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Home My WebLink About1985-12-20 Correspondencee'. City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: December 19, 1985 To: City Council From: City Managerx� Re: Transit The purpose of this memorandum is to discuss: (1) Alternatives for continuing the current level of transit service with only nominal revisions; (2) A process for considering greater coordination of the three transit systems; and (3) The transfer of the supervision of the maintenance of transit vehi- cles to the Transit Department. The memorandum of September 20, 1985, Financial Position of the City, indicated that the year-end deficit balance for Transit was $118,338 in FY85 and the projected deficit for FY86 is $390,344. In addition, insur- ance costs of $38,544 in FY85 and $126,393 in FY86 should be added to thos6 amounts. This produces a FY85 deficit of $156,882 and a FY86 defi- cit of $516,737, for a total deficit of $673,619. The following changes have been identified which would not eliminate routes, reduce the half hour service or create charges for the handicapped and elderly: FY86 FY87 1. Reduction in maintenance costs $ 40,000 -0- 2. Eliminate Rider Appreciation Day -0- 2,000 3 Saturday service - 8:00 AM -6:30 PM 20,000 40,000 instead of 6:00 AM -10:30 PM 4. Rearrange drivers' hours and 7,000 14,000 scheduled overtime 5. Eliminate on-call drivers, and 12,500 25,000 increase 3/4 supervisor to full-time 6. Eliminate driver check-in and 10,000 20,000 check-out time $ 89,500 $101,000 FY85 and FY86 Deficit 673,9 a3�7 , Page 2 To end FY86 without a deficit additional revenue in the amount of $584,119 is necessary. It should be noted that if ridership remained at its FY83 peak of 2.5 million, the year-end deficit for FY86 would still be $362,137. One of the proposals has been that revenues from the parking system should be used to subsidize the transit system. See the memorandum of December 12, 1985, Parking Revenues. In order to issue bonds for the current con- struction, without increasing the financing costs, it will be necessary to increase parking rates if parking revenue is going to be used to subsidize the transit system. If parking rates were increased February 1 to 401 per hour, in accordance with Alternative d2 in Exhibit B from the memorandum of December 12, revenue in the amount of $140,458 would be available for transfer before the end of FY86. This would decrease the deficit from $584,119 to $443,661. If the $443,661 deficit is carried over to FY87, it is estimated that $1,071,046 in new revenue will be required to balance the transit opera- tion in FY87. This is predicated upon maintaining the same level of General Fund and Transit Levy support as was provided in FY86. These are: General Fund Levy $345,354 Transit Levy 446,573 $791,927 The transit cost reductions listed above yield savings of $101,000 in FY87 and the increased parking revenues would provide an additional $430,500 for a total of $531,500. Without additional changes in operations, the deficit at the end of FY87 would be $539,546. If fares are increased on July 1, 1986, from 501 to 601 and the monthly bus pass cost from $16.00 to $18.50 an additional $160,000 would result. The year end deficit then would be $379,546. Financial resources to fund that deficit have not been identified. The JCCOG staff has reviewed the opportunities for increased coordination of the three transit systems and will continue the assessment. However, it is clear that any changes which may be considered will require the support of all three systems. This support can best be developed through participation by JCCOG board members. Therefore, it is recommended that a subcommittee of JCCOG be established to reassess these issues. The sub- committee would consist of a Coralville Council member, an Iowa City Council member and an administrative official of the University of Iowa. These three members would select two citizens who would also serve on the subcommittee. The staff support will be provided by the JCCOG transporta- tion planners. The August 1984, Transit Maintenance Study recommended that transit main- tenance be transferre, to the Transit Director. Virtually all of the recommendations of the study were implemented with the exception of this one. a3eA7 Page 3 The report does not support this recommendation with technical and finan- cial data. Some years ago the City consolidated equipment maintenance operations for all departments. As we discuss privatization of equipment maintenance with private companies, we find that the major savings usually accrue from consolidation, such as we have in Iowa City. This is the j:. primary reason why a private company was successful with the City of Des u Moines operation. i. ?: While there may be some psychological and/or emotional benefits to the Transit Department from a change in the assignment of responsibility, ` financial savings can not be substantiated. In fact, there might be additional costs to transit from such a change. Currently the cost of parts inventory is supported by the entire equipment maintenance operation. It is estimated that a portion of the transit (+ parts inventory has been funded by other operations in the amount of is $140,000. This would be a one-time charge to the transit system. You will note that the consultants' report indicated that the equipment maintenance function was "reasonably efficient" and the purpose of the a recommendations, most of which have been implemented, was to increase the i' effectiveness. tt The transfer of equipment maintenance to the transit division would re- quire increased supervision by the transit administrative staff. The following information concerning transit administration was prepared by Larry McGonagle. y' Administrative Costs. At present transit has the following administrative f s, positions. P Position Hours Salary 8 Benefits If Transit Manager 8-5 M -F $34,007 + $8,502 in benefits n AM Operations Supervisor 5:30 AM to $25,376 + $6,304 in benefits 3:00 PM, M -F PM Operations Supervisor 2:00 PM to $20,030.40 + $5,007.60 in 11:00 PM, M -Th & Saturday benefits 3/4 -Time Supervisor Works AM shift $14,414.40 + $3,603.60 in on Saturday; PM benefits shift on Friday & 8 hours Tuesday & Wednesday Account Clerk - 3/4 time 9-3, M -F $14,024 + $3,506.00 in benefits a3 �L,7 Page 4 The time shown are the hours usually worked, not the hours compensated for since these are salaried positions. In many instances the individual hours listed do not include time off for lunch. In most cases none of y` these employees take an official lunch break. This does not include the numerous times these people stay beyond their hours nor the work that is taken home for completion. At present the three and three-fourths full- time position are working near what five full-time, 40-hour employees would work. With the elimination of the on-call positions recommended by r the Council, there will be greater strain placed on the administrative staff. Staff will have to be here as backup for the dispatcher in case someone calls in sick. If staff didn't backup dispatch when the on-call positions are eliminated, then there is a possibility that no one would be �. in the office about half of our operating day. To eliminate an adminis- trative position would mean that a number of items would not be done or c would be greatly delayed. We would have no one to handle training, acci- dents or road supervision, cover days off, vacations, sick days, etc. In } y addition, it means more hours for an already overworked staff. {{� /sp y i E s i I i I I p 1 t{(t I I (f i i ' i 1 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: December 19, 1985 t To: City Council } From: Dale Neliing, Assistant City Manager Re: Equipment Maintenance `` F Attached please find copies of two organizational charts for the Equipment I Maintenance Division. The first chart shows the current personnel level and the second represents the personnel levet which existed prior to the imple- mentation of certain recommendations from the 1984 transit study. Prior to adding the four positions noted, the Transit Coach Maintenance function was the responsibility of four mechanics with limited direct super- ' vision by the Equipment Superintendent. The Senior Mechanic assumed some responsibility for scheduling work and first line supervision while also performing line mechanic duties. The current situation reflects a more balanced structure and includes a direct first -line supervisor for Transit Coach Maintenance which continues to occupy a separate facility and accounts for about half of the total work load for the entire Equipment Division. [' Staff will be present at your special meeting on December 20, 1985, to pro- vide more specific information regarding Equipment Maintenance. P bj4/4 r i 1 i d3f�� Currin �- � e✓fanvi.e L= el EQUIPMENT "'III 111101111T Terry Reynolds f-e•sUN+�� dn(cin e/ d Fttir ve co....t ,�.,.a%> r:. -.s a •F r�C• -w+l:� .s+..oly wer•f rc�e.; vtr�, GENERAL EQUIPMENT SHOP Shop Supervisor TRANSIT COACH MAINTENANCE Om Fountain Shop Supervisor oJ1, De Shift I i i I i 1 - Wec an Tc 11 Day Shift 2 Mechanic I Senior Mechanic 1 Mechanic II - Rebuild 2 Mechanic I 1 Mechanic II- / Prefab( 1 Body Repair Mechanic 1 Malntenanfe Worker Ili 1 Maintenance Worker III ((Parts (Parts) Ni ht Shift Night Shift c an c III 1 Mechanic III I Mechanic I 1 Mechanic I f-e•sUN+�� dn(cin e/ d Fttir ve co....t ,�.,.a%> r:. -.s a •F r�C• -w+l:� .s+..oly wer•f rc�e.; vtr�, i i I i i I i E,41. GENERAL EQUIPMENT SHOP TRANSIT COACH MAINTENANCE Shop Supervisor Dan Fountaln i DaDa Shift Day Shift 1cue Fanlc—nI 2 Mechanic I Senior Mechanic 1 Mechanic II - Rebuild 2 Mechanic I 1 Mechanic II- / Prefab 1 Maintenanfe Worker III 11 Parts Night Shift NightShift el 11 c ah nic 111 1 Mechanic III 1 Mechanic 1 r W �V 62,T Gli�cc �! Que 5zz[ro DEC 19 1985 MARIAN K. KARR CITY CLERK (1) 4123 v 8'' 3a 62,T Gli�cc �! Que 5zz[ro DEC 19 1985 MARIAN K. KARR CITY CLERK (1) 4123 v 8'' DEC 19 198; (1 MARIO K. KARR CITY CLERK ) .23 in i1 ; a II lk 1y31 F DEC 18 1985 MARIAN K. {CARR CITY CLERK (1) vo I 5XLQ .- --------- _--. 8 ISA; DFC 1D MARIAN K. KARR CITY CLERK (1) J In �,? w..:;. O "r F o L E D DFC 18 I9AF MARIAN K. KARR CITY CLERK (1) I l THE PROBLEM Iowa City Transit has lung been recognized as the best transit system in Iowa and one of the best in the Midwest. This Wear, the City of Iowa City has experienced drastic cuts in federal and state mass transit i fundin ms ance costs have been unex ectedly high andinsurance premiumEor'ell cities, have tripled. As a result, Iowa City Transit is now facing a projected $500,000'defieit for fiscal year 1986: on Nov. 12, the Iowa City Council held an informal hearing and was presented with a study of Iowa City Transit by transportation planner Michael Kyte and Associates. Five alternatives were proposed far balancing the deficit. THE PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES Cor MIX & MATCH) Eliminate Wardway;'N; Dubuque & Seventh Ave. routes t & Saturday & Evening service;,reduce Midday service to j hourly; raise fares to 60 cents & monthly posses to 51B.50. Eliminste•Wardway, N. Dubuque & Seventh Ave. routes & Sat. & Evening service; raise transit levy 18 cents per $1,000 of;assessed valuation & increase transit's portion of the city's general revenue fund by 2B 'percent. We Reduce*Sat.'service to hourly; combine some night routes; raise transit levy 18 cents. 0 No changes in existing•service; increase transit levy 18 cents & transit's portion of the general fund by 51 percent. 0 Expand route system; provide hourly Sunday service; charge 25 -cant non -rush hour fare to the elderly & handicapped; add more buses to the fleet. ..THE SOLUTION . Is this what you want for your transit systsm7 The city council must make a difficult decision on this issue in the next several weeks. Contribute to the debate. Call your city councilors (listed below) or write them: c/o City Clerk Civic Center - 410 E. Washington Iowa Cltu, Iowa 52240 Mayar John McDonald 8111 Ambrisco Larry Baker Kate Dickson Clemens Erdahl George Strait Ernie tuber , Darrel Courtney Ccouncilcr elect) aj iti? �`�N J*WX 44f. , -rt. 522�jp Dee • !2 , fjt6 Apou d 4k ,� � �- ;6xoul-- z7afi .0 url�rocatc. t�. mp-ter, cv�-�C�.d . au i 441, IrIf glop M*U.L d cd 14 F L E D 'OXQ DFC 18 1985 MARIAN K. KARR ate CITY CLERK (1)do "ww Nte'tu,L � 0 a .c�.ule . � ,d!wik .tic caw•N.f ^�saxe.r;� � � ' �"" • ImAke- 23� ;■ 1 The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 52242 Division of Mathematical Sciences Department of Computer Science Department of Mathematics Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science Program In Applied Mathematical Sciences Q� cw-4�tll C,) o c�t� U60%, —sa Ci Ila 52240 -:t).QAM S -z" I M I F o L E 0 DEC 18 1985 MARIAN K. KARR CITY CLERK (1) J P144iuenr ,Q h � ClM'L ftp. 1Yl.SL4i3, `7p�.rQ �.►U. G.-"C�IQyb��Wr�i.c 0 Y Jwan. J ..t�%r`ju� —Ota—IQ�,f�.�!<�,,;v,.7VVV d' ""� ! � $sF �i-�u�'� � '�-� •Q,c'"` �lx.w, •,,,r,� Q•�NK�.,n•,�, I•^„� �.4. .CxllWnk -Q>U.5 .iJl�(;-t. •`lvC '� ,,,,,,�.,�• h bw .A.mt-e�irnw�cQ. .r. 7:fy °W�- I 1 The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 52242 Division of Mathematical Sciences Department of Computer Science Department of Mathematics Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science Program In Applied Mathematical Sciences Q� cw-4�tll C,) o c�t� U60%, —sa Ci Ila 52240 -:t).QAM S -z" I M I F o L E 0 DEC 18 1985 MARIAN K. KARR CITY CLERK (1) J P144iuenr ,Q h � ClM'L ftp. 1Yl.SL4i3, `7p�.rQ �.►U. G.-"C�IQyb��Wr�i.c 0 Y Jwan. J ..t�%r`ju� —Ota—IQ�,f�.�!<�,,;v,.7VVV d' ""� ! � $sF �i-�u�'� � '�-� •Q,c'"` �lx.w, •,,,r,� Q•�NK�.,n•,�, I•^„� �.4. .CxllWnk -Q>U.5 .iJl�(;-t. •`lvC '� ,,,,,,�.,�• h bw .A.mt-e�irnw�cQ. .r. 7:fy °W�- The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 52242 Division of Mathematical Sciences Department of Computer Science Department of Mathematics is Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science Program In Applied Mathematical Sciences 1841 qKL Wvl t X wwml�a4 kar nrla aY vr.7 1 ctM J3 4 V`SL it H _._._.......... _.�. + yi J 3.129 Kirkwood Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52240 December ly, 1985 Mr. John McDonald, Mayor Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Sr' Dear Mr. McDonald: a. As a regular Iowa City bus rider, I an sorry that the transit system is in poor financial condition. Any reductions in service or increase in N. fares to improve the system's finances will be -inconvenient for me, as they will be for other riders. Nonetheless, I would find further increases in property taxes even more inconvenient. i In the three years I have lived in Iowa City, my property tax bill has l increased by 33 percent. The component due to city taxes has increased I 35 percent. This is considerably greater than the increase in my income 1 over the same time period and, according to my realtor friends, it is j i; considerably greater than the likely increase in the value of my house. If my taxes continue increasing at this rate, I will soon be unable to r° afford living in Iowa City. It is nice to have the taxpayers subsidize my bus ride, but the tax bill is becoming unbearable. Given a choice between an increase in taxes or a reduction in bus service and increase in fares, I would choose the latter. Sincerely yours, i I .I i el L. Horowitz JH/smh I i Ei r t OEC 18 1985 MARIAN K. KARR E CITY CLERK (1) f i I i i I i i �✓ 7 6 N December 18, 1985 DEC 18 1988 MARIAN K. KARR City council members, CITY CLERK (1) I am writing to express my deep concern about possible bus route cuts, declining frequency of service, and/or a fare increase come January 1, 1986. Our transit system is a much used and needed service the city provides) I There are great advantages to riders and non -riders when a community has an excellent mass transportation program as Iowa City does, First and foremost, i it provides transportation to those who ride the bus due to the unaffordability of owning a private vehicle or through choice. The indirect effects can be just as great. With fewer people driving their own cars there is less con- gestion downtown, fewer parking headaches, less pollution, and fewer taxes put t= toward road use repairs. j I think the alternatives looked at by the council are missing the mark. 39% of the transit department's budget come from fare box revenues. Only Coralville can beat that. Let's find a way to do a better job at what we are already doing well. What Iowa City needs is a good promotional campaign to increase ridership. To solve immediate transit deficits this may need to done in conjunction with transit levy increases. The current budget for advertising for transit is $5,000. This should be increased to at least $7,000. One of the policies Larry ticGonogle (sp7) stated was that when radio ads are aired, they are run on all local stations i so as not to show favoritism to any one private endeavor. This is not a smart I policy. Radio ads should be run on stations that have a diverse and/or hinh listenership. Cable television ads promoting mass transit and shop R ride campaigns should be implemented. A short study to find out differences in the average cost per month for travel via a compact, mid-sized, luxury car, van, small and large pick-up trucks, and riding the bus could show us economic advantages a3ral ■ to riding the bus. These tactics can help increase awareness among Iowa Citians of the benefits to themselves and the community of riding the bus; No cuts in service or fare increases should be made. You have tough.dectsions to make; Choose wisely. In peace, A/Cyl n Karen Kubby V1 TO: IOWA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SOL FROM: JOAN JEHLE, Office Manager, Iowa City Public Library R E: SUGGESTION FOR INCREASING BUS RIDERSHIP DATE: DECEMBER 18, 1985 At last evening's Council meeting and public hearing, Dan Daly addressed an issue which has been near and dear to my heart for the past year. 2 ® F L15 Please refer to the attached copies dated November 1, 1984 and December 28, 1984, This is an issue which I feel very strongly about and wished to present to you a year DEC 1$ jgflF ago but at that time you were dealing with decisions related to the FY86 budget and the possible loss of MAR!AN K. KARF? federal and state monies in the near future. CITY CLERK (1) The near future has now arrived. I appreciate the fact that you are reluctant to make hasty decisions regarding any changes in relation to the transit system. Mr. Erdahl is correct, you need to look at a much larger picture - how to market your product (bus service) to increase ridership and revenues. Make it so convenient and so attractive t atat people simply cannot justify driving their cars to work or school. In my attached memo to Dan Daly/AFSCME, I was addressing the issue of an inequity in benefits offered to City of Iowa City employees. A special parking permit rate for City employees (now $10.00 per month) who choose to drive their cars to work while no special rate is afforded to City employees who choose to support the local transit system by leaving their cars at ome. Bus passes are now $16.00 per month). The cost for this special monthly pass could be deducted from the employee's paycheck just as is now done for the employee parking permits. The pass itself could be good for 3 or 6 months - the same as the parking permits. I would appreciate your consideration of this suggestion. I would further suggest that the monthly bus passes .special also be offered to any employee who works in the central business district and agrees NOT to drive his/her car to work. It seems to me that the City would benefit in two ways. 1.) fewer cars in the central business district on a dail basis and thus more parking spaces in city lots and ramps. 2.}v Increased ridership on the busses and increased revenues. The special passes to other than City employees could be sold on a 3, 6 or 12 month basis with payment to be in advance - thus generating instant revenue for the City. I am attaching a copy of a City of Iowa City Employee Parking Survey which was conducted 12 to 18 months ago. It was my understanding that this survey was also used in all businesses and offices in the central business district. I have never heard the results. Have you? How many people drive cars to work in downtown Iowa City every day? Perhaps another survey is in order at this point in time. I believe that the majority of Iowa City residents are anxious to support their local transit system. Thank you for your interest and concern. ,13 eAF NAME OF BUSINESS: r" CITY EMPLOYEE PARKING SURVEY NAME OF BUSINESS: CITY OF IOWA CITY EMPLOYEE PARKING SURVEY a A Parking Study is being done in downtown Iowa cooperation in participating in this City and we would appreciate your parking survey. QUESTION. ONLY CIRCLE ONE ANSWER FOR EACH Thank you for your -cooperation...... _ I. JOB STATUS? a. Full Time b. Part Time 2. WHAT IS YOUR JOB CLASSIFICATION? a. Professional C. Retail b. Clerical d. Other 3. HOW DO YOU NORMALLY COME TO WORK? a. Drive and Park e. Cab b. Ride with Company Employee f. Bus d. Ride k with Friend or Spouse Walk g. Motorcycle or Bike - 4. HOW DID YOU COME TO WORK TODAY, IF DIFFERENT FROM HOW YOU NORMALLY COME TO WORK? stf. a. Drive and Park e. Cab b. Ride with Company Employee f. Bus • c. Ride with Friend or Spouse d. Walk g. Motorcycle or Bike p QUESTIONS NO. 5 THRU NO. 8 ARE FOR DRIVERS ONLY' 5. HOW FAR IS IT FROM YOUR HOME TO YOUR OFFICE? a. 0 - 5 Miles b. 6 - 10 Miles d. 16 - 20 Miles C. 11 - 15 Miles e. 21 - 25 Miles f. More than 25 Miles 6. WHERE DO YOU NORMALLY PARK? a. Public Parking Lot c. Parking Ramp b. Company Parking Lot d. On -Street e. Other: -7. HOW FAR DO YOU PARK FROM YOUR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT? a. One Block or Less d. Four Blocks b. Two Blocks c. Three Blocks e. Five Blocks f. Six Blocks or More 8. WHAT TYPE OF AUTO DO YOU DRIVE? a. Compact or subcompact b. Mid size, full kup or Camper size, or station wagon d. Van WHEN COMPLETED,RETURN SURVEY TO YOUR EMPLOYER; A THANK YOU. CITY STAFF PERSON WILL PICK THEM UP. I TO: Dan Daly, AFSCME Union President FROM: Joan Jehle. Office Manager, ICPL R E : City Employee Subsidized Transportation DATE: November 1, 1984 I am concerned about what I consider an inequity in one of the benefits offered to City of.Iowa City employees. City employees are permitted to purchase parking permits which permit them to park in City -owned (specified) parking lots at a current rate of Qfl D $6.00 per month. tI understand that this amount lS will be raised in the near future to $8-$10). DEC 18 198F In effect, the City is subsidizing the parking provided to City employees since it would cost MARIAN 1C.11:ARR much more than $6-$10.00/monthly for a City CITY CLERK (1) employee to drive his/her car to work and park downtown every working day during the month. i i My concern is that City employees who either choose to ride the City -owned buses or must because of the absence of other forms of transportation, must purchase a monthly bus pass for $14 or pay the same 40� per ride fee si which is charged to all riders. I have paid 40t per ride each working day for at least the last three years and now I am 1` beqinninq to auestion wh the Cit doesn t rovide me with a iscount rate oer ride or ri per month . t seems to me that the Mty s ould be encouraging its employees to take the City buses and leave their cars at home. I know of other Library employees who would ride the bus (at least more often) if it were made more appealing. I would appreciate feedback from the Union and t suggestions on how to proceed on this issue. -0?3 sem' ■ C December 28, 1984 Joan Jehle, Office Manager Iowa City Public Library 123 South Linn Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Ms. Jehle: Thank you for your letter suggesting that the City offer its employees monthly bus passes at a reduced rate. Your idea makes good sense. City - owned parking lots experience reduced revenue since it is only fair to offer parking to City employees at a discount. Your proposal to allow the purchase of monthly bus passes to City employees at a reduced rate ($10?) would help relieve traffic congestion downtown and free up City parking spaces for more lucrative customers. Your letter was read at a regular meeting of AFSCME 183 and it met with the members approval. I have taken your idea to the Human Relations Director but fear that we won't be able to move it any farther. The present lack of such policy would seem to discriminate against those who cannot or choose not to drive to work. The City would clearly benefit from the implementation of such an incentive to use its excellent mass transit system as an alternative to its parking lots. Your status as a confidential employee allows you other channels of communication. I encourage you to put your suggestion to the City Manager and/or City Council and I wish you good luck. Sincerely, Dan Daly, President AFSCME Local 183 0- December 19, 1985 Mayor McDonald and Council Members City of Iowa City Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mayor McDonald and Council Members: One of the most difficult philosophical and financial dilemmas facing the Iowa City Council concerns public transit services. Important decisions need to be made as to the level of service provided to the community and the degree of subsidized support to the transit system out of the City's operating budget. A low... cost, easily accessible public transit system is one of the most important variables affecting quality of life in any community. Every effort should be made to provide the most comprehensive cost effective bus service, but in times of financial difficulty priorities must be established. The Greater Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce strongly urges the council to make their decisions after a careful consideration of the potential lona range consequences of current decisions. It has come to our attention that one of the proposals being considered as a potential source of funding for the public transit system is to use existing surplus funds that have been earmarked for parking space, facility maintenance, and ex - passion. The Chamber has grave concerns that this proposal will create serious long term consequences both for the downtown area and for future city budgets, parking already is at a premium in Iowa City. We must continue to maintain existing public investments while we develop improved private parking. In future years deterioration of existing structures will become a reality. The City will need to generate funds at that time for repair, maintenance or er:pansion, a process which could be even more politically and economically difficult than today's dec- isions. Greater Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 2358 Iowa City, Iowa 52244 (319) 337-9637 1 r Page 2 The Board of Directors of the Greater Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes the difficult decisions which face the City Council as they begin the process of formulating next fiscal year's budget. We urge the Council to make the difficult budget decisions that need to be made. Use of existing surplus funds to alleviate current deficit problems could create a whole new set of problems to be faced by future Councils and citizens. Sincerely.; '1\` WilliissitJ�,,M..Bywater, President Greater Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce WMB.mh 12.3 510