HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-03-08 Info PacketC
• City of Iowa Ciii
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 4, 1977
TO: City Council
FROM: Mary Neuhauser "I.( 1Ih
RE: Meeting with First District Mayors
Tomorrow morning, from 9:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M., the mayors of the First
District will be meeting at the Highlander to discuss the concerns of the
cities vis-a-vis the Federal Government. I invite any of you who would be
interested in participating to come. Lunch will be served at $5.00 each.
• City of Iowa A
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 4, 1977
TO: mCity Council
FROM: ?d ycl Neuhauser `L(, C. N .
RE: Budget
On Tuesday night, I will suggest amending the revenue sharing budget to include
$3,600 to Aid to Agencies for the baseball -softball programs. I believe that
is an appropriate way to fund these as they are not strictly Iowa City Recrea-
tion Department programs.
Also, [ oppose the use of General Revenue Sharing funds for air conditioning
the Civic Center and will suggest that G.O. Bonds (which we had informally
authorized before) are the appropriate way to go. I believe that either park
project or partial funding for the new animal shelter can come from General
Revenue Sharing.
sib 1
0
HOUSE ENERGY CO3W11TEE - PUBLIC HFARTNG, WEDNT?SDAY, pMCH 2, 1977, 7:00 P.M.
RE: STATEWIDE MINhMI DEPOSIT ON BEVERAGE CONTAINERS
BY: DAVID PERRLT
MEI4dBER, IOWA CITY CITY COUNCIL
Representative O'Halloran, Senator Scott, and members of the Committee. Thank you
for providing me an opportunity to express my views concerning a bill proposing
a minimum deposit on all beverage containers in Iowa.
The City of Iowa City strongly supports the concept of requiring a minimum deposit
on all beverage containers and regulation of their use in the State of Iowa. Two
weeks ago, the Iowa City City Council passed unanimously a resolution that I sponsored
which endorses the minimum deposit proposals as introduced by members of the General
Assembly, by Governor Robert Ray, the Iowa Natural Resources Council, and others.
Throwaway beverage containers impose a burden which society cannot afford. Throw-
aways are a waste of valuable resources and energy. There are other speakers here
tonight who can more adequately testify to that fact that I can.
Throwaway bottles and cans place increasingly a burden on the litter and solid waste
collection and disposal programs of the city. Approximately 7 percent of the municipal
solid waste in Iowa City are discarded beverage containers - and represent the fastest
growing segment of that waste. In an era of increasing landfill and more stringent
environmental regulations, the 7 percent figure is significant. A conservative
estimate has shown that a deposit law would guarantee a 70 percent reduction of
beverage container waste - which works out to a 5 percent reduction in the total
municipal solid waste generated in Iowa City.
To give you an idea of the percentages of other types of solid waste, with the
exceptions of paper and construction material, they consist of metallics - 9%,
food wastes - 141, yard wastes - 5%, glass - 9%, plastics - 1%. Iowa City may,
in the foreseeable future, consider source separation and recycling recoverable
solid wastes as additional methods in saving landfill costs.
i
The consumer and the retailer are also paying an increased price for the no -return,
R no -deposit container, A recent grocery store survey in Iowa City indicated that
consumers pay 1.3 to 1.9 cents per o�unce for soft drinks in non -returnable cans
and 0.9 to 1.0 cents per ounceorf t esame beverage in returnable bottles (not
counting deposit). The consumer and the retailer will save an average of 4 cents
on a returnable over a throwaway because the cost of the returnable is spread over
many trip -uses (average of 10 to 15 trips), while the cost of the non -returnable
container is absorbed in one trip -use.
Under our local home rule rights, Iowa City could and still might enact its own
minimum deposit ordinance (particularly is the Legislature fails to enact one), but
it is preferable to the consumer as well as to the retailer and distributor as a
whole to see a state-wide program rather than a piecemeal local approach.
Thank you.
517
•
REFUTATION OF CERTAIN STATBENTS BY M. M. S. CRONIN OF THE IOWA SOFT DRINK
ASSOCIATION:
Fact H1 - Dealers may refuse to accept and refuse to pay the refund on
any beverage container that is not clean.
Fact H2 - "Alcoa claims that eight of Oregon's 29 bottlers have sold out
within two years of the bill. This is proportional to the number
of independent small bottlers selling out to large concerns nation-
wide, regardless of legislation. It should be noted that selling
out is different from going out of business. Ho bottling plant
in Oregon has shut down since the bottle bill was passed. There
is no Oregon store, large or small, that has gone out of business
as a result of the bottle bill." ''
Fact 03 - In a recent letter to Governor Robert Ray, John Piacentini, President
of Plaid Pantry Stores (the second largest chain for grocery stores
in Oregon and iihich accounts for 29% of the state's total beer and
soft drink sales) stated:
"I would not support any legislation that would put me out of
business. And the Oregon Bottle Bill has not put me out of business.
I am for it 100%."
*"All's Well on the Oregon Trail," Fnvironmental Action Foundation, 724
Dupont Circle Building, Washington, D.C. 20036
r
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• City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 1, 1977
TO: Department Heads
FROM: City Manager yvl-
j
RE: Contracted Public Improvement Projects
A portion of the City Council's informal sessions will be reserved to review
all public improvenent projects that require Council approval. This discussion
will take place on the Monday before the Council is scheduled to have the
public hearing.
The department head responsible for the project or the City Engineer normally
will make the presentation. It will be the department head's responsibility
to inform the Manager of the plans and specifications of the project prior to
the Council discussion. Also, the department head and the City Engineer will
provide the Manager with all relevant information concerning the project,
including plans and specifications, when the hearing or any other action by
the Council is scheduled.
This new method of reporting will provide a better understanding of the nature,
cost,'and requirements of all public works projects by the Council.
cc: City Council
519
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 23, 1977
TO: City Council
Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: City Manager
RE: Regional PI for Parks, Recreation and Open Space, First
Plan Update, 1977, Johnson County Regional Planning Committee
While virtually all of the projects included for Iowa City in
the plan (pages 76 and 77) were either included in the Iowa City
Parks and Recreation Plan, 1976-1980, adopted by the City
Council on January 27, 1976, or in various Capital Improvement
Plan discussions, there has been a change in some projects
primarily because of the passage of time. Therefore, it would
be appropriate for the Parks and Recreation Commission and the
City Council to approve the listing. The report has been
referred to the City for review by the Johnson County Regional
Planning Committee.
The Parks and Recreation Commission should schedule the list
for discussion at an early data and refer the recommendation
to the City Council.
cc: Director, Parks and Recreation Department
511?
• johnson county
• • regional planning commission
• 7910 ruuth dubu(pin ;hent, lawn rily. mwn !024() 1399051 M56 Emil 1. Biordt
February 22, 1977
MEMO
TO Neal Berlin
FROM: Emil Brandt
RE : Status of JC PC Parks Plan Update
The purpose of this memo is to explain the current status of
the update to the Regional Plan for Parks, Recreation and Open
Space, and also to detail the next steps for local review.
At its regular meeting last Wednesday, the Regional Planning
Commission adopted the Plan Update as recommended by its com-
mittee, and referred it to local agencies for review, consider-
ation and adoption. The Commission's action was subject to
minor corrections explained by the staff, including such items
as the addition of maps for each of the small cities in the
county.
The review process discussed at the Commission meeting was to:
1) solicit review and adoption by local agencies; 2) accomodate
such adjustments as requested by local agencies by amending
the Plan Update; and 3) publish the final plan as adjusted and
adopted.
At this time we are trying to expedite the completion of initial
corrections to meet the Iowa Conservation Commission's eligi-
bility requirement for the City of Coralville. The quarterly
funding period requires eligibility by March 1, 1977.
We will shortly be forwarding to you and the City Council copies
of this corrected document. There will be ample time, as needed,
for the Parks and Recreation Commission, the staff, and the
City Council to review the report and make whatever adjustments
necessary prior to publication of a final plan.
0 0
HAYEK. HAYEK & HAYEK
WILL J. HAYEK ATTORNEYS AT LAW
JOHN W. HAYEK 110 EAST WASHINGTON STREET
C. PETER HAYEK IOWA CITY. IOWA 52240
March 2, I977
Mr. Bruce Haupert, Chairperson
Iowa City Design Review Committee
222 South Linn Street
P. O. Box 2447
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Re: Design Review Ordinance
Dear Bruce:
AREA CODE 319
337-9606
I just wanted to remind you of the need to have the proposed
design review ordinance coordinated with the Iowa City comprehensive
plan, now under development. I believe that any criteria and standards
developed should be developed through the comprehensive planning
process or at least in conjunction with that process. I would suggest
that you visit with Dennis Kraft, the Director of Community Development,
in order to coordinate the work of your committee with the City's work
_. on the comprehensive plan.
Very trul, yo s,
WW. Hayek
JWH:vb
cc: 1,eity Council
FoLE0
MAR 31977 D
� "B►E STOLFUS.
CITY CLERK
sz0 1
,OON I,MJi ma.,[xuvn I...,O1nr<n, I...
WITOenry WRIT OF INJUNCTION
STATE OF IOWA ................ .0!j-=, r............................County, es.
THE STATE OF IOWA, TO ....... OV of .. .. Ta Ft C4:Zt•• Iain•••••••,•_••••••••••••
...........
...... _....... _........................................................................................................................................Defendant;
WHEREAS,-...Sla;�:.s� E...:"nnnP1•h.�.%i�}�Lt3Cilt r••.Ci?Y lLS707C-:.k)iffy C7 H3i7•.................
B�S:v31s. Furl Yn•�rr,CotiT!;??u;•1:.X73..C9. ...............................................
...................................... 77
as Plaintiffs-, he...zi...� �•t �3�1 d�
sitisdlpyt fl� in the office of the Clerk of the District Cour. of...Jatn::on.......
County aforesaid,'a certain Petition, under oath, making...Cit ,..oE..ict n..rit c,..ira et ................
............. ................................................................................................................ Defendant ........ therein; and
WHEREAS, also, the said Petition has been duly present to the Hon ...................:
.....................
"!? Px2k..i 1..i1Sm5^»] 1.. JE.......................................................Judge of the District Court of the......G#7:...
Judicial District within which Is Included ............ Johnson ....................County, for the allowance of a
WRIT OF INJUNCTION, as prayed for in said petition; and whereas, the said Judge made an
order allowing said Writ of Injunction to issue, restraining said Defendant................In manner and
form hereinafter stated, upon the filing of a bond, with sureties, pursuant to said order; and
whereas the said order has been complied with, and said bond filed and approved:
NOW, THEREFORE, you the said....... Gj t X. of••rpya.1..Czt}t,...rcara
Defendant ........ as aforesaid, in the name and by the AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF IOWA, are
hereby strictly enjoined and restrained from... 4Il t2ti^1Z17t4..�lltklx:7r..IXlgsk� lx kllxri..pR�xt,.kh�....
�2-wt9.t...4i?> brWik:.bidIdIAa..allwkA:tQ--1 z..the..r'.i-WUJ>:la..of.-Uirt.D%tJ=..Qf..thl3....
[[zt:l;��rJ�:l..olzinio:i.�nii�.x7..F,inal..dQharntistiticy-t..ls'..tha..lli.rl:r.,isk..Colirt..aE..tlu�...isuua �.
rai,trxl..ixi:..tJr..siLvn..r:;a:xrnr l..l > ui` --
..1............-�STF.i.T.1T..I7`f,S.IT. P.. Ri.:t:7.J::::........1............................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
until the further order of said District Court in the premises.
fsachor
•.................................................
......................
_ Cler................of the District Cour
\C (\^
• — By....�..�liC.J Depu ,
TO THE SHERIFF OF.................7°hn.....................COUNTY:
............
You are hereby commanded to make due service of this writ upon said Defendant ............. and
hereof fall not, and make return of this writ unto our said District Court, with your doings hereon
endorsed, on the first day of the next term of said Court.
WITNESS my 0111CIa�l�signature as Clerk of said Court, and the seal thereof
hereto affixed this.......°1..Aby of. ................... ztrl:�?..................................... 18.77..
' d.Yrt..inh^r .Cler .
............. ........................................:.....................
ll7 MAR 41977 sy.......
" .
ABBIE STOLFUS D ptr'
CITY CLERK
'21
I`t THE I091A D.LSiTR CT COU tT
I71 A21D FOR JOHNSON COUNTY
J MAR
4!977
WAYNE KEMPF; et al, )
NUjIESTOLFUS
Plaintiff, )
No. 4361.1 CITY
CLERK
VS. )
RULING 014 AP11T.ICATION
FOR 'PEMPORARY INJUNCTION
CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, )
Defendant. )
Hearing was held before the -undersigned on March 3, 1977,
a on plaintiff's Application for Temporary Injunction in the above
captioned cause of action. Plaintiffs appeared by William Meardon 1
and James McCarragher. Defendant appeared by Angela Ryan and
Tony Kushnir.
Evidence was received and the cause submitted.77
co
FINDINGS OF FACT
w
The Court has jurisdiction of the subject matter and„the-
r,>
parties herein. -
Subsequent to obtaining a building permit from the defendant
construction of a 29 -unit apartment complex was commenced on the
property described in Exhibit "A". Erection of the building had
reached the stage whereby the first floor joists were in place
and subflooring had been laid when the defendant by letter dated -
January 19, 1977, notified plaintiffs of problems which could
culminate in the revocation of the building permit and requested
that plaintiffs voluntarilyceaseconstruction. Plaintiffs ceased
construction at that point in time and subsequently on February 9,
a
1977, L•he defendant: by letter revoked the aforementioned building
permit.
At the time that construction was stopped upon request of
defendant an investment• of more• than $79,000.00 for labor awl
materials instaJled and on hand had been made in r_he aforementioned
project. Additional contract• committments in excess of $1.26,000.00
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were ill C:Xl:il:htl Cr? ;1:i of thill. I Lina
Coaarlt.ioll or this, r;onstrnctiun
project will, gr.,.:qtly injur pininL:i.EE by rO,%Son OF ntLaclune:nt of
unforeseen additional expenses and projected losceS insafar as
rental income is concerned.
CONCLUSION" OF LAW
Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 321 provides for the issuance
of a temporary injunction when the petition supported by:_atfid'aviU.
shows the plaintiff is entitled to relief which includeli restraining
the commission or continuance of some act which would greatly=or. -
irreparably injur the plaintiff. ;•>
co
RULING
IT IS THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT that the plaintiffs have
met the burden of proof placed upon them by the aforementioned
Rule of Civil Procedure and they are therefore entitled to the
issuance of a writ for temporary injunction.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that upon the plaintiffs posting•a
bond with sufficient surety acceptable to the clerk of this court
in the amount of $500.00 that a writ of temporary injunction be
issued restraining and enjoining the defendant from preventing
further construction upon the 29 -unit apartment building alluded
to in the Findings of Fact portion of this opinion pending final
determination by the District Court of the issues raised in the
above captioned lawsuit.
1T IS i'URTHER ORDERED that trial of thnso remaining issues
in the above captioned lawsuit be'had on March 17, 1777, commencing
at 9:00 a.m.
oL
MAR 41977
r►rJBIE STOLFUS
CITY CLERK
Dated this 3rd day of March, 1977.
L,
cc:
S9i11ia1% ;Reardon
City Attorney
ci.•il Di:itrict„oE
e
• City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 8, 1977
TO:
Neal Berlin
FROM:
RE:
Angela Ryan (v✓
Procedure to Protest Against Rezoning under Section 414.5, Iowa Code
No specific format is necessary for a petition. It should contain
a brief description of the proposed rezoning to which they object,
and the fact that those signing are property owners. Since tenants do
not have standing to protest, those seeking signatures should be
sure to obtain the signature of the property owner, preferably
both husband and wife or other joint.owners.
Twenty per cent of the following property owners have standing
to require an extraordinary majority vote: either the property
owners of the lots included in the proposed change; the lots
immediately adjacent in the rear thereof extending the depth
of one lot or not to exceed two hundred (200) feet therefrom; or
the lots directly opposite thereto, extending the depth of one
lot or not to exceed two hundred (200) feet frau the street
frontage of such opposite lots.
When the petition is presented to the City Council, the protesters
should bring it to the Council's attention that they believe
they have the signature of the required 20% of property owners.
At that time, the Council would take time to have the signatures
verified before proceeding with the vote.
Angela Ryan
.sz 2
s
• City of Iowa Ci*
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 1, 1977
✓Neal Berlin, City Manager P
TO: Dennis Kraft, Director of Community Development I
FROM: Paul Glaves, Redevelopment Program Coordinator
RE:
Urban Renewal Activities
1. Following is a summary of Urban Renewal activities carried out during the two
week period ending February 28, 1977:
a. Re -drafted the summary of design project parameters for the street rights-
of-way. Incorporated suggested revisions and sent the revised memorandum
to Associated Engineers and Sasaki Associates.
b. Reviewed the material regarding the "Urban Reinvestment Task Force" for
applicability to downtown Iowa City.
c. Called Nemo's on four occasions, to inquire what their intentions were
regarding the modular unit. Each time I left a message for my call to be
returned. No calls were returned. Sent a 90 -day Notice to Vacate on
February 23, receipt of which was acknowledged on February 24.
d. Submitted an additional budget explanation to HUD, which set forth in detail
the expenditures since 1975 in three budget lines.
e. Researched the relocation and acquisition regulations to determine the
applicability of the regulations to incidental real property closing costs
on property purchased by a relocatee. Provided the information to William
Meardon at his request.
f. Sent a letter to all mall tenants setting forth the rent due date, and
reminding all tenants that timely payment of rent is expected.
g. Sent a letter to Epsteins Books, advising them of City policy regarding
assignment of leases and sale of businesses.
h. Reviewed the appraisals and appraisal reviews for project land. Prepared
a staff report regarding re -use valuation.
i. Reviewed the inventory of parking spaces within the CBD. Projected new
space requirements and possible system deficiencies.
j. Reviewed the 1974 project financing plan, the new re -use values, the value
of land in inventory, and project financial feasibility. Compiled a
comparison of land transaction revenues and expenditures based on 1974 value
of land and 1977 value of land.
.5.�3
Neal Berlin and Dennis Kraft
March 1, 1977
Page 2
k. Reviewed the marketability information, the appraised values, the proposed
land uses, and the disposition schedule to insure project feasibility.
1. Met with Don Zuchelli and Scott MacDonald of Zuchelli, Hunter and Associates;
and Jack Leaman of Associated Engineers. Met with Council for a check point
meeting.
m. Received a request for permission to take soil borings on behalf of a
potential developer from N24S Consultants. Granted permission for them to
take borings on parcels 93-1 and 101-2.
n. Reviewed proposed new parking requirements for the CBS zone, and other
commercial zones.
February 2.2, 1977
.John C. mci,aughlin
1715 Rochester Court
Jowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Mr. McLaughlin:
Cr/�l/�.
�vn I II,I^I�I;,.,�; +IInU..I�d,•J
Flo Stockman, Chairperson of the Park and Recreation Commission, has
referred your questions on the Ilappy Hollow Storm hater Detention to
Public Pforks for consideration.
in order to present my replies in as coherent a form as possible, I
will print the paragraph you refer to in your letter, restate your
.:i{iicstion, and then provide the answer.
Report: "The project also includes regrading the park and hall field
to eliminate potholes and installing plastic tile to drain
the ball field after inundation."
Question: What is the extent of regrading necessary?
Answer: Originally it was anticipated that only the lora spots in the
outfield would be filled in to promote drainage. Since
preparation of the environmental review record, it has been
decided to move the entire ball diamond into the northeast
r corner of the Park at the same time the storm water detention
;,.. structure is built. At the time the ball diamond is nw,eed
it will he carefully graded to insure proper water drainage.
■
Report: "The area disturbed by construction would he seeded or sodded.
No trees or shrubs would be removed and no proposed grades
would be greater than 4 to 1."
Question: flow many trees and shrubs would be inundated in a 100 -year
storm? and for how long? in a 25 -year storm?
Answer: Attached to this letter is an aerial photograph of Ilappy (follow
Park with lines showing the storage level and drainage time for
various frequency storms. As noted on the drawing, the 100 -year
storm would take approximately 18 hours to drain. As a side note,
the 100 -year stnrm has never occurred. The LTees involved in
water storage are shown nn the aerial photograph and they are
mainly clustered around the shrltcr.
sa 5�
John C. McLaughlin • •
Page 2
Report: "Because of the particular location of this site and its unique
shape and characteristics, it crm be very easily adapted to
store approximately 9 acre-feet of storm water, and by restricting
the discharge rate from the present 46 cfs to S cfs, the park
would be capable of containing the excess runoff from a 100 -year
storm and eliminate this excess from Ralston Creek flood flows."
Question: Under what conditions do you get a "present" discharge rate of
46 cfs? Khat percentage of the Ralston Creek flood tide is
contributed by the Happy Hollow drainage in 100 -year storm?
25 -year storm? If the excess from Happy Hollow is eliminated
what will he the effect in actual measurement on the height of
Ralston Creek flooding, and on the duration of flooding under
various rainfall conditions?
Answer: The 46 cfs is the 100 -year uncontrolled discharge rate. The
maximum 100 -year flow of Ralston Creek to the downtown is
approximately 5000 cfs. The 25 -year flow of Ralston Creek
is approximately 3000 cfs. The change in flood heights and
duration of flooding after construction of the Happy Hollow
storage area is small enough to be immeasurable in light of
the many other variables affecting flood flows. I believe it
is important to note that no one at any time has ever suggested
that construction of the Happy Hollow storm water detention
:,ite will solve all Ralston Creek flooding problems, and I
would like to expand on this point toward the end of the letter.
Report: "The orifice opening in the outlet or discharge pipe would be
sized to permit complete drainage of the storage facility (from
maximum capacity resulting from a 100 -year storm) in approx-
imately 24 hours after rainfall has ceased."
Question: 1?hat would be the area of inundation in a 100 -year storm? How
long after drainage from such a storm would the playing field
" and other facilities be serviceable? lbw much debris and soil
would he deposited on the field after a major storm?
Answer: The attached aerial photograph indicates the area of inundation
and the drainage time. Tt will be noted that drainage time is
estimated to be 24 hours in the environmental review record and
18 hours on the aerial photograph. The 18 hours is the correct
figure which was derived from a more precise mathematical analysis
which was done prior to preparing detailed plans and specifications.
The playing field and other facilities would be serviceable in about
the same amount of time as they are serviceable after a heavy
rainfall. Neither the consultant or myself has detailed knowledge
as to this length of time. The amount of debris and soil left on
the field depends on the upstream watershed, in particular the piece
of ground directly north of Happy Hollow. If it stays raw, undeveloped,
uncovered land, there will he soil entering the park as it does now.
The same condition applies to debris. Storm water detention would
tend to increase the amount of soil deposited in the park since the
mud and dirt would drop out of suspension while the water is being
stored.
John C. McLaughlin•
Page 3
Report: "Regrading and minor adjustments in the location and orien-
tation of the ball dimmond would not only make it less
susceptible to inundation, but wnuld result in an improved
facility, as well as making more usable space avnilable for
other recreational activities."
Question: Explain how "regrading and minor adjustments" would result
in "an improved facility" (how improved?) and "more usable
space'.' (how much more space and what could it he used for?)?
Answer: This paragraph refers to the feasibility of moving the ball
diamond into the northeast corner of the park. The ground
slopes upward toward the northeast corner of the park and
movement of the ball diamond to a different location would
take most of the ball diamond out of the inundated area even
in a 100 -year storm. Since most of the ball diamond would
not have any water storage on it, any question relating to
storm water storage would he eliminated. Movement of the
diamond would then allow more open space for other purposes.
The other purposes would have to he decided by the Park and
Recreation Commission, and/or the Park and Recreation Director.
Report: "The project will help lessen the extent of flood damage in
the lower reaches of the Ralston Creek watershed, including
not only homes, businesges and other properties located on the
flood plain, but those properties located outside the flood
plain that are affected by sanitary sewer backup, street
blockage and other flood -related problems."
Question: During the last decade what has been the extent in dollar value
of flood damage to homes, businesses and other properties (?)
in the lower reaches of Ralston Creek. Precisely what properties
have suffered loss?
Answer: The most definitive estimate of flood damape was done by the
Corps of Engineers in their 1966 report. The total estimated
damage throughout the watershed was approximately $300,000. The
Corps of Engineers report summarized damage data and obtaining
damage figures for only the lower reaches would involve a research
of the Corps records in Rock Island, Illinois. If this subject
continues to be of interest we can do the necessary research. The
exact properties that suffered loss are also detailed in the Corps
of Engineers data in Rock Island. 1 have enclosed a map showing
the limits of the 100 -year flood and cost (Iota on the 1962 flood.
This gives a rough idea of the properties that would suffer damage
during the 100 -year flood, although the exact amount of damage
depends upon the depth of water, the value of the property and
contents, etc.
John C. McLaughlin •
Page 4
•
Report: "The entire population of lown City would benefit by the project
as a result of onhrniced property values, a reduction of flood
damage losses and by minimizing; the interruption of traffic
because of inundation of various streets."
Question: This statement is not just an exaggeration --it is patently false.
Neither I nor my family nor my property will henefit one whit
from this project. I live on the cast side of the City which
means I have to cross Ralston Creek to get home from work. Tn
nineteen years, Ralston Creek flooding, has perhaps cost me
fifteen minutes of inconvenience. May we have precise figures
on exactly who will benefit from the project (if in fact --still
to be demonstrated --there will be any benefit to anyone)?
Answer: The benefits referred to are benefits to society as a whole and
to specific property owners who are flooded. Those properties
which are not flooded, such as your home, do incur less costs
than victims whose homes are flooded. Costs to properties that
are not flooded include costs of ambulance, fire and police
protection due to flooded streets, costs in tax dollars for
clean -tip work by the street division, the polluti6n control
division, and the water division and decreased property tax
revenues due to lower values incurred by properties that have
sustained flood damage. Flood control benefits all members
of the community, however, not in equal proportion. Prime
beneficiaries of flood control would be those victims whose
properties are flooded chile minor beneficiaries would be those
persons such as yourself who own property further tip in the ,
watershed where flooding does not occur to the extent present
in the lower reaches of the watershed.
As stated earlier, it has never been suggested that Happy
It Hollow will solve the entire Ralston Creek flooding problem.
Tn discussing the benefits of decreased flood damage, it should
be understood that the environmental review record is referring
to Happy Hollow storm water storage in conjunction with other
measures such as the Eastside Detention Structure and the Hickory
Hill Stricture.
Report: "The project goal is to minimize flood damage in the Ralston
Creek watershed by controlling the rate of storm water runoff."
Question: Since the proposal nowhere states what proportion of Ralston
Creek flooding is contributed by Happy Hollow drainage, it is
not clear what the extent of the minimization will be. Please
explain.
Answer: The involvement of Iowa City with Ralston Creek flooding problems
goes back to the early 1930's. A review of past performance
indicates a complete failure by the City and its citizens to
successfully attack Ralston Creek flooding. Tn my professional
John C. McLaughlin• •
Page 5
opinion, the failure to solve Ralston Creek flooding prohlrms
has been the result of two things: First, most projects
presented have been single purpose projects of such a massive
scale that the political and social obstacles could simply not
be overcome. For instance, in 1066 the Corps of Engineers
presented a proposal for a trapizoidal channel approximately
100 feet wide through the Ralston Creek watershed. The cost
was in excess of $3,000,000. The social upheaval caused by
the demolition of hundreds of properties and the construction
of this size of channel through the middle of the community
were obstacles that could not be overcome. Secondly, $3,000,000
was not available.
The concept proposed by Powers -161 lis, and one which in my
professional opinion will work, is to solve the problem by
bits and pieces. certainly, a more desirable path is to come
up with a massive ail encompassing plan and build it over a
period of one or two years. Forty years of failure have
indicated that this type of approach simply will not work.
Ralston Creek will be solved by one, or two moderate size
projects such as Hickory Hill Park and the Eastside Detention
Structure, together with a combination of several small projects.
One key element has been passage of the Storm Water Management
Ordinance. This ordinance will require subdivisions in excess
of two acres to also detain storm water. Just as Ilappy Hollow
water storage will not singly solve Ralston Creek flooding
problems, neither will passage of the Storm 11ater Management
Ordinance. The key point is that they are the beginning steps.
Perhaps fifteen years control of more and more acreage through
the Storm Eater Management Ordinance and installation of storm
water storage areas such as Happy hollow will alleviate the
worst part of the flooding problems.
Perhaps, because of my extensive involvement with the Ralston
Creek flooding problems, I have come to reject strongly any
advocates of a one project solution to Ralston Creek flooding.
In direct answer to your question, Happy hollow will not by
itself solve the Ralston Creek flooding problems. Together
with hickory Hill, the Eastside Detention Structures, and
the numerous storm water detention areas that are being built
by subdividers, Ralston Creek flooding will be alleviated.
Report: "The City Council of the City of Iowa City has given a high
priority to the development of solutions to the Ralston Creek
Flood problem. These needs and objectives are set out in the
Community Development Plan .Summary submitted to II11D by the City
of Iowa City for the program year of ,July 1, 1976, to .June 30,
1977. The needs and objectives outlined include initiating a
comprehcnsi4e study of the watershed and developing immediate
and long range measures which can be undertaken to accomplish
this task."
John C. McLaughlin•
Page 6
•
Question: The cost of studying the Ralston Creek problem over the last
Report: "The installation of subsurface drain tile beneath the ball field
together with regrading will facilitate drainage and permit use
of the field soon after a storm. Suitable subsurface drainage in
the heavy clays that are prevalent on the site can be obtained
by providing an adequate system of subsurface drain tile."
twenty years must by now have reached astronomical proportions.
There is only one viable solution to flood plain problems, and
this has been known to environmental engineers for years. The
City of Iowa City has spent thousands of taxpayer dollars trying
to find solutions that won't work. flow long, oh Lord, how long?
Answer:
Contrary to a very common notion, the City of Iowa City has not
spent much money out-of-pocket for studies on Ralston Creek.
All of the studies that have been done up to 1974 were funded
by other governmental agencies such as the Soil Conservation
.
Service and the Corps of Engineers. The first out-of-pocket
costs for Ralston Creek studies started in December of 1974 when
Powers -Willis was hired to do a Comprehensive Watershed Manage-
ment Plan. The study will be done by approximately June of 1977.
Report:
"If the project is not implemented, homes and businesses on the
flood plain will continue to suffer flood damage. As a result,
the quality of housing on the flood plain will continue to
diminish, health hazards continue to exist during periods of
_
heavy rainfall and the overall quality of human environment
will decline."
(question:
Present the evidence, please, that if the project is implemented
homes and businesses (what happened to "other properties"?)
will not continue to suffer flood damage. What has been the
total dollar loss in housing over the last decade? What health
hazards? The quality of human environment will decline from what
to what?
Answer:
Implementation of the Happy Hollow Project together with other
major and minor projects on the Creek will decrease flood damage.
The evidence is basically mathematical in that detention of storm
water can be used to reduce the peak water discharge of a flood.
�a
The total dollar loss in housing is available from Corps of
Engineers Reports in Rock island.
Ifealth hazards refer to those created by overloaded sanitary
sewers. It has been learned from experience that during flooding
most sanitary sewers in the Ralston Creek watershed quickly fill
up with storm water. This causes back-up of sanitary sewage into
basements of homes. Raw sanitary sewage contains many bacteria
which are harmful to human health. The question of human environ-
ment refers to the quality of life or loss thereof that results
from flooding.
Report: "The installation of subsurface drain tile beneath the ball field
together with regrading will facilitate drainage and permit use
of the field soon after a storm. Suitable subsurface drainage in
the heavy clays that are prevalent on the site can be obtained
by providing an adequate system of subsurface drain tile."
John C. McLaughlin •
Page 7
0
Question: How soon after a storm will use be able to resume?
Answer: The attached aerial photograph indicates detention times.
After the stored water leaves the park, drying tine will
depend upon relative humidity, cloud cover, outside temp-
erature, etc. Given the large number of variables, it is
impossible to give an exact drying time in hours.
Report: "After construction, the storage facility will help reduce
erosion along, Ralston Creek by reducing the magnitude of
peak flows."
Question: What is the present rate of erosion?
Answer: Rates of erosion are not quantified in urban areas. The
Soil Conservation Service can give rates of erosion in
the rural parts of the Ralston Creek watershed which are
in row crops and otherwise cultivated. In general, a
cultivated field with no erosion control may lose an
excess of 100 tons per acre per year while a heavily
vegetated field may lose as little as five tons per acre
per year.
Report: "The proposed project will help improve traffic circulation
in the city by minimizing the amount of flood waters that
inundate various streets in the event of a major flood."
Question: What streets are inundated during a major flood? and for
how long? By "major flood" do you mean 100 -year storm?
25 -year storm? what?
Answer: Attached is a map showing the general areas of flooding
and the streets that are inundated are shown on the map.
In the 1972 storm, which was about the 20 -year storm,
streets were covered for 2-3 hours. The term "major flood"
refers to any flood which causes damage to private property.
In the case of Ralston Creek, any storm in excess of about a
5 -year storm causes flood damage of various places along the
crack.
Report: "The proposed action will have a positive affect on properties
in the lower reaches of Ralston Creek by reducing flood damage.
Many of the homes in the area are presently occupied by a higher
percentage of lower income families, thus the proposed improve-
ments would help benefit those with greatest need.
John C. McLaughlin• •
Page 8
Question:
Ilow many homes in the area are ercupied by lower income
families? Do they live on the flood plain because property
values and taxes are lower in this area? Will their taxes
increase when their property values increase?
Answer:
Attached is the preliminary report from the Department of
Coamunity Development indicating incomes in residential
areas. Lower income families due tend to live on the
flood plain because property values and taxes in specific
areas are lower. A detailed study by Powers -Willis shows
that the difference between flood plain property and non -
flood plain property is negligible in the east end of town.
However, through the more central areas there is about a
10 to 15% difference in assessed valuation between property
on the flood plain and non -flood plain property. As
flooding is reduced, property taxes will increase as
property values increase.
Report:
"The proposed project will not affect aesthetics except
that long-term benefits could result from the improvement
of properties that would be less susceptible to flood
damage if the project is implemented."
Question:
What are bhe long-term benefits envisioned, and what kind
of improvements?
Answer:
At the present time many persons in the flood plain are
reluctant to improve their property due to reoccurring
flooding. With the elimination of a flooding threat
it is anticipated the property owners will not be
reluctant to improve property.
X
General Questions
Question:
What is the projected total cost of the project?
Answer:
Anticipated cost is approximately $15,000 plus cost of the
Hayek property.
Question:
What other similar projects are projected to control Ralston
Creek flooding? And at what total cost?
Answer:
The two major projects identified at the present time are
the East Side Detention Structure at a cost of $665,000 and
the Ilickory Hill project at a cost of $750,000.
John C.
Page 9
McLaughlin •
0
The general approach of Powers -Willis is to provide storm water
detention in all locations where it is practically, financially,
and politically possible. After construction of these projects
the flow in the creek will still exceed the ability of the creek
to handle the flow. Powers -Willis will propose localized
improvements to the channel to alleviate flooding caused by these
excess flows.
At times it may appear the Public Works is insensitive to the
needs of other segments of the community in pursuing solutions
to Ralston Creek. Ile have attempted to consider the impact of
all storm water control measures on other aspects of community
life. We sincerely believe that the adverse affects upon Happy
Hollow are negligible. With the belief that Happy Hollow is a
piece of the puzzle toward solving Ralston Creek flooding, we
are supporting use of Happy Hollow as a storm water detention
structure.
I believe that our approach for Ralston CrcW will work and,
in fact, I believe it is one of the few approaches that does
guarantee some chance of success. Since the City has not had
a flood in approximately five years, memories tend to grow
faint and the problem seems minor. Through a series of fortunate
circumstances such as a commitment by the City Council to solving
the problem, availability of federal funds and an organization
of the persons living along the creek, Iowa City has an unparalleled
and perhaps one time opportunity to solve Ralston Creek flooding
problems.
Sinceyely,
'R. J. Plast
Director o ublic Works
RJP/jsp
cc: Florence Stockman
Dennis Showalter
/Neal Berlin
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STREET FLOODING
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PRI TES"( PRIMARY STREETS '
AMB ANCE SECONDARY STREETS
100 YEAR FLOOD DEPTH
10 YEAR FLOOD DEPTH
INUNDATED AREA
41- INUNDATED INTERSECTIONS q.
POWERS - WILLIS 8 ASSOCIATES
IOWA CITY. IOWA
LINDLEY Is SON3, INC.
HINSDALE, MUNCIE
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1962 FLOOD DAMAGE ESTIMATES BY U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
EMERGENCY WORK
EXCAVATION &
. DIRECT PHYSICAL REHABILITATION
AREA DAMAGE COSTS
Mainstem .....
below junction
:with N. & S.
branches?
$68,600
'North branch
8,600
South branch
57,600
COPmmercial and
Public Areas
139,400
fpp
TOTAL
$274,200
GRAND TOTAL EXCEEDS $300,000
$ 8,100
1,000
8,300
14,300
$31,700
NO. OF DWELLINGS WITH
OTHER INDIRECT DWELLINGS THE FIRST FLOOR
DAMAGES AFFECTED FLOODED
$ 100
700
19,100
$19,900
160
32
216
36
444
0
3
12
NUMBER OF
_
PERSONS
EVACUATED
• '•
16
16
32
.. •
StormV'ntnr Detention
r
s
crcit re to clo,.c with one z I litional q, otatfnn fror 'tr.%nsha%::
"I•.'l:ilu it is not clear . . .why :here should exist a special justification for
suLsidizing occupants of flood plains and in particular the ovnars of f'_;o -
plain property, it is clear that there exist better ti:ays to extend the subside
than to shoulder flood losses and to provide free flood protection."
Your proposed Storm Mater Detention System has little to do with the
realities of flood -plain management. What it has to do with is the realities
of politics; and neither you nor I are likely to be able to do much about
that.
Po
715 Rochester
// Iowa City, Iowa
.., to !'_tondo.^.
and I wi7.1 sue^est that ve now nrrive ,t n fi,,ure close to n,, zillion dollars.
Aud I suspect that this is o?tir..istical1v low. ;;ow let us consider that if
nothing at all were done to impede floodin, the loss per 25 -year flood would
average $500,000. This means that in a hundred vears losses would have
reached $2 million (the assumption here is that individuals and businesses
inhabiting the flood plain take no steps whatsoever to protect their
property). Now let us assume that we provide the protection which you have
planned and that that protection turns out to be 100, efficient; and further,
that over a span of one hundred years the projectA sustains no additional costs.
That is, there are no maintenance costs or repair costs. In one hundred years
we will have received an amount of benefit equal to the cost. Now let us
suppose that we had taken just $1 million and invested it at 7% over that
hundred year period. I will leave you to figure out the return on that invest-
ment over the indicated time period. It would be enough to re -build the
whole city several times over. In other words, under the most optimal conditions
one can possibly imagine, the proposed $2 million investment in storm water
detention projects is one of the worst possible investments of capital that
could be made.
Of course, we know that optimal conditions cannot exist. Inhabitants of
the flood plain will find ways, on the basis of past experience, to mitigate
their losses. For example, a colleague of mine bought a house on the flood
plain in 1971 and stored hundreds of dollars worth of books in the basement.
When the Creek flooded in 1972 she lost most of her books because she had had
no experience with the Creek before and had no idea that it would flood her
basement. I doubt that she will continue to store books in her basement. In
addition, we know that the detention plan will be far from 100% efficient;
that there will in fact be costs in maintenance and repair which have not yet
been specified. We know, too, that there will be other costs to the community
apart from d rect monetary costs. To name only one, a dam in Hickory Hill
will substantially alter the wilderness character of that park. What price
shall we put on that loss, or should we just ignore it? lihat price shall we
put on the considerable disruption that will occur during the construction
period for that dam, or should we just ignore it? What we are being presented
with is a cost -benefit analysis of the most simple-minded kind; one that is
totally inadequate to play an effective role in any significant decision-making.
... , . • •
';torr., Vater llctcntion 3
mathematics, which is admittedly somewhat shaky, three times neglieible is
1.
negli;ible. In the sane paragraph you state (the original proposal), }lane
of the homes in the area are presently occupied by a hi^her percents^.e of
lox.cr income families, Chas the proposed improvements would benefit those with
greatest need." In your answer to me on page 8 (first answer) you state,
"As flooding is reduced, property taxes will increase as property values increase."
These are indeed interesting statements. In the first one, the implication is
that we want to benefit the low-income families who live on the flood plain
because flood plain property and taxes are lower than elsewhere. In other
words, these people get a double benefit: 1) they live on property which costs
them less because of the possibility of flooding, and 20 the community provides
them with free protection from flooding. On the other hand, when the community
provides them with free protection from flooding, their property and tax value
will increase, so that the benefits they derived from living on the flood
plain in the first place are now removed. That's a nice contradiction.
Let me mention one other matter briefly. On page 6 of your answer (first
paragraph) you state, ". . .the City of Iowa City has not spent much money
out-of-pocket for studies on Ralston Creek. All of the studies that have been
done up to 1974 were funded by other governmental agencies . . . ." I
deplore this kind of gobble-dy-gook. Who do you think is supplying the money
for the governmental agency? Santa Claus? Every time a governmental agency
goes to the john it cost the tax -payer a bundle of money. So don't tell me that
this is all some kind of free service supplied by the government. It makes
no difference to me whether I pay for it in property taxes or income taxes.
One way or the other it comes out of my hide. Let us pursue the matter of cost
somewhat further. On page 8 of your response you present figures for the
Happy Hollow project, the East Side Detention Structure, and the Hickory Hill
project. Figuring in the cost of acquiring the Hayek property we arrive at
an amount somewhere in the neighborhood of a million and a half dollars. This
does not include the cost of the several other small projects which you have
referred to elsewhere, nor do I see any figure for the cost of the Powers -
Willis study. I assume that the firm does no' make such a study for nothing.
Nor do I see any figure for the cost of the members of the City Staff who are
at work on this project. Let us take all of the costs which you have not
mentioned, add ten percent for inflation over the next three to five years,
s
Storm Water Detente • 2
flood damage. You respond that in their 1966 report the Corps of Engineers
estimated total flood daa:a,c, at least in the ln•,:cr reaches of the Creek,
at $300,000. In a paper entitled "The Relationship between Flood Losses and
Flood Control Benefits" (Papers on Flood Problems, Research Paper P 70 (1961)
University of Chicago), Edward F. Renshaw makes the following comment:
". . .actual losses may be the basis for greatly over -estimating the
benefits that may be obtained from flood -control in those instances where
secondary flooding is a problem or where people overinvest in the flood plain
for other reasons. As occupants of the flood plains become better ififormed as
to both the hazard and the alternative ways in which future losses can be
minimized, the relevance of historical losses diminishes. There is a danger
that non-recurring losses might be used to iustify overinvestment in flood -plain
protection." Renshaw's point is clear: past losses can tell us nothing about
future cost -benefit ratios.
On page 4 you refer in your answer to "benefits to society as a whole,"
namely, the fact that people like myself would not have to pay for costs
of ambulance, fire and police protection, clean-up work, pollution control,
at al. Let me quote again from Renshaw: ". . .flood fighting and other
emergency measures (together with clean-up and so on] . . . are not losses,
merely the cost of an alternative flood control measure." Now if it costa me
something to clean up the mesa, whoever cleans up the mess benefits. lie/she
gets paid for doing it. In other words, there is a simple trade-off. Some
people in the community pay, others in the community get paid. Your argument,
then, that flood control mTQares benefit the entire community does not (excuse
the pun) hold water. Such measures may sage me a little money, but will also
reduce someone else's pay check.
Let us turn to page 5 of your response, next to last paragraph. Now in
your original proposal you state on page 7 that "The proposed action will have
a positive affect on properties in the lower reaches of Ralston Creek by
reducing flood damage." You were not then referring to Hickory Hill, the
Eastside Detention Structures, or numerous other storm water detention areas.
Your proposal referred only to Happy Hallow. When I asked you what the effect
on Ralston Creek flooding of the Happy Hollow Storage would be, your answer
was, "negligible." To my mind there is a difference between "politive" and
"negligible.", Which is it? Thus far I have been told that three of the
proposed storage areas will have a negligible effect on flooding. In my
0 RFCF!VF.O 11A* ..
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
IOWA CITY. IOWA 52z40
Department o/ LtnguLdics
l._17rV
February 26, 1977
R. J. Plastino
Director of Public Works
City of Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Mr. Plastino:
I wish, first of all, to express my appreciation for your extensive and
carefully considered responses to the questions which I raised concerning the
Happy Hollow Storm Water Detention proposal. Second, I wish to pursue some
of these questions together with your responses somewhat further.
To begin with, let us consider one or two relevant facts. It is a
fact, for example (and the documentation for this is legion), that dams do
not prevent floods, nor do they minimize in any significant way damage caused
by flooding. Since 1946 the Federal Government has spent over $7 billion
dollars on flood control projects, yet floods cost the nation an average of
$1 billion dollars a year and in this decade the figure is rising sharply.
Going back even further, since the enactment of the Flood Control Act of 1936,
losses have continued to mount at an amazing pace. It is a fact that modern
technology has devised no way of predicting the results on the total environment
of the flood plain of dam construction. The most blatant example of un-
predictability is, of course, the Aswan Dam project, but if you find that
example too gross I call your attention to the Coralville Dam disaster. The
reason is that mathematics is totally incapable of predicting the course of
nature. The calculations that are made are test-tube calculations and have
validity only in a test-tube. And nature is not a test-tube. It is a fact
that humans inhabit the flood plain l) because they are stupid, or 2) because
property and taxes are cheaper than elsewhere. By no stretch of the imagination
can it be considered the responsibility of the community at large to provide
free flood protection for either case 1 or case 2.
.Let me now refer to your answer to one of my questions regarding past
S 2s 1
Ah
RECEIVED :l!"I l 1977
Au. L'hadee va,u,d�aa,r Wi9PEet
419 Detwu �qoua,e
dowa Lfify, (lowa 52240
Mayor Mary Weuhouser J+.nu:;ry ]4,7977
Civic Center
Iowa City, IOW-; 5P240
Deer Wyor Neuhcuser,
I am suggesting an improvement in downtown Ioi•:a City
in response to the article in tonight's Press Citi-
zen. I don't expect to be interviwe:l with the other
350 choser: cltfzens, henoe my direct,;:ppcc•1 to you.
I hf.ve her.rv9 the expression used in 6escribirg our
beloved city -,a "cultural shock".True 'Ind one of
the recsons f -or the estimv,e is the dreadful block-
ing of Clinton Street south of O'nshington with un-
attractive sheds -type buildings. Cr:n they be re-
moved at oncer not in te: yerrs' time :The estoblished
firms an that street have surely suffered enough, as
have those of us who have always loved Iowa City.
Very sincerely /
s2S
0
0
.: 0tItIt,1p1C�L:., �• �• CIVIC CENTER, 4I0 Ii.WASNINGT0N 9T.
IOWA
e { ypA C I0 WA CITY. I0WA 52160
�/'' � ]197511000
{ March 4, 1977
'+rw.il.fle,tr
Dear University Heights Resident:
In many ways University Heights and Iowa City already are one community. Now
we invite you to join in making us one community legally and governmentally.
In 1954 the City of Iowa City started providing services to University Heights,
and in 1966 a contract was signed between the two communities outlining a method
of payment which was fair and equitable at that time. For the past several years,
this original contract has become increasingly inequitable to Iowa City in terms
of services rendered and payments received. These inadequacies have occurred due
to the change in which city functions are financed.
In 1966, property tax and user fees were the principal revenue sources for pro-
viding contractual services to University Heights. This relationship has changed
since the early 1970's. Property tax, as a percentage of total receipts, has
been declining while the City has become increasingly dependent on state and
federal funds.
Citizens of Iowa City are in fact committing increasing amount of General Revenue
Sharing funds, State Municipal Assistance funds, liquor profits and Community Devel-
opment Block Grant funds to support services which are provided to the City of
University Heights. During this budget year Iowa City will commit $1.5 million,
in addition to property tax and user fees, to provide services which are utilized
by the citizens of both communities.
The,City has proposed a change in the calculation of the University Heights contract
to a basis of cost of services rather than a payment based strictly on property tax,
and the expansion of contract services to include all services provided by Iowa City.
After two years of negotiations, it has become apparent that it is not possible to
reach, agreement. Therefore it has been necessary for Iowa City to exercise its right
to cancel the current agreement effective December 31, 1977.
We encourage you to contact the elected officials of University Heights to discuss
the ramifications and alternatives. Also we will be pleased to meet with you at
any time to discuss these issues.
Sincerely yours,
v" C. mudtaww
Mary C. euhauser
Mayor
IOIVA CITY CITY COUNCIL
Mary C. Neuhauser, Mayor
338-6070
L. P. Foster
338-5833
Robert Vevera
338-2497
David Ferret
338-2515
John Balmer
338-3601/338-9893
Max Selzer
338-2090/354-3198
Carol deProsse
Mayor Pro -Tem
337-7835
CITY MANAGER
Neal G. Berlin
354-1800/351-8704
52Z
•
CITY OP 1(3VA CITY
MARCII 4, 1977
CLARIFICATION OF INFORMATION FROM UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CITY
COUNCIL, MARCH 1, 1977.
UNIVERSITY HEIG1IrS STATEMENT: "For sewage treatment, University
Heights users are c arge y Iowa City in an amount equal to their
water bills. Residents of Iowa City are charged for sewage treat-
ment at a rate of one-half their water bills." (Page 2)
CLARIFICATION: This method of charging for sewer service was
discontinued August 1, 1976. Currently University Heights
residents pay 54¢ per 100 cubic feet of water and Iowa City residents
pay 27¢. If University Heights merges with Iowa City, the rate
will be 27¢ for all residents. When Iowa City builds a new sewer
plant (3-5 years) all users will be required to pay a proportionate
share of the new plant. In any case, rates will have to be higher
to pay for the new plant.
II. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS STATEMENT: "Sewage treatment will continue to
e provided y e rty o Irnva City." "This has been stipulated
by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Iowa Depart-
ment of Environmental Quality." (Page 4)
CLARIFICATION: The City of Iowa City has every legal right to
discontinue sewer service to University Heights on December 31,
1977. The City has conducted legal research on this question and
discussed the problem with the Federal Environmental Protection
Agency and the Iowa Department of Environmental Quality. However,
with a new proposed treatment plant, both EPA and DEQ will push for
consolidated services.
III. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS STATEMENT: "Fire protection can be provided by
a volunteer ire apartment. University Heights could have its own
and become part of the 'mutual aid' agreement among area fire
departments, or contract with another community." (Page 4)
CLARIFICATION: Planning for the future, Iowa City has provided
excellent ire protection services for University sleights by
constructing a new fire station and a 2,000,000 gallon water reservoir
at Melrose and Emerald (in your backyard). Iowa City would not be
interested in entering into a mutual aid agreement with a volunteer
University Heights department.
IV. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS STATEMENT: "Policies governing the use and
fees, it any, c arge or owa City parks, the Recreation Center
facility, the library, the airport, Oakland Cemetery, etc., would
be the same for University Heights residents as for residents of
other communities in Johnson County." (Page 4)
C,
•
CLARIFICATION: As University Heights residents could avail them-
selves of Iowa City's services to the same extent as Iowa City
residents, the policy of Iowa City would be to establish higher
fees for University Heights residents to compensate Iowa City
fairly for the cost of the service provided.
V. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS STATEMENT: "Fire Insurance rates will be
somewhat ig er.' Page S
CLARIFICATION: Fire insurance rates for area volunteer departments
are in fact higher. (For a frame house valued at $40,000, between
$20 and $79 yearly.) However, the real issue is the increased
damage which could result from the delayed response of a volunteer
department when a full-time department located in your backyard is
available for immediate response.
VI. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS STATEMENT: "Loss of control of Melrose Avenue."
"Loss of control o unset treet." "Sunset Street could become an
express street connecting Highway 1 . ." Olive Court, Leamer
Court, and Marietta Avenue could become high traffic streets."
CLARIFICATION: Actual street improvements primarily are dependent
upon growth—of the medical campus and areas west of University
Heights in Coralville and Iowa City. The draft Area Transportation
Study of the Johnson County Regional Planning Commission does not
recommend widening of Melrose Avenue in University Heights. The
Iowa City City Council does not plan to widen Melrose Avenue.
Plans have existed for a number of years as a result of development
adjacent to Highway 1 to connect Sunset Street to Highway 1. As
residents of Iowa City you obviously will have more influence upon
such policy decision.
There are no plans to increase traffic on Olive Court, Leamer
Court, and Marietta Avenue for the reason stated below.
VII. UNIVERSITY FIGHTS STATENMW: "Zoning would be in the hands of
representatives wand could result in a change from
single-family zoning we have now." (Page 5)
CLARIFICATION: The policy of Iowa City is to stabilize and preserve
sin'--Ie—neighborhoods. However, if an individual owner
desired to rezone property, the immediate neighbors have very great
control. An objection to a rezoning proposal by as few as 20% of
the immediate neighbors would require a favorable vote by 6 of the
7 members of the Iowa City City Council to over -ride the objections
and rezone the property. Such a vote is exceedingly unlikely!
VIII.UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS STATEMENT: ". . .taxes would be higher."
Page 5
CLARIFICATION: Because the residents of Iowa City currently are
subsidizing services provided to residents of University Heights,
the costs for services probably will be slightly higher. For
example, a house located in Iowa City and assessed at $40,000 on
July 1, 1976, would have paid $438.02 in property tax for City
services. This same house. located in University Heights would have
paid $366.10 in property tax for City services. If this University
Heights house had been merged with Iowa City on July 1, 1976, the
owner would have paid $429.82 in property tax for :municipal services
or an increase of $63.72.
0
n
COMMF�E •
01 • _ 0YICCFNIF9.4IDF WASIUNn10115T.
IOWA C -, IOWA 53310
31 9-354-1800 Y�]A.iBOO
m
March 1, 1977
a.1r IAA•.
Same letter to:
The Rev. 11m. E. Biedermann tis. G. W. Shaffer
The Luthern Church of Christ the King 20 Hawthorne Street
116 Marietta Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Rev. Biedermann:
Thank you for your letter of February 7, 1977 to the City Council regarding
proposed changes in the City's Human Relations ordinance.
{Ve share your concern for high standards of individual conduct and
family life and are of the opinion that the proposed changes in the
ordinance will not threaten the quality of family life in Iowa City.
The Human Relations Commission was established for the purpose of bring-
ing harmony to diverse groups of people within Iowa City. They have
worked hard to try to accommodate many different and competing interests
within the Iowa City community in drafting the ordinance currently
before the Council. People representing a variety of interest groups
spoke with the Commission during several public meetings and told of the
needs for housing, employment, and access to public accommodations by
minority groups. The Commission was also aware of the problems of
c commercial establishments in providing services and of employers. An
attempt was made to balance the needs of both groups in proposing an
ordinance to the City Council.
Because of their specific concerns for the rights of individuals in the
housing area, the Commission made an exception for an owner occupied
dwelling with four or fewer rooms. This will protect the privacy of
smaller landlords. The Commission does not want to deter people from
opening up their homes to providing housing, but recognizes that being a
landlord is a commercial venture. Part of their thinking is that people
who "enter the market place" by taking rent for parts of their home
should be held to a higher standard than people who use their homes
solely for shelter.
The ordinance is not designed to protect offensive sexual behavior by
individuals but rather to protect individuals who are discri— mated
against by the status of being married, unmarried, gay, male, female,
disabled, and s'o to lT. For example, nothing in the ordinance would
prohibit a landlord from banning public displays of affection as long as
all tenants were required to meet the same standards of conduct. A
landlord could also prohibit use of property for prostitution or other
conduct which is illegal.
.s.29*
528
Rev. Wm. E. Biedo*
-2- • 3-1-77
The goal of any anti -discrimination legislation is to encourage people
to drop stereotypes about people. Such legislation encourages landlords
to consider the merits of each individual as a tenant without holding
the stereotypes of the group against them. For example, despite the
stereotypes about young single male tenants having too many cars, too
many girlfriends, loud music, and a casual attitude toward standards of
health and sanitation, anti -discrimination legislation would force a
landlord to give a chance to a single male who may be able to show that
he is studious, clean, quiet, and able to pay rent.
The City Council has neither approved nor rejected the ordinance. Fran
informal discussions, members of the Council appear to share your concerns
in the area of housing. Your letter has been filed with the Council and
reviewed by the staff. If you are interested in speaking directly with
the Council, there is a public hearing scheduled for March 15, 1977 at
7:30 P.M. in the Civic Center, 410 East Washington. In addition, members
of the Human Relations Commission are willing to meet individually to
discuss concerns you have expressed. Please contact me if you wish to
discuss this further.
Sincerely,
Candy Morgan U
Director of Human Relations
0
Ms. Sheila Maybanks
421 East Market
Iowa City, Iowa. 52240
Dear Ms. Maybanks:
r�
February 25, 1977
The City Council received and placed on Pile your letter concerning the
Library budget at its regular meeting on February S. The Council did not
make any; cuts in the Library area during the informal Council discussions.
A public hearing will be held March 1 to obtain more citizen input regarding
the FY 78 budget. If you have further recam endations, please do not
hesitate to call metbers of the Council or me.
Thank you for expressing your concerns to the City Council.
Sincerely yours,
Neal G. Berlin
City Manager
jk
cc: City Council
City Clerk
CITY OF IOWA CITY
CIVIC CENTER, 410 E. WASHINGTON ST.
IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240
319.354-1800
i
..53 0 '
0
bars. Howard Shapcott
1114 East Washington
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear btrs. Shapeott:
February 28, 1977
The City Council received and placed on file your petition which requested
the City to change the routing of a bus. This bus was rerouted to College
Street after the weight restrictions were placed on the Washington Street
bridge.
The route was changed to Washington Street when the College Street bridge
was closed to traffic. After the bridge was repaired, the route was not
changed back to College Street.
The detour which transferred the route to Washington Street created problems
regurding schedules and transferring to other buses. Timing and transfer
problems are reduced with the College Street route. Also, there is no
evidence of feiver riders on College Street than on Washington Street. There
appears to be no ccmpelling reason to reroute the bus to Washington Street.
i
I appreciate your bringing this to the Council's attention. If I can be of
service to you, please let me know.
S` sere yours,
Neal G. .Berlin
City Manager
Is
cc: City Council
CITY OF IOWA CITY
CIVIC CENTER, 410 E. WASHINGTON ST.
IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240
319-354-1800
5311
owa city
EW
March 1, 1977
its. Ann Hesse
353 Lexington Avenue
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Ms. Hesse:
Enclosed are copies of letters which I sent to Mr. Wunder on December 8,
1976, and on January 20, 1977. While the letter of January 20, which was
a result of our discussion, does not specifically state what action has
been taken concerning Lexington Avenue, I did review the matter with Mayor
_ Neuhauser and Councilman Balmer and other members of the staff and Council.
This letter does reflect the staff's resolution of the questions which you
raised.
If you remain concerned about Lexington Avenue, I would suggest that the
neighbors direct a written petition to the City Council requesting that the
street be closed or to take such other action as you may deem appropriate.
Siri yours,
eal G.. gr
in
City Manager
cc: City Council
is
Enclosures
a
CITY OF IOWA CITY
CIVIC CENTER, 410 E. WASHINGTON ST.
IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240
319-354.1800
532.1
•
John W. Laney
city manager
Mr. Neal G. Berlin
City Manager
City of Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Mr. Berlin:
0
phone 2982400
munlclpol hullding
3600 shroyer road
kellering, ohio 45429
f
February 23, 1977
�<<,f vlpk l J
Because of the large response to our City Manager's article in the ICMA
"Nuts and Bolts", it was felt that a document should be prepared outlin—
ing not only our accomplishments but the attitudes behind our actions.
The attached article is written in general terms. No two climates, build—
ings or systems are the same.; however, the conservation philosophy used
can be the same. We sincerely hope some of our actions will provide "food
for conservation thought", and if this be the case, we will have succeeded.
Your constructive criticism is invited.
Attach:
br
S33
CONSERVATION OF ENP:RGY
BACKGROUND
In the past, energy, especially natural gas, was considered cheap and inexhaust-
ible. Such thinking resulted in the design and construction of "energy hogs" - -
buildings which wasted heat energy. Our problem now is how to modify these facil-
ities and systems for maximum efficiency resulting in minimum consumption.
The first indication of pending trouble in Kettering came in 1972 when our natural
gas supplier terminated the addition of new customers to the gas service. Even
though we were blessed with relatively warm winters in 1972, '73, '74, and '75,
the City of Kettering did start positive action on conservation in 1973. Cur suc-
cess in reducing energy consumption is attributable to no single person but to the
entire team of city employees unanimously supported by Mayor Horn, City Council, and
City Manager John Ianey.
Here are the steps we took in our energy conservation programa
STEP 1. We analyzed each facility and its incorporated systems to determine energy
efficiency. We found that no building was insulated, many had windows that were use-
less, and some had heating and cooling systems which ran simultaneously year-round.
STEP 2. We value engineered (determined the cost relative to projected savings) each
P energy saving modification in order to determine priorities. Ceiling
insulation, installation of storm windows, and the addition of entrance vestibules
began immediately. The recreation area of our Recreation Center was separated from
the indoor pool area by single plastic with air conditioning equipment operating in
the recreation area practically year-round. Insulated tempered glass was installed
to replace plastic panels, thus reducing the gas and electric load.
We would like to point out that insulated glass or storm windows are not the answer
in every case. In shop areas, for example, windows have been sealed with 6 -inch
Page 2 — —
fiberglass insulation. In buildings with large glass areas, installation of insula—
ted glass was found to be too expensive for the resulting savings; therefore, re—
design was warranted. During abnormally cold weather, we've installed panels of
2—inch styrofoam and have cut heat loss through the glass by a factor of 10. Insu—
lated glass would have reduced loss by only a factor of 2. Such installations
should be made with the approval of your Fire Chief in that certain styrofoams burn
readily and emit toxic fumes. Under no circumstances should styrofoam be used in
sleeping areas. In order to make styrofoam less combustible it should be sprayed
with fire retardant intumescent paint, which is readily available on the market.
STEP 3. We completely analyzed each installed system. It was no surprise to find
that practically every system was oversized. This could have been caused by the
initial design, but we like to credit our newly installed insulation with decreas—
ing each system's load, thus contributing to their oversize. As an example, our
heating systems for the Government Center (35,000 SF) and the Justice Building
(35,000 SF) were interconnected. The 2.1 million BTU/HR unit in the Government Cen—
ter adequately heated both buildings with an outside temperature of —100F. With
lower outside temperatures, the 3.2 million BTU/Hr unit installed in the Justice
Building was put on line instead. The larger unit has been used less than one (1)
week this winter.
;The mechanical design of our Justice Building required operation of a 60—ton air
conditioner, year—round. The primary reason for this was to cool'the Police Dis—
patch area which became overheated by electronic equipment. Rather than temper the
area with outside air, a 3—ton unit was installed for this purpose with the conden—
ser heat being rejected to the court area above.
In every instance, the amount of outside air being brought into the system was
excessive. Automatic controls are made inoperative during the heating season with
dampers mechanically fastened to assure minimum flow. (Air quantities will vary
with the building type as well as occupancy.)
Page 3 - -
In two of our facilities, return air grilles were in the ceiling. This is excel-
lent for air conditioning; however, during the heating season, the heated air from
the ceiling supply immediately returned through the ceiling return. Our modifica-
tion incorporates dual return ducts - one at floor level, open during heating and
closed during cooling, and one at the 7 -foot level, open during cooling and closed
during heating.
Plans are now being formulated to convert one of our larger air systems to VAV (Var-
iable Air Volume) which will enable individual office complex control with supply
air temperatures dependent on outside temperatures. This will give maximum effi-
ciency to the overall system.
While the above constituted our major initial effort, several actions have been taken
or are in the process which will further enhance conservation.
(1) Installation of Heating, Circulating, Pump -Control Thermostats. These units
cut off circulating pumps when outside temperature reaches a predetermined
thermostat setting.
(2) Conversion of Two Standard Air Conditioning Units to Heat Pumps. This was
done primarily as an emergency measure in the event our gas supply alloca-
tion became exhausted. A 7-- ton unit was converted first, to validate our
design parameters. A second unit of 75 ton capacity was then converted.
It is true these units were not designed for use as heat pumps and their
co -efficient of performance is less than a unit designed for heating; not-
withstanding, they do perform. Unfortunately, we have not been able to
h obtain a good heat source such as ground water, city water, or sewage; there-
fore, our heat is obtained from the air. Below freezing, the efficiency
drops sharply. As an example, the 7 ton unit discharged B4° air at 15° out-
side temperature. At 36° F outside temperature, the discharge is 104o F.
0 0
Page 4 - -
(3) Stack Dampers. Considerable heat is lost by stack draft when the boiler
fire is off. A stack damper has been designed, fabricated, and installed
on a 1.2 million BTU/HR furnace. Actual savings have not been determined
but they appear to be considerable. All gas fired units are being equipped
with these devices.
(4) Electrical Consumption. As a result of removing equipment from the line
during winter months, our electrical consumption dropped considerably.
Excess lighting is continually being removed. Removal of fluorescent
tubes alone is not enough; ballasts will consume power if not connected.
Incandescent lighting has been replaced with fluorescent where possible
and exterior mercury security lighting is being replaced with sodium vapor
units when burnout of the former occurs. On staging air conditioning
equipment it was found that at no load, the equipment was consumdng some
60% of power of full load. Staging vias eliminated and the units now
operate on full load to satisfy requirements at which time they are off.
(5) Full Utilization of Stack Heat. Efficiencies of heating equipment are in
the 80% range with most of the 201. occurring as losses through the stack.
Our future plans are to utilize this heat for domestic hot water, preheat
the return water to the boiler or preheat outside air to the facility,
whichever is most feasible for the respoctive facility. Furthermore, this
will be an excellent heat source for our heat pump equipment. A final
stack discharge temperature in the 400 - 500 range is our goal. Of course
draft inducers must be incorporated because of loss of thermal draft.
(6) Solar Installations. Once we attain maximum economical conservation we
hope to incorporate solar systems where possible. Solar assisted heat
pumps are engineeringly feasible and with mass production of solar equip-
ment could be economically feasible. A transfer liquid heated by con-
I�
Page 5 —
i
centrating collectors and stored in basement or under ground tankage
would be used directly through duct coils. When the liquid temperature
is lowered to a point that adequate heat transfer could not be affected,
the heat pump would take over transferring the heat from the liquid until
350 F storage was reached. This system could be reversed in summer and
would be very advantageous in areas where low off-peak rates were avail-
able. Both heating and cooling electric power could be provided during
the low -rate period.
(7) Utilizing, Ice Neat. Our Ice Arena utilizes two Chrysler Airtemp chillers
rated at 63 tons each with a brine discharge of 190. One unit has a split
condenser and the facility administration section is heated by rejected
heat. Only a small amount of heat was being used here with the remain-
ing being rejected through the cooling tower. We studied the feasibility
of utilizing all the heat energy. The pool heater and four compressor
stages of one unit were instrumented with inexpensive lapse -time meters
for determining the running times. From this data, energy uses and rejec-
tions were calculated. Considering equipment efficiencies, it was found
that during the month of November 1976, 245,100,000 BTU of heat were used
to heat the pool water. During the same period 370,080,000 BTU's were
rejected by one chiller with most of it being wasted in the cooling tower.
Our original design incorporated new heat exchangers to be installed
between the pool crater and cooling equipment. Upon inspection of the pool
heater tubes, however, it was found after three (3) years of operation,
there was absolutely no deposit on the heater tubes. The chemicals added
to the pool water inhibited scale formation.
Present plans call for pumping the pool water through insulated, buried
lines through the existing building heat system, then through the equip-
Page 6 — —
(8)
ment condensers back to the pool. Unit heat exchangers installed in the
Ice Arena operate on 60° F — 90° F water; pool water flowing through the
building system exchanger will be approximately 75°. The Ice Arena equip—
ment is designed to operate on cooling water at 85° and we can maintain
operating pressures within limits with a condensing temperature of 105°
(this has been successfully demonstrated). It is estimated that our cost
will be less than $7000., excluding our labor and will be amortized in
less than four (4) years.
Air Conditioning Waste Heat. Air conditioning equipment can very effec—
tively be used to heat domestic water. An in—house fabricated heat
exchanger consisting of small tubes inside larger tubes (size depends on
size of'equipment and/or amount of hot water used) manifolded at each end
and insulated, can be used or a commercial heat exchanger can be purchased
for any size unit. A test was performed with a fabricated unit last summer
which proved the feasibility of the system. Cur goal this summer is the
elimination of water—heating energy requirements wherever air conditioning
equipment is operating.
Our final goal is to even use the °squeal" from our "energy hogs".
L-tTA DELAY
NU 1'111eR
�B
NC it UDAMPERMC
OTOR NC
•-ej HONTrUELL :;SOD. 11436A
(Spring loaded to open
when power is off)
PILOT
n
DAY
LIGHT
D
THER',.IOSTAT
5A PITY .
BOI1SR
TEMP.
i1l�-
110 vac
DAY TIMER
Ylii!'ER
NO NO
L&VEL
SAPR'1'Y
NIGHT
H R
THPRNDSTAT
LL)
BOhL''R
TEMP.
GAS
VALVE
24 7IA0
I�I 110 VAC
STACK DI&PER WIRING DIAGRAM
h NOTES: 1.
Check
local codes for legality of installation
g Y
2.
On thermostate, R -B opens, R -W closes on temperature increase
3.
Delay
timer used to delay damper closing until carbon mogoxide
fumes
are drawn out stack.
RECEIVER
WATER FEAT EXCHANGER
HEAT PTMP HEATING MODE
Pi6uro 1
REVERSING VAL
R
COMPRESSOR
ACCUMULATOR
B
OUTSIDE.
WHEN USING ;•1ATER HEAT EXCHANGER]
COIL
CHECX VALVES
A AND B WILL BE
CLOS'D; WHEN
USING OUTSIDE COIL,
•
TXV
TXV
CHECK VALVES
C AND D WILL BE
—Q-1
CLOSED.
n
RECEIVER
WATER FEAT EXCHANGER
HEAT PTMP HEATING MODE
Pi6uro 1
OEECTORIS REPORT FOR rr^y 19*
PART I
On march 9, 1976, I was employed as d5.roctor of thA John-
son County Council on Aging to carry out taakn as setl'orth by
the Board of Directors in their mission to serve as advocates
for the elderly in Johnson County. Essentially, the recponsibil.-
5.t%.ac were representation/liaison, advise, to inform, to
,::::ommendations, and to carry out the goals and ob�oc:b1 D13 nr
the Jahuson County Council on Aging. Shortly after the hi'r:iiq;
ri' a director, Barbara Ehl was employed as secretary. The
}•u+re,onf; were hired under federalprogram, Comprehensive Rupls`•:;r•
ment Training Act (CETA, Title VI}.
From March through Juno, 1976, we were engaged in a prariod
n?. organization and establishing an office using f:acflities rrz•.;
• •
PART II
SUPPORTIVE SFi UCES NOW OFFERED 31 COO
Advocacy --Primary goal --To advocate for i;ha bjldox i;j III ''csss•..
son County --Total number of older citizens in Johnson CruoL .
A. Purpose --To advocate for older citizens in Johnson
County area. To provide a vehicle through which
older persons can channel their needs and desirea.
To encourage legislators to bring aZaout social change
In policies affecting their lives.
3. Problem --Older people appear to be afraid to speak out
against the injustices they are experioncMig in the
community for fear of having the sub -standard servicos
they are presently receiving discontinued.
Int'nrmation and Referral --to serve the elderly of Iowa. Citj-
uarnber of referrals 250.
A. Purposo--To link older persons with existing sorvinr;3
most relevaut to their specific need with a v.inimal
amount of energy to be expended on the part ,$T -chc; o �.ie;; `,••
To obtain factual answers to straight forward guas'aone..
To eliminate communication barriers between the clival--
and
:li.ra{:and the providers of services. (To prevent old:ir
from being given the "run-around" or talked down to)
To follov-up after client has been referred.haa !not bee ---n
B. Problem --Follow-up after client has been .referred r t: .
been as successful as should have been. Sometimes clir:iil;
could not be found, or communication breakdown within
agencies.
III. Shoppers Aide --pilot project set up to oerve 4 peraona cen••
trally located with the aid of one voluntoer--number of
209 number of volunteers 15
A. Purpose --To assist elderly with shopping, to,vrcvide
service in the delivery of grocery. To help in s:xper-
markets by escorting, reading labels on cans, to o:,lect
foods with beat buys for their income.
B. Problems --Physical limitations, e.g., Inability tr, 2/10ad
labels, mobility, lack 6P transportatiour 1.nadaqu;:;.s/
sub -standard housing, people who are lonely and 3u 13fO i
of companionship; need to have objects hauled; assistance,
with garage sales, exploitation, nyglect/abuse by
members, emotionally disturbed. There are not enough
volunteers to render this particular service.
I1r. Phone -a -Friend --tor Iowa City residents --number of clients
20, number of volunteers 15.
A. Purpose --To do friendly visiting via telephone, to offer
companionship, to inform, and offer assurance.
B. Problem --People are sometimes relunctaut to advAlt tbsd9
they are lonely. It is often difficult to get parnoris
to accept this service.
C. Where clients come from:
1. Referrals from Board, concerned friends, rolatf.vea.,
churches (parish list of shut-ins), oongrtigat,r r<„ss+ln
agenoies, volunteers, meals-on-wheols, homehounrl/
shut-ins.
0 0
V,. Dental Care Program--humber of clients 27 --pilot prcjeck by
Heritage - initially would have served lh qtr '.v
Tohnson County. Amount of funds provides.
A. Purpose --To provide minor dental repair +rr:e vi th r.arsd_
provided through Heritage Apnney on Aging ;nidor Title 1
of the Older Americans Acta The program would enable
client to receive up to $60.00 to cover cost of minor
dental repair at dentist of own choice. If justifiable
abount could be exceeded.
B. Problem--insuffictent funds --Would like to have program
expanded to accommadate more clients and to provida more
funds to cover the high cost of dental care.
VI. Find -a -House -Pilot project geared to serves oi.cerly i_;'::a,a
City.
A. Purpose --To help older people locatedsuitable housing m4k'c,.:
a change is necessary; to eliminate elderly persona
having to venture out on their own in search of hcas5.r,gr
to provide emotional support for persons facing the
need to find and move into different housing.
B. Problem --Elderly must compete in housing waricot with
University students.
Elderly live in apartments, rooms waicb have meny
archetectural barriers and limitations and azv; rot
always as easily accessible to clients phyaicN.1 capacity,
Sometimes their dwellings are sub -standard.
Elderly in many instances must locato their own F_•_�^.c.;••
meats when applying for low -rent housing prograw.,
VII. Problems in Retirement Living --number of clients 6. Disc:1:4 R';.:'
group (socialization),
A. Purpose --to allow older persons to come together in groali:
discussions and share experiences in the community with
emotional/mental stresses that affect their lives in ds;i
to -day living situations.
B. Problem --Participants involved in this group were at V4,st:
relunctant and timid about involvement. (Perhaps due to
fact of staff from Mental Health Center). However,
as group became more actively involved with discussionr,,
this feeling was soon overcome. The concept of a
discussion group proves to be most significant, however,
would suggest that negative title "Problems" should bo
changed to one with more positive connotations.
Assistance with Business Forme --number of clientro 55.
A, Purpose --the COA assists and fills out rent wad nvo•-
party taut reimbursement forms and forms for food s•caiaps
or public assiatanoe.
B. Problems --none.
I:. Assistance with Meal Program --number of calls 500.
X. Handyman/Chore Service --amount of budget $1,64.4.
•
PART III
DIRECTOR'S BREAKDOWN OF ACTIVITIES
:'admin i. strative--75%
A. Mangement
B. Supervision of staff (Secretary and field placement
students from School of Social Work)
C. Recruitment and Training of Volunteera--with the
assistance of Celia Amidon and Curtis Purington, a
a training, session was hold for volunteers, 'j -,l ev tc
be followed up with a progress ra.,- ou tha sr.ac.oa
of Phone -a -Friend at which time Hiss Meta �h;ia.'•_berb.
former director of Linn County Council on Aning,
Cedar Rapids, addressed the group.
D. Interview prospective volunteers
E. Preparation of Budget proposals, reports to Heritago,
City, United Way and IRA.
II. Promotio nal --15%
A. Speaking Engagements
1. Lutheran Brotherhood, Association
2. Coralville Optimist (2)
3. Crisis Interv6ntion
4. Ministerial Association
5. Catholic Ecumenical Council
6. School of Social Work Student Volunteer gs•oupa
T. WSUI
8. KRNA
9. Heritage Agnecy on Agin
B. 14�tendamee of Meetinge--10776
1. Governmental
e. Agencies
3. Churches
4.Civic/consumer groups, e.g., AARP, Task Force,
Site Council
C. Membership on Boards
1. JCRPC--sub-oommittee on Human Needs
2. CCA
4. JC RPC --Transportation Committee
. Hoover Health Council
5. Prospective- Board member of St. Vincent in Devenpovt
D. Conferences/Seminars
1. Governor's Conference on Aging, Don
2. Unboxing the Elderly, University *
of Nursing
3. AARP Legislative Committee Meeting,
E. Trips to visit other programa fox- the
1. ftecatine
2.Ames
3. Marahaltown
. Dew Moines, GOA
5. Cedar Rapids, (Linn County COA)
6.'Waterloo
Washin ton Iowa
HoSnos
Ioi7e:, tba:4.7.>,ga
DeA P.'.rfi.��tb7
eldarly
8, NCOA, Washington, D.C. (at own expense on vacation)
0 coll."Lus;.0;? 0
In spite of financial difficulties of instability and
uncertainty of CETA program, the dCCOA has managed to st:;;;
afloat, 61e are still struggling for survival. 4he GOA: 1=i
gone seeking fording from City, County, Heritage, and United
Hay. we have received funding from the City --$12,000; Eerita.-ri-•
;;1.0,581. earmarked for specific service end .orograme; 'U11ted';la;--
'V02,500; and County --rent-free for office, utilities ami.
.,.r•vico.
The COA is now a functional, community ::A+nice agency, Nr_• i:, r_•
established credibility. The city and county have sanctionulO
our agency. The agency should now begin to consider other atiarty;
of fund raising in order to expand our services to reacw out to
nerve more older citizens in the community.
2 would recommend to SCCOA that we set goals for the 1'ollat.:9.;«t
in 1977:
1. Encourage and support stronger advocacy program.
2. To nominate a strong, active, productive board.
3. To make an all-out effort to reach more/ferret out
elderly. (Perhaps through the aid and assistance of t:ho
other elderly acting as referral.)
4. To fully implement Special Project funded by Heritage.
Begin as soon as possible with educational wovk.shopc ae
preventative and informative measures.
5. To obtain a Multi-purpose senior center in th.e ccxvusun?.::�'•.
6. To explore the possibility of organizing RSVP pros,^,ars.
7. To improve upon working relationship with other agenri:
In the oommunityo particularly the University's Qerontoloi.,,,
'Committee.
a onto; jouse o£ belorjgingnes.., *' : may, cut.:
worthwhileness in the liven of the elderly in 3ohnson
County.
9. To begin thinking about training elderly to do outreach,
case work with other elderly, particularly those with
emotional problems brought on by stresses and
which older people face in day-to-day struggle fol,
iatenoe.
10. To begin a push for educational programs (geriatrics,$
for "providers of services", including professional,
skill ad/ semi -skilled -para=prof assional'and lay persons
who Work with or come in contact with the elderly. Thw?&
seems to be a lack of insight. and sensitivity to problems
(whole spectrum, emotional, physical, environmental.,,
spiritual well-being) of older people in conviuni'ty.
I
ue
9
• Johnson CoundbCouncil on Aging
538 South 011'6ort Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
February 17, 1977
MPMORAMDUM
To: COA Board
Prom: Barbara shl
Re: Office Space
Before resigning, as secretary I would like to comment on the
office space for the Council. The scene took place this morning
but it is by no means rare. The office was filled --Doris was
interviewing a client; another client who likes to come and visit
(we have several) was sitting in another chair: Judy was using
the phone on Doris' desk for outreach work-. Dave was typing;
Sally was on the other phone getting in touch with the volunteers.
I was typing on the AARP newsletter and trying to catch phone
calla for Congregate Meals and SEATS while they were out of their.
offices. At this time two couples came in --each needing assistance
with tax reimbursements. Since there was nowhere to sht, I sug-
gested we go into the opposite room. The first lady was very hard
of hearing. Tables were being set up for Congregate Meals, AARP
was finishing up.their newsletter and someone was playing the
piano. Many people were comming in and chatting before the Meals.
Needless to say, the situation was difficult --particularly because
we were discussing private financial business. As I mentioned
before, this situation is not unusual. More office apace is
definitely needed. Under Doris' direction the University students
are doing a great job of organizing and expanding the COAts
services. The office is inadequate to handle all the expansion,
and there is a great need for privacy when working with clients.
Please consider this when planning for the future.
In closing „ I'd like to say that it's been a pleasure working
with all of you, and I hope the COA continues to function and grow
serving more elderly in Johnson County.
&41 - W
0
MINUTES
CITY -UNIVERSITY Mlil"I'ING
.JANUARY 20, 1977
PERSONS PRESENT: Dick Gibson, Mcl .Jones, Dennis Kraft, Ray Mossman, Dick
Plastino
1. TRAFFIC SIGNAL -- MELROSE AND WOOLY AVENUES
Mr. Mossman indicated that the delivery date of the controller is March
1, 1977. He also indicated that everything else appears to be going
on schedule and that City Traffic Engineer .Jim Brachtel has reviewed
the plans for this signal.
2. URBAN RENEWAL
It was reported that discussion will continue between the City and
the University on this item, and that the University has appointed a
committee to work with the City in the areas of Urban Renewal and
Comprehensive Planning.
3. SEWER STUDY
Mr. Plastino indicated that he had prepared a scope of services for an
engineering consultant and that he would be recommending that Vccnstra
and Kimm be hired for the purpose of making recommendations on the hest
way of measuring University sewage of. ,ent discharge into'the lowa
City sewer system. This information would subsequently be used for the
purpose of determining an equitable rate structure for the treatment of
University sewage effluent. Mr. Mossman indicated that the University
will make an interim payment for sewage treatment and that the interim
payment will be retroactive to August, 1976. It is the University's
assumption that the interim rate structure will remain in effect until
such time as a final fee is determined.
A
53-5� 1
0
E
4. (]MTA GRANT
Work continues on schedule for the acquisition of twenty transit coaches.
No problems have been perceived as of this time. It was also reported
to the University that Mr. Arlo Fry is the Acting Transit Superintendent
for the City.
S. FINKBINE BIKEIVAY
MT. Mossman indicated that the final authorization to proceed has not
been received by the University from the State Department of Transportation
as of this time.
6. STREET SIGNING
The next step in the University's street signing program will be that
of. implementation. As of this time the designs have been received and
approved. The University indicated it will contact the City's Traffic
Engineer for coordination and comment on this phase of the work.
7. AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY
The draft copies of the Johnson County Regional Planning Commission's
Area Transportation Study have been distributed and it is assumed that
comments will be forthcoming in the near future. The University position
on this draft has not been formulated as of this time.
8. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Mr. Kraft presented a status report on the Comprehensive Plan and
outlined the Citizen Participation Process in greater detail. Mr.
Mossman mentioned that the question of the location of a new University
power plant should be fed into the Comprehensive Planning Process.
Mr. Mossman also mentioned that the University's Comprehensive Planning
Task Force would be specifically interested in street planning as well
E
-3-
as the provisions of the Comprehensive Plan.
0
Respectfully submitted,
d � ��
Dennis 11. Kraft
Director
Dept. of Community Development
MINUTES
RALSTON CREEK COORDINATING COMMITTEE
February 16, 1977
PRESENT: Jim Hall
Doug Boothroy
Warren Buchan
Glenn Boutelle
Jane Jakobsen
Ed Brinton
Ben Barnett
Carol deProsse
Maria Ahern
Julie Vann
Bruce Glasgow
Charlie Eastham
Audrey Scott
Helen Kavanaugh
The first item on the agenda was the discussion of the Flood Plain Ordinance.
It was pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan Coordinating Committee had
been in favor of deleting the Special Use Permit which allows construction
in the floodway under certain circumstances. Director of Public Works stated
that the Legal Department felt that a Special Use Permit was needed as an
administrative tool to allow construction in the floodway under certain
unanticipated circumstances in which it would cause no harm. It was the
concensus of the Ralston Creek Coordinating Committee to delete the Special
Use Permit provisions depending upon the final advice of the Legal Department.
The Comprehensive Plan Coordinating Committee also felt that if a structure
in the floodway was destroyed to more than 50% of its value that it should not
be allowed to be rebuilt. The Ralston Creek Coordinating Committee disagreed
with this and felt that it should be allowed to be rebuilt since the private
property owner would take a tremendous financial loss. Insurance companies
would not pay for an entirely new structure elsewhere and if the City did not
compensate the land owner, the land owner would take all of the loss.
Public Works Director mentioned that letters had been sent to eight prominent
subdividers in the community concerning the restriction against having basements
under residential structures in the flood. plain. Bruce Glasgow said that this
did not appear to be much of a problem since not many houses were being built
with basements due to the cost.
Glenn Boutelle presented the reaction of the Park and Recreation Commission
to the Hickory Hill Dam. In general, he stated that the Park -and Recreation
Commission felt they should not go on record until other owners and Regina
High School had been informed of the project. On March 6, a field trip will
be held with the Park and Recreation Commission and the Commission will meet
on March 10.
5.3.6
0 0
RCCC MINUTES
February 16, 1977
Page 2
Powers -Willis presented an actual scale drawing of the Hickory Hill
Dam that will be approximately 40' high. Powers -Willis also passed
out a draft section of the final Comprehensive Watershed Plan. It
includes general policies, existing land use, impact of Ralston Creek
on property values, aesthetic values, and recreational use of storm
water storage areas.
Powers -Willis showed revised drawings of the Eastside Detention Areas.
At the present time, work is about ready to start -on the Environmental
Review Record for this structure. Money has been appropriated by the
City Council.
It was mentioned that two bridges on Ralston Creek are due for immediate
repair and/or replacement. The bridge at Washington and Van Buren will
probably be repaired at -a cost. of about $6,000 and the bridge at Court
and Muscatine will be replaced.
Ed Brinton stated that a possible relief sanitary sewer might be built
down Rundell Street to handle wet weather flows during flooding and
he stated that the Ralston Creek Coordinating Committee should keep
their eye on this development.
There was further discussion about the statis of the infiltration in-
flow study.
Powers -Willis presented six of nine detailed maps for Ralston Creek.
The next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. on March 21.
fw�
AGENDA
IOWA CITY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
RECREATION CENTER ROOM B
MARCH 9, 1977 - 7:30 P.M.
7:30
- 7:35
p.m. --
Approval of the Minutes of the February 9
Meeting.
7:35
- 7:40
p.m. --
Chairperson's Report.
7:40
- 7:50
p.m. --
Director's Report.
7:50
- 8:15
p.m. --
Committee Reports.
8:15
- 9:15
p.m. --
Capital Improvements - 5 Year Program.
9:15
- 9:30
p.m. --
Hickory Hill Park - Proposed Dams.
9:30
- 9:35
p.m. --
Willow Creek Park - Stormwater Detention.
9:35
- 9:45
p.m. --
Other Business.
9:46
p.m. --
Adjournment.
.537 I