HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-02-24 Info Packetr
V
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 19, 1987
To: City Council
r
From: Assistant City Manager
Re: Parks Shelter Reservation Fees
The attached memo from the Director of Parks and Recreation contains a recom-
mendation from staff and from the Parks and Recreation Commission that reser-
vation fees for the use of park shelters be increased for the upcoming
season. It summarizes the various options considered and presents Option "A"
as the most desirable alternative.
The recommended fee increases will be implemented for the upcoming season in
the absence of objection by Council. If you have questions or concerns
regarding this issue, please raise them at your informal meeting on February
23, 1987.
cc: City Manager
Director of Parks & Recreation
bj4/9
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I
OF
PRECEDING
DOCUMENT
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 19, 1987
To: City Council
From: Assistant City Manager
Re: Parks Shelter Reservation Fees
The attached memo from the Director of Parks and Recreation contains a recom-
mendation from staff and from the Parks and Recreation Commission that reser-
vation fees for the use of park shelters be increased for the upcoming
season. It summarizes the various options considered and presents Option "A"
as the most desirable alternative.
The recommended fee increases will be implemented for the upcoming season in
the absence of objection by Council. If you have questions or concerns
regarding this issue, please raise them at your informal meeting on February
23, 1987.
cc: City Manager
Director of Parks & Recreation
bj4/9
parks & recreation
department MEMO
Steve Atkins,
to: City Manager Terry Trueblood,
from. Director of Parks & Recreatio
re: Park Shelter Reservation Fees date - February 17, 1987 i 1
At the Park and Recreation Commission meeting of February 11, 1987, staff
presented the commission with a proposal to increase park shelter
reservation fees. There were two primary reasons for the proposed
increases: 1). As requested in the budget process, we plan to hire an
additional temporary maintenance worker, and assign this individual,
almost exclusively, the responsibility of cleaning park shelters and
restrooms. The fee increases will cover the city's cost in hiring this
additional person. 2). Even though the shelter reservation fees were
increased from $2.00 to $4.00 last year (from $5.00 to $10.00 for the
enclosed shelter), our fees are extremely low by comparison, and will
still be low even with the new increases.
Several alternatives were presented, and the commission voted to endorse
one which establishes fees on a graduated scale, according to the size
of the shelter, as follows:
SEATING
FEE
CAPACITY
(5 hours or less)
8-12
$ 4.00
24
$ 5.00
36
$ 7.00
48-54
$10.00
60
$12.00
80-84
$16.00
132
$26.00
Enclosed
$20.00
For a reservation of more than five hours (could be as much as sixteen
hours), the fee will double.
We begin accepting advance reservations on March 2nd, and need to
advertise the week of February 23rd. Therefore, I would appreciate your
Placing this item on the agenda for the Council meetings of February 23rd
and/or February 24th.
Att.
city of iowa city
APA-
2-11-87
CITY OF IOWA CITY
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION
PARK SHELTER RESERVATION FEES
CURRENT FEES:
Open air shelters =.$ 4,00
Enclosed shelter = $10.00
FY'88 PROJECTED REVENUE:
1,500 reservations @ $4.00 = $6,000
100 reservations @ $10.00 = I1 000
7 000
SOME POSSIBILITIES (open air):
SEATING
CAPACITY
OPTION*
A
OPTION*
"B"
OPTION*
urn
OPTION*
OPTION
8-12 (6 shelters)
$ 4,00
$ 4,00
Dn
IE"
24 (one shelter)
36 (14 shelters)
5.00
5.00
$ 4.00
4.00
b 4.00
4,00
$ 4.00
48-54 (3 shelters)
7,00
10.00
6.00
8'00
5,00
4.00
6.00
6.00
60 (4 shelters)
80-84 (4 shelters)
12.00
16.00
10.00
7.00
9'00
6.00
7.00
6,00
132 (one shelter)
26.00
14.00
22.00
12.00
10.00
6.00
6.00
20.00
16.00
12.00
average per shelter
$ 8,94
E 7.73
$ 6.76
enclosed shelter
$20.00
$20.00
$ 5.64
$ 5.82
projected
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00
revenue
percentage reduction
$15,410
3.853(25%)
$13,595
2 719(20%)
1,640
$11
$8996(10%) 960
$10
net revenue
$11,557
30 876
746(15%)
9,894
023(30%)
net increase
$ 4,557
$ 3,876
8,964
9,E07
$ 2,894
$1,964
$ 2,207
Net increase needed to cover cost
of additional temporary maintenance worker = $3,500,00
*All options are based on a $4,00 minimum; beyond that:
Option "A" = Approximately 204 per individual
Option "B" = Approximately 174 per individual
Option "C" = Approximately 154 per individual
Option D = Approximately 124 per individual
(Figures are rounded to the nearest dollar).
al
`:,.-11
Y
CITY OF IOWA CITY
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION
PARK SHELTER CAPACITIES
2-11-87
07 toot
SEATING CAPACITY
SHELTER
(around tables)
Brookland Park
36
City Park 01
36
City Park 02
80
City Park N3
80
City Park N5
36
City Park 011
132
(larger section
84)
(small section
48)
City Park 012
36
City Park 013 (enclosed)
66
City Park 014
36
City Park 015
36
City Park 016
80
City Park 017
36
Court Hill Park 01
36
Court Hill Park 02
36
Court Hill Park 03
36
Court Hill Park 04
36
Crandic Park
36
Creekside Park
36
Happy Hollow Park
48
Hickory Hill (North)
60
Hickory Hill (South)
54
Mercer Park
60
North Market Square
36
Oak Grove Park
12
Pheasant Hill Park
12
Reno Street Park
12
Sturgis Ferry Park 01
8
Sturgis Ferry Park 02
8
Terrill MIll Park
24
Villa Park
12
Wetherby Park
60
Willow Creek Park
60
2-11-87
07 toot
t7
Johnson County Council of Governments
rr j410 E %bshirgtonS[ bvva City, bow 5224O
�
Date: February 13, 1987
To: Iowa Ci��yyiCCffi ncil
It
From: Don Schmeif, JCC Executive Dir c or
Harvey Miller, Iowa City Chief of
Re: Joint Animal Control Facility
During last year's discussion of the expansion of the Iowa City animal shelter,
the Iowa City City Council requested that the JCCOG staff review the feasibil-
ity of converting the existing shelter to a "joint" facility by allowing other
$, agencies within Johnson County to participate in the service it provides and in
to its cost of operation. Although the proposed Iowa City FY88 budget does not
appropriate the necessary funding for the facility's expansion this next fiscal
year, there is nevertheless some efficiency realized in limited joint use of
the facility without its expansion. This memorandum sets forth a proposal
developed by the JCCOG staff after considerable research and analysis of the
si initial request.
c.
In 1986 the animal shelter harbored 1,138 animals of which 249 or 22 percent
originated from the unincorporated
area of Johnson County (235), University
e' Heights (5) and Hills (9). The fee charged to these
jurisdictions is $15 for
each dog and cat or for any other animal. The 249 animals brought in from
outside the City, of which 133 were dogs and 116 were cats, resulted in $3,735
fees
of collected.
The other jurisdictions in Johnson County either have their own animal shelter
or contract with a local kennel or veterinarian to accommodate their animal
control needs. The
cost for this service averages about $4 per animal per day
for an average length of stay of five days,
a cost to the community of approxi-
mately $20. If an animal is euthanized, the cost increases to
approximately
$30. It is probably most cost-effective for these communities with immediate
access to a kennel or veterinarian to continue with their private animal con-
trol
arrangements. For other communities, including the County, contracting
f with Iowa City for this
service may be the least cost option.
Even though the City's animal shelter is in need of expansion, the animal
shelter personnel are willing to take in animals from other jurisdictions for a
trial period of
one year. This assent is based on the assumption that there
would not be an appreciable increase in the
number of sheltered animals.
According to a survey of some of the communities, the number of animals picked
up by the communities' officials in 1985 varied from five to as many as 32 for
Horth Liberty.
It is proposed that a flat fee of $25 per euthanized animal be assessed to the
County or community from which the animal is brought in. For an animal which
is reclaimed or adopted, the fee would be paid by the person taking possession
of the animal. The fees derived from the accommodation of these animals would
result in net program income to Iowa City's animal shelter operation, as the
2
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incremental cost for caring for these animals would be considerably less. Yet,
a $25 fee for each animal is in most cases less than the fee the County or
communities are currently paying.
We would also suggest that this proposal be implemented with the following
conditions:
1. A 28E agreement would be entered into between the City of Iowa City and the
County or each participating comnunity and include the following elements:
a. A schedule of fees or reference thereto in a resolution adopted by the
Iowa City City Council establishing annual fees.
b. A minimum and maximum period for harboring the animals before being
euthanized.
i
C. Procedures for handling the animals, the payment of fees, and for the
i; reclaiming of animals.
G'
7 d. Waiver of liability against the City of Iowa City for damages caused
beyond its control.
2. All animals would be dropped off at the animal shelter by county or city
qi officials or designated persons from the jurisdictions from which the
animals originate. (The animal shelter personnel presently accept stray
animals brought in by other persons regardless of their place of origina-
tion.)
is
3. The County and each community would be billed on a monthly or quarterly
basis for animals which originate from the County or community and are
euthanized. For animals which are reclaimed or adopted, the fees, nd ar-
ing to an established schedule, would be paid by the persons taking posses -
Sion of the animals. (The animal shelter staff has expressed some
preference for the present system of collecting fees for animals when they
are brought in. This is an option which will be explored further.)
j; The use of the Iowa City animal shelter as a joint facility has the benefit of
providing an immediate service to surrounding jurisdictions while providing
needed t little added cost. The srvice is
necessarily
rimited because am income to hthe acurrent afacility cannot accommodate aesubstan-
tial number of additional animals. Its joint use by the City of Coralville
would be pre-empted for this reason. Also, University Heights officials have
expressed an interest in the staff patrolling their community. Limited staff
resources may preempt this service but it is a matter which will be explored
` further. '
The eventual unlimited use of the animal shelter by all jurisdictions, however,
should be a goal worth pursuing in the future. If each jurisdiction were to
contribute toward the operation and maintenance through joint control of the
facility, whether owned by the City of Iowa City or not, there can only be
greater efficiency and savings realized by all the jurisdictions.
l The staff of the JCCOG and of the City of Iowa City anticipate presenting this
proposal to other jurisdictions which may have an interest. We will proceed on
this basis unless the City Council directs us otherwise.
DS/sp
7WO
I
i
DAN L HUDSON.ASSESSOR
DENNISJ. BALORIDGE DEPUTY
OFFICEOF
3lohia (Up
Citp Swoor
Johnson County Administration Bldg.
P.O. Box 1350 .
Iowa City, Iowa 52244
February 13, 1987
CAROLYN R. BURKE. DEPUTY
Dear Conference Board Member:
The meeting of the Iowa City Conference Board for the
public hearing on the Iowa City Assessors' FY '88 badget.is
scheduled for Monday, February 23, 1987 at 7:00 P.M. at the
Iowa City Civic Center. Enclosed is the agenda, a revised
Itemized budget and a copy of the January 26, 1987 minutes.
If you have any questions about the budget or anything
else, feel free to call me.
Sincerely,
Dan L. Hudson
Iowa City Assessor
DLH:dfg
enclosures
February 13, 1987
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
The Iowa City Conference BoardCivic Centerwill meet
FebruaryFebruary 23, 1 m uncil Chambers. The
9at the Iowa City
meeting is to hold a public hearing on the Iowa City
purpose of the m
Assessors' proposed budget for FY '88.
AGENDA:
1. Call meeting to order by the Chairperson.
2. Roll call by taxing body.
3. Act on minutes of January 26, 1987
Conference Board meeting.
4. Public hearing on budget.
6.Adopt budget. with Johnson
6. Discuss a combined meeting
County Conference Board.
7, other business.
8. Adjourn.
Dan L. Hudson
Clerk, Conference Board
V'
,
ITEMIZED BUDGET - ASSESSMENT EXPENSE FUND
EXPENDITURE_
FYI
SALARIES
City Assessor
First Deputy
Second Deputy
Plat Supervisor
Clerk
Total Salaries
OTHER EXPENDITURES
Board of Review
Employer Share: FICA
Employer Share: IPERS
Mileage & Auto
Office Supplies, post & Tele.
, Subscr. & Dues
Bonds & Workman's Comp.
Equipment Maintenance
Appraisal service
Insurance
Continuing Education
Appeals to Court
Schools & Conferences
Legal
Unemployment
Conference Board
Examining Board
Computer Charge
Total Other Expenditures
TOTAL BUDGET
UNENCUMBERED BALANCE
TRANSFER FROM SPEC. APPR. FUND
TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION
FY 88
$ 36,250
$ 37,340
29,000
25,380
29,870
32
i'
32
11.530
$127,980
35
35
Wi
F1
+i
ej
34
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
=j
44
45
46
47
:,•1
48
49
50
51
52
ITEMIZED BUDGET - ASSESSMENT EXPENSE FUND
EXPENDITURE_
FYI
SALARIES
City Assessor
First Deputy
Second Deputy
Plat Supervisor
Clerk
Total Salaries
OTHER EXPENDITURES
Board of Review
Employer Share: FICA
Employer Share: IPERS
Mileage & Auto
Office Supplies, post & Tele.
, Subscr. & Dues
Bonds & Workman's Comp.
Equipment Maintenance
Appraisal service
Insurance
Continuing Education
Appeals to Court
Schools & Conferences
Legal
Unemployment
Conference Board
Examining Board
Computer Charge
Total Other Expenditures
TOTAL BUDGET
UNENCUMBERED BALANCE
TRANSFER FROM SPEC. APPR. FUND
TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION
FY 88
$ 36,250
$ 37,340
29,000
25,380
29,870
26,140
21,680
15,670
22,330
11.530
$127,980
$132,210
$ 9,000
9,000
6,000
8,500
13,000
750
1,100
200
400
13,300
3,000
56,500
1,500
2,000
2,000
0
30
6,00o
$132,280
$260,260
68,741
4 739
$186,780
$ 9,000
10,220
6,240
500
8,800
1,000
1,200
200
400
15,200
3,500
15,000
1,500
2,000
2,000
0
30
8,000
$ 84,790
$217,000
irpe
V
BUDGET - SPECIAL APPRAISERS FUND
Mapping
TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION
GRAND TOTAL TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION
MAXIMUM LEVY ALLOWED
FY 7 F—
$ 0 $ 0
$ 0 $ 0
I
$186,780 $149,491 j
Maximum assessment expense fund 1,071,401,534 x .00027
IPERS & FICA Funds = $ 289,27E
Unemployment Compensation &= 16,460
Tort Liability
Maximum for assessment expense fund _ —.—
Maximum special appraisers fund 1,071 - $ 309,738
Maximum allowed without State a 401,534 x .000405= 433 918
pproval
Maximum emergency fund 1 = $ 743,656
l
(Which requires StateA901,534 x .00027 -_
Appeal ,534
Approval) $ 289,278
Maximum that could be raised by taxation for FY 188
_ $1,032,934
LEVIES AND RATES SINCE 1980
ASSessMent Expense Fund
Fiscal Year
----�.
Amount Levied
Lev_
.02177
98,868
v Rate
1979-80
1980-81
$ 146,050
'26746
1981-82
175,930
184,145
.29593
1982-83
192,960
•30081
1983-84
201,186
.28004
1984-85
200,278
•27000
1985-86
1986-87
181,958
.22454
•18905
1987-88
186,780
149,491
.17616
13953
S ec al Ani2ral.serls Fu
nd
Amount Levied Lev
—�- Rate
$ 61,000
.09592
15,000
.02177
98,868
.13000
-----73,890--
--:08284-
-/ fte
CITY CONFERENCE BOARD
JANUARY 26, 1987
City Conference Board: January 26, 1987, 7:00 P.M. In the Council
Chambers at theCiv-Tc Center. Mayor 0111 Ambrlsco presiding.
Iowa C1ty Councll Members Present: Ambrisco, Baker, Courtney, Dickson,
MC00pali] r5t aim u r.
Johnson County Supervisors Present: Donnelly, Myers, Ockenfels.
Iowa City School Board Members Present: Townsend, Hooldrlk'.
Others Present: Hudson, Atkins, Karr, Healing, Timmins.
Tape Recorded: Reel 87-C4, Side 1, 3j6 -End and Side 2, 1-15.
Mayor Ambrlsco stated that a quorum was present.
The County moved to accept the minutes of the last Conference Board
meeting, February 10, 1986, School seconded, and motion passed, 3/0.
City Assessor Hudson presented his proposed FY '88 assessment expense
fund budget. The major Increases being $2,000 for computer fees to
Johnson County, $1,900 for Insurance, $%320 for FICA and $6,770 for a
5% Increase In wages.' The total budget Is going down due to three
major decreases from the current FY, $4,500 for assessment rolls and
Postage to mall them, $7,000 for the car which was purchased 4nd,$41,000
which has been carried forward for court cases. The bulk of the court
cases were dismissed at the end of calendar 1986, therefore eliminating
the need toteI amount toor cbearaised byltaxation Is dowhe n t for $29,150 fromcthescurrent
year. The assessor's portion of taxes produced by new construction
being taxed for the first time In FY 188 amounts to $2,370. The levy
rate will go down from .17616 to .14597 for this proposed budget.
Discussion was held about the salary Increase with the City favoring
only a 3% Increase to fall In line with the Increases In other city
wages. The City moved to decrease the salary Increase from 5% to 3%.
County seconded,. and motion passed, 3/0.
City Assessor Hudson then presented the proposed FY 188 special appraisers
mapplhg which wlllpcostsapp oxlmatelyy$200,000 forgthetocity'suportion.
The average house In lova City would pay $2.41 toward this $50,000.
Discussion was held about the mapping and the consensus was that this
was not a good time for a tax Increase for such a project. The board
also felt that more discussion onthe need and on who Is available to
do such a project was needed before any commitments of money are made.
The City moved to remove the FY 188 special appraisers fund, County
seconded, and motion passed„ 3/0..
The City moved to accept the proposed budget as amended for publl cation,
County seconded, and motion passed, 3/0.
The County moved to set the public hearing on the proposed budget for
Monday, February 23, 1987 at 7:00 P.M. at the Iowa City Civic Center,
School seconded, and motion passed, 3/0.
There being no further business, It was moved by the County, seconded
by the School, 'to adjourn at 7:20 P.M. Motion carried unanimously, 3/0.
Dan L. Hudson
plork, Conference Board
07 fpt
Johnson County
ACCAN
(Area Council on Child Abuse & Neglect)
P.O. Box 1043
Iowa City, Iowa 52244
TO: ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS CONCERNED ABOUT CHILD ABUSE
AND NEGLECT IN OUR COMMUNITY
FROM: CHRISTY SCHEETZ, SECRETARY, JOHNSON -COUNTY -AREA COUNCIL ON
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
RE: JC-ACCAN PUBLIC MEETING
Briefs from January's public meeting:
ACCAN formed several new committees --1) Bylaws/Membership, to consider
formal membership procedures and resculutions by changes in the bylaws;
2) Grants/Needs committee, to consider what the needs are in this community,
and what objectives ACCAN should set for grant proposals; 3) Conference com-
mittee, to plan the spring mandatory reporter's conference. There are
still openings on these committees for any interested individuals. We also
discussed a desire for more input from area agencies as to which direction
ACCAN should go. Grant proposals will be submitted to the state at the end
Of May, and we would like to hear your thoughts about the needs in our com-
munity.
Please make every effort to attend the next public meeting. The February
meeting will be held on February 25, 1987, at 12 noon, in Room A bf.-the
Iowa City Public Library. For more information contact Linda Nelson at
338-7518 or Christy Scheetz at 354-4007. Hope to see you there.
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE FEBRUARY MEETING P1.FASE TAKE SOME TIME TO
OFFER YOUR THOUGHTS. FILL OUT AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION WITH YOUR
SUGGESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT.
What types of programs concerning child abuse and neglect do you think would
ACCAN to consider? for grant
be.meSC beneficial to our community? What is currently being done? Do you
or your organization have any ideas proposals that you would like
ass
February 6, 1987
Mr. Fred Zehr
Rirport Manager
910 East Uashington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52210
Bear Mr. Zehr:
The Board of Supervisors re—appointed Bob Jensen to the Johnson
County/Iowa City flirport Zoning Board of Rdlustnent on February
S. 1987.
This is for a tern expiring in 1992.
Sincerely, 7
BettyL1-1c�(:c.�i G.
Ockenfels
Chair
B0/lm
cc: Mayor Rnbrisco
Ennit George, Jr.
Bob Jensen
file
li
POHNSON
RECEIVFp":-7L7
COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
CITY CLERK
IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244
PHONE: (319) 356,M
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ROBERTJ.BURNS
.
HAROLD M. DONNELLY
DICK MYERS
BETTY OCKENFELS
DON SEHR
February 6, 1987
Mr. Fred Zehr
Rirport Manager
910 East Uashington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52210
Bear Mr. Zehr:
The Board of Supervisors re—appointed Bob Jensen to the Johnson
County/Iowa City flirport Zoning Board of Rdlustnent on February
S. 1987.
This is for a tern expiring in 1992.
Sincerely, 7
BettyL1-1c�(:c.�i G.
Ockenfels
Chair
B0/lm
cc: Mayor Rnbrisco
Ennit George, Jr.
Bob Jensen
file
CITY OF
CIVIC CENTER 410I O " ' ' ` CITY
E. WASHINGTON ST, IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-50C):)
February 18, 1987
PRESS_ RELEASE
Contact Persons:
Mary Nugent
Associate Planner
356-5248
Marianne Milkman
CDBG Program Coordinator
356-5244
Re: 1986 Rental Housing Survey
f
The City has completed a report containing an analysis of vacancy rates
and rents charged by landlords in the Iowa City and Coralville area, The
analysis includes a number of variables such as: location of units, size
Of units (number of bedrooms
Per unit), the age of the structure, and the
size of the apartment complex.
The rental housing survey was conducted in April, 1986, and updated in
November, 1986, to determine if there had been any significant seasonal
changes or trends. Analysis of the data provides the following informa-
tion:
i
- Total number of units surveyed in April, 1986 for Iowa City and Coral-
ville area was 3,598.
A follow-up survey of 808 rental units was con-
ducted in November, 1986.
0797
V
-2-
Vacancy rates increase as the distance from the Iowa City Central Busi-
ness District and the University of Iowa Pentacrest increases. Within
one mile of the Pentacrest, the vacancy rate is 2.2%, apartments located
within Iowa City but more than one mile from the Pentacrest have a
vacancy rate of 4.8% while in Coralville there is an 11.15% vacancy
rate. However, results from a sample survey of 808 units conducted in
November, 1986, show that vacancy rates decreased in Coralville over the
rates reflected in April.
- Mean customary rent (including shelter, water, sewer and heat) for the
various sizes of apartments were:
r
Unit Size
1986
1984
Efficiency
$218
$214
1 -bedroom
291
282
#i
2 -bedroom
401
399
g�
3 -bedroom
546
531
4:
A comparison of rents
in April, 1984,
and April, 1986, shows little
is
n'.
:i
change in the mean
customary rent, whereas
the U.S. Consumer Price Index
%7
for rental housing
costs increased by 13%
during that period,
k8
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,i
- The sample survey
of rents in November,
1986, shows little change from
rents charged by the landlords in April 1966.
In general, there is a correlation between the location of units and the
4? mean customary rent charged. Except for one -bedroom and three-bedroom
units within one mile of the Pentacrest, rents are lower in the outlying
areas.
r
i,
X97
i
-3-
Within One More Than One
Mile of Mile of
Unit Size Pentacrest Pentacrest Coralville
Efficiency $226 $210 $204
1 -bedroom 290 300 P78
2 -bedroom 421 397 381
3 -bedroom 543 571 499
Copies of the report are available to the public at the Department of
Planning and Program Development, Commerce Center, 325 E. Washington
Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240.
bj2/10
4$
Ocity
MEMORANDUM
TO: Iowa City City Council DAN: February 23, 1987
FROM: City Clerk
Rf: Beer/Liquor License/Conditional Approval
FOR YOUR INFORhIATION: Conditional approval was given to:
Lotito's, 321 S. Gilbert
College Street Club, 121 E. College
Mickey's, 11 S. Dubuque
R.T. Grunts, 826 S. Clinton
Econofoods, 1987 Broadway
Deli Mart, 525 Fhvy. 1 (Vest
for
�1
the Su day Sales/Liquor License. They have submitted after
Y period, the required information
them to retain their license. which allotvs
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071,00
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The Library's Dilemma and the Board Decision
An Explanation of the Decision to Reduce Services
and
Answers to Some Questions Recently Asked
2/3/87
The Iowa City Public Library is going to be closed Thursday
evenings and all day Fridays beginning March 7 because City
budget constraints will probably make it impossible for the
library to employ necessary additional permanent staff. The
decision to reduce hours rather than some other option is a
controversial one, but one that the library board of trustees
has considered very carefully. Following is a discussion of
that decision and how it was reached, along with answers to some
questions the library board recently has been asked.
The board has determined that closing those eleven hours is the
most appropriate form of service reduction to respond to the
library's problems; closing will have the least negative impact
on the public's use of the library and will go directly to pro-
viding staff time to perform basic library operations essential
for maintaining library services.
Since the library moved to its new building in 1981, use has doubled,
measured by such indicators as the numbers of people coming into the
building and numbers of materials checked out. The number of permanent,
full -time -equivalent (FTE) staff during that period has
by only one FTE. In addition, increased
five FTE temporary employees plus
volunteers have been added primarily to check in and shelve
books.
After failing to get the 4.25 employees requested for the current
Year and faced with a city budget that probably would not allow
for increases next year, last spring the director, the staff, and
the board began an extensive review of library priorities and
procedures. As a result of that review, the board instituted
service reductions that took effect in the fall of 1986 and the
staff made some adjustments in the way work is performed. At the
same time, the board tabled some planned objectives that would
have involved staff time and might have resulted in increased
use of the library. One of those objectives, for example, was
the on-going effort to increase awareness and use of the library
among the elderly and among those with limited reading or English
speaking skills.
With service adjustments made and library goals sacrificed, the
board reduced the staff request from 4.25 to 2.5. These addi-
tional employees are the minimum needed, and even that figure
assumes no further growth in use of the library,
The board reviewed many options, including charging fees for ser-
vices, reduction of the library materials budget, and other forms
of service reductions. It was the trustees conclusion that a
reduction in hours would be the least detrimental to the public's
use of the library and the easiest to restore when funds become
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available. Closing the library to the public on Thursday evening
end all -day Friday will provide about 100 hours a week, the equi-
valent of 2.6 employees, and the minimum time needed to keep up
with essential backroom tasks.
Reducing hours, the board believes, can be no ■ore than a temporary
solution. The board has committed to work closely on the library's budget
problems with the city council and citizen's committee proposed by the city
manager. The library's problems are the result of citizen's demand for its
services. A long-term solution to those problems must be respon-
sive to that demand.
Following are answers to some questions asked recently about the hours
reduction.
Why doesn't the library charge fees?
It is a basic tenet of a democratic society that the public needs
free access to all forms of information. This is a basic operat-
ing principle of this library and most libraries and of all
groups that support intellectual freedom..
Charging fees for access to information discriminates most against those
citizens who most need that information to be free. Libraries always
become very popular during hard economic times because people need
information to get back on their feet and need the free, high-quality
cultural experiences and entertainment that the library provides.
Moreover, the library board long ago decided that instead of mandatory
fees, money would be raised through voluntary contributions, gifts, grants,
and fines. Fees for library services would reduce library use
and discourage the dollars in private contributions the library
now receives.
If not fees, what has the library board done to assist with
library funding?
The library board has been quite successful at generating volun-
tary contributions and has been firm about collecting fines.
Income from library fines has grown from $19,000 in FY1981 to
$66,000 in FY1986. The Library's oldest support organization,
the Friends of the ICPL, contributes dollars, services, and mate-
rials to the library in significant amounts. The ICPL Foundation
has raised $376,000 toward a million dollar endowment fund and
has received a $125,000 matching grant from the National Endow-
ment for the Humanities. Finally, since 1981 more than $160,000
has been used from the library's gifts and bequests fund to pur-
chase materials and equipment and some 12,000 items, worth over
$100,000, have been added to the collection by direct gifts of
materials. City government has given no more than inflationary
increases to the library's materials budget since 1981.
It was hoped when the new library opened that the library could
help provide its own support for growth in the collection and the
city would be able to provide needed staff. The library and its
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support groups have done extremely well in increasing the ■ateri-
als budget. Now budget money for staff is needed to match that
effort.
Who is res oeible for cloain the libraryT
It was the library board of trustees decision to reduce hours, not the city
council. The council does have the ability to authorize additional
employees and to provide funding that would keep the library open.
nee a&_ ... _
Library employees are part of the bargaining unit with other city
employees. Salaries are negotiated under a process directed and controlled
by the city council and the union.
The 2.5 FTS��1CID9'
permanent employees are a bare minimum increase required just
to keep the library open Thursday nights and Fridays this fiscal year,
assuming no increases in use. The library needs at least 4.25 FTE
Permanent staff just to catch up with the growth experienced
since 1981.
Have there been employees added at the library?
Since 1981, the permanent library staff has increased one full-time
equivalent from 25.75 FTE
employees to 26.75 FTE employees. The board
requested additional permanent FTE employees in
1981; in
has
every budget cycle
FY1983, the library received authorization to
three -quarter -time
since
extend a
employee to full-time, an increase of
mhas anent FTS. No other increase
.25 per-
in full-time permanent employees
city
tionalehalfrtimem(Og5iFTE)eemployeedwe, oins1983utoastaff1
addedIng
the AV lab, funded out of the cable franchise fee. Another
employeewas
increased from half-time to three-quarter time
the result of union
as
rules regarding hours worked.
During thesame period, there has been an increase of an equivalent
full-time temporary employees.
of 5
Salaries for these employees are less
skilled permanent employees and they
than
receive no benefits. Temporary
employees require training and supervision
from permanent employees.
Overall, there has been an increase in temporary and
about 19
permanent staff
percent since 1981, while service indicators have increased
100 percent. Less than
of
4 percent of this increase has been for
permanent staff.
nearly
Can the -library use volunteers?
The library already uses as many volunteers and temporary, unskilled
workers as is feasible. These workers require training and supervision by
permanent employees.
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What new service■ have been added?
No new services except the audio-visual lab and a study room with
aids for the handicapped have been added since the new library
building opened in 1981. The AV lab is paid for by cable fran-
chise fees. All existing services have grown, however, due to
increased use. The changing ■ix of collection formats offered
are a response to user needs and new technology.