HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-08-11 Info Packet.V'
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 4, 1987
To: City Council
From: City Manager
Re: Keokuk Street -Highway 6 Intersection Repair
The Keokuk Street -Highway 66 intersection consists of a 25.5 ft. wide pave-
ment on the north leg of Keokuk Street and a 42' wide pavement on the south
leg of Keokuk. Highway #6 consists of two 12 foot lanes in each direction
with a 30 foot grass median and 12 foot wide left turning lanes for both east
and westbound traffic. Hollywood Boulevard serves as a frontage road and the
north edge of the 25 foot wide pavement is located 69 feet south of the south
edge of the Highway N6 pavement.
Storm water in the area is carried from the intersection via a drainage ditch
between Highway M6 and Hollywood Boulevard. Drainage within the intersection
is provided by several storm sewer pipes and placed in a helter-skelter
fashion as the intersection was modified and expanded over the years.
The intersection was included in an FY88 Capital Improvements Project (CIP)
to provide sidewalk on both sides of Keokuk Street from just south of Plum
Street across Highway N6 bypass to Southgate Avenue. To accommodate the
additional shoulder width needed to put sidewalks along Keokuk Street between
Highway A6 and Hollywood Boulevard, concrete pipes would need to be extended
and secondly, the intersection pavement has deteriorated.
We have
osed an
tion
assistance.op.IDOT suggestedsaccost sharing oft55%1an to IDOT for fiState and 45% City. improvements suggested include widening Keokuk Street pavement from
Highway M6 north to Plum to improve traffic flow and adding curb to protect
pedestrians using the crosswalks and adding storm sewer tie-ins to reduce
erosion and increase storm sewer capacity in this area.
This intersection's project scope and cost has continued to grow since first
consideration, but need for the improvement coupled with possible state
funding make proceeding with the improvements both necessary and attractive.
The Department of Public Works has recommended elimination of the sidewalk
improvements from the FY88 CIP and including both sidewalk improvements and
intersection improvements in the FY89 CIP. I have concurred.
If the Council should disagree, please let me know.
cc: Chuck Schmadeke
Rosemary Vitosh
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 7, 1987
To: City Council
From: City Manager
Re: Towing Contract
Upon review of bid proposals, staff has- determined that they feel the
necessity for Iowa City Wrecker to provide additional information concern-
ing their financial capabilities. The attached letter is self-explana-
tory, but due to the time delay it appears that the Council will not be in
a position to consider contract award until the meeting of August 25. We
apologize for the delay; however, staff feels that the information con-
cerning the financial capabilities is important to the overall assessment
of the bid proposal.
SJA/sp
cc: Cathy Eisenhofer
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CITY OF
IOWA CITY
CHIC CENTER 410 E. WASHINGTON ST. IOWA CIN, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-5000i August 6, 1987 /„
Iowa City Wrecker
Attention: Dale Gerot
1222 Gilbert Court
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Re: Vehicle Towing and Storage Services Proposal 88-12
Dear Mr, Gerot:
i The Award Committee is requesting further information to determine the
financial capability of Iowa City Wrecker to perform the Vehicle Towing
and Storage Service contract with the City of Iowa City.
Please provide by 2:00 p.m. 8-13-87 evidence of the following:
1. Iowa City Wrecker's most recent balance sheet and operating statement,
for year-to-date operating year, is to be made available to the Assis-
tant Finance Director for review.
i
2. Copies of written agreements to acquire necessary equipment to perform
the contract.
3. A letter of intent from the provider to supply $75,000 worth of work-
ing capital.
4. A letter of intent from the provider to supply the office/storage
area,
5. A letter of intent from the provider to secure insurance in the speci-
fied amounts.
i
In order to provide the necessary time for you to provide and the Commit-
tee to review the information, the City will not plan to discuss this
contract at the 8-11-87 Council meeting.
Any questions you may have in regard to the above information, please feel
free to contact me.
Sincerely yours,
i C-1
Catharine W. Eisenhofer
Purchasing Agent
• 319/356-5075
bdw4/5
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
CIVIC CENTER 410 E. WASHINGTON ST. IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-5COD
August 6, 1987
Holiday Wrecker Service, Inc.
Attention: Jere Wissink
211 -10th Street East
Coralville, Iowa 52241
Re: Vehicle Towing and Storage Services Proposal 88-12
Dear Mr. Wissink:
The Award Committee is requesting further information to determine the
financial capability of Holiday Wrecker to perform the Vehicle Towing and
Storage Services contract for the City of Iowa City.
Please provide by 2:00 p.m. 8-13-87 evidence of the following:
1. Holiday Wrecker Service, Inc.'s most recent balance sheet and operat-
ing statement, for year-to-date operating year, is to be made avail-
able to the Assistant Finance Director for review.
In order to provide the necessary time for you to provide and the Commit-
tee to review the information, the City will not be planning on discussing
this contract at the 8-11-87 Council meeting.
Any questions you may have in regard to the above request, please
feel free to contact me.
Sincerely yours,
I,,
Catharine W. Eisenhofer
Purchasing Agent
31/9356-5075
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 4, 1987
To: City Boards and Commissions
From: City Manager
Re: Property Tax - Other Facts
I suspect from time to time you receive questions concerning property tax
bills, City share, etc. The attached information has been prepared to,
hopefully, assist you in answering some of those questions.
tp2/11
cc: City Council
Department Directors
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Property Taxes
Average value - single family home $68,450
38.8% City tax $ 549
43.2% School tax 612
17.1% County tax 243
labs Other 12
1986-87 Total property tax $1 416
41.5% City tax E 612
40.9% School tax 604
16.9% County tax 250
7% Other 10
100
1987-88 Total property tax 11,476
(budget adopted for July 1987)
-------------------------------------------------
Increase in City tax 86-87 to 87-88 $63
(includes cost for new pools)
Total increase in property tax for
average home 86-87 to 87-88 $60 or 4.2% increase
in property tax bill
City Employees
Annual Payroll $11,300,000
State Income Tax paid 500,000
Federal Income Tax paid 1,600,000
Social Security paid 600,000
449 full-time employees - down from last year 458
City purchases $7,000,000 in goods and services from area economy.
//,40
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 4, 1987
To: City Boards and Commissions
From: City Manager
Re: Hew Member Meeting
In an t to
memberstolearn moreefor aboutatheneral forum to allow Board and Commission
quirements that affect their Pertinent le al
work, a meeting has been scheduledrative re-
iforationesn CitynBoa d �andtCommission
in the Council Chambers. I recently suggestedythatpthiset 9, at 7:30 PM
would be helpful to our Board and Commission members and the Cit
concurred and directed that I proceed. type of meeting
Commission members would find the type of information s fe tthattwnew e pres-
entoulda
especially helpful, although ail Board and Commission members are
invited to attend. Hopefully, such meeting will be
basis so that new members, in particular, may will
afforded an opportunity
to learn more about the issues held on an annual
City Council. pertinent to their advisor e
Y role to the
The following represents the agenda for the meeting. The Cit
Attorney, and I will be present to provide information concerning agenda
items as well as answer any other questions you feel appropriate. I City
do feel that an item has not been included on the agenda and it would be
helpful to you to learn more If You
the agenda. The meeting should not �take omore than 1our best -112 hours. item on
cc: City Council
City Clerk
City Attorney
Department Directors
tp5/q
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Aend
New Board/Cann ssioo
ng
Wednesday. September Member - 7:30 eep.m.
Discuss
Discuss the open meetings law.
Discuss the freedom of information law.
Meeting notice requirements.
Executive sessions.
Public official liability.
Parliamentary procedure.
City Clerk - recordkeeping.
Meeting rooms - handicapped accessibility.
Board/Commission Bylaws - are they up-to-date.
City Council agenda preparation and schedule.
City Council policy - legislative matters.
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City of Iowa city
MEMORANDUM
Date: July 16, 1981
To: All Boards and Commissions
From: City Council
Re: Council Policy on Legislative or Political Issues
The City Council is the body politic for the City of Iowa City. Councilmembers are
responsible to the electorate to act as a body in establishing City policy and
determining any public position of the City on legislative or political issues.
Members of Boards and Commissions are appointed by the City Council. With the
exception of the Airport Commission and the Library Board of Trustees, Boards and
Commissions are advisory bodies to the Council. Therefore, the City Council takes
the position that public stands by Boards and Commissions on legislative or
Political issues are taken only upon review and approval by the City Council.
Approval by the Councils Legislative Committee on matters regarding legislative
issues is sufficient for the above purpose.
This policy should not be construed to prevent Boards and Commissions from
discussing regulations, procedures or other similar matters with administrative
agencies, nor is it meant to discourage Boards and Commissions from carrying out
their normal functions publicly and openly. It is assumed that normal
responsibilities include making public recommendations to the City Council on a
variety of issues to include those of a legislative or political nature. The
purpose of this policy is to insure that Boards and Commissions do not make policy
statements or take public positions which fall solely within the realm of City
Council responsibilities, but which might nevertheless be construed as
representing the official position of the City of Iowa City.
In the event that your Board or Commission wishes the City Council to take a public
Position or to approve or endorse your public stand on a legislative or political
issue, this request should be clearly reflected on the record of the meeting at
which you approve this action. You should then instruct your staff liaison person
to immediately submit your request or recommendation, in letter form and addressed
to the City Council, to the City Manager's office for inclusion on the next City
Council agenda. In the interim, a copy of your request or recommendation will be
made available to all Councilmembers so that informal discussion, if deemed
appropriate by the Council, can take place at the earliest possible time. Your
communication should include some indication of the degree of urgency which you
perceive as necessary for receiving a response from the Council. This will
facilitate the timeliness of policy statements as well as contacts with
legislators during those times when they are in session.
City staff will assist you in every way possible to achieve timely and effective
communication with the City Council as it relates to these issues. All such
communications will be coordinated through the City Manager's office and you may
contact the Assistant City Manager if you need further assistance.
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parks & recreation
department
MEMO
t o : Steve Atkins, City Manager f r om: Terry Trueblood, Director
Bathhouse roof, dat—17"'
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re . City Park Pool August 7, 1987
In response to recent questions and petitions relative to the advisability
of installing roofs over the locker rooms in the new City Park pool
bathhouse, I offer the following information:
On June 3, 1986, a referendum was conducted. Part of this referendum was
to renovate City Park Pool, including a "new covered bathhouse." A total
of 4,988 citizens voted in this election, with 3,947 (nearly 80%) casting
a favorable vote. Recent petitions opposing a covered bathhouse contained
the signatures of 108 city residents (at most).
On July 14, 1987, the City Council conducted a public hearing to ascertain
whether or not anyone had objections to the plans and specifications.
There were no objections received at that time, either written or verbal.
There is a potential cost savings of $14,000 to $18,000 by not installing
roofs over the changing areas, but we, as staff, feel the benefits of
roofing these areas far outweigh the disadvantages. The following is a
partial list of these benefits:
* Protection of patrons: Without roofs over the locker rooms, there
is not sufficient covered space to protect our pool patrons from
bad weather, especially on busy days. We are referring primarily
to sudden rain storms, but other elements to consider are lightning,
hail, wind, tornadoes, and even the sun.
* Protection of equipment: One problem we constantly experience is
the rusting of metal, rotting of wood, etc. due to exposure. Such
items include sinks, toilets, stalls/partitions, showers, various
plumbing fixtures, benches, and miscellaneous accessories, not to
mention the exposed walls and floors. Additionally, we are planning
to eliminate our basket -checking system in favor of coin-operated
lockers (which can also be used free of charge). Another new
feature will be hair/hand dryers. These lockers and dryers must
have the protection of a roof, and a partial roof is not adequate.
In short, covered locker rooms will lengthen the life of everything
located inside.
* General maintenance: There seems to be a misconception that roofs
over the locker rooms will create more maintenance. The fact of
the matter is, our maintenance efforts will be enhanced with the
city of Iowa city 116 RIO
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City of lows City
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 5, 198*Aartments To: City Council'
From: Douglas W. Bou ing & Inspection Services
Re: Legalizing A
I recommend that both the zoning and housing codes be amended to allow acces-
sory apartments. A set of conceptual provisions for an amendment to the
Zoning Ordinance is attached to this memorandum for your consideration.
Rationale for this recommendation follows. -
A home with an accessory apartment is not a duplex. An accessory apartment
is additional living area built out of surplus space within the home. It is
called "accessory" because it is subordinate to the family dwelling in size,
location, appearance, and occupancy. A duplex will ordinarily contain two -
units of roughly equal size and equally prominent placement on a lot. The
two units can be rented or owned by separate households. A home with an
accessory apartment is an owner -occupied home with the accessory apartment
being located and designed to be unobtrusive and clearly not visible from the
street. The image of a single-family neighborhood will not change because
the accessory apartment conversion would only be permitted by owner -occupants
who presumably will not want to see the neighborhood in which they live
deteriorate.
Legalizing accessory apartment conversions in single family homes will expand
the opportunities for safe, affordable housing in the community. It offers a
way to make existing homes more affordable for older homeowners, for homeown-
ers who live alone (e.g. the widowed, divorced, retired, or infirm) or for
young families with small children. Allowing accessory apartments provides a
homeowner the opportunity to adapt their home to changing space and economic
needs without sacrificing the livability of the neighborhood in which they
choose to live. The potential benefits of allowing accessory apartments for
everyone are:
Allows an efficient use of older large homes and encourages investment in
and preservation of historic houses in older neighborhoods.
+ Makes it financially possible for homeowners to remain in their homes
without subsidies despite rising property taxes, heating bills, and mainte-
nance costs.
Increases the diversity of the community's housing stock in terms of price
and availability of rental units.
+ Provides security, especially when the owner is elderly or often away.
• Eliminates the potential for illegal conversions, and keeps conversions
under better control through the permitting process.
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r Provides companionship through shared housing arrangements,
* Provides a way for older homeowners to stay comfortably in homes they might
otherwise have to leave to remain viable members of the community.
The housing code should be amended to provide a special set of "life-style"
standards for hones in which accessory apartments are located. These stan-
dards will require the owner -occupied area to be in compliance only with the
code provisions specifically designed to avoid life threatening hazards
(particularly those related to fire) while the accessory apartment would be
required to meet all code requirements. The zoning amendments address neigh-
borhood compatibility of accessory apartments by including the following:
• Regulating exterior alterations.
* Requiring owner -occupancy.
* Limiting apartment size to a given percentage of the total floor area of
the house.
* Requiring additional parking.
• Requiring a permit renewable upon City housing inspection.
Upon amendment of the zoning and housing codes, homeowners with an existing
accessory apartment should be given the opportunity to establish its legality
subject to meeting minimal health and safety codes.
Legalizing accessory apartments will help homeowners better utilize their
homes to meet specific needs while providing safe, affordable housing that
does not jeopardize the integrity and livability of single family neighbor-
hoods. Thank you for considering this recommendation.
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10. Minimum floor area. The accessory apartment should have at least 300
square feet of floor area.
11. Upon receiving an accessory apartment permit, the owner should file on
the property a Declaration of Covenants at the County Courthouse. The
Declaration should state that the right to establish an accessory apart-
ment ceases upon transfer of title and the right to establish an acces-
sornt in wayroval of of Housing andyof the
Inspec-
tion Services.
12. A notarized letter of application from the owner stating that he/she will
occupy one of the dwelling units on the premises except for bona fide
temporary absences, should be submitted to the City prior to the issuance
of an accessory apartment permit.
13. The effective period of the permit should be for three years. At the end
of every three years, renewal of the accessory apartment permit should be
granted after completion of a routine housing inspection and verification
that the property remains the principal residence of the owner and that
all of the conditions met at the time of the original application remain
unchanged.
its for
sabled and
14• In order to handicapped individualshand e persons with housing
limitedunmobility direasonable
deviation from the standards of the Housing Code, where necessary to
install features that facilitate access and mobility for disabled per-
sons, may be permitted.
bjl/3
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ELDERLY SERVICES AGENCY of Johnson County
28 South Linn Street • Iowa City, Iowa 52240 o 356-5215
July 13, 1987
To: Housing Commission
Planning and Zoning Commission
From: Jean Ann Snow, Executive Director
Elderly Services asks your help in changing the zoning and housing
codes to allow accessory apartments in owner -occupied homes.
We have had 56 elderly homeowners apply for the Shared Housing program
in their struggle to remain in their own homes as long as possible.
Their average age is 80 and half of them are impaired enough so that
they cannot perform simple activities of everyday living without
help. They can get that help through this program by having someone
come to 11ve with them who will provide some services in exchange for
a low rent. (Program rents range between $125 and 5240 a month.
Service hours average 20 a week.)
However, some of the places elderly people have for their tenants
violate either zoning laws or housing codes. 16% of our homeowners
had basement apartments without a second exit. 9% had illegal
cooking areas.
It is our feeling that by legalizing accessory apartments, the
City Housing and Inspection Services and Elderly Services will have
much more influence over the safety and well-being of homeowners and
tenants. People are going to have tenants if they need them there,
either legally or illegally. Legalizing the apartments allows us to
set up carefully drawn lease agreements in areas which meet code and
zoning requirements. As it is now, if an elderly person has an area
which is in violation, Elderly Services walks away, knowing that in all
probability the area will be rented to someone else illegally.
Elderly Services would cooperate with any requirements you might
set up. We appeal to you to consider the positive effects of allowing
older people to use their large homes as a buttress against being
sent to the nursing home. The rental income and the help with the
chores that a Shared Housing tenant provides have meant that almost all
elderly homeowners in the program have succeeded in remaining at home.
None of the neighbors have complained about these arrangements.
Turnover tends to run along the school year lines -- most tenants
are students. We run a thorough reference and police check on anyone
we place in the home of an elderly person. Our placements have been
free of trouble and highly satisfactory to the elderly.
We urge you to legalize accessory apartments because of their importance
to our frail elderly clients. Without a program like Shared Housing
for which they legally qualify, the elderly are at the mercy of whomever
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d¢ L OPa; mem or nwmng Ana groan wave opmenc
DBV@Iaolmenf dna CesearQ1
Allowing Accessory
Apartments
<ey Issues for Local Officials
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Allowing Accessory
Apartments
Key Issues for Local Officials
by
Samuel J. Hodges. III
Ellis G. Goldman
Office of Polity Development
and RQsaarCh
U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development
With Ine Assistance of the
Center for Metr000litan Action
October 1988
\\
//* M5
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Foreword
Allowing Accessory Apartments: Key Issues for Local Officials is a particularly
welcome repom for it descnbes a feasible and etraignborward local solution to a
major housing problem. Adequate, affordable housing is now beyond the reach of
many citizens. particularly the elderly and others of limited means. Yet. some
homeowners - again, in many cases, the elderly - occupy more living area than
may need or can afford to maintain.
ACcessory apartments developed from unused space in single-family homes are a
creative solution for the homeowner, the tenant and tha community. Homeowners
realize A naw sourea of income, -and one aspect of the housing problem is
alleviated at no cost to the local goveniment in fact there is wen enhanced to
revenue from the mooiLeC dwellings
Local officials snould find Allowing Accessory Apartments of great help in dealing
with questions about overcrowding, neighborhood appearance, and other matters
that are likely to arise from immediate neighbors and the larger Community.
Drawing from me eapenentes of several 1=111e3. the report provides valuable
guidance an the effective implementation of an accessory apartment program.
1 believe you will find it very usetul.
amu:0iii:R..
Secretary
U.S Deoargnent of Housing and
Urban Oevelopment
'',� > NJ
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Contents
Introduction/3
The Need for Accessory Aoartmenls/5
Benefits and Costs of Accessory Apartments/7
Potential Benslits to the COmmUnity/7
Potential Coils to the COmmunity/8
Responding 10 Community Concerns/9
Choosing an Approach/ 11
Designing Regulations/12
Monitoring and Enforcement/12
Building Public Support/13
Conclusion/14
Appendix I Babylon, N.Y.: One Town's Experience/ 15
I
Appendix II local Contacts/ 17
Appendix III Selected Bibliography/18
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The Need for Accessory Apartments
Recent demographic changes affecting
housing demand Include a decline In
family size, an Increase in the numper
of childless and single -person house-
holds. and a growing numoer of elderly
households. In the 10 years between
1970 and 1980, the average household
size In the United States declined from
3.07 to less than 2.8 persons; yet the
number of households continues to
grow. Bureau of the Census projections
Indicate that by 1990 the Nation will
nave about 9S million households, with
an average size of 2.5 or less.' This
situation will create a substantial addi.
tional demand for small. affordable
Mousing units.
Nigh housing costs are adversely
affecting many people. especially the
elderly and others with low or fixed
Incomes. Despite Incomes below the
national median. many older
homeowners are " overnoused" and
must pay for maintaining this excess
space in their homes. In 1980, persons
65 years or older represented 53 per.
cent of all one-person households, and
married couples 65 years or older
represented 16 percent Of all two.
person households In the United
States.
In general, there has been substantial
growth in households made up of $in.
gle or unrelated persons (See Table 1),
For members of these groups, renting
Out rooms or accessory apartments is
Chen the best way to cope with the cost
of shelter.
i Fe0ere1 Home I.ean Mortgage corpora.
Iron rhe 1980 Annual Recon, DecaOe to
Decade. Scanning the Horizons lwasning-
ton D.C.. 19801.0 14
Young people also must deal with
harsh economic realities. Between
1970 and 1980, the average cost of a
new single-family house rose from
$23,400 to $64.600, an increase of 176
percent (ase Table 2). During approxi-
mately the same period, the Consumer
Price Index rose 112 percent. Median
household income. in constant dollars.
actually decreased between 1970 and
1980 from $20.457 to $19,547,2 and the
low mortgage interest rates mat made
homeownership possible for so many
Americans are unlikely to return. These
demographic and economic changes
suggest mat 40Ceea0ry apartments will
become increasingly popular.r
2t U.S. Deoanment of Commerce, Bureau of
Ina Census, SIAPS11W Abstract of the Unr.
led States fWashmgton. O.C.. 19821. P. 429.
21 During the period 1973.80. 27.7 percent
01 all now housing units came from conver.
310115 and other nontraditional sources. IU.S.
Dessnment of Housing and Url Dever.
aoment. Office of Policy 00v*IOomenl and
Research and U.S. Deoanment a1 Com.
merce. Bureau of the Census. 1970.1980
Annual Housing Survey, Pert Al. The orecee
number of accessory apartments within M17
899109&1* Ilgure Is not known. because so
many ale created cendeatmely. However,
on* source estimates inert in 1979 alone. as
many as 500.000 Illegal conversions took
place (James Hughes and George Sternliso.
"The Future of Rental Housing" New
Brunswick, NJ.. Rutgers University. Canter
lot Unfair Policy Research, 19821
There is a growing need to create an
accessory apartments program. Our
studies show that 53 percent of the
homes with this rooms or more are
occupied by the older population.
Leo Baldwin
Housing Coordinator
American Association of
Roll Persons
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Table 1
Composition of Net Household Formation by Type of Household,
United States 1950.80
1975.80 6.210 11.5 19.7 68.8
Source U.S. Oaererlenl of owmerce Sufau of me Canwa Current Population Pecan
-M4ueelWW enc Flrmlia Dy ryPe' Sema P•211 Na 341 Washington, O.C. Mercn 1979.
rays 1
Table 2
Approximate Cost Breakdown For New, Single -Family Homes
1970 1910 1970.80
Percent
Cost Percent Colt Percent Change
Land
Net
Percentage of Total Increase
515.500
Increase
. Married
Other
Singles a Unrelated
Years
(In 1000's)
Couples,
Families
Individuals
1950.55
6.320
50.4
6.2
43.2
1955.80
4.925
81.0
3.4
35.6
1960-85
4.637
52.5
10.8
37.6
1965.70
5.965
50.9
9.9
39.3
1970.75
7,719
26.8
24.4
48.8
1975.80 6.210 11.5 19.7 68.8
Source U.S. Oaererlenl of owmerce Sufau of me Canwa Current Population Pecan
-M4ueelWW enc Flrmlia Dy ryPe' Sema P•211 Na 341 Washington, O.C. Mercn 1979.
rays 1
Table 2
Approximate Cost Breakdown For New, Single -Family Homes
1970 1910 1970.80
Percent
Cost Percent Colt Percent Change
Land
S 4,450
19
515.500
24
248.3%
On-site labor
4,500
19
10,350
16
130.0
Materials
8.650
37
22.000
34
154.4
Financing
1,600
7
7.700
12
381.3
Overhead, profit.
other
4,200
18
91050
14
115.3
Total
523.400
100
$64,600
100
176.1%
Source. Merrill Linen. Pierce. Fenner and Smnn, "Housing Industry' (January 19821. o 28
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Benefits and Costs of Accessory Apartments
Officials in communities that are con-
sidering permitting accessory apart.
ments must weigh the benefits and
costs carefully. Public acceptance of
sucn dwellings may rest on a candid
assessment of the opportunities and
problems that can result from allowing
these units.
Potential Benefits to the
Community
Accessory apartments offer the follow-
ing potential benefits:
■ Source of Affoidable Housing.
Accessory apartments respond to a
need that is not being adequately
addressed by the conventional housing
market In most communities. Such
housing Can be relatively Inexpensive:
the average cost of converting Interior
space to an accessory apartment is
about one-third the cost of construct-
ing new units of comparable size, and
even less if the owner does some of the
work..
■ ee114W Use of Existing Mowing. Par -
mining accessory apartments allows a
more efficient use of existing housing.
While many units In the housing inven-
tory are too large for the needs of tit
current occupants, the cost of moving
has discouraged them from seeking
more appropriate accommodations
Units such as these constitute a vast
untapped housing resource that can be
creatively turned to the advantage of all
parties.
a Maintenance of Existing Housing.
The quality of housing stock often
deteriorates when residents are unable
to pay for proper maintenance and
repair. The vitally of an area depends
on continuing infusions of capital, but
maintenance costs have become pro-
hibitive for many people. One way of
easing the financial burden Is by Per.
milting accessory, apartments, which
an provide a major revenue supple-
ment to homeowners faced with rapidly
escalating maintenance costs
■ Mousing Diversity With Minimal Dts-
tuption. A major advantage of a hous-
ing strategy mat encourages accessory
apartments can ba minimal disruption
to the neighborhood. New housing, on
the other hand. involves significant
changes to an area through demolition
and replacement use of formerly
vacant land, or construction of
buildings that may differ In aesthetics
and scale from the rest of the
neighbomood.
■ Neighborhood Stability. The social
stability of a neighborhood an be
improved by accessory, apartments.
Such apartments otter alternatives to
existing homeowners or renters. who
may mus be able to stay in the area
when their existing arrangements are
no longer appropriate or affordable.
Accessory apartments also encourage
the multi -generational population often
missing from many suburban
neighborhoods.
■ Improved Tax less. The local tax
bees should be enhanced by the intro.
duction of accessory apartments.
because the value of a property usually
Increases It it generates Income.
Although there Is some danger of over.
stating the magnitude of this Increase,
II represents a distinct source of adds.
tional tax revenue.
u Martin Cellan. "Ecdnomip Aspects of the
Regulation of Secondary Umb." (Berkeley.
Calif.: University of California. Inaetute of
Urban and Regional Develooment 1989.
Accessory apartments are one imW-
tent way of expanding our local hoes.
Ing stock and allowing persona with
limited Incomes to be housed without
the need for public subsldlee.
Alan K. Wllaon
Mayor
Muncie, Indiana
.o•
a Improved local Government Control.
Enactment of legislation governing
accessory Apartments provides a city
with the ability t0 control units already
in place as well as to shape the growth
of future units. With the force of such
legislatldn behind it a locality can stip-
j ulale the conditions that must 6e met
by homeowner As long as accessary
aPartmenle are illegal, however. the
local gaysmment will be in an adver-
aarfN role, with little ability to affect the
spread of "underground- accessory
apamment
Potential Costa to the
Community
Citlzens an concerned about the effect
Of accessory apartments on the neigh-
bOMOW and the community at large.
The SCOW Impact upon an area
depends on the number of units, their
0ocupent and the condition of the
IOW infrastructure.
■ 30rfte guider, Some people are
concamed tent accessory apartments
will eonatltale an unacceptable burden
on local services Such ss police and
the protection. Sanitation, and Public
health. Genwoly speaking, accessory
sPartnents an likely to appear in
neighborhoods where sizeable homes
And A dsdining population have
creatad An opportunity to not the
excess space. The Overall decline in
Population density that made these
units possible also makes it unlikely
Mat demands for city services will rise
significantly. Then is often concern, for
example, that accessory aosr ments
may create an additional teaching
burden in the Schools. However,
because of their smaller size, acces-
sory apartments are unlikely to attract
many hmillss with 30001children. In
fact it is probable that many units will
be Occupied by elderly persons woo
already reside in the community.
A Demands M Infrastructure. A similar
concern may apse as to whether
accessory apartments will result in
additional infrastructure Costs for
water, $Swats. eleCtnClty, schools,
sant; and parking. The answer
depends upon whether the Current
lecilltles nave unused capacity. It may
also be difficult to provide adeouate
off-street Parking for the new units.
Costs for utility hock -ups, Although
generally not significant must be borne
by property owners who create acces-
$Cry apartment
It is unlikely that major infrastructure
investments will be needed. Existing
roads, schools, and utllitles fMuently
were designed for a larger population
and should not have t0 be expanded If,
however, major infrastructure invest-
ments are necessary to accommodate
aCCOWfY apartments, It is likely that
few rldnteOWhers will agree to absorb
the cost Thus, accessory apartments
will not be developed - at least not
legally - when a significant cost tarner
exist
■ Property VNues. Unregulated acces-
scry apartments may Cause neighbor-
hoods to become les$ desirable
because of higher density and changes
in the external appearance Of the hold-
ing StOCIL Under thew circumstances.
Property values may stagnate or even
decrease. If however, accessory
apartments are controlled by the local
government and are designed to Oland
with an existing neighborhood, prop-
erty values Should not be adversely
affected. In fact the V81US of the houses
with new accessory apartments Should
Increase.
ps tar
.V•
y
Communities also fear that the conver-
sion of single-hmily homes will invite
Purchase by SpeCutaton who will
become absentee landlords. This Can
indeed load t0 many problems, includ-
ing poor maintenance, unsupervised
tenant, a general reOuction in property
values, and a change in the type of
resident in the area. This Concam is
deeely related to the fear of a changit
In me CharsCtef of the neighborhood
and the idea mat tenant are fund&-
mentlly diperent from homeowners
Furthermore, some residents fear that
homeownM will add Space to their
homes for the purpose Of Converaton or
will build oveny large homes so that
dtey Can add accessory apartment
l4W- In ahswOf to this concern, several
loostitles, such es Guilford. COnnecd.
cut Carta Madera, California, and
Wesbpdrt COnneeticut have passed an
acceuory aPartrnent ordinance which
mandate that one of this two units be
owner occupied. Some, such &a Port-
land, Oregon, have spedified that the
larger portion of the house to which the
apartrnent Is added must be the owner.
Occupied unit
There may also be a concern that
fchetl tOrtrafic andInhs" he causenumber of
CM parked On residendal street,
erudng a Possible heard for Children
dPWN In or Ritter me strut and
diminishing PGOPle'S ability to crop the
&treat easily. A variety of provision
new been enacted by several corn-
munides to prevent traffic and parking
problems. In Mann County, California,
the Zoning ordinance provides that Inc
community decide on a Case•byca3a
basis whether accessory apartments
will Create excessive noise, traffic or
Parking problems. In Babylon. New
York, the zoning ordinance rectuues a
rwd•family dwelling to nave paved, an.
street parking for each unit and states
mat the added aPartfeerlt should not
Cauee exceafiva noise or traffic. In
Guilford. Connecticut the ordinance
reQuires parking for three vehicles for a
two•ismily dwelling, dimer m me
dnveway of in an auxiliary garage.
//A U9
o•
Choosing an Approach
There are lour basic methods by which
a community may Permit and regulate
accessory apartments:
■ Zoning ordinance: The local govern-
ment enacts a residential ordinance
that Permits accessory apartments "by
right" in designated zonas
e Soacial-use permit On a Case -by -
Casa basis. the Jurisdiction allows
accessory apartments only after a pub-
lic hearing is held and specific condi-
tions designed to protect a neighbor-
hood are met
e Variance•. A Property owner can be
granted relief by the local government
from the requirements of the zoning
ordinance, usually because of proven
economic hardship.
■ Ucensing: The local government
enacts a separate licensing process
and, through Periodic renewal, is able
to monitor compliance.
Under the "by right" zoning approach,
homeowners who reside in a desig-
nated accessory apartment zone can
convert portions of their dwellings into
accessory apartment$ at any time,
without seeking a zoning change. This
OPProach involves the fewest legal and
procedural barriers for the owner, it Is
also to almplast and least costly for a
city to administer, since a public hear.
ing is not required when the owner
decides to create such a unit The local
government however, has little control
under this arrangement and there is a
risk that too many conversions will
have an adverse effect on the area.
Furthermore, the initial effort to change
the zoning ordinance in order to allow
accessory apartments can generate
considerable resistance from
homeowners.
Special -use Permits provide the local
• government with substantial control
over accessory apartment conversions:
before a permit is granted, findings
Zst De made regarding the conver-
tb
sion's impact on the neighborhood.
The administrative body has discre-
tionary authority, since it examines
each proposed apartment on a Casa.
by -case basis. Moreover, because the
special -use permit is usually granted to
the applicant and not to the property, a
now application must be made when
the property changes hands. A public
hearing Is generally required for each
request placing a burden on the local
govammant and the petitioning
homeowner. The special -use permit
gives considerable Power to neighbors,
who may reaiat the issuance of a per-
mit These limitations Can result in
fewer aPPlicants for special -use per-
mits and almost Certainly reduce the
number that are granted.
On rare occasions, variances can
serve as a means for allowing acces-
sory apartments. Generally speaking.
however, a variance is Intended to pro-
vide relief from standards that render a
Property economically infeasible rather
Man to enhance its functional or eco-
nomic use. The applicant has the dif-
ficult burden of proving hardship.
Unlike the special-ues permit a at.
lance is granted without any provision
for periodic review or renewal. As with
the spatial -tae permit this approach
Places a large administrative burden on
the local government and the
homeowner,
Ucensing, a fourth possible approach,
Provides local governments with a hlgn
degree of control by requiring periodic
renewal. (Although special -use permits
can carry a requirement for periodic
renewal, it is not a common practice.)
In addition, a license fee can be used
to generate revenue for the administra-
tive costs of the program. It licensing is
Chosen, It is advisable to administer the
program through an existing land -use
regulatory body or in close coordina-
tion with iL Otherwise, the fragmenta-
tion of authority may mean that local
land -use and housing agencies are
working at cross-purposes.
With the Continuing housing shortage,
accgaory aPartments oiler an addl-
tional option that, with proper iufe-
guards, can make a signMeant tonin.
bution to our housing supply. Young
marrieds and the elderly can benefit
Particularly from this recommendation.
William E Hanna, Jr.
Councilman
Montgomery County, Maryland
//� 3
.Y'
91 `1
A hybrid approach, using zoning or
special -use permits in Conjunction with
licensing, provides the community with
maximum control. Whether to allow
adceaaory apartments is recognized as
both a land•uea and a housing deet.
$lop, giving a community two OpPcr.
tunto review and SPOrOve a proposal,
For obvious reasons, however, -it is a
slower, more complicated and cosfffat
administrative approach.
Regardlw of the approach sefedted, a
Community must identify the major
iaauea and develop an ordinance that
'off" its COnCOMS and pnontlet
Designing Regulations
Some simple guidelines should be lot.
lowed when designing regulations for
accessory apartments, First regula•
tions t0 Permit now cOnveralOns and to
bring Ur ler ones into Conformity with
the law should be as Simple and Clear
a! possible. Second, ordinances and
regulatons should be so written tnat
they can be amended easily to respond
t0 unforeseen bends that may emerge.
Third, the standards for conversions
should not exceed those necessary for
protection Of the public health and
Safety. Fourth, al)Plicatcn and adminis.
taws Com Should be kept low, plac.
Ing the legal Possible burden on Ma
homeowner and municipality. Finally,
Ind application PrOCssa should to
coordinated among all Ciry departments
involved in building and land•use con.
bola. If an ordinance is loo burden-
some, in terms of procedural require•
ments or costs, accessory apartment
activity will remain underground. In
addition, many owners interested in
Creating such units will be discouraged
and will not aOL
Monitoring and Enforcement
there are several important reasons for
local governments to know of the
existence of accessory apartments:
PuOUC nealth and Safety• potential
demands upon Ciry infrastructure ano
Services. and possible Property tax
revenue loss. To reduce such prop.
lams., the jurisdiction should Consider a
number of SpeoiriC steps.
It might implement a public education
Program mat informs homeowners of
their rights and obligations under an
aCCOWry apartment Ordinance. allow
mama reasonable Period in which to
Comply. and conduct systematic moni.
toring efforts. Compliance can be
monitored through periodic license r! -
newel, response to Citizen complaint.
and Ms use of a33es30M. housing code
omdials and building inspectors.
The city can also assist homeowners in
eavegl ways. It can designate a central
OMCs t0 which residents Carl report
unauthorized accessory apartments. It
might offer technical assistance by the
zoning and building department staff,
develop a list of approved contractors
familiar with accessory apartment
standards, and Provide low-mierest
loans or Small giants (Possibly using
HUD Community DavalOpment Block
argnt funds) to eligible homeowners.
For example.
Authority
Maine State Houmng
Authority openly a below.market•
Interest -qts home improvement loan
Program under which the creation of
accessory apartments la an eligible
aclWity. Loans of up to $13,000•
financed through tax-exempt bonds,
are available to low -and moderate.
income owner -occupant. The Minne.
Sots Housing Authority and the
Southwestern Connecticut Agency on
Aging also have financial assistance
programa for accessory apartment
conversions.
As a last resort a Jurisdiction Can take
legal action to forte compliance with
its ordinances. This action Could
include evicting the tenant and assess -
Ing a penalty on the owner.
//A 3
.a•
Building Public Support
Once a local government decides to
consider legalizing accessory apart-
ments, answers to several questions
are needed to make a final determina-
tion and to design an appropriate
program:
■ What is the extent of demand for
smaller units. Mead On the composi-
tion of households in the general area
and the expected rate of new house-
hold tormation?
a HOW much of the existing housing
stock larttls itself to this type Of Conver-
sion? Are there many single-family
homes with space that is not being
used?
a How many homeowners are having
financial difficulty maintaining their
homes? Are they interested in convert-
ing part of the dwelling to an accessory
apartment?
■ To what degree would residents
resist this type of housing? Ara acces.
sory apartments already in existence
illegally? If so, how common are they,
and how much neighborhood opposi-
tion hove they provoked?
Before a jurisdiction can draft an
accessory apartment ordinance. the
Issues mutt be presented to the com-
munity. The need for the units must be
explained, the benefits described, and
the concerns of residents answered.
Unless the city is prepared to respond
candidly and convincingly to questions
about the affect on schools, traffic con.
gestion, and property values, it ts
unlikely mat the idea will secure the
required community support
Public support can be generated
through neighborhood meetings that
encourage a genuine dialogue
between city officials and residents.
IL4\10 '?
and through broad-based coalitions of
organizations representing key seg-
ments of the community. Such a coati.
tion should include businessman,
clergy, civic associations, neighbor.
hood groups. consumer organizations.
and associations of retired and elderly
persons. Broad support can be pivotal
in deciding this issue. _
One effective way of generating politi-
cal support is to appoint a representa-
tive group that will work closely with
city staff to draft the proposed ordi-
nance. This process Insures that the
ordinance will reflect the thinking of a
number of different groups and helps
the groups develop a proprietary inter.
est in its passage.
Accessory apartments can provide
Opportunities for positive Intergenera-
tional living experiences, especially for
the young and for the elderly. We think
accessory apartments make sense.
Everyone becomes a winner... the
homeowner, the tenant and the
community.
J. Stanley Alexander
Director, Washington Office
Natlonal Conference of Black Mayon
//6 31'
.P'
r
Accessory apartments may be helpful
In stabilizing neighborhood$ by pre-
venting residential displacement.
Utilizing unused space In single-family
homes makes so much sense that I am
surprised the demand for accessory
Apartments has not been greater.
llephen Glaude
Executive alreclor
No', Association of
Neighborhoods
Conclusion
This guide has been prepared to assist
local government officials in making
informed decisions on a housing issue
of considerable Interest and complex-
ity. while allowing accessory apart-
ments will not eliminate the housing
problems confronting communities. it
squar" addresses the affordability
problem for many Individuals and
smaller households. Carefully designed
local ordinances an ensure mat these
units an an &seat to the community
and, at the same time, avoid me nega.
tive consequences that uncontrolled
acceeaory apartments may create.
Finally, accessory apartments do not
Involve large local expenditures and
complex financing strategies. They can
be crested in a relatively short time, do
not consume large parcels of vacant
land. or signiffuntly situ the single-
family appearance of a neigMitorhood.
Most important they offer affordable
housing to families and individuals who
need it and an important source of
Income for financially pressed
homeowners.
//<tr3
.o•
a
Appendix I
Babylon, Neenence One
Town's Exp
,*We were aware for Years ale 'lid an illegal apartment problem- not to
what omen did. We found a wry
deal with it" said town planner James
Lyons of me Town of Babyron, a eom-
munity of middle-income and blue-collar
families on Long Island's South Shore
Babylon telt the hull erects of the ace-
nomic manges Of the 1970e From 1967
to 1978, nousing costs shot up
more
man 100 percent Fuel and natural gas
prices tripled. and takes in
MelO family OI
rose by more man So Dar
cent tour needed an income of 504,800 if its
nousing costs were not to exceed 25
percent of income - and me median
family income for residents of Babylon
was s17.050.
The growing disparity between income
and expenses was the prime factor
n sometimes
A crackdown efulbecause
30 "legal Iris units mw dhard-
ship It
beta
snip It would impose. Moreover.ami)
enforcement of me existing single' y
zoning would stretch the towns l w
enlore emant capabilities bay
capacity. A study snowed mat me social
and economic forces which made illegal
awrtrnents a net ps ty
homedwnM would n abalK the signs
pointed to a need for mora aparanentL
rather
Ml Future demand for
sin Qle•famfly homM was likely to
decrease. since me 111 age of me
town's population was rising and the
senior citizens preferred apartment
living.
The Babylon Planning of annt
ordinance
recommended passage fan or that
permiding accessory ca
rink certain specifications. To team the
town's reaction m fM idee, the doi
ment held a series of hearings at local
schools and advertised MOM through
neighborhood civic groups and Iridal
newspapers•
behind foreclosures. (Many
numbered 200 a
homeowners aced with this situation by
oWedy constructing separate rMvl units
in their houses • By the time me town
fames oroerd Babylon's Planning end
to study me probllm, about 10 Percent of
me townsfiip's 40.000 singlrtsmilY
homes were estimated to contain illegal
spammlents.
Although the town was able to ignore
such units for several Years. it finally
became impossible to do ap. Absentee
landlords were taking advantage of the
towns leniency In enforcing the law by
fishing out both units in a converted
single•famdY home. This situation
created a growing maintenance problem.
and Babylon's Building Division found
mal it was Issuing hail of me garbage
and solos citations absentee land-
lords of me llegalaoarl-
loros. Although
menus In Babylon were In Owner'
occupied buildings. mere clearly was
lime me town could do to address the
problem wlmout tackling it at Its 'optic
"We weren't sure what to expect -
recalled Lyons. "ICs a sensitive issue. For
most people, their house is their only
sizable piece of ecuitY• Jeopardize mat
and you jeopardize their whole world:'
Response to me hearings was favorable
enough to convince me town council to
propose controlled conversions. The
ordinance, passed unanimously in late
1g80. has Dean in erect since the begin"
me added
a. b�lents 10 insure matcontrols
they
me added ape
meet all aDDliuhle building and hie
codes. However. the code Is sufficiently
flexible that aoartments already
once usually conform. with minor
alterations.
To make sure the landlord nab a Per•
sonar interest In the apartment's abDear-
ance and maintenance. the ordinance
mandated that each house be owner
Occupied. TO keep cars or Me street. a
Paved space largeenough for n. O autos
was reduced. Since most Mouses Mad
//iwf
,V'
blaCktOOced dmrowayS lading to a gar.
age, n0 extra work was reduired, To One.
vent overcrowding and Waste living
Conditions the ordinance saeCiited a
minimum Of SW Sduare lest 01 living
70600 W aOarthlMl with a maximum Of
two bwrooma.
The town'1130 ruled that homes should
Preserve their single-family IOak-by hay.
ing ether resr or side antrances ror thr
aparenenter or an inner entrance off a
mal" foyer. The law also made the parmet
renewable afte w0 year& Because res.
balkrves mat ranters did not pay
they �
snare of town tuesr the Ordi-
nance Called for rusismment of prop.
any taxes, generating an average
increase Of 3115 an each house with an
aCCes" a06rtrnen[ Senior Citizens
hiwsaoffp� abatementnaonthetea
Almost two years later, Babylon OMoial4
believe they made the right ChOiCa.
About 1'500 Of ale town•$ Previously ill@.
941 added apartments have been
brought into Compliance with the Code.
The O'Clo"em is Paying for ItW through
Permit fro and taxa; and the town is
about to begin a rigorous enforcement
a" with fine/ kir MON who have
failed to legalize their Convefton&
'IC$ warted out nlcay all eround,^ Said
Lyons -Before the enactment of the
OrdlnanCer those 100 honest or too amid
10 add in 4Partment to their home either
defaulted on their mortgage if they got in
a bind Or moved, Now, N we 7 a much
better situation. Older people have tet out
an aPutnent to younger folks. The kids
mow the lawn. It makes the elderly feel
much more aedure to have the young
ones around. And we've found that most
Of the wo-family units that come m for
aPProval are In nicer Shape. The land.
lords now have the added income on
Which they Can rely to maintain their
home and property...
The latero figures in Babylon Snow mat
roreclosures are down, almougn It Is not
clear mat this fact Can be attributed to
the Conversion lagglation, Town ofcials
believe. however that they hive taken a
lar9e Stab toward in providing housing
to moss in the community who need It
as wall as Protesting the investment te-
Sedente have made in their monies.
//40 up
.1.
a
Appendix II
Local Contacts
John Stich
Socretiry to Planning Board
Assistant Town Planner
Town Offices
Wilton Planning and Zoning
Fa mon Information about the ex-
Commission
Pensive of other communities with ae•
238 Danbury Road
ceawry apartment ordinances and ac-
Wilton, CT 06897
ceaeory apartments in general, contact
(203) 762.7970 _
Inns Baron, P.E.
Bruce M. Wolf
Town Engineer
City Planner
Town of New Castle
Bureau of Planning
200 South Greeley Avenue
621 S.W. Alder
Cnapos0ua. NY 10514
Portland. OR 97205
(914) 238-4771
(503) 796-7701
Bruce Halperin '
Center for Metropolitan Action
Socretiry to Planning Board
Queens Collage
Town Offices
6521 Main Street
Lincoln Road
Flushing, NY 11367
Lincoln, MA 01773
(212) 544.6166
(613) 259 -WW
(model sccessory apartment zoning
language)
Susan J. Hutchinson
First Selectman
For Write Nfmmstion about Nanta
Chief Executive Officer
programs supporting aeesuory spart-
Town of Weston - Box 1007
manta, contact
Weston. CT 06883
(203) 222.2656
Sister Bonnie Morrow
Southwestern Connecticut Agency
Barbara Kautz
on Aging
Planning Director
276 Park Avenue
Town of Com Maden
Bridgeport. CT 06604
Post Office Box 159
(203) 333.9288
Cone Madera, CA 94925
(A15)924-2934
Mary L Popust o
Home Improvement
James Lyons
Minnesota Housing Finance
Planner
Agency
Department of Planning and
333 Sibley Street
Development - Town Hall
SL Paul, MN 55101
200 East Sunrise Highway
(612) 296.7806
North Lindenhurst. NY 11757
(516) 957.3102
Stanley 0. Prows
Deputy Director
Meson W. MrAvoy. Jr.
Maine State Housing Authority
Zoning Enforcement Officer
Post Office Box 2569
Planning d Zoning Commission
Water Street
Town Hall - Park Street
Augusta, ME 04330
Guilford. CT 06437
(207) 623.2981
12031453.2763
#0 3
.V'
r
Appendix III
Selected Bibliography
American Society Of Planning Officials. Conversion of Single Family Dwellings to Muth.
Pie Family Dwellings. Chicago. III-* American Society of Planning Onlcials. 1949.
Stocks, Andrea. "Wide Appeal for Accessory Aparananp," Tho Now York Times,
January J. 1982
Celvan. Rita A. Local Taxes and Accessory Dwelling: Wasnington. D.C. Patrick Hare
Planning and Design. 1999.
Central Naugatuck Valley Regional Planning Agency, A Back Door to Least Cost
Houtingt Expanding Housing 00Portundies Inside the Single Family Dwelling. Water-
bury, Conn, Contrail Naugatuck Valley Regional Planning Agency, 1982
Connolly, Edward. "Single Family Housing Conversions: A Strategy for Increasing she
Housing Supply," Journal of Housing, March/April 1982
Gallen, Marin, Undorutilization In American Housing: Residential Space Standards
and Social Change. Working Paper No. 399. Berkeley, Cat_ Institute of Urban and
Regional Development University of California, 1983,
,Economic Aspects of the Regulation of Seoonaary Umfs Wdrking
Paper No. 393. Berkeley, Cal_ University of California. Institute of Urban and Regional
OONelopment 1982
Hare, Patnck. "Carving Up the American Drum.- Planning, July 1981
.Accessory Apartments: Using Surplus Soace m Single Family
Houses Chicago, III: American Planning Association, 1981.
Kenyon, John. A Guide to Accessory Apartment Regulation: Meering Smaller House
hold Needs White Plams. NY: Westchester County Planning Board, 1981.
League of Women Voters 1979 Survey. In -House Apartments League of Women
Voter of Westport Conn- 1979.
MOGough, Duane, Additions to the Housing Supply by Meana Other Than New Can-
struction. Washington, D.C.- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Polity 0"Opment and Research, 1983.
Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Regulation of Accessory Apartments in the Met-
ropoltfin Boston Region. Boston, Masa_ Metropolitan Area Planning Council, 1978.
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Accessory Apartments: A Local
Housing Alternative, Housing Technical Report 01981.4.
.V'
�cco,9oo-r� T1s.
ul.J
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. "Analysis of the Market and Economic Feasi-
bility of Accessory Apanmems in Minnesota," SL Paul, Minn_ Minnesota Housing
Finance Agency, 1982
Nassau County (NY) Commission on Pricndes Subcommittee on Adult Services and
Taxpayers Support A Cost and Use Analysis of Single and Two Family Housing,
1977.
Tri-State Regional Planning Commission. Legalizing Single Family Conversions New
York N.Y. 1981.
Southwestern Regional Planning Agency. AeCamory, Apanmenm Rowayton, Conn.
Southweatem Regional Planning Agency, 1981.
Vidich, Chanes Least Cwt Housing: Minimizing Iha Fiscal Impact of Zoning and
Subdivision Regulations Waterbury, Conn_ Central Naugatuck Valley Regional Plan-
ning Agency, 1978.
1143
.o•
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 4, 19
To: City Counci
From: Douglas Boothr Dir tar
pe tion Services
Re: Use of the Civil Citation Process - An ate
On November is, 1986, a new me hod (civil citati n) of enforcing the Iowa
City Code went into effect. Previously, viol ions of the Code were
treated as criminal misdemeanors and as such were subject to the criminal
enforcement process - a process that had proven to be rigid, expensive,
and ineffective as a deterrent to violators.
Conversion to the civil citation system has improved the efficiency and
effectiveness of the Code Enforcement Program due in the following ways:
1. Allows immediate delivery of the citation (charges) to the violator
whereas previously it took approximately two months. Preliminary
hearings are earlier because the date of the hearing, set by the City,
is established two weeks from the date the citation is delivered.
This expedited process has significantly reduced the average time to
get a court decision (i.e. from six months to an average of 77 days).
2. "Gets the attention of the violator" making compliance more timely.
The citation form is similar to a traffic ticket and therefore is
recognizable and understandable to most citizens. In numerous situa-
tions, the violator has made the necessary corrections to avoid re-
ceiving a citation, appearing in court and paying a fine. Enforcement
costs have been saved because the violation has been corrected and the
cost of litigation avoided.
3. Provides the ability, in the same action to receive fines and other
appropriate relief such as requiring the violator to relieve, abate,
or halt the violation. This is perhaps the most important feature of
the citation process. Previously, all the City could obtain when it
prosecuted someone for a violation as a misdemeanor was a fine. There
existed no process to require the defendant to halt the violation
without filing a separate district court action in equity. Under the
civil citation process, in addition to the fine, the violator can be
ordered to cease the activity that brought about the prosecution. The
time and costs saved by this feature are significant.
4. Allows a lower burden of proof, i.e. clear, satisfactory and convinc-
ing evidence as opposed to beyond a reasonable doubt. The City filed
action against 30 properties from November 15, 1986, to July 1, 1981.
Final decisions in favor of the City were granted against 26 proper-
ties.
.a•
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM =
Date: July 31, 1987
To: Steve Atkins, City Manager
From: Rosemary Vitosh, Director of Finance
Re: Year -End Financial Status for Parking and Transit
PARKING SYSTEMS
Parking revenues for FY86 came in at three percent above our budgeted
projections. While annual revenues from -the two parking ramps ended the
year at 98% of projections, the revenue for parking meters and permit lots
came in at 113% of projections.
Annual expenditures amounted to 98.4% of the budget. Items that were
under -budget included building and equipment maintenance costs and elec-
tricity. The budgeted $200,000 transfer to the Transit System was made
from Parking at year-end.
A year-end fund balance of $13,000 had been projected, but due to higher
revenues and lower expenditures the actual fund balance at June 30th was
$180,000. This will provide an approximately 5% fund balance for parking
going into the new fiscal year. The FY88 budget showed Parking ending
that year (on 6-30-88) with a zero fund balance. The 5% fund balance will
provide an emergency reserve should revenues come in lower than projected
or expenditures come in higher than budgeted. The increased revenue and
the establishment of this fund balance for parking could serve to delay a
rate increase in parking fees previously projected for FY89.
FY87 parking usage, as measured by hours of paid parking, was down from
the prior year by 5% and was 15% lower than peak parking usage in FY85. A
small increase in parking usage was seen in April and June, 1987, over the
same months in the prior year. We are hoping that this is a sign that
parking usage has stabilized, but it is too early to tell whether any
significant increase in usage can be expected in the future.
TRANSIT SYSTEM
Bus fares for FY87 for the Transit System were under projections by 2%.
Fortunately a ane -time windfall occurred during the year with State and
Federal revenues coming in at 50% higher than projected ($134,000). Fed-
eral transit assistance monies have always been received a year late in
the past. In FY87, Federal monies were received for both FY86 and FY87.
In grantditootra sitnrefund systems andnies Iowawere Cityured by ceivedthe State r
$22 000 from this pro-
gram.
/g sr
Expenditures were under budget by 14%. Salaries and benefits came in at
10% under budget. This was due to reduced tripper buses running and the
freezing of job vacancies in anticipation of the July, 1987, service
reductions. Other expenditures were under budget by 20% with the majority
of the variance coming from the bus operating and maintenance costs
line -item. It was under budget by 25% ($181,000). Total mileage for all
buses was down by 7% due to the reduction in tripper service. In addi-
tion, the newer 40 foot buses were more heavily utilized than the older 35
foot buses. Operating and maintenance costs for the 40 foot buses is
approximately 43% lower than the cost for the 35 foot buses.
A deficit fund balance of $200,000 was projected for year-end since serv-
ice reductions were not scheduled to occur until July. However, higher
revenues and lower expenditures resulted in an actual pure fund balance at
June 30th of $229,000.
It is my recommendation that $93,000 of this balance be carried, at this
time, as a pure fund balance for Transit. This will give them a 5% working
capital reserve in case ridership continues to decrease or expenditures
are higher than budgeted.
The remaining balance of $136,000 should be transferred to the Transit
Replacement Reserve to be utilized in future years to pay off the current
outstanding loans with the State. The fund balance in the reserve at June
30, 1987, was $98,000. State loans total $271,157 as follows:
1. Advance of Federal funding received
March, 1984 (to be repaid in full by
6-1-89) $111,407
1987 State loan for local match on bus
acquisition (due in three annual payments
of $21,250 starting July, 1987) $ 63,750
3. Have applied for a 1988 State loan for the
local match on bus acquisition (anticipate
repaying this loan in four annual payments
of $24,000 starting July, 1989) $ 96 000
TOTAL $2/1"Tb
The recommended money to be transferred from the fund balance to the
reserve plus the current balance of the replacement reserve and future
Interest earnings on these funds are projected to be sufficient to pay the
State loan payments which will become due through July, 1992.
a. This one-time windfall provides the City the opportunity to fund the loan
repayments now instead of appropriating future revenues for this purpose.
It will be important to start appropriating future revenues for annual
transfers to the Transit Replacement Reserve to provide funding for the
local match for future bus acquisitions. It is imperative that we con-
tinue to replace buses on a timely basis in order to keep our maintenance
3
and operating costs as low as possible. The use of the fund balance in
this manner will help the City to work towards the future financial sta-
bility of the Transit System.
RV/sp
cc: Joe Fowler, Parking Supervisor
John Lundell, Transit Manager
.1.
//4
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: August 5, 1987
TO: Steve Atkins, City Manager
FROM: Fred Zehr, Airport Manager/*
RE: Rent negotiations with the Iowa City Flying Service
To date the three arbitrators on the rent issue have not met because of
a disagreement over the procedures to follow for the arbitration.'
At a special Airport Commission meeting held on July 30, 1987, the arbiti
matter was discussed at length during executive session. It was decided
that the commission's rent committee would attempt to meet with Mr. Jones
one last time to reach a settlement (as of 8-5-87 Mr. Jones has not been
available to meet with the committee). If the meeting is unsuccessful,
Attorney Brown has been directed to draft a letter to the Flying Service
and the arbitrators directing them to establish an arbitration hearing
pursuant to section 679A of the Iowa Code or establish arbitration
procedures agreeable to the two parties within thiry days.
r
1144
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a
Johnson County Council of Governments
r o410E , WashirgtonSt. bvva Gty by a 5224O
o
Date: August 3, 1987
To: Members of the Iowa City City Council n
From: Marge Penney, Human Services Coordinator `^' `�'�'
Re: Free Bus Ticket Program Review
The City of Iowa City began providing free bus tickets to individuals seeking
work through Job Service of Iowa, in September of 1983. In April, 1985, the
City Council directed that the Iowa City Crisis Center and the Johnson County
Department of Human Services be added as distribution sites; these agencies
were first given tickets to be distributed in June, 1985. Council reviewed the
entire program after six months, and again at the end of FY86, and determined
that it was successful in meeting the needs of those persons it is intended to
help.
Each agency receives a predetermined number of tickets each month. Job Service
and the Department of Human Services each receive 200 tickets per month, and
the Crisis Center receives 75 tickets per month. If there are tickets left
over at the end of any month, the number of tickets provided for the next month
is reduced to prevent stockpiling of unused tickets by any agency. Both the
1 Department of Human Services and Crisis Center supply statistics regarding the
number of tickets dispensed and the purposes for which the tickets were used.
Job Service does not supply this information, as they accepted the program in
1983 with the stipulation that they not be required to screen clients or keep
records.
During FY87, the three agencies received a total of 5,205 tickets and two
one-month bus passes, at a cost of $2,634.50. It was funded out of the Aid to
Agencies Contingency Fund which contained $3,790 for FY87. No other expendi-
tures from that Contingency Fund were made during FY87, so the costs of the bus
ticket program were met without incident.
I have appended letters regarding the bus ticket program from the Directors of
the human service agencies involved. They are enthusiastic about the free bus
ticket program. Statistics on the usage of the tickets during FY87 are also
included. While the majority continue to be used for employment related
activities (74%), the remainder met a wide range of needs.
Both the statistics presented and the Directors' responses indicate that the
program is fulfilling Council's objectives in establishing the free bus ticket
DireDuring
the lmonth, I have
ctor ofeachagency in olvedavdiscussed
d havecarefullyreviewied program
the
ticket usage. I have concluded that the current program, while limited in
scope, is a real help in providing transportation assistance to the most needy
human service agency clients.
1147
7
increasing its maximum
requested that Council consider the maximum number
Center has 25 tickets. I agree that this modification of the
The Crisis ro ose that each month to
allotment
each ,month
rovebyt significantly, a0 be increased from 75
per month will retain the nature of the rhe
program would improve the Crisis Center
tickets P, scope endeavor but will increase the
of tickets
These
aadditbonal°25 limited that
100. These a small, to have sob° the e17thvoflable
bus ticket program as Center will be call dispensed y
the June's tickets were fruga1 with its tatkthe end ofets and many
likelihood that Month
is extremely needs would
throughout each w not
monthl. The Crisis Center a maximum of 300 tickets Per year)
tt make them last to meet even the most serious this need.
canno tickets(a
Job of meeting
month. An increase of 25 much
Center to do a ro ram. to -Agencies
enable the es in this P g eliminated the Aid -
proposing any other thong Council
the FY88 budgeting process, Ticket Program continue during
During the Free Bu Operating within that structure.
Fund and directed that of a maximum of 25 tickets peit
r
Contingency internal transfer of incrrease implemented in September, 00
FY88 without any royal for an were iab FY88 from 5,700
I am asking Council CPP If this change available during
increase the maximum number of tickets
month for the Crisis Cen er. aspect
wou1d950
to 5, you have questions or concerns about any
please call me at 356 5242 if
t.
please
Free Bus Ticket Program,
/sp
.1.
BUS TICKET PROGRAM - JULY 1, 1986 TO JUNE 30, 1987 (FY87)
TOTAL TICKETS DISPENSED BY THE CITY TO EACH AGENCY
JULY to SEPT OCT to DEC JAN to MAR APR to JUNE TOTAL
DHS 580 600
600 600 2,380
Crisis Center 225 225
225 225 900
Job Service 395 510
f
TOTAL 445 575 1,925
1,200 1,335 1,270 1,400 5,205
t
TOTAL TICKETS DISPENSED TO CLIENTS BY EACH AGENCY
JULY to SEPT OCT to DEC- JAN to MAR APR to JUNE TOTAL
DHS 586 628
607 597 2,418
Crisis Center 225 225
225 225 900
Job Service 396 544
415 550 1,965
TOTAL 1,207 1,397
1,307 1,372 5,283
TICKETS ON HAND AT EACH AGENCY
DHS BEGINNING FY87
END FY87
41 3
Crisis Center 0
0
Job Service 115
75
TOTAL 156
78
NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES RECEIVING TICKETS, BY AGENCY*
JULY to SEPT OCT to DEC JAN to MAR APR to JUNE TOTAL
OHS 33 52
56 54 195
Crisis Center 56 50
67 66 239
TOTAL 89102
123 120 434
*These statistics do not include Job Service tickets.
TOTAL BUS PASSES DISPENSED BY DHS - 2 (Only DHS dispenses monthly bus passes.)
1167
.1.
1
NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES WHO RECEIVED:*
*These statistics do not include Job Service tickets.
NUMBER OF TICKETS USED FOR:
DHS CRISIS CTR. JOB SERV._ TOTAL
to seek employment
JULY to SEPT
OCT to DEC
JAN to MAR
APR to JUNE
TOTAL
265 -
836
medical appointment
155
86 -
1 ticket
8
8
7
5
28
2 tickets
14
18
24
24
80
3 tickets
4
4
6
5
19
4 tickets
29
24
31
33
117
More than 4
34
48
55
53
190
TOTAL
89
102 _
123
120
434
*These statistics do not include Job Service tickets.
NUMBER OF TICKETS USED FOR:
DHS CRISIS CTR. JOB SERV._ TOTAL
to seek employment
896
215 1,965
3,076
to and from employment
571
265 -
836
medical appointment
155
86 -
241
appt. w/other agency
210
139 -
349
187
children: to & from school
166
21 -
53
to return home
-
53 -
to adult classes
32
- -
32
apartment hunting
10
- -
10
workfare
323
- -
323
run errands
-
55
20 -
101 -
20
156
other
TOTAL 2,418 900 1,965 5,283
1161
IOWA CITY CRIBIB INTERVENTION CENTER
2B EABT MARKET
IOWA CITY, IOWA 62240
buslness phone: (319) 361-2728
criwis Ilne: (3181 361-0140
TOO users (319) 337-3686
4 Marge Penney
f JCCOG
410 E. Washington
i; Iowa City, IA 52240
July 17, 1987
Re: Continuation of the Bus Ticket Program
Dear Marge,
This letter is to inform you that we wish to continue to receive bus tickets
from the city. This program has been very helpful to us in providing a
necessary service to our clients without having to give cash directly to
them. We feel that the continuation of this program comes at a low cost
but provides potentially high benifits.
Our experience has been that the 75 ticket allotment usually lasts through
the 19th or 20th of each month.. If we could receive an additional 25 tickets
each month we feel we could provide this service throughout the entire month.
Please notify us if this is possible.
Thank you for your consideration.
<7S_'inncc�errree�ly/, �/ K,1 ,�rT.,�
Lloyd Gehrig v !T
Food Bank/Emergency Services
Coordinator
1147
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r
#ig 0 Iowa
Of partrnent
Human Services
Johnson County Office
911 North Governor
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
July 8, 1987
Marge Penney, Human Services Coordinator
401 E. Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear ?-large:
PHONE NUFIRER
(319 356-6050
TERRY E. BRANSTAD
GOVERNOR
Michael V. Reagen, Ph.D.
Commissioner
The bus pass arrangement the City Council worked out two years ago continues
to operate successfully. We distribute 200 individual bus passes each month
and use about 10 monthly passes each year.
This year we have noticed an increase in the number of people using the
tickets to seek employment and a decrease in the number of requests for
transportation to other offices around town. Tickets were distributed to an
average of 16 people per month, ,about the same as the first year.
We continue to have a favorable response to the program from clients and,
thanks to you, it is set up with a minimum of red tape for everyone involved.
I'm glad the City Council has chosen to continue this worthwhile effort and
that it now has stable funding.
Sincerely,
oaC
Carol Thompson
Director Johnson County Human Services
IOWA COUNCIL ON HUMAN SERVICES
$'11e151dry Aol"' ne pw "I"wD M"f A �,nQaluJ DOIDD DYIINm llwif el[A
Cemr p,p,p, Dern... �e�ewm Oei MDinee
Gl.don
WdX.n, ia'.nienp
l i NiltOr
D.renpon
Wnl On Mpmn
1147
.Y'
Terry E. Branstad, Governor
JOBJob Service of Iowa
SSERVICE 1810 Lower Muscatine Road
c v (� P.O. Box 2390
Of /01�A Iowa City, Iowa 52244
YYYY//ii Phone: (319) 351=1035
June 30, 1987
r
Marge Penney, Human Services Coordinator
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Marge:
Once again, on behalf of the hundreds of job seekers
E who have benefited from the free bus ticket program over
the past few years, I would like to thank you and all
!it city officials who have made this program possible.
j There have been no problems encountered during the
time we have distributed the tickets and the Job Service
t staff does believe the tickets have enabled needy people
to search for jobs they might not otherwise have been
able to interview for.
r
And thank you for getting the new supply of tickets
to the office in a timely manner each month.
Sincerely,
Tom ngto �
Manager
Job Placement • Job Insurance • Labor Market Information
ADivision of the Department of Employment Services
#47
.1.
STATE OF
IE
A
TERRY E. SRANSTAD. GOvERROR
July 21, 1981
RECEIVEI0jili '319871
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ALLAN T. THOMS. piREETpR
The Honorable William J. Ambrisco
Mayor, City Of Iowa City
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240
SUBJECT: 87 -ES -005, Program Contract Execution
Dear Mayor Ambrisco:
The Iowa Department of Economic Development recently awarded an
Emergency Shelter Grant Program to the City of Iowa City in the amount
1987 of $20,600. The program period is for 13 months, beginning May 26,
originald endinand threeune copies Of8the contract. Enclosed with
ease thisletr is the
review carefully,
then execute and return the original and all copies to this office
within fifteen days. We will return a final signed contract to you for
Your records. If you wish to retain a copy in the interim, please make
an additional copy.
Your Grantee Program Schedule for Funds Commitment sets forth the
schedule for implementation of the funded activities. The City is
being expected to implement its program accordingly, and to
aggressively assist subrecipients to that end.
As the Chief Elected Official for the City, we encourage you to take an
active role in the local administration of this program. If you have
515/281-3923. We lookorwar
nfto dto working withur you,ram contact me at
Si c rely,
V kg
Richard Webb
ESGP Specialist
RW/cn
Enclosures
cc: Stephen J. Atkins, City Manager
Marge Penney, Johnson Co. C.O.G. /' _
' Correspondence File e "/ "�e'- klgl
200 EAST GRAND / DES MOINES. IOWA 50309 / 515.281.3251 / TELEX 478466
1141
August 5, 1957
Iowa City Park Commission
Civic Center
410 E. Washington
lows City, Iowa 52240
Dear Commissioners,
We represent a group of families that live near Drookland Park. Two of us attended
your last meeting to express our concerns about the condition of the park. You asked
us to prepare a list of concerns and a map of the park indicating the problem areas.
We then held a meeting of interested neighbors and have prepared the list and the
map.
The problems that concerned us then are: (a) much of the park area is poorly drained
and as a consequence is often too wet to mow; (b) many trees are quite old and a
number of the spruce trees have recently died; (c) the trees on the railroad embark-
ment were recently cut to the ground by Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric Company
accelerating the rate of erosion and exposing the debris on the railroad embankment
to view; (d) we are concerned with the hazardous condition of the informal pedes-
trian crossing of the railroad tracks at the west end of the park; and (e) we are also
concerned that the city may be held liable if there is an accident at this crossing.
In the meantime the park department staff have taken action to deal with some of
our concerns. We are gratified with the prompt response to our input. The city has:
(1) surveyed the park and marked the boundaries; (2) all of the dead trees have been
removed; (3) the park department plans to remove a few more diseased trees and to
prune others; (4) the creek channel was deepened to improve the drainage of the wet
areas; and (5) the dirt used to fill in the holes in the railroad embankment. It is our
understanding that the park department will grade the railroad embankment and
plant it with a ground cover this fall. We also understand that the creek channel
will eventually erode from a rectangular to a bowl shaped cross section. Tire park
does not look very good at the moment but once we gel some rain and ground cover
is established along the railroad embankment it will look much better.
We have discussed with members of Project Green the possibility of their providing
new trees and shrubs for the park. They require a landscape plan and a maintenance
plan before they will consider the project. If the city does not have a qunlified staff
.o•
member who can prepare the landscape plan, we will conduct a fund drive so a
qualified planner can be hired.
1149
We are also prepared to assist the city staff with the maintenance of the plantings
during the critical first two years. We have a numbeivneighbors who are willing to
i assist with two
and wrapping of the new plantings. A critical need is watering.
We can reach the part re the park
hoses. There is not a reon the north side of the creek with our garden
ady source of water for watering trees, shrubs, and the
ground cover on the south side of the creek. We may require assistance from the
city in watering such new plantings.
Sincerely yours,
i'
t Da IYi ne 8nd John eff
605 Brookland Park Drive
Iowa CitY, Iowa 52240
ce: City Manager
City Council
encl: Map of Brookland park
2
.1.
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AFSCME LOCAL 183
i� Serving the Public Employees
uuwury
IOWA CITY CORALVILLE JOHNSON COUNTY
August 6, 1987
Mayor William Ambrisco and the Iowa City City Council
410 East Washington street
Iowa City, IA 52240
A tradition of our local has been to invite elected officials to our
Labor Day Picnic. In keeping with this custom, we are happy to extend
to you and your family our warm welcome to the festivities.
AFSCME Local 183 represents the employees of Iowa City, Coralville,
and Johnson County. Being, as you know, a politically active county,
we provide a soap box for our members and our guests, though no
oratorical structure has been imposed upon the event.
Also provided are food, beverages, music and other diversions.
As employees in the public interest, we recoginze the intensive
schedules of our public officials may preclude their participation.
Not to worry. Our picnic is not a high pressure event. It's just a
bunch of local working folk and their families getting fed, better
aquainted, and having fun.
If you can come, we'd sure like to see you. You'll find us at
Shelter No. 16 in the City Park from 2 PM till 6 on Labor Day,
Monday September 7th, here in Iowa City. In any event, good luck,
health, and happiness to you and yours.
�oR�M
G 61987
MARIAN K. KARR
CITY CLERK (3)
Yours inidarity,
I
n10 L.�1Rgy
Picnic Arrangements Committee
17 Regal Lane
Iowa City, IA 52240
1176
,o.
e
APARTMENTS
335 EMERALD ST.
IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240
August 10, 1987
Iowa City Council
Civic Center
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Council Members:
In 1980 the inspection fees for the Emerald Court Apartments,
a 158 unit complex on Eherald Street, was $382• in 1981 1t was
$988, 1983 - $832, 1985 - $812, and 1987 - $1624. It is now being
suggested that they be increased to $1782. In my judgement this
increase cannot be justified.
It takes about five minutes to inspect an apartment. If we
add the time to inspect the outside of the buildings, going from
apartment to apartment, secretarial time in preparing the report,
etc., the average time per apartment would perhaps be somewhere
between ten and fifteen minutes.
Using ten to fifteen minutes per apartment, the inspection
costs on an hourly basis are as follows:
Ten minutes per apartment = $61.66 per hour
Twelve minutes per apartment = $51.40 per hour
nfteen minutes per apartment = $41.12 per hour
Based on this information I respectfully request that the
fees not only not be increased but that consideration be given
to reducing them.
Respectfully submitted,
e4" a4w
Eldwin K. Barker
Owner, EI4IILW COURT APARIMGNTS
.W
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM =
Date: July 24, 1987
To: City Council
From: City Manager
Re: Centron Telephone Contract Changes
During the past three months, we have been evaluating a new contract for
the Centron telephone system and newly available services from Northwest-
ern Bell for telephone and equipment line repair coordination. I recently
authorized contract changes which will provide:
1. An annual savings of approximately $4;400 (11% decrease).
2. Additional features that will enhance each user.
3. Three year rate stabilization.
4. Initiation of a service contract (UniSTAR) which will provide timely
repair coordination similar to what was known prior to deregulation.
The Division of Purchasing, which conducted the evaluation, believes the
Centron system to be the best available system for our overall needs.
bdw313
t
s
i
f
r
S
r
t
C
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// I
,o•
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: August 4, 1987
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
RE: Miscellaneous
I. Water Bill/Transit Donations. To date we have received $681.72 in transit
donations.
2. Place of Residence - Workers in Iowa Citv, Attached. Thirty-six percent
of the workers do not reside in Iowa City.
3. Scott Boulevard - Glasgow. We have been advised by Glasgow's attorney
that they do not wish to pursue condemnation and will meet to conclude a
deal on their property and the Scott Boulevard alignment. We should
know in about one week. Lumpa has shown no willingness to negotiate
and therefore condemnation is likely.
//73
.1.
s
Johnson County Council of Governments
410EVvbShr'91a�S1 bAaClt)JkN%052210
rr 00
0
Date:
July 31, 1987
To:
Lolly Eggers
From:
Jeff Davidson
Re:
Information You Requested
The following information indicates
where persons
working in Iowa City have
their
place of residence.
x
Iowa City
20,075
64
Remainder of Johnson County
7,762
25
Washington County
991
3
Cedar County
705
1
Muscatine County
373
1
Iowa County
311
1
City of Cedar Rapids
302
1
Remainder of Linn County
237
1
Louisa County
132
<1
Remainder of Iowa
507
2
Elsewhere
145
<1
100
This information is for workers 16 years of age and over. The source is the
1980 Census of Population, Volume II, Part 6(c), page 228.
Contact me if you have any questions regarding this information.
cc: Don Schmeiser
bj4/10
0
1175
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City of lows City
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 3, 1987
To: City Council
From: City Manager
Re: Miscellaneous
1. Inoperable Vehicles. From July 1, 1986 to July 1, 1987, we had 134
cases of inoperable/obsolete vehicles.
Inspected
- no violation
4
Voluntary
compliance
117
Appealed
- dismissed
I
Referred
to Police
1
Towed by
Police
I
Towed by
HIS
9
Total I of vehicles - 28 cars, 1 semitrailer, 1 car frame)
Cases pending
1
2. Contingency Account Expenditures. The following items have been
charged against the FY88 contingency account.
tpl/1
8 new street lights 5 969
Crossing guard near Regina 2,485
Extra cost for sound system 3,400
Historic district signs 200
$8,854
Remaining Funds $91,146
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM -�
Date: August 4, 1987
To: Mayor Ambrisco and City Councilmembers
From: Terrence L. Timmins, City Attorney
Re: Update
1. Trial of Lawsuit Entitled Joe Grant -v The City of Iowa City, Robert
2.
This lawsuit was tried to a Federal Court jury in Davenport during the
week of July 20th. The jury began deliberating on Friday afternoon
and returned a verdict in favor of the defendants on Monday, July
27th. As you recall, this case arose out of Mr. Grant's arrest by
Iowa City police, with the assistance of citizen Farnsworth, as a
result of his parade unit in the harassment
1982 University o
s ty ofIowa Homecomubernatorial ing Conlon's
ng Parade.te Roxanne
At the council's direction, the Legal Department, in the person of
David Brown, provided a defense for Mr. Farnsworth. The City and he
two police officers were defended by Attorney Roger Stone with the
Simmons Perrine Lawfirm of Cedar Rapids.
I reported to you during the past year the successful defense of these
cases in jury trials in which Assistant City Attorney David Brown
represented the City. The City has received two checks ($3,733.19 and
$5,395.00) from our insurance carriers to reimburse the City its
defense costs for these cases. As you may recall, the City has had an
arrangement with its police professional insurance carriers whereby
Assistant for a reimbursement rfee of w$65oper hour. There isuldefend cases done er tcoverage
liability case in which Mr. Brown will continue to represent the City
under this arrangement. Fees generated in that case after the date of
Mr. Brown's resignation will be paid directly to the Hayek Lawfirm.
3. Status of Assistant City Attorney Selection Process.
The City received 44 applications in response to advertisements for
the Assistant City Attorney opening. Twenty-six male and eighteen
female applicants respondedThat field has been narrowed to 14
finalists, and we are now interviewing the top seven candidates (4
males, 3 females). Interviews are being conducted by me and four
othr City staff members - Dick ande
ePhyllis Alexander. Interviews 8shouldHbevcompleted ey �during Donner,
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of August 17th. At the conclusion of interviews, all of the inter-
viewers will meet to
compare rankings and impressions. On that basis,
I hope to be able to make
a recommendation in time for the City Coun-
cil to make an appointment at the August 25th Council
meeting.
4. Oakes/Weaman Subdivision- In this action to enforce subdivision
regulations, Dick Boyle filed
a motion for summary judgment which
should resolve all issues. No hearing has been set.
5. Cit v. Gas Service Ener Cor - In this action for breach of war -
ran y re a ing o e
na ura gas fueling system for automobiles, we
are in the process of discovery (seeking to find
our what documents
and other information GSEC has). We will probably have to
Kansas City for to
go
depositions, and may have other travel working on the
case.
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cit,► ot Iowa
Date: July 29, 1987
To: City Council
From: City Manager
Re: Budget Reductions
Recently, representatives of the news media contacted about the spondia-
in the five-year budget projections, While I was
tions of a potential reduction in City services. The reporter i»sbeepuosuing
to the information prepared I do believe that they might choose
able to "put them off for a while, to determine how the City
this matter vigorously in an attempt budget to meet the anticipated revenue
articular interest in discussing
to reduce its general fund operating
have not indicated any particular
increases. I believe their
shortfall. They potential property licatioIs of budget reduc-
issues associated with P the imp ear to
intent is to prepare stories demonstrating response that is received to
tions on the community. While the property tax increase issue does received
ti secondary, that may also change with the resp
their news stories.
As you are aware, we will begin the preparation of the Council tofiscal 89identify
later this summer nit will
be strategynt f rithwould y become necessary
some type of budget as identified in the five-year projections-
expendituresexpenditure
dramatically reduce or new revenue
More refinement will be undertaken wficant change nvpolicy and exp
however, barring Ysign'• nificant revenue shortfall under cur
projections; could experience a sig
source, the City
rent Policies. term
Any budget reduction strategy must involve both the short-term and long
implications; et this
e, initiated. It
and therefore it will be desirable for the staff to have a
expression of your budget policies before the budget P this
is not necessary to determine the poii Y Position at this time, but I wish to
request that thought be given to your respective Positions concerning
assist in budget preparation, but also to alert
questioning to occur. Media pressure is likel this
to
matter. This will not only concerning
You to .the likely media
to orchestrate a discussion
farce City Council discussions, both informal and formal,
matter. I also suspect the media is attempting
as to how new City Council candidates might also choose to deal with this
issue. . than $25,000)
For your information, I have identified the major (morey
expenditures that are currently in the
non -City personnel related exp in policy and not
change
budget. These items are those which do not directly involve City P
and could
be reductionreduced and/or
elimini. P�ease9note these are not recommencTed
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expenditure reductions, but simply are being identified as likely targets for
budget reduction consideration, due to the atwtj�tattempt tonesolatecthose
are involved. From experience, employee groups
issues that do not affect their membership and the reductionu tilt illebe requested
to reduce these items before considering any
97,000 SEATS Contract
40,000 Iowa City Area Development Group
52,000 Convention/Visitors Bureau
195,000 Aid to Human Service Agencies
250,000 Street Overlay
130,000 Library Materials
35,000 Computer Upgrades
P0000000 Capital Outlay
In your important to note the short
review it is also -term and long-term
implications of a reduction in any programs. While the reduction/elimination
F roblem, anl effort to reduce, for example
may solve a short-term financial p
contributions to human service agencies, could result in dismantling of many
enjoy and of the social
lsigpport significant gramslong-teandrm cgroups that the community has come to
has
en -
Many other items have not been included as "non -City personnel related o th
enance
rials
fact t any rthahsas street significant eduction in the emaintenance8s /materia8purchase ace
counts would likely cause employment reductions. With fewer materials, it is
likely that the maintenance program could not occur at its current level and
thereby personnel would be reduced accordingly.
The cost of utilities is also not included in any major reduction, in that are
in
most instances public facilities will remain open and such expenses
necessary for routine building usage. The City also spends approximately
$286,000 a year on energy consumption for the City's street lighting system.
If we were to reduce lighting, turn out some of the lights," we would have
to buy out of our commitments to the utility company. If this were to occur,
jthe effect of the reduction is dramatically reduced.
Five-year projections indicate that budget shortfalls will continue to accu-
muate ed
nol opportuwould e little to
nityeforo furtherth reductions inese items refuture years rwithout reduction in
employment. Long -run reduction in employment does provide greater
savings,
however, please remember that the City would be obligated to pay unemployment
i compensation for each employee that would be laid off and, therefore, for
each full-time employee and the wages and benefits that are saved, additional
!
e to occur to provide reductions would havfunding for that employee's unem-
ployment compensation. While this is a short-te
compensation expenses associated with an employee lay the
be considered
at the time any reductions in personnel occur.
While I would certainly prefer that this not occur in a public debate (news
j ehave
significant effect employee morale,
there
seasomeleentofjob jeop
Employeesmay fee
appears be no
#70
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ardy in the upcoming months and I hope that we can remain sensitive to such
concerns.
/sp
cc: Department Directors
1174