HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-11-12 CorrespondenceCity of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 7, 1985
To: City Council
From: Patt Cain, Associate PlannerW
Re: Landscaping, Lighting and Signage Plans for 325 E. Washington (Old
Elk's Building)
As part of the required process for the issuance of IRBs for construc-
tion/renovation in the City's Urban Revitalization Area, the Design Review
Committee reviewed the building design plans for renovation of the Old
Elk's Building in January, 1985. At that time the Committee recommended
approval of the building design plans with landscaping and signage designs
to be reviewed later. Southgate Development has now submitted landscap-
ing, lighting and signage plans for approval.
The enclosed landscaping plan indicates the types and placement of
planting on site. The developer intends to have the materials planted yet
this fall. (Note: The absence of planting materials on the sidewalk
islands does not mean these will remain bare. Plans for replanting these
islands are being designed in consultation with the City Forester, Project
GREEN and the developer. At a minimum, the developer will replant these
areas in accordance with their preconstruction design.)
At a November 6 special meeting called specifically to review these plans,
the Design Review Committee unanimously recommended the following:
That the landscaping, lighting and facia signage plans for 325 E.
Washington be accepted.
The monument sign proposed in the signage plan does not meet the sign
regulations for the CB -10 zone. At this time, therefore, the Committee
recommended that only the proposed facia signage design be approved.
Further elaboration of the Committee's recommendations concerning the
signage will be contained in the meeting minutes, which will be available
at a later date.
Council approval of these recommendations can be indicated by passing a
motion to concur.
bc3
Y
■
1�
1 . 1
0-1
i
'
Plant.,; Listing
5 r -,M k NICaRA
411 C"
RIVED 6iF�GH .
2
MAPNLEA�
HT,
gLjFUp,
4 MAU,*'yi'RJNo yNWJ�
FI,ovJ�21►�Kx GKJ�Ji/.pl°�-E
42 FatrNTIUA !Caol.D MP:
Il
wr
Glo TA•XUS' GUSPigD.T NAHA
PwAgF UAPa.N YEW
$42 VI NGA MWOR ' 0o1N1r2'
, I� O G, +
-
i.
R
Landscaping_
f.
i
3
-
i.
R
Landscaping_
Plan:
I
I
{
U'
t
'-
•
e+'/
JJ
1,
�f
.J
YX
{
Y! I
Fixture Schedule-
1924-H --I E�S1o21 RaXA%WCAN,
L5
eKeC ,60L M `-►5W e-17, 'noo
1?EGC�hED �JALK-WAY
CICO,
G
51t C7 S FIX?U1ZE ft U: MDUN
12' o' I°17L 176 W M}/I ClA LAMP
D
PELIG%fJT MOUNT 175 WI MVI
:ti'
MIVI b LAmr FbcTuN
f
,u
i
A
A
-
4.
7
optic
�V
"Y.
VIA Al WIS,
Pon.,
Gain
Al
N
hy ".
I m
I" lax" Us
N..
f
r-7
777
Quo
I tli
C4
Als,
'V.
. . . .
. . . . ....
-----
":" 7-
7
optic
�V
"Y.
VIA Al WIS,
Pon.,
Gain
N
hy ".
AM
I" lax" Us
N..
RN5W PI
r-7
777
Quo
I tli
Als,
0
I
AVISK-* Eusc fi,:,iz ff
7
ALL- 'SPRING KNOW'
I
i
-1-7, 1
I
NOV 71985
Iq 'iAXltS GUSP.ag14TA NidJA�..-,:
nWA'►!sF`_JARAt�I�+E �YEVJ
,
1
;42 I�NTILI.� F. GOLD PKoP"3�O,E.,
I c�pl.p.; pf?oP f'O`fEN'ffLf.A
m
NOV 71985
Iq 'iAXltS GUSP.ag14TA NidJA�..-,:
nWA'►!sF`_JARAt�I�+E �YEVJ
,
1
;42 I�NTILI.� F. GOLD PKoP"3�O,E.,
I c�pl.p.; pf?oP f'O`fEN'ffLf.A
Fk' �
1
:+
NOV 71985
a
City of Iowa City , a d-
MEMORANDUM
DATE: November 7, 1985
TO: City Council
FROM: Patt Cain, Associate Planner R&
RE: Canopy Replacement for 112 E. College Street
The attached drawing depicts a replacement canopy for Buc's, 112 E.
College Street. The present canopy has become faded and worn, and the
owner has applied for a permit to install new fabric on the existing
frame.
The only change to the facade will be the canopy replacement. The
canopy proposed will be gray with purple lettering as shown on the
drawing.
Because the canopy extends into City Plaza, a Design Review Committee
recommendation was required before a permit will be issued. At its
November 6 meeting, the Committee unanimously recommended approval of
this application.
16'
The Emergency Housing Project, Inc.
331 North Gilbert Street Post Office Box 8939
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
A non profit agency providing hospitality and shelter to those in need.
November 5, 1985
The CLC Council
D
T°'y NOV 619RS
Iowa City, Iowa
From: Jack L. Zerwas, President MARIAN K. KARR
Emergency Housing Corporation CITY CLERK (1)
Re: CDBG Request
Dear Members, City Council:
In the beginning let me express our appreciation for the support of
the City Council in the past. Without your capital assistance these
facilities would not be possible and the program of providing
short-term emergency housing operative.
However, we feel the present request, which conforms to all CDBG
guidelines, and the recommendation are legitimate and worthy of
funding for the following reasons:
1. tie are not asking for funding of the program. This
program 17T being financed by other sources, particularly
the churches. Since opening 600 persons have been served.
In July and August alone 130 persons were housed for a
total of 517 nights. Of this number we were only
reimbursed for a total of 48 nights by referral agencies.
The balance at $7 a night was funded by Ener-ency Housing.
Thus, there are no extra funds for needed repairs or
projects that we could not complete in the beginning.
2. The Council still ams this property. In doing this
necessary work we are not only protecting the Council's
investment, butmaintaining the appearance of the project.
3. tie do utilize in routine maintenance and repair volunteer
help. The projected work requires skills that we cannot
secure with volunteers.
4. In view of our clientele, the property has hard usage as
that maintenance is a major drain.
a63 /
5. Our request because of the time element in making
application, was based on preliminary estinates, not bids.
We do not know whether we can complete the work projected.
This the Committee on Community Needs recognized and
wanted to guarantee that the work would be completed. We
hope the Council will concur. Otherwise, we will do what
funds allow.
I trust this information is helpful. If there are further questions,
we will be glad to respond. We trust you will approve the funding of
this request.
Sincerely,
Jack L. as, President
Emerge Housing Project
a o3/
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: November 12, 1985
TO: City Council - City of Iowa City
FROM: Fred C. Krause, Chairperson, Iowa City Housing Commission
RE: Housing Commission Endorsements of 1986.CDBG Funding Allocations
At its meeting of November 12, 1985, 9:00 a.m., the Housing Commission
voted unanimously to endorse 1986 CDBG funding recommended by the
Committee on Community Needs per the attached list as follows:
. Emergency Housing Project Repairs
. Housing Modification for Low/Moderate Income Frail Elderly Program
. Comprehensive Housing Rehabilitation & Weatherization
. Shared Housing Program Continuation
. Elderly Home Services Coordinator/Case Manager
. Residential Elderly/Handicapped Accessibility Project
. Systems Unlimited
Although it does not directly relate to the housing needs of the City of
Iowa City, the Housing Commission does favor consideration of the Revolving
Development Loan Fund with criteria for fund allocation determined by the
City. It is the feeling of the Commission that the long-range effects of
that concept would certainly be in the general interest of the citizens of
Iowa City.
Housing Commission recommends Council approval and consideration of the
above items.'- C�
Fred C. Krause
Chairperson
Iowa City Housing Commission
Attachment
ao3/
I
I
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED 1986 CDBG BUDGET
As Recommended by CCN
Emergency Housing Project Repairs
$ 81000
Housing Modifications for Low -Income Frail Elderly
8,000
Comprehensive Housing Rehabilitation and Weatherization
180,000
Mayor's Youth Employment Program
26,860
Shared Housing Program Continuation
20,000
Community Support Services and Day Treatment Program;
Mid -Eastern Iowa Community Mental Health Center
115,000
Synthesis Studio Improvement/United Action for Youth
6,000
Elderly Home Services Coordinator/Case Manager
35,000
Mark Twain School Playground Revitalization
1,000
Crisis Center Food Bank Facility
156,500
Residential Elderly/Handicapped Accessibility Project
20,000
Curb Ramp Installation
5,000
Acquisition of Ralston Creek Open Space
80,000
Goodwill Industries Renovation
127,000
Terrell Mill Park Improvements
1,200
North Market Square Handicapped Play Area
3,000
Systems Unlimited, Inc.
63,640
General Program Administration
107,000
Contingency Fund
36,600
TOTAL
b1,048,800 i
RR2, Box 111
Lone Tree, Iowa
52755
s
November 6, 1985
i
Dear Members of the Iowa City Council:
We are writing to urge you to approve the $115,000
a Block Grant for renovation of the building adjacent
to the Mental Health Center.
r we are the parents of a mentally ill son; he has
?• lived with us for sixteen years since he was dis-
charged from military service. We are now senior
citizens and needed to make a decision for his future.
]ie will soon be released from the Johnson County Care
t Facility where he has spent the last year participa-
ting in a program implementated. for. him. The structured
setting has accomplished more than vie were able to do.
We are most concerned that the support he needs will
i be available when he enters the community to live
independently.
j
i"e commend Johnson County. Many services are already
! available and it is our hone that they will be re-
t
tained.
In behalf of all fa-milys vino are concerneu. for the
welfare of a mentally ill member, we urge you to sup-
port the Mental Health Center in its request.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Robert Scott
Mr. Robert Scott 0 D
I
NOV 8 1985
MARIAN K. KARR
CITY CLERK (1)
0
F
■
November 12,1985
To: City Council of Iowa City
Subject: CDBG Funding Benton Street Culvert Replacment Project
Enclosed is a letter written by Dave Schmidt, who has lived
next to the creek and culvert for years.
It is a given that the improvements must be done. The
only variable is how it is funded. It seems reasonable that
CDBG Funds and monies from Capital Improvements would be a
balanced approach.
Thank you for your consideration,
Kar Hradek
Chairperson
Miller/Orchard Neighborhood
a43/
E
v
:'embers of the ,omnittee on ;ommun.ity ', eds:
I am pleased to have the opportunity to provide information
to your committee regarding possible assistance in the reparation
of the problems created by the drainage ditch and culvert that
cross under Benton .:treat near my home. I would wish to call
to the committee's attention the following points-
! )
oints:11 The ditch creates an unsafe situation in the -neighborhood,
During time o£ heavy rains, the flow of water in the ditch is
very large. As no safety grate is present, all manner of debris
is allowed to flow through the culvert and, often, become lodged
in a privately extended portion of the culvert. The open ands
and standing water often serve as a very dangerous attraction to
the many young children that pass by on their way to and from
school. During times of little rain, standing water in the many
eroded areas provides ample space for the breeding of mosquitos
end other insects.
2) The rapid flow of water appears to be causing much damage
to public and private property. Several structures near the sides
of the creek give ample and obvious testimony to the force of the
water as it erodes the foundations upon which they stand. An
examination of the roadbed of Benton Street will show that large
cracks have appeared across the road above the creek. As 3enton
Street is an e::tremely well -travelled road, the effect of any
structural damage to the bridge that crosses the creek are, as 1
am sure you can see, potentially enormous.
3) No maintenance is provided to the creek and any of the
i
attached and surrounding structures. epee the culvert that passes '
under the street appears, at some time, to have been privately
extended, a bend exists in the channel of water. As mentioned above,
debris that is carried along by the water tends to become lodged
at
at this bend and, therefore, restricts the flow of the water. In
the past, severe restriction of the water's flow has caused very
heavy neighborhood flooding. It was only through private efforts
that the culvert sus cleaned and the flow restored. Presently,
proper maintenance of the flow of the creek is still a matter of
private effort.. "r_ce ;; arly tr'-ps through the culvert on the
a1031
■
■
to clear away the collected refine
is whet is preventing a reoccurence of the flooding. Also as a
re.ult of;-propsr construction and la -k of professional maintenance,
it apnevrs that the .eater has begun to flow along outside of the
culvert as evidenced by the large hole that has appeared on the
i
parking on the north side of Benton Street. .lith each rain,
the hole_ grows larger and the safety hazard is, I am sure, obvious.
I an sorry that my work prevents me from attendingin
person
to make this appeal for funds and to answer your questions. I am
sure thet you •.ail'_ find in Karen Hradek a. well -versed and qualified
representative of our neighborhood to supply an� additional infor-
mation that you may need.
Sincerely submitted,
David ".7. Schmidt
224 '.lest Benton Street
Iowa ;,ity, Iowa 52240
0?03/
i
to clear away the collected refine
is whet is preventing a reoccurence of the flooding. Also as a
re.ult of;-propsr construction and la -k of professional maintenance,
it apnevrs that the .eater has begun to flow along outside of the
culvert as evidenced by the large hole that has appeared on the
i
parking on the north side of Benton Street. .lith each rain,
the hole_ grows larger and the safety hazard is, I am sure, obvious.
I an sorry that my work prevents me from attendingin
person
to make this appeal for funds and to answer your questions. I am
sure thet you •.ail'_ find in Karen Hradek a. well -versed and qualified
representative of our neighborhood to supply an� additional infor-
mation that you may need.
Sincerely submitted,
David ".7. Schmidt
224 '.lest Benton Street
Iowa ;,ity, Iowa 52240
0?03/
tviving roan Lund examined
A all
its to
industry
!Iliams
rAKE this time to
iu positively can.
proposal submil-
•st Capitol Deve-
ertaining to the
lopment Revolt'
,. Realizing that
rently experienc-
1 growth, I feelit
interest of our
t this proposal
recommendation
ty Council.
In
Y is not eligible
momic Develop -
program, I feel
fish our own —
• Development
:ing. The state's
ements can be
as a guideline: .
of permanent
vailable to low.
lcome people,
went job .be
tied for every
funds awarded,
interest rate of
,ackage be 50
prime interest
nt of the total
in the form or.
A at least one
be conducted
in of an appli-
tit of the Fed.
Urban •DeveC-:'
hould be'rela. _
the Iowa City THE T15TE IS now. In an inter -
the governing • national community like Iowa
this particular City, a strong job market is deft-
nitely needed. A strong job
market is the basis for a healthy
economy. And a healthy economy
will provide a broader tax. base,
which we also need.
Editor's Note
• The guest opinionsappear•
• Ing on; this page are Investi.
91111ing a -proposal rejected by
the Iowa City Commlitep-on
Community Needs'to use Intl. -
erol funds for establishment of
a revolving loan fund as a
business' Incentive In- Iowa
City.. *,.:1.'. :.:.... •.: :.:
The proposal, sponsored. by
the Office of City Planning and,
Programming and First Capitol
Development Inc., calls for the
City to use $300,000 of Core.
,
:munity..Development Block>
Grant fund$ to provide employ -c
ment , for the needy . and,
enhance efforts.rto. attract
Industry to the Community. The
purpose of the loan fund is to
assist expanding or relocating
bualessees that would create.
Permanent jobs in the -research
and industrial sector. Accord.
Ing to CDBG guidelines, at
least 51 percent of these Jobs
must be available to low. and
moderate -Income personal. ,
-
�
.:Unlike other uses of CoB0
'funds, the 101111 would be repaid.icapped and low-income citizens.
to the- city, and.then racirou-: Any funding for a revolving loan
fated, along;wlth . the earned' fund would have to come at the
Internet,-. tot. other business expense of agencies such as the
loans.',, •'.i;° Mid -Eastern Iowa Mental Health
( While the CCN
supports* the' Center, the Iowa City Crisis Cen-
concept".Ofa revolving loan • :ter and Goodwill Industries.
fund, it rejectedthe proposal But the idea of a revolving P.because the information It gloan
-received on Implementing'. R': fund is an intriguing one. The
• was too vague, according to Committee on Community Needs
CCN Chairmen Mickey Lauda. is not opposed to the idea of a
--. The lows City Council is loan fund, only to the specific
expected to,consider the prop form in which it was presented to
oast at a later data. the committee. At a time when
tax revenues are declining and
government services are under
great pressure, we have an obli-
gation to make sure that not a
single dollar of tax money is
wasted. Furthermore, we have an
obligation to make sure that
Community Development Block
i Grant.. -money targeted for low -
and moderate income citizens
actually reaches those citizens.
Proposal is
good idea, but
form falls short
By David Leshtz
TIIE IOWA CITY Coun-
cil will soon consider
whether to use Com-
munity Development
Block Grant money to fund a
variety of human service pro-
jects, or create a new revolving
loan fund desi tied to c t
in exchange for the privilege of
locating in the communities. The
pendulum now has swung to what
might be called the "corporate
bribery" approach of First Capt.
lol. This strategy for economic
development encourages city
councils and boards of supervi-
sors to institute tax abatements
which are used to attract large
corporations to locate branch
plants in their communities.
Whenever a newcomer such as
Rockwell moves into the area,
First Capitol is hailed for creat-
ing new jobs.
g ren a new IT IS DIFFICULT to see the
Jobs. The Committee on Com- wisdom of entrusting muniNeeds strongly supports targeted to low- and mfunds
continued
oderate-
funding for human income citizens to an agency service agencies that have takes an uncritical"trickle-
down"
,proven their usefulness to hand- down" approach to economic
Guest
Opinion
,a plant in the Coralville indust-
rial park, which will manufac.
ture high-tech radar systems for
aerospace programs in this coun-
try.
tp UlY.i Y.0 Jut�iui.. :@ii !.11
itions I would
to see that
annual CDBG
to this prog.
,standing that
re-evaluated
period. The
I feel, will
solvent while
tyment of any
d could pos.
lunity to gel
servicers to
"s industrial
It trends run
I•t help but
major indus-
country are
pub -assembly
vl initiate its
pment prog.
it providing
idustries. A
these stale -
m -Collins of
to construct
-If you are current with on.
going city issues, you may
remember that the city is consid.
ering raising user fees for cer-
tain services and 'activities in
'Iowa City (bus fare, pool fees,
park fees, etc.). This will occur
mainly because we have a small
lax base from which the city can
draw revenues. it Is a small
wonder to me wily an individual
will come to the Iowa City com-
munity, student or other, and
decide to stay. Since everyone
cannot work fur the Ul, we must
exhaust all attempts to bring new
employment and industry to'our
area.
The revolving loan fund is but
one alternative. If we wait too
long in deciding on a plan, hind.
sight will obviously be 20120.
Reginald Williams Is a member of the
town Coy Committee on Community
Needs.
THE PROPOSAL NOW before
the council ,falls short on both
counts. It contains no assurances
that the revolving loan fund
would not be used merely as a
source of cheaper credit for
firms which could easily find
conventional financing. It con-
tains no guidelines to guarantee
that the loans would be targeted
to benefit low- and moderate -
income citizens rather than the
investors who receive the loans.
In addition to the vagueness of
the proposal, there is the ques-
tion of who would administer a
revolving loan fund. The prop.
osal was presented to the Com-
mittee on Community Needs by
First Capitol Development Inc.,
although it later became evident
that it was also supported by the
city staff. First Capitol Develop.
ment Inc, is a private agency
funded by the city, the county
and the UI, but accountable pri-
marily to local business inter-
ests.
development. Even if First Capi.
tol could demonstrate that it is
responsible for every new corpo.
rate branch plant that opens,
which is highly unlikely, they
have set up no standards of
accountability for employers..."
i
Instead of indiscriminaltly
loaning tax money to investors
who then claim to be creating
Jobs, we should develop a revolt'
ing loan fund that is accountable
primarily to the people it is
designed to serve. We need to
establish safeguards to ensure
private compliance with public
targeting of benefits. And we
should also set up guidelines for
the kind of business activity that
public funds should promote:
Although we cannot be sure
that a revolving loan fund would
create new jobs, we can be sure
that loan money is used to prom.
ote the kind of economic activity
that would make Iowa City a
better place to live. A revolving
loan fund might be used to fund
worker -owned small businesses
that would provide more demo-
cralic employment opportuniti0sl
for low• and moderate -income
people. We could help create
new job opportunities for the
people of Iowa City, jobs which
would be valued not merely for
the wages but also for the oppor-
innity they give for an individual
to contribute to a firm.
A REVOLVING LOAN fund
might be used to fund consumer -
owned cooperatives on the model
of the New Pioneer Food
Cooperative, which provides wel.
come diversity to our local eco.
nomy in the form of new jobs and
a wider range of consumer
choice.
A revolving loan fund that
helped ordinary employer -owned
firms should favor firms that
treat their employees with dig-
nity and respect, willingly
engage in collective bargaining
and maintain high standards to
encourage employers to be good
citizens.
A revolving loan fund Is a good
idea. What we now need Is some.
one to put the proposal In a form
acceptable to the majority of
people in Iowa City.
There once was a time when
corporations made offers and David Leshlr le a member of the Iowa
guarantees to local governments City Committee on C
ommunity Noses. ?d r /
907 N. Gilbert {
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Nov. 6, 1985
To the City Council:
I live in and own a house on the 900 Block of N. Gilbert
(an unpaved street running down the hill between Kimball and
Brown). I was interested in the CDBG housing rehabilitation
program but the boundary for the grant neighborhood stops at
Brown St., so last August I applied for an extension of the
neighborhood to include my block. The street seems designed
for the intentions of the grant. It is a low to middle
Income neighborhood and many of the houses are in need of
repair. Tax assessment on my house is $666,000 but fair market
value by real estate appraisal is in the low 50's as a
result of the condition of the house and the "general rundown
condition of the neighborhood and street."
The Housing Commission In September approved the exten-
sion of the CDBG boundaries, but in October the Committee on
Community Needs voted it down 6_4 because, to the best of my
understanding, they were afraid.they would have to use federal
money to improve the street. I am not interested in having
the street paved. Although it lacks curb and gutter the road
is being well-maintained by the city crews. I want to be
able to apply for a low-interest loan to do some repairs on
my house, and would like the people on my block to have the
same access to rehab money that is available to the rest of
the city. We are not paying second class taxes.
I urge the Council to extend the CDBG neighborhood to
Include the 900 block of North Gilbert at the November meeting.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Deborah Bayer
F
o L
E
0
I40V 6
1985
CITY CLERK
ao.��