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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. _ ,�MKt4vi4 tl s�t.itt...tat'.....aa�tat.w.A�ry 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. bc2 37,3 t � 1Nvi<t N1 i a<.l a a'.a aa�i.:i ::ati�aw..i.v++J:: � � a �� .a♦ 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 tp4/6 cc: City Council i Warren Dunham, Iowa DOT John Lundell, Transportation Planner 3 93 T i i j I 1 " I i • i i 1. 1 1 t1vtSSty� av\t lv v".•att'.t a4 Svla'l vuvaun.va�SJ: v: i.v Yvvaa M+a�•i���v.'i ��.v v'w .vv +rwY...'�. N'.v.vwvw`N.Y v' 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. bj2/17 I tittl v\fttv�vvv vtv..\vt ..vcv vvv .t vo w.vim ....................�../.«.i. NEW %/NgAISW Couley AoM/N. Bcn¢, i 373 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. r 3 r .........................,..._....,....a_....,........ .......... ,.,...,.,.,....,......,...w.,.._ i 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. I I . Max Yocum's building no longer resides on First Street right-of-way, by Nagle Lumber, as of this date. �'T •_-MN:iI K'tl.S♦ V V a\a aMtV a V act�aaSt�Vw.tvv:::: v't� as V V as..w�w...(i.v.n::e�:.v'.vv...v. +.ti�r)..::.•Nrv.Y.VY.vVYV N� 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. ' bj3/9 377 A 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. bj2/1 3 7of j I 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 i. i 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. i 1 ,.40 a, <..aa.! ........... ... I 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. 3 71? ,o 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 37P i f , Nat<taa!♦ata\..Y.ta.t..a.ta......ii.'... 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 3 %oo 'v...-----.J_.......vv...v-............w..vv..........�... PAGE 4 i 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. .i F Table 1 shows the number of audits conducted in each area by unit type: i 3 7c? tt ....... —------- a....,... ..... .«..........+..........r........w..�,...... 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 i 2 BR apt./duplex 0 4 0 0 4 i j House 0 0 0 0 0 i 2 6 0 2 10 ��l4 at ({{�.�♦st: \a a`.F tFv{ aF riv fiaaa+.�n.:t.�H:: r!a': PAGE 6 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. _ 10 .57,� �G Y{Aaa<ai\�•\vi\\O`�vi.\•<\ia\Sa+aw.ly H...... 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. i 3 '7P i ,�Nll ia{ttt.�at\\\a\�µtt\att :\u�1'taw+xu Y:..a»taaawaan•�'Rw.�iiii'��:�ma.K .v.•.\.. rrr•.Y'.Kvw•rvMM1K� I I 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 ■ �lA aata(a!\.a\a Nararn a :vivvtaa�aw'.a.w.w::::'_.•vava. +.r+n�.�.�..'.ry.::�:.vnv..v. k�.r ...�...�.v.v.vv..vrvrrr � 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. I 380 u ...,cxa<.<..,.e...................a...:... ..,,.,..,..,.,...,,,....... .... .....,.�..,..,, 2 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. 3So 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 'T 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 l seriously reconsidered. 3So i MI\:CafA..tSttJ.ww\it.\\\\w\\'ulwivwR\swnA'}MiJJJJJ: J.'awwwwwwwwv..�..�.w..neJJJJJ.ww\,M �w.wtwvtiN'Mv.wvnrnwY�� 3 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. /sp i i I j 3 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. /sp