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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-01-11 Bd Comm minutes�O\ 0 Minutes Comprehensive Plan Coordinating Committee December 9, 1976 -- 7 :30 p.m. City Manager's Conference Room Members Present: Jakobsen, Ogesen, Neuhauser, deProsse, Vetter Members Absent: Blum, Cain, Perret Staff Present: Geshwiler, Kraft, Kushnir, Osz man Guests Present: Barry Hokanson, Emil Brandt, Diary Folk, Edgar Folk Recommendations to the City Council: None Requests for Information or Staff Assistance: N one Summary of Discussion: Development of Land Use Plan Rick Geshwiler, Senior Planner, summarized recent progress and changes in the development of the Land Use Plan. He reported that the format of the topical reports will be changed. He indicated that their length will be shortened considerably; instead of being in the area of 100 pages long, they will be from eight to 20 pages in .length. Their new function will be to report as briefly as possible only that technical information which is directly related to planning decisions. He expressed the hope that this series of topical reports will be finished by the end of March or early April, so that their completion will coincide with the finalization of the plans for the Citizen Partici- pation Program (CP P) . Mr. Geshwiler projected that by April or May of 1977, the goals and objectives of the Land Use Plan would be stated; that by the end of May the Plan would be formalized; and that by the beginning of June an Interim Plan would be pre- sented for adoption to the City Council. Dennis Kraft pointed out that only a shortage of staff would prevent them from adhering to this projected schedule. Commit- tee member Neuhauser asked Mr. Kraft to elaborate on this point, and he said that there were two staff positions yet to be filled, those of Associate Planner and Assistant Planner. He added that he was optimistic that these vacancies soon would be filled with qualified people. 2S C1 —2— • Mr. Geshwiler reported the hiring of a new staff' person. Debra Martzahn, an Assistant Planner, will start work on December 27• Development of Zoning Ordinance Mr. Geshwiler expressed his feeling that because of time spent on the organization of OP P, the Zoning Ordinance has not been given enough attention. He said that there is now a lot more information available on zoning in various cities than was available previously, including information on the zoning of prime agricultural areas in Linn County near Cedar Rapids. He also mentioned that the 'staff has access to a copy of the Cedar Rapids Noise Ordinance, which should prove useful. Committee member Ogesen said he felt it very important that the Interim Land Use Plan and the Zoning Ordinance be ready for recommendation to the City Council at the same time, because of their interdependency. Both Mr. Geshwiler and Mr. Kraft concurred. Mr. Geshwiler explained that the public's agreement with the goals of the Land Use Plan must preceed any application of the Zoning Ordinance. People must understand the details and language of both documents, he said, so that requests for rezoning are in line with the goals of the Plan. Mr. Geshwiler pointed out that sewer extension is a problem related to both land use and zoning. He said that the staff had received a preliminary report from Veenstra and Kim (V and K) on sewage facilities. In their report, according to Geshwiler, V and K recommended that the new sewage facility be located 1500 feet south of the city limits, in- stead of several miles south, making the project less costly. The V and K report will soon be made public. Citizen Participation Program A press release entitled "Planning Committee To Begin Citizen Participation Program" was discussed. Mr. Gesh- wiler solicited reactions to the release from committee members. The consensus of opinion was that the press release was uninspired and not particularly well written. Committee member Ogesen, speaking for Chairman Blum (who was absent) and himself, said that the CPP as described in the release was neither exciting nor newsworthy. Other Committee mem= bers agreed, except for deProsse who felt that the press • • — 3— release, though dull, would serve as a firm basis for future, more creative releases. The Committee decided to issue a modified version of the press release on December 10 as scheduled. It was also decided that future releases and app roaches to publicity were to be more creative. The Citizen Participation Program document was discussed briefly. Mr. Geshwiler explained the flow chart and pointed out that the Program was still in an early phase. The cost of producing a "tabloid insert" was discussed. Mr. Geshwiler said that they were still awaiting cost estimates from the Interstate Shopper, Iowa city Press Citizen, and Goodfellow Company, Inc. Concern over the nature of the general survey questionnaire was expressed by several Committee members. Committee mem- ber Neuhauser criticized the wording of the sample ques- tions recorded at the November 22 meeting. She emphasized the importance of questions being structured to solicit intelligent answers. Committee member de Prosse suggested that the questionnaire contain only those questions which the Committee is prepared to answer and respond to. Commit- tee member Jakobsen said that the answers must be simple to code and that specific questions would draw more val- uable responses than open —ended questions. Organization of the surveying team was discussed. Committee members talked about the possibility of entertaining volun- teer surveyors before the actual project begins. A report by Human Services Planning and the Johnson County Regional Planning Commission was scheduled for Jan. 27. The meeting adjourned. Prepared bys ",G�n, Gi . ti. +✓ Ellen Oszmat Approved bys )44/0/ Jane )nkobsen for Patricia Cain, CPCC Secretary MINUTES COMPREINNSIVE PLAN COOM)INATING COMM11 "H I: NOVEMBER 22, 1970 -- 7:30 P.M. CITY MANAGER'S CONFIiUNCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBER ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: GUESTS PRESENT: Blum, Porret, Ogesen, Cain, Ncuhauscr, Vetter, dakobsen deProsse Berlin, Kraft, Kushnir, Milkman, Child Andrea Hauer RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL: None SUNSIARY OF DISCUSSION AND FORMAL ACTION TAKEN: Chairman Blum called the meeting to order and asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the meeting held on November 4, 1976. A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on November A was made by Ogesen, seconded by Cain, and carried unanimously. A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on November 10, 1976 was made by Ogesen, seconded by Vetter, and carried unanimously. Committee member Ogesen questioned whether copies of the Comprehensive Plan Revised Detailed Work Program had been widely distributed throughout the community. Committee and Staff members indicated that copies had been mailed to many groups and individuals in the community. Chairman Blum asked Committee members to express ideas and topics which they felt should be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan in general and the citizen participation process in particular. Marianne Milkman, Assistant Planner, stated that Charles Studen, Sasaki Associates, Inc., and Ron Thomas, Attic and Cellar, were to resolve the question of whether the survey and the citizen participation program should be geared around the work program topics already Identified or whether more '•open -ended questions" should be asked. Dennis Kraft, Director of Community Development, suggested the Inclusion of both open -ended questions and those focused on previously identified problems. Ile suggested that Sasaki. Associates and Attic and Cellar should make recommendations to the Comprehensive Plan Coordinating Committee based on what they had ascertained from meeting with the Committee, City Staff, and individuals and groups in the community. Committee members expressed some of the following concerns and questions which may be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan and the citizen participation process: ;-5 0 0 POPULATION Should there be growth or no growth of population? Should Iowa City be made more inviting for more people to move to the community? Should it be made more difficult for people to move to Iowa City? For business to be located in Iowa City? Should there be more government controls to make it more difficult for businesses to become established and for people to build homes? Should there be less government controls so that businesses can easily become established and people can build homes with fewer restrictions? How much growth can the City support? HOUSING Should the City apply more restrictions so as to increase the quality of housing or should the City relax restrictions so that housing can be built at a lower cost? What kind of housing will be needed 15 years from now? Are there ways to encourage the recycling of housing so that houses do not deteriorate to the point where they must be torn down or expensively reconstructed? ENVIRONMENT Is the present Iowa City environment satisfactory or does it need to be improved? Should there be publicly owned areas or are there already too many government regulations? Is there already too much government land off the tax roles? LAND USE What kind of residential areas would the community prefer? A mixture of housing types within a neighborhood? What are the preferences regarding parking in residential areas, e.g., on- street vs. off - street parking? What kind of commercial areas are preferred? Neighborhood convenience areas? Large shopping centers? A large central business district? Should industrial growth be encouraged? What kind of industrial growth? Is the present Iowa City zoning map satisfactory? Should the zones be changed in size or location, or should uses within the zones be changed? Is the pyramid principle of permitted uses in zones appropriate? Are more parking facilities in commercial areas needed? Wider streets? Would you be willing to live next to I -80? What kind of spatial development is preferred? ENERGY CONSIDERATIONS What are the preferences regarding energy considerations? Recycling? Should there be ordinances regarding recycling? Should there be rules on new construction for energy conservation measures? If there is an energy shortage, how will that affect people individually? Collectively? TRANSPORTATION Should Iowa City be auto dominated? Mass transit dominated? Pedestrian dominated? Cycle dominated? Should plans be made for efficient arterial streets to move large volumes of cars, or should smaller, curvilinear streets be planned to discourage vehicular movement? Assuming it is 15 years in the future, would you drive to work? 'rake a bus to work? Is there adequate transportation for the elderly and handicapped? f. •. 9 0 0 ECONOMY Is the economy of Iowa City desirable as it is, or should there be an increase through growth? Should there be more government controls regulating business or should there be less government controls and let business grow as it will? UTILITIES Are the utilities of Iowa City sufficient? Should private enterprise provide utilities with government regulation or should government provide all utilities? . URBAN DESIGN Is urban design in Iowa City as good as desired, or should government provide design review of all buildings? If not for all buildings, how many? CONNUNITY FACILITIES Are there too many community facilities present now, or not enough? Are they meeting the needs? If not, what needs should be met? CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Do the citizens have an adequate opportunity to express their views? Do the citizens feel "picked on" or harrassed? 0 HUMAN NEEDS If you live in Johnson County 15 years from now, where do you expect to live? In Iowa City? in the county? Arc recreational facilities adequate? Are they accessible to the handicapped? Is the public library adequate? Should it he expanded? What City services will be needed 15 years from now? Should there be licensed day care centers for the people in the community who need them? How important to you is the "quality of life ", i.e., green space, clean air, etc. What do,you like about your neighborhood? What don't you like? Neal Berlin, City Manager, stated that there is often an inconsistency with what people say they would like and what they are willing to pay for it. Committee member Neuhauser cautioned that people should be made aware of the difficulties in achieving some things that are desired and should understand that tradeoffs often have to be made. if the City is not prepared to deal with some questions, they should not be asked in the surveys, Neuhauser said. Committee member Ogesen stressed the importance of providing education for the people. People must be provided with adequate information, he said, before the neighborhood meetings begin. Neuhauser suggested that two groups be composed to add input to the Compre- hensive Plan. One group would be composed of businessmen to study and make recommendations regarding commercial and industrial development, how much growth the City can support, where the growth should be, etc. A second group would be composed of developers to study and make recommendations of ways to provide more affordable housing ( "not cheap housing "), to consider methods of energy conservation in development (i.e., insulation, window space, building construction, roofing color and material), etc. Committee member Cain expressed hope that goals and policies can be considered after the citizen participation process is completed. Mr. Kraft stated that by the time the citizen participation process is completed, most of the background studies will be completed in draft form. The material will be briefer, he said, and will not contain as much technical information as in the past. Also, he said, a more extensive staff review procedure will be developed. Marianne Milkman noted that two subjects were previously pointed out by the citizens: (1) the apparent lack of communication between the University, schools and the City; and (2) the feeling that neighborhood meetings will not be successful. --------------------------- Chairman Blum stated that the President of the Mobile Homeowner's Association had expressed interest in attending a CPCC meeting. Representatives of the organization are welcome to attend the next CPCC meeting, Chairman Blum said, although a later time might be more appropriate. II The meeting adjourned. Prepared by: Sherry Chi] DC//D�� Secret ry Approved by: /ft-i/Lt Lin , ( " n .( Patricia Cain CPCC Secretary 7e 0 0 MINUTES IOWA CITY HOUSING, COMMISSION DECEMBER 1, 1976 PUBLIC WORKS CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Branson, Fountain, Hibbs, Lombardi, Retish MEMBERS ABSENT: Kamath CITY STAFF PRESENT: Seydel, Rodgers OTHERS PRESENT: Harry Baum RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL 1. The Housing Commission has worked through the Rent with- holding Ordinance to the best of their ability and does not wish the Council to refer it back to them for further rework. 2. The dousing Commission automatically accepts Commissioner Bouschlick er's resignation because of information that she has moved out of town and recommends the Mayor take action to appoint a new member. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION 1. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Branson. 2. It was moved by Lombardi and seconded by Fountain to approve the minutes of November 17, 1976. Motion passed. 3. Regulations concerning conventional public housing were published in draft form in the Federal Register on November 18th for comments to be submitted thru December 20th. 4. A representative from the Kansas City Region Inspector General's Office will be in Iowa City looking at the Section 8 Program next week (December 6th) . This is an internal audit of the Des Moines Office of [IUD. 5. A letter has been sent to Mr. Ruben of HUD in Des Moines by the City Manager requesting that Mr. Ruben send appraisers to give preliminary site approval for four sites (three urban renewal and the old post office), a step that is necessary if we are going to designate specific sites for construction of low income housing. 6. Branson stated that the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) has asked what they can do for the Housing Commission. Seydel suggested a form of outreach work to the elderly for housing assistance would be helpful. 26 • e Page 2 Housing Commission December 1, 1976 7. The Mayor /City Manager have requested Seydel set up a meeting of all those agencies that provide services to the elderly in an attempt to gain a more unified effort. It is probable the meeting will take place sometime in January. 8. After a brief discussion, it was determined that the Housing Commission has worked through the Rent Withholding Ordinance to the best of their ability and does not wish the Council to refer it back to them for further rework. 9. Minimum Code. Burce Burke, Housing Inspector, is currently working with the Legal Staff on recommended changes. When that process is complete, a copy of the revised code will go to John Hayek for his concurrence. 10. Commission vacancy. It was moved by Hibbs and seconded by Retish that the Housing Commission automatically accept Commission Member Bouschlicker's resignation because of information that she has moved out of town and recommends the Mayor take action to appoint a new Housing Commission member. 11. The State Housing and Financing Authority is requesting the State Legislature include $50,000. in their budget to be used to aid HUD in implementing the Section 8 Program. It is the Housing Commission's opinion that state funds should not be used for that purpose. 12. Written comments presented by Harry Baum at the November 17th Housing Commission meeting regarding revision of Chapter 9.30.5J were discussed. Baum requested that the Commission submit those comments to the Legal Department for their evaluation. 13. It was moved by Lombardi and seconded by Hibbs that the meeting adjourn. Motion passed. NEXT MEETING - DECEMBER 15, 1976 8:30 a.m. PUBLIC WORKS CONFERENCE ROOM Fredine Branson a�a MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES DECEMBER 16, 1976 LIBRARY AUDITORIUM MEMBERS PRESENT: Buchan, Bezanson, Farber, Kirkman, Moore, Newsome, Ostedgaard, Richerson MEMBERS ABSENT: Hyman STAFF PRESENT: Eggers, Craig, Westgate, McGuire Summary of Discussion and Action Taken The Iowa City Public Library Board of Trustees met in regular session on December 16, 1976 with President Farber presiding. A slide -tape show about Iowa City Public Library's building needs prepared by library employee Susan Craig was previewed. It was done as a project in a library science class at the University of Iowa. Slides of the 3rd annual Model Railroad Show held at Iowa City Public Library on Saturdayy, November 20 1976 were also shown by Board member David Kirkman, member of the Model Railroad Club. Minutes of the regular meeting of November 18, 1976 were approved. Newsome /Bezanson Disbursements and financial reports were approved as presented. Newsome / Ostedgaar d. Director's report attached. President Farber gave a year -end review of the Board's accomplish- ments, citing especially progress made toward a new building and the establishment of FRIENDS of the Iowa City Public Library. It was announced that there are already over 60 members of FRIENDS with an average dues /contribution fee of over $10. It was noted that anyone, including Library Board, library and city employees are eligible to join. The Board announced plans for a party honoring all library staff members to be held Thursday, February 10, 8:00 P.M. at the home of Jeri Newsome. Contracts with the City Council of North Liberty and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors for FY1978 library service at $2.10 per capita were approved. Bezanson /Kirkman. Z7 • -2 0 The proposal from Robert Rohlf for consulting services for the selection of an architect and development of plans for a library building was given tentative approval. A formal contr act for consideration at the January meeting will be prepared. The Board approved the library's participation in two grant proposals. (Bezanson /Richerson) The first will be submitted by Iowa City Public Library to the State Library Commission requesting $1900 in LSCA funds to support library service to the county jail while developing a model for an inexpensive way to extend local public library service to county jail in- mates in Iowa. The second proposal w i 11 be submitted by Morty Sklar, to the Iowa Arts Council and involves the display and circulation of 50 non - commercial literary magazines at two public libraries in Iowa to measure use and promote awareness of "little" magazines. Meeting adjourned at 5:40 P.M. Riche rson /Moore. Respectfully submitted, ivian Buchan, Secretary • Director's Report FY1977 Expenditure Report 0 The library's FY1977 expenditures for the first five months are on target. We are over - expended, as usual, in repairs to the building, primarily because of repairs to the heating/ cooling system. The new system of giving each librarian a budgeted share of library materials budget has had the effect of expending the library materials budget at a more measured pace throughout the year. Bui-Uing 6 Equipment We have had proposals from Johnson Controls of thermostats and the air compressor.. It to $2900 depending on equipment chosen. I do anything until the system gives further absolutely necessary. for the replacement would cost from $2000 don't recommend we evidence that it is Personnel Nancy Segebarth, first - assistant in the Children's Room has resigned effective January B. She has taken a teaching job with the DeeD River School Svstem. The library has six work /study positions. These people work a total of 110 hours a week. Currently three of these positions are vacant and another leaves January 17. For the first time since 1971 when the program began we are having great difficulty filling these positions . This is a campus -wide problem. There are not enough students who meet work /study eligibility require- ments. We are in no way budgeted to replace these people with regular or temporary staff since we pay only 20% of work /study salaries. Work /study staff have been used to make up the dif- ference between real need and actual budgeted positions during recent years of heavy growth in use of the library with no com- parable growth in library staff. Without them we will have to cut back somewhere. FY1978 Budget The budget goes to the Council on December 31. The feedback I've received from the City Manager doesn't make me enthusiastic about the prospects for the next budget year. Anything cut from the budget as submitted will mean a cut -back in level of service. If we are unable to get the additional staff in Circulat ion,the work /study situation doesn't improve, we will have to adjust staf- fing from other departments or reduce hours.