that was originally designed to help cities and counties convince companies to locate in neighborhoods plagued by high poverty or blight. The law provides financial incentives for those businesses, although the law was amended in 1998 to allow cities to also use the state tax breaks to attract housing developments. As of last year, seven of the state's 10 largest cities - including Davenport and Waterloo - had established enterprise zones, city documents state, and in Iowa City, there are at least two neighborhoods that meet the criteria for designation. One neighborhood is downtown; the other is west of Mormon Trek Boulevard between Rohret Road and Highway 6 West. The Emerson Point project is slated for construction in the latter area, which qualifies based on the poverty 2 rate and per capita income levels of its residents as recorded in the 1990 Census. However, Atkins argues that those levels are more than 10 years old, and there has since been susbstantial development in the area since 1990, including construction of the upscale Walden Hills development. He said it would be a stretch to call the area "poverty ridden" today. Robert Burns says the 1990 data still qualifies the area for the enterprise zone designation, though. "IDED (the Iowa Department of Economic Development, which ultimately grants authority to create new enterprise zones) requires that the 1990 census data be used for this determination," he wrote in a May 7 letter to the City Council. If the zone is created and the Emerson Point project qualifies for benefits, the developers would earn tax credits to help offset any unexpected construction cost overruns, he said. The tax savings would also be used to create a reserve account for tenant rental assistance. Since there is a 12-month waiting list for Section 8 rental assistance vouchers in Iowa City, some elderly residents who would qualify to move into Emerson Point may not have access to a voucher when they need to move in. The project's enterprise zone benefits, estimated to be $120,000 to $350,000, would help underwrite the tenant's rent at Emerson Point until a voucher could be obtained, Burns said. "No financial contribution by the city is required," Burns wrote to the City Council on May 7. "The cost savings provided by Emerson Point (to the Medicaid program) in the long run will far outweigh all subsidies necessary to develop it now." According to additional documents the developers have provided the city, the facility will be used as an assisted-living facility serving only low-income tenants for at least 50 years. Rents are estimated to range from $411 to $648 a month, not including utilities. In a memo to the City Council on Thursday, however, Atkins said he is concerned that the developers have not been specific about how the enerprise zone would "directly benefit the tenants." "The developer indicates that financial information concerning the specific project can be made available only after bidding and completion of contractual obligations," Atkins wrote. "An enterprise zone will have a bearing on the overall financing of the project. We have concerns that the full benefits of the enterprise zone accrue to the tenants. Without complete financial information, we cannot make that determination." Atkins concludes that staff does not recommend creating an enterprise zone - for this project or anywhere else in Iowa City. Welsh said the company is withholding the requested financial information because it may jeopardize its position in negotiating with contractors. "Emerson Point is being funded in part by public funds," she wrote in a letter to the city last week. "It would be in the public's interest for Emerson Point to receive the lowest possible bids, something that would only be possible by keeping detailed cost and construction information guarded at this time." She and her partners want the city to act quickly to establish an enterprise zone for the project - before July 1 - because the state requires enterprise zone applications to be approved before construction begins, yet the project received low-income housing tax credits from the state in March. 3 The company's request for an enterprise zone designation is supported in letters to the City Council from the Heritage Agency, the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs and Mercy Hospital, which may provide services to Emerson Point residents. Carla Berg Pope, affordable assisted-living coordinator for the Department of Elder Affairs, estimates that Emerson Point will save the state more than $1.1 million a year in Medicaid expenses. ~Q 3 Pagelofl Marian Kart From: Helen Kline [Kline. Helen@iccsd.k12.ia.us] Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 2:01 PM To: bjames@zeus.ia.net; cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: invitation for Council and Mayor Thank you for sending this to your council and mayor. Helen Governor 'Fom Vilsak, First I,ady Christy Vilsak and I,t. Governor Sally Pederson wilt visit Wickham Elementary School on Tuesday, May 21 from 1:30 - 2:30 PM. An assembly wilt be held for students and staff. You are invited to attend the assembly at Wickham and hear the Governor speak on education and efforts to reduce class size. If you are able to attend, please contact Wickham Elementary School - 688-1175. 5/20/02 EMERSON POINT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 319 EAST WASHINGTON STREI~, SUITE 111 P.O. BOX 1226 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244 319-338-7600 FAX 319-337-2430 May 21, 2002 City Council 410 East Washington Street iowa City, Iowa 52240 RE: Enterprise Zone Dear Council Members We would like to amend our request for an enterprise zone designation to include the following site: SE Y4 of the SE % of Section 18, Township 79 Range 6 West of the 5th P.M. excluding land described in Book 1960, Page 69 and excluding land described in Book 600, Page 261 and excluding the east 260 feet located in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa. The above described site contains four or more deteriorated buildings, which could be cleaned up with the use of enterprise zone benefits awarded to the Emerson Point project. This would be a qualifying use because the above described site is in the neighborhood and adjacent to the site on which Emerson Point will be built. Cleaning up this site would benefit the neighborhood as whole. As the West Side neighborhood continues to develop and grow it would be advantageous to assist in the clean up of this site. We believe the above described site meets the criteria described under the definition for a blighted area in Iowa Code Section 403.17. This site has deteriorated structures and unsafe conditions. Additionally, the Emerson Point site is suffering from soil erosion (deterioration of site) another condition described in the definition of a blighted area. These factors retard the provision of housing accommodations and can be construed to substantially impair the sound growth of our community. These factors may also present a menace to the public health, safety, or welfare in its present condition. We respectfully request that the Council reconsider utilizing an Enterprise Zone in light of this new information. Sincerely, EMERSON POINT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ~s, Manager ' Burns & Burns, L.C., General Partner