HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-02-25 Info Packet of 2/21�1..�iA.a aaJ.....as.-.�a........d..-..:n.a.an:::: �:...........�...4.................w......�.+......a .a..w....w..a.
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 21, 1986
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
RE: Material in Friday's Packet
Memoranda from the Assistant City Manager:
a. North Dubuque Street Reconstruction Project
b. Parking for County Office Facility
Memorandum from the Senior Planner regarding the special informal Council
meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission on February 27. _
Memorandum from the City Attorney regarding Max Yocum's building. _
Memorandum from the Transit Director regarding use of Cable TV. _
Memorandum from the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission regarding
the Housing Audit.
Press Release from the City Manager naming John Lundell Transit Manager,
Memo from the City Manager regarding accomplishments and goals. _
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 18, 1986
To: City Council
From: Dale Helling, Assistant City ManagerJ�
Re: North Dubuque Street Reconstruction Project
The City has been advised by the Iowa DOT that sufficient FAUS funds may
not be available until late summer for use in reconstructing North Dubuque
Street. The Congressional Budget Office has established a FAUS obligation
authority amount for the entire State of Iowa which may not permit suffi-
cient funds to be available for our project. This amount is approximately
$2.8 million as opposed to the normal authorized amount of 6 to 7 million
dollars.. Attached is a letter from Mayor Ambrisco asking our congres-
sional delegates for assistance in this matter.
It is advisable that the Public Works Department continue to work towards
a May 1986 bid letting as originally planned so that we will be ready to .
proceed if FAUS funds are available. lie will continue to keep you in-
formed of any new developments.
Thank you.
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
CHIC CENSER 410 E. WASHINGTON ST. IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-5cm
February 11, 1986
The Honorable Tom Harkin
U.S. Senator
705 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Harkin:
The City of Iowa City has been informed by the Iowa Department of Transporta-
tion of a potentially serious dilemma regarding an important local street
reconstruction project. This summer the City has programmed the reconstruction
of North Dubuque Street from Park Road to Iowa Avenue using Federal Aid to
Urban Systems (FAUS) and local funds. The City staff has been diligently
working on the design and right-of-way acquisition phases in preparation for a
May, 1986 bid letting. The estimated cost of this project is nearly $1 million
with 75% being FAUS funds.
The Iowa DOT has now informed the City that sufficient FAUS funds for this
project may not be available until late summer. This is due to the Congres-
sional Budget Office. establishing an obligation authority of only $2.8 million
in FAUS funds for the entire State of Iowa. However, the State has a balance
of $14 million in accumulated unspent FAUS appropriations.
While the City recognizes the admirable efforts by Congress to curb federal
spending; we do not feel it is appropriate to severely restrict FAUS funds.
FAUS funds are 1005 generated by user fees through fuel taxes. Therefore, it is
not fair to impound these previously committed funds from being spent by the
Senate on projects for which they were intended.
The City would sincerely appreciate any assistance you can provide in ensuring
that our Dubuque Street project can be completed this summer. We also would
appreciate your efforts in ensuring that these user generated revenues are not
restricted in the future.
Thank you and please feel free to contact me or Mr. John, Lundell, Transporta-
tion Planner, with any questions or comments.
Sincerely,
�GZ�.
William risco
i Mayor of Iowa City
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cc: City Council
i Warren Dunham, Iowa DOT
John Lundell, Transportation Planner
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 18, 1986
To: City Council
From: Dale Helling, Assistant City Manage
Re: Parking for County Office Facility
Attached please find a map showing a segment of the area immediately east
of the new Johnson County Administration Building. This map was submitted
by the Board of Supervisors in response to a request from Council members
at the last JCCOG meeting. It indicates the area where the County is
proposing additional parking and depicts a possible parking scheme for
that area.
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 20, 1987
To: City Council
From: Karin Franklin, Senior Planner'
Re: Special Informal Council Meeting - February 27, 1986
At your January 28, 1986 meeting, the Council was presented with a recom-
mendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to retain the development
policy of the 1983 Comprehensive Plan Update for Southwest Iowa City.
This policy projects urban growth extending only to east of Freeway 218 in
the short range (to about 1995). The extension of full municipal services
and capital improvements to support the services are not planned for the
entire area west of Freeway 218 until after development has fulfilled the
short range plan goals. Approval of Southwest Estates, the development
proposed by Mr. Eicher, with City services would require amendment of this
policy. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended that this
amendment not be made, finding no compelling public interest to revise the
policy at this time.
The Council requested cost figures for the capital improvements which
would be precipitated at some point by the full development of the South-
west Area. These costs are included on the attached memo from Frank
Farmer, City Engineer. The total costs including road improvements and
water and sewer line construction equal $2,049,500 plus land costs. If we
assume that half the cost of road improvements are paid for by others, the
total public cost for capital improvements alone for this area will equal
approximately $1,224,500 plus land costs for easements and right-of-way
acquisition.
The question for discussion at the special informal meeting by the Council
and the Planning and Zoning Commission is whether to reschedule antici-
pated capital improvements in this area shifting the direction of growth
to the western limits of the City and amending the policy of the Compre-
hensive Plan for development of this area.
tp4/1
cc: Planning -and Zoning Commission
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 19, 1986
TO: Karin Franklin, Senior Planner
FROM: Frank Farmer, City Engineer
RE: Southwest Estates
The following cost estimates are as requested by your February 4, 1986
memo.
1. Slothower Road 31 -foot paving - Melrose Avenue to Rohret
Road. Total Estimate - $760,000. Approximately $122.50
per foot.
2. Rohret Road 31 -foot paving - 218 to Slothower Road. Total
Estimate - $890,000. Approximately $120.25 per foot.
3. Water Main Loop 12" main - Approximately 15,000 lin. ft. at
$22.50 per lin. ft. = $337,500. The loops would provide
for total development.
4. Sanitary 'Sewer Modifications - Upgrade 10" line between
Mormon Trek Blvd. and West High School - $62,000.
Upgrade various sections of Southwest Interceptor - $155,000.
These costs estimates do not include any required right of way or
easement acquisition costs.
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City o1 Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATR; 19 February 1986
TO; Honorable Mayor, Members of the City Council, Neal Berlin, City Manager
FROM; Terrence L. Timmins, City Attorney
Max Yocum's building no longer resides on First Street right-of-way,
by Nagle Lumber, as of this date.
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Max Yocum's building no longer resides on First Street right-of-way,
by Nagle Lumber, as of this date.
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
(late: February 12, 1986
To: City Council
From: Larry McGonagle, Transit Manager
Re: Use of Cable TV
Iowa City Transit has been approached by a representative of Heritage
Cablevision concerning running commercials on selected local cable stations.
Since the rates for these commercials are extremely low (similar to radio
time), we are going to move forward with this project.
Heritage will provide production facilities and assist in the development of
the commercial format. Heritage will reimburse us in free commercial time
for the production cost of the commercials.
These commercials should be completed in.6-8 weeks. Since we have not been
able to do any marketing survey to target a marketing audience, we will focus
this first attempt at cable commercials towards improving transit's image in
the community. lie hope to make everyone more aware of transit's value to all
the citizens of Iowa City. '
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City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 11, 1986
To: City Council
From: Rosalie Reed, Chairperson of the Iowa City Human Rights Commissicn/Y,t
Re: Housing Audit: Recommendation to City Council
The following actions are recommended because we believe they are the appro-
priate responses to the most recent housing audit which resulted in auditors
being treated adversely one-third of the time because of children in clear
violation of the City's non-discrimination ordinance.
1. The City, under the auspices of the Human Rights Commission, shall send a
letter to the Daily Iowan and Press -Citizen advising them of the
illegality of printing apartment or house for rent ads that stipulate no
children in violation of Section 18-32(3) which states it is unlawful to
"directly or indirectly advertise or in any other manner indicate or
publicize. ..that any person because of age ... presence or absence of
dependents... is not welcome, objectionable or not solicited."
2. The City shall encourage the construction of affordable family housing
units in Iowa City that are in close proximity to amenities such as
stores, schools, public services and public transportation.
3. The City shall advise the three agents that blatantly told the parent
auditors that he/she does not rent to people with children that they are
in violation of the City's non-discrimination ordinance. These three
agents shall then be tested six weeks after receipt of the Commission's
letter .and if still in violation of the ordinance, Commission initiated
complaints are to be filed.
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A Study of Discriminatory Practices
f Affecting Families with Children in
The Iowa City Rental Housing Market
Paula Klein
Civil Rights Assistant
City of Iowa City
Iowa City Human Rights Commission
1985
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This research was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development, which is not responsible for the findings and conclusions
j of the author.
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INTRODUCTION:
In May of 1983, the Iowa City City Council voted to include families with
children in the category of a protected class in housing under the Iowa City
Human Rights Ordinance. As 'worded in the ordinance, it is now illegal for
any landlord or housing agent to refuse to rent to, or impose different terms
and conditions for renting on, a person because of "the presence or absence
of dependents."
The issue of children in rental housing is a hotly -debated one among property
owners in particular and the public in general. Many landlords who have
chosen to bar children from apartment units cite their destructiveness to
property, disruption of older tenants' lifestyles, and safety and liability
concerns as reasons for exclusionary policies. Until recent years, there has
been very little challenge to that practice from fair housing groups or
families with children, the assumption being that adults have the 'right to
choose to live in a child -free environment and to enforce that choice through
public and private policy.
However, in 1980, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development pub-
lished an extensive study which addressed the impact that exclusionary poli-
cies towards children have on the nation's families in their search for
adequate housing. Titled "Measuring Restrictive Rental Practices Affecting
People With Children: A National Survey," the report found that:
1. A large proportidn of two-bedroom units throughout the country are closed
to families with one or two children.
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PAGE 2
2. Nearly half the families surveyed reported difficulties in finding a
place to live because of exclusionary policies towards children. low-
income families and families with three or more children are affected
most acutely.
3. Nearly one-fourth of renters without children said they prefer a child -
free environment. However, among renters living in adult -only buildings,
four out of five said they would stay if children were allowed in.
4. Managers who rent to families with children are less likely to say that
children cause any special problems than managers who bar them from
apartment units.
5. Exclusionary policies towards children in housing have increased over*
time, from 1 in 6 prior to 1975 to 1 in 4 in 1980.
The study concludes that families with children are limited in their choice
of housing and are often forced to live in substandard conditions as a result
of "no -children" policies.l In 1984, Senators Edward Kennedy and Robert
Mathias introduced into Congress a bill called The Fair Housing Amendments
Act, which would include families with children as a protected class on the
Federal level. The question of children and housing rights has clearly
become a major issue in the area of fair housing in the 1980's, and promises
to be as controversial and complex as were the questions of race, sex, relig-
ion, and national origin in the past.
---------------
1 Robert Marans and Mary Ellen Colten with Robert M. Groves and Barbara
Thomas, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "Measuring
Restrictive Rental Practices Affecting Families with Children: A National
Survey." U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 1980
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PAGE 3
THE IOWA CITY STUDY
Since the passage of the amendment barring housing discrimination against
families with children in Iowa City, the Human Rights Comnission has received
approximately ten informal complaints and one formal complaint from people
who feel they have been denied housing because of their children. Some
landlords have been slow to remove "no children" conditions from their hous-
ing ads, and even where the ads have been changed after discussion with civil
rights staff, there is some question as to whether such policies continue to
be implemented an an informal level.
From July 18, 1985, through October 15, 1985, the Iowa City Human Rights
Commission conducted an audit of the Iowa City rental market in an attempt to
determine whether families with children were being discouraged in their
search for housing, and if so, to what extent. Unlike the Commission's
previous study which dealt with discrimination against Blacks, the project
was smaller in scope and was limited to two-bedroom units in single family,
duplex and multi -unit rental properties since these units comprise a large
part of the local rental market and are often the units sought by families
with one or two children.
Four auditors, two white males and two white females, posed variously as
single and single -parent renters and as couples with children and couples
without children. The auditors were matched evenly for economic and job
stability and age so that the only factor differentiating then as renters was
the presence or absence of dependents. A parent auditor would view the
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PAGE 4
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apartment first, followed by a non -parent auditor. The auditors were trained
to act in a neutral fashion while viewing apartments and were required to
fill out extensive forms detailing their interaction with landlords and
agents. Auditors posing as people with children were instructed to tell the
landlord in a matter-of-fact way that they had a child or children when
making arrangements to view a unit. The data was then compared and differ-
ences in treatment by landlords towards auditors with children as opposed to
auditors without children were noted.
Results
From July 18, 1985, through October 15, 1985, 31 audits were conducted,
targeting two-bedroom apartments primarily in complexes and duplexes. Al-
though units were selected by random sampling, an effort was made to test
equally the east, west, north, and south sections of the city. Because of
the limited availability of two-bedroom apartments in the north and east
during the audit period, the 'majority of the audits were conducted in the
southern and western parts of the city.
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F Table 1 shows the number of audits conducted in each area by unit type:
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PAGE 5
Table 1. Number of Audits by Location and Unit Type
Unit Type North South East West Total
2 SR apt./complex 2 4 0 B 14
2 SR apt./duplex 0 11 3 1 15
House 0 1 0 1 2
2 16 3 10 31
Out of 31 audits, auditors reported 10 cases of different treatment by land-
lords or agents, or a 31% rate. In each of the 10 instances, the auditors
with children were treated less favorably than auditors without children.
Table 2 shows the frequency of different treatment by unit type and location:
i
j Table 2. Different Treatment by Unit Type and Location
Unit Type North South East West Total
2 BR apt./complex 2 2 0 2 6
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2 BR apt./duplex 0 4 0 0 4
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j House 0 0 0 0 0
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2 6 0 2 10
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As can be seen in comparing Table 1 with Table 2, two-bedroom apartments in
complexes discouraged or excluded children in nearly half the audits con-
ducted on these units, while two-bedroom units in duplexes discouraged or
excluded children nearly one-third of the time.
Table 3 shows the five types of different treatment experienced by the audi-
tors with children and the frequency with which each occurred: In each
instance, the non -parent auditor was shown the unit and given information in
either a routine or encouraging manner:
Table 3. Types and Frequency of Different Treatment
/ of times the parent auditor was told the 2
neighborhood would not be suitable for children.
f of times the parent auditor was told the unit 1
would not be available as advertised.
! of times the agent quoted a higher rent to the 2
parent auditor as a deterrent.
i of times agent made an appointment with parent 2
auditor to show the unit and'did not show up.'
A of times the agent told the parent auditor that 3
he/she does not rent to people with children. _
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PAGE 7
Results indicate that in 1/3 of the audits conducted, people with children
encountered more obstacles in obtaining housing of their choice than people
without children, and that the discrimination that occurred ranged from
subtle discouragement to more direct expressions of "no children* policies.
Support for the family is a value expressed in myriad different ways in this
country, but one which seems to become more complicated when the issue of
housing arises. The question of whether the preference of adults for a
child -free environment supercedes the right of children to safe, adequate
housing is a crucial one where the issue has not already been addressed by
law. In Iowa City, where the non-discrimination ordinance protects families
with children in housing it is clear that exclusionary policies continue to
be carried'. out by some landlords despite the law, and that further efforts at
both enforcement and education are needed.
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CITY OF'IOWA CITY
CNIC CENTER 410 E. WASHINGTON ST. IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 (319)356-500D
NEWS RELEASE
Transit Manager
February 24, 1986
City Manager Neal Berlin announced the appointment of John Lundell
to the position of Transit Manager for the City of Iowa City effective
March 8 , 1986.
Mr. Lundell has served the Johnson County Council of Governments
as Transportation Planner since October 1, 1980. Prior to coming to
Iowa City, he served as transportation planner in Parkersburg, West
Virginia
John Lundell possesses a M.A. degree in Geography with a Trans-
portation Certificate from the Graduate Program in Urban Transportation.
His starting salary will be $35,000. He replaces Larry McGonagle who
has accepted a position with the City of San Diego as Transit Operations
Manager.
FROM: Administrative Office
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City of IOWA City
f MEMORANDUM
Date: February 25, 1986
To: City Council
From: City Manager !/� _/ ✓
Re: A Swan Song!
1. Team Work
Much of what has been accomplished in Iowa City in recent years re-
sulted from having a "good team" - citizens, Council and staff. The
Council defines major priorities and together we agree on a process
for implementation. The process has worked very well and its continu-
ance is of the utmost importance.
Because many of us, Council members included, have been around here
for an extended period of time, we have been able to progress without
our personal idiosyncracies becoming major obstacles.
However, as you approach the adventure of a new city manager, you are
working through to have tthep�nd more interpe sonalein team relatio ships of Counciland speci Thiscarea
has the greatest potential for being a stumbling block for success. I
decisionest that makingustyles,end as ortly after thon team e new managerdarriper
essonal and
2. Wastewater Project
Both the financial and the organizational recommendations for the
project appear sound. Within a few weeks, the ad hoc advisory commit-
tee will present you with specific recommendations as to a project
manager. It may be desirable to continue use of the ad hoc committee
as the project proceeds. I do not see any reason why the project
should not proceed expeditiously.
As the project develops, Chuck Schmadeke will not be able to fully
supervise the project and continue to manage the Public Works Depart-
ment. Chuck and Ed Brinton should develop a working arrangement which
provides for increasing involvement in the project by Ed Brinton.
Eventually, I would suggest that Ed Brinton be promoted to Director of
Utilities with responsibility for both water and wastewater opera-
tions.
It is important that the City Council work with the Iowa Congressional
delegation to unravel the mess Congress has created with the financing
of municipal projects.
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3. Water Division Computer
The operating computer at the water plant has reached the end of its
useful life and needs to be replaced (estimated cost in excess of
$300,000). While a couple of firms have offered proposals, I believe
that it is important that the matter be thoroughly researched, possi-
bly with assistance from the University and Public Technology Incorpo-
rated and that the computer be purchased through a request for
proposal process.
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4. Civic Center
While we have postponed the expansion program, the need still exists.
The project should not be forgotten. In the long-term it is not
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financially advantageous or efficient from the standpoint of providing
city service to continue to lease more and more space in other loca-
tions. In addition, the Police and Fire facilities are not even
minimally satisfactory and certainly there can be no further expansion
of public safety services under the present circumstances.
5. Police Department
Some months ago I asked Chief Harvey Miller to develop a long-range
staffing and organizational program for the Police Department. The
nature and character of Iowa City is changing. These changes will
require increased public safety services.
Because public safety is a high cost item in the City budget, the City
Council should devote some attention to long-range planning for public
safety needs.
6. Parks and Recreation
Together with the purchase of land for the new wastewater treatment
plan, an opportunity exists to purchase additional land at the same
time for active sports needs, such as soccer and baseball. This will
take pressure off of the neighborhood parks. The funding is available
in the parklands acquisition fund. The development can be phased over
a period of several years.
7. Airport
The airport will continue to be a major problem for the City Council.
.
Greater attention must be directed to project planning and implementa-
tion. Significant additional costs probably will result from the
planned projects primarily because of the airport zoning requirements.
The costs could be ofsuch a magnitude that the question of the via-
bility of the airport, particularly at its present location, must be
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seriously reconsidered.
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D. Economic Development
First Capitol Development has achieved much more than we ever antici-
pated in its short life. It serves as a model for community. govern-
ment and university collaboration. There is great potential for an
area -wide effort involving the Cedar Rapids -Iowa City corridor. All
of these endeavors should continue to be pursued vigorously by the
City.
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D. Economic Development
First Capitol Development has achieved much more than we ever antici-
pated in its short life. It serves as a model for community. govern-
ment and university collaboration. There is great potential for an
area -wide effort involving the Cedar Rapids -Iowa City corridor. All
of these endeavors should continue to be pursued vigorously by the
City.
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