HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-17 Info Packet
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
August 17, 2006
AUGUST 21 SPECIAL WORK SESSION ITEMS
IP1 City Council Meetings and Work Session Agendas
IP2 Memorandum from the City Attorney and City Manager: MidAmerican Energy Franchise
Negotiations
IP3 Memorandum from the Chief of Police: CrimeStoppers
MISCELLANEOUS
IP4 Memorandum from the City Manager: Capital Project Summary
IP5 Memorandum from the City Clerk: Fire Station #2 . tour
IP6 Memorandum from the Management Analyst: Parking Impact Fee - Annual Report
IP7 Letter from R. Davin Paulison to The Honorable Tom Vilsak: Appeal of the denial for a
major disaster declaration for pUblic assistance
IP8 Letter from Senator Charles Grassley to Mayor Wilburn: Recognition Ceremony for the
Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Programs
IP9 Letter from Thomas Storey to Mayor Wilburn: HMA Joint & Crack Sealing - US 6
IP10 Letter from Daniel Scott to Steve Jacobsen: Iowa River Dam Renovation Project selected
for the Iowa Section's Outstanding Engineering Project Achievement Award
IP11 Email from Chris Vinsonhaler to Police Chief Hargadine: Thank you to the Iowa City Police
Department for a job well done
IP12 Letter from Andy Hasley to Norm Cate: Health, safety and building code violations at 409
Gilbert Street [staff response included] (Additional letter received from Andy Hasley on 8/21
and distributed at 8/21 Work Session.) [staff response received 8/24 in response to 2nd letter &
distributed to Council Members]
IP13 Email from Douglas Elliott: Agenda for the next Johnson/Linn County Public Leadership
Group Meeting to be held August 24, 2006 (minutes from May 22, 2006 included)
IP14 Letter from Elissa Johnk to Mayor Wilburn: Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's grand re-
opening of its Restore on August 24, 2006
IP15 Letter from Mayor Cownie and City Manager Richard Clark: Meeting on franchise fees and
local government revenue diversification Wednesday, August 23, 2006
August 17,2006 Information Packet (continued)
2
IP16 Email from Fred Grems to Rick Fosse: Sidewalk Repairs at 1935 Grantwood Drive
IP17 Invitation: Mormon Historic Sites Foundation dedication of a life-size bronze sculpture,
September 2, 2006
Agenda packet for 8/22: Economic Development Commission [Distributed at 8/21 Work
Session]
Memorandum from City Clerk: Information for New Residents [Distributed at 8/21 Work
Session]
PRELIMINARY/DRAFT MINUTES
IP18 Airport Commission: July 27,2006
IP19 Public Art Advisory Committee: August 3,2006
IP20 Parks and Recreation Commission: August 9, 2006
IP21 Telecommunications Commission: July 24, 2006
IP22 Planning and Zoning Commission: August 3, 2006
IP23 Police Citizens Review Board: August 8, 2006
IP24 Historic Preservation Commission: July 27, 2006
IP25 Historic Preservation Commission: July 13, 2006
IP26 Senior Center Commission: June 20, 2006
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
August 17. 2006
AUGUST 21 SPECIAL WORK SESSION ITEMS
IP1 City Council Meetings and Work Session Agendas
MISCELLANEOUS
IP2 Me orandum from the City Attorney and City Manager:
Nego "ations
IP3 um from the Chief of Police: CrimeStoppers
IP4 Memorandum from
IPS Memorandum from the ity Clerk: Fire Station #2 . t r
IP6 Memorandum from the Ma gement Analyst: Park" g Impact Fee - Annual Report
IP7 Letter from R. Davin Pauliso to The Honorab Tom Vilsak: Appeal of the denial for a
major disaster declaration for ublic assista ce
IPS
Letter from Senator Charles Gras ey to
Community Development Block Gr nt a
yor Wilburn: Recognition Ceremony for the
HOME Investment Partnership Programs
IP9 Letter from Thomas Storey to Mayor Wil rn: HMA Joint & Crack Sealing - US 6
IP10 Letter from Daniel Scott to Steve Ja bsen. Iowa River Dam Renovation Project selected
for the Iowa Section's Outstandin Engine ring Project Achievement Award
IP11 Email from Chris Vinsonhaler to olice Chief Ha adine: Thank you to the Iowa City Police
Department for a job well do
IP12 Letter from Andy Hasley to orm Cate:
Gilbert Street [staff respo e included]
and building code violations at 409
IP13 Email fromDouglasEll.tt: Agenda for the next Johns ILinn County Public Leadership
Group Meeting to be eld August 24, 2006 (minutes from ay 22, 2006 included)
IP14 Letter from Elissa ohnk to Mayor Wilburn: Iowa Valley Ha "tat for Humanity's grand re-
opening of its R store on August 24, 2006
IP15 Letter from M or Cownie and City Manager Richard Clark: Meeting on franchise fees and
local gover ent revenue diversification Wednesday, August 23, 2006
,
IP16 Email from Fred Grems to Rick Fosse: Sidewalk Repairs at 1935 Grantwood Drive
"
August 17, 2006 Information Packet (continued)
2
\
~7 Invitation: Mormon Historic Sites Foundation dedication of a life-size bronze sculpture,
""September 2, 2006
"
IP18
IP19
IP20
IP21
IP22
IP23
IP24
IP25
IP26
PRELIMINARY/DRAFT
'.
/
Airport C~~ission: July 27,2006 /
Public Art Ad~ry Committee: August 3, 200
,
Parks and Recreatl~ Commission: Augus ,2006
\
Telecommunications C&mmission: July 4, 2006
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Planning and Zoning Comri1tssion:
'"
Police Citizens Review Board: ust 8, 2006
"'-,
Historic Preservation Commis on: ;July 27,2006
'.
Historic Preservation Com ssion: JU~3, 2006
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June 20, 2006 ""
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Senior Center Commissi
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
City Council Meeting Schedule and
Work Session Agendas
OEJ
August 17. 2006
www.icgov.org
. MONDAY, AUGUST 21 Emma J. Harvat Hall
6:30p Special Council Work Session
Planning and Zoning Items
Council Appointments
. Mid American Energy Franchise Negotiations
. Grand Avenue Roundabout (continued discussion)
. CrimeStoppers
. Commercial parking in the middle of Dubuque Street
. Agenda Items
. Council Time
. Schedule of Pending Discussion Items
. Future Meeting Schedule
. TUESDAY, AUGUST 22 Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00p Special Formal Council Meeting
TENTATIVE FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS
I
. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
5:00p Special Council Work Session
7:00p Formal Council Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
6:30p Council Work Session
Emma J. Harvat Hall
. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
7:00p Formal Council Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2
6:30p Council Work Session - Budget Priorities
Emma J. Harvat Hall
. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3
7:00p Formal Council Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4
4:30p Tentative Joint Meeting (School District)
Ie School District
. MONDAY, OCTOBER 16
6:30p Council Work Session
Emma J. Harvat Hall
. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17
7:00p Formal Council Meeting
Emma J. Harvat Hall
. MONDAY, OCTOBER 30
6:30p Special Council Work Session
Emma J. Harvat Hall
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CITY OF IOWA CIT~
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 14, 2006
To: City Council
From: Eleanor M. Dilkes, City Attorney
Stephen J. Atkins, City Manager
Re: MidAmerican Energy Franchise Negotiations
A. Value of Franchise Aareement.
MidAmerican's July 17, 2006 presentation to the City Council set forth what
MidAmerican sees as the value of a franchise to both the City and MidAmerican. Staff
submits the following clarifications/additions to that list:
1. Essentially, a franchise agreement grants MidAmerican the right to use City right-
of-way. The City must, by one method or another, manage its rights-of-way.
There are numerous issues involving such rights-of-way management, including,
for example, proper restoration of pavement cuts, relocation of infrastructure that
interferes with City utilities, location of infrastructure in areas of expanded service
such as new developments, undergrounding requirements, maintenance and
trimming of trees in the public right-of-way or in utility easements. With respect
to MidAmerican's use of the right-of-way, this can be accomplished by franchise
agreement, right-of-way ordinance, or a combination of both. A number of the
benefits to the City identified by MidAmerican can be accomplished by ordinance
rather than agreement. The exceptions are no-cost relocation of existing utilities
and pole attachments, both by the City and third parties. In addition,
indemnification is likely easier to accomplish by franchise rather than right-of-way
control ordinance and the binding of successors and interests may be more
specific by agreement.
2. In its presentation, MidAmerican stated that a franchise agreement provides the
assurance needed by MidAmerican to make long-term investments and
discretionary investments in the community. The corollary to this is that a City
may not municipalize during the term of a franchise agreement.
3. One aspect of some franchise agreements not addressed in MidAmerican's
presentation and of which the City should be aware, is the issue of condemnation
by the utility within the city limits. A utility has no authority to condemn private
property within the city limits in the absence of a franchise agreement granting it
the right to do so.
B. Citv's Neaotiatina Team
If the City Council chooses to begin negotiations for electric and gas franchise
agreements with MidAmerican, staff proposes that Ivan T. Webber, an attorney with the
Ahlers law firm in Des Moines, be retained to assist the City in those negotiations. As
you know, the Ahlers law firm has served as the City's bond counsel for many years.
Ivan has extensive knowledge and experience in franchise negotiations agreements,
beginning with his term as Corporation Counsel for the City of Des Moines from 1986
until 1989. Since joining the Ahlers law firm 17 years ago, he has served as counsel to
the Iowa Association of Municipal Attorneys. He has negotiated franchise agreements
August 14, 2006
Page 2
for a number of cities, and Is currently representing West Des Moines and Sioux Center
in its negotiations with MldAmerican. Staff believes that Ivan's expertise will make for a
more effective and efficient negotiation. In addition to Ivan, the City negotiating team
would consist of Assistant City Manager Dale Helling and City Attorney Eleanor Dilkes.
Dale was the point person for the City in the previous negotiations with MidAmerican
that were suspended in 2003. Finally, Council has expressed interest in having two
council members on the negotiating team. Of course, the team will look to the Council as
a whole for direction as the negotiations progress. In preparation for negotiations, the
City Manager has directed department directors to examine their relationships with
MidAmerican so that the negotiating team is made aware of all issues.
We look forward to discussing these issues with you at your work session on August 21,2006.
cc: Marian Karr, City Clerk
Department Directors
eleanor/mem/franchise-negot.doc
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DEPARTMENT MEMO
TO:
Mr. Steve Atkins
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FROM:
Chief Sam Hargadine
RE:
CrimeStoppers Presentations
DATE:
August 17,2006
This morning I met with the Kiwanis Breakfast Club at St. Mark's Church. Previously, I've done
programs with Chief Rocca's Optimist Club. Bill Cook's Optimist Club, the Chamber of
Commerce and the Neighborhood Council.
All of the groups were supportive of the idea of CrimeStoppers. Part of the problem seemed to
be in the understanding of how it works and that it's simply a tool for the police to solve crime.
My recommendation to the Council would be to allow me to proceed with the creation of a
CrimeStoppers board, independent of city government. This would allow for the Sheriff and
other Chief's in Johnson County to appoint interested citizens to the board. If this is acceptable,
I would very much appreciate the Council's input towards the selection of the CrimeStoppers
board. Because of the Council's service with the city they are in a better position than I to know
who would be good board members. The board would have to follow the rules and guidelines
that any Not-For-Profit is required to follow.
A second option is the creation of a Council commission. This would not allow for citizens
outside of Iowa City to serve but it would give the Council oversight and control.
Eitherway I intend to assist the board with the initial setup and then let them decide how their
going to meet and govern themselves. The board officers and bylaws would be voted upon by
the board, not by me or any of the police department.
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CITY OF IOWA CITY~
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 14, 2006
To: City Council
From: City Manager
Re: Capital Project Summary
At the most recent Chamber of Commerce Local Government Committee meeting, a
presentation of City Capital Projects was given by our City Engineer. Attached is the narrative
summary.
~~.
City of Iowa City
Capital Improvements Program
FY 2006-2010
August 10, 2006
2006 Construction Season
1. North Dodge Street Improvements - Governor Street to Interstate 80
. This is a $7.0 million project that will begin Spring of 2005.
. The contract was awarded to Metro Pavers.
. This is a joint project between Iowa DOT and Iowa City.
. This project will reconstruct North Dodge to a three-lane cross section from Governor Street to
Scott Boulevard and a four-lane cross section from Scott Boulevard to Interstate 80. Governor
Street between Dodge and Kimball will also be reconstructed.
. The Prairie Du Chein intersection and South 1-80 interchange is signalized.
. The City utility work is complete.
. During construction, traffic will be maintained.
. This project should be completed in the Spring of 2007.
2. Mormon Trek Boulevard Extension - Highway 1 to Highway 921
. This is an $8.0 million project.
. The first phase contract was awarded to Metro Pavers. This contract was $2.95 million.
. The first phase will build Mormon Trek from Highway 1 to the west Airport property line. It also
will build sanitary sewer to the WB Development on the west side of Highway 218.
. The first phase is complete.
. The second phase was complete in the Fall of 2005.
. The second phase will build a box culvert on the west side of the airport property.
. The second phase was $400,000 project that was awarded to McCulley Culvert.
. The third phase will build a box culvert under Old Highway 218 and construct the street to its
terminus at Old Highway 218.
. The third phase is $3.5 million and was awarded to Iowa Bridge and Culvert.
. The third phase should be complete in the Summer of 2007.
. This project will open to development over 400 acres of land.
3. Camp Cardinal Road Improvements
. This is a $6.5 million project.
. The project was awarded to Streb Construction.
. This is a joint project between Southgate Development, Coralville and Iowa City.
. This project will construct a new arterial connection, mainly on a new alignment. The arterial will
connect the Deer Creek Road intersection with Melrose Avenue in Iowa City to 22"" Avenue in
Coralville.
. This project is scheduled to be complete in the Summer of 2006.
4. South Gilbert Street and Sand Road Improvements
. This is a $1.3 million project awarded to Metro Pavers.
. It is a joint project between Johnson County and Iowa City.
. The project will reconstruct South Gilbert Street and Sand Road from Napoleon Lane south to
Sycamore Street to an urban cross section.
. South Gilbert Street and Sand Road will be closed from Napoleon Lane to Sycamore Street in the
Spring of 2006.
. This project is complete.
5. Highway 6 Improvements - lakeside to 4201h Street
. This is a $2.7 million project.
. It was awarded to L.L. Pelling.
. It is a joint project with the Iowa DOT.
. The project should be complete in the Fall of 2007.
. It will widen Highway 6 to a three lane cross section.
. It will also make intersection improvements at Heinz Road and Scott Boulevard.
. Intersection improvements at Industrial Park Road and 420th Street are also being evaluated.
. The Heinz Road intersection will be signalized.
6. Airport Runway Extension
. This is a $6.3 million project.
. The box culvert is complete.
. The grading contract was awarded to CJ Moyna and Sons for $950,000.
. The grading should be complete in the Spring of 2007.
. The paving and lighting will be bid in 2007.
7. Recreation Center Window Replacement
. This is a $650,000 project.
. The project was awarded to REEP, Inc.
. The project will replace all the windows in the Recreation Center.
8. Highway 1/ Highway 218 Interchange and Kitty lee Road Improvements
. This is a $419,000 project.
. The project will added a right turn lane to the south bound off ramp and signalize the intersection.
It will also add a right turn lane at Kitty Lee Road.
. This project will be complete in the Fall of 2006.
9. Sand lake Recreation Area
. The Council has authorized the purchase of the old S&G sand quarry on the west side of Sand
Road.
2007 Construction Year and Bevond
10. lower West Branch Road Reconstruction
. This is estimated to be $3.9 million project.
. The project will reconstruct Lower West Branch Road from Scott Boulevard to Taft Ave.
. This project is proposed for construction in Spring of 2007.
11.Grand Avenue Roundabout
. This is estimated to be $380,000.
. This project will construct a roundabout at the intersection of Grand Avenue and South Grand
Avenue.
. This is a joint project with the University of Iowa.
. The project is proposed for construction in the Summer of 2007.
12. McCollister Boulevard
. This project will construct a street from the intersection of Mormon Trek Boulevard and Old
Highway 218 to Gilbert Street.
. The project will include a bridge over the Iowa River.
. The project is estimated to be $6.25 million.
. The City obtained Federal funding for this project.
. This project is proposed for construction in the Fall of 2007 and Spring of 2008.
13.Gilbert Street - Bowery Left Turn Lanes and Prentiss Street Storm Sewer
. This project is estimated to be $420,000.
. The project is proposed for construction in the Summer of 2007.
. The project will include the addition of left turn lanes on Gilbert Street.
14.Court Hill Trail
. This project is estimated to be $510,000.
. The project is proposed for construction in the Fall of 2007.
. The City is going to hire Shive Hattery, Inc. to design the project.
15. Sycamore Street Improvements - Burns Street to the City Limits
o This project is estimated to be $2.0 million.
. The project is proposed for construction in the Summer of 2009.
o The City has hired a firm to establish the alignment and profile for the street.
16. Gilbert Street I Highway 6 : Dual Left Turn Lanes
o This project is estimated to be $3.5 million.
o The City has obtained $2.0 million of Federal Funds through the STP process.
o The project is proposed for construction in the Summer of 2008.
o The project will include dual left turn lanes on Gilbert Street.
17.Dubuque and Church Street - Left Turn Lanes
. This project is estimated to be $500,000.
o The project is proposed for construction in the Summer of 2008.
o The plan includes adding left turn lanes to the intersection.
o The City has obtained $400,000 million of Federal Funds through the STP process.
18. Water Works Prairie Park Development
o This project is estimated to be $200,000.
o The project is proposed for construction in the Summer of 2007 and 2008.
. The plans include park shelters, fishing pier, nature trails through the wooded areas and
improvements to the kayak and canoe launch area.
19. First Avenue IIAIS Railroad Crossing Improvements
o This project is estimated to be $6.2 million.
. The project is proposed for construction in the Summer of 2010.
o This project is dependent on obtaining Federal funds.
o The plans will include lower First Ave under the tracks.
20. McCollister Boulevard Alignment Study
o This project is also known as the South Arterial.
o This study will narrow down the location of McCollister Boulevard from Gilbert Street to Highway
6.
o The alignment corridor will be preserved as the area develops.
21. Sycamore Street Extension Alignment Study
o This project is to identify a future river crossing south of McCollister Boulevard.
o This study will narrow down the location of the extension from Old Highway 218 to the Sycamore
Street intersection with Sand Road.
o The alignment corridor will be preserved.
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
August 17,2006
RE:
Mayor and City Council
Marian K.Karr, City Clerk 't-~~
Fire Station # 2 - tour
TO:
FROM:
Staff would like to schedule a tour, followed by a brief work session, on the renovation of
Fire. Station # 2. We were unable to schedule this during your meetings on August 21 or
August 22 due to Council conflicts. Please check your calendars and come prepared to
schedule a special work session for one of dates and times listed below:
Thursday, August 24, anytime llAM to 8PM
Wednesday, August 30, anytime llAM to 6PM
Allow between 11/2 to 2 hours for this tour and meeting.
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Date: August 11, 2006 la
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To: City Council CITY OF IOWA CITY
Stephen Atkins, City Manager 4 I 0 E.ast Washi nglon Streel Ie
Kevin O'Malley, Director of Finance Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826
(319) 356-5000
From: Leigh Lewis, Management Analyst (319) 356-5009 FAX
www.icgov.org !!'!!!
Re: Parking Impact Fee - Annual Report !~!
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The attached spreadsheet provides an accounting of Parking Facility Impact Fees collected through June 30, 2006. Iowa City Code i~
..
section 14-7B outlines expenditure and refunding requirements for this fee and specifies a five-year spending rule based on the date of
the developer's final payment.
The unexpended balance of Parking Facility Impact Fees collected through June 30, 2006 is $41,790.72. The next spending It
requirement, based on the five-year rule, will be in February, 2010. It
Please let me know if you have any questions.
cc: Karin Franklin -
Joe Fowler
Mitch Behr =
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Parking Facility Impact Fee I
Use of Funds thru June 30, 2006 i
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Iowa City Code section 14-7B-9 specifies that Parking Facility Impact Fees assessed on developments in the Near Souths ide Neighborhood must be used in the I
I
order in which they are received, for capitai improvement costs associated with off-street parking facilities in the souths ide district, and by the end of the quarter
immediately following five (5) years - starting from the date of the final fee payment. If not utiltized in this manner, unexpended funds are refundable to the i
developer upon written request. ,
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,
,
The following information applies FY2006 expenditures from the Parking Impact Restricted Fund to individual fee payments in order to determine if the five-year I
,
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spending requirement is being appropriately met.
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Receipts: Expend itu res: I
512 South Dubuque St.* 01/12/04 02/07/10 8,132.91 (8,132.91) 07/27/05 Refund 400 S. Dubuque" (8,857.31 )
400 South Dubuque St. ** 11/12/04 11/12/09 24,80048 (24,80048) 08/17/05 Refund 400 S. Dubuque" (24,80048)
512 South Dubuque St. 01/14/05 02/07/10 21,257.56 (72440) 20,533.16 I
512 South Dubuque St. 02/07/06 02/07/10 21,257.56 - 21,257.56
Parking Impact Fees Total Expenditures I
thru June 30, 2006: (33,657.79) 41,790.72 thru June 30, 2006: (33,657.79)
I
* The total amount of this payment on 512 South Dubuque St. was $21,257.56. Expenditures applied prior to FY2006 totaled $13,124.65,
leaving $8,132.91 unexpended at the start of the fiscal year.
** The original formula used to calculate fees due on development at 400 South Dubuque Street was reviewed and found to be incorrect. A revised
calculation determined total fees payable to be $15,943.17. With $49,600.96 paid through November 12, 2004, $33,657.79 was refunded to the
developer during the fall of 2005. I
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08/09/2005 11:35
3395175
EWM1PJ
JOHNSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Thomas L. Hansen
Emergency Management Coordinator
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This Is a copy of the letter received by my office. The copy faxed 10 me was so poor that I copied
it 10 this format so it would be clear. The Ietferttead is FEMA.
August 9. 2006
The HOllCl/'sble Thomas L. Vilsak
Governor of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
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Dear Governor Vilsak:
This responds to your letter dated July 7, 2006, appealing the denial of your request for s major
disaster declaration for Public Assistance for Johnson County and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
The Stale was impacted by severe storms, tomadoes and straight line winds during the period of
April 13-14, 2006
After a thorough review of the infonnation contained in your request and appeal, and based on
the finding of the Initial Preliminary Damage and subsequent resurvey, we affirm our original
findings that the impact from this ewnt is not of the severity and magnitude that ~ts a major
disaster declaration. The required response appears to be within the combined capabilities of the
State and affected legal governments. Therefore, I must inform you that your appeal is denied.
I regret that a favorable conclusion could not be reached in this case.
Sincerely,
R. Davin Paulison
Director
511 S. CAPITOL / P.O. BOX 169/ IOWA CITY. IOWA 52244 / TELEPHONE (319) 356-6028
FAX; (319) 339-<5175 EMAIL: jocoema@co.johnson.ia.u5
REPLVTo:
o 135 HART SENATE OffiCE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1501
1202) 224-3744
TTY: (202) 224-4479
e-mail: chuck_Qrassley@grassley.senate.gov
~nitcd ~tatcs ~cnatc
R'~'TO~
o 103 FEDERAL COURT1-IDUSE BUILDING
320 6T1-1 STREET
SIOUX CITY, IA 51101-1244
(712) 233-1860
o 721 FEDERAL BUILDING
210 WALNUT STREET
Des MOINES, IA 50309--2140
(515)288-1145
CHARLES E. GRASSLEY
WASHINGTON. DC 20510-1501
o 210 WATERLOO BUILDING
531 COMMERCiAl STREET
WATERLOO, lA 50701-5497
(319) 232-6657
D 206 FEDERAL BUILDING
1011sT STREET SE
CeDAR RAPIDS, IA 52401-1227
(319) 363-6832
August 14, 2006
D 131WEST3RDSTREET
SUITE 180
DAVENPORT, IA 52801-1419
(563) 322-4331
Mayor Ross Wilburn
City of Iowa City
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240
o 307 FEDERAL BUILDING
B SOUTH 6TH STREET
COUNCIL BLUFFS, lA 51501-4204
(712)322-7103
Dear Friends:
Thank you for inviting me to the Recognition Ceremony for the
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment
Partnership Programs. Unfortunately, other commitments keep me
from joining you. However, I send my greetings and look forward
to hearing about the projects awarded this year.
The CDBG and HOME programs are vital to supporting our
communities. I know that these programs provide numerous services
and opportunities for Iowa families. I also know that Iowa's
cities take their funding and leverage it to the maximum extent
to help those in their communities.
For more than 25 years, the CDBG and HOME programs have given
states, localities, non-profits and community-based organizations
the capacity to undertake affordable housing and community
development activities. Many of these projects simply would not
occur without assistance from the CDBG and HOME programs.
I have always been a supporter of these important programs. Once
again this year, I have urged the leaders of the .Appropriations
Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Judiciary, and Housing
and Urban Development to fund these important programs as
robustly as possible.
Thank you again
Congratulations
for inviting
to those who
me to the Recognition
are recognized.
Ceremony.
Keep in touch.
o
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CHAIRMAN,
FINANCE
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator
Committee Assignments:
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BUDGET
JUDICIARY
AGRICULTURE
CHAIRMAN,
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS
CONTROL CAUCUS
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
e IO~:,~~,~.~~~.~,,~ra~~:~~on
August 15,2006
Ref: MP-6-6(711)247- -76-52
Johnson County
City of Iowa City
The Honorable Ross Willburn, Mayor
City ofIowa City
410 E Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240-1826
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SUBJECT: HMA Joint & Crack Sealing - US 6
Dear Mayor Willbum:
This letter is official notification to your City Council that the Iowa Department of Transportation
proposes to let a HMA (Hot Mix Asphalt) Joint & Crack Sealing project on November 21,2006.
The work consists of sealing cracks in hot mix asphalt pavement. The project is located on US 6
in Iowa City from Rocky Shore Drive to the south junction with IA 1.
It is anticipated that the project will be completed in calendar year 2007. The work will be done
in accordance with the current Form 810034, "Agreement for Primary Road Extension
Maintenance and Operation". Project costs will be paid from the Primary Road Fund and no
charges will be made against the city.
Resident Construction Engineer, Carey Lewis, P.E., of Manchester, Iowa, telephone number 563-
927-2397, will advise you of the contractor's proposed schedule when the information is
available.
We would appreciate this-project notification being included on your next City Council meeting
agenda as a matter of information for Council members.
If you have any questions concerning the work involved, please contact this office as soon as
possible in order to expedite any possible changes.
Very truly yours,
~ SIo.-er
Thomas M. Storey, P.E.
District Staff Engineer
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cc: Marian Karr, City Clerk, 410E Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240-1826
Richard E. Kautz, P.E., District Engineer, Iowa DOT, Cedar Rapids,IA 52406
Carey Lewis, P.E., Resident Construction Engineer, Iowa DOT, Manchester, IA 52057
Newman Abuissa, P.E., Staff Engineer, Iowa DOT, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
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PRESIDENT
TIMOTHY J_ MONSON, P E
Shuck.Britson Inc
2409 Gnmd Avenuo
Des Moines, Iowa 60312.
515/243-441'1
Fax 515/243-4479
tmonson@shuck-brilson,com
VICE PRESIDENT
DAViD N, MOELLER, PE
Snyder <'\. "'.ssociates
'l12"i Snyder Olvd
Ankeny, lew" 500;:::1
515/9G4-2020
F,H 515/964..7938
dnmoeller@snyderassoci"tes com
2"(' YE..\R DIRECTOR
LYLE BREHM. F'_E
Tama Cnunlli Ermifleer
1002 E 5'''--Sirect -
Tmnn, Iowa 523~~9
641i4()4-~341
Faxf:i41i4f:\1,-562f:l
!brl':'t>m@~amacowllyor9
1't YEAR DIRECTOR
MARlEE A, Wf-,L'!ON, PL, L,S'
Iowa Slate UI1I"erSily
Department of CIVil Engineer,ng
496 Town Engineering
Ames; Iowa 50011
5151294-4861
Fw:: 515/294..8216
mar1ee@iastato,edu
ASSOCiATE. DIRECTOR
JENII"E.R J CRQA'I PC
Snyder & As:;ociates
2727 ~)nyder Blvd
,4.nkeny,lowl> 5()023
515/9G4-2020
FIlK 515i96<1-7g;)f!
jCrOa1@$l'yrjer--i'lS50daies_carn
SECRETARY
S:::'AN D BROWN. P E.
TemKOf1
600 SW l"; Stroot, Suite M
Des Moines, iowa 5030~j
515:'244-3184
Fax 515/244-5249
SdOCQwn@terracon.com
TREASURER
BRYCE: A JOHNSON, PE
Missrnan Stanley & ~.ssociates, PC.
1011 2t" ,\venue
Rock Island. illinOIS 61204-6040
309/788.7644
Fax 3091788-1691
tlfycej@mi;;srmm.colTI
DIS THier 15 DELEGf'..TE.
ROBERT L L.ENT? PF
Earth Tf;)eh, Inc
501 Sycamore Slreel Suite 272
Waterloo, Iowa 50703
319r232-6531
Fax 31!)J232-0271
Bob.Lentz@earthtech,cofl1
NEWSLETTEf~ EDITOH
KOLE C BERG, PF.
Terracon
GOO $W 7u, Street. Suite M
Des Moines. Iowa 50309
515r244-3184
Fax 5-151744..5249
kcberg@terracon.ccrn
PAST PRESIDENT
DAViD R CL.AM:'l..N, Pi:"
Office of B:'idges ana Structures
Iowa Dep<ll'trnen: of Tr8!lSpO'1at'on
800 l.i:;coln Way
Arn8G lOw" 50010
515/239..;487
Fax 5151239-18/8
d;Hid di:lr.'lan@{jot 'DW,iQDV
!-'AST PAST PHESIDENl
D;,NIFL R_ SCOTT P,!,:
Engineering Division, City of lowel City
410 E. Wnsrlinglofl Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319;3:'16--5144
Fax 319i356-500';'
OanieH;cort@lowa~city .o'-g
.sc.r American Society
~ .. of Civil Engineers
August 7, 2006
Mr. Steve Jacobsen, P.E.
NNW, Inc.
316 East College Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
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Dear Steve,
It is with a great deal of pleasure that I inform you the Iowa River Dam
Renovation Project, nominated by your fIrm, has been selected for the Iowa
Section's Outstanding Engineering Project Achievement Award. The award is
in recognition of the project's demonstration of engineering skill; the
resourcefulness of its planning, design and construction; the pioneering use of
materials; and the aesthetic value of the project. This award does not recognize
the achievements of anyone engineer, but rather recognizes the contributions of
many to this most successful project.
On behalf of the Iowa Section Board of Directors, I want to invite you and any
guests to the Annual Awards Banquet to be held on September 15,2006 at the
Amana Holiday Inn near the Williamsburg 1-80 exit. A social hour will be from
6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The banquet will begin at 7:00p.m., followed by the awards
ceremony at 8:00p.m.
Please confmu with me as soon as possible your availability to attend the
banquet, as well as the number of guests you wish to bring. Also, please let me
know who will be attending and accepting on behalf of Iowa City and
Coralville.
Once again, I want to congratulate NNW on this award! It is a testimony to the
quality of work you have done over the years and recognizes the outstanding
collaborative effort by many individuals, disciplines and fmus. I look forward
to hearing from you and seeing you at the awards banquet on September IS.
Sincerely,
[)~ PA
Daniel Scott, P.E.
Past, Past President, Iowa Section, ASCE
cc: Tim Monson, President
(Jf[]
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Sam Hargadine
Monday, August 14, 2006 12:02 PM
Chris Vinsonhaler
'City Council
RE: Thank you, ICPD, for a job well-done!
Mr. Vinsonhaler,
Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. I will identify the officers involved
and forward your comments.
Chief Sam Hargadine
Iowa City Police Department
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240-1826
Office: 319.356.5271
Ernail: Sam-Hargadine@iowa-city.org
NOTICE: This email (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications
Privacy Act, 18 D.S.C. 2510-2521, and is confidential and may be legally privileged. If
you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention,
dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.
Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, and then delete
it. Thank You.
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Vinsonhaler [mailto:Chris-Vinsonhaler@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 11:50 AM
To: Sam Hargadine
Cc: *City Council
Subject: Thank you, ICPD, for a job well-done!
Dear Police Chief Hargadine,
As a new resident of Iowa City (715 E. Market Street) I want to thank the officer!s) who
responded to my complaint of a disturbance of the peace at 2 a.m. on Saturday, August 12.
A neighbor two houses down was very thoughtlessly creating a great deal of noise with a
very late party. My report was responded to promptly, and though I don't know exactly what
ensued, the sudden and absolute silence that descended on the "partiers" spoke volumes
regarding the professionalism of the
officer(s) who responded. I am grateful and proud to be a new resident of this wonderful
city. And I want to thank your department for helping to make it so.
All best,
Chris Vinsonhaler
715 E. Market Street
Iowa City, IA 52245
1
E. Andy Hasley
Work: 319-364-2874 Cell: 319-651-1019 Fax: 319-364-2982
Home: 319-364-2870 E-Mail: ahaslevCci>aol.com
1411 8th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403
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Subject: Health, safety and building code violations at 409 Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA.
Dear Mr. Cate,
Yesterday, I assisted my 18 year-old daughter, Emily Harnden, as she moved into her
first independent living quarters. She had signed alease for the main floor and basement
of 409 North Gilbert Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245-2129; a single family dwelling that
has been converted to the commercial useof rented apartments.
Naturally, as a parent, I am tom between protecting my daughter and allowing her to
make the mistakes that will eventually contribute to her learning and well being. This
conundrum not withstanding, I was appalled at the health, safety, and building code
violations I observed at the subject location and decided to take some action.
. I contacted Iowa City Fire Captain, Steve Timme!. Hearing my concerns, Captain
Timmel advised me that apartments are inspected by your department and that I should
contact you.
Emily's landlords were apparently aware of the squeeze many students have on move-in
day, as inexperienced young people arrive with belongings and signed lease in hand, only
to find un-kept promises and unsafe living quarters.
For the purpose of this letter, I will not address issues such as the cleaning or paining or
new floor coverings that were promised and not provided because I doubt your
department would have jurisdiction in those matters and because Emily and her room-
mate, Molly Madigan, will survive those issues and hopefully learn from the process.
I am writing to you about issues they may not survive.
Mr. Cate
Page 2
August 2, 2006
The subject apartment has the following hazards, which I am hoping your department can
address.
1. The living quarters, including bedrooms, are not equipped with smoke detectors.
a. Today, I installed a combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector in the
basement bedroom.
2. The basement bedroom has no lock.
3. The handle of the slide bar, which operates the dead bolt lock securing the required
north basementlkitchen exit has been cut off, rendering the door inoperable.
a. This exit has no landing or sidewalk.
b. I have installed a new dead bolt on this door and covered the glass with Masonite.
4. The kitchen door requires a key to operate from the inside so in case of fire, this door
would trap the occupants.
5. All exterior doors present security and or injury concerns because they contain plain
glass rather than the plastic or tempered glazing typically required.
6. The fire extinguisher in the kitchen was last inspected in 1991.
7. The antiquated, fuse type electrical service has wires not protected in conduit, running
throughout the basement and abandoned knob and tube/ dangling everywhere.
8. The top riser in the steps to the front and rear exits are a trip hazard, UBC non
compliant in the extreme.
9. Frayed carpeting between the kitchen and dining room floors is a trip hazard.
10. Carpeting in the basement bedroom conceals a floor drain that emits sewer gas and
has an exterior drainage pipe discharging into it. 6
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11. As you know, Radon is the clear, odorless, radioactive gas, which is more pr~t
in Iowa than any other state. It is a proven health threat; especially in older C) ::
buildings. Rather than test for and take appropriate steps toward abatement, ~ ~~
landlords' lease stipulates that Radon gas has not and would not be tested. ~Ed
more than any other fact, demonstrates these landlords'total disregard for the ~afth I)?
and welfare of the inexperienced tenants they cater to. (prey upon) );
a. I am presently having the premises tested for Radon gas.
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Page 3
August 2, 2006
12. While the many cracked widow panes and missing screens on this property may not
be within the preview of your department, perhaps hoodwinking tenants out of their
security deposit is. For that reason, if your department inspects this property, I
respectfully request that these deficiencies be at least noted.
13. The landlords of the subject property do not respect the privacy of their tenants and
repeatedly trespass without notice. Would you please advise me as to any Iowa City
rules or laws that would apply to this situation? As rve said, the landlords have
keys to my Daughters apartment and she has no privacy lock on her bedroom door.
She is afraid to stay there alone.
As a father who has been made painfully aware of the abuse the landlords who oversee
the subject property have perpetrated, I ask for your assistance and advice. As a citizen,
who recognizes the greater threat to the many unsuspecting young adults ofIowa City, I
pledge my full cooperation to you.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Andy Hasley
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cc Mr. Steve Stimmel, Captain, Iowa City Fire Department
cc Mr. Stepehen J. Atkins, City Manager, Iowa City, Iowa
cc City Council ofIowa City
cc Mr. Mike Maddigan
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
August7,2006
Mr. E. Andy Hasley
1411 8th Ave SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City. Iowa 52140-1826
(3191 356-5000
(319) 356-5009 FAX
www.icgov.org
RE; 409 N. Gilbert Street
Dear Mr. Hasley:
Thank you for your letter concerning 409 N. Gilbert St. dated August 2, 2006. This home, built in 1920,
was converted into a duplex many, many years ago. Please bear in mind that as such there are certain
aspects of the property that are "grandfathered" in. let me address the concerns you have for your
daughter's apartment at 409 N. Gilbert St. in the order that you have given to me.
1. In buildings built after adoption of the 1988 Uniform Building Code, smoke alarms were required in
every bedroom and hallways leading to bedrooms. Because your daughter's unit was built previous to
adoption of that code, it is required to have smoke alarms on each level only.
2. The Iowa City housing code has no requirement concerning locks on bedroom doors. If you or your
daughter believe this is a necessary utility, you may supply the hardware at your own expense.
3. The inoperable north basemenUkitchen exit is of concern. This mayor may not be a required exit -
only one exit is required for basements with an occupant load of less than 10, which would apply to your
daughter's unit. However, even if it is not a required exit, if it looks like an exit and functions like an exit, it
should operate as an exit.
4. The kitchen door lock must operate from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge.
5. The old doors in this house are "grandfathered" in. If replacement is made, the new glazings will be
required to meet current code.
6. Fire extinguishers are required to be serviced every six years and hydrosiatically tested every 12. With
a date on the canister of 1991, a new extinguisher will be required.
7. When the electrical service was installed, it met the code in effect at that time. As long as the fuses are
properly sized, this continues to be an acceptable electrical service. Electrical wires were not required to
be run in conduit in basements of residential dwellings until adoption of the 2005 National Electrical Code.
Abandoned wire poses no risk.
8. Again, the stair rise is "grandfathered" in. Any replacement of either the front or ba<C5stairs ~ be
required to meet current code. ~ () ;:
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9. We will assess the severity of the carpet tear and address the situation accordingly. C-;, -, '~) I I
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10. Floor drains should not be concealed and no exterior or sump pump drainage should--di~cl1ar~intom
such a drain. -- Ce' :::. --'.
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12. Screens are required on all openable windows between May 1 and November 1.
13. landlords must give at least 24 hours notice before entering a property and enter only at reasonable
times. The landlord may enter the unit without consent of the tenant in the case of an emergency.
Mr. Hasley, as described in your August 2 letter, items 3, 4, 6, 10 and 12 appear to be violations in need
August 8, 2006
Page 2
of correction. Our department will be following up with the owners of the property to investigate your
claims and if substantiated, insure that the violations get corrected.
If I can be of any more help, you can reach me at my office number listed below.
S~:~( ~
Norm Cate
Senior Housing Inspector
City of Iowa City
356-5137
Cc; City Council
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Work: 319-364-2874 Cell: 319-651-1019 Fax: 319-364-2982
Home: 319-364-2870 E~Mail: ahaslev(ci)aoLcom
1411 8lh Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403
August 18, 2006
Mr. Norm Cate, Senior Housing Inspector
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Office 319-356-5137
Cell 319-321-5652
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Subject: Your August 7, 20061etter concerning 409 N. Gilbert
Dear Mr. Cate,
Thank you for your August 7, 2006 letter responding to the concerns I had expressed in
my August 2, 2006 letter to you. It's my understanding that 409 N. Gilbert was inspected
yesterday. 1 am grateful for your prompt follow-up and would appreciate a copy of your
findings.
Mr. Cate, I have been a general contractor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for more than thirty
years. As a young man, I sometimes railed against certain building codes I considered
frivolous. Now that I'm a grandfather myself, I have a little tolerance for grandfathered
laws that permit landlords to rent unsafe property to an unsuspecting public.
While I was able to recognize and correct the most serious hazards in my daughter's
apartment, many young, first time apartment dwellers have no choice but to rely upon the
City of Iowa City for protection. The grandfather in me asks: Why would the City of
Iowa City grandfather laws which permit bedrooms without smoke detectors? To me,
this kind of provision seems obscene.
Regarding your comments about #8 of my August 2, letter and with respect to the
grandfathering of mismatched stair risers: According to a 1989 report of the National
Safety Council, falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States.
Only motor vehicle accidents kill more people. In 1988, there were over 12,000 people
killed in falls or about 12% of the accidental death total. Of these, 6,500 people were
killed in falls around the home and 5,500 deaths occurred in public places.
Page 2
August 14,2006
The original front and rear steps at the subject property were made of wood. At some
point, these wooden steps were replaced with poorly fit pre-cast concrete staircases,
which created a top riser two inches different than its companion risers. The exit doors
open over the replacement staircases, which have no landings. Landings and matching
staircase risers have been recognized as important, inexpensive, safety features for
buildings in building codes since the late 1800s. At some point, new, non complying
steps were added to the subject building. Now, they appear to be grandfathered.
What makes the situation at 409 N. Gilbert a true riddle is the fact that, according to the
Johnson County Recorder, the new the landlords have owned this property for only 22
months! It begs the question: At what point in time is a single family dwelling that is
converted and leased as apartments in Iowa City, Iowa, required to be safe?
While some latitude in regulations with respect to parking, aesthetic values, energy
efficiency etc. seem only reasonable. What is the rationale for grandfathering laws that
permit or actually facilitate unsafe living conditions? At what point in time is any rented
dwelling in Iowa City required to be safe?
Anyway, for what it's worth, the reason I have copied the Iowa City, City Council with
the issues we have discussed, is that I realize that you can only protect the public from
those hazards the City Council designates. I am hoping our discussion will stimulate
dialogue within the City Council and result in safer living conditions for my daughter and
all who lease and live in Iowa City apartments.
Thank you again,
Sincerely,
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Andy Hasley
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Exhibits I through 8
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
August 24, 2006
Mr. E. Andy Hasley
1411 8th Ave SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City. Iowa 52240.1826
(319) 356-5000
13191 356-5009 FAX
www.icgov.org
RE: Letter dated August 18, 2006 regarding 409 N. Gilbert St
Dear Mr. Hasley:
I am in receipt of your August 18, 2006 letter regarding 409 N. Gilbert St. Our rental department inspected
this property on August 17, 2006. Enclosed you will find the violation letter from that inspection. As you
will read, there are a number of violations in need of correction including fire ex1inguishers to be updated,
locks replaced, cracked glazing replaced, plaster repaired, dryer ducting replaced and areas to be
repainted.
You have raised some interesting issues in your letter. Concerning your question of why the city does not
require the installation of smoke alanms in bedrooms of structures built prior to the 1988 code cycle, until
very recently, there has been no building or fire code language that applies retroactively to their
installation. Only when a buiiding permit is issued for a residential structure, and the work being done is
interior and $1000 or more in value, are smoke alarms then required to be installed in all bedrooms and
hallways leading to bedrooms.
However, under the recently adopted International Fire Code, we now have language that gives us the
authority to make current smoke aiarm requirements retroactive in all residential structures. Implementing
this language is under consideration with an eye toward an early 2007 enforcement roll-out date.
Regarding the question of when does a structure lose its grandfathered status, as long as the use is
continued without interruption, the grandfathered status is retained, regardless of ownership change.
Mr Hasley, I have two college-aged sons living away from home. As a parent, I too share your concern for
safe housing, especially for young, first-time apartment dwellers. In my estimation this is a very well-
maintained rental property in a part of town that struggles with owner-occupied/absentee rental owner
tensions. The current owners, who are local, do take pride in their properties and I hope that the
correction of the violations that were cited during the August 17 rental licensing will help make your
daughter feel safer in her new apartment.
S~:AA- ( ~
Norm Cate
Senior Housing Inspector
Cc: City Council
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NOTICE OF VIOLATION
August 23, 2006
The Department of Housing and Inspection Services inspected the property listed below on August 17th, 2006. The following
items have been determined as violations of Title 17, Chapter 5; the Iowa City Housing Code and are hereby brought to your
attention for correction:
OWNER/AGENT:
Michael Garvey
Geri Garvey
5 Heather Drive
Iowa City, Iowa 52245
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
409- 409 Y:z N Gilbert Street.
INSPECTED WITH: Geri
409 Gilbert Street:
I. 19-A-2: EXTERIOR: Screen panel on front porch, south of screen door, in disrepair.
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2. 19-A-4: WINDOWS:
a. West basement window glazing cracked.
b. East living room picture window glazing cracked.
c. 1'1 floor bedroom window glazing cracked.
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3. 19-A-5: INTERIOR: Basement ceiling stairway missing area of plaster.
4. 19-G: EXITING: Kitchen door deadbolt not an approved type.
5. 19-1: ELECTRICAL: VerifY that old knob and tube wire coming through cold air return is not energized.
6. 19-Q FIRE PROTECTION: All fire extinguishers must display a noticeably visible manufacturer's date either by
tag or permanent marking on canister. Any fire extinguisher six years old or more must be serviced and properly
tagged by a qualified agency or be replaced with a new, properly mounted 2A-IOBC (minimum size) fire
extinguisher with the manufacturer's date displayed either by tag or permanent marking on the canister.
7. 19-N: SUPPLIED FACILITIES: Clothes dryer vented with unapproved materials (flexible plastic pipe). Replace
with metal pipe using a maximum of 8' of flexible metal pipe.
This reinspection will be carried out to determine code compliance. No fee will be assessed for the initial reinspection and for one reinspection of exterior
work that has been granted an extension to complete. A $60 fee will be assessed for each additional reinspection which must be scheduled. A $50 ~no
show" fee will be assessed for each reinspection at which the owner/agent fails to appear in order to provide interior access.
FAILURE TO CORRECT THE V10LATlON(S) WITHIN THE TIME SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN ISSUANCE OF A CITATION AND FURTHER LEGAL ACTION
BEING TAKEN. Should you wish to contest this order, Appeal Request forms can be obtained at the Housing Inspection office, 410 E. Washington Street. Any
appeal must be received in the office of the City Clerk within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice. Failure to request an appeal shall constitute a waiver of the
right to a hearing and this notice shall become a final determination and order. When all applicable provisions of the Housing code of the City of Iowa City have been
complied with, the Department of Housing and Inspection Services will issue a Certificate of Structure compliance and/or Rental Permit. If seasonal weather or
extraordinary circumstances prevent compliance, an extension of time may be requested in writing from your inspector. .
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET. IOWA CITY,IOWA 52240-1826 . (319)356-5000 . FAX (319)341-4020
Page 2
409 Y, Gilbert Street:
8. 19-A-5: INTERIOR: Painted surfaces above bathtub areas show signs of water damage and require maintenance.
9. 19-1: ELECTRICAL: GFCI outlet on west wall of living room wired incorrectly. (Reverse Polarity)
REINSPECTION: September 21" @ lO:OOa.m.
BY: Stan Laverman, 356-5135, stan-Iaverman(W,iowa-citv.ol1!
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rnLl
Marian Karr
From:
Gina Peters [gina.peters@ecicog.org]
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 3:20 PM
To: Senator Wally Horn; Senator Robert Dvorsky; Senator Mary Lundby; Senator Chuck Larson;
Senator Joe Bolkcom; Representative Vicki Lensing; Representative Todd Taylor;
Representative Swati Dandekar; Representative Robert Hogg; Representative Ro Foege;
Representative Mary Mascher; Representative Kraig Paulsen; Representative Jeff Elgin;
Representative Dick Taylor; Representative David Jacoby; Tim Boyle; Joe Raso; Kent
Ralston; Allen Witt; Beth Freeman; Don Saxton; Doug; Gary Grant; Hills; James Houser; Joan
Benson; Joshua Schamberger; Lee Clancey; Linda Langston; Lu Barron; Mary Day; Mayor
Betty Svoboda; Mayor Dale Stanek; Mayor David Franker; Mayor Don Gray; Mayor Eldon
Slaughter; Mayor Glen Potter; Mayor Jim Fausett; Mayor Joel Miller; Mayor John Harris;
Mayor John Nieland; Mayor Kay Halloran; Mayor Louise From; Mayor Mike Williams; Mayor
Patrick Murphy; Mayor Paul Tuerler; Mayor Robert Kurt; Ross Wilburn; Mayor Rozena McVey;
Mayor Thomas C. Patterson; Mayor William Cooper; Mayor William Voss; Michael Lehman;
Monica Vernon; Nancy Quellhorst; Pat Harney; Paula Freeman-Brown; Priority One; Rod
Sullivan; Sally Stutsman; Scott Grabe; Terrence Neuzil; Chuck Peters
Cc: Mike Goldberg; Kelly Hayworth; John Yapp; jeff schott; Jeff Davidson; Jane Tompkins; Steve
Atkins; Executive Assistant Mike Sullivan; City Clerk Tawnia Kakacek; City Clerk Nancy
Beuter; Marian Karr; City Clerk Connie Evans; Christine Taliga; Chad; Casie Kadlec; C Clerk
Tracey Mulcahey; Becky Shoop; Administrator Brian James; Sandie Deahl
Subject: Linn/Johnson County Leadership Group
Attachments: August 24 Agenda.doc; May06 Minutes.doc; Trail Link Subcommittee Recommendation.doc
The next meeting of the Johnson/Linn County Public Leadership Group will be Thursday, August 24, 2006, at
5:00 p.m., at the North Liberty Community Center, 520 West Cherry Street, North Liberty. An agenda is attached,
as well as minutes from the May meeting and the recommendation from the Trail Link Subcommittee.
Douglas D. Elliott
Executive Director
East Central Iowa Council of Governments
700 16th Street NE, Suite 301
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
319.365.9941
319.365.9981 (fax)
WWW.ecicog.org
8/15/2006
Agenda
Johnson/Linn County Public Leadership Group
North Liberty Community Center
Russ Gerdin Conference Center
North Liberty, Iowa
Thursday, August 24, 2006
5:00 p.m.
INFORMAL MEETING
Work Session
1. Call to order - 5:00 p.m.
2. Welcome and Introductions
Mike Lehman, Chairperson - Johnson County Board of Supervisors
Jim Houser, Chairperson - Linn County Board of Supervisors
3. Subcommittee Reports
a) Trail Link Subcommittee - Recommendation on Metro Trail
link, Mary Rump, ECICOG
b) Regional Subcommittee - Report on June 27, 2006, meeting,
Tom Patterson, Mayor, Hiawatha
4. City of Cedar Rapids Aviation Program
Sgt. Kent Choate, City of Cedar Rapids
5. Next meeting date and location
6. Other
7. Adjournment
Minutes of the Johnson/Linn County Public Leadership Group &
Legislative Delegation Meeting
Russ Gerdin Conference Center
North Liberty, Iowa
Monday, May 22, 2006
5:00 p.m.
Co-chair Lehman called the meeting to order at 5:11 p.m.
Present: State Representative Swati Dandekar, State Representative Ro Foege, State
Representative Dave Jacoby, State Senator Joe Bolkcom, State Senator Robert Dvorsky,
State Senator Wally Horn, Iowa City Mayor Ross Wilburn, Iowa City City Councilor
Dee Vanderhoef, Iowa City City Councilor Regenia Bailey, Johnson County Supervisor
Rod Sullivan, Johnson County Supervisor Terrence Neuzil, Johnson County Supervisor
Mike Lehman, Johnson County Supervisor Sally Stutsman, Johnson County Supervisor
Pat Hamey, Linn County Supervisor James Houser, Linn County Supervisor Linda
Langston, Linn County Supervisor Lu Barron, Cedar Rapids City Councilor Tom
Podzimek, Ely Mayor Dale Stanek, Ely City Councilor Mark Banowetz, North Liberty
City Councilor Matt Bahl, University Heights Mayor Louise From, ECICOG Executive
Director Doug Elliott, JCCOG Assistant Transportation Plarmer John Yapp, Johnson
County Executive Assistant Mike Sullivan, Cedar Rapids Long Range Planning Manager
Dean Wheatley and Linn County Plarming and Zoning Manager Mark Trumbauer.
COMPLETION OF JOHNSON/LINN TRAIL LINK: SENATOR JOE BOLKCOM
REVIEW OF JOHNSON/LINN COUNTY TRAIL SYSTEMS
IDENTIFICATION OF LINK CORRIDOR
ACTION STEPS AND WORK ASSIGNMENTS
State Senator Joe Bolkcom addressed the topic of a trail connector from Cedar
Rapids/Marion to Iowa City/Coralville. Bolkcom commended the Board of Supervisors
from both Linn and Johnson Counties for their help on this issue. Linn County Planning
and Zoning Manager Mark Trumbauer said that the City of Ely and the Linn County
Conservation Department are working on a trail from 76th Avenue Drive to the Johnson
County line. They received funding, a Recreation Trails Grant of $49,000. $450,000
was Federally earmarked. They plan to complete segments H, I, and J by 2008.
Trumbauer explained that to accomplish their trail goals they developed a relationship
with the Linn County Trails Association.
Cedar Rapids Long Range Plarming Manager Dean Wheatley reported that the Linn
County Regional Plarming Commission recently hired Adam Lindenlaub as a Trails
Coordinator.
JCCOG Assistant Transportation Plarmer John Yapp said that the urban network in
Johnson County is starting to become interconnected. He said there is more interest in
expanding into urban Johnson County and connecting to Linn County. Yapp explained
Joint Leadership Group Minutes: May 22,2006 Page 2
that there are two possible routes for the Linn County and Johnson County connection.
The first is along Highway 965. The other would be along the Hoover Nature Trail route
from Ely along the Rock Island Rail Road into Solon and then on Mehaffey Bridge Road
into North Liberty. He said that the Solon and North Liberty route was the preferred
route, which was developed after a trails planning workshop. However, he said, the
Highway 965 route will be under construction so it could be advantageous.
Bolkcom said that the Johnson County Board of Supervisors did a good job of
looking at paved shoulders when upgrading roads. This project would be a dedicated
trail. Lehman said that by law, they aren't allowed to condenm agricultural land for
separated trails. Bolkcom said that trails are a recreation facility and transportation. He
recommended that they think of them as transportation corridors and they will work for
recreational uses as well. Lehman said that the trails should be multi -purpose, and this
has stalled prior discussions. He said that snowmobilers and horseback riders have
wanted the trails to work for them as well. This meant that they had to go back to the
drawing board to discuss surface policies for multi-purpose uses.
Linn County Supervisor James Houser said that the Linn County Conservation
Department takes care of the Linn County trails. He said that Linn County's emphasis
has been to connect the Hoover Nature Trail to the Coralville Nature Trail. Neuzil asked
if they have a Conservation Levy with funding set aside for trails. Houser replied that the
Coralville nature trail has been in their budget since the early 1990s. He said that some
money is put in the budget annually for maintenance and one trail was gifted to them.
Stutsman asked about accessing State dollars. Bolkcom said that this would require
that a specific proposal application be sent to the Department of Transportation. Senator
Bob Dvorksy said that recreation trails in Coralville got awarded $300,000. He said they
need to have plans in place, and that they have to write the grant and complete the trail
within the timeframe. He said that it is not a requirement that they connect to the
National trail, but they always like to look at that to see if there is any connectivity. The
group discussed Tom Neenan as a player, he is the President of the Iowa Trails
Association and lives in Linn County.
Bolkcom said that this raises a question about alignment. He explained that figuring
out legal ownership and title to the Hoover Nature Trail in Johnson County is quite a
problem and it will be difficult to make that happen. Lehman said that another issue is
the Johnson County Board hasn't given any money to Secondary Roads or Conservation
for trails. He said that people won't want to use the trails unless they are clean and
properly maintained, and Johnson County will need to come up with the money for
maintenance. Stutsman said that Linn County has been successful because of their active
and involved group. She said that Johnson County needs to put energy and resources into
this. She said that Linn County was able to overcome issues because they were very
organized.
Bolkcom said that it is important to be realistic about the limited dollars and
alignment. He gave 965 as an example and asked whether they were talking about a
Joint Leadership Group Minutes: May 22,2006 Page 3
dedicated trail. Lehman said that the only place they would be able to do a dedicated trail
would be along Highway 965. A member of the Leadership Group asked where the trail
in Johnson County would hook up to a trail in Linn County. Linn County Supervisor
Linda Langston said that as Johnson County is making plans it is important for them to
keep Linn County in the loop. A Cedar Rapids City Council Member asked how much of
the alternative is not dedicated trail. Lehman said that they have done Highway 382 to
Solon about 3 miles with paved shoulders. Yapp eXplained that Johnson County has
paved shoulders from Solon to Sugar Bottom Road. It is in the 5 Year Construction
Program to reconstruct Mehaffey Bridge Road. Yapp said that the Hoover Trail would
continue from Solon to West Branch and then to Cedar County. He added that they want
to direct people to urban areas such as Johnson County. Yapp presented maps of Johnson
County regional trails routes. Langston said that the challenge is to figure out how to
connect to 965, especially since this hasn't been a part of prior planning efforts. Bolkcom
asked if they are talking about a dedicated trail. He said that he understands where Ely
and Linn County are coming from, but with limited resources, his opinion is that a trail
along Highway 965 is the best option. He said that the Johnson County Board of
Supervisors has already invested in wider shoulders and will continue to do so.
Harney said that the Board of Supervisors has leadership on this issue. He said that
there is a lot of open space between Ely and Solon in rail road right-of-way, and they've
been doing shoulders because of accommodations. Lehman added that dedicated trails
doesn't necessarily mean separated. He said they have to decide whether to have 965
dedicated or paved. R. Sullivan said that 965 is a highway with over 6,600 cars per day
between North Liberty and Shueyville. He asked how effective paved shoulders would
be when cars are going 55 mph or more. Lehman said that this was a good point.
North Liberty City Councilor Matt Bahl said that wide shoulders are nice and trail
markers remind drivers to go slow. However, he said that he would still never take his
family on paved shoulders on a high traffic road. Stutsman said she doesn't have a
problem with dedicated trails today, but she thinks it still needs to be studied. Lehman
said that if they are looking at reconstruction of 965, they need to look at what it costs to
maintain a separated trail. Linn County Supervisor Lu Barron said that Linn County
could provide that information. Neuzil said that Johnson County wants to learn from
Linn County. Houser said that Linn County Trails was tireless, and that the trails
wouldn't exist without them. Langston said that they have encouraged Conservation to
work on their long range trails plan. She said that this involves a combination of
commitments. She said that a lot of this comes from the Conservation Board and Urban
and Regional Planning. Barron said that the users of the trails are the most important,
and that they need to work with those who value trails.
Cedar Rapids City Council Member Tom Podzimek said that trails are for
transportation and recreation. He said that he has biked the route from Cedar Rapids to
Ely, and going to Solon is the scariest. He said that it doesn't have to be either/or.
Langston said that it has taken a lot of money to develop these trails. She reminded
everyone that dollars are tight, and that there will eventually come a time when there is
more opportunity for planning. Lehman suggested that they get volunteers to adopt
Joint Leadership Group Minutes: May 22,2006 Page 4
sections of trails. Harney said that they need to have a plan and design in place before
they can apply for Federal funds. Lehman said that Johnson County Engineer Greg
Parker and Secondary Roads are willing to design the trails. He said they need to get
something on the table to make an application. Barron said that if this is the way that
Johnson County decides they want to go, then Linn County will figure out a connection.
Iowa City Mayor Ross Wilburn said that he hopes Johnson County can commit to
connectivity. He said that the quicker it happens the more City support it will get. He
suggested they aim high and go for the dedicated trails.
State Representative Dave Jacoby said that they have to have a concrete plan and it
must be completed before the next legislative session starts. He said that he would like to
see some costs for the 965 option, although some issues for 965 still exist. He said that
they need to piece it together and work on it. He suggested they look at the overlay map
and vote on it, although it may not pass by 100%. Sullivan asked if they could at least
agree to leave the meeting today with a deadline in place. Langston said that he thought
an overlay map would be successful. Houser asked how supportive the Johnson CoUnty
Conservation Board is. Neuzil said that they would do it if they were given funding for
it. He said that their top plan is Tiffin to Kent Park.
Johnson County Conservation Board Member Julie Gunnells said that this was all
brought to them from the Clear Creek people. She said that she is interested to see what
the County wants, and would like to have the County involved. R. Sullivan proposed a
Thanksgiving deadline.
A member of the group said that she is working with a group on getting a seedling
grant. She said that it is important to get in touch with grassroots organizations. State
Senator Bob Dvorksy said that the grassroots organizations are out there, and at the
meetings. He said that the bulk of the $2 million will go towards Ames. He added that
Polk County just got a lot of money. He said that if they all come together it will be a
critical mass. Stutsman said that they have done that but 965 wasn't on the table then.
Bolkcom said that this doesn't need to be too complicated. Harney said that Ely is the
preferred route, and connectivity is an issue more than transportation. Bolkcom said that
it was the Board of Supervisors' call. Harney said that hardcore riders will use the road
anyway. Lehman suggested scheduling a work session. Houser said that Linn County
will want to take this to the regional planning level. Langston said that he would like to
see a corridor trails map.
Lehman asked whether this was a Board of Supervisors or a JCCOG function.
Houser said it is both. ECICOG Executive Director Doug Elliott said that this is one of
the priorities that they all agreed to work on. Sullivan said that they should make a
commitment today. He said that if they are not going to make that commitment, it won't
get done.
The group agreed to have another work session on August 24, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. to
discuss trails and other issues.
Joint Leadership Group Minutes: May 22,2006 Page 5
FIVE SEASONS TRANSPORTATION & PARKING VAN POOLING PILOT
PROJECT UPDATE
Elliott said that he has been working with the 5 Seasons Center to look at a shared
ride project. He said they will soon be having a meeting with Pella and hope to have
something in place in the near future.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:25 p.m.
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By:
On the day of , 2006
By Casie Kadlec, Recording Secretary
Sent to the Board of Supervisors on DATE, 2006 at TIME.
Trail Link Subcommittee of the Johnson/Linn County Public Leadership Group
The Trail Link Subcommittee of the Johnson/Linn County Public Leadership Group
makes the following recommendations for consideration by the Leadership Group for the
general alignment of a trail linking the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids metropolitan areas:
. That the priority for development of a trail linking the Cedar Rapids and
Iowa City metropolitan areas be the Hoover Nature Trail alignment
. That to the greatest extent possible, this trail be a dedicated/separated trail
. That development include parking and other facilities to allow for segmented
use of the trail by various users
. That the Leadership Group and its members assist affected jurisdictions in
leveraging additional state and federal dollars for development of the trail,
and
. That, to the greatest extent practical, facilities for trails along the Highway
965 corridor be included in future plans for redevelopment of that highway.
These recommendations were formulated in a meeting ofthe Subcommittee on July 20,
2006, and after a review and consideration of the benefits and challenges of two possible
alignments for a trial linking the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City metropolitan areas: I) a
trail following the alignment of Highway 965, and 2) via the Hoover Nature
Trail! American Discovery Trail running from the southeast Cedar Rapids metropolitan
area through Ely, Solon and North Liberty (Hoover Nature Trail).
Members of the subcommittee in attendance included:
Jim Houser, Linn County Supervisor
Pat Harney, Johnson County Supervisor
Sandi Deahl, Lisbon City Administrator
Brian James, North Liberty City Administrator
Dale Stanek, Mayor, City ofEly
Brian Fagan, City of Cedar Rapids City Councilor
Others in attendance included:
Doug Elliott, ECICOG
Mary Rump, ECICOG
John Yapp, JCCOG
Kent Ralston, JCCOG
Adam Lindenlaub, LCRPC
Mark Trumbauer, Linn County Planning and Zoning
Marty Jones, North Liberty Parks and Recreation Board
Shelly Simpson, North Liberty Recreation Director
Aaron Anderson, Ely City Clerk/Administrator
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ReStore
A'ugust 7, 2006
,
~oss Wilburn
1917 Taylor Drive
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Mr. Wilburn :
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity would like to extend you an invitation to speak at the grand re-opening
qf its Restore on August 24th. The Restore, which sells new and used building materials, is the first step
in the city's initiative to create a recycling center that will fit the need of the expanding Iowa City
oommunity.
Ij,ast year alone, the Restore salvaged over 45 tons of new and used building supplies. Instead of going to
tlIe landfill, these materials are put back into use. This project both reduces waste and supplies the
community with affordable construction materials to build a better Iowa City. Beyond these
~vironmental benefits, the proceeds from all of these sales go directly to Iowa Valley Habitat for
liIumanity. Since its inception in 1994, our Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity chapter has built 39 houses.
tach house has become a home for a family that previously lacked safe and affordable housing. ~
' ~
We hope you will accept our invitation to address the public, not only about the Restore, but also abo~:
lilur place in Iowa City's move toward a more sustainable community. The ceremony will take place at---! ~,.)..
$:00. Afterwards there will be refreshments and the opportunity for member of the community to visit the 4f""j'o
testore, as well as learn about Habitat's various projects and volunteer opportunities. We would be ~
<:xtremely fortunate if you could celebrate this day with us, and help to publicize the role of Restore and
Habitat for Humanity in the Iowa City community.
I will be in contact with you shortly to confirm any details, and to answer any questions about either the
Restore or the event. Thanks you for your time and assistance as we attempt to build a stronger Iowa City
for all its residents.
Sincerely,
~
c: 410 Washington Street, Iowa City !
_/
2401 SCOTT BLVD. SE' IOWA CITY, IA . 52240
PHONE: 319.338.5687 . EMAIL: RESTORErallVHFH.ORG
WWW.IVHFH.ORG/RESTORE
Mayor T. 1M. Franklin Cownie
ALL-AMERICA CITY
1949,1976,1981
2003
City Hall
400 Robert D_ Ray Drive
Des Moines, IA 50309-1891
Telephone (515) 283-4944
Fax (515) 237-1806
www,dmQov,orQ
IJErJ
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August 1, 2006
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The Honorable Ross Wilburn
Mayor
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
cPP~
Dear Mayor Wilburn:
It is time that we, as local government leaders, come together and
take a hard look at how we finance municipal government in Iowa.
Our current system is too reliant upon the property tax, and we do
not have alternative revenues that allow us to reduce property
taxes and also maintain adequate service levels for our citizens.
We need financial solutions that diversify our revenue base and
that are acceptable to both our taxpayers and the Iowa legislature.
In addition, non-property tax revenues are under attack. Recent
court rulings have challenged cities' efforts to collect franchise fees
on gas and electric utilities. Proposed federal legislation has the
possibility of eroding cities' ability to collect franchise fees on cable
television, and the court rulings on gas and electric could spill over
into cable television. These are the issues that we would like to
discuss as a group of local elected officials and administrators to
determine if there is a common approach to solving them. We are
suggesting a three-step approach:
Step 1 - Consider the development of a unified response to court
rulings on gas and electric franchise fees. The Iowa Supreme
Court has ruled that cities may collect franchise fees that reflect
the cost of maintaining the right of way, including costs that are
incidental consequences of the utilities' presence in the city. A
unified response to this issue will help us avoid potentially harmful
conflicting statements. A good result in this case will provide a
good revenue source for all cities in Iowa.
Step 2 - Consider the development of a unified approach to state
legislation addressing gas and electric franchise fees. This step
could be critical as we approach the development of FY2007-08
budgets with the franchise fee question still unresolved in the
courts.
Step 3 - Most importantly, we need to work together to develop a
unified proposal for local government revenue diversification in
Iowa. This should include a review of what is available in other
states along with any new ideas we may have, and decide what
would best help Iowa local governments realize a fair and reliable
revenue stream to fund essential services on an ongoing basis.
On behalf of the City of Des Moines we request your participation
in an effort to protect and enhance local government revenues.
Along with those cities that have implemented franchise fees,
representatives from cities that have a population of 20,000+ have
been invited to attend an initial meeting. We will also be
discussing if any other representatives should be involved. If there
is sufficient interest, we will suggest that we schedule additional
meetings and perhaps establish a technical advisory team that can
work on developing specific proposals.
^Uj
A time and place for the initial meeting of those interested in ".I-",,<l' .
helping to develop a solution has been set for 10:00 a.m., 'PI.Uli:Q:;ly,liJ
August 23, 2006, at the Ames Public Library, located at
515 Douglas Avenue in Ames. (A map is attached for your
convenience). If you would like to participate in this effort, please
respond to Kandi Reindl, City of Des Moines, as soon as possible.
Kandi can be contacted at 515-283-4758, or by email at
kpreindl@dmgov.org.
We look forward to meeting with you to discuss how to best
improve the financial health of Iowa's local governments. Please
feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
I
J2tc! a (!&
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Mayor
Richard A. Clark
City Manager
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/IIIarian Karr
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iFrom:
Reindl Kandi P. [KPReindl@dmgov.org]
:Sent: Monday, August 07,20068:33 AM
Kay.holloran@cdar-rapids.org; ccouncil@sioiux-city.org; mayor@waterloo-ia.org; 'City Council;
Thanafan@CounciIBluffs-IA.Gov; rdbuol@cityofdubuque.org; eugene. meyer@wdm-ia.com;
bobanncamp@aol.com; steve@stevevanoort.com; Jon.Crews@ci.cedar-falls.ia.us;
bandeweg@urbandale.org; council@bettendorf.org; mayor@masoncity.net;
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Nieland4@mchsi.com; Mayor@ci.marshalltown.ia.us; uehligd@ci.ottumwa.ia.us;
mayor@ci.muscatine.ia.us; JamesF@cedar-rapids.org; CTM@ci.davenport.ia.us;
pauleckert@sioux-city.org; Michelle.Weidner@waterloo-ia.org; Steve Atkins;
ctymg r@cityofdubuque.org; jeff. pomeranz@wdm-ia.com; sschainker@city.ames.ia.us;
Cmetzger@ci.ankeny.ia.us; Jenn ifer. Rodenbeck@ci. cedar-falls. ia. us; rlayton@urbandale.org;
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ewin born@ci.davenport.ia.us
Cc: Clark, Richard A.; Stanley, Merrill R.
Subject: Brainstorming meeting on August 23rd
To:
8/7/2006
You should have recently received a letter from Mayor Cownie and City Manager Rick
Clark inviting you to attend a brainstorming meeting on franchise fees and local
government revenue diversification. The letter stated that the meeting is to be held on
Tuesday, August 23rd. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 23rd. I
apologize for any confusion and we hope to see you on the 23rd.
Kandi Reindl, C.P.M.
Assistant to the City Manager
~an Karr
From:
Senti
To:
Cc:
Subj~ct:
,1JErJ
Fred Grems [fgrems@mchsi.com]
Sunday, August 13, 2006 7:43 PM
Rick Fosse
'City Council; Steve Atkins
Sidewalk Repairs at 1935 Grantwood Drive
Mr. iFosse,
I re!ceived a letter last Friday from your department informing me that sidewalk repairs
werel necessary at my address. As I believe you are aware, the sidewalk problems are a
direlct result of the movement of the street in front of my home. The engineering studies
that! I have commissioned in the past few years have indicated that until the street is
repaiired and maintained in a proper manner we will continue to have problems with
side~alks settling and breaking apart, and my driveway will continue to be pushed back
into! my garage causing even further damage than has already been done. Therefore, until
such' time as the City of Iowa City repairs Grantwood Drive and maintains the street in a
proRer manner, I will not be held liable for any sidewalk repairs ordered by the City on
my piroperty. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter with you should you
so desire. I may be reached at the number listed below.
Res[:jectfully,
Fred Grerns
1935; Grantwood Drive
Iow~ City, IA 52240
319-1430-1517
1
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MORMON
HISTORIC
SITES
FOUNDATION
MORMON HISTORIC SITES FOUNDATION
INVITES YOU TO ATTEND
THE DEDICATION OF
THE UFE-SIZE BRONZE SCULPTURE
THE MORMON HANDCART PIONEERS
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER2, 2006
9:30 - 10:00 A.M.
MARRIOTT HOTEL MOTOR COURT, SOUTH SIDE
.300 EAsT 9TH STREET
CORALV/L.l.E, IOWA
THE MONUMENT IS ERECTED
To COMMEMORATE
THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF THE
MORMON HANDCART 1REK
AND THE PIONEERS WHO SACRIFICED MUCH
To FOLLOW THEIR CONVICTIONS
1856 - 2006
ALso VIEW THE COLlABORATIVE HANDCART EXHISrr
AT THE OPEN HOUSE FOR THE NEW
JOHNSON COUN"TY HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUILDING /
IMMEDIATELY FOlLOWING AT 10:00 A.M.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO CONFIRM ATTENDANCE. CONTACT j'
KAYE WIERDA, 319 354e599. K.WIERDA@MCHSI.COM
AGENDA
City of Iowa City
City Council Economic Development Committee
Tuesday,August22,2006
9:00 a.m.
City Hall
Lobby Conference Room
410 East Washington Street
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes - July 18, 2006
3. Discussion ofTIF for a development project--Southgate Development Co.
4. Discussion ofTIF for a development project--Hieronymus Square Associates
5. Discussion of economic development work plan for Sept.-Dec. 2006
6. Committee time
7. Adjournment
NEXT MEETING DATE: Sept. 5, 2006
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
JULY I 8, 2006
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM
PRELIMINARY
Members Present:
Regenia Bailey, Connie Champion, Bob Elliot
Members Absent:
None
Staff Present:
Karin Franklin, Tracy Hightshoe
Others Present:
Wendy Ford, Nancy Quellhorst
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairperson Bailey called the meeting to order at 9:00a.m.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM JUNE 27. 2006
Motion: Eliot moved to approve the minutes from the June 27, 2006 meeting, as submitted.
Cbampion seconded the motion. Motion passed 3:0.
INTRODUCTION AND DISCUSSION WITH WENDY FORD: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COORDINATOR:
Franklin introduced Wendy Ford, the new economic development coordinator, who will begin work on
August 7th. Franklin asked if the Committee had questions for Ford and said that Ford would also
appreciate input ofthe Committee's expectations for the position.
EIliot said that many citizens don't pay attention to what the City Council does, but many others question
why the City Council makes a particular decision. He asked Ford if, as she has witnessed the City
Council's decisions, anything has occurred to her to question as she has considered the City's economic
efforts.
Ford said that fIrst and foremost, in researching this job and looking at the economic development policies
written eleven years ago, the thing that comes to mind is that it is a document that was put together by this
community and presented back to the community as a largely agreed upon way to go forward. She said she
thinks there is a perceived gap between the things the City Council does and the public's remembering its
input into the process of either putting it together or electing the members of the City Council. Ford said
that she sees bridging that gap as being an important part of her role in carrying out the wishes of the
people with particular attention to the development of business and the health of the community.
Ford said that, in general, people lose sight of the fact that the community wants to go in a certain direction
and a particular issue polarizes a person into thinking something can't be done or that he or she disagrees.
She said that when the person can back out a little bit and remember that the decision is really aligned with
these policies, then perhaps that polarization or feeling that the City isn't doing the things they want to see
done could be lessened a little bit.
Franklin said that eleven years between policies is a long time. Bailey agreed that it is an old document.
Bailey asked Ford how she would summarize the direction that it set. Ford said she did not know if it could
be summarized. Bailey agreed. Ford said it may be time to redo it. Champion said that might be the fIrst
job _ to look at it and come to the Committee with recommendations on how it might be changed to work
better.
Franklin said the policy includes all the fInancial assistance guidelines, which were put together quite a
while ago. She agreed with Ford that it would probably be prudent to revisit those and see if, in fact, that is
what the Council wants to have. Bailey said those were reviewed a couple of years ago, and her
recollection is the document didn't set forth a particular direction but was just some general guidelines.
Franklin stated that it identifies industries that are of interest and discusses the wages being an important
factor in terms of financial assistance. Bailey said that industries can be identified, but then what is the
next step. She said that you can create a plan, but it is like having a strategy without goals and objectives in
the plan to implement. Bailey said she would be interested in knowing what steps were taken to go in those
directions and then where do we need to pick up and are these industries still feasible as focal points.
Ford said that as important as that is, it is also very important to communicate that and take everything back
to that message. She said that one can identifY a strategy, and when little steps are taken, it's all in the
name of getting us here. Ford said that the more often that can be communicated, the more people
understand that they may not like this decision, but it is because we're all trying to get to a given point.
Bailey said that fundamentally that hasn't been used as a roadmap for this Committee or for any of the
work. Franklin said that it certainly hasn't been marketed, which is what Ford is talking about. Ford said
that the idea is to have a plan and then to reference the plan and the ways in which the day to day decisions
are executed are going to fulfill that plan.
Bailey said the Committee has also talked about the downtown market mix and figuring out how that falls
into this plan. Then referencing the plan, the mix, and the next steps would be helpful. Elliot said that
industry has been mentioned three or four times in the discussion, but business has not. He stated that
expanding smaller businesses into larger businesses is probably the most prevalent and the most frequent
kind of economic development, although we tend to overlook that while concentrating on industry and 100
jobs, as opposed to looking at 50 different businesses that are going to expand from maybe three people to
eight people.
Bailey said that the Committee facilitates attracting industry, and that is really what the Committee works
with in regard to ICAD. Champion suggested defining the two terms, as she feels they are kind of
interchangeable.
Elliot said that when one says industry, people specifically think of factories and factory jobs. He said he
thinks that economic development looks at the wide range of business. Champion agreed.
Elliot said that a little grocery store becomes a big grocery store, a little clothing shop becomes a larger
clothing shop, or a TV sales place becomes a larger TV place. Bailey said that or it stays in business. She
said that larger isn't always healthy; growth isn't always healthy. Elliot said there are those people in Iowa
City who think there is no reason for growth. He said he is very surprised at the people who have asked
why there is always talk about growth and why can't we stay like we are - people who say I don't want to
be like Des Moines.
Ford said that is because we have the economic stability of a university and people whose jobs don't hinge
on economic growth. Bailey said that how growth is defmed is also a factor - growing one's business to
have full-time employees rather than part-time employees or growing a business to offer a more
competitive package of benefits and differentiating one's business by services and skilled employees versus
part-time, temporary workers is also a growth issue.
Franklin said the position the City has worked from for a number of years is a combination of growing the
tax base and quality jobs. She said that often leads to placement of new business entities within the
community, because it builds the tax base as a building is built. Franklin said it could very well be the
expansion of an existing business too, but what the City has focused on most is those two factors - that is f
the basis for financial assistance packages - building a new building, how many employees it has, and what
is the quality of those jobs. She said that is consistent with what the State's position has been in its
programs too.
Franklin said there has been difficulty with the CDBG funding for businesses for startups, in terms of
looking at the property tax base. She said that sometimes they're just renting a space and may have two or
three employees and pay very little. Franklin said one issue is how to massage the policy to address
startups.
Bailey said she thinks that is why small business does get overlooked, because they don't typically own;
they typically lease, rent, or whatever. Champion said they are paying taxes, whether they're leasing or
renting or buying. Bailey agreed but said it is not as obvious as it is with new construction.
Franklin said that if someone is renting, it's not new. She said that one may be paying property taxes as a
business, but it's already established there. Elliot said that Bailey and Franklin were saying that with that
building paying property taxes, it would be the same taxes whether the startup company were there or an
existing company were there.
Champion said that if there was no one there, they could allow the property to deteriorate. Franklin agreed
and said that therefore maintaining the tax base perhaps should be a piece of this also. Bailey agreed and
said that is especially true in the downtown, because there is the possibility, with the University, of things
being removed from the tax base and not necessarily deteriorating.
Ford said, regarding Elliot's comments, she has thought about how to respond to people who ask why we
need to grow. She agreed that growth is not always a good thing but asked where the equilibrium is and if
equilibrium is even possible in a community. Ford said she would venture to say it is not possible, because
things change so much. She said that if you can't achieve an equilibrium and if you're shrinking, that's
certainly not healthy. Ford said therefore the best thing to do is to maintain equilibrium, which is almost
impossible, or grow.
Champion said people don't understand that growth is becoming a worldwide problem. She said that
European countries are not even reproducing themselves, and Japan is in big trouble now, because its
population is shrinking and growing older. Champion said it's a complex problem in that sometime the
world has to stop growing, yet it is not economically healthy when things don't grow.
Elliot said that budgets grow each year. He said that 70% of a budget is personnel, and personnel get
increases every year. Elliot said that if the tax base doesn't increase, there is not enough money to operate.
Bailey said that we need strategic growth. She said that one of the things people are concerned about is
growth. Bailey said people think it is fme for them to live here, but other people shouldn't be. She said the
residential growth is an issue. Bailey said to look how far out the population is going on to Lower West
Branch Road. She said there are challenges with fire services and other infrastructure challenges. Bailey
said that is the primary concern. She said that she did not know that people necessarily argue too much
with growing the business tax base.
Champion said that might be true - that it is the sprawl that people object to. Bailey said she thinks that is
how rampant residential growth is characterized. She said that if the City had more businesses, small and
large, coming into town, she was not sure that people would object.
Quellhorst said she thinks the City manages it very well. She said the City balances economic growth and
its social responsibility and should be more vocal about it. Bailey said that is where the infrastructure
questions arise. She said we have that expectation of service as the City grows. Ford said the City is very
good at taking care of the neediest of the population. She said we need to do better, but the City balances it
better than most of the communities she has worked in.
Elliot said that Iowa City is the most schizophrenic community that he has ever witnessed. He said there is
a sizeable group of people who say we are already doing far too much for, say the homeless, and then
people on the other side who say we're not doing nearly enough. Elliot said we have to realize that we
have to try to walk down the middle somewhere. Bailey said that is not schizophrenia but heterogeneity.
Franklin said it depends on your perspective.
Ford said this is not like some communities where everyone has the same opinion. Elliot said there are
widely diverse opinions, which makes it an exciting community and a frustrating community. Ford said
that is what contributes to a lot of the appeal and the growth in Iowa City; people have that sense of
freedom and feel that they can find people who will agree with them.
Champion asked Ford what experiences she has had that will make her succeed in this newly-created
position. Ford replied that her eleven years as Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau was a great
foray into a branch of economic development and gave her a taste for growing a community, improving a
community, making it appealing, and marketing that community to, in that case, the tourism community,
whose ripple effect permeates every other aspect of the community. She said she had that tangent, or
maybe deeper into the circle, as CVB Director. Ford said the activities that go along with that in promoting
the community and creating partnerships in collaboration with community groups, such as the Chamber or
ICAD and other groups in the community, provide a great base.
Ford said that more recently in her roles as marketing director for the MBA Career Services unit in the
School of Management and as Director of the Career Center for a year really helped her refine some of the
skills that will be helpful in economic development, particularly building relationships with employers and
helping them determine their hiring needs both currently and upcoming to help match our student bodies
with those needs. She said it involved developing relationships and gaining the confidence of an employer
to come to the University for employees.
Ford said that a side benefit of that is realizing that there is a perceived lack, or a real lack, of high quality
jobs in the Iowa City area. She said that we have this fantastic resource on our doorstep, the product of The
University ofIowa, and if we could keep more of those people in Iowa and Iowa City, we would be better
off. Ford said that between the CVB work and the Career Center Work are solid connections to economic
development.
Bailey (?) said that at the last "creaiive economy" session, Andy Stohl discussed the lack of creative jobs
that attract young people to stay in the area. Bailey said she has thought about what that means, how we
could accommodate that, and how to approach that. She said that some of these young people did have
jobs, but those jobs weren't satisfYing because they didn't have the creativeness that the people wanted.
Franklin said that it was very resonant with the Committee's conversation at its last meeting about flexible
jobs. Quellhorst said that is the key. She said it is not just about creative work; it's the flexibility as much
as anything. Champion said that jobs that can be creative are the jobs that we don't have here. She said
that her son and daughter-in-law would love to come back to Iowa City, but their jobs are highly scientific
and also very flexible. Champion said those are the kind of jobs that offer creativity in the sense that no
one cares what kind of hours you're working; you know what has to be done and you do it.
Quellhorst (?) suggested this was a generational thing. She said she would love it if everyone would talk to
five people in their twenties and ask them how they would be affected if they had a work possibility that
might be conventional work, but they would be able to approach it in their own way.
Bailey said that a lot of the people who have stayed here are the people who have found a way to make this
work. Ford said she says it is generational, because there are a lot more people in their twenties who just
won't put up with the nine to five routine. She said that younger people aren't willing to do it, and a lot of
them want to go the entrepreneurial route, even though some of them don't want to take risks.
Franklin said that many young people are willing to move someplace without a job and frod a job when
they get there and say that they will not take something that's eight to five and stick to that. She said that
would be way too risky for her and a lot of people she knows. Franklin said it is all part of work ethic, how
much risk one is willing to take, and that those in their twenties and thirties are willing to do that a little bit
more. She said she did not know how to approach this in terms of looking at businesses locally. Franklin
guessed that those businesses that are smaller will have greater flexibility.
Bailey said it is easier for them to be a little more nimble with a work force that seems to only want to be
employed on their terms, whereas in a corporate environment, it is a lot harder to move the entire
organization toward that. She said that maybe that is the difference.
Quellhorst said that developing an awareness is so critical - that employers understand that this is an issue
and there is a way to approach it. She said the Chamber has gone down this road, and it is a huge issue.
Bailey said the challenge is that the gatekeepers and the policymakers are often of a different mindset,
because gatekeepers are often in corporate, or governmental, or university. She said that people who seek
those kinds of jobs tend to be risk averse.
Elliot said that it is changing significantly. He said that a person like him who came out of the depression
would find it inconceivable to take some kinds of risks after seeing what happened to unemployed people.
Elliot said that young people now have never seen that and have no awareness of it. He said they have
confidence because things have always been taken care of, they assume that will continue, and generally it
does.
Elliot said there is also the flexibility that will trump career possibilities. He said he knows people who
would be happy to move to Boulder or San Diego and tend bar to earn sufficient money to have the
lifestyle and the freedom that they want. Elliot said that one of the things happening in this country is that
the jobs that are safe are the creative jobs, and the jobs that one just has to learn how to crunch the numbers
for are going overseas. He said this is a great time to have the creative, flexible workforce coming up.
Franklin asked what the Chamber is doing with regard to this discussion. Quellhorst said the Chamber is
working on a plan. She said it starts with building awareness and helping enough people understand that
this is an opportunity and that the need exists. Quellhorst said she thinks we will be pushed into it, because
the work force is not going to be there. She said it is not just about young people but is about retirees too,
who will be looking for the exact same thing.
Bailey asked what large employers could get on board with this. She asked what latitude, the City, for
example, has to set the example of a more flexible work force. Franklin said there is flex time within her
department in which people can choose their hours within a range, with the expectation that a work product
will be completed.
Quellhorst said that one shouldn't think of this just in terms of work hours, because it is much broader than
just flex time. She said it is much more than that, including things like working from home, having a
flexible environment, and having the ability to leave during the day to participate in some kind of
community or service activity.
Elliot said the person who ran the entrepreneurial center at the College of Business felt that it was in the
wrong college, as he felt the College of Business was too conservative to have the entrepreneurial center.
Elliot said that some forward thinking and flexible thinking managers can see the cost savings from
working at home. He said that flexibility comes from managers, and there are still way too many managers
who don't understand. Elliot said one has to understand that we should evaluate people on their
productivity, not on their attendance.
Quellhorst agreed and said that, on the continuum, we start with building awareness. She said there is
potential to market and brand this corridor with this. Quellhorst said people could be drawn from all over
the place.
Bailey said this will involve not only awareness but training managers to a degree. Champion said that as
younger people become managers, all that will change anyway.
Quellhorst said that there are a lot of ways that people can approach their jobs with flexibility, and it has to
do with taking ownership, taking responsibility for their areas, and flexibility within that. She said that it is
a broad mindset.
Franklin said that what it requires is that managers have to define jobs and outcomes much more precisely.
Elliot said that is what people are being trained to do in a lot of our traditional institutions. Ford said that
she thinks there is a shift toward that now, and that's why there is a lot of talk about aligning goals,
objectives, and strategies toward that end goal.
Ford said that in the College of Business, a class that she taught was all about career management and self
management, as well as some of teamwork. She said that one of the most interesting aspects of the class
was the fact that she was assigned to teach goal setting and marry the two ideas of corporate goal setting
and personal goal setting and look at creating that triangle with the ultimate goal at the top, with the steps
taken to achieve that goal mirroring your personal life and your business life. Ford said there was dialogue
about if one is going to work and punching a clock, where are you going with that. She said the discussion
focused on having all activities aligned with what the outcome is supposed to be.
Quellhorst said she thought we are all better served by that. She said she did not understand that mindset of
being on time and being at your desk. Quellhorst said the important thing is to get the job done.
Franklin said that workforce development has never been a strong focus of what the City is involved in.
She said that is true for a variety of reasons, mostly because workforce development has been done in other
segments of the economic development community. Franklin said that if there is a way, as the planned
strategy is put together, to be useful to that, she would like to hear about it.
Ford said that one idea might be to go to the Society for Human Resource Managers. She said that to have
a chamber and/or Iowa City led program or track within their meeting that focuses on creating the creative
workplace might be a real branding opportunity for our area.
Elliot said that HR is an emerging profession. He said this conversation gives a feel for where the thought
processes are.
Franklin said the Committee put a work list together before the position was advertised. She said there is a
lot of basic information for Ford to learn about the different financial assistance packages and programs,
State programs and how the systems in the City work also.
Ford said she is looking forward to starting her job. Champion said it is important for Ford to know that
people are willing to adjust and change. Bailey said she is interested in moving forward on the market
mix/event mix downtown issue as quickly as is feasible. She said that envisioning opportunities for what
the downtown is and could be should be created, and that will be helpful to those interested in developing
south of Burlington.
Bailey asked Ford if she had any questions for the Committee. Ford asked each member for hislher
expectations from her in this job. Champion said she would like to see some positive economic
development to grow the tax base in a proper way. She said the City seems progressive and seems to have
everything, but it is behind. Champion said the City probably needs two fire stations at this point. She
stated that has to somehow become a priority, because public safety really has to be provided for people, or
the community disintegrates.
Elliot said he expected that Ford would be very knowledgeable and within, at least a year, be able to tell the
Committee if there is a profile of the kinds of businesses and industries, commercial properties, that are
interested in Iowa City, and if there is a profile of those that are not interested and why not. He said that he
would expect Ford to be on top of things and be able to give an idea of which is the best way to go - to
direct what can be done to encourage those who are interested and how to identitY the ones that will be
beneficial for Iowa City.
Champion said there are things that she does not personally consider economic development, including
gambling and malls.
Bailey said she would expect that Ford would be a visible player in economic development and bring the
City as an equal partner to the economic development table. She said that the Committee doesn't do this
alone but should be part of the conversations that are happening.
Bailey said she also expected Ford to approach the job creatively and expected her to think in terms often
and 15 years, not now and five years from now. She said that we tend to default to retail, and she thought
that is not always the best strategy. Bailey said that she is interested in looking at how to build the retail
centers creatively and sort oftightly, instead of rezoning all of our commercial to retail or to less lucrative
economic development approaches. She said she was also interested in developing the aviation commerce
park and looking at areas east to grow that tax base and also to grow the diversification of the business that
we have here.
Ford said she is interested in a creative, intense and focused approach.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:50a.m.
Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte
I
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I Council Economic Development Committee
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I Attendance Record
i 2006
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Name Expires 1/18 2/16 3/10 3/15 3/30 4/4 6/27 7/18
Reeenia Bailey 01/02/08 X X X X X X X X
Bob Elliott 01/02/08 X X X X X X X X
I Connie Chamnion 01/02/08 OlE X X X X X X X
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Key:
X = Present
0 = Absent
I OlE = AbsentlExcused
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~~Wj!:'t
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
FROM:
August 21, 2006
Mayor and City Council
Marian K. .Karr, City Clerk J-
DATE:
TO:
RE:
Information for New Residents
This time of year is especially busy for City departments who receive questions from
new residents. To help answer these questions, there is a new "Information for New
Residents" category on the home page of the city site www.icqov.orq. Not only City
services are included, but also County and other local agency services. It is meant to
answer the first questions a resident would have after moving here.
Staff can use it either to look up information for new residents, or refer them to it for later
use.
http://www.icqov.orq/newresident.asp
I IP~;
MINUTES
Iowa City Airport Commission
July 27, 2006
Iowa City Airport Terminal - 7:30 AM
DRAFT
Members Present: Randy Hartwig, Chair; John Staley; Howard Horan
i Members Absent: Greg Farris, Janelle Rettig
Staff Present: Sue Dulek, Michael Tharp
Others Present: None
1. Determine Quorum - Chairperson Hartwig called the meeting to order at 7:37AM
2. Resolution - Consider a resolution awarding contract and authorizing the Chairperson to sign
and the Secretary to attest a contract for the construction of "North T-Hangar Taxi/ane and
North Terminal Parking Lot Rehabilitation. Tharp stated they had received bids for the project
and the low bid was LL Pelling Co at $174,073.17, Motion to vote on approval of
Resolution A06-16, moved by Staley, seconded by Horan. Resolution A06-16 Passed 3-
o (Farris, Rettig Absent)
3. Resolution - Consider a resolution approving supplemental agreement no. 6 with Earth Tech
for engineering services relating to the mitigation of obstructions within the primary surface
and the approaches to Runway 7/25. A brief discussion was held regarding the obstructions
associated with this project. Hartwig stated some of the obstructions discussed in the
agreement were on Airport Property and were to be removed as part of the runway extension
grading project. Motion to vote on approval of Resolution A06-17, moved by Horan,
seconded by Staley. Resolution A06-17 Passed 3-0 (Farris, Rettig Absent)
4. Adjourn - Meeting Adjourned at 7:40
Airport Commission
July 13, 2006
Page 2 of 2
Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2006
Meetina Datel
, TERM 1/12 2/9 3/9 4/13 5/1 5/11 5/31 6/8 6/16 6/23 6/27 7/13
NAMt EXP.
laniel CI~y 3/1/08 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
i
~andy Haftwig 3/1109 x X x x x x x x X OlE X X
3reg FarrIs 3/1/07 0 X X X X X X X X X OlE OlE
i
lohn Stal/3y 3/1/06 X X X X X X OlE X X OlE X X
ioward Horan 3/1/08 X X X X X X X X X X X X
lanelle Rfttig 3/1/12 --- --- X X X X X X X X X X
i
i 7/27 8/10
i
I
.......r....
~andy HI rtwig 3/1/09 X
3reg Far s 3/1/07 OlE
,
lohn Stal y 3/1/10 X
ioward ~ oran 3/1/08 X
lanelle Rfttig 3/1/12 OlE
I
,
,
i
i
,
,
,
KEY: X = Present
o = Absent
OlE = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
n_ = Not a Member
rnJ
MINUTES
IOWA CITY PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2006
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
PRELIMINARY
Members Present: Emily Carter-Walsh, Charles Felling, Rick Fosse (arrived at 3:45), Emily
Martin, Mark Seabold, Terry Trueblood, DaLayne Williamson,
Members Absent: NONE
Staff Present: Karin Franklin, Marcia Klingaman
Others Present: NONE
CALL TO ORDER
Seabold called the meeting to order at 3:35 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
NONE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
That the Call to Artists for the Grand Avenue Roundabout Project be approved; 7-0.
To purchase for $3,000 the sculpture Love is Strange; 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 6.2006 MEETING
MOTION: Felling moved to accept the minutes as submitted. Martin seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6:0.
CONSIDERATION OF A CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR THE GRAND AVENUE ROUNDABOUT
PROJECT
Franklin said that she made some changes to the call for artist invitation based on the concerns
raised at the last meeting. She mentioned that she changed the document to read sculpture or
sculptures. Illumination, if proposed, should be shielded or downcast to avoid glare to motorists.
Kinetic sculptures and water sculptures will not be accepted. Artist must be able to collaborate
with the City's engineering design consultant, City staff, University of Iowa representatives and
neighborhood representatives. Materials and design must be durable and vandal resistant. Total
budget for the project will be determined by the quality of the proposal. A meritorious and
desirable proposal may require fundraising by the City if the total cost of the project exceeds
funds available. She noted that the work should be available for installation no later than July
15,2007.
Franklin said that submitted materials will be reviewed by the Public Art Advisory Committee in
collaboration with representatives of the Melrose Neighborhood Association, the University of
Iowa, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. A recommendation of a selected artist
will be made to the City Council. Final selection of the artist is made by the City Council.
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
August 3, 2006
Page 2
Franklin said the City Council had a discussion abound the Roundabout project on Monday
during the work session. She noted there was a lot of discussion with regard to pedestrian and
bicycle access. In addition, the University of Iowa will present their future goals for the area, and
after that the council would have to reach a conclusion of supporting the project or not.
Franklin added that the roundabout is 51 feet in diameter with a 28-foot diameter center within
which the sculpture would be sited. Encompassing the center is a 10 foot mountable apron of
grey stamped Portland cementitous concrete.
MOTION: Martin moved to recommend to the City Council approval of the Roundabout
project. Seabold seconded the motion.
Fosse proposed an addition to the sculpture's parameters saying that the design of the
roundabout should discourage the use of the roundabout as a pedestrian refuge.
The motion passed 7:0.
DISCUSSION OF REQUEST BY ARTIST TO ACQUIRE LOVE IS STRANGE
Klingaman presented pictures of the sculpture. Fosse said that the sculpture is not durable long
term, but that the deterioration may not be apparent for a few years. Seabold said that once the
deterioration starts the water will get in and accelerate the destruction. Seabold said that the
artist had added a chemical for concrete protection; however the artist mentioned possible
deterioration in time.
Martin said that it would be unreasonable to ask for a warranty since the artist noted the
possible deterioration of the sculpture. Martin said the artist is asking for $3,000 for the statue
which would be a reasonable investment.
Franklin said the committee should distinguish why they would advise purchasing this sculpture
vs. others in the Sculptors' Showcase program; she indicated her expectation the group will
have similar requests with each installation.
Seabold said that Love is Strange fits great at its current location. Martin said that a reason for
purchasing would be the fact that the sculpture was not installed on one of the Sculptors'
Showcase pads as originally planned and therefore will not preclude this program by its
purchase. Felling said that it also represents an emphasis of the Art in the Park project, even if
it was placed in a park by default.
MOTION: Martin moved to purchase the Love is Strange sculpture because it suits its
location, allows the placement of art in parks, and does not preclude continuance of the
Sculptors' Showcase. Trueblood seconded the motion. Motion passed 7:0.
DISCUSSION OF DEDICATIONS FOR JUST FOR KICKS, BIRDS IN FLIGHT, AND THE
WETHERBY SHELTER
Klingaman said that all components for the Wetherby Shelter are completed and the finished
product should be installed within a month. Trueblood said the Parks and Recreation
__J
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
August3,2006
Page 3
Commission has a park tour scheduled for September 13'h. He noted that Just for Kicks, Birds in
Flight, and the Wetherby Shelter are possible items on the itinerary. Answering a question
posed by Franklin, Trueblood said that it would be logistically hard to have the dedications and
the park tour coincide. Seabold would represent the Public Art Advisory Committee on the Park
tour.
Trueblood said that it would be nice to have the dedication of Just for Kicks when the soccer
games begin and hundreds of people are in the soccer park. Klingaman said that the dedication
of Wetherby could be during the celebration of diversity neighborhood celebration. Franklin said
that Birds in Flight dedication could be made in conjunction with Public Art Advisory Committee
meeting on September 7.
REPORT ON AMERICA FOR THE ARTS PRE-CONFERENCE
Klingaman said she participated at the America for the Arts pre-conference in Milwaukee. She
brought informative materials from the conference with regard to public art projects and noted
there was a real emphasis on art in architecture. Klingaman said that Elisabeth Diller, a speaker
at the conference, designed a very interesting building that could change as years go by. She
said they design buildings that allow easy change of electronic components as technology
progresses.
Klingaman said Diller worked on an ever-changing art project titled The Wall. She noted the wall
involved a drill mechanism set up that would move randomly and drill holes; by the end there
will be a hole in the wall and a view of the room next door.
Klingaman said that in the San-Francisco bay area there is a building that has an outdoor digital
screen that shows what's happening inside the building; people working, etc.
Klingaman discussed the River Walk in Milwaukee which had a series of sculptures along the
walk. She also talked about the Art in transit program and presented pictures of such projects.
COMMITTEE TIME/UPDATES
Trueblood said he received infomnation materials regarding the Shakespeare bench sculpture
by Gary Lee Price. He presented pictures of the sculpture for the committee's consideration. He
noted the price is approximately $49,000 plus $3,000 shipping. He added that there might be
additional sources for funding parts of the project if the Committee is interested in going forward
with it.
Martin said that the group is interested in learning more details about the project. Williamson
said the sculpture looks very well done and very detailed. Carter-Walsh said that it is very
inviting to sit down and take a picture.
Klingaman said that on August 15 at 4pm the Grant Wood new gymnasium is housing the
Community Development week celebration. She added that she will make a presentation of
public art projects undertaken in the area and invited everyone to attend.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:48 PM.
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
August 3, 2006
Page 4
s/pcd/min/pubartl08-03-06. doc
------------------- - ~- ----- ------ ---
----- -- - -
Public Art Advisory Committee
Attendance Record
2006
I
Term
Name Expires 1/05 2/2 3/2 4/6 6/1 7/6 8/3
Emily Carter Walsh 01/01/08 OlE X OlE X X OlE X
Charles Fellin!! 01/01/09 X X X X X X X
DaLayne Williamson 01/01/09 X X X X X X X
Emilv Martin 01/01/08 X OlE X X OlE X X
Mark Seabold 01/01/07 X X X X X X X
Rick Fosse X X OlE X X X X
Terry Trueblood X X X X X OlE X
i Key:
X = Present
0 = Absent
I OlE = Absent/Excused
s1pcd/min/pubartl08-03-06. doc
:
City ofIowa City Parks & Recreation Commission
August 9, 2006
Recreation Center Meeting Room B
c:J
DRAFT I
CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting called to order at 5:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Judith Klink, Ryan O'Leary, Jerry Raaz, Phil Reisetter, John Watson,
MEMBERS ABSENT: Margie Loomer, Matt Pacha, John Westefeld
STAFF PRESENT: Mike Moran, Terry Robinson, Terry Trueblood
OTHERS PRESENT: None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Moved bv Pacha. seconded bv Raaz, to auurove the Julv 19, 2006 minutes as written.
Unanimous.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
No public discussion.
DISCUSSION OF PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN:
Trueblood updated Commission of master plan progress. He has collected information from
consultants and other communities, and is in the process of reviewing. Trueblood will report
again at a later meeting, but indicated he should be able to have a "request for proposals"
completed at least by the October meeting.
CONSIDER RESTROOM AND SHELTER DESIGNS FOR THE RIVERSIDE
FESTIVAL STAGE AREA:
Trueblood reviewed preliminary design plans with the Commission. "Low-lights" are proposed
for the new walkway to be constructed between the theatre and the main parking lot. The
restroom/shelter proposals included placing restroom and shelter on opposite sides of the stage
and a plan where both are put on the same side. Trueblood also reviewed a plan for constructing
round buildings for the shelter and restroom, and indicated it is likely to be more expensive, but
cost estimates have not been received as yet. He presented this plan to the CIP committee who
liked the round design. The Commission discussed and overall consensus is that they prefer the
round design as well, however, would be happy with square design if round design is too costly.
At this point Raaz asked if electrical will be part of the design, and if vending machines might be
possible. Trueblood indicated that electrical will be included, but didn't know at this time if
Parks and Recreation Commission
Augus19,2006
Page 2 of 6
vending machines would be a good fit in this particular location. They will keep it in mind as the
plans progress.
Watson asked if security is a concern regarding restroom and shelter at the stage area. Trueblood
reported that the shelter is open, as are most of the shelters in the park; however, restrooms are
locked nightly at the parks closing.
UPDATE AND DISCUSSION RELATIVE TO SAND LAKE RECREATION AREA:
Trueblood expressed his concern regarding the cost estimate for this project which came in at
more than $5.7 million. He will be meeting again with the designers to look closely at the plan to
determine where costs can be cut, i.e. 4 restrooms would not be necessary. The City may also
look at the possibility of building this project in phases.
DISCUSS ANNUAL PARKS TOUR:
The annual parks tour is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13. The Commission will meet in
Room B at 4:00 p.m. for a brieftime and then depart on the tour. An invitation will go out to the
City Council as well as Public Art members. Potential sites for the tour as follows:
. "Birds in Flight" sculpture located at South Sycamore Greenway
. "Just for Kicks" sculpture at the Kicker's Soccer complex
. Wetherby Public Art
. Willow Creek Public Art
. Peninsula Park (dog park and disc golf)
. Brookland Park
. City Park (Riverside Festival Stage, Angel Statue, Boys Baseball Building, Bocce Courts,
Horseshoe Courts)
. Sand Lake
. Waterworks Prairie Park
. Playgrounds at North Market Square and Oakgrove Park
. Grantwood Gymnasium
Trueblood encouraged Commission to contact him with any other parks/facilities they may wish
to visit.
Discussion ensued regarding Elks Club request for City to plant trees outside of the Elks Club
fence on the hole near the Peninsula Park land to help "screen" Elks Club golfers from the dog
park and disc golf area. Trueblood indicated he and Robinson were scheduled to meet about this
the next morning. ReiseUer indicated that perhaps the Elks Club should be required to share in
the cost of this project. Raaz suggested asking the Elks Club about placing a connector trail near
the river from the park to Taft Speedway.
Parks and Recreation Commission
August 9, 2006
Page 3 of 6
CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT TO PURSUE A POLICY TO PROHIBIT OR
DlSOURAGE SMOKING IN PARKS:
Reisetter commented that the State would probably not allow this type of legislation by the City.
Gustaveson commented that there are several cities that have banned smoking in outside areas,
but admitted they are still considered controversial policies. Reisetter suggested perhaps setting
aside smoking areas. Trueblood noted that we currently have a no smoking policy at some
outdoor facilities, including the swimming pools and Riverside Festival Stage. Currently there
are signs discouraging smoking at the Kickers complex and at Napoleon Park. Overall
consensus of the Commission was to discuss further the possibility of placing signs discouraging
smoking, but would not elect to try to ban smoking at this time.
COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Reisetter was contacted by a neighbor regarding his concern about the City "unnecessarily"
removing trees. He asked if there are written standards in place. Robinson stated that the Iowa
City Forestry Department does not have written standards, however, there are national written
standards which are followed by the City; he distributed copies to the Commission for their
review. Robinson also reported that the specific tree in question did indeed, based on these
national standards, and his inspection, need to come down. He described the tree as having two
leads, one being completely dead and the other having much dead material. He also stated that as
a courtesy, the City always contacts adjacent homeowners when a tree in the right-of-way needs
to be removed. In this particular case, the adjacent homeowner was pleased to see it go. The
individual who registered the complaint was not the adjacent homeowner, and does not live on
the same block.
Raaz commended the Recreation Division for the "Family Fun Night" programs they are
offering at the parks this summer. Moran noted that the department has received a number of
positive comments about this program.
Klink shared photos of her recent trip to Austria. She had photos of an island that had been
placed in a lake. She also had pictures of a climbing wall that had been placed on a river walk.
Klink also noted that a number of buildings on their trip used solar power for energy. She stated
that she wished she had thought of this before plans were in place for the roof replacement of the
Recreation Center.
CHAIRS REPORT:
Gustaveson reported that he played his first game of bocce recently and has since signed up to
play in a fall league. He encouraged other Commission members to try the bocce courts. He also
mentioned that he was recently at the dog park and that is being very well used. He did express
his concern about parking once the disc golf course opens.
Gustaveson mentioned that there are still letters being sent to the Press Citizen regarding the
Angel of Hope Statue - both positive and negative. One couple had mentioned to him how they
love the location. They stated that while they were there they could see and hear the kids on the
amusement rides, but it was still far enough away that it wasn't disruptive.
Parks and Recreation Commission
August9,2006
Page 4 of6
DIRECTORS REPORT:
Riverside Festival Stage Art Proposal: Ron Clark from Riverside Theatre had forwarded to
Trueblood information he received for a sculpture ofWilliarn Shakespeare that could possibly be
considered for placement near the Riverside Festival Stage. Trueblood presented photos of the
Shakespeare sculpture to the Commission. While the Commission liked the sculpture very
much, the price is considered to be extreme ($49,000). Commission felt that if Riverside wanted
to do some fundraising towards the sculpture, perhaps they could further discuss being a part of
this project.
Citv Park Centennial Celebration performance of the "State Fair." Trueblood noted that the
production of the play "State Fair" was well attended having distributed 1,520 tickets for the four
performances. This play was offered to the public at no fee as part of the City Park Centennial
Celebration. It was performed by the Iowa City Community Theater.
Dog Park Pond: Trueblood stated that the City is still working on the pond at the dog park.
They hope to fill the pond later this week or early next week.
Disc Golf Course Update: Robinson updated the commission on progress at the disc golf course.
He stated that all of the tee-pads are in place and that the posts were delivered today and will be
installed soon by the disc golf volunteers.
Recreation Center Window Replacement Proiect: Moran updated the Commission on the
Recreation Center window project. The project is to start on September 18, which is later than
the original schedule, due to manufacturing problems. They will begin on the west side of the
building first. Moran will get a detailed schedule next week. At this time the projected start date
for work on the south side is October 4.
Proposed Boathouse: The Terrell Mill boathouse project plans are moving forward. The
university has been considering prospective architectural firms, and has narrowed the list to four
possibilities.
Moved bv Raaz. seconded bv Reisetter to adjourn at 6:35 n.m. Unanimous.
~_l
Parks and Recreation Commission
August9,2006
Page 5 of 6
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2006
TERM
N~ME EXPIRES 1/11 2/8 3/8 4/12 5/10 6/7 7/19 8/9 9/13 10111 11/8 12/13
Crai
Gust vesou 111/07 X X X X X OlE OlE X
Judi h
Kliu 1/1/07 OlE X X OlE X X X X
Mar aret
Lool er 1/1108 X X X X X X X OlE
Rya
O'L<< ary 111/10 X X X X X X X X
Mat
Pach . 111/09 X X X OlE OlE X X OlE
Jerr
Raa 111/08 X X X X X X X X
Phil
Reis tter 111109 OlE X OlE X X X OlE X
Joh~ 111107
Wat on X OlE X X X X X X
Joh~
Wes efeld 111110 X X X X X X OlE OlE
KEY: X= Preseut
0= Abseut
OlE = AbsentlExcused
NM= No meeting
LQ= No meeting due to lack of quorum
--- - Not a Member
-~ -----------..-"-... ..---.--.----.--------
Parks and Recreation Commission
August 9, 2006
Page 6 of 6
c;J
IOWA CITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION DRAFT
MONDAY, JULY 24, 2006--5:30 P.M.
CITY CABLE TV OFFICE, 10 S. LINN ST.-TOWER PLACE PARKING FACILITY
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Gary Hagen, Saul Mekies, John Weatherson, Nicholas Parker
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
Drew Shaffer, Mike Brau, Bob Hardy
OTHERS PRESENT:
Michelle Scott, Beth Fisher. Mike McBride
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL
None at this time.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
McBride said that he recently attended a conference of college cable TV charmels. Among the
topics generating a great deal of attention are podcasting and Internet protocol television (IPTV).
Of the universities in attendance about half have a community cable TV charmel. McBride said
the University of Iowa compares well to peer universities. O'Brien said Kirkwood will install a
video server in the near future, which will enable greater playback times. Hardy reported that the
City Charmel experienced the failure of 3 ofthe 4 hard drives in the digital server resulting in the
charmel being down for a period of time. The channel will be moving to a mac-based video
server, which should enhance programming options and increase stability. Shaffer reported that
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently opened a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking regarding media ownership. The City will prepare comments. Bruce Heppner-
Elgin, the producer ofthe Avatar Project, has left City employment to pursue other opportunities.
Hiring a replacement will be put on hold until the legislative picture becomes clearer as it could
have a large impact on the Cable Division's budget. Shaffer spoke recently to the city clerk
academy regarding franchising and telecommunications issues. Shaffer reported that a recent
Iowa Supreme Court decision involving the use and amount of franchise fees assessed to a gas
and electric company in Des Moines may have an impact on cable TV franchise fees. Lawyers
from the Iowa League of Cities are reviewing the case to determine how it may impact cities.
The United States Senate has about one week left before the August recess. It is unlikely the
Stevens telecommunications bill will be addressed in that time and may not be taken up before
the November elections. Statewide video franchising legislation will likely be re-introduced in
the next session of the Iowa General Assembly if federal legislation is not passed. Mekies said
that he will be contacting members ofthe James Gang who have set up the free wifi system
serving sections of downtown Iowa City and Cedar Rapids to see if they would speak to the
Commission. Weatherson said that he agrees with Mekies's comments at the June Commission
meeting on the importance of wireless communications in promoting educational excellence.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Weatherson moved and Hagen seconded a motion to approve the amended May 24, 2006
minutes. The minutes were approved unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS
Mekies welcomed Nicholas Parker to the Commission
SHORT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
CONSUMER ISSUES
Shaffer referred to the complaint report in the meeting packet and said there were a higher
number of complaints than normal. Mediacom' s staff has been very cooperative and responsive
in dealing with the complaints. There is one umesolved complaint involving changing billing
names on an account. Parker asked how the complaints are collected. Shaffer said that the
complaints reported are those he has received and that there are many more complaints
subscribers may have that do not get reported to him. Mekies said that the rise in the number of
complaints might be due to a higher public visibility ofthe City Cable TV Division.
MEDIACOM REPORT
No representative was present.
UNIVERSITY OF lOW A REPORT
McBride reported that programming was down during the summer as the activities of the
University slows. Programming will expand greatly during the fall. McBride said that he
recently attended a conference of college cable TV charmels. Among the topics generating a
great deal of attention are podcasting and Internet protocol television (IPTV). There are a
number oflegal and technical problems surrounding cross-platform video distribution. Of the
universities in attendance about half have a community cable TV charmel. McBride said the
University ofIowa compares well to peer universities. A survey of college students showed that
97% watch television and 22% watch campus and/or local access charmels. Weatherson asked
about the prevalence ofIPTV. McBride said that those who offer IPTV do not offer traditional
cable TV and that no one has switched from traditional to IPTV. Those distributing
programming via IPTV have been start-up operations.
PATV REPORT
No representative was present.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT
No representative was present.
IOWA CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT
No representative was present.
LIBRARY REPORT
Fisher noted the library channel annual report is included in the meeting packet. Fisher reported
that the 2nd quarter was very busy. August is expected to be slower with an increase in activity in
the fall. Technical problems with DVD playback systems will be addressed by expediting the
purchase of a digital server for playback. Weatherson complimented the library for the improved
look of the information screens, which are now created with software called Flash.
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
O'Brien distributed Kirkwood's quarterly programming report and the logbook of viewer
comments. Many of the comments expressed an appreciation for the public domain movies
Kirkwood programs. A video server will be installed in the near future, which will enable
greater playback times. Hagen asked about educational programming on the channel. O'Brien
said that educational programming is typically expensive and often has a limited shelflife.
Kirkwood has no operating budget to purchase programming. The public domain movies and
television programs are free or at very low cost.
CITY MEDIA UNIT REPORT
Hardy distributed a model for future quarterly programming reports from the City Cable TV
Division. The City Channel experienced the failure of 3 ofthe 4 hard drives in the digital server
resulting in the channel being down for a period of time. The channel will be moving to a mac-
based video server, which should enhance programming options and increase stability.
Improvements have been made to the Info Vision program to allow the radio function to be set
for a period of time rather than users changing the channel frequently. The Community
Television Service will be taping a forum on disabilities for the Evert Conner Center and a public
service announcement for the Johnson County Coalition Against Domestic Violence to be played
back in the movie theaters. Weatherson said it is important when looking at the amount of
programming produced by the access channels to consider the amount of imported programs
compared to the number produced locally.
CABLE ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Shaffer reported that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently opened a Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking(NPRM) regarding media ownership. The City will prepare comments.
Bruce Heppner-Elgin, the producer of the Avatar Project, has left City employment to pursue
other opportunities. Hiring a replacement will be put on hold until the legislative picture
becomes clearer as it could have a large impact on the Cable Division's budget. Shaffer spoke
recently to the city clerk academy regarding franchising and telecommunications issues.
COMMUNITY TELEVISION GROUP PROPOSAL
Hardy said that due to the problems with the City Channel's playback server that the Community
Television Group proposal regarding special funding of programs was not finished. A proposal
will be submitted at the next Commission meeting.
LEGISLATION UPDATE
Shaffer reported that a recent Iowa Supreme Court decision involving the use and amount of
franchise fees assessed on a gas and electric company in Des Moines may have an impact on
cable TV franchise fees. Lawyers from the Iowa League of Cities are reviewing the case to
determine how it may impact cities. The United States Senate has about one week left before the
August recess. It is unlikely the Stevens telecommunications bill will be addressed in that time
and may not be taken up before the November elections. Statewide video franchising legislation
will likely be re-introduced in the next session ofthe Iowa General Assembly if federal
legislation is not passed.
WITI
Mekies said that he will be contacting members ofthe James Gang who have set up the free wifi
system serving sections of downtown Iowa City and Cedar Rapids to see ifthey would speak to
the Commission. Weatherson said that he agrees with Mekies' s comments at the June
Commission meeting on the importance of wireless communications in promoting educational
excellence.
WEBCAM
Mekies said that it appears the City is not interested in pursuing adding a webcam to their
website. A webcam can be an important public relations tool for the city in reaching out to
former residents or people interested in visiting Iowa City.
NEW BUSINESS
Mekies suggested that Commissioners think about holding a retreat to discuss goals and what the
Commission might like to accomplish over the next few years. A retreat may take around three
hours. Weatherson said a retreat would be beneficial to the Commission. One area for
exploration is how to better communicate with the City Council.
ADJOURNMENT
Weatherson moved and Hagen seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment was at 6:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Drew Shaffer
Cable TV Administrator
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
12 MONTH ATTENDANCE RECORD
01/01/03 to CURRENT
Meeting Date Kimberly Saul Meikes Brett Castillo Terry Smith Jim Pusaek
Thrower
6/2/03 X X X X X
7/28/03 X X X X X
8/25/03 X X X X ole
9/22/03 X X X X ole
10/27/03 X X X X ole
11/24/03 X X ole X X
12/15/03 ole ole X X X
1/2/04 X ole X X X
1/26/04 X X X X X
2/23/04 X ole X ole X
3/22/04 X X X X x
4/ 26/04 x x x x OIC
5/24/04 x x O/C x x
6/28/04 x x x ole x
7/26/04 ole x x x x
8/26/04 did not meet did not meet did not meet did not meet did not meet
9/27/04 X X X X X
10/25/04 X X
11/04 Did not meet Did not meet Did not meet Did not meet Did not meet
X X X X X
12/20/04
1/24/05 X X X X X
2/28/05 X X X X
Garv Hagen
3/8/05 X X X X X
3/25/05 X 0 X X X
4/25/05 x ole X X X
5/23/05 X 0 x vaeanev X
James X x Bebe x
Ehrmann Balantvne
6/27/05 X x X X X
x Michael
Chritians
7/25/05 0 X X X X
9/26/05 0 X X 0 X
10/31/05 X X ole X X
11/28/05 X X X X X
1/23/06 ole X X 0 X
2.27/06 X X X 0 X
3/27/06 ole X X John X
Weaterson
X
4/24/06 X X X X X
5/22/06 0 x x10 0 X
6/26/06 0 X Vacant 0 X
Nick Parker
7/24/06 x x x x
(X) = Present
(0) = Absent
(O/C) = Absent/Called (Excused)
rnJ
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
EMMAJ. HARVAT HALL
AUGUST 3, 2006
Preliminary
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Brooks, Charlie Eastham, Ann Freerks, Beth Koppes, Wally Plahutnik, Dean
Shannon, Terry Smith
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Mitch Behr, Bob Miklo
OTHERS PRESENT: Jim Clark, Kevin Digmann, Dwight Dobberstein, John Hieronymus, Larry
Schnittjer
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL:
Recommend approval, by a vote of 7-0, of REZ06-00010/SUB06-00008, an application submitted by
Don Cochran for a rezoning from Interim Development Single-Family Residential (ID-RS) zone to Low-
Density Single-Family (RS-5) zone, and a preliminary plat and a final plat of McCollister Subdivision, a 2-
lot, 9.53-acre residential subdivision located east of South Gilbert Street and west of Sandusky Drive,
subject to staff approval of legal documents and construction papers prior to City Council consideration.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Brooks called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
There was none.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ITEM:
Consideration of a motion setting a public hearing to amend the Comprehensive Plan by amending the
Near Souths ide Design Plan to consider Central Business (CB-10) zoning south of Buriington Street.
Motion: Eastham moved to set a public hearing to amend the Comprehensive Plan by amending the
Near Souths ide Design Plan to consider Central Business (CB-10) zoning south of Burlington Street for
the Commission's August 17, 2006 meeting. Smith seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote
017-0.
REZONING ITEMS:
REZ06-00015. Discussion of an application submitted by Hieronymus Square Associates for a rezoning
of 1.12 acres of property located at 314 and 328 South Clinton Street from Central Business Support (CB-
5) zone to Central Business (CB-10) zone.
Miklo said that based on the Commission's previous meeting, there appears to be a clear consensus to
recommend that CB-10 zoning be considered for some of the properties in the area between Burlington
and Court Streets. He said that one justification for this would be to provide an alternative for the high
rise housing market that is developing in the downtown area that would be away from the historic core of
downtown itself. Miklo said another reason for the rezoning would be to encourage a diversity of housing
and a mix of uses downtown, similar to other recent projects downtown.
Miklo said that in examining the CB-10 zone and expanding it south of Burlington Street, staff also looked
at the existing CB-10 zone, which does allow a floor area ratio of ten. He said the CB-10 zone has no
height limits, but the airport overlay zone would iimit the height to roughly to 12 or 14 stories. Given that
intensity of development and that it really has not occurred to date downtown, Miklo said staff felt it should
be reexamined. He said that issues such as parking for new residential development downtown should
Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
August3,2006
Page 2
also be examined. Miklo said that rather than hold up individual rezonings while staff and the
Commission look at those bigger policy questions, staff fell applications for rezonings should be reviewed
with a concept plan, and a Conditional Zoning Agreement could be spelled out, specifying under what
conditions the City would grant that zoning.
Miklo stated that, as noted, the Comprehensive Plan currently indicates that CB-5 zoning is appropriate
for the area south of Burlington Street, and so the Commission will consider an amendment to the
Comprehensive Plan at the next meeting to allow consideration of CB-10 zoning.
Miklo said there are also some urban design issues staff feels are important as there is CB-10 expansion
downtown to the south of Burlington Street. He said there is some pretty specific language in the Near
Souths ide Design Plan about the areas south of Burlington Street mirroring the scale, proportion, fa~ade
repetition, materials, rooflines, color, etc. of the downtown area. Miklo said that with the Comprehensive
Plan amendment, the Commission should look at those items to see if that is still applicable - if new
development should still be expected to mirror downtown. He added that it may not be appropriate in
terms of scale, especially in trying to achieve CB-10 scale buildings in that area.
Miklo said that another concern is parking. He said that when CB-10 was developed, there were no
parking requirements, and at the time, there was very little residential development occurring in the
downtown area. Miklo said it was the policy of the City to provide parking in public parking facilities, and
in this manner, the City could control its location and therefore traffic as well as encourage efficient land
use. He said that with recent, fairly high density residential deveiopment, there is a concern about the
demand for residential parking competing with the commercial parking, which the City has been
providing. Mikio said staff believes there is a need to examine parking in the downtown area, both north
and south of Burlington, and how zoning should respond to that.
Miklo said there was some discussion at the informal meeting about whether a parking impact fee should
continue south of Burlington Street, given that the parking system is currentiy generating a surplus. He
said he discussed this with Karin Franklin and Jeff Davidson, who pointed out that the current surplus
from parking funds is generated by the on-street parking meters and not the structures themselves. Miklo
said the structures themseives do not generate enough to pay for their upkeep, maintenance, and
staffing. He said staff therefore feels the parking impact fee should be continued and should be
considered for additional residential development in the area. Miklo said that a memo from Davidson
gives more detail into that issue.
Miklo said that to address the parking issue, staff is recommending that some parking be required for new
CB-10 development south of Burlington Street. He said that staff would basically be recommending that
whatever can be provided below grade on a site be provided, and what is not provided would be paid for
or paid into the parking impact fund to help the City build future public parking in the area.
Mikio said the Comprehensive Plan also calls for open space in the south of Burlington Street area, and
staff believes there is an opportunity to provide open space with this Hieronymus Square project. He said
the plan shows a courtyard and service area, and staff will be working with the applicant for either a
concept plan or some criteria that could be applied in a Conditional Zoning Agreement as to how the
space will be developed to ensure that it is usable open space for the tenants of the building.
Mikio said staff also discussed traffic and said that Davidson had informed the Commission of some of
the improvements planned for the area.
Miklo said staff recommends that this particular rezoning be continued until the next meeting, when the
Commission considers the Comprehensive Plan amendment and possibly acts on it at that time and
possibly also acts on this rezoning with conditions. He said the conditions discussed to date include a
requirement for a minimum of one fioor of commercial space above the ground floor, ground floor
commercial which is already required in both the CB-10 and CB-5 zones; that there be a minimum
number of parking space established on site below grade; that parking impact fees are paid for those
spaces not provided on site, based on the CB-5 residential parking requirements; that there be a
maximum of 200 residential units on this site; that there be a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units,
Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
August3,2006
Page 3
with no more than 30% of the residential units being three-bedroom units; and a landscaping plan or
criteria for the courtyard.
Miklo said the Commission has also discussed the possibility of a setback from Burlington Street, in
addition to what is required by the CB-10 zone. He said that currently there is approximately nine feet
between the curb and property line here, for sidewalk or other pedestrian amenities, and a buffer between
the sidewaik and the private property. Miklo said the concept proposal shows the first floor of the building
being set back ten feet, which would allow 19 feet for pedestrian use. He said the ten-foot setback for the
first floor is required by Code.
Miklo said that above 15 feet, the building would cantilever out ten feet so that above 15 feet, there would
only be nine feet of clear space. He said that the City Forester examined that issue, and he is concerned
that it would not be possible to plant trees in that nine feet. Miklo said the forester feeis that 20 feet of air
space would be necessary to plant street trees in the area.
Miklo stated that staff also looked at the sidewalk situations downtown. He said that in most cases there
is 20 feet, although some areas have 12 to 15 feet, but that tends to be in front of one and two-story
buildings. Miklo said there are some places where there is 30 and even 40 feet of space between the
curb and the buildings downtown. Given that, he said staff would like to work with the applicant to see if it
is possible to have the setback be ten feet, not only at ground ievel, but on the upper stories as well.
Miklo said if that is the case, it may not be necessary to have the additional ten feet on the ground level,
and staff would like to explore that as well.
Miklo said that the Commission discussed a design review requirement, either at Commission or staff
level, to ensure that whatever is proposed, in terms of the concept of the building, be executed. He said
staff with therefore work on some language to likely recommend that staff's Design Review Committee
approve the final design of the building when the site plan is done. Miklo said that there may be a desire
to add some criteria, such as a requirement for a variety of building materials, at least on the lower level,
to follow the spirit of the Near Souths ide Design Plan and the idea of encouraging the downtown
storefront atmosphere into this extension area.
Miklo said that staff will continue to work with the applicant to iron out the conditions and recommends
deferral at this point.
Dwioht Dobberstein stated that he is with Neumann Munson Architects. He formally asked for an
extension of this application to the August 17'" meeting.
Dobberstein said he has listened with interest to the Commission's comments, and the applicant has
agreed with some and disagreed with some. Dobberstein said the applicant is willing to work further with
staff to resolve some of these issues. He said that the work done with staff so far has only made the
project better. Dobberstein said everyone agrees this could be better yet, and therefore discussions will
continue to see if these issues can be resolved.
Eastham said he is still interested in the parking impact fee. He asked if the developer has anything to
suggest or recommend in terms of applying the fee as recommended by staff and for the developer's
thoughts on how to handle the demand for parking that this project and other projects that may use CB-10
zoning will produce.
Kevin Diomann said that what he has heard so far is sort of a compromise between the current situation
and what the applicant is proposing. He said that CB-10 does not require any parking, but the applicant
plans to put parking under the building, although it is unlikely that the 200 needed spaces could all go
under the building. Digmann said the applicant agrees it is reasonable that there needs to be some way
to provide parking or pay for parking so that there is not a negative impact on the area. He said the
applicant is working with staff to find a reasonabie solution and feels the Commission should continue to
look at that and apply that same standard to future development in the area.
Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
August 3, 2006
Page 4
Smith asked if the parking impact fee, as proposed, would be approximately $6,200.00 per space. Miklo
confirmed this. Smith said that with potentially 100 spaces, the developer would be making a significant
contribution that would ultimately be passed on to the tenants.
Smith said that in Davidson's memorandum, it appears that, at least for the ramp nearest this location,
70% of the spaces are allocated to permit parking that is already sold out. Smith asked if this scenario
would require the developer to pay the parking impact fee, but yet there would be no availability for the
developer to secure spaces.
Miklo stated that the point of the parking impact fee is for another parking structure in the area. He said
the fees are collected and applied to future parking structures. Freerks said that Davidson had also
referred to spaces opening up through attrition. Miklo said that there have already been discussions with
the parking manager, who feels that by the time this building is constructed, the 100 permits requested
will become available as other permits expire.
Brooks said the parking issue does concern him somewhat - the fact that the 70% of the new ramp
dedicated to permit parking is already sold out. He pointed out that the University is taking over space in
the Old Capitol Mall, so that the demand for permit parking in this area will only escalate over the next five
years. Brooks said this development would potentially need 100 spaces for residential parking, not taking
into account any other potential developments in this area. He said there suddenly seems to be a real
deficiency and asked if there is a plan to address this in a timely manner.
Miklo said the permit spaces outlined in Davidson's report, the 70%, include those that have already been
set aside for office tenants of Old Capitol Mall. He said the City has, for a long time, been looking at the
possibility of an additional ramp near the courthouse/federal building and has actually acquired some
property toward that end.
John Hieronvmus said that the fee is pretty substantial. He said that from preliminary discussions with the
parking staff, they have set aside 100 spaces, knowing that this will be here. Hieronymus said that clearly
he would like to know, if he is going to pay that kind of money, that those spaces will be reserved long-
term for the building.
Freeks asked if there are then contracts provided to ensure that the people who put the parking impact
fee into place can be accommodated, even if it's not immediateiy but eventually. Behr said he thought
that could even be put into the Conditional Zoning Agreement (CZA) - that certain spaces in a ramp be
set aside. Miklo said he was not sure that this should be in a CZA. He said the City has several
agreements, for example the Vogel House and the Sheraton Hotel, in which it has made arrangements
for permit parking for certain uses. He said that it has been managed quite well, even though there is
fairly high utilization of the parking ramps and facilities. Miklo said he would defer to the parking
manager's expertise for those details.
Eastham said it seems that Hieronymus is contemplating having 100 spaces reserved in the Court Street
ramp in exchange for paying the parking impact fee. Hieronymus said he discussed reserving them,
knowing that they could not all be provided on site. He said he has worked with City staff for a long time
on this and expects to need about 100 spaces. Hieronymus said he was hoping to at least get a verbal
commitment that this is going to happen, and that was done. He said he has yet to really negotiate but
expects to work directiy with the City in putting it into the developer's agreement or the Conditional Zoning
Agreement. Hieronymus said he just wanted to go on record as saying that as part of that fee, the
applicant should get something in return.
Eastham asked Hieronymus if he then would not charge the tenants a parking fee. Hieronymus said that
the City would own the ramp so that the tenants would still have to pay the parking fees to the City.
Eastham said that one of the problems he has with a parking impact fee is trying to keep it confined to its
original purpose. He said that to him, asking a developer to pay the fee in exchange for reserving space,
is expanding its original purpose.
Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
August 3, 2006
Page 5
Miklo said that the intent of the fee isn't toward existing parking; it's towards future parking. Eastham said
that he understood that point. Miklo said that the Commission and staff would want to have a discussion
with the parking system manager before committing spaces to one project or another through a
Conditional Zoning Agreement. The parking manager might be hesitant to do that.
Digmann said that the applicant has been working with the City and the Design Review Committee
informally for quite some time, to make sure the project addresses all the concerns of the Commission
and City staff. He said the applicant will continue to work so that this building is an asset to Iowa City and
fits in the nature of Iowa City.
Digmann added that the interior courtyard would not be a private courtyard. He said that it would be a
public amenity; the applicant plans to provide a large section of the lot, both with an additional setback on
Clinton Street and an interior courtyard, for public use. Digmann said the applicant obviously wants to
draw people into the courtyard and into the retail spaces and businesses so that this is a successful
project.
Smith said the applicant has heard the Commission's discussions that the consideration to rezone this
property would be predicated on the concept plan being proposed. He said that while there seems to be
a consensus that supports that direction, there is also a question of, if things fall apart and after the
rezoning is done, how can a Conditional Zoning Agreement be drafted to assure that future development
is in the spirit of what the Commission has proposed.
Hieronymus said the applicant has agreed to go through design review no matter what happens. He said
that if the standards are not met, the project will not go through, and he has made that commitment.
Public discussion:
There was none.
Public discussion closed.
Motion: Freerks moved to defer consideration of REZ06-00015, an application submitted by Hieronymus
Square Associates for a rezoning of 1.12 acres of property located at 314 and 328 South Clinton Street
from Central Business Support (CB-5) zone to Central Business (CB-10) zone, based on the applicant's
agreement to defer this item, until the Commission's August 17, 2006 meeting. Shannon seconded the
motion.
Freerks said that she is excited about the direction this is going and thinks it will come together nicely.
Plahutnik said he thinks the Commission members want to see this through to the end and appreciate the
applicant being willing to work on this. He said it is a rezoning, so the Commission wants to ensure that
what winds up there in the end works for the City.
Smith asked if there is a consensus as to what the components of the Conditional Zoning Agreement
would be, based on the list that staff has provided. He said that he is still kind of mixed on the parking
issue, in that CB-10 doesn't have a fee associated with it, and this proposal is to rezone to CB-10. Smith
said that a building in the CB-10 zone across the street would not have to pay those fees. He said it
sometimes sounds like the Commission is committing the applicant to a significant expenditure, with no
guarantee that there would be availability of those spots.
Smith asked Miklo if the Commission could have someone educate it more about those costs and the
history of the parking fee and the rationale and justification for it. Smith said the Commission needs to
ensure that it will be consistent in viewing this or any proposals, because while the fees are applicable to
a CB-5 zone, he did not know if the RM-44 zone would fall within the current fee requirements. Miklo
stated that any development south of Burlington Street falls within those requirements.
Eastham said that the parking impact fee is the only issue that he is still struggling with. He said that the
proceeds of the fee have to be expended within five years after it is collected on a parking facility that is
Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
August3,2006
Page 6
located in the Near Southside District. Eastham said he would like to have some discussion about what
the likelihood of using the fees from this project within that time frame would be.
Brooks said that he is interested in the parking for residential purposes in CB-10 and whether, whatever
the Commission might do in this case, the Commission might want to look at the Issue for all of CB-10.
He said he was concerned about the increased amount of residential development. Brooks said it is
beneficial, but it can strain the City's ability to provide necessary parking unless it takes a proactive long-
range look at that.
The motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
REZ06-00017. Discussion of an application submitted by Pentacrest Garden Apartments for a rezoning
of 3.41 acres of property located at 12 East Court Street from High Density Multi-Family Residential (RM-
44) zone to Central Business (CB-10) zone.
Miklo said that this property is located between Burlington and Court Streets, where Capitol Street used
to run through before it was vacated for these projects during urban renewal. He said the applicant has
requested that this be rezoned from RM-44 to CB-10. Miklo said that staff believes there is some merit to
considering CB-10 south of Burlington Street; however, there are issues regarding parking and design
that need to be explored further. He said that staff is therefore recommending that any rezonings in this
area, untii those issues are ironed out and addressed in the Code, be contemplated only with a
Conditional Zoning Agreement tied to a concept plan.
Regarding this particular rezoning, Miklo said staff has some concerns about whether CB-10 zoning is
appropriate in this location, given that It is somewhat removed from the core of downtown and from
pedestrian access in terms of the north/south streets. He pointed out that the adjacent properties are
generally University or public properties. He said that without a concept plan, it's hard to envision what
staff would recommend here, although staff feels the Planned Residential Multi-Famiiy (PRM) zone may
be more appropriate here.
Miklo said that at this point, staff is reluctant to recommend CB-10 here and is encouraging the applicant
to put together a concept plan for the proposal. He said that staff is asking that this be deferred untii that
time. Miklo said that it will not be necessary for the applicant to request deferral until August 21", when
the 45-day limitation period runs out.
Jim Clark said that he is okay with deferring this until August 17'h, because he has not yet submitted a
concept plan. He said he wiil have a plan by that date.
Public discussion:
There was none.
Public discussion closed.
Motion: Smith moved to defer consideration of REZ06-00017, an application submitted by Pentacrest
Garden Apartments for a rezoning of 3.41 acres of property located at 12 East Court Street from High
Density Multi-Famiiy Residential (RM-44) zone to Central Business (CB-10) zone, to the Commission's
August 17'h meeting. Eastham seconded the motion.
Koppes asked Miklo if he could provide the Commission with a little of the history of the urban renewal
project involved in this property at the next meeting.
The motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
REZ06-00018. Discussion of an application submitted by University View Partners for a rezoning of .08
acres of property located at 22 East Court Street from Central Business Support (CB-5) zone to Central
Business (CB-1 0) zone.
Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
August3,2006
Page 7
Miklo stated that this property is located on the north side of Court Street, north of the County
Courthouse. He said that staff feels there is some merit to considering CB-10 zoning here. Miklo said
that staff received a letter from Patrick White regarding concerns about the Court House and how this
might affect that. He said that is more of a reason for a concept plan to show how this development
would be built, and staff recommends deferral.
Public discussion:
There was none.
Public discussion closed.
Motion: Smith moved to defer consideration of REZ06-00018, an application submitted by University
View Partners for a rezoning of .08 acres of property located at 22 East Court Street from Central
Business Support (CB-5) zone to Central Business (CB-10) zone, to the Commission's August 17'"
meeting. Eastham seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
REZ06-00019 and REZ06-00020. Discussion of an application submitted by University View Partners for
a rezoning of .17 acres of property located at 335 South Clinton Street from Central Business Support
(CB-5) zone to Central Business (CB-10) zone and discussion of an application submitted by Center City
Partners for a rezoning of .33 acres of property located at 336 South Clinton Street from Central Business
Support (CB-5) zone to Central Business (CB-10) zone.
Miklo said staff recommends deferral of these two items, as staff is waiting for concept plans.
Public discussion:
There was none.
Public discussion closed.
Motion: Smith moved to defer consideration of REZ06-00019 and REZ06-00020, an application
submitted by University View Partners for a rezoning of .17 acres of property located at 335 South
Clinton Street from Central Business Support (CB-5) zone to Central Business (CB-10) zone and an
application submitted by Center City Partners for a rezoning of .33 acres of property located at 336 South
Clinton Street from Central Business Support (CB-5) zone to Central Business (CB-10) zone to the.
Commission's August 17'" meeting. Plahutnik seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
REZONING/DEVELOPMENT ITEM:
REZ06-00010/SUB06-00008. Discussion of an application submitted by Don Cochran for a rezoning
from Interim Development Single-Family Residential (ID-RS) zone to Low-Density Single-Family (RS-5)
zone, and a preliminary plat and a final plat of McCollister Subdivision, a 2-lot, 9.53-acre residential
subdivision located east of South Gilbert Street and west of Sandusky Drive.
Miklo stated that the staff report for this was presented at the last meeting. He said that staff has now
received a revised plan that clearly delineates the construction limits for Lot 2, the lot that will be further
developed. He pointed out an area that would allow for construction of a private driveway into the site and
an area that could accommodate a residential structure.
Miklo said that the house that would be on Lot 1 is protected by the landmark ordinance. He said that the
property to the south, which contains a Native American burial ground, is now public open space.
Miklo said that with the revised plan, staff recommends approval, subject to staff approval of legal papers
and construction drawings prior to City Council consideration.
Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
August 3, 2006
Page 8
Freerks asked if this now meets the Sensitive Areas Ordinance requirements. Miklo said it does with the
corrections.
Koppes asked if there is to be any Lot 1 construction. Miklo said that nothing is shown on the plan for
that site. Miklo pointed out that the Sensitive Areas Ordinance does have some allowance for additions to
a single-family residence under certain parameters. He said that there may be some activity, such as
building a garage or small addition to the house, that would be allowed by the Sensitive Areas Ordinance
without review by the Planning and Zoning Commission, although any building permit for this lot would
require review by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Larrv Schnittier said that he represented the applicant and would answer any questions the Commission
might have. He stated that he has not been made aware of any plans for activity on Lot 1.
Public discussion:
There was none.
Pubiic discussion closed.
Motion: Freerks moved to approve REZ06-00010/SUB06-00008, an appiication submitted by Don
Cochran for a rezoning from Interim Development Single-Family Residentiai (ID-RS) zone to Low-Density
Single-Family (RS-5) zone, and a preiiminary plat and a final plat of McCollister Subdivision, a 2-lot, 9.53-
acre residential subdivision iocated east of South Gilbert Street and west of Sandusky Drive, subject to
staff approval of legal documents and construction papers prior to City Council consideration. Koppes
seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
CONSIDERATON OF THE JULY 20.2006 MEETING MINUTES:
Motion: Smith moved to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2006 Pianning and Zoning Commission
meeting, as written. Shannon seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
OTHER ITEMS:
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Eiizabeth Koppes, Secretary
Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte
sfpcd/minuleslp&z10B-03-06.doC
Iowa City Planning & Zoning Commission
Attendance Record
I 2006
FORMAL MEETING
Term
Name Expires 1/5 1/19 2/2 2/16 3/2 4/6 4/20 5/18 6/1 6/15 7/6 7/20 8/3
B. Brooks 05/10 X X X X X X X X X OlE X X X
C. Eastham 05/11 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- X X X X X X
A. Freerks 05/08 X X X X X OlE X X X OlE X X X
E. Koppes 05/07 OlE X X X X X X X X X OlE X X
W Plahutnik 05/10 X OlE X X X X X X X X OlE OlE X
D. Shannon 05/08 X X X OlE X X OlE X X X X X X
T. Smith 05/06 X X OlE X X X X X X OlE OlE X X
INFORMAL MEETING
Term
Name Expires 2113 2/27 4/17 5/15 7/17 7/31
B. Brooks 05/10 X X X X X X
C. Eastham 05/11 -- -- -- -- ---.- X X X
I A. Freerks 05/08 X X X X X X
I E. Koppes 05/07 X X X X X X
W Plahutnik 05/10 X X X X OlE OlE
D.Shannon 05/08 OlE 0 OlE X X X
I T. Smith 05/06 X X X OlE X X
Key:
i X = Present
0 = Absent
OlE = Absent/Excused
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES - August 8, 2006
DRAFT
rnJ
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Greg Roth called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Candy Barnhill, Elizabeth Engel, Loren Horton, Michael Larson
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Staff Kellie Tuttle
STAFF ABSENT:
Legal Counsel Catherine Pugh
OTHERS PRESENT:
Cap!. Tom Widmer of the ICPD
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
(1) Accept PCRB Report on Complaint #06-02.
CONSENT
CALENDAR
Motion by Engel and seconded by Barnhill to adopt the consent calendar.
. Minutes of the meeting on 07/11/06
. ICPD General Order 00-05 (Off-Duty Conduct: Powers of Arrest)
. ICPD Use of Force Report - June 2006
Motion carried, 5/0.
OLD BUSINESS
MeetinQ times - Motion by Barnhill and seconded by Larsen to move the meeting time to
5:30 for the next six meetings as a trial period and re-evaluate at that time. Motion
carried, 5/0.
Citv Code Section 8-8-6(E) / Policv & Procedure for extension requests - Motion by
Barnhill and seconded by Engel to table the discussion until legal counsel is available.
Motion carried, 5/0.
NEW BUSINESS None.
PUBLIC
DISCUSSION None.
BOARD
INFORMATION None.
STAFF
INFORMATION None.
PCRB
August 8, 2006
Page 2
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
REGULAR
SESSION
Motion by Horton and seconded by Larson to adjourn into Executive Session based on
Section 21.5(1 )(a) of the Code of Iowa to review or discuss records which are required
or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a
condition for that government body's possession or continued receipt of federal funds,
and 22.7(11) personal information in confidential personnel records of public bodies
including but not limited to cities, boards of supervisors and school districts, and 22-7(5)
police officer investigative reports, except where disclosure is authorized elsewhere in
the Code; and 22.7(18) Communications not required by law, rule or procedure that are
made to a government body or to any of its employees by identified persons outside of
government, to the extent that the government body receiving those communications
from such persons outside of government could reasonably believe that those persons
would be discouraged from making them to that government body if they were available
for general public examination.
Motion carried, 5/0. Open session adjourned at 5:42 P.M.
Returned to open session at 6:34 P.M.
Motion by Engel and seconded by Barnhill to forward the Public Report as amended for
PCRB Complaint #06-02 to City Council. Motion carried, 5/0.
MEETING SCHEDULE
. September 12, 2006, 5:30 P.M., Lobby Conference Room - Time Changed
. October 10,2006, 5:30 P.M., Lobby Conference Room - Time Changed
. November 14, 2006, 5:30 P.M., Lobby Conference Room - Time Changed
. December 12, 2006, 5:30 P.M., Lobby Conference Room - Time Changed
ADJOURNMENT
Horton will not be available for the September meeting.
Motion for adjournment by Horton and seconded by Larson. Motion carried, 5/0.
Meeting adjourned at 6:37 P.M.
i
I
i
I POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
I ATTENDANCE RECORD
I YEAR 2006
I
I (Meetine Date)
I
TERM 1/10 2/14 3/21 4/11 5/9 6/12 7/11 8/8 9/12 10/10 11/14 12/12
NAME EXP.
Candy 9/1/07 X X X NM X X X X
Barnhill
Elizabeth 9/1/08 X OlE X NM X X X X
Engel
Loren 9/1/08 X X X NM X X X X
Horton
Greg Roth 9/1109 X X X NM X X OlE X
I Michael 9/1109 X OlE X NM X X X X
I Larson
I
,
i
I
I
I
I
I
I KEY: X = Present
o = Absent
OlE = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
--- = Not a Member
I
,
POLICE CITIZENS RIEVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240-1826
(319) 356-5041
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TO: City Council
Complainant
Stephen Atkins, City Manager
Sam Hargadine, Chief of Police
Officer(s) involved in complaint
FROM: Police Citizen's Review Board
RE: Investigation of PCRB Complaint #06-02
Date: August 8, 2006
This is the Report of the Police Citizens Review. Board's (the "Board") review of the
investigation of Complaint PCRB #06-02 (the "Complaint").
Board's Responsibilitv
Under the City Code of the City of Iowa City, Section 8-8-7B-(2), the Board's job is to review the
Police Chiefs Report ("Report") of his investigation of a complaint. The City Code requires the
Board to apply a "reasonable basis" standard of review to the Report and to "give deference" to
the Report "because of the Police Chief's professional expertise", Section 8-8-7B(2). While the
City Code directs the Board to make "Findings of Fact", it also requires that the Board
recommend that the Police Chief reverse or modify his findings only if these findings are
"unsupported by substantial evidence", are "unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious" or are
"contrary to a Police Department policy or practice or any Federal, State or Local law", Section
8-8-7b(2) a, b, c.
Board's Procedure
The Complaint was received at the Office of the City Clerk on March 2, 2006. As required by
Section 8-8-5(B) of the City Code, the Complaint was referred to the Chief of Police for
investigation.
The Chief's Report was due on May 31, 2006; a 30-day extension was requested on June 1,
2006 and approved by the Board on June 12,2006. The Chief's Report was filed with the City
Clerk on June 27, 2006.
The Board met to consider the Chief's Report on July 11, 2006 and August 8, 2006.
The Board voted to review the Chief's Report in accordance with Section 8-8-7b(1)(a), "on the
record with no additional investigation."
FindinQs of Fact
The complainant alleges that Iowa City police officers harassed, threatened and intimidated
members of his family including himself and that they refused to allow the family to pray for their
family member who was an inpatient at the Iowa City Veteran's Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).
Interviews were conducted with all officers of the ICPO, VAMC police, VAMC and UIHC medical
staff who were involved with this event. The complainant refused to speak with investigators; no
positive identification of any family members was made during the event therefore investigators
were not able to speak with any family member for investigative 'fact-finding' purposes.
The general timeline and facts of the incident are not in dispute by non-family personnel.
The father of the complainant was an inpatient at the VAMC. Family members were loud,
agitated and created a disruption in the hallway outside the patient's room which disturbed other
patients and work staff. The situation escalated and VA officers on scene requested assistance
from the ICPD. VAMC police requested ICPO to charge the complainant and family members
with criminal trespass.
The family attempted to shut the door to patient's room in order to pray. An ICPO officer
informed them they could not shut the door but they could pray. The family members continued
to be disruptive and threatened officers and staff.
Additional ICPO officers were requested. A Sergeant and additional officer arrived on scene.
After conferring with a VA police officer, the ICPO Sergeant informed the family that a transfer of
the patient to another facility was in process.
Officers escorted family members to a waiting area in the lobby. The ICPO Sergeant infQrmed
the complainant/family that if they returned to the patient's floor, they would bjDcharge.i:l: with
trespassing. Sergeant dismissed remaining officers and radioed 'clear'. ;?: 0 ;';2
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By a vote of 4-0 with 1 member absent, the Board set the Level of Review ~~-7@(1)~;.J
believing there to be enough information in the Chief's Report, the relative polic~eportt)adio
traffic report, and interviews with V AMC police and clinical staff to substantiate that no Iowa City
Police Officer did anything inappropriate and that officers treated the family members with
respect and acted in a professional manner toward them during the event.
Conclusion
The Board concludes that the findings of the Chief's Report are supported by substantial
evidence; are not unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious; and are consistent with Police
Oepartment policy and practice and those of any federal, state or local law.
Allegation #1: Intimidation, Harassment, Threats - Not Sustained. No evidence of any
intimidation, harassment or threats being made by members of the ICPD was found during the
interview process. See Comment section of the Board's report.
Allegation #2: Officers refused to allow prayer - Not Sustained. At the request of the VA
Officer in charge of the event, ICOP officer(s) did not allow the family to close the door to the
patient's room but did inform the family that they could pray.
Comment
The Board feels that the investigative report compiled by the ICPO investigator(s) and the
Chief's Report is very comprehensive and thorough. It was commented in multiple
interview/supplemental reports from VA and UIHC staff that the ICPO officers were very patient
and respectful with the family while attempting to de-escalate the situation without use of
physical means or arrests. No one observed any ICPO officer do anything disrespectful or
inappropriate in action or speech while dealing with the family.
Members of the Board felt that it was important to note that the complainant refused to speak
with investigators.
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IJ2:
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERV ATON COMMISSION
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM
JULY 27, 2006
PRELIMINARY
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Brennan, Richard Carlson, Michael Gunn, Pam Michaud, Jim Ponto, Ginalie
Swaim, Tim Toomey, Tim Weitzel
MEMBERS ABSENT: Esther Baker
STAFF PRESENT: Sunil Terdalkar
OTHERS PRESENT: Helen Burford, Jim Buxton, Guy with Jim Buxton, Larry Meyers, John Rummelhart
CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Weitzel called the meeting to order at 6:0 I p.m.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Mevers House:
Meyers said tliat he owns a property in the 900 block of Iowa A venue that received significant damage from the
April tornadoes. He said he is trying to decide what can or cannot be done to the property at this point. Meyers said
the insurance company considers the building a total1055.
Meyers said that he has inforrually been attempting to sell the property and has had discussions with someone who
was interested in buying the property to demolish it and build something new.
Meyers said that if the potential owner was able to put this together, it would most likely involve two properties. He
said that before he encourages or discourages the potential buyer, he was hoping to inforrually gauge the reaction of
the Commission to a proposal like that. Meyers said he knew it was a sensitive issue in that part of town, and he
knew that some of the properties on Iowa A venue had less damage and are able to be rebuilt.
Meyers said the damage here is pretty significant. He said that the economic feasibility of trying to rebuild the
structure is pretty risky. Meyers said he has been struggling with the question of what it would be in the end ifit
would be a rental property. He said that if an old house is rebuilt as a rental property, the market in this town
doesn't support those kinds of things very well any more. Meyers said he also had some questions about whether
that neighborhood is ready for owner-occupied.
Meyers said the problem in weighing that question is that whatever answer one comes up with determines a lot as to
how one goes about dealing with the property. He said that he is a remodeling contractor by trade. Meyers said he
has looked at the property and feels that the cost of rebuilding would be very, very significant. He said that he has
too many things going on to deal with this himself, and it is not feasible for him to hire the work out.
Meyers said that one of the propositions he has considered is to demolish the building and have something new
built. He said he does not have a forrual proposal or sketch to show the Commission but would like to inforrually
see what the position of the Commission might be.
Weitzel said that he has discussed this with Meyers extensively, and Meyers has also discussed this with Terdalkar
and Karin Franklin and other planning staff. Weitzel said the Commission should consider what the
Commission thinks about reconstruction of the house, or, if not reconstruction, if the Commission would or would
not allow demolition, and if it did, what it would like to see come back into this location.
Weitzel said there has also been some discussion of possibly conjoining lots. Meyers confmned this and said the
property to the right of his also had tornado damage. Weitzel said that if the Commission chooses to
comment without having a forrual application before it, those would be the questions to be answered.
----- ...._--~~--~-_.__._----"--------------'---,---------,-_._-----
2
Weitzel pointed out that the porch is now missing, and he did not believe it was original. Meyers said he thought it
actually was original. He said that the brick on the columns was actually the same brick that is on the foundation.
Meyers added that the porch is not reasonably salvageable. He said there was a hip roof over the porch, but the top
of that was sheared off. Meyers said the front wall up above the porch roof is pushed in.
Meyers stated that besides the roof, most of the ceiling structure on the second floor is also gone. He said there are a
number of windows that wonlt survive as they are; they would have to be duplicated. Meyers said the next thing
after that would be that if one is replacing that many windows, he would replace all of them on the house and make
them energy efficient. He said the house does not have insulation in it.
Meyers stated that to do a correct rebuilding, one would have to go inside and take all the plaster and lath off, put in
insulated windows, insulate the sidewalls and the ceiling, and then drywall. He said that in the process, one would
have to take all the trim off; it's one of the processes that just starts to snowball.
Weitzel said the Commission has discussed in the past whether replacement windows are more energy efficient. He
said that a good, sound historic window with a solid storm is actually incredibly energy efficient
Weitzel asked if there were questions for the property owner. Swaim asked if the building has been tarped over.
Meyers confirmed this.
Weitzel asked Commission members if they would be comfortable issuing an opinion. Ponto said the Commission
could certainly review what is in the guidelines. Weitzel said that staff feels it is not appropriate at this point for the
Commission to give an opinion, so he would like the Commission to decide if it is comfortable with that.
Carlson said the Commission can certainly raise issues that mayor not be addressed. He asked if the problem here
is that this is not officially on the agenda. Weitzel said that for the Commission to vote on something formally, there
needs to be an application.
Meyers said he was trying to avoid someone having to go through the time and expense of making a formal
proposal, if the sentiment of the Conunission is that it will be difficult to have it passed, in which case he would
probably start looking at other options.
Carlson asked if the Commission has as much information about this property as it had about the other two
properties it allowed to be demolished. Ponto asked ifthere is an engineering report for the property. Weitzel
replied that John Roffman did not submit an engineering report, and the Commission mostly looked at photographs
of that property. Terdalkar said that the sorority submitted a structural report. Weitzel said that because Roffman
did not submit an engineering report, it was apparently not required by HIS for demolitions, so the Commission
would have to be fair and allow others to not have structural engineering reports. Carlson agreed.
Meyers asked if any consideration is given to the amount of money required to rebuild and how that amount would
relate to a resale value after it is rebuilt. He said one of his concerns is that the cost of rebuilding would result in a
property that cost more than he could turn around and sell it for.
Weitzel said the Commission wants to work with the applicant and make sure he doesn't take a financial bath on
this; he said the Commission is always concerned about that. He said the Commission is also concerned about the
effect changes to the streetscape would have on the community. Weitzel said the historic context comes into play
here.
Meyers said that if some of this went through and involved both of those properties, that would obviously be a
multi-unit building. He said that no one would purchase those two properties, demo them, and then put up a
large single-family home.
Terdalkar said that in the absence of a formal application, if the consensus is for demolition, Meyers should not
assume that demolition has been officially approved. Weitzel said these situations are tricky, but, especially when
there is an expensive process, the Commission has tried a number of times to give the applicant some idea as to
3
where the Commission's thoughts lie.
Swaim said she did not think there was enough information. She said, however, it appears that every other house
except the neighboring house on that side of Iowa A venue on that block will stand and be repaired. Swaim said she
thought losing this house and/or the one next to it would be quite a loss to the streetscape.
Weitzel pointed out that there are two houses the Commission has approved on Governor Street that were infill
buildings that were designed with the Commission's guidance and review. Swaim agreed that the Conunission has
designed housing in the past that works and is sympathetic. Weitzel said one thing concerns whether the building is
so significant that it can't be destroyed, and another is what the final appearance will be. Swaim agreed.
Ponto said that, in his opinion, there is significant damage to the house, and it is potentially eligible for demolition,
based on plans for what would replace it. Brennan said he would probably agree with that, although he did not
know about the neighboring property. Weitzel suggested the Commission discuss whether it would be willing to
join lots and consider a single building there.
Gunn said the property appears to be pretty seriously damaged, but he would like to at least walk around it before he
approves a demolition. Regarding what goes back on the land, he said the Commission tries pretty hard to control
the scale of buildings that go back. Gunn said there are guidelines that limit the amount of area on the street fa,ade,
so buying two lots and putting them together to build a big building would not work with the guidelines. He said
that if a buyer has that in mind, he'll be disappointed when he gets to that point.
Swaim asked about the procedure for this scenario. She asked, if there were an application for demolition before the
Commission, there would also have to be plans for what would replace the building at the same time.
Weitzel agreed that is what the guidelines require. He said that ultimately the Commission has approval of the
building that goes in. Gunn said that the reason for that is so an owner doesn't demolish a building and then be
disappointed when he finds out what he can't do. He said that if an owner knows what he can and cannot do before
demolishing the building, that is probably good for everyone.
Meyers said he is in complete agreement with the goals that, if this was demolished and something replaced it, he
does not want to see some ugly box sitting there either. Gunn suggested Meyers review the guidelines and apply for
a demolition permit so that the Commission can look at this formally.
Weitzel said the safe thing would be to tell anyone this property is sold to that this will probably go forward as a
single lot. Ponto said there are site and scale guidelines and square footage requirements for a single family
house, versus those for a multi-family building.
Gunn commented that the site and scale guidelines are tied to what existed before. He said that if the house
currently does not exceed 1,200 square feet on the front elevation, than the owner cannot build something
bigger than 1,200 square feet on the front elevation. Gunn said it doesn't matter how many lots there are, the
building size will be detemrined by the street fa,ade. He added that if someone owned the entire block, he would
still have to have small structures going down the line. Weitzel said he thought that was probably the intent of the
original demolition review to not allow for the conjoining of lots.
Meyers said this information helps to sort things out. Weitzel said that Meyers can come back with any proposal
and see what the Commission decides at that point.
Carlson asked if there are any written estimates for the actual costs of rebuilding. Meyers said he has gone through
it himself and has done a lot of reconstruction work. He said he has a good feel for the costs. Meyers said that when
one begins projects like this, there are a lot of unforeseen things.
Regarding whether or not he would vote to approve a demolition, Carlson said something he would consider is how
many of the things really cannot be fixed or it would be incredibly expensive to fix back to how they where before
versus how many things Meyers would want to do just because the building is being remodeled.
Meyers said that he understands the scope of the Commission to mostly concern the exterior. He said that the
4
original exterior of the house was stucco. Meyers said that when the stucco started to come off, he removed all the
loose stucco and then went over it with vinyl siding. He said that therefore, everything would have to come off
before anything new could go back on.
Meyers said that when one gets inside, the common sense approach would be, if one is doing this amount of work to
a building, to insulate it and update the plumbing and wiring. He said it may not relate to the storm damage
but would just make sense, and there would be requirements to bring the house up to code.
Weitzel said the Commission has given Meyers a rough idea of what issues it would consider. Meyers thanked the
Commission for the information.
Press-Citizen Article:
Burford said there was an article in the Press-Citizen on Tuesday that basically made the Commission out to be the
villain in the situation of costs to rehuild. She asked if the Commission would want to respond to the article.
Burford said that over the period of time since the tornado, there has been an extraordinary effort to work with
people and to provide tools for people to be able to deal with these situations. She stated that not only did the State
come up with money, but the City came up with additional funds too.
Burford said that in its review of situations, the Commission has not been arrogant but has enforced the
ordinances that exist, and efforts have been made to provide mediation for people to help them cope with
these situations. She said this is an opportunity that the Commission may wish to consider addressing. Burford said
the article is just another negative for the Commission, and this would be a chance for the Commission to rebut
the premise that all is negative.
Swaim said that if the Commission did respond, it would be an opportunity to get the word out that the next
allocation period begins in the fall of 2006, as opposed to the fall of 2007 as stated in the article. Weitzel agreed that
is a factual error.
Weitzel said that he has spoken with the opinion page editor. Weitzel said that after this article was written,
apparently Michael Maharry submitted a letter that was published. Weitzel said the opinion page editor had
the attitude that the article was just presenting different philosophical viewpoints and was not intended to drag the
Commission over the coals or vilify the Commission.
Burford said her point is that when the article refers to the standards set by the City's Historic Preservation
Commission, the ordinances enforced by the Commission aren't strictly the Commissionls guidelines and said the
fact is that the ordinances for historic preservation overlay are voted upon by the community. She said it is not
something that is just done by the Commission but is something that represents the community. Burford said the
guidelines are ordinances and go before City Council to be enacted.
Brennan said the Commission, however, is the face of the City for administering the ordinances. He said also it
doesn't change the fact that the City never provides money to comply with its ordinances, regardless of what it is; -
whether it's a sidewalk or something else, the City tells the owner to do it and he does it.
Michaud said that a clarification of Burford's points and a correction of the allocation period would be a legitimate
response. She said there might be a few negative phrases in the article, but there is a lot of public support for people
rebuilding. Michaud said there are always costs that aren't covered in rebuilding. She said she would not want to
get too defensive about this, because she doesn't think it is that negative.
Weitzel said it is also not a great idea, even if there is bad publicity in an article like this, to become viciously
vindictive in return. Burford said she would not think a response should be vindictive. Weitzel said the Commission
could certainly clarify its position. He said he would draft something in response and circulate it for comments.
Burford said she would just like to remind people of all the positive things that the Commission did.
5
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:
Certificates of Aoorooriateness:
946 Iowa Avenue. Terdalkar stated that this house is a contributing structure in the College Hill Conservation
District. He said the owner, Jim Buxton, is proposing several things, mostly involving the fenestration, the rear
entrance on the structure, and rearranging and removing some things.
Terdalkar said the owner proposes to remove the door at the northwest comer of the building. He said there are
proposals for two windows: one to be removed and one to be replaced with a similar size window with a
similar vertical line.
Terdalkar said the owner has also replaced one window. He said there was a slider window on the other fa,ade.
Terdalkar showed where a window on the back/north side of the house will be replaced with a window of similar
size. He showed where another window will be replaced with an egress-sized window and said there will be a
window well around it.
Terdalkar said that one of his suggestions would be to match the vertical line by installing a window that matches
one of the other windows on the house. He said it is a new window, but the owner has agreed to remove it
if necessary.
Buxton said the new window is basically too wide, and he feels he should make it more narrow, possibly the same
width as the window right above it and possibly a little smaller, because it is in a kitchen area. Toomey asked if the
window would be lined up with the one above. Buxton said there is a wall right underneath the one above, so that it
would be difficult to line up. He pointed out that in his grant application, there is a photograph from the 1952 Iowa
Hawkeye, and that particular window is not right below the one above it but is off from that window.
Guy said that if the window could possibly be lined up, he would do that. Buxton agreed. He said that he is putting
new wood siding on the whole house, so now would be the time to do it. Buxton said he would just have to see how
it lines up with the wall on the inside.
Regarding the door underneath the center landing, Buxton said he proposes to eliminate the door because with the
stairway going down from the kitchen to the basement level, in order to conform to updated building
regulations concerning the length of the risers and the way they fall, the door would not line up with anything, not
risers or anything else. He said that in order to have a smooth side that is covered with siding and a foundation that
comes up to a norrnallevel, it would be much better for the overall structure to keep out the weather, rather than
putting in a door just because a door has been there in the past.
Regarding the proposed window changes, Buxton said he thought the building would look fine with the landing
windows centered and the other windows the same width.
Weitzel asked Terdalkar if HIS is requiring the change in the stairwell. Terdalkar said that is not the case. He said
the owner is working on finishing the basement and that is why the access is needed. Terdalkar said that is what has
triggered the changes in the stairwell.
Buxton said that is exactly right. He said that when he submitted his building permit to redo the basement, he was
subject to all the revised rules about the stairway, the risers, the run, and the headroom. Terdalkar confirmed this but
said that HIS has not started the procedure. He said that Buxton has requested a change in the floor plan, which has
resulted in the stairwell going down there and Buxton having to conform to the rules.
Weitzel asked if there is a door into the basement on the other side of the building. Buxton confirmed this and said
that door would remain.
Terdalkar clarified that the door under discussion may have been created afterwards, when the basement was
finished as an apartment. He said he did not believe this was an original door for this basement. Weitzel asked
if there is any way to have a stairwell there with the existing building code. He asked if the stairwell is in good
6
enough shape to be left in place, if it has to be updated. Terdalkar said that is true, unless the owner is changing it.
He said the owner is proposing to change the landing and how the flight goes down to the basement.
Guy said the door would have to be raised up, and then there would have to be a three-foot stoop out there too.
Weitzel asked if the steps are all intact in the basement or if they would have to be replaced. Guy said it is all gone.
He said the whole stairway is gone down there. He said he plans to go straight on down from the kitchen.
Buxton said, regarding the proposed plan for refinishing the basement, the steps that go down to the basement used
to go down to a landing that is right in front of the door. He said that in order to do this project with the basement
with the revised United Building Code requirements, the steps, in order to have the proper headway, won't line up
with that door any more. Buxton said they come down about six steps and then there is a landing at a lower point,
and then one heads down the other steps back to the east down into the basement.
Swaim asked if one walked into the existing door with the new steps from the kitchen, one would walk in and then
would have to step down six inches to get to the landing. Buxton confirmed that it would be a pretty steep drop-off
there.
Buxton said the basement would be as it has always been, hut it would be a better way to seal off the basement
apartment from the main floor. He said there would be a locking door at the top and bottom of the stairs; however,
the electrical service panel would still be in the service area.
Michaud said that there are some logistics here such that she did not feel that the Commission could insist that the
door remain. Guy said they could put a window in that location.
GUllO said that the slider window that was placed didn't look very good, and he thought the owner realizes that. He
said that if that is replaced with a window that is more proportional to the one above, losing that door does not
architecturally, in his opinion, affect this fa,ade very much at all.
Weitzel said that functionally versus historically, function comes out ahead on this issue. Gunn stated that the door
being in that spot doesn't really matter if when this is done it looks like it is appropriate to Iowa Avenue in 1900.
He said he does not care if the door is lost but is more concerned about having windows in the right proportion with
trim consistent throughout.
Michaud asked if there is a sidewalk leading to the door. Buxton said there is not. Michaud suggested some nice
landscaping to occupy that space. She said there is a complementarity on the other side of the house, where a door
at the lower level has been shifted over to the other side.
Carlson asked under what circumstances are exemptions to the UBC possible for historic buildings. Weitzel said
that Karin Franklin has informed him that that is apparently the case only with landmarks, but he is hoping the
consultants for the Preservation Plan review will give a definitive ruling on that. Carlson said this is driven by the
UBC, because it is changing something that needn't be changed if it weren't for the UBC.
Weitzel said the old ordinance before the new development code said the Commission had fmal review over changes
mandated by Housing Inspection Services. He said he did not know when that has ever been actually allowed to go
into effect. Weitzel said the Commission has never had that review, even though it has been on the books. He said
that when the Commission has asked for it, it has been ignored.
Gunn asked about the casement windows going in in place of double hung windows. Guy said there would be three
windows in the foundation for egress. Gunn asked if all the casements going in would be in the foundation for
egress. Guy confirmed this. Buxton said there would be no casement windows on the first or second floors.
Toomey said he would really like to see that bottom window lined up with the top one if possible. Ponto said there
are other windows on the north side that don't match. Buxton said the center window in the bay may be lined up
with the one above it. Gunn said that it probably always was a kitchen back there, and the window was probably
always shifted a little. Carlson stated that if it was off center in 1952, it has probably always been off center.
7
Weitzel commented that four-squares were not always synunetrical, especially in kitchen and bathroom areas. He
said that balancing the window with the size change would give a little discretion for the placement of it.
MOTION: Gunn moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for an application for 946 Iowa Avenue,
as submitted. Michaud seconded the motion.
Ponto asked if the application included changing the dimensions of the kitchen window. Terdalkar said that was
proposed after the application was submitted. Ponto asked if the letter from the applicant is considered part of the
application, and Terdalkar confirmed this.
Carlson asked if the porch foundation is included with the other foundation replacement or if the porch would stay
as is. Buxton said he would use that simulated antique block that would be on the top floor. He said that the front
part of the foundation that is underneath where the deck is is going to be all a part of the concrete foundation but it
will only go down about four feet to get below the frost line. Buxton showed an area that will be filled in with
block.
Gunn asked if there is any discussion about the window trim in the application. Guy said that he has about fIve-
quarter. He said the top board is 5 V, inches on all the windows, and the rest is 4 v,. Guy asked about the
comerboards. Terdalkar said he had suggested three to five inches. He suggested matching the trim around the
window.
Guy said he talked to Shelley McCafferty, who said that they could have the drip cap custom made to fit the fIve-
quarter. Weitzel asked if it would be a plain, square drip cap that just has a slant on top or the more elaborate curved
profIle. He said that one would see both types on other foursquares.
Weitzel said that Guy would probably see a shape on the wall to indicate what kind of drip cap was there before. He
said there are two types: one is a utilitarian, flat wooden drip cap, with or without flashing on top, and the other is a
more Edwardian type that sticks out past the windows on both sides. Weitzel said that either one of those would
probably be okay.
Guy asked about the material for the drip caps and asked if aluminum would be acceptable. Gunn said that an
original wood drip cap shows very little anyway, so he did not think the material would make a big difference.
Swaim asked if there was any kind of trim or molding on the dormers. Guy said there was not, because the dormers
were already sided with vinyl. He said that now it is plywood and tyvek.
Terdalkar said that Buxton is working with the State Historical Society for a grant, so the building materials may
have to conform to the expectations of the State Historical Society. Gunn said he would then use a wood drip cap on
to ensure that it would be acceptable. Guy said he would just go with the wood then, because it's five-quarter, and
one can't get five-quarter; it has to be specially made.
Gunn said he did not recall the Commission specifying the exact design of a drip cap before. He said he would just
like to see the trim be like the original, with a wooden drip cap.
AMENDMENT TO THE MAIN MOTION: Gunn amended the main motion to include the stipulation that
the windows are all to be trimmed to match the original and that wooden drip caps be used. Michaud
seconded the amendment. The motion carried on a vote of 7-1. with Carlson votin!! no.
Carlson said his objection is to the removal of the door, which is a defining characteristic ofa foursquare house, and
because it sounded like it was being done only for a reason that the Commission should have had control over to
begin with. Weitzel agreed but said the applicant should not be punished because of a disagreement among City
government staff.
714 Colle2e Street. Terdalkar stated that this is a non-contributing structure in the College Green Historic District.
He said it was determined to be non-contributing in the survey because of many alterations to the building as well as
no original roofline, the massing, and the replacement siding that has caused it to lose its integrity. Terdalkar said
8
the proposal is to replace the wood siding with fiber cement board siding and possibly maintain the trim that was
there that was revealed as a result of removing the existing aluminum siding.
Terdalkar referred to a photograph showing how the structure looked before a fire in the early 1900s. He said there
was very wide trim, a Queen Anne feature. He said that when the roofline was redone, the cross gable of the
original structure was realigned to be at a different pitch and in a different location. Terdalkar said that is why the
vertical lines don't match up with the center of the pitch. He said that the first and second floor trim is original, for
the most part, and the third floor is now used as an attic floor.
Weitzel said that historically, the fire was determined to have occurred in the 1910-1912 range, and the uses of the
house as a fraternity and rooming house postdated that point. He said that the significance of Max Mayer has pretty
well disappeared with the destruction caused by the fire.
Rummelhart said that he is buying the building from Terry Dunlap. He said this is a gorgeous building that is worth
salvaging. Rummelhart said that the debate is between retaining the existing siding versus tearing it all off. He said
there are a number of other considerations that go along with that.
Rummelhart said that he is still working with the insurance people. He said that he has been considering doing the
three sides with fiber cement board and leaving the front. Rummelhart said there is still potential money that he
would qualify for.
Rummelhart said the fiber cement board has durability, but a bigger issue involves the fact that he pays the heat for
those buildings. He said the building has bare walls, and this might be the opportunity to install insulation, a lot of
which is rebatable. Rummelhart said his view on this is to not just maintain but get the house back into the shape
and design that it should be in.
Weitzel asked how soon Rummelhart plans to do this work and asked if he could wait to consult with the State
Historical Society. Weitzel said that if Rummelhart gives the State Historical Society a chance to review the
proposed work, he could get federal tax credit money, because this is a commercial property. He said that in return
for giving the State Historical Society control over the property, the owner is basically asking the State Historical
Society to review it and say how things should be rebuilt; then the money is available with no other strings attached.
Weitzel said that the State Historical Society gave Buxton more money for the whole house to be done in wood than
it would have given him ifhe just did the front fa,ade; however, they would tolerate cement board on all sides but
the front. Weitzel said that if Rummelhart doesn't take their money at all, the Commission has typically allowed
fiber cement board on all facades when the wood is sufficiently deteriorated that it is not worth trying to save.
Rummelhart asked who has the discretion of determining the deterioration of the wood. Weitzel said it is sort of a
group effort. He said the Commission has been unable to establish a good procedure for that. Rummelhart asked if
the existing wood siding could be salvaged and some quantity of new spliced in where there is rot in some areas.
Weitzel suggested that Rummelhart get good storms for the windows for energy efficiency. He said that the storms
are less expensive than replacement windows. Weitzel said that with a good EDPM seal on the inside of a storm
window, that seals well enough to give an energy break, and it doesn't cost $600 per window. He said, however,
that using storms is ultimately Rummelhart's choice, and the Commission does not regulate that, but he feels that
storms are the best choice economically.
Gunn asked Rummelhart ifhe has looked at Marvin storm screen combination windows, either the metal or wood
clad. He said they are inexpensive, look good, work just fine, and can be clad. Rummelhart said that the Momay
have some different designs, including the flush mount.
Regarding the siding, Rummelhart said he is looking for durability, longevity, and also the historical accuracy of
things. He said one plan would be to retain, with fiber cement board, all the banding, including the banding
transition along the east side.
9
Weitzel stated that the advantage historically to just leaving the wood and filling in what is rotted it that the owner
doesn't have to guess what he's doing - it's just filling a template back in. He said that if it is all taken off, one has
to be careful to do accurate matching. Weitzel said the Commission has gone both ways on these kinds of things but
tends to lean toward preserving wood whenever possible. He said the Commission does allow fiber cement board
but said that would disqualify Rummelhart from the federal tax credits and the $15,000 grant money.
Gunn pointed out that it would be a 20% federal tax credit for work both inside and out so that 20% of what is put
into the house comes back to the owner. Terdalkar said there is also a state tax credit, which is 13 years out for
residential uses but may be less for a commercial property.
Toomey said that the cost of repairing the wood would be a fraction of the cost of tearoff and replacement with fiber
cement board. Rummelhart agreed but said that the insurance situation is still unsettled; he is still waiting to hear
exactly what the insurance company will pay for.
Regarding the significance of the building, Rummelhart asked, if he can say that all the banding within a quarter
inch of all the dimensions on the building would be meticulously maintained, would it continue to be an issue.
Weitzel responded that the Commission allows fiber cement board as a wood substitute, usually when there is
significant rot, but it is somewhat at the discretion of the homeowner and Commission working out how to do it. He
said this would, however, disqualify the project from any federal and state tax credits.
Rummelhart asked about the emergency grants that are in the second round of funding. Weitzel said there is
$65,000 left, and Rummelhart could qualify for up to $15,000 for that, which could be applied to the exterior of the
building. Rummelhart asked if the front, public view has to be maintained historically with wood to qualify for that
money. Weitzel confirmed this.
Weitzel said that Rummelhart has a lot of things to consider. He suggested the Commission give approval, with
enough leeway to choose between some different options. Weitzel asked if anyone had a strong opposition to
approving fiber cement board as an option. Toomey said he strongly disagreed with using fiber cement board as an
option. Carlson said he also strongly disagreed, if the present wood is not strongly deteriorated, and it does not seem
to be. Weitzel agreed that the majority of the wood siding seems to be in good shape. Ponto stated that he would
prefer that the wood siding be maintained with the bad sections patched in. Toomey said that most of the damage on
the building cannot be replaced with cement board anyway.
Swaim asked if, because of the changes in the roofline, the State Historical Society might not consider this house
eligible. Weitzel said he doubted that, because it was a rooming house for a period of history, and that use would be
considered historic, given the tie to Iowa City's history and to this neighborhood.
Rummelhart said that one other issue with this house is that oflead abatement. Weitzel suggested that Rummelhart
get a booklet from the Housing and Urban Development Department that deals with lead paint safety. Weitzel said
that Rummelhart would have to deal with lead whether he peels off the wood or replaces it. Rummelhart said that if
he stays with the wood siding, he would be going back to bare wood, because he is looking for durability and
longevity. Weitzel said that one could use a surface cleaner with a hose attached and vacuum it into hepa-bags. He
said that if the siding is peeled off, there wiJl be breakage, dust, and paint chips going everywhere. Toomey said that
lead paint is very durable and that very rarely does it have to be taken off.
Gunn said that he would like to get a closer look at the house and the condition of the siding. He asked Rummelhart
ifhe would be amenable to tabling this application to the next meeting. Terdalkar told Rummelhart that it would
give him time to consider the tax credits and other options. Rummelhart added that he hoped to hear from his
insurance company in the next few'days.
Weitzel said it would be instructive for people to look at the house close up and get a better sense of the condition of
the wood. TerdaIkar said that he would research the lead abatement issues before the next meeting and check into
the difference between peeling off the wood versus stripping the paint off.
Weitzel asked Rummelhart if his insurance settlement would impact his choices about what he wants to do.
Rummelhart said it impacts his decision to a degree. He said the insurance company has already said it does not
10
have a problem with the fiber cement board. Rununelhart said there are also some things involved with the sale that
impact his decision.
Weitzel suggested that may be reason enough for Runrmelhart to postpone this until he actually owns the house. He
said it sounds like the Commission is split between people for and against fiber cement board on this project.
Weitzel said there is a possibility that they will change their opinions after looking at the house. Runrmelhart said
he would like to have the Corrunission take a vote to see where the issue stands.
MOTION: Ponto moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the application of fiber cement board
to the entire exterior of 714 College Street, with trim to be reworked to match the existing trim.
Rurnmelhart asked if he could use fiber cement board for the trim also. Ponto said that some of the trim is not
available in appropriate dimensions of fiber cement board, so obviously that part of it would have to be wood.
Swaim seconded the motion.
Weitzel said that restoring the wood would probably be less expensive than taking it all off and installing fiber
cement board. He said that patching the small rotted areas should not be a substantial increase to the total cost.
Weitzel cautioned against a rush to put fiber cement board on. He asked if Runrmelhart really wants the fiber
cement board over the wood. Runrmelhart said that he knows some of the pluses and minuses of each and has a
strong desire to maintain the building.
Ponto said that he would vote against the motion, because the Secretary of the Interior Standards state that
maintaining wood is the first priority. He said he has not seen adequate evidence of the destruction of the wood that
would indicate that replacement is needed.
Swaim said she would also vote against the motion. She said she has driven by the property and thought it looked
good.
Rummelhart said the guidelines do state that fiber cement board is allowed on a non-contributing structure.
Terdalkar said that fiber cement board is not disallowed, as such. He said that a determination has to be made as to
whether it is an appropriate substitute for the wood that is there.
Toomey stated that without the aluminum on it, it looks a whole lot more contributing than it did before. Terdalkar
said the reason it was determined to be non-contributing was because of the change in the roofline, the addition on
the back, and the siding. Weitzel said that this building was a rooming house in the 1930s, for which it would
probably still have significance.
Terdalkar suggested there be a motion to table the application now that the vote appears to be going in a negative
direction. Weitzel said the advantage to waiting would be if people determined that the wood is so deteriorated that
it has to come off. He said that while the guidelines allow for discretion between fiber cement board and regular
wood, people are saying that they would rather, in this situation, preserve the wood if at all possible. Weitzel said
that since there isn't evidence of significant damage to the wood, the majority seem to be leaning toward voting
doVlIl fiber cement board.
Runrmelhart asked, if the guidelines say that fiber cement board is acceptable, doesn't the Commission have to
allow it. Ponto said the guidelines recommend, "To maintain the existing wood siding and replace the deteriorated
sections with newer, salvaged wood siding that matches." Weitzel said that in this case, because people are citing
why they want to preserve the wood, the Corrunission is okay on this.
Runrmelhart asked ifthe guideline cited refers to contributing or non-contributing or both. Weitzel said there is not
a siding exception for non-contributing properties in a historic district regarding siding. He said there are some
exceptions for non-contributing, but siding is not one of them. Weitzel said the only exceptions apply to non-
contributing properties in conservation districts, but the exceptions do not apply to anything in a historic district.
11
Gunn said, regarding wood substitutes, the last sentence of the paragraph states, "In many applications, fiber cement
board is an approved wood substitute," He said that when one takes into account trying to preserve the wood and
the value of it and then fmishes it with, "In many applications, fiber cement hoard is an approved wood substitute,"
there is room to say no.
Rummelhart asked then that the application be tabled for two weeks. Ponto stated that what it comes down to is that
the guidelines are based on the Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings,
the Secretary of the Interior Standards. He said that on page 73 of those standards it states, "Not recommended:
replacing an entire wood feature, such as a wall, when repair of the wood and limited replacement of deteriorated or
missing pieces are appropriate."
WITHDRAWAL OF THE MAIN MOTION: Ponto withdrew the motion.
MOTION: Swaim moved to table consideration of a certificate of appropriateness for the application of fiber
cement board to the entire exterior of 714 College Street to the Commission's next meeting. Toomey
seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 8-0.
OTHER:
Weitzel asked about the demolition by neglect situation at 17 South Governor. Terdalkar said there has been some
improvement in that some windows on the second floor have been boarded. He said he has asked Jan Reem to find
out what has been done and how the owner has responded.
Weitzel asked if Roffman has pulled a demolition pennit and proceeded to demolish his building. Terdalkar said the
building is gone.
Weitzel asked about the chimney on the house at the comer of College and Dodge. He said there is a chimney cap
there that will not allow a brick chimney to be built. Terdalkar said he did report that to HIS. He suggested that the
Commission needs to make some kind of recommendation or petition to HIS to see what is going on with the
chimneys. Terdalkar said there is also the issue of garages and sheds in the backyards of properties.
Weitzel said that HIS issued a permit, but the Commission hasn't reviewed anything for that property. Terdalkar
agreed. He said the Commission could make a blanket statement for these kinds of changes - that they have to be
reviewed, perhaps on a case by case basis because of how the chimney relates to the significance of the structure.
Weitzel said he would suggest a follow up on this. He said he thougbt the ordinance gave the Commission review
over work that HIS recommends or even stipulates, and even in the case of safety, the Commission is supposed to
have a chance to look at the historic preservation of the structure.
Terdalkar suggested that the Commission submit a petition to ask for action or a report on what is going on. Weitzel
asked if anyone disagreed with that course of action.
Michaud asked for clarification. Terdalkar said there are a lot of chimneys that have been removed or demolished
without being repaired, as well as outbuildings that have been demolished with pennits. He said that no action is
being taken in these cases, so that would be a question for Housing Inspection Services. Weitzel added that there is
a provision to review the action of HIS when it takes action without Commission review.
Weitzel said that in the Gazette's Advertiser, there was an article about the historic models that kids built for Weber
days. He said the models include I-houses, soddies, log cabins, and some ofthe bigger buildings in town.
Regarding the National Trust grant, Burford said that at the last work meeting the Board took no action about setting
up additional requirements for the grant. Weitzel asked if Burford could compile a list of properties for the next
meeting of properties that to which they are planning on giving a grant. Burford said that a homeowner has to apply
for the grant money.
12
Terdalkar said he has three or four applications, two of which are for tree replacement, so that is why he needs
criteria for selection. Burford said she believed after the last meeting that there were already guidelines. Terdalkar
said the National Trust has given money, saying that the Secretary of the Interior Standards should be followed, but
there are no selection criteria. Burford said the application specifies that this is gap funding for historic restoration.
Weitzel said he believed that would exclude trees.
Gunn showed the results of the tests on Mirra-Tech, the material that he froze to ten below and dried for ten cycles.
He pointed out that the material is still in good shape. Weitzel said it is made of wood and resin. Terdalkar said he
posed questions about this material to a list server on the National Trust forum list. He said he had a response from
a community in Missouri that approved the material on non-contributing structures or outbuildings. Terdalkar said
when the community's commission has approved a wood substitute, it has approved it for a testing period on
outbuildings and non-contributing structures.
Terdalkar said there is not a deadline for deciding about this project. He suggested the Commission come up with a
procedure and criteria for approval of any new materials.
Carlson asked if this material would be for siding or for other applications as well. Terdalkar said that it is to be
used just for trim. He said he would find merit in using this on non-contributing structures or phasing it in as the
Commission finds appropriate. Weitzel said that he was willing to approve this new material. Gunn and Carlson
agreed. Terdalkar added that the material is factory primed. Michaud stated that there needs to be some good
alternatives.
Terdalkar asked if there is enough information to say this is a good product. Weitzel said it is apparently the
consensus of the Commission that modern wood is not that great of a product in any event. He asked if the
Commission wanted to give Terdalkar a couple of weeks to do some more research.
Gunn said it is one thing to approve a product and another to recommend it. Ponto said that the guidelines state that
the substitute material must maintain the appearance and function of the original wood and must be durable, accept
paint, and be approved by the Commission.
Terdalkar said that an architect from Cincinnati who responded to his list serve question mentioned that the adhesive
used in these materials may corrode the nails. He said that therefore coated nails would need to be used. Weitzel
asked if anyone was opposed to approval of this material as a wood substitute.
MOTION: Gunn moved to take up consideration of the Mirra-Tech material from the table. Ponto seconded
the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
MOTION: Gunn moved to approve Mirra-Tech as a substitute material for above grade applications on a
case by case basis. Ponto seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
Terdalkar said that construction would begin on McCollister Boulevard, which will also involve a bridge over the
river, during the 07/08 fiscal year. He said that there is to be a committee to design the bridge, and Public Works
has asked if anyone on the Commission would want to be involved in that work. Gunn said he would be willing to
sit on the committee. Terdalkar said the fIrst meeting is to be held in early August.
OTHER:
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte
I Historic Preservation Commission
Attendance Record
2006
I Term
Name Expires 01119 02/9 02/22 03/16 04/13 04/27 05/04 05/11 05/18 OS/25 06/08 06/22 07/13 07/27
E. Baker 3/29/09 -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- X X X X X X X OlE OlE
I M. Brennan 3/29/08 X X OlE OlE X X X X X X X X 0 X
R Carlson 3/29/07 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
J. Enloe 3/29/06 X X OlE OlE -- -- ---- ---- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
M. Guon 3/29/07 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
i M. Maharry 3/29/08 X X X X X X X OlE X OlE X ---- -- -- -- --
M. McCallum 3/29/06 X X X X -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- ---- ---- -- -- -- --
P. Michaud 3/29/09 -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- X X X X X
J. Pardekooper 3/29/07 X X X 0 -- -- -- -- ---- ---- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
J. Ponto 3/29/07 X X X X X X X X OlE X X OlE X X
M. Schatteman 3/29/09 -- -- ---- ---- -- -- X -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- ---- -- -- -- --
G. Swaim 3/29/09 -- -- ---- ---- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- ---- -- -- X X X X X
i T. Toomey 3/29/09 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- X X X
I J. Weissmiller 3/29/06 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
i T. Weitzel 3/29/08 X X X X X X X X X OlE X X X X
i
I
I Key:
I
X = Present
0 ~ Absent
OlE ~ Absent/Excused
NM ~ No Meeting
-- -- ~ Not a Member
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
JULY 13, 2006
HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
~
MEMBERS PRESENT: Esther Baker, Richard Carlson, Michael Gunn, Pam Michaud, Jim Ponto,
Ginalie Swain, Tim Toomey, Tim Weitzel
STAFF PRESENT: Sunil Terdalkar
OTHERS PRESENT: Steve Bernhardt, Jim Buxton, Karen Daubenberger, Kurt Dyer, Scott Kading,
Thane Kading, John Livingston, John Roffman
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Weitzel cailed the meeting to order at 6:02 pm.
Public discussion of anvthino not on the aoenda:
No items for were presented for discussion.
Items for consideration (vote re~uired)
A. Certificate of Appropriateness
828 E. Washington Street
Terdaikar reported this structure was damaged in the April tornado. The applicants are seeking approval
to demolish it. Plans for the new structure are not included, though they are required per the
commission's guidelines. A letter from the applicants and a report from the structural designers are
included in the packet. City staff recommends approval with the condition that a timeline for the demolition
and proposed construction will be submitted as soon as available.
Parker said when the letter was written originaily, she believed the asbestos removal would be done very
soon. However, she found out that electricity and water are needed for the asbestos removal. The water
is now on and temporary electricity wiil be turned on soon. However, the estimate is one week per floor
for the asbestos removal, so it will be mid-August before that phase will be complete. That means it will
be the end of August before the building can be demolished. They would like to have an architect hired in
August, put a bid out for the new building in spring 2007, and complete construction in summer 2008.
Weitzel asked what sort of structure they are planning to build. Parker said they are looking for something.
ofa similar size to the current structure, about 14K square feet. They have not yet considered what it
would look like. Weitzel noted the commission's guidelines require applicants to submit a plan for
commission approval, which gives the commission an idea what the rebuild pian is. However, they could
move forward with assurance that a plan will be submitted for approval at a later date. Also, the
commission could grant a special waiver due to the fact that this is from storm damage and the structure
presents a safety hazard.
MOTION: Ponto moved to approve demolition, with waiver of plan requirement due to current health and
safety hazard caused by severe storm damage. Demolition in this instance is probably safer than letting it
stand. Future plans should be submitted and approved by the commission at a later date. Toomey
seconded, and the motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
Baker arrived at this point.
18 South Governor Street
Terdalkar reported that this is a contributing structure the applicant would like to do a partial demolition to
portions of the house, including an enclosed porch and foundation, and then construct a new foundation
with a walk-out basement on the north side of the structure. They have removed most of the basement
windows and are not proposing to reinstail as before. A revised plan has been submitted, which indicates
only two windows will be installed on the north, as well as an entry door. The porch structure wiil be
rebuilt as before.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
July 13, 2006
Page 2
Roffman said Terdalkar summed up the project well and he does not have anything further to add. He
said he could answer any additional questions.
Carlson asked what the foundation originally looked like before the storm. Roffman said the foundation
was originally made of soft red brick approximately four feet high with four feet of concrete biock on top of
that. Part of the brick and the entire concrete block section was exposed on the north side.
Weitzel asked if it was a fuil basement wall. Roffman said it was seven feet tall. Carlson asked how high
the proposal would be. Roffman said the structure would be the same height, but the foundation would be
deeper, at nine feet.
Weitzel asked what windows and doors were in the foundation before. Roffman said there was a cellar
door with a hatch on the east wall, and small basement sash on the east wail. Two or three small
basement sash on the north wall, and a couple basement sash underneath the porch on the west. Gunn
asked whether the windows were in the block or the brick. Roffman said they were in the block, sitting on
top of the brick.
Weitzel asked for confirmation that the proposal plans for siding on the new wall. Roffman said yes, on
the north side, which continues from the upper floors. Weitzel asked whether the wall could be done in
brick. Roffman said doing brick would make it more complicated for blocking with the house raising
company, and would not be as warm. The other three walls made of concrete will be mostly buried.
Toomey said the design from the picture in the packet appeared out of balance. He said the windows in
the new area should be single windows that match the ones above. Also, poured concrete will change the
appearance. He would prefer either red brick facing or stone blocks. Roffman asked if he meant the split-
faced block. Toomey said yes. Weitzel said the rusticated cast ones, not the broken ones.
Weitzel noted there is a more recent proposal, which includes the corner boards and a balanced
symmetry. He asked if there would be any retaining walls required. Roffman said yes.
Weitzel asked the commission members if they want to require use of rusticated block or masonry wall.
Michaud said contrasting walls that differentiate between the original two-story building and the new
foundation would be appropriate. She suggested putting insulation inside to help achieve this.
Weitzel asked if the porch would be rebuilt taller than before. Roffman said it would be the same height as
the original, which is why retaining walls are needed to maintain ground level.
Bernhardt said in his view, having siding all the way down looks more appropriate than brick. Terdalkar
noted that would not have been the way a house like this would have been originally built. Toomey said
there are other houses with the same sort of foundation exposure, and they have masonry at that level.
Michaud said there is typically delineation between the main house and the lower foundation level,
usuailya difference in exterior material between the two. Weitzel said the insulation could be on the
inside of the concrete wails. Roffman said the insulation would have to be in order to meet energy code
for the other three walls anyway. Michaud asked whether the fire escape ladder would need to be
extended in order to comply with fire code. Roffman said he thought so. Weitzel noted though that's a
good question, fire code is not within the parlance of the commission.
Terdalkar asked if Bernhardt had considered reinstalling a door on the back side where the cellar door
once was, and instailing egress windows instead. Then the north wall would not be so exposed. Roffman
said the door from before was not compliant on rise and run of the stairs, and would need an outdoor
cover. This is an even bigger problem since the foundation is deeper than before. In order to get the
proper rise and run, the stairs would extend about 13 feet into the backyard.
Michaud asked if the alley would be in the way. Bernhardt said there is a four-foot retaining wail with a
parking lot behind it, so that would make the parking lot smaller. Roffman said there is no ailey, rather an
easement with the Washington Street residents allows access.
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July 13, 2006
Page 3
Toomey asked for confirmation that it was originally a brick foundation. Roffman said yes, the lower four
feet were soft red brick. Michaud asked for confirmation that the rusticated stone looks like limestone.
Weitzel said it looks like turn-of-the-century house foundations. They are a concrete block with one side
rusticated to look like the old-world stone. Michaud said that would be appropriate, and using brick is not
necessary if the block is more functional.
Toomey said there is also a two-inch veneer that can be applied around the rest of the base. Roffman
asked if it is stone or brick. Toomey said it is a simulated stone made of concrete block. It is a solid piece
that is mortared directly to the foundation, though it would be good to have a ledge to sit on. If the
foundation is poured, just leave an inch ledge on the top three feet for it to sit on.
Michaud asked if there is an example of this material on the web for the commission members to see.
Toomey said he could bring some in. Roffman asked how large the pieces are. Toomey said they are
standard block size. He used it to line an old coal chute and it matched the stone wall very well. Roffman
asked for clarification on whether the material is stone or concrete block. Toomey said it is concrete block
that is textured to look like stone.
Toomey noted using the veneer would also solve the Insulation problem. It would look like the house was
built with it originally, but the insulation could be behind it. The smooth concrete facing would not look
appropriate.
Weitzel said a motion is needed to address the porch being rebuilt as stated, the door location, and the
exposed exterior surfaces of the foundation wall. Swaim asked for confirmation that the veneer looks like
cement block simulating stone, rather than just looking like stone. Toomey said yes. Weitzel said the
material is intended to simulate a sandstone exterior from houses built in the 1920's. The difference is
that instead of being a solid block, it is just a thin veneer.
Michaud asked if the porches would be put back with the same balustrade as before. Weitzel said that
specification could be included in the motion. Roffman said they are currently painted aluminized ones.
Carlson noted the windows in the plan are vinyl, which are not allowable. Roffman said the existing
windows are replacements. They are double-hung, but all vinyl clad. The ones in the attic and one on the
front are aluminum clad, but all the others are maintenance-free sash that have been replaced with jamb
liners. The frame and white trim is the same.
Weitzel said the guidelines allow for aluminum clad or wood. The vinyl windows were likely installed
before the historic district went into effect. Roffman asked what is allowable for the door. Weitzel said the
commission has allowed fiberglass doors for the basement level before. Fiberglass has also been allowed
for windows because it is paintable.
Toomey asked if there were any concerns about the balance of the new windows. Weitzel agreed that
they are large. Carlson said they would not be visible except from the north. Roffman said the windows
are similar to the front. Weitzel said window balance is typically evaluated based on the elevation they on
rather than elsewhere on the structure.
Carlson said the prominent windows would typically be on the first level of a house rather than the lower
level with a side basement entrance. Roffman said that the front of the house has a wide variety of
window sizes, and various sizes elsewhere on the structure, which indicates the original builders were
looking for function and light.
Toomey said he would like the work to be done in such a way that the newer construction would be
indistinguishable from the original. Roffman said he agreed that was not how the house was originally
built, but the building has been changed over the years and the new plans are not out of line with theO
house as it currently exists. Terdalkar said ideally the newer work would be in line with the original
construction, rather than aggravating the changes that were done before the historic district went into
effect.
Michaud said that full-sized windows at the sidewalk level is not very private. Perhaps a shorter window
would be better. This looks like a hotel, with large windows at the sidewalk level. She noted that one
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July 13, 2006
Page 4
window was removed from the updated plan, but asked if they are shorter. Roffman said they are the
same height as the ones in the floors above, and lined up.
Terdalkar asked if the door is required, as the basement levei can be accessed from inside the house.
Roffman said the door is not required, since the windows would be egress. Toomey said he would prefer
to see three individual windows or two windows with a door. The door does not bother him.
Swaim says this type of house was generally not three stories, so having single windows on the lower
level might give it a sense of verticality that was not originally intended. The double windows in a different
kind of material would help relieve that concern. Toomey agreed. Weitzel said he does not have a
problem with the recent design with the double windows, and he is not concerned about the door.
Weitzel asked if this should be one motion or multiple votes. Swaim said there seems to be consensus on
the rusticated concrete. Weitzel said there appears to be consensus on the porch.
Swaim asked if the porch would be original to what was there before the storm, or more similar to the
original construction. Weitzel said the porch was not damaged in the storm, so it would just be a matter of
dismantling and then reconstructing the current porch with the original materials. Roffman agreed.
MOTION: Ponto moved approve to replace the porches as they previously existed, to cover the exposed
portions of the foundation with either brick or rusticated cement block veneer, and install as shown in
most recent plan two pairs of double-hung windows on the north elevation basement levei that are either
wood, metal clad, or fiberglass, a fiberglass door, and trim to match existing. Swaim seconded.
Toomey asked for confirmation that the motion is for the two windows in the recent drawing. Ponto said
yes, because it is a different material on the foundation. Also the basement will need more light.
Gunn asked for confirmation that the motion was to cover all exposed surfaces of the foundation with
rusticated block or brick. The guidelines are clear that replacement foundations should look like masonry.
Ponto said his motion was to also cover the exposed portions of the foundation all the way around the
house. Weitzel said the porch has skirting, so covering that portion is not needed.
Gunn noted the masonry trim on the foundation should not be trimmed to match siding trim. Something
like a brick molder or inset into the masonry would be more appropriate. Roffman confirmed that this type
of trim would have an approximate two-inch profile. Gunn said yes. Weitzel said the motion should
indicate trim is appropriate to historic masonry.
Gunn said the door does not have to be fiberglass. It could also be wood or painted metal panel. Weitzel
agreed any door that has the same look would be fine. Roffman said they have a fiberglass door. Carlson
said also if the decision is made to use brick for the foundation, it should be brick that appears similar to
what was used before. Ponto agreed to amend the motion to include a specification about historic brick
and trim to match existing.
T erdalkar asked if there was any possibility of reinstalling salvaged windows on the south and east sides.
Roffman said there is a lot of runoff from the severe hill on the south side with dirt on all other sides of the
house. Terdalkar asked since the site has been excavated if it would be possible to regrade the yard.
Roffman said the height of the house and yard will not be changed. The foundation will be deeper, but the
yard out away from the house is the same as before. There are retaining walls to the south and east.
Weitzel asked if the commission members whether the windows should be reinstalled or not, and
suggested addressing that in a separate motion if necessary. Toomey asked for confirmation that the
motion specified the foundation should be brick or rusticated block on all exposed surfaces. Weitzel said
yes.
Roffman asked for confirmation that the retaining walls do not need to match the exposed foundation
surface. Weitzel said yes, something different for those is fine. The retaining walls should not look like a
foundation.
Weitzel confirmed that the motion is to have the porch rebuilt as before at same height, foundation
exposed surfaces covered by either historic brick or rusticated block. On the north elevation, two double-
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July 13, 2006
Page 5
hung windows aligned with windows above and a central door as specified on most recent illustration,
along with trim to match historic masonry. Ponto noted he specified wood, metal-clad wood, or fiberglass
windows.
Weitzel asked if the commission would like to address the basement windows. Gunn said since there is a
large porch in the front and the south has a high grade, the only place left to put windows is the east. He
said he is not very concerned about that side of the building. If any additional windows are required, they
should only be needed on the east side. Weitzel said it wouid be within the commission's purview to
require additional windows.
Ponto said he does not feel strongly about additional windows. Toomey said he would suggest they be
added, but would not require them. Weitzel said the motion could be amended to suggest installation of
additional historically-accurate basement windows on the east elevation.
MOTION: Ponto moved to amend the motion to include a recommendation to install additional historically
accurate basement windows on the east elevation. Toomey seconded, and the motion carried on a vote
of 8-0.
730 N. Linn Street
Terdalkar reported this application was tabled at the last meeting. The applicant is requesting approval to
construct a 2-car garage with upper apartment. New plans and sketches have been provided. The new
proposal dimensions are 26 feet by 34 feet, which is siightly larger than the previous proposal.
Weitzel said the commission asked that the applicant work with staff to create a proposai that would be
acceptable. A new plan has been submitted. He noted that a motion is needed to take the discussion up
from the table.
MOTION: Carlson moved to take the discussion of 730 North Linn Street up from the table. Swaim
seconded and the motion was taken up from the table.
Weitzel said he sent suggestions to Terdalkar for alternatives to the original design, which might be more
appropriate to the original structure of the house. Terdalkar displayed the suggestions for the commission
members. Weitzel said if the commission finds the new design acceptable, then that can be discussed,
but he does not think the new design appears to be greatly different from original proposal. He said the
building appears more Colonial than Queen Anne to him.
Toomey said he investigated Queen Anne and carriage house designs, and they looked very similar to
the proposal, including the cupola. Weitzel said there are several existing carriage houses in the area that
do not have cupolas. Toomey said there is one on Linn Street with the Dutch sort of hip roof. However,
the roof hip destroys any living space. Weitzel said that would also depend on the wall height. Toomey
said he found several designs that looked very similar except for the dormers.
Swaim said there is one iike this on Woodlawn. Weitzel said there is one on Summit, some on Burlington
and Court, and in the north area, though in different forms. Toomey said some are taller than the current
building code allows, which is 20 feet at the midpoint of the roof. Terdalkar displayed several photos of
area carriage houses.
Weitzel said he is also concerned about the plan being off the shelf. Terdalkar said the issue with that is
the applicant was having difficulty getting the plan drawn up inexpensively. He said he checked with
Housing Inspections, and the applicant is not required to bring professional drawings. As long as
dimensions are included, hand-drawn sketches are acceptable.
T. Kading said they would be more comfortable working with a contractor if they knew what the building
looked like specifically beforehand. They would like to have specific details about what the building will
look like and whether the apartment will have functional space, and they would prefer not to have to hire
an architect to draw up plans. The building cannot be traditional Queen Anne and stili have functional
living space in the apartment due to the steeply pitched roof.
Terdaikar asked for confirmation from the applicant that altering the plan would be difficult. T. Kading said
they had planned to purchase plans already done and give them to the contractor. They would rather not
have to put in the additional expense to work with an architect. Toomey said the applicant could submit
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July 13, 2006
Page 6
plans from the printout by adding dimensions. T. Kading said there are things externally or decoratively
that can be changed easily, but are not familiar enough with the process to know what is involved with
making structural changes.
Weitzel said the plan would have to start out more square. Carlson said anything that is simple and non-
Colonial would be fine. Weitzel agreed that a plan that is simpler and more Victorian would be acceptable.
Toomey said the structure is limited due to height. Weitzel said the gambrel is not appropriate, and it
would have to look strange to pass code. The commission is required to approve a building to match the
area design, and the commission has no control over zoning requirements.
Gunn asked Weitzel what concerns he has about the design. Weitzel said if the other commission
members think the design is acceptable, then the discussion can move on. He said he thought the design
is too Colonial in character. T. Kading said at the last meeting, the comrnission said it did not matter how
many dormers there are. She tried to find a design that did not have the big dormer on the back, since the
commission expressed concerns about the wide dormer on the first plan. The new plan has a wider
structure than before to compensate for the lost square footage in the apartment space.
Gunn asked Weitzel what he thinks is Colonial about the design. Weitzel the dormers look very Georgian,
as well as the cupola and the six over six window style. Carlson said the cupola could be Queen Anne.
Michaud asked if it is important to have lights in the upper corners of the garage doors. Weitzel said the
commission does not regulate doors, and he is not concerned about the doors.
Weitzel said if the other commission members think the current plan is good, then the discussion can end
and a vote taken. He was expressing his opinion about the revised plan, but no one has expressed a
strong differing opinion except Toomey, so it would seem there is some indecision that needs to be
discussed.
Michaud asked about the plan being displayed on the computer. Weitzel said that plan is fine. It was what
Terdalkar proposed as an alternative. Michaud said if the floor plan for that proposal is workable, she
would agree to that proposal.
MOTION: Gunn moved to accept revised application as submitted with condition to remove cupola and
divided windows. Carlson asked also for removal of Colonial lamps. Gunn agreed. There being no
second, the motion died.
T. Kading said the windows would look like the ones currently on the house, doubled sashed without the
multiple small panes.
Terdalkar asked if the applicant plans to put another door in on the back side. T. Kading said yes.
Terdalkar said it should be noted there would be another door on the north elevation. Weitzel said he
would be okay with the cupola, though Victorian cupolas looked different. T. Kading said she does not
want the cupola anyway.
Toomey said the front door pediment does not seem appropriate. Ponto said they are very common.
Toomey said they usually looked more classical. Weitzel said he thinks the pediment is fine as is, and
having a more classical look would be more Colonial.
Toomey asked the applicant if they are willing to remove the pediment. T. Kading said they would be
willing to if the commission requests it, though she thinks it looks fine. Carlson said it does not seem
possible to make the current design totally compatible with the house, and efforts have been made to find
a design that would fit. He said stripping the Colonial elements from the current structure would be easy
and reasonable.
Gunn suggested combining the three dormers into one. He asked how that would work with the fioor plan.
Weitzel said the dormer and window in the sleeping area would be gone, which would reduce both space
and light. Gunn asked about putting a dormer on the other side as well. Carlson said it might be difficult to
ask the contractor to modify the plans from three to one dormer. Weitzel said building one dormer would
be simpler than three smaller ones. Gunn said that moves away from the design, and the design might
start looking too clunky so there is enough square footage inside.
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July 13, 2006
Page 7
Weitzel said he would find a structure with one dormer more acceptable than three. Carlson agreed.
Weitzel said that would look less Georgian. Michaud asked for clarification on what that would do to the
floor space inside. Weitzel said a window would be lost in the sleeping area, but the gain would be a lot of
floor space.
T. Kading said they would like to have this as easy as possible, and not have the contractor make too
many modifications. Weitzel explained the modifications based on the model on the computer. Gunn
asked if staff would be able to draw up modified plans. Terdalkar said he does have a pian based on the
model already created, and he showed it to the applicants. S. Kading said the problem is that the plans
they submitted are already created and can easily be purchased and given to a contractor. Weitzel said
Terdalkar could create the plans.
T. Kading asked for confirmation that Terdaikar's plans would include details such as electricai
placement. Terdalkar said those details are not needed. Weitzel said the contractor does not need plans
for electricity. Gunn said the electricity needs to meet code. Weitzel said changing the dormers would not
change the functional parts of the plan.
Gunn asked for confirmation that electricity and plumbing plans do not need to be submitted for habitable
space. Weitzel and Terdalkar said that is correct. Weitzel said the code is very specific about what is
needed. T. Kading said she thought more detail was needed for submission to the city. Weitzel said the
plumbing and electrical diagrams could be used from the plans already submitted. Modifying the dormers
should not change any of that. Toomey said doing one dormer would give the space more light and floor
space.
T. Kading said they preferred not to have a matching dormer on the other side, for reasons of privacy in
the house if they rent the space out. Weitzel said a matching dormer isn't needed, but the structure would
look better. He suggested putting frosted windows in on one side. Gunn said the little dormers are just
little head spaces. Weitzel said they are good for closets. Gunn said when they are wider, that gives more
head space.
S. Kading said he was confused about what the commission is looking for. At the previous meeting, the
number of dormers in the structure was not a concern, so they spent time looking for a plan with a straight
roofiine, which seemed to be what the commission was looking for. Weitzel said he asked that the
applicants work with Terdalkar to come to a solution. S. Kading said the carriage house styles in town
usually do not match the house. T. Kading asked if having matched dormers on both sides is required.
S. Kading said the alternate plan currently being displayed on the computer is fine with him. He just would
like to have complete plans to submit to the city and the contractor. Weitzel said Terdalkar could turn the
current 3D plan into floor plans. It would have all the doors, walls, and windows. It would not have
electrical and plumbing, but he does not think that will be required. If the applicants purchased plans, that
information would be included and would not need very much revision. There should not be much
plumbing or electricity running into the dormers.
Weitzel said most of the utilities would come up through the middle wall because they should not be on
exterior walls. The except in this case might be the bathroom. According to the floor plan, having a back
dormer does not make sense because of the closet space planned for that area. Ponto said one dormer
makes sense to him. T. Kading said one dormer would be good. S. Kading agreed.
Weitzel said having one dormer would be less complex to build, and make the roof easier to shingle.
Gunn said it would feel larger inside as well. Toomey said it should be less expensive to do as well.
Carlson said the plan does not specify the exterior and the gable profile. He asked for confirmation that it
will be sided all the way up and down, with a window on the second floor. He said he would prefer more
detail in those areas. T. Kading said it would be siding.
S. Kading confirmed that the new plan would be the same as the ones already submitted, except with
only one dormer. Gunn asked if the pediment over the door would be included. Terdalkar said the trim
would need to match eaves and overhang of the house, which the sketch indicates. He said the 3D model
is a 12' x 12' pitch building, which may even be higher than the house. Weitzel said the pitch does not
have to match the house. It should be based on the height and footprint of the building.
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July 13, 2006
Page 8
Terdalkar said the maximum peak height is 26 feet in the submitted plans, which the revised plan
matches. Weitzel said the profile is the same between the two except for the dormers.
MOTION: Ponto moved to approve the basic plan presented regarding the footprint, height, and pitch of
the roof, with the exception of one dormer versus three, as drawn up by staff. The plan should include
fiber cement board siding with trim to match the house, double hung wood or metal clad windows, with
iights to match the house. Optional pediment and cupola.
Gunn asked to inciude that the finalized plans need to be acceptable to the applicant. Ponto agreed.
Gunn seconded, and the motion carried on a vote of 8-0.
Other
Buxton said he wants to discuss work for the property at 946 Iowa Avenue to alter the basement of the
house. Buxton said they are doing renovations because of tornado damage. The coiumns will be
replaced, and the whole house will be resided with wood instead of the cement fiberboard discussed at
the last meeting.
Buxton said the south wall under the front deck has collapsed. It was a double brick masonry wail, and
the mortar holding the bricks together disintegrated. It is urgent to get a new foundation under the
building, and he has made arrangements to have a poured foundation. Right now it has three rows of
blocks exposed, and he can do an inset with block fac;:ade that appears to the public. The elevation will
not be raised and no windows will be removed. However, there are two egress windows on the west
elevation they would iike to combine into one underneath the above bedroom window.
Buxton said they would like the new foundation to incorporate the kitchen addition. Right now the
concrete block under the kitchen addition is smooth, so does not match the rest of the house. They would
like to change the appearance of the block under the kitchen, and add a window below it on the north
elevation. He does not want to wait untii the next meeting to discuss the foundation. He has let the
tenants know the house will not be ready on August 1, in order to finish the renovations.
Weitzel asked if a wall would be run along the baseline of the house, in addition to the extension below
the kitchen. Buxton said no, they plan to span it with a steel beam. There wouid be three main beams
placed under the main supports of the house going north to south, as well as the beam to make up the
foundation under the addition. There wiil also be footing walls underneath the beams as well.
Buxton said he would like preliminary approval to do the work, and run any final details through Terdaikar,
in order to begin work on the foundation as soon as possible. Weitzel asked if they plan to reuse the old
windows, or put in replacements. Dyer said they would iike to put in crank out casements for one egress,
with the rest double hung. Buxton said the egress window should probably be the same width as the
window above it. Weitzel agreed.
Weitzel asked if there wouid be any other basement windows they would remove. Buxton said no, but the
door would also be removed. The door was not original. Dyer said there is a small window to the north
that they plan to replace. They would like to add a window under the addition as well. Right now the area
below the addition is a crawlspace, but the new foundation would incorporate that area and would need
light.
Gunn asked how this would proceed, since it is not on the agenda. Terdalkar said informal consensus
could be given to change the foundation. Gunn said in terms of the commission guideiines, this item is not
on the agenda so there is no public notification and a certificate cannot be issued, so the work could not
be proceed. Buxton said his main concern is to get a new foundation under the house as soon as
possible.
Gunn asked when Buxton plans to begin the work. Buxton said it might not happen for 10 days to two
weeks because of scheduling issues with the house moving company. Weitzel said 24-hour notice is still
needed for an emergency meeting, so the commission cannot take action at the moment.
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July 13, 2006
Page 9
Weitzel said since the plan is to maintain the appearance, approval could be given as a certificate of no
material effect. Terdalkar said there is a change due to the door removal and making two windows into
one. Buxton said he thinks the door was added. Carison asked for confirmation that the door was not
original. Dyer said no, the door leads to the kitchen, which is an addition.
Terdalkar asked for confirmation that a permit will be needed to demolish the foundation. Dyer said HIS
told him that a permit is not needed for demolition but he needs a permit for new foundation. Terdalkar
said he thought a permit is also required to excavate the ground.
Weitzel said staff does not think this is a CNME or Intermediate or Minor Review, so this would have to be
approved with the regular process. This could also be done in an emergency meeting, but that would
require having at least six members of the commission meeting the following week. Swaim noted it would
not require very much discussion.
Weitzel said the commission would discuss the type of window to replace the current egress windows,
because the commission usually does not allow crank-out awning. Also, there is debate on whether the
door is original. He said there should not be too much discussion. Terdalkar said there would be a
meeting in two weeks as well. Commission members discussed whether they are available to meet the
following week.
Buxton said they could do a double hung egress window that lines up in the middle of the window above.
Weitzel confirmed that Carlson, Toomey, Swaim, Baker, and he could attend a meeting the following
week. Weitzel said the commission would need details submitted on the types of windows they plan to
install.
Gunn said the proposal appears to be very close to a Certificate of no Material Effect. According to the
guidelines, approval by full commission is not required if there is no change to significant historic features.
It sounds like the applicants plan to do exactly what the commission would be looking for. Weitzel agreed.
He said he is not particularly concerned about the change to the basement windows or the door. Baker
said she does not think basement windows are significant features.
Weitzel said the timeline would be dependent on when the applicant submits the needed details. Then
staff will draw up a CME for Weitzei's signature. That would remove the need for an additional meeting
the following week.
Gunn said he would like to see the two recent certificates at the next meeting, so the commission can
review the details.
Swaim asked for clarification on the planned changes for the kitchen addition. Terdalkar said the plan is
to extend the foundation to include the addition, and add a window on the north elevation. Dyer said they
will have to move the kitchen in order to do the excavation, but they will not be making changes to it.
Weitzel said if some modifications to the addition are needed, the commission wouid like to match the
work being done on the front of the house. Swaim agreed there are wonderful things being done with the
house.
New Buildina Material
Terdalkar said that there is an application for approval of a new material as wood substitute. He passed a
sample of the material to the commission members to inspect. He asked what the procedure is for
approving new material. Weitzel said It took months to approve fiber cement board. Gunn said in that
case, the material was stressed for about 40 days by putting the sample underwater and then freezing it.
There was no affect on It after that time.
Weitzel said it is sold in set dimensions that are pre-primed, but it can be cut. Terdalkar said it can be cut,
but then the expased surfaces need to be primed again. Weitzel said the commission could require the
material be used with the smooth side facing outward. Swaim noted that the smooth size is not
completely smooth. Gunn said it would probably be smooth if it were painted.
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July 13, 2006
Page 10
Weitzel said he found one review on the web that liked it, and it looked iike an independent review. He
said the commission could require testing. Gunn said the material should be tested. It looks like masonite,
which was useless when it got wet. Terdalkar said there are no stated guidelines for approving new
materials. Weitzel said it was up to the commission to decide what is required.
Gunn said he is willing to test a sample, immersing it in water and then freezing it. Toomey asked what
the material is made out of. Weitzel said it is made out of sawdust, with resin in it to hold it together.
Terdalkar said the company website advertises it as material for trim.
Swaim asked what kind of wood it is made of. Ponto said the manufacturer's website says byproducts
from sawmilis and forest thinnings, which is ground wood. Weitzel said it is made out of the same thing as
cardboard. Gunn noted it is only as good as the glue that holds it together, and added that the fiber
cement board was able to absorb 30 percent of its weight in water and freeze without cracking.
Weitzel said no decision would be made on the material at this meeting.
Aooroval of Minutes for June 22. 2006 Meetinq
Swaim asked if the decision for the roof of the house at 817 Iowa Avenue, discussion found on page
seven, was to change its height. Carlson said he was not sure. Weitzel said the applicants agreed to the
change. Ponto said that was proposed in the revised drawings.
Carlson suggested not approving the minutes right away, and instead everyone looking closely at their
own statements to make sure they are accurate. Terdalkar said he filled in some of the gaps as he was
able. Weitzel said he has noted the changes to his sections. Toomey said he also looked at his. Carlson
said then there might just be many changes to note.
Weitzel noted the fOllowing changes:
. Page 1, paragraph 3, second sentence, the word should be "abatron."
. Page 3, paragraph 5, he said he was trying to summarize what some of the members were
thinking so he would change the sentence to reflect that.
. Page 4, at the bottom, where Venter said "he could move the stairs back..."
. Page 5, at the beginning, "as long as there was enough room for the stairs and the porch, the
plan is okay, ...."
. Page 5, paragraph 5, "this house likely would not have been designed with paneled columns."
. Page 5, paragraph 9, "with no recessed panels."
. Page 5, paragraph 9, "open up the porch with metalwork on the railings."
. Page 6, paragraph 4, "Weitzel asked if the piers could be built with wood and wrapped with fiber
cement board, or shouid we consider requiring masonry or concrete block for the tiers."
. Page 7, paragraph 4, "it doesn't matter then."
. Page 8, paragraph 9, should be soldered rather than welded.
Weitzel said because a permit is not required to replace a door panel he suggests striking the discussion
regarding 228 South Summit Street application. The review of the door should not have happened. Gunn
asked if the craftsman door was on there at the time of the application. Weitzel said no.
Carlson asked why the application came before the commission. The staff or someone on the
commission should have noticed that and taken it off of the agenda before the meeting. Terdalkar said a
permit is required if the frame is also replaced aiong with the door. Weitzel said the appiication did not
specify any changes, except replacing one door with another.
Gunn said the discussion happened, so it should not be deleted, but a note can be made to the minutes
from this meeting that the a review was not required. Weitzel said that is fine. The appiication for the door
replacement did not need a review.
Carlson added the following edits to the minutes:
. Page 2, paragraph 11, "a cape cod or coionial revival."
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
July 13, 2006
Page 11
. Page 5, paragraph 13, "Carlson said that a simple panel and perhaps simple crown molding
might be most appropriate."
. Change the spelling of "piers" throughout.
. Page 7, paragraph 12, "Carlson said that the proposed design significantly alters the current
shape of the roof and the massing."
. Page 8, paragraph 3, ""He said with this change," and "change to the roofline and created a
hodgepodge... "
. Page 9, paragraph 8, clarify that "the original period of the house should prevail..."
Gunn said paragraph eight on page six is fine as it is, since he does not know what exactly the applicant
was talking about at that point. Terdalkar said he believes the applicant was saying he was okay with
doing whatever the commission asked so he could install the new NC units.
MOTION: Baker moved to accept the minutes as amended. Gunn seconded and the motion carried on a
vote of 8-0.
Discussion of Officer Election
Weitzel asked if the commission members would like to wait until the tenth member has been appointed
to the commission before voting for the Chair and Vice-Chair positions. The vote would otherwise be an
agenda item for the next meeting.
Terdalkar said the vacancy has been announced to the council, and should be filled within a month or so.
Weitzel said theoretically the vote is supposed to be done as soon as possible after new appointments
are done, but sometimes they take a while to complete. He added that elections have been held in the
past with vacant positions. Terdalkar said that is fine then.
Weitzel said he is willing to another year as Chair. Carlson said he is willing to be Vice-Chair again,
though he will be busier this year. Weitzel said he would probably be busier this year, so there might be
more work for the Vice-Chair. He will not be available during the day to sign things on a short notice.
Terdalkar said some sort of arrangement could be made, using emails to send draft certificates and
finding times to get signatures. Weitzel said unless someone else would like the positions, the
commission can continue as before, and the election will be held at the next meeting.
Historic Inventorv of Near South Side
Weitzel said there is a Central District Plan going on, and the near south side will be evaluated as a part
of the process. There has never been a comprehensive historic architectural survey of the area, and no
history of the area has been written. There are a few resources that should be evaluated in terms of
historic integrity and preservation in the area. He is leaning towards putting out an application to see what
sort of response would be received.
Terdalkar asked if the pian is to hire a consultant. Weitzel said it seems logical to do it through a
consultant. If so, preparation for a Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant application should start
immediately, because they are due in August.
Gunn asked how many historic properties are likely to be left. Weitzel said he did not think very many. He
said he thinks the depot is already a landmark. An inventory would find out what resources are there.
Gunn said definitely the historic properties should be inventoried, but he is concerned about spending
money on doing architectural evaluations of new buildings. He asked if the task could be narrowed down.
Weitzel said the State Historical Society has asked for the commission to do the inventory, and they might
as well hire a consultant. Swaim asked if that is the only district that is up for review. Terdalkar said it is
not the whole district. Weitzei said it would only look for the current resources in the area. Swaim asked if
there are any other surveys in progress. Weitzel said the assumption is that it would not be a district, but
would be individual structures designated as iandmarks.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
July 13, 2006
Page 12
Gunn said he agrees, but it might be a lot of effort for very little return. Weitzel said if the volunteers are
available, then it could done similar to other conservation districts. Some of the issues are that having an
outside consultant would add vaiidity to the process given that it is a politically hot area. Swaim said an
outside consultant makes sense.
Weitzel said it does not have to be a very large survey, not even as large as Melrose. Carlson asked for
clarification on what is included in the area. Weitzel said it would be from the tracks to Burlington, and
from Capitol to Gilbert. Swaim said the west side of Capitol is almost all new, though there is more intact
on the east side.
Gunn asked if the commission could request a proposal. Terdalkar said the area to be surveyed couid be
identified before the RFP stage. Gunn said someone who is unfamiliar with the area would go through a
lot of effort for very little gain. Weitzel agreed, though to make sure any of the structures are National
Registry eligibie, deep backgrounds will need to be researched.
Weitzel said Marlis said a survey shouid be done when she was asked about identifying structures at a
previous meeting. Carlson said that makes sense for any sort of valid evaluation. Weitzel said the
commission could stipulate that if a building is clearly not historic, it can be ignored. Carlson asked if the
state need site forms for all the modern buildings. Weitzel said no.
Helen said Friends has scheduled a meeting for August 10 to train students on how to do research. They
also plan to approach the school district to contact the social studies departments for additional
participants. She asked whether they should do research on the south side and have some information
on hand before it is needed. Weitzel said when he suggested doing a volunteer inventory, the state said
forms should be filled out and a survey should be completed.
Weitzel said the volunteers would basically be doing the background work, looking through city directories
and similar resources. Swaim asked whether the volunteers would be high school students. Helen said
they are college students. Weitzel asked if the social studies teachers would help their students. Helen
said they would like to recruit the teachers themselves, not the high school students. Weitzel said the
commission would need to continue discussion about the survey at future meetings.
Weitzel said the Historic Preservation Society and Historic Preservation Commission were jointly awarded
money by the National Trust from the Historic Preservation Disaster Recovery Fund. That was earmarked
for siding replacement and similar projects. He said Terdalkar suggested the commission come up with
criteria on how the money will be awarded.
Helen added that it might be wise to have Friends board members participate in the discussion about
criteria. Weitzel said a subcommittee could be assigned to the task, which included members of Friends.
The commission could also decide that criteria are not needed to hand out the money. Terdalkar said
Friends could propose criteria and have the commission approve them.
Weitzel said it is not a large amount, so keeping a narrow scope would be good start, such as replacing
vinyl siding with cement board or wood. Swaim asked how much was awarded. Weitzel said $10K, $5K
from the Trust matched by Friends. He said he thinks the commission members should have something
to say about how the money is awarded because it falls in the purview of the commission.
Swaim asked for confirmation that the money is intended to repair storm damage. Weitzel said yes, for
the April tornado. Swaim asked if people who were interested in the money would have to apply. Weitzel
said probably what wouid happen is that once the criteria are set, some sort of notification would be sent
out to let people know about it.
Swaim asked if people would still be at that stage. Terdalkar said yes. So far, three applications for the
funds have been received, two of which were for trees. Some people are looking for insurance gap
money, since no criteria have been specified.
Weitzel asked if the commission wants to address this as a whole or in a subcommittee. Swaim said since
Friends matched funds, they should have a say in il. Weitzel said the commission could let Friends
handle awarding the funds as long as the repairs or changes meet the commission's guidelines and the
Secretary of Interior's requirements.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
July 13, 2006
Page 13
Helen asked if the guidelines exclude people who live on Hotz Avenue and Rochester Avenue. Terdalkar
said the funds were not restricted to a district or any particular area. The grant was offered for disaster
recovery/rehabilitation work that is consistent with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
Helen asked for confirmation that as long as the applicants are willing to follow the commission's
guidelines, anyone can be considered for the funds regardless of where the property is located. Weitzel
said yes.
Terdalkar said the ietter specifies compiiance with Secretary of Interior's standards, and the Commission
and Friends may choose to use the local guidelines. Carlson said it does not have to be a currently
designated structure. Weitzel said the criteria should include historical integrity in some manner.
Terdaikar said because many of the issues are not clear, the Commission and Friends should set
selection criteria. Weitzel suggested starting out with those limitations, and if there is any debate over a
particuiar building's eligibility, that can be addressed as needed.
Michaud left at this point.
Carlson asked whether the commission would have any input at all, or leave it entirely up to Friends.
Weitzel suggested letting Friends decide whether they would like the commission to have further input. If
so, it can be discussed again. Terdalkar asked whether the commission would like to review the proposed
criteria. Weitzel said the commission would review, and then discuss them if there is anything they do not
like.
Helen said the state form required an explanation and demonstration of damage for a particular reason,
based on the date the work was completed. Since no one was told the work has to be done before a
certain date, will that be an issue with reimbursing people through this fund. Weitzel said since this is a
grant, Friends can decide what the date or other criteria will be involved.
Weitzel said it is fortunate that these funds are available, as well as money from the state legislature
given to the Historic Preservation Society. Helen asked when the second round would be. Weitzel said he
does not know. Terdalkar said grant approval has been conditional so far. Weitzel said some applications
are not complete because the property owners did not sign them, which has slowed down the process.
They would like to make sure the first round applicants are all set before moving forward.
Swaim asked for confirmation whether the ones that went through have been announced already. Weitzel
said he thought the announcements were planned for the same time. He said Buxton has changed his
plans to side in wood rather than fiber cement board, probably because of a grant he received. Helen said
it is also less expensive. Weitzel said there was concern about the aesthetics about the fiber cement
board.
Helen said if volunteer research effort should encompass other things, Friends is willing to do work that
would benefit the city as long as they know what to do. Weitzel said they could start on Manville Heights.
They have set up a meeting and want to have a district because there is a lot of new development circling
around the area. Swaim said that area then seems ripe for a survey. Terdalkar said the residents would
be happy if any help was offered.
Terdalkar noted that a second meeting may be necessary in the fourth week of July.
Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.
I
,
I
Historic Preservation Commission
Attendance Record
I 2006
Term
Name Expires 01/19 02/9 02/22 03/16 04/13 04/27 05/04 05/11 05/18 OS/25 06/08 06/22 07/13
E. Baker 3/29/09 ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- X X X X X X X OlE
M. Brennan 3/29/08 X X OlE OlE X X X X X X X X 0
R. Carlson 3/29/07 X X X X X X X X X X X X X
I J. Enloe 3/29/06 X X OlE OlE -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
M. Gunn 3/29/07 X X X X X X X X X X X X X
M. Maharry 3/29/08 X X X X X X X OlE X OlE X ---- -- --
M. McCallum 3/29/06 X X X X -- -- ---- -- -- -~ -- ---- ---- -- -- ---- ----
P. Michaud 3/29109 ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- ---- X X X X
J. Pardekooper 3/29/07 X X X 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- ----
J. Ponto 3/29/07 X X X X X X X X OlE X X OlE X
M. Schatteman 3/29/09 ---- ---- ---- ---- X ---- -- -- ---- ---- -- -- -- -- ---- -- --
G. Swaim 3/29/09 -- -- -- -- ---- ---- -- -- ---- -- -- ---- ---- X X X X
T. Toomey 3/29/09 -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- ---- ---- ---- -- -- X X
I J. Weissmiller 3/29/06 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- ---- ----
T. Weitzel 3/29/08 X X X X X X X X X OlE X X X
I
I Key:
X = Present
0 ~ Absent
OlE ~ Absent/Excused
NM ~ No Meeting
-- -- ~ Not a Member
fl1lat1-OIo
DRAFT
JUNE 2006 I P 2k
MINUTES
SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION
JUNE 20, 2006
G08/9- SENIOR CENTER
Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 3: 15 PM
Members Present: Betty Kelly, David Gould, Jay Honohan, Jo Hensch, and Nancy
Wombacher
Members Absent: Bob Engel and Sarah Maiers
Staff Present: Michelle Buhman and Linda Kopping
Others Present: Lynn Campbell and Dorothy Scandurra
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: To approve the May minutes as distributed. Motion carried on a vote of 4-
O. Kelly/Hensch.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Scandurra expressed concern that the increase in parking rates will negatively impact
participation at the Senior Center. On July 5, 2006 the parking rates will go from
$.60/hour to $.75 an hour. Scandurra felt the increase would make it difficult for people
to afford to come to the Center. Kopping explained that those who participate in the
discounted parking program could still purchase a Senior Center parking permit and that
the rate for these permits will not increase this year. It is anticipated that the Senior
Center parking rates will increase in FY08. The parking program costs the Senior Center
approximately $14,000 annually.
COMMISSION ASSIGNMENTS
Gould volunteered to write the web article. from this meeting. He will also report on the
meeting and miscellaneous Center activities to the Board of Supervisors and City
Council.
Honohan volunteered to write the web report to the Board of Supervisors and City
Council following the June Commission meeting.
PLANNING FOR VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION - Kopping
The Volunteer Recognition planning committee decided to hold a recognition breakfast
on Friday June 30 from 7:30 to 9:00 AM. As they have done for the past several years,
Elder Services' Senior Dining program has agreed to order the food and help with food
preparation the morning of the event. We will be serving pancakes, fresh fruit, sausage,
muffins, scrambled eggs and beverages. Nic Coffman's band will be performing at this
event.
DRAFT
JUNE 2006
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT
Promotion Committee -Hensch
Hensch reported on the June 20. 2006 meeting of the Promotion Committee.
Hensch reported that the committee expanded on their previous discussion of the Center
becoming more visible in community events such as the 4'h of July and Homecoming
parades. There was interest in organizing a drill or dance team that would carry a banner
identifying them as a Senior Center group. Kopping will explore options for obtaining a
banner. Hensch will find out the deadlines for participating in local parades.
A person new to the Iowa City area reported that the Coralvillellowa City Visitors Center
did not have any information about the Iowa City Senior Centers. The Promotion
Committee discussed this problem at their meeting and suggested creating a brochure
with general information about the Senior Center that also welcomes new people to the
area. The brochure also would be given to community groups around Johnson County.
In addition the committee discussed reviving the Newcomers Group.
The Commission suggested that the Newcomers Group have a monthly coffee or
luncheon.
Community Relations and Outreach Meeting - Wombacher
Wombacher reported from the Community Relations and Outreach Committee meeting.
The committee has decided to focus their efforts in two areas.
1. To deveiop a list of volunteer speakers willing to go out into the community and
give brief presentations about the Senior Center. The committee is working to
generate a list of specific service groups in the area that might be interested in
such a presentation.
2. To explore ways in which Center programs can be offered at sites away from the
Senior Center such as churches. community centers and retirement residences.
Once the program is defined and organized, the group plans to make the service
available to a few specific sites and evaluate its effectiveness.
OPERATIONAL REVIEW-Kopping
Staff reports were reviewed and discussed.
Commissioners were asked to help sell raffle tickets during the annual quilt raffle at the
Johnson County Fair and local Hy-Vee grocery stores. A sign-up sheet was routed.
Kopping reported that she was selected as one of six professionals to serve as a peer
mentor for a program sponsored by the National Council on the Aging and the MetUfe
Foundation. As a part of this program Kopping recently attended a training session
focusing on how to develop and facilitate the work of self-directed volunteer teams.
Kopping felt the training was very useful and noted that a follow-up session is planned
for next spring. Kopping distributed a press release outlining the program.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
None.
Motion: To adjourn. Motion carried on a vote of 5-0. Hensch/Kelly.
2
DRAFT
JUNE 2006
Senior Center Commission
Attendance Record
Year 2006
Name Term 1/24 2/21 3/21 4/18 5/23 6/20
Expires
Bob Enael 12/31/08 X X X X X OlE
David Gould 12/31/08 X X X X X X
Jo Hensch 12/31/06 X X X X X X
Jay Honohan 12/31/07 X X X X X X
Bettv Kelly 12/31/07 X OlE X X X X
Sarah Maier 12/31/06 X X X X X OlE
Nancv Wombacher 12/31/06 OlE OlE X X X X
Key:
X=
0=
O/E=
NM =
Present
Absent
Absent/Excused
No meeting
Not a member
3